New Brunswick Woman Seeks Answers After 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Destroyed by Fire

MONCTON, N.B. — CanJam News is reviewing a consumer-safety complaint involving a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine after the vehicle was destroyed by fire following repeated dealership visits and a series of mechanical concerns.

The vehicle owner, Ashley Murphy of New Brunswick, contacted CanJam News asking for the circumstances leading up to the fire to be independently examined.

Murphy says her concern is not limited to the fire itself. She wants answers about how Ford's fuel-injector campaign was handled, whether warning signs were missed during previous dealership visits, and whether the vehicle should have received additional inspection or repair before it was destroyed.

Repeated Dealership Visits Before the Fire

According to Murphy, the vehicle had been brought to Ford dealerships multiple times before the fire.

She says she experienced check-engine-light events, an engine misfire that appeared through FordPass, a 12-volt charging-system issue and other mechanical problems. Murphy says she was told the charging issue involved the alternator, which was later replaced.

She also described transmission problems and previous repair delays involving other components.

Murphy told CanJam News that her vehicle had been in for service on approximately six occasions since concerns surrounding the fuel-injector issue became known.

Her central question is whether the steps taken by Ford and the dealership were enough to address the underlying safety risk.

Fuel-Injector Concern

Murphy says she was told by Taylor Ford Lincoln in Moncton that the fuel-injector matter was being treated as a "Customer Satisfaction Program."

According to her account, injector replacement would only be carried out if certain symptoms appeared or if the vehicle's computer recorded an applicable diagnostic trouble code.

Murphy says subsequent communications with Ford Canada left her with the understanding that the dealership would not inspect or replace the injectors unless those conditions were present.

That has become one of the main areas of CanJam News' ongoing review.

Murphy questions whether relying on a diagnostic code was sufficient and whether the injectors themselves should have been physically inspected.

She is also asking whether Ford's remedy corrected the underlying injector concern or primarily reduced the consequences if a fuel leak occurred.

Murphy specifically raised questions about a software update and a plastic drain tube she says were associated with the campaign.

She wants Ford to explain whether a revised or redesigned fuel injector was eventually developed and, if so, what technical information supports its continued use.

"If this is this much of a concern, those vehicles should've been totally recalled," Murphy told CanJam News while describing her frustration with the number of mechanical problems she says she experienced.

CanJam News has not independently established that a fuel-injector failure caused Murphy's vehicle fire.

Vehicle Later Caught Fire

Murphy says the vehicle was serviced shortly before the fire.

According to her account, she later smelled fuel and burning plastic before smoke began entering the vehicle. She says the fire then developed rapidly and the Bronco Sport was ultimately destroyed.

CanJam News has not independently determined the cause of the fire.

At this stage, no conclusion has been reached that a fuel-injector failure, dealership repair, Ford campaign, or any other specific mechanical issue caused or contributed to the fire.

Those questions remain part of the investigation.

Transmission Concerns Also Raised

Murphy also described a separate transmission issue before the fire.

She says she brought the vehicle to the dealership after experiencing transmission problems and was told, after the vehicle was connected to diagnostic equipment, that there appeared to be an internal transmission issue.

According to Murphy, she was told there could be a wait of several months to see a transmission specialist and that she could continue driving the vehicle in the meantime.

She says the vehicle later began entering what she described as a "lock mode," prompting her to seek a second opinion from another transmission shop.

Murphy says she was then told the transmission contained very little fluid, despite there being no obvious crack or leak.

She believes continuing to drive the vehicle with insufficient transmission fluid contributed to further transmission damage.

CanJam News has not independently verified that allegation and will be seeking clarification from the dealership.

Previous Repair and Fumes Concerns

Murphy also described an earlier issue involving the catalytic converter and turbo area.

She says a replacement part was unavailable for several weeks and that she continued operating the vehicle during that period.

Murphy alleges fumes were entering the passenger compartment and says she drove during winter with the windows open while waiting for the repair.

She also says she was not provided with a replacement vehicle.

These concerns are also being included in CanJam News' request for answers from the dealership and Ford Canada.

Questions About Accountability

Murphy says one of the most frustrating parts of the experience has been trying to determine who is responsible when a customer deals with a Ford-authorized dealership but is later referred back and forth between the dealership and Ford Canada.

She says she was told by Ford Canada that dealership technicians operate at the dealership level.

Murphy argues that customers still reasonably view Ford-authorized technicians as representatives of the Ford brand.

She told CanJam News she felt she was repeatedly passed between different parties without receiving clear accountability.

Personal Impact

Murphy says the situation has had a significant personal and financial impact.

She says the vehicle fire resulted in the loss of the Bronco Sport and approximately $3,000 worth of personal belongings that were inside the vehicle.

She also says the overall situation affected her business and caused substantial emotional stress.

CanJam News may also seek first-hand accounts from people who personally witnessed how the situation affected Murphy before and after the fire.

Ford Canada Case Opened

Murphy provided CanJam News with a Ford Canada case reference connected to the matter.

She also says she had a lengthy conversation with a Ford Canada representative in August and specifically asked that the discussion be documented as part of her case.

CanJam News Seeking Answers

CanJam News is preparing and sending formal media inquiries to both Ford Canada and Taylor Ford Lincoln in Moncton.

The investigation is seeking answers to several questions, including:

whether Murphy's vehicle was covered by a safety recall, customer satisfaction program or another Ford field action; what Ford instructed dealerships to do when affected vehicles were presented for service; whether fuel injectors should have been physically inspected or replaced; whether the software update and drain tube addressed the underlying injector concern or reduced the consequences of a fuel leak; whether Ford has developed a revised fuel injector for affected engines; what diagnostic or physical inspection procedures were required; what work was actually performed on Murphy's vehicle; what Ford and the dealership knew about the vehicle's previous warning lights and service history; whether the transmission-fluid level was checked during the dealership visit; and what responsibility Ford Canada and Taylor Ford accept for the handling of the vehicle before the fire.

Public Appeal for Other Affected Owners

As part of the investigation, CanJam News is also asking other Ford owners whether they have experienced similar fuel-injector concerns, fuel smells, warning lights, repeated dealership visits, smoke, fire-related issues or other recurring mechanical problems.

If you own or previously owned a Ford Bronco Sport or another Ford vehicle affected by a fuel-injector concern and have experienced similar issues, CanJam News would like to hear from you.

Please share only your own experience and any information you can support.

Do not post personal attacks, name individual employees, or make unverified accusations.

You can contact CanJam News privately at: dwight@canjamnews.ca

Information received may be reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation. CanJam News will independently assess and verify information before publishing it as fact.

Important Safety Reminder

Ford owners should pay attention to warning signs such as:

fuel smells; repeated check-engine lights; engine misfires; unusual smoke; burning odours; or recurring mechanical problems.

If you smell fuel, see smoke, or believe your vehicle may be unsafe, stop driving when it is safe to do so and seek appropriate professional or emergency assistance.

Investigation Remains Ongoing

Murphy has said she is not asking CanJam News simply to publish allegations against Ford.

She is asking for the available information to be independently reviewed and for Ford Canada and the dealership to be given an opportunity to respond.

CanJam News has not reached a final conclusion regarding the cause of the fire, the adequacy of previous repairs, or whether Ford Canada or Taylor Ford failed to follow any applicable recall or service requirements.

Formal questions are being sent to the parties involved.

This article may be updated, revised or expanded depending on the responses received from Ford Canada, Taylor Ford Lincoln, other affected vehicle owners, and any additional verified information obtained during the investigation.

CanJam News will continue following this matter and will update the article as responses are received from Ford Canada, Taylor Ford Lincoln and other relevant parties.