Ford is recalling practically 700,000 SUVs within the US after a year-long investigation discovered a gasoline leak subject that would ignite a fireplace and improve the chance of harm.
A gasoline injector within the impacted automobiles could crack and leak gasoline contained in the engine compartment, probably resulting in an underhood hearth, the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration mentioned Wednesday.
The recall consists of 694,271 automobiles, together with sure 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape fashions outfitted with 1.5L engines.
Ford estimated that 0.3% of the recalled automobiles – about 2,083 vehicles – have the defect.
Drivers could discover the scent of gasoline close to the automobile, smoke or flames coming from the engine compartment or dashboard warning lights.
Ford mentioned it’s nonetheless engaged on a restore for the defective gasoline injectors. Within the meantime, sellers will replace the engine management software program for impacted automobiles freed from cost.
The automaker expects to ship letters notifying house owners of the security threat by August 18. Second letters might be mailed as soon as the treatment is offered.
Separate remembers in 2022 and 2024 in regards to the identical gasoline leak subject really useful software program updates, however didn’t substitute the defective injectors.
The NHTSA final 12 months opened a recall question to judge Ford’s treatment, which it discovered didn’t deal with the basis reason for the difficulty.
Ford mentioned it has discovered cracked gasoline injectors in eight automobiles that suffered underhood fires. Six of those automobiles didn’t have the up to date engine software program that Ford had really useful.
Wednesday’s recall consists of automobiles beforehand recalled for a gasoline leak subject, in addition to newer fashions with the identical engines, which have been provided by Italy-based Dumarey Flowmotion Applied sciences.
