Latest news with #Kuga
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.
RTÉ News
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
Ford warning Kuga owners not to charge their cars until software fix is ready
Ford is warning Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid owners in Ireland not to charge their vehicles until a software update is ready to fix technical issues with the battery in some cars. The company says issues with battery thermal venting have been reported in a "small number of vehicles" worldwide with no reported issues in Ireland. In a statement, Ford said its engineers are working on a software update to remedy the issue, which is expected to be ready in 10-15 days. In the meantime, Kuga drivers are advised to drive in "Auto EV" mode only and not to charge their cars. Ford said the software update "will give the 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". It added that in the event of an issue detected in Ford Kuga models here "dealers will replace the vehicle's high voltage battery pack". Irish Ford dealers are offering free "Kuga PHEV Check-Ups" for concerned customers, while Ford said it is extending the warranty for high-voltage components to 10 years or 240,000km (whatever comes first).
Irish Times
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Times
Irish car owners affected by fire risk from Ford Kuga battery defect start legal actions
Owners of Ford Kuga plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) who have been told not to plug them in as a battery defect could cause them to catch fire have started legal actions over the issue. The urgent recall, which was issued in early March and affects 2,850 Irish motorists, warns drivers not to charge the battery because of a risk it might short-circuit while on the road. The problem could cause a loss of power or a fire, according to the recall notice. Ford said sales of unsold new Kuga PHEVs built before November 2023 were halted in January and said it has no control over the sale of used vehicles. It instructed occupants to exit their vehicle immediately if the 'stop safely now' warning is triggered while on the road and told owners to 'not plug your vehicles in to charge the high voltage battery'. READ MORE In a Circuit Court summons issued in recent days, one owner of a 2023 Kuga complained that the vehicle was fitted with a plug-in hybrid system that was 'dangerously defective and not fit for purpose' and that Ford has failed to provide 'an adequate solution to deal with the potentially dangerous and life-threatening issues'. The summons claimed the car is now worthless, yet the owner must continue to make repayments on the Personal Contract Plan financing 'for fear of risking his credit rating'. A Ford spokesman said all affected customers in Ireland have been contacted and its engineers are working to develop a software remedy for the issue. 'When this becomes available, Ford will notify customers of affected vehicles via letter to schedule a service appointment with their dealer.' He said the software will be used 'to detect cell anomalies indicative of separator damage. In the event of anomaly detection, dealers will replace the vehicle's high-voltage battery pack.' [ Ford's new electric Puma is on the prowl in a very crowded market Opens in new window ] He said it is anticipated the software will be available by July. According to solicitor Evan O'Dwyer, representing the owner in this case: 'For any manufacturer to call its own product dangerous is worrisome. This is compounded by Ford not offering a solution to the problem. This is not a recall but a warning to park up.' The Kuga was Ireland's bestselling PHEV in 2023 and 2024, and was the bestselling PHEV in Europe between 2021 and 2023.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Yahoo
The jailed killer gangs who are rightly where they belong
Brutal gang killers have left grief and devastation for families across the West Midlands in recent years. Among some of the murders plaguing our streets was a broad daylight killing of DPD delivery driver Aurman Singh. He was attacked in a Shrewsbury street and hit with an axe and a golf club with shocked on-lookers witnessing the violence. READ MORE: Drivers making themselves 'invisible' to speed cameras - and problem is getting worse READ MORE: Dad diagnosed with terminal cancer after putting off getting 'black lump' checked Elsewhere, the dad of an intended target was knifed in the heart as he tried to protect his son. Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp Kelvin Ward, 50, was at a KFC restaurant when he was attacked by a group of men which tragically took his life. Scroll down to read more about each case. From a wasted talent to a 'troubled' teenager expelled from school, the back stories of a gang behind a bungled murder plot at KFC were detailed in full as they were jailed. Leighton Williams, aged 29, Tyrone Hollywood, 17, Aaron Coates, 18 and Rusharn Williams-Reid, 18, tried to kill a 19-year-old in Castle Bromwich following a long-running feud. But when their intended target managed to make a desperate escape on an electric bike their attention turned to his father Kelvin Ward, 50. He managed to jump behind the wheel of the gang's Kuga and tried to run Hollywood over in a bid to stop the attack. He missed the teenager and crashed into a railing on Winward Way before being ultimately stabbed in the heart by Williams. His son had once been friends with Hollywood and Coates before falling out and it was alleged he was responsible for causing damage to Coates' home. In retaliation the gang attacked his address three days before the killing, setting fire to cars, breaking windows, wielding machetes and shooting at the property. On April 18, 2023 they were riding around in a stolen Ford Kuga when they spotted the father and son at the KFC drive-thru in Chester Road. Hollywood, who was behind the wheel, rammed them leading to a road chase before the deadly confrontation with Mr Ward. All four were convicted of conspiring to murder his teenage son while Williams and Hollywood were found guilty of Mr Ward's murder and Coates was convicted of his manslaughter. They were jailed for more than 80 years in total at Coventry Crown Court. Click here to read more. A fugitive who planned an ambush robbery of a rival drug dealer which ended in the tragic murder of the intended target's driver has been jailed. Ayub Khan was the fourth and final person brought to justice over the fatal stabbing of Richard Hopley in Harborne in September 2022. The 29-year-old fled to Pakistan where he got married and fathered a child. His three accomplices, Nicholas Stallard, Paul Hayles and the man who inflicted the fatal blow, Mohammed Qasim, were convicted for their involvement and jailed as he lay low. Khan returned to Britain last year believing he could no longer be implicated by the other men. After being arrested he also fooled a psychologist into concluding he was vulnerable in a bid to deceive the jury that he was an 'innocent dupe'. But Khan's lies were foiled and he was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to rob. Click here to read more. A promising drill artist and three gang associates - including one from Birmingham - have been jailed after a tit-for-tat revenge shooting outside a child's birthday party. Young dad Kacey Booth was fatally shot in a gang murder which was then "glorified" in a rap video. Kammar Henry-Richards, known as Kay-O, was involved in the murder on August 13, 2022, then boasted on video that the same gun was used to injure the victim's brother two years earlier. On Tuesday, January 14, the 26-year-old was jailed for life at the Old Bailey for a minimum term of 37 years for his murder. E9 gang associate Roody Thomas, 27, of Birmingham, was among the four men sentenced. He admitted having a prohibited firearm and was jailed for five years for his involvement in the gang rivalry. Click here to read more. Jack Towell and David Oswald Four gang members who slit the throat of a man and dumped his body in a stream have been jailed for life. Jack Towell, David Oswald and two other men, who cannot be named for legal reasons, ambushed Owen Fairclough after they thought he would tell police about the group's drug dealing operation. A group of teenagers made the grim discovery and found Owen's body in the water near a path in Breaston, Derbyshire, at around 7.20pm on June 23 2023. A court heard Owen had been lured to the area after arranging to meet his friend Towell to collect some money he was owed. Owen got a taxi from his home in Long Eaton to the Navigation Inn pub where he had agreed to meet Towell at around 11pm on June 21. But when he arrived at the scene, he called Towell, who then directed him to the secluded area nearby. Two other men – David Oswald, 31, and a man who cannot be named for legal reasons – were also waiting and Owen was subjected to a brutal attack. Jurors were told the group had hatched a plan to kill Owen, believing he was about to report their drug dealing to the police. Click here to read more. An armed mob who brutally hacked to death a DPD worker 'within seconds' of ambushing him in the street have been convicted by jurors. Aurman Singh, from Smethwick, was part of a two-man crew delivering parcels in Shrewsbury when he was executed by masked men in broad daylight. They chopped at his head with an axe and hacked off part of his ear in the chilling onslaught. Aurman's killers also wielded a wooden stave, metal bar, hockey stick, shovel, knife and cricket bat during their 'extremely violent' attack. Mehakdeep Singh, 24, and Sehajpal Singh, 36, both of no fixed abode, denied a single count of murder and stood trial. They were unanimously convicted of the charge by jurors at Stafford Crown Court on Monday, March 31. Click here to read more.
