HELP decide! Ford has had my car for 2 weeks, says it could be months for leaky fuel injector on backstock.

[RSH]

You can check Ford recalls here.

https://www.ford.com/support/recalls/

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[Ohwell]

Not sure about that as my 22 BB has not been recalled for this issue (yet). Built 10/22. I keep checking anyway. Cheers!

My guess is yours may already have the recall done then. I am wondering if they are installing that drain hose on all the new 1.5L engines to as they would still need a way to drain fuel away from the heat sources even if a new-style injector is used.

 

[Bronco Blue]

You said new but you never stated new as in 2022 new or 2023 because the 2023’s are supposed to be built with the redesigned fuel injectors. I know my dealership has a 2022 BS brand new for sale so hopefully it was one of those that got fixed already. Mine has the recall.

 

[Mark S.]

...the 2023’s are supposed to be built with the redesigned fuel injectors.

Can you share a source on this? I was not aware that Ford had "redesigned" the fuel injectors for newer MY Bronco Sports.

 

[Bill G]

Sorry to see this particular dealer hasn't improved since I dealt with them in 1982! Won't bore you with the details, but keep after them -- make yourself a pain in their a$$. It might get them to get "on the stick" -- it did for me way back when . . .

 

[DC3]

I saw an article on Ford Authority news regarding a class action lawsuit filed in the Minnesota Federal Court jurisdiction by the law firm of Hagens/Berman suing Ford for not providing an adequate remedy to the fuel injector recall. Here's a link:

https://www.hbsslaw.com/cases/ford-escape-and-bronco-sport-fuel-injector-fire-hazard-defect

 

[Bronco Blue]

Can you share a source on this? I was not aware that Ford had "redesigned" the fuel injectors for newer MY Bronco Sports.

https://www.motor1.com/news/623668/ford-escape-bronco-sport-recall/amp/

“This defective design was introduced into production on November 19, 2018 (the earliest production date for the 2020 Escape) and was taken out of production on October 17, 2022 (the latest production date for the 2023 Escape and Bronco Sport). The Ford Escape and Bronco Sport units that fall under these production dates are part of the said voluntary recall.”

 

[Mark S.]

https://www.motor1.com/news/623668/ford-escape-bronco-sport-recall/amp/

“This defective design was introduced into production on November 19, 2018 (the earliest production date for the 2020 Escape) and was taken out of production on October 17, 2022 (the latest production date for the 2023 Escape and Bronco Sport). The Ford Escape and Bronco Sport units that fall under these production dates are part of the said voluntary recall.”

Respectfully, although the writer seems to imply the fuel injectors are defective, the recall document itself refers to a design defect, not a faulty component. According to that document, the root cause is still under investigation. Specifically:

Based on analysis to date, a cracked fuel injector in the engine allows for fuel to leak at a high rate (19L/ hour) into the cylinder head, which can travel out via a drain hole and down onto hot surfaces on the exhaust/turbo system where it may combust.

This is describing what can happen if a fuel injector cracks and leaks fuel into the engine compartment, not that the fuel injectors are faulty and WILL crack. The investigation may yet reveal that the fuel injectors are faulty, but my guess is that will not turn out to be the case.

The biggest clue is the proposed fix, which is to ensure any spilled fuel is routed away from heat sources. IMHO, this is at its root a design flaw regarding the engine's fluid drains (all engines have them). I believe if it were really an issue with faulty injectors the NHTSA would not allow Ford to begin recall work simply rerouting fluid drains. And since these injectors are almost certainly used in a variety of vehicles from different manufacturers, I believe we would be hearing about problems with other cars as well.

 

[Dude]

Respectfully, although the writer seems to imply the fuel injectors are defective, the recall document itself refers to a design defect, not a faulty component. According to that document, the root cause is still under investigation. Specifically:



This is describing what can happen if a fuel injector cracks and leaks fuel into the engine compartment, not that the fuel injectors are faulty and WILL crack. The investigation may yet reveal that the fuel injectors are faulty, but my guess is that will not turn out to be the case.

The biggest clue is the proposed fix, which is to ensure any spilled fuel is routed away from heat sources. IMHO, this is at its root a design flaw regarding the engine's fluid drains (all engines have them). I believe if it were really an issue with faulty injectors the NHTSA would not allow Ford to begin recall work simply rerouting fluid drains. And since these injectors are almost certainly used in a variety of vehicles from different manufacturers, I believe we would be hearing about problems with other cars as well.

I believe there are cases of cracked fuel injectors but is a small percentage. Ford would know they pulled the injectors.

This is also documented in the recall:
“If a pressure drop in the fuel rail is detected, engine power will automatically be reduced to minimize any risk”.

 

[Mark S.]

This is also documented in the recall:
“If a pressure drop in the fuel rail is detected, engine power will automatically be reduced to minimize any risk”.

