Ford has pledged to address its quality control issues, and since making that pledge a while back, the automaker has spent considerable time issuing recalls as part of this promise. The latest encompasses a range of Ford’s most popular models, like the Bronco Sport, which recently received its own off-road-focused trim, and the Explorer and Escape SUVs.
Ford Recall Says Broncos And Escapes Have A New Fire Risk
The Bronco Sport and Escape are grouped into the same recall, probably due to shared parts content between the two. That said, the NHTSA says the following model year ranges are affected: 2023–2025 Escape models and 2025 Bronco Sports. Only models equipped with the company’s 1.5-liter engines are affected. The culprit is a loose cylinder head, which is a pretty big deal. It’s what comprises the top end of the combustion chamber on the engine, holding essentials like the valve train and spark plugs.
Ford says these were “improperly manufactured,” causing them to leak at the head’s ball plugs. The leaky oil could hit the hot exhaust or engine components below, and even lead to a fire. The remedy, predictably, is a new cylinder head, which dealers will replace free of charge. Luckily, only 404 units have the defect across both vehicles. Owners will be notified by mail starting June 23.
Some Ford Explorers May Have Loose Brake Caliper Bolts
Ford’s second recall is smaller in scope, covering solely the Explorer’s 2025 model year. Moreover, the tiny spread of affected units has been narrowed to just three unlucky owners, of which Ford estimates only one suffers from the issue. The problem in question is loose brake caliper bolts. Obviously, these loose front brake caliper bolts pose a significant risk, as they could back themselves out of their threads over time, eventually leading to a loose caliper.
Ford says that “affected vehicles had brake calipers removed as part of a repair for an unrelated issue prior to delivery. During this repair, brake caliper bolts may have erroneously been removed and reinstalled using below-specification torque.” In other words, a mechanic screwed up. The remedy here is simple: a dealer will inspect and tighten the bolts if needed. The three lucky owners should receive notification via mail as of June 16.
TopSpeed’s Take
Ford has issued a rash of recalls over the last year or so, covering much of its available new lineups. It’s part of a greater push for quality control at Ford, but it also means buyers and owners alike need to be diligent. Checking recall postings for your specific year and model is recommended, as a recall can always pop up for your vehicle without warning.
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