Ford Recalls 43,000 Vehicles Over Fire Risks

Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 43,000 sport utility vehicles that the automaker says are at risk of engine fires.

Cracked fuel injectors may leak and cause fires in certain Bronco and Escape SUVs, Ford recently told federal regulators. That is because gasoline or vapor can accumulate near ignition sources, according to the company.

Ford detailed the problem in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Liquid fuel and/or fuel vapor that accumulates near a sufficiently hot surface, below the combustion initiation flame speed, may ignite resulting in an underhood fire, and increasing the risk of injury,” the company said.

The recall covers certain Bronco Sport SUVs from the 2022 and 2023 model years, along with Escape SUVs from 2022. All of the recalled vehicles are equipped with 1.5-liter engines.

Ford told NHTSA it planned to notify owners of recalled vehicles via mail by early April. Owners can also check NHTSA’s website to see if their cars are covered by the recall.

The company is asking owners of recalled vehicles to bring their cars to authorized service providers for inspection and repair. They will install a tube designed to allow gasoline to flow away from hot surfaces to the ground below the vehicle. Ford is also updating engine control software to detect pressure drops in fuel injection systems.

In the meantime, owners should be on the lookout for signs of danger.

“A fuel leak may result in fuel odor both outside and inside the vehicle,” Ford said in the defect notice. “If there is a fire, the customer may notice smoke or flames emanating from the engine compartment or underbody, or instrument cluster warnings.”

Legal Rights for California Ford Owners

There is good news for Ford and other car owners in California: You do not need to wait around for recalls to get defective vehicles fixed. You have some valuable rights and protections under the state’s lemon law.

The lemon law generally requires auto manufacturers to perform repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces carmakers to buy back vehicles that they are unable or simply refuse to fix. That means compensating the owner for the vehicle’s purchase price, along with financing charges, rental car costs and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must occur before the buyback requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Speak with a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney

If you are locked in a dispute with a car manufacturer over a malfunctioning or defective vehicle, a Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help. 

We have successfully assisted car owners across the state. Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a Los Angeles lemon law attorney at our firm today.