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Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for nearly 43,000 small SUVs due to concerns about fuel leaks that could pose a fire hazard. The recall affects specific models of the Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs from the 2022 and 2023 model years, equipped with 1.5-liter engines.
The Recall Details
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall addresses the potential for fuel injectors to crack, leading to gasoline or vapor accumulation near ignition sources, increasing the risk of fires. While the recall remedy does not involve repairing the fuel leaks directly, it focuses on mitigating the risk through installation and software updates.
The Remedial Actions
Dealerships will install a tube to redirect gasoline away from hot engine surfaces to the ground, reducing the likelihood of igniting fires. Additionally, the engine control software will be updated to detect pressure drops in the fuel injection system, triggering measures to disable the high-pressure fuel pump, reduce engine power, and lower temperatures in the engine compartment.
Owner Notification and Response
Owners of the affected vehicles were scheduled to receive notification letters starting from April 1. Ford has emphasized that while there have been reports of under-hood fires and fuel injector replacements, there have been no reported crashes or injuries related to this issue.
Industry Insights and Critiques
The recall has drawn attention from safety advocates, with concerns raised about the effectiveness of the remedy and the root cause of the fuel leaks. Michael Brooks from the Center for Auto Safety criticized the recall as a temporary fix and urged for more robust solutions to address the underlying issue.
NHTSA's Role and Future Actions
NHTSA, while acknowledging its limited authority in pre-approving recall fixes, has committed to closely monitoring the performance of the implemented measures through field data. This approach aims to ensure the safety and compliance of the recalled vehicles.
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