Ford Recalls Escapes and Bronco Sports Over Fire Risk

Ford is recalling 42,652 Escapes and Bronco Sports from the 2022-2023 model years due to a fire risk in the engine bay. The issue is related to a fuel injector that could crack, leading to a potential gas leak into the engine bay.

Background

This recall is not the first time Ford has faced this problem. A previous version of the same fuel injector in these vehicles was also recalled for the same fire risk. Despite attempts to address the issue, Ford is still struggling to resolve the problem with the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that powers these vehicles.

Recall Details

The recall affects 20,382 Escapes from the 2022 model year and 22,270 Bronco Sports from the 2022-2023 model years, totaling 42,652 units. The vehicles are equipped with a fuel injector that may crack, allowing fuel to leak and potentially cause a fire.

Recent Developments

In an effort to fix the issue, Ford introduced an updated fuel injector with a reduced knurl diameter. However, this new part did not completely eliminate the problem, leading to at least five under hood fires since its introduction.

Next Steps

To address the fire risk, Ford will install software in affected vehicles to detect a pressure drop in the fuel rail and reduce power to prevent fires. Additionally, a drain tube will be added to divert leaking fuel away from hot surfaces. These updates will be provided at no cost to the owners.