Ford must recall 801 Bronco Sports from the 2023 model year due to a leak within the antilock braking system. The leak is related to a valve that was damaged during production, and could cause braking issues for drivers.
The issue affects Bronco Sports made between December 8, 2022, and December 16, 2022, which were fitted with an ABS module in which a valve was damaged. Documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration relate that the module was produced by Continental Automotive and that a foreign object fell into the tool that assembles the valve, causing damage.
That damage may cause a flat spot on the 1.5 mm ball that creates a seal in the valve, which could allow fluid through when it is supposed to be closed. Naturally, the words “leak” and “brake system” made unhappy bed fellows, and this could lead to a safety issue for Bronco Sport owners.
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Drivers may be alerted to the problem if brake pedal travel suddenly gets longer without warning. Ford writes, though, that the condition may be intermittent, resulting in an inconsistent brake pedal feel, which could be maddening, nauseating, and (more importantly) dangerous.
Additionally, if the driver of one of these 801 Bronco Sports uses the Auto Hold feature, they may be in for a nasty surprise. If the leak is present, the function may not do its one job, and the vehicle could creep forward, which could also lead to an accident.
Ford first became aware of this issue through its factory in Valencia, Spain, which makes the Kuga. It later found that the same brake modules had been sent to its plant in Hermosillo, and installed in the Bronco Sport.
Ford says, though, that its internal investigation has not found evidence of any accidents or injuries related to this issue in the U.S. It will seek to prevent any from happening by recalling and replacing the ABS module in affected vehicles at no cost to customers. It plans to start getting in touch with owners starting on February 15.
