Ford announced this week that it is recalling over 500,000 Bronco Sport and Escape models for faulty fuel injectors. The model years affected range from 2020 to 2023, and the recall is for the 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine.
According to Ford, when the engine is operating, a cracked fuel injector could cause fuel and/or fuel vapor to accumulate near hot surfaces, resulting in a potential under-hood fire. While the risk is minimal (Ford has not issued instructions to stop driving vehicles under this recall) the fix is simple and is well worth it to avoid any potential problems. Interestingly, the primary repair involves the installation of a hose to drain potential pooling of fuel on the cylinder head and a software update—the car will automatically detect if an injector is malfunctioning, reduce engine power, and direct the owner to a Ford service center for further repair.
The Escape is not a popular overland platform, but the Bronco Sport, as Matt Swartz has reported, has proven to be a capable and efficient overlander with a small footprint and surprising off-roadability. In particular, the Badlands version of the Bronco Sport includes underbody armor, all-terrain tires, a small lift with beefier suspension than the basic trim, and a trail-focused AWD system.
To see if your Bronco Sport or Escape is affected by the recall, grab your VIN and visit Ford’s website for more information.
Images: Ford
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