Ford is recalling the Maverick and Bronco Sport once again for a battery issue that could stall the vehicles while in motion or prevent them from starting, the NHTSA disclosed this week.
The control modules in those vehicles can’t detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge while driving. A battery failure can be triggered at a stop by the automatic stop-start feature that shuts down the engine at stops to preserve fuel, but it can also happen if the alternator can’t keep up with the electrical load from other vehicle systems, Ford found in an internal investigation. If the battery fails, other electronic accessories might be disabled, such as the hazard lights.
A vehicle stalling or unable to restart could increase the risk of a crash, according to the NHSTA. The recall encompasses 456,565 vehicles: 402,978 Ford Bronco Sport compact crossovers from the 2021-2024 model years, and 53,587 Ford Maverick small pickup trucks from the 2022-2023 model years. The related Ford Escape was not included in the recall.
Ford acknowledged 917 warranty reports related to the loss of drive power issue, but didn’t know of any related injuries or crashes.
A battery replacement was not enough to address the issue. The body and powertrain control modules need to be recalibrated. Ford will instruct owners by mail by May 13 to take their vehicle into a Ford or Lincoln service center for recalibration that will better detect the 12-volt battery charge during drive cycles. In the case of a low charge, the recalibration will inhibit the stop-start feature, and the driver will be warned of battery degradation.
There will be no cost to owners to complete the fix. Automotive News reports that customers can use mobile pick-up and delivery functions to bring the cars safely in for the repair.
This is the eighth recall for the Bronco Sport, which earlier in the week was reported to be part of an expanded recall for an increased fire risk due to a cracked fuel injector in models equipped with the turbo-3 engine. The Ford Maverick, which can be had with a hybrid or turbo-4 powertrain, has been recalled 10 times in three years.
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