Ford Kuga PHEV Recall in Ireland: Fire Risk Prompts Software Update and Warranty Extension

Overview of the Recall

Ford has announced a recall affecting approximately 2,850 Kuga Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) in Ireland due to a potential battery defect that poses a fire risk. The issue arises from a manufacturing defect where the internal battery separator can become damaged over time by repeated charging and discharging cycles. This damage may lead to an internal short circuit, increasing the risk of fire or loss of power while driving.

Details of the Software Update

To address this issue, Ford is developing a software update for the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). This update will enhance the BECM’s ability to detect cell anomalies indicative of separator damage, providing advance warning to owners before thermal venting occurs. If an anomaly is detected, the vehicle will display a “stop safely now” message, switch to petrol power only, and halt charging if plugged in. The vehicle will then be recovered to a Ford dealership, where the high-voltage battery pack will be replaced if necessary.

Immediate Recommendations for Owners

Until the software update is available, Ford advises Kuga PHEV owners to:

Avoid charging the vehicle’s battery.
Operate the vehicle in ‘Auto EV’ mode only, relying on the petrol engine.
Contact their local dealership to book a complimentary “Kuga PHEV Check-Up” to ensure the vehicle is safe and roadworthy.

Warranty Extension

As part of the recall response, Ford is extending the warranty for high-voltage components, including the battery, to 10 years or 240,000 km (whichever comes first) for all affected Kuga PHEVs in Europe.

Customer Support

Owners with concerns or questions can contact Ford’s customer relationship team at 1800 771 199 between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.