Ford Motor Co. is recalling 272,827 Broncos and Mavericks due to a power issue that may cause the vehicles to either stop suddenly or fail to start.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the issue stems from a 12-volt battery supplied by Camel Battery from China, which has “internal manufacturing defects,” including weld failures that could lead to open circuits.
Thankfully, there have been no reports of accidents, fires, or injuries linked to this issue.
The affected vehicles were produced between February 2021 and October 2023, after which Ford stopped using these particular batteries. It’s believed that only about 1% of the vehicles using these batteries are affected by the defect.
In response to this, Ford committed to reviewing and improving its recall decision-making process. The company also agreed to have its recall procedures monitored by an independent third party for three years, following a fine from the U.S. government for delays in addressing a previous recall.
The NHTSA reported that following a previous recall of 2021-23 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs and 2022-2023 Ford Maverick pickups, some vehicles experienced power loss, including the failure to turn on hazard lights, without any prior warning. The solution to this issue involves software updates that will enhance the detection of battery problems and provide warnings to drivers.