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Ford gasoline fuel system recalls: why fuel leaks keep repeating
Nearly every Ford gasoline fuel recall here is a leak looking for an ignition source, and the leak point keeps moving. Tanks are a repeat offender: drilled through during bed liner installation on the 2022 Maverick, split at an open pinch joint on the 2024 Maverick, an unwelded inlet check valve on the 2020 Explorer, and peeling paint and corrosion at the weld seam on 2021-2023 E-350, E-450 and F-59. Lines and connections are the other cluster — a chafed fuel line on the 2020 Explorer and Aviator, a loose line on the 2022 Explorer and Ranger, a cut low-pressure line on the 2024 Mustang. Cracking 1.5L injectors hit the Escape and Bronco Sport twice.
Warning signs to watch for
- A gasoline smell in or around the vehicle, or from the engine compartment
- Fuel dripping or pooling under the vehicle, or visible wetness near a fuel line or tank seam
- The malfunction indicator lamp coming on — Ford's 2024 Maverick notice treats this as a reason to stop immediately
- An oil leak as well as a fuel leak, from the fractured 3.5L high pressure fuel pump welds
- The engine stalling suddenly with no warning and possibly not restarting, on 2012-2018 Focus vehicles
Is it safe to keep driving?
No recall here carries a blanket do-not-drive or park-outside order, but two notices give explicit stop conditions. For the 2024 Maverick, Ford says to park and shut the engine off immediately if a fuel leak is detected or the malfunction indicator lamp illuminates. The 2020 Explorer and Aviator notice says to stop driving and get help if you smell gasoline. For the 2018 Focus, keep the tank at least half full, because the engine can quit without warning. Otherwise driving until the free repair is acceptable — just book it quickly.
What the free repair involves
The remedy depends on the part. Dealers replace fuel pumps, fuel lines, fuel tanks and fuel line assemblies, add a longer protective sleeve where a vapor line chafes, and install a redundant locking clip on the filler tube. For 1.5L injector cracking on the Escape and Bronco Sport, the fix is engine control software with leak detection plus a drain tube. The Focus gets a PCM reprogram and purge valve if needed. All free.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 18 |
| high | 4 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
Common questions
I smell gas in my Escape or Bronco Sport. What should I do?
Stop using the vehicle and call a Ford dealer. The 1.5L injector recalls describe an injector that may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. The free remedy adds engine control software with fuel injector leak detection plus a drain tube.
Why were the Bronco Sport and Escape injectors recalled twice?
The November 2022 campaign covered 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport with 1.5L engines; a March 2024 recall covered 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 Escape for the same cracked injector. Both remedies are the software update plus a drain tube.
Is it safe to park in my garage with an open fuel recall?
None of these Ford gasoline fuel notices includes a park-outside instruction. But if you smell fuel or find a puddle, treat it as urgent: for the 2024 Maverick, Ford tells owners to park and shut off the engine immediately.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.