Ford issues fire risk warning over Kuga PHEV

Drivers of the plug-in hybrid Ford Kuga are urged not to charge their car after a potential fire risk was found with the high-voltage battery.

Ford is temporarily halting sales of the Kuga PHEV after overheating batteries led to a small number of vehicles setting on fire.

Owners have been contacted with instructions to drive the Kuga only in its default 'EV Auto' drive mode and not to plug the car in until an update has been made.

In a statement, Ford says it is recalling all models affected to fit them with an additional heat shield and manifold.

"The sale of Kuga PHEV vehicles built prior to June 26, 2020, has been suspended temporarily," said a spokesperson for Ford UK.

"Ford is recalling all vehicles with customers to update them with an additional heat shield and manifold according to the current manufacturing status, and informs customers of all affected Kuga PHEVs in service not to charge their vehicle’s high voltage battery until this update is made.

"As part of Ford’s ongoing quality and safety processes, a potential concern has been identified with the high voltage drive battery in these vehicles. Information from the field indicates that four vehicle fires are likely to have been caused by the overheating of the high voltage batteries." 

Concerned customers can now arrange to have a repair carried out by their dealership free of charge.

It's not the first time a car manufacturer has been forced to issue a recall over fire concerns. BMW recalled 1.6 million diesel cars in 2018, admitting that an exhaust gas recirculation fault could lead to fires in unusual circumstances.