The National Consumer Commission (NCC) announced that Ford has recalled some of its Ranger, Everest, EcoSport and Puma vehicles sold across South.
By Michelle van der Spuy, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Ford has issued a recall for certain 2022 to 2025 model year Ranger and Everest vehicles, specifically the Wildtrak and Platinum variants equipped with 3.0L Lion engines.
These light commercial vehicles may have a serious defect where the left-hand camshaft sprocket on the engine could fracture, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly and increasing the risk of an accident due to sudden loss of power while driving.
In the affected Ford Puma vehicles, a fuel line may rub against a bracket, causing damage to the fuel line. Over time, this damage may lead to a fuel leak. A fuel leak could result in an engine stall or, if there is an ignition source, a fire. Owners might notice a fuel odour, fuel leaking beneath the vehicle or smoke from fuel on a hot surface.
The affected Ford Puma vehicles were available on the market from November 2021 to September last year.
Ford has identified a safety concern affecting EcoSport vehicles sold during 2021 and 2022 that have been equipped with a 6F15 automatic transmission.
In some of these affected vehicles, the front half shafts may not have been fully inserted into the transmission during assembly. This defect could cause the half shaft to disengage from the transmission. If the half shaft disengages, there is a risk of losing engine power while driving.
Additionally, if the vehicle is put in “Park” without engaging the parking brake, it may roll away unexpectedly. Both conditions significantly increase the risk of an accident.
“Given the risk associated with the reported defects, consumers who own any of these vehicles are urged to immediately contact their nearest Ford authorised dealership for inspection and, if necessary, repair at no cost,” says Hardin Ratshisusu, the NCC’s acting commissioner.
