More than 694,000 Ford vehicles are being pulled off the road in the U.S.—and the reason is serious. This is not the only famous vehicle manufacturing cars that has done a recall, but, this time, it has to do with a problem with the fuel injectors that could cause leaks, increasing the risk of fire under the hood. Ford is now taking action to fix the defect found in some of its most popular models, as in the Bronco Sport and Escape. Let’s see more in detail what’s happening, which vehicles are affected, and what owners can expect.
Ford recall
I’m sure you know about Ford’s existence and that it has to do with vehicles, but this company is the protagonist of this article because of a massive recall of vehicles in the United States. This was announced after a safety issue related to the fuel system and now more than 694,000 vehicles will be removed from the road to be inspected and repaired. This is a serious issue since they could pose a fire risk.
Which are the affected models?
This decision mainly affects two very popular models: the Ford Bronco Sport and the Ford Escape. The affected vehicles are Bronco Sport models manufactured between 2021 and 2024 and Escape models from the years 2020 to 2022, all of them equipped with 1.5-liter engines.
What is the defect?
According to the report submitted by Ford to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the defect lies in the fuel injectors. These injectors can crack, which would allow liquid fuel or vapor to escape.
If this leak happens near a heat source or a spark, there is a high risk of fire under the hood of the vehicle, which could endanger both the vehicle occupants and others.
What measures is Ford taking?
The company reported that it is already working on a definitive solution, although it has not yet been publicly announced. In the meantime, it is also recalling additional vehicles that were manufactured with the defective injectors but had not been included in previous recalls.
What should vehicle owners expect?
Starting in mid-August, Ford will begin sending emails to the owners of the affected vehicles. In this first message, they will explain the issue and offer a temporary solution at authorized dealerships.
What is the temporary solution?
The provisional measure will be a software update for the engine control system. This update will allow the detection of leaks in the fuel injectors, making it easier to identify potential cracks and helping to reduce the risk of fire while waiting for the final repair.
Final solution on the way
Once the final solution is ready, Ford will send a second email with instructions for owners to bring their vehicles in for complete inspection and repair.
So far, fires under the hood have already been reported related to this issue, but no injuries have been reported, according to the available data.
How much will this operation cost?
Ford estimates that this inspection and repair process will cost around 570 million dollars. This amount includes repairs for the affected Bronco Sport and Escape models, as well as some Ford Kuga vehicles manufactured between 2019 and 2024.
An important preventive measure
Although there is still no definitive solution, Ford has already begun taking action to prevent accidents and ensure user safety. The defect of these cars is a very serious issue, so this preventive campaign shows how important it is to act in time and avoid bigger consequences we couldn’t solve. So, If you own one of the affected vehicles, watch for Ford’s updates and take the necessary steps to stay safe. Do you think Ford company’s solution is the best way to care for the affected owners?