Owners of 2021‑2024 Bronco Sport and 2020‑2022 Escape models with 1.5‑liter engines face an urgent safety notice after Ford confirmed cracked fuel injectors can leak gasoline onto hot engine parts.
Ford is pulling 694,000 compact SUVs off U.S. roads after discovering that faulty fuel injectors may spray gasoline and spark engine fires. Drivers will receive letters beginning August 18 and, in the meantime, dealers will update engine‑control software at no cost. The company has not announced a permanent mechanical fix.
Ford recall addresses Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs built across five model years
The recall covers two popular family vehicles assembled between 2020 and 2024. A cracked injector can release fuel “at a high rate,” Ford’s notice warns, and heated engine components can ignite the vapor. Investigators traced several fires—and one repurchased, burned‑out SUV last July—to injectors that had supposedly been repaired under earlier campaigns. So, whose driveway might this affect? Check the list below before your next grocery run:
- Bronco Sport — model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Escape — model years 2020, 2021, 2022
- All vehicles share the 1.5‑liter three‑cylinder EcoBoost engine
After examining the burned vehicle and consulting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford elected to issue a broad nationwide recall. Engineers are still working on a lasting hardware remedy.
What owners need to know about software updates, mailed notices, and future fixes
Ford’s interim solution is purely digital. Updated engine‑control software will:
- Detect unusual pressure drops that signal a fuel leak
- Cut the high‑pressure pump, reducing flow
- Automatically reduce engine power to limit heat
Wondering whether you must park the SUV until parts arrive? Ford says you may continue driving once the software patch is installed, but urges vigilance for fuel odors and dashboard warnings. Below is a quick timeline of how we got here:
| Date | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2022 | Initial campaign | Software designed to spot injector leaks |
| Jul 2024 | SUV fire inquiry | Burned Bronco Sport revealed cracked injector |
| Jul 2025 | Recall 25S76 filed | Letters to owners start Aug 18; final fix pending |
Dealers will complete the update free of charge and stamp service records accordingly. A second letter will outline the hardware repair as soon as engineers approve one.
Ford urges prompt dealer visits while engineers finalize a permanent repair plan
Failing to address the issue could leave gasoline pooling under the hood—never a risk worth taking. Schedule the software update, keep an eye (and nose) out for fuel smells, and save Ford’s hotline (866‑436‑7332) with recall number 25S76 to streamline future inquiries.
Acting quickly on the interim fix protects both passengers and vehicles until Ford rolls out a definitive injector replacement.