Federal regulators are raising concerns about the approach taken by Michigan automaker Ford to address issues with thousands of SUVs it recalled in early March.
Earlier this year, Ford issued a recall for almost 43,000 Bronco Sports and Escapes SUVs due to the potential for gasoline leakage from the fuel injectors onto hot engine surfaces, which could lead to a higher risk of fires. The company explained that the SUVs were equipped with fuel injectors prone to cracking, resulting in the leakage of gas or vapor close to the heated engine components.
Ford's solution to the problem involved installing a drain tube to redirect the gas away from hot areas, along with a software update designed to identify a drop in pressure within the fuel injection system. In the event of such a drop, the software would deactivate the high-pressure fuel pump, decrease engine power, and lower temperatures in the engine compartment.
However, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has cast doubt on the effectiveness of the tube-based approach in resolving the issue.
Following a communication to Ford made public on Thursday, the NHTSA has initiated an inquiry into the recall, citing "significant safety concerns" regarding Ford's repair approach. The NHTSA expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the remedy program in addressing the underlying problem and in preemptively replacing faulty fuel injectors before they malfunction.
Ford announced on Thursday that it is cooperating with the NHTSA throughout the investigation. The Bronco Sport and Escape recall is an extension of a previous 2022 recall related to the same issue. The repair procedure has already undergone testing on vehicles affected by the prior recall.
In the letter sent to Ford, the NHTSA has requested detailed information about the fuel injector solution, including the testing conducted by the company to ensure the effectiveness of the fix and whether any hardware replacements were necessary. The NHTSA is also seeking clarification on alternative solutions that were considered and the cost-benefit analysis performed by Ford to choose the current fix.
Furthermore, the agency is inquiring about the volume of fuel that may leak and whether it meets federal safety and environmental regulations. Additionally, Ford is being asked to provide its perspective on the company's obligations, whether legal, ethical, environmental, or otherwise, to prevent or minimize fuel leakage onto roadways throughout a vehicle's lifespan.
NHTSA Requests Detailed Information from Ford on Fuel Pressure Detection Software
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging Ford to provide detailed information on how the software in certain SUVs will detect a fuel pressure drop. The agency is seeking clarification on the time it takes for the software to identify a pressure drop, the notifications that will be sent to the driver, and the impact of disabling the high-pressure fuel pump on other parts of the fuel system.
In addition, NHTSA is inquiring about the performance of the SUVs when the high-pressure fuel pump is disabled. Ford has been given until June 21 to furnish the necessary information to the NHTSA. Depending on the findings of the investigation, the agency may require further repairs to address any fuel leaks.
