DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — 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 means of 2023 mannequin years. All have 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engines.
The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker stated Thursday it’s not recommending that house owners cease driving the autos or park them outside as a result of fires are uncommon and usually don’t occur when the engines are off.
However Ford stated it has obtained 20 studies of fires, together with three that ignited close by buildings. The corporate additionally stated it has 4 claims of fires that had been seen lower than 5 minutes after the engines had been turned off. Ford additionally has 4 damage claims not involving burns, and 43 authorized claims attributed to the issue.
Repairs aren’t but out there, however as soon as they’re, house owners ought to schedule service with a most well-liked seller, Jim Azzouz, government director of buyer expertise, stated in an announcement. House owners will probably be notified by letter beginning Dec. 19.
House owners can take their SUVs to the seller and get a free loaner, or they will get free pickup and supply.
Sellers will examine the injectors and change them if vital. Ford additionally says it’s 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’s a strain drop within the injectors, engine energy will probably be minimize to attenuate danger and let drivers get to a protected location to cease and name for service, Ford stated.
They’ll additionally set up a tube to empty gas from the cylinder head and away from sizzling surfaces.
Ford stated it’s not changing the injectors as a result of the failure price 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).