Fuel injector cracking on certain Ford Bronco models could risk a fire according to an investigation from NHTSA.
History Behind the Issue
The US Auto Safety Agency has begun investigating Ford Bronco Sport models after a risk of cracked fuel injectors causing engine fires. The document mentions the lack of a permanent solution when the US automaker attempts to repair it.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation states they will “evaluate the adequacy and safety consequences of the remedy” only two days after the recall was announced.
The crack in the fuel injectors could potentially lead to fuel leaks in the engine compartment and a risk of fire after coming into contact with hot surfaces. Reports suggest that Ford’s solution is to add a drain tube to divert the gas away from the hot areas along with a software update to see when the pressure drops in the fuel injection system. When finding the pressure drop, the software will kick in, reducing the engine power, and switching off the high-pressure fuel pump to reduce temperatures in the engine compartment. This will then trigger a warning message to the driver asking them to visit a workshop.
The issue that the NHTSA faces from this proposed fix is that the injector still leaks and is cracked. Despite this, 14 cases of fuel injector replacements have been reported and replaced for owners of the affected models. Plus, five under-the-hood fires.
Ford announced that they won’t be replacing fuel injectors due to their confidence in the recall repairs preventing future failures and ensuring customer safety. Instead, triggering a dashboard warning light allows drivers to safely stop the vehicle and arrange for service. According to documents filed with NHTSA, the issue occurs in only about 1% of the SUVs.
Which Ford Models Are Affected?
Almost 43,000 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs made in 2022 and 2023, along with the 2022 Escape SUVs, all coming with 1.5-liter engines are affected by this investigation.
Owners are advised to not change the way they park the car, as the injector issue has not provided enough evidence that there is a fire risk whilst the engine is off.
How Ford Owners Can Take Back Control
While this investigation has been made by a government body, Ford’s reputation has potentially been damaged as thousands more continue to be unhappy with the lack of solutions provided. These problems escalate into further legal action, just like this – underlining the importance of protecting consumer rights.
If you struggle with vehicle troubles and feel cornered against big vehicle brands, remember it is always better to have experts with you. With extensive experience and successful cases at hand, The Lemon Firm is your best bet. With the dedicated team members always at your disposal, the package becomes too good to be true. So, if your car is giving you a headache, don’t hesitate to reach out!