- Ford is recalling more than 270,000 Bronco Sport SUVs and Maverick trucks.
- Both vehicles could need their 12-volt batteries replaced due to the risk of failure.
- Affected models are the 2021-23 Bronco Sport and 2022-23 Maverick.
Ford issues so many recalls you start to wonder if it’s not just a ploy to get owners back into a dealership so the salesman can work on them to upgrade. The latest of those recalls concerns more than a quarter of a million Bronco Sports and Mavericks.
A total of 272,817 Bronco Sport SUVs built for the 2021-23 model years and Maverick trucks sold as 2022-23 models need to have their 12-volt batteries checked at dealerships after Ford discovered some of the power packs are at risk of sudden degradation that could lead to early failure.
Related: Ford Explorer And Bronco Sport Need Fixes For Electrical And Software Issues
An investigation found that manufacturing defects in the Camel EFB batteries, including failures of the battery’s Cast On Strap (COS) and internal weld failures, can cause open circuits. The supplier’s cast-on strap (COS) process positioned battery plate lugs too close to strap walls and tests also revealed weak welds.
A battery dying could just be inconvenient and result in a loss of some electrical systems or cranking power at startup, either after being parked up, or when the start-stop system has cut the engine at an intersection. But in an extreme worst-case scenario, it could potentially take out the engine, power steering, and brake booster while the vehicle is in motion, which would certainly be exciting for all the wrong reasons.
This isn’t the first time Ford hauled these trucks and SUVs back to a service center for some battery-related attention. In April 2024 Ford recalled 456,565 Bronco Sports and Mavericks due to reports of the loss of engine power and electrical accessories.
In that case, Ford said the Body Control and Powertrain Control Modules were incorrectly calibrated and unable to detect a battery failure. The fix was to update each vehicle with new software, but this time Ford wants dealers to physically check the batteries.
If the vehicle already has a Ford Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) 12V battery no work is needed and the owner can drive home. If not, Ford dealers will fit one of those approved batteries.