Ford Motor Co. is recalling over 634,000 SUVs worldwide as a result of a cracked gas injector can spill gas or leak vapors onto a sizzling engine and trigger fires.
The recall covers Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs from the 2020 by way of 2023 mannequin years. All have 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engines. The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker mentioned Thursday it is not recommending that house owners cease driving the autos or park them outside as a result of fires are uncommon and customarily do not occur when the engines are off.
However Ford mentioned it has acquired 20 stories of fires, together with three that ignited close by buildings. The corporate additionally mentioned it has 4 claims of fires that have been observed lower than 5 minutes after the engines have been turned off. Ford additionally has 4 damage claims not involving burns, and 43 authorized claims attributed to the issue.
Repairs aren't yeta out there, however as soon as they're, house owners ought to schedule service with a most popular supplier, Jim Azzouz, government director of buyer expertise, mentioned in a press release. Homeowners will probably be notified by letter beginning Dec. 19.
Homeowners can take their SUVs to the supplier and get a free loaner, or they will get free pickup and supply.
Sellers will examine the injectors and substitute them if crucial. Ford additionally says it is extending warranties to cowl cracked gas injectors for as much as 15 years.
Sellers will replace the autos' engine-control software program so it detects a cracked injector. Drivers will get a dashboard message to get service. Additionally, if there is a stress drop within the injectors, engine energy will probably be reduce to reduce danger and let drivers get to a secure location to cease and name for service, Ford mentioned.
They're going to additionally set up a tube to empty gas from the cylinder head and away from sizzling surfaces.
Ford mentioned it is not changing the injectors as a result of the failure charge that causes leaks is low, an estimated 0.38% for 2020 fashions and 0.22% for 2021 to 2022 fashions. The speed is for 15 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 kilometers).