Latest news with #KugaPHEVs
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.'
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.
