UPDATE! Just how dangerous is the Ford Kuga?
Last week it was reported that at least 23 Ford Kugas had caught fire this year and the news has since spread like wildfire across various news mediums.
More recently (Tuesday 13 December 2016), TimesAlive published an update on the matter, saying that “Ford’s attempt to send junior staff to answer allegations that a critical safety flaw was behind spontaneous fires on its Kuga has been shot down by the National Consumer Commission.”
It was further reported that Ford’s senior executors, who were meant to appear before an inquiry in Pretoria, were made “unavailable” at the last minute.
According to TimesAlive, Ford’s Europe director of news operations said in an email: “Ford is committed to working with the National Consumer Commission … A meeting will be taking place this week … There is nothing further we can add at this time.”
In an SMS, commission spokesman Trevor Hattingh said: “The company made a request for a postponement because the executives needed for the meeting are not available.
“We were not interested [in speaking] to junior people … They will advise on the date.”
Via TimesAlive
Just how dangerous is the Ford Kuga?
Last week TimesAlive reported on a case that has been kept out of the spotlight and which is now starting to gain momentum. We decided to do some digging in to this story as we know many of our readers are Ford Kuga drivers.
TimesAlive reported that Kaveen Jimmy’s brother, Reshall, was burnt to death when his 2014 Ford Kuga caught alight. Two forensic reports said that, based on an inspection of the vehicle in January, the fire was caused by an electrical fault behind the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Kaveen has since been trying to get Ford to take responsibility for his brother’s death and to recall that particular model. But the motoring manufacturer is keeping very mum on the topic and issued a statement to TimesAlive that states they are not considering a recall.
“We take the safety of our customers very seriously. While we continually evaluate our processes for potential improvements, our decisions are driven by the data available. When the data indicate a safety recall is needed, we move quickly on behalf of our customers,” the company said.
There was a recall in the USA and China for the Kuga (known as the Escape in these countries) but the recall never applied to South Africa.
Kaveen Jimmy said that if Ford had issued a recall warning – as it did with the 2013 Kuga – Reshall would still be alive. “They did it elsewhere in countries where the Kuga is sold, why not here?” asked Kaveen.
But why aren’t Ford recalling these models? There is even a Facebook page that has been set up for victims of Ford Kugas catching alight and the stories are rolling in.
One such story describes the harrowing experience of one mother who managed to get her children out of her burning Kuga just in time. Passersby had alerted her to the car being on fire.
But according to claims on the page by some users, Ford is objecting to the posts and therefore they are being deleted. People are questioning why Ford is not taking responsibility and why they are not recalling the vehicles.
It was reported yesterday, by TimesLive, that the Motor Industry Ombudsman, Johan van Vreden, confirmed that Ford had not reported Reshall Jimmy’s death and that he would be taking up the matter with Ford SA’s managing director as soon as he returned from being overseas.
“What’s worrying is that Ford is asking for another investigation. Why? Are they playing for time?” Van Vreden said. He said it was worrying that Ford had not notified him of the issue. “You don’t wait a year to tell an ombudsman about a potentially critical safety issue, not when a death has occurred. They do their customers a disservice. If they had told us our experts could have dealt with this sooner and, if not, we could have found people who could have.”
But Ford Europe’s director for news operations, John Gardiner, says that Ford is working with the authorities on the investigation to Jimmy’s death and that it would be inappropriate to comment further about the ongoing investigation at this time.
On the increasing number of customers reporting that their Kuga has caught fire, he said: “We are aware that customers have alleged possible fires in Kugas on social media, and are prepared to investigate vehicles reported to Ford. If our investigation finds that there is a safety defect, we will move quickly on behalf of our customers if action is needed.
“If customers experience problems with their Kugas or have a vehicle fire to report, we recommend they bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for service or call Ford’s Customer Service.”
He denied that Ford had withheld assistance from customers who voiced complaints on Facebook.
We asked Ford to comment and we received a similar statement:
We are working with the authorities on the investigation of the fire. We take the safety of our customers very seriously and are committed to addressing potential issues and responding quickly. If customers have a concern relating to their Kuga, we recommend they bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for inspection. Customers can also contact Ford Customer Service directly at 0860 011 022.
source: TimesAlive, Facebook