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Nearly 643,000 Ford Escapes and Bronco Sports are being recalled because of a fire hazard from cracked fuel injectors, which result from leaking fuel that ignites when it comes into contact with hot engine parts. This is not the first recall for this engine family, nor is it Ford’s first recall for a fire hazard. This recall covers cars powered by the 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine worldwide.
According to Automotive News, the issue starts with cracked fuel injectors leading to liquid fuel and fuel vapors leaving the high-pressure fuel system. Affected vehicles are equipped with direct injection, meaning the fuel system is subject to higher pressure than a port injection system. Usually, even a small crack can cause a lot of fuel to escape from the system and potentially spray.
Ford reported 54 underhood fires from cars powered by 1.5-liter engines, and four cars with broken fuel injectors. 13 in total were most likely caused by a leaking fuel injector. So far, Ford is reporting no property loss beyond the affected vehicles and reporting no deaths related to the fires.
An earlier recall of the 1.5-liter engine in both cars also posed a fire hazard related to the oil separator housing. In that case, the oil separator housing may crack, leak oil, and cause an engine fire. About 643,000 vehicles are affected worldwide, with about 520,000 of those in the US
The current fix for the issue as reported by Ford is a drain tube from the cylinder head, which directs fuel away from hot surfaces in the engine and prevents pooling. Ford also intends to issue a software update that alerts the driver if fuel pressure is reduced, and puts the car into limp mode.
Owners are not being ordered to stop driving their vehicles under the recall, and Ford is projecting a low failure rate for the injectors. Until a fix is issued, owners are urged to remain alert for the smell of fuel around the engine bay and should go to a dealer immediately.
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