Ford Motor Company has initiated a recall of 272,827 Broncos and Mavericks due to a concerning power issue that could lead to vehicles shutting down unexpectedly or being unable to start at all.

According to the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), this issue stems from a 12-volt battery supplied by Camel Battery, a manufacturer based in China. The batteries have exhibited “internal manufacturing defects,” which include failures in the welding process that can result in open circuits, potentially affecting the vehicle’s function.

Fortunately, there have been no recorded incidents of accidents, fires, or injuries linked to this battery defect. The affected vehicles were produced from February 2021 through October 2023, which marks the period during which Ford used these problematic batteries. Estimates suggest that only about 1% of these vehicles are impacted by the defect.

In response to past criticisms regarding their handling of recalls, Ford announced in November their commitment to enhancing their recall decision-making procedures. Furthermore, the company will be subject to oversight by an independent third-party organization that will evaluate its recall activities for a duration of three years, following a fine imposed by the U.S. government for their slow response to previous recall matters.

The NHTSA highlighted that following a prior recall affecting 2021-23 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs and 2022-2023 Ford Maverick pickups, some vehicles were noted to lose power unexpectedly, including the ability to activate hazard lights without prior warning. The proposed solution for this issue involves implementing software updates that will improve the detection of battery-related problems and alert drivers accordingly.