Ford Motor Company is recalling ~457,000 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The body and powertrain control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge. This can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
“An insufficient calibration strategy for detecting sudden battery degradations during a drive cycle can lead to (a) a vehicle that is unable to restart after an auto start/stop event or (b) experience a stall while coming to a stop at low speed. Either may be accompanied by a loss of 12-volt accessories, including hazard lights,” Ford said in the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which the Federal safety agency made public today. NHTSA prompted the recall.*
Dealers will re-calibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge as required by US regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 13 May 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 24S24. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V267.
*Chronology
- On 25 October 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (NHTSA ODI) requested information regarding allegations of loss of motive power (LOMP) followed by a loss of 12-volt accessories on 2021 MY Bronco Sport vehicles. NHTSA provided 29 potentially responsive Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) that indicated that most customers’ concerns were resolved with a 12-volt battery replacement.
- On 28 November 2023, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) opened an investigation into this concern.
- From November 2023 through January 2024, the Low Voltage Power Supply Engineering team evaluated field returns and warranty data for 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles focusing on 12-volt batteries and low voltage systems.
- From December 2023 through March 2024, the Low Voltage Power Supply Engineering team conducted system and vehicle level testing and teardowns with batteries with various physical conditions and state of charge. The testing revealed that the Body Control Module (BCM) and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibrations are unable to detect the battery failure on these vehicles, which can result in a LOMP if the alternator is unable to keep up with the electrical load demand or if an Auto Stop-Start event is initiated.
- On 31 January 2024, NHTSA’s ODI opened Preliminary Investigation PE24-002 into this concern. As of 8 February 2024, Ford is aware of 917 warranty reports, 11 field reports, and 54 customer complaints related to this concern. There are 3 unverified reports of fire and 2 property damage claims.
- As of 8 February 2024, Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries attributed to this safety defect.
- On 5 April 2024 Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the safety concerns and approved a field action.
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Sudden Power Loss Recall – Bronco Sport, Maverick Trucks
Ford Motor Company is recalling ~457,000 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The body and powertrain control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge. This can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
“An insufficient calibration strategy for detecting sudden battery degradations during a drive cycle can lead to (a) a vehicle that is unable to restart after an auto start/stop event or (b) experience a stall while coming to a stop at low speed. Either may be accompanied by a loss of 12-volt accessories, including hazard lights,” Ford said in the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which the Federal safety agency made public today. NHTSA prompted the recall.*
Dealers will re-calibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge as required by US regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 13 May 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 24S24. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V267.
*Chronology
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