Approximately 115,000 of the Ford Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs (model years 2020 through 2022) sold in America are falling under a new recall over braking components that don’t meet federal standards.

A government safety audit uncovered a problem with Ford’s Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs’ brakes, which may result in failures in an emergency. The result was the 115,000 cars being recalled.

The audit discovered that if the power brakes on the vehicles failed, they could not stop within the distance required by federal safety regulations.

Owners of these vehicles will only encounter the issue if the power brakes fail, as incorrectly manufactured rear brake linings cause the problem. Ford will inform owners by mail should their vehicles be included in the recall and provide a timeline for bringing their cars to a dealer for free repairs to address the issue at the root of the issued recall.

What Makes This Recall Different from Other Recalls?

This specific recall is notable due to the nature of its discovery.

To ensure that their vehicles meet federal safety standards, automakers often conduct internal tests. This process is called self-certification. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government’s chief automotive safety regulator, on occasion tests vehicles to make certain they remain compliant with safety guidelines, regulations, and protocols.

Federal regulations require if the power assist fails on a new vehicle sold in the U.S., it must be able to stop in less than 551 feet.

During the government-sponsored test, a Bronco Sport needed 583 feet to stop, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Bronco Sport and Escape are two very closely-related models.

The Threat to Owners of Ford’s Bronco Sport and Escape

NHTSA realized the lengthy stopping distance during an inspection of the NHTSA’s intentionally disabled power-assist system.

The Bronco Sport would require less than a quarter of that distance to come to a halt with power-assisted brakes operating normally; however, when the power-assist brake system fails, the longer stopping distance occurs, posing a severe risk to owners. The vehicle driver may notice that the brake pedal feels different if the power brakes fail and that the car requires more effort to stop.

Vehicles appeared to have undergone a manufacturing error from the supplier, providing faulty rear brake linings. As a result, these models do not meet federal safety standards.

The company says owners of affected vehicles will start receiving alerts in early January, instructing them to schedule a free repair appointment with a Ford dealer.

Lemon Laws, Recalls, Repeated Repairs, and more

If your car is defective and cannot be repaired in a reasonable amount of time, you are protected by the California Lemon Law (Civ. Code, * 1793.2). Lemon Law protection in California extends to most new vehicles and leased cars that are under a manufacturer’s vehicle warranty. Additionally, the lemon laws apply to used cars as long as they are sold with a written warranty. It is not uncommon for used vehicles to be sold with a manufacturer’s warranty or a dealer’s warranty attached.

When you have serious safety recalls (like with The Ford Bronco and Escape) or repeated problems and multiple repair attempts with a vehicle, it may be time to consult with an attorney.

The California lemon law attorneys of Conn Law, PC may review your claim and provide valuable guidance helping to determine if your vehicle qualifies as a lemon and how to pursue such a case.