BANGKOK — Ford Motor Co. has issued a recall for 272,827 of its Bronco and Maverick models due to an electrical issue that may lead to unexpected stalling or difficulties starting the vehicle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the fault is traced back to a 12-volt battery supplied by Camel Battery in China, which has been identified to have “internal manufacturing defects.” These defects include failures in the welding process that can create open circuits.

Fortunately, no incidents of accidents, fires, or injuries stemming from this issue have been reported.

The affected vehicles were produced between February 2021 and October 2023, at which time Ford ceased the use of these specific batteries. It’s estimated that the defects impact just about 1% of the vehicles fitted with these batteries.

In response to prior concerns, Ford announced in November its commitment to reevaluate and enhance its recall protocols. The automaker will also be monitored by an independent third party for a period of three years to assess its recall effectiveness, in light of a previous fine issued by the U.S. government for inadequate timeliness in addressing earlier recall issues.

The NHTSA reported that following a previous recall concerning the 2021-2023 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs and the 2022-2023 Ford Maverick pickups, some vehicles experienced a loss of power, including the inability to activate hazard lights without prior warning. The corrective action will involve software updates aimed at improving the detection of battery-related issues and alerting drivers accordingly.