Ford has issued a safety recall for models equipped with the 1.6 litre EcoBoost engine over a risk of under-the-bonnet fires, affecting 230,756 units of the 2014 Escape (known as the Kuga over here), 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion (Mondeo) and 2013-2015 Transit Connect in North America.
The problem centres around a lack of coolant circulation, which could cause the engine to overheat. This can result in a cracked cylinder head, causing a pressurised oil leak – if the oil comes into contact with a hot engine surface, it increases the risk of a fire in the engine compartment.
So far, the issue has resulted in 29 reports of fire in the United States and Canada. Owners are still allowed to drive their vehicles, but are advised to see their dealer if the vehicle has a coolant leak, is overheating or needs to be topped up with coolant frequently.
They will also receive instructions from the owner’s manual in the mail, on how to check and refill coolant. Once service kits are available, dealers will install a coolant level sensor with supporting hardware and software changes, free of charge.
Over in Australia, the company is also recalling 4,450 units of the 2013-2014 Kuga as well as 400 units of the Fiesta ST over the same issue, according to CarAdvice. Ford Australia’s communication head Martin Günsberg told the publication that there have been seven reports of fire associated with the issue, although no injuries have been reported so far.
The American and Australian recalls come some two months after Ford South Africa recalled 4,500 units of the Kuga, again over a fire risk due to a lack of coolant circulation. Seeing as South African and Australian-market Kuga models come from the same Valencia plant in Spain as ours, we could see a recall being announced in Malaysia as well. Local distributor Sime Darby AutoConnexion is now investigating the matter to see if Malaysian-market models are affected.
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Ford Malaysia under distributor Sime Darby. GLC prihatin
3~4yrs later Honda Civic 1.5turbo owner will cry no tears… Now *white rat Civic turbo engine design failure is countdown to 3~4yrs later to have engine overheat, cylinder head crack, piston crack –> Civic turbo re-sell value price will fall into the drain & 2nd-hand dealers no dare to touch… After VW solved the issue of 1.4TSI piston crack issue, now we have Ford Ecooboost 1.6 cylinder head crack causing fire issue which onky fibd out after 3yrs launched…
It’s OK, M’sia are NOT affected bcos we have GOOD suppliers of parts & assembler. He he he.
the Kuga (Spain) and Fiesta ST (Germany) come fully assembled and aren’t the same as the ones in US (Mexico plant). Australia models should also be from Europe plants though.
All things considered there hasn’t been any recalls in the UK where Fords are super common.
U are absolutely right wheels. It is suppose to be Sarcasm bro. I think Kelab Penunggang Kunta is also sarcastic when he commented. Shalom & cheers …
Problem is lack of coolant, so what do they do? Top up coolant?
Ford should close shop for faulty vehicles.
so should VW and nearly every Japanese make with the fatal Takata airbag situation then? your narrow-mindedness is baffling.
Correction, Fiesta ST manufactured between 2012 and 2014 are affected. Not 2014/2015..that’s the model
My fiesta ecoboost overheated last year 2 weeks after final free service. I had to fork out just under RM6k for repairs. Ford covered 75% of the cost but it’s still a lot of money for a 3 year old car and I was left without transportation just months before my wedding. I really hope Sime Darby Auto Connexion will be honest with their investigation and do right by their customers.