Ford has recalled about 43,000 SUVs due to gas leaks

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DETROIT (AP) – Ford is recalling about 43,000 small SUVs because gasoline leaks from fuel injectors onto hot engine surfaces, increasing the risk of fires. But the recall does not include repairs to the fuel leak.

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The recall covers certain Bronco Sport SUVs from the 2022 and 2023 model years, as well as the 2022 and later Escape SUVs. All have 1.5 liter engines.

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Ford says in documents filed with U.S. safety regulators that fuel injectors can explode, and gasoline or vapors can collect near ignition sources and extinguish fires.

Dealers install a hose that allows gasoline to drain from hot surfaces to the ground beneath the vehicle. They also update the engine management software to detect the pressure drop in the fuel injection system. If that happens, the software shuts off the high-pressure fuel pump, reduces engine power and lowers engine compartment temperatures, according to documents posted Wednesday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.

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Owners should have been notified by letter starting April 1.

The company says the filings include reports of five under-hood fires and 14 warranty replacement fuel injectors, but no reports of crashes or injuries.

In an email, Ford said it will not replace the fuel injectors because the problem occurs in about 1% of SUVs. The new software also activates a warning light on the dashboard and allows customers to drive to a safe location, stop the vehicle and arrange for service, the company said.

The company also said it will extend the warranty period for cracked fuel injectors, so owners who experience the problem will receive a replacement. Ford says repairs are already in place and details on the extended warranty will be available in June.

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According to the company, the recall is an extension of the 2022 recall for the same issue. The fix has been tested on vehicles previously involved in the recall, and Ford says it's not aware of any problems.

Ford also said it does not recommend that SUVs be parked outdoors only because there is no evidence that fires can occur when the vehicles are stationary and the engines are turned off.

Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, called Ford's fuel leak prevention tool a “Band-aid recall” and said the company is trying to avoid fuel injector repair costs.

He said a 1% failure rate is high, and even with repairs, drivers may be forced to exit the freeway at low speeds, putting them at risk of crashing.

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He said NHTSA needs to do more to make sure that recalls fix the root causes of vehicle problems rather than low-cost repairs.

In the past, NHTSA has said it has no legal authority to pre-approve recall fixes. But in a statement Wednesday, the agency said it will “closely monitor their performance using field data.” Owners with questions should contact their dealer or Ford, the agency said.

Brooks said Congress should amend the law so that the agency “requires more than the rubber stamp that NHTSA is currently using” when it comes to recalls.

He said the agency has recently been more aggressive in investigating recall fixes. “It's a post-treatment inquiry that doesn't improve corrections and just prolongs the process and leaves consumers in limbo,” he said.

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