NHTSA Complaint #11705221 — 2023 FORD BRONCO SPORT

We own a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport that is subject to an active safety recall involving fuel vapors/gasoline odor entering the passenger cabin. The recall remedy is currently listed as not yet available. The vehicle began emitting strong gasoline fumes through the air conditioning vents, creating a serious safety concern and rendering the vehicle unsafe to operate. The vehicle was previously serviced at Hacienda Ford in Kingsville, Texas, in September, at which time the active safety recall was not disclosed. On December 8, 2025, we reported a gasoline odor coming from the A/C vents to the dealership. The dealership stated the concern was not covered under warranty due to mileage exceeding 60,000 miles and did not disclose the existence of the safety recall. Instead, the dealership suggested the issue could be related to a radiator coolant leak. A tow truck was dispatched to retrieve the vehicle from a workplace location. We were required to pay $86 for half of the towing cost, which we believe is improper in connection with a manufacturer safety recall. On December 15, 2025, we returned to Hacienda Ford to request a loaner vehicle or manufacturer refund due to the unresolved safety recall. We were advised that our only option was to trade in the vehicle. The dealership offered $17,000 for the trade-in and stated an additional $10,000 would be added to the cost of another vehicle due to the remaining loan balance. We refused this option due to the financial harm it would cause and requested a manufacturer buyback, at which point we were told to contact Ford Corporate. The dealership has refused to provide a loaner or rental vehicle unless approved by a service manager and has continued to offer a trade-in option that shifts the financial burden of a safety defect onto the consumer. The vehicle remains undrivable due to safety concerns, and no repair remedy is currently available. We contacted Ford Customer Relations and they referred us back to dealership