Right, because reducing engine power will reduce the amount of fuel flowing to the engine in the event of a fuel leak. This, along with routing spilled combustible fluids away from heat sources, is meant to reduce the likelihood of a fire should an injector crack and spill fuel into the engine compartment. This is a design change, not a component change. When you design something as complicated as an engine for consumer use you must account for failures. There is a possibility that any component under the hood could fail, and it is incumbent on Ford to ensure any failures will not result in undue risk to the vehicle's occupants.

 

[Dude]

Right, because reducing engine power will reduce the amount of fuel flowing to the engine in the event of a fuel leak.

It remains that some injectors have been analyzed and found to be cracked. My guess is the fuel injector supplier is working on a design change and probably Ford is looking for another fuel injector supplier but that is my guess. It’s a low failure rate so cost is also a consideration. No deaths have been attributed to the recall as far as I know but time will tell what the end result of all tbis

“Ford CCRG and Engineering groups investigated the underhood fire reports and inspected available vehicles. Based upon Ford Engineering’s observations of a fuel smell upon inspection of a 2020MY Escape with limited fire damage, the fuel injectors were removed for additional analysis. The fuel injectors from three (3) other repurchased vehicles that experienced under hood fire were also removed for analysis. The fuel injector supplier provided an analysis for four (4) of the vehicles’ returned fuel injectors, finding one (1) injector cracked from each of the vehicles.”

link: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2022/RMISC-22V859-6041.pdf

 

[Mark S.]

It remains that some injectors have been analyzed and found to be cracked. My guess is the fuel injector supplier is working on a design change and probably Ford is looking for another fuel injector supplier but that is my guess. It’s a low failure rate so cost is also a consideration. No deaths have been attributed to the recall as far as I know but time will tell what the end result of all tbis

As I've said, it's possible the Ford in conjunction with the NHTSA may determine there's a problem with the injectors requiring fleet-wide replacement. Just based on the data, however, I doubt it.

The report you linked notes that of the 54 under-hood fire reports known to Ford, only 4 had a confirmed cracked fuel injector; this is according to the injector manufacturer. Ford's own investigation suggested approximately 13 others likely resulted from a leaking fuel injector. Of the remaining:

• 3 involved previous fuel system related repairs which may have been mis-diagnosed and potentially involved a leaking fuel injector
• 1 was an incomplete repair from a previous crash event
• 1 was arson
• 3 were potential electrical system concerns
• 5 were air/oil separator leaks
• 24 were of undetermined origin

Compare this to the half-a-million or so vehicles subject to the recall and it's apparent we are talking about very, very small percentages. Further, (based on warranty claims) Ford projects approximately 0.38% for 2020MY and 0.22% for 2021-2022MY vehicles will experience injector leaks. This low projected failure rate and the data regarding known fires is very likely why neither Ford nor the NHTSA recommends owners stop driving their cars.

Ford and the NHTSA will almost certainly look at Ford's projections as well as the data on known under-hood fires for comparison with other manufacturers. My guess is the 1.5L EcoBoost is no worse, and the NHTSA will determine that Ford's fix ensuring fuel leaked in the engine bay is routed away from hot engine components—something that should've been done during the design process—is sufficient.

Then again, I could be complete wrong. It wouldn't be the first time.

The most important information in this entire thread—to me at least—is the likelihood you will experience an under-hood fire due to a cracked fuel injector is vanishingly small. Bronco Sport owners should drive their cars with confidence. They should also, however, be on the lookout for indications their engine might have a cracked injector. i.e., if your car begins behaving badly under acceleration, or you notice the smell of gasoline at any time before, during, or after driving your car you should stop driving it until you can get it inspected to determine the problem.

 

[Dude]

As I've said, it's possible the Ford in conjunction with the NHTSA may determine there's a problem with the injectors requiring fleet-wide replacement. Just based on the data, however, I doubt it.

Yep and that’s why I provided the link to the known data (there are other sources of data as well) for people to educate themselves to make their own decisions in conjunction with Ford and NHTSA published material.

Or they can just read your synopsis!! Very well written.. you must have been a technical writer in your career.

Working as an engineer for many years, I’ve seen a great number of issues and I’m pretty sure Ford has much more data, analysis and information about the fuel injectors than what has been released so far.

 

[Chandler D]

Go to the Dealer and take back your BS. and Drive it till the parts come in. No harm no foul

someone bove says there have been fires from it though and i dont wanna risk that. smells like very strong gas fumes from engine

 

[Mark S.]

someone bove says there have been fires from it though and i dont wanna risk that. smells like very strong gas fumes from engine

There is a recall in effect due to the possibility of under-hood fire resulting from a cracked injector. One of the symptoms technicians are told to look for to diagnose a cracked injector is the smell of fuel. I would not drive your vehicle unless your dealership service department says it's okay to do so.

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