- Ford recalls 456,565 Bronco Sports and Mavericks due to a calibration issue that can allow them to overuse their 12-volt batteries.
- If the vehicle initiates a “Stop-Start” at a light, it may not be able to restart.
- Ford is also recalling nine 2024 Mavericks that have the wrong tire information sticker.
We tend to think of depleted batteries as being a problem for electric vehicles, but all cars need to manage their energy stores. Unfortunately for the owners of 456,565 Mavericks trucks and Bronco Sport SUVs, the vehicles’ 12-volt batteries might die on the road.
Since the 2021 model year, owners of the these vehicles have been complaining that their batteries were dying, leaving them motionless on the road without enough energy to even run the hazards. Ford said that a quick battery replacement seemed to solve their problem.
Read: Hold Onto Your Hood Scoops! Ford Bronco Sport Recalled Over Accessory That Could Fly Off
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) felt that it was worth investigating the issue, though. New vehicles’ batteries tend not to die like that, and being stranded on the road can be dangerous.
It was eventually discovered that the Body Control Module and the Powertrain Control Module calibrations had not been designed to detect battery failure in these vehicles. If the alternator is unable to keep up with the electrical load and the vehicle initiates a “Stop-Start,” the vehicle may turn off, and the driver might not be able to turn it back on.
As of February 8, 2024, Ford is aware of 917 warranty reports relating to this issue, among them three unverified reports of fire, and two claims of property damage. The problem mainly affects the 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, of which 402,978 units are caught up in this recall. Additionally, 53,587 Mavericks from the 2022-2023 model years are being called back to the dealer.
Once there, the solution should be relatively simple. Ford will update the calibration of the Body Control and Powertrain Control Modules to detect the 12-volt battery’s state of charge, and to increase alternator output if it starts running low. Owners can expect to start hearing from Ford on May 13.
Another Separate Recall For The Maverick
But that’s not all. Nine owners of 2024 Mavericks will also have to keep an eye out for a letter from Ford over a separate, significantly less dire issue. Some XLT and FX4 models were incorrectly fitted with a mini spare tire at the factory. The issue was caught, and a full size spare was equipped before the vehicles left the factory, but Ford forgot to change the Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label.
As a result, the sticker shows the wrong inflation pressure value for the spare tire, and may also show incorrect vehicle payload information. Naturally, you would hope for the sticker on the vehicle to be accurate, so Ford will replace with a corrected TREAD label.
The automaker plans to start reaching out the nine owners of these Mavericks on April 29. Both recall fixes will be completed at no charge to the owner.
