Latest news with #Brankin
Irish Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish Ford Kuga owners issued with urgent fire defect warning
Ford is set to implement early warning software to over 2,500 Kuga models across Ireland, following a defect which could cause some plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models to short-circuit and catch fire while on the move. The US carmaker issued a recall notice in March, affecting thousands of motorists. While no Irish incidents have been reported, the early warning software is expected to be available here in at least ten days - until then, Kuga drivers are instructed to refrain from charging their cars, and to drive only in 'Auto EV' mode to avoid further short-circuits. If a short-circuit occurs while driving, owners will be shown a 'Stop Safely Now' message and a warning light in the instrument cluster. A loss of power might also be experienced, although other electronic controls will remain operational, as well as the steering and brakes. 'To all of our affected customers, we're really sorry that an issue has occurred with the Ford Kuga PHEV battery," said managing director of Ford UK and Ireland Lisa Brankin. "Our engineers are working closely with the supplier of the affected part, and are putting all of their resources into perfecting a software update to remedy the issue." Brankin describes the software fix as giving the car's battery energy control module "enhanced capability to detect cell anomalies indicative of separator damage, providing advance warning to owners of a high-voltage battery issue before thermal venting occurs." "In the event of anomaly detection, dealers will replace the vehicle's high voltage battery pack." Currently, Ford dealers in Ireland are offering complimentary "Kuga PHEV Check-Ups" until the software updates are rolled out. The check-up consists of a 29-point inspection including wheels, tyres, brakes and wheel bearings, steering and a Ford Video Check - a video report of the car's inspection sent to the owner's phone. In addition, Ford has extended the warranty on all high-voltage Kuga parts to ten years or 240,000 kilometres for all affected PHEV models. "Resolving this issue speedily and expertly is our priority, and while our engineering and software team fully focuses on that we will continue to monitor vehicles in operation," said Brankin. "Only a very small number of vehicles on the road worldwide have reported an issue with battery thermal venting with zero reported issues in Ireland." Only the latest third-generation Kuga is affected by these issues. The model suffered another unrelated recall shortly after going on sale in 2020, after seven models caught fire while charging. The fourth-generation Ford Focus is based on the same platform as the Kuga, but is thought to be unaffected. Customers with further concerns are asked to contact Ford's Customer Relationship team on 1800 771 199, between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday.
RTÉ News
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
Ford issues update on potential fire risk with Kuga models
Ford has issued an update to almost 3,000 Irish owners of Kuga plug-in models, who have been affected by a potential fire risk with their cars. In March, Ford issued a safety recall notice alerting owners to a problem with the battery that could potentially lead to a fire and advised them to drive in auto EV mode and avoid charging the battery. This morning, Ford issued an update for customers saying the company was between 10 and 15 days away from issuing a software fix that would alert drivers to any potential problem with the battery. So far, no incidents have been reported by the 2,850 Irish owners of Kuga cars. However, the company is still advising them not to charge the battery and to keep the car in auto EV mode after a "small number" of incidents were reported worldwide. Lisa Brankin, Chair and Managing Director of Ford of Britain and Ireland, has apologised to owners and said Ford engineers and the suppliers of the affected part were putting all their resources into perfecting the software update to remedy the issue. The update would be available within 10 to 15 days, she said. In the event of what the company calls indications of "thermal separation", the high-voltage battery pack would be replaced by Ford. "Until the software update has been installed by your Ford dealer, we ask all Kuga PHEV drivers to use their cars in 'Auto EV' mode and avoid charging until the software update is complete. We are committed to resolving this issue as quickly as possible for our customers, and thank you for your patience and trust in us. "Resolving this issue speedily and expertly is our priority, and while our engineering and software teams fully focus on that, we will continue to monitor vehicles in operation. Only a very small number of vehicles on the road worldwide have reported an issue with battery thermal venting, with zero reported issues in Ireland", Ms Brankin said in a statement this morning. "If customers have any concerns about their Kuga PHEV, they can contact their local dealership for reassurance and to book in for a complimentary Kuga PHEV Check-Up to reassure them that the vehicle is safe and roadworthy when in Auto EV mode. "We are also extending the warranty for high voltage components to 10 years / 240,000km (whatever comes first), covering the high voltage battery, for all affected Kuga PHEVs in Europe. "If customers require further assistance or would like to discuss how they are being affected by this recall notification, they can contact the Customer Relationship team on 1800 771 199 between 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday, to speak to a person who can advise them." However, the visual "health check" is not designed to be an EV battery safety check, and drivers will still have to run their cars in petrol mode until the software fix has been implemented. At that point, owners will know whether there is a risk to their car.
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Ford issues warning to Kuga PHEV owners to avoid charging battery following technical fault
Ford said only a small number of vehicles worldwide have reported an issue with battery thermal venting, with no reported issues in Ireland. Lisa Brankin, Chair and Managing Director of Ford of Britain and Ireland said: 'To all of our affected customers, we're really sorry that an issue has occurred with the Ford Kuga PHEV battery. "Our engineers are working closely with the supplier of the affected part, and are putting all of their resources into perfecting a software update to remedy the issue.' Ms Brankin said the software update will be available within 10-15 days and will give the Battery Energy Control Module enhanced capability to detect cell anomalies indicative of separator damage. It will also provide advanced warning to owners of a high-voltage battery issue before thermal venting occurs. In the event of anomaly detection, dealers will replace the vehicle's high voltage battery pack, the company said. Ford is asking all Kuga PHEV drivers to use their cars in 'Auto EV' mode and avoid charging until the software update is installed by their Ford dealer and completed. It said resolving this issue speedily and expertly is its priority, and it will continue to monitor vehicles in operation while engineers and software teams work on the issue. If customers have any concerns about their Kuga PHEV, they can contact their local dealership for reassurance, and to book in for a complimentary 'Kuga PHEV Check-Up'* to reassure them that the vehicle is safe and road-worthy when in Auto EV mode. Ford said it also extending the warranty for high voltage components to 10 year/240,000km, covering the high voltage battery, for all affected Kuga PHEVs in Europe. If customers require further assistance or would like to discuss how they are being affected by this recall notification, they can contact Ford's customer relationship team on 1800 771 199 between 9am and 5pm. 'Ford is committed to bringing a great lineup of hybrid and electric vehicles to market in Ireland helping to serve our customers' needs, reduce emissions and being there for our dealers and communities long into the future,' the automobile company said. "We are committed to resolving this issue as quickly as possible for our customers and thank you for your patience and trust in us.'
