Ford Motor Company is recalling over 270,000 vehicles due to a serious battery defect affecting the popular Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick models. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has flagged the issue, stating the defects can lead to unexpected power loss, leaving drivers stranded or unable to start their cars.
The recall particularly affects 272,827 units, encompassing 2021 to 2023 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs and 2022 to 2023 Maverick pickups. These vehicles are equipped with 12-volt batteries manufactured by Camel Battery, based out of China. According to the NHTSA, the batteries may experience internal manufacturing defects, particularly weld failures, which could lead to open circuits.
Ford decided to initiate this recall after receiving multiple reports of sudden power loss incidents, where drivers found their vehicles stalling without warning. The problem is significant enough to disable electrical components, including hazard lights, raising safety concerns when the vehicles are on the road.
The root cause of this issue appears to be related to the batteries' manufacturing process, which was adopted between February 2021 and October 2023. Despite the scale of the recall, Ford has indicated it believes only around 1% of the affected vehicles may actually have the defective batteries installed. Fortunately, there have been no reported accidents or injuries linked to this defect.
Ford has addressed previous concerns about battery failures and has pledged to make substantial changes to its recall decision-making process following federal scrutiny. The company is now subject to independent oversight, especially after facing hefty fines for delays in addressing earlier recall issues.
The remedy for owners includes free inspections and potential battery replacements, ensuring the vehicles can operate safely. Owners are being advised to bring their Bronco Sports and Mavericks to local Ford dealers, where the battery condition will be assessed. An inspection could lead to the replacement of the faulty batteries, at no cost to the vehicle owner.
Letters detailing the recall will be mailed to owners, starting February 3, 2025. Ford is also reaching out directly to customers via phone, reminding them they can contact the company at 1-866-436-7332 for support related to the recall.
This recall follows another similar one from April 2024 when nearly half a million Bronco Sports and Mavericks were called back for battery-related issues. At the time, Ford opted to update software intended to detect battery failures instead of replacing the units. Unfortunately, those updates didn't adequately resolve the issues, leading to the current situation.
Now, rather than simply relying on software fixes, Ford is taking steps to replace the problematic gear, demonstrating their commitment to customer safety and product reliability.
The company has also faced criticism for its overall recall management. Due to this scrutiny and past issues, Ford is undertaking significant audits of its operational processes to prevent future oversights and improve response times to safety concerns.
The automotive industry is currently undergoing massive changes, especially as Ford transitions toward more electrified options. The recall could gain additional relevance as the company addresses not only the battery issues but also its overall approach to quality control amid greater scrutiny and competition.
Consumers who own affected vehicles are urged to monitor any communications from Ford closely and proactively seek inspection to avoid potential safety risks. The comprehensive nature of the recall emphasizes Ford's dedication to ensuring their vehicles meet high standards of safety and dependability.