For the second time in recent weeks, Ford is recalling the popular Bronco Sport and Escape for issues related to a fuel leak. This time around, the company is seeking to fix a fix – or rather, what wasn’t fixed on the initial recall.
At issue is a possible fuel leak or vapor venting on some 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2021-2022 Escape models, powered by the 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine, a malady which could be sparked by development of a crack in the fuel injector. Wayward combustibles in the engine bay are never a good thing, since they can lead to a conflagration. Just under 36,000 units might be affected by the problem.
This is the second time these cars have been recalled for the same issue. During the last campaign, part of the fix involved Ford mechanics uploading new software into the vehicle. However, it seems that the software tool did not upload the correct software – an incorrect version, perhaps – meaning the repair wasn’t finished properly. This time, prior to sending the car and its owner on their merry way, the recall specifically instructs Ford technicians to validate the software parts number using information and tools available to them before closing this field service action.
Through the entire 2024 calendar year, Ford brand sales increased about three percent to just under two million units. Bronco Sport was roughly flat at roughly 124,701 vehicles sold (full-size Bronco was about 110k), while the Escape jumped over four percent to find 146,859 takers. Atop the heap were Explorer (194k) and Maverick (131k) – save for the F-Series, of course, which had 732,139 customers stepping to the plate.
As it is a recall, the work will be done at no charge. Ford intends to officially let dealers know about this campaign by April 24 with affected owners finding a note in their mail sometime by the beginning of next month.
[Images © 2022 Tim Healey/TTAC]
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