Ford Under Probe For Unremedied Bronco Sport Gas Leaks

The US 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, as reported by Tom Krisher for the Associated Press (AP).

The recall covers nearly 43,000 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs from the 2022 and 2023 model years, and Escape SUVs from 2022, all equipped with 1.5-liter engines. I Photo: Woodhouse Ford Omaha

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in documents posted Friday that the probe will “evaluate the adequacy and safety consequences of the remedy” specified by Ford 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 equipped with 1.5-liter engines.

NHTSA stated that fuel injectors can crack, causing gasoline or vapors to leak at a high rate onto hot surfaces in the engine compartment. However, the agency said that Ford’s fix allows fuel to 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 noted. Ford stated on Friday that it is cooperating with NHTSA on the investigation.