Ford Bronco, Escape Engine Fire Risk Results In Recall of 42K Vehicles from New Model Years

Federal safety officials have announced a recall impacting nearly 43,000 Bronco and Escape vehicles from 2022 and 2023 model years, due to the risk of fuel leaks and engine fires that may be caused by the same component that previously resulted in a recall two years ago.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Ford Bronco and Escape recall on April 9, warning that certain model year vehicles may contain faulty fuel injectors that are prone to developing cracks that could allow fuel to come in contact with the engine compartment.

Officials warn that if fuel from a cracked injector comes in contact with hot surface components of the engine, it could ignite and cause an engine fire.

Ford Bronco and Escape Recall Over Fire Hazards

This latest announcement is an expansion of a November 2022 Ford Escape and Bronco recall, which impacted 521,778 model year 2020 to 2023 Ford Escape SUV’s with 1.5-liter engines and model year 2021 to 2023 Ford Bronco Sport SUV’s equipped with the 1.5-liter engine.

At the time of the initial recall, officials were aware of a total of 143 reports of vehicles experiencing fuel injector leaks, resulting in 54 Ford Bronco and Escape fires resulting in at least four injuries.

Ford indicated that the cause of the fuel leaks were still under investigation, but that investigators had identified a cracked fuel injector in the engine that may allow fuel to leak at a high rate into the cylinder head, which can travel out via a drain hole and down onto hot surfaces on the exhaust/turbo system where it may combust.

2024 Bronco and Escape Recall Expansion

The auto manufacturer’s investigation revealed that additional vehicles beyond the original recall may have been equipped defective fuel injectors. As a result of the findings, Ford has added approximately 42,652 model year 2022 through 2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines to the recall.

The NHTSA indicates owners are being instructed to schedule a free repair at their local certified dealer, who will provide a complimentary update to the engine control software. The software update will add leak detection features for fuel injectors, and dealers will also install a drain tube for affected vehicles. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent out in April 2024.

For further assistance, owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and reference the recall number 24S16. Owners who experience problems related to the recall are being encouraged to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.