Ford is under investigation for Bronco Sport gas leaks. US says its remedy doesn't fix the problem
The U.S. is investigating a Ford recall for gasoline leaks from fuel injector cracks that can cause engine fires, saying that the remedy doesn’t fix the leaks
DETROIT — The U.S. government's auto safety agency has opened an investigation into a Ford recall for gasoline leaks from cracked fuel injectors that can cause engine fires, saying in documents that the remedy doesn't fix the leaks.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in documents posted Friday that the probe will “evaluate the adequacy and safety consequences of the remedy” that Ford specifies in the recall.
The agency moved with unusual speed, posting documents detailing the “recall query” just two days after the recall was made public.
The recall covers nearly 43,000 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs from the 2022 and 2023 model years, and Escape SUVs from 2022. All have 1.5-liter engines.
NHTSA said that fuel injectors can crack, causing gasoline or vapors to leak at a high rate onto hot surfaces in the engine compartment.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Ford's remedy for the leaks is to add a drain tube to send the gas away from hot surfaces, and a software update to detect a pressure drop in the fuel injection system. If that happens, the software will disable the high pressure fuel pump, reduce engine power and cut temperatures in the engine compartment. Owners also will get a “seek service” message.
But the U.S. said Friday that Ford's fix lets fuel drain from a cylinder head hole to the ground below the vehicles. “The recall remedy does not include replacement of the cracked fuel injector,” the agency said.
Ford said Friday it is working with NHTSA on the investigation.
The company said in documents that it has reports of five
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