Ford Halts Kuga PHEV Sales Over Battery Fires

Ford has called an immediate ceasefire on sales of Kuga PHEVs built in the first half of this year, with owners instructed not to charge them
Ford Halts Kuga PHEV Sales Over Battery Fires

Ford has halted sales of its plug-in Kuga PHEV SUV after an investigation into fires caused by overheating batteries.

The hybrid version of Ford’s mid-size lifestyle bus has only recently gone on sale, but four fires have already been linked to examples screwed together before 26 June, according to an article in Autocar. It’s not yet known why the batteries are overheating, or why it’s only the Kuga PHEV that seems to be afflicted; it’s business as usual for the company’s other electrified cars.

Ford Halts Kuga PHEV Sales Over Battery Fires

While Ford mounts an urgent head-scratching initiative to sort the problem out, owners of Kuga PHEVs built before 26 June are being told not to charge their cars. Weirdly, for reasons not made public at the time of writing, examples built after this date seem fine. Around 27,000 cars across the world are affected.

Dealers won’t be allowed to sell any stock Kuga PHEVs that fall before the cut-off date; these will need to be fixed first. Bad luck if you’d just put a deposit down. It’s a particular blow for Ford dealers in Europe; the PHEV had quickly come to count for 50 per cent of all Kuga sales across the continent.

Ford Halts Kuga PHEV Sales Over Battery Fires

Early media reports had praised the car’s ability to maximise its battery-fed capability, delivering real-world efficiency that smashes even the most miserly diesel rivals out of the park. Ford will therefore be very eager to get its supply of pre-26 June models back on sale, but at the moment there’s no indication of how long it might take.

Comments

DG65425

Just kill it, and all other suvs too

08/11/2020 - 09:49 |
2 | 1
Tomislav Celić

In reply to by DG65425

TBH, I don’t mind SUVs anymore, as manufacturers are struggling to sell sedans, you can get them at a huge discount

08/11/2020 - 12:21 |
2 | 2
Tomislav Celić

Make Pintos Great Again 2020

08/11/2020 - 12:20 |
2 | 0
RWB Dude

I’m guessing this is the euro version of the Escape?

08/11/2020 - 12:28 |
1 | 0
Tomislav Celić

In reply to by RWB Dude

I think so

08/11/2020 - 12:35 |
0 | 0

yes

08/12/2020 - 18:48 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Seems like Kuga’s like to burn……
Had the same issue with the previous model here locally - and they were petrol powered

08/12/2020 - 06:22 |
0 | 0
Sojzim8 3

Like a couple blocks from where i live, a x5 hybrid burned down two weeks ago. Seems lile ford isnt the only one having diffuculties with electric drive trains

08/18/2020 - 12:47 |
0 | 0

Topics

Manufacturers

Sponsored Posts