According to documents posted on its website Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into a recent Ford recall involving gasoline leaks from cracked fuel injectors that can lead to engine fires. The agency is concerned that the remedy proposed by Ford may not adequately address the issue.
The recall affects nearly 43,000 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs from the 2022 and 2023 model years, as well as 2022 Escape SUVs, all equipped with 1.5-liter engines. According to the NHTSA, the cracked fuel injectors can cause gasoline or vapors to leak at a high rate onto hot surfaces in the engine compartment, potentially causing fires.
Ford’s proposed fix involves installing a drain tube to direct the leaking fuel away from hot surfaces and updating the software to detect pressure drops in the fuel injection system. If a pressure drop is detected, the software will disable the high-pressure fuel pump, reduce engine power, and lower temperatures in the engine compartment. Additionally, owners will receive a “seek service” message.
However, the NHTSA has pointed out that Ford’s remedy allows fuel to drain from a cylinder head hole to the ground beneath the vehicles without replacing the cracked fuel injector itself. The agency is now evaluating the adequacy and safety consequences of this approach.
Ford has reported five under-hood fires and 14 warranty replacements of fuel injectors related to this issue but no crashes or injuries. The company maintains that its recall repairs will prevent the failure from occurring and protect customers. It also plans to extend warranty coverage for cracked fuel injectors, with details to be available in June.
Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, has criticized Ford’s approach, calling it a “Band-aid type recall” and suggesting that the company is trying to avoid the cost of properly repairing the fuel injectors.
In any case, the NHTSA’s investigation seeks to determine whether Ford’s remedy is sufficient to address this potential safety hazard.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.