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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About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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
AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.