Kuga complaints ‘raise issues other than safety’

THE investigation by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) into the Ford Kuga was prompted by complaints that raised issues beyond the scope of the safety recall of the 1.6-litre model.

Ebrahim Mohamed, the NCC commissioner, confirmed this yesterday, when he reported to parliament’s portfolio committee on trade and industry on the recall of the Ford Kuga 1.6-litre model.

Mohamed said 45 complaints by Ford Kuga owners had been lodged with the NCC.

An investigation against the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa was under way in response to allegations that the motor manufacturer had violated consumers’ rights.

The complaints lodged with the NCC were from consumers who had suffered losses because their cars caught fire or were damaged by overheating.

Under pressure from the NCC, Ford in January issued a voluntary recall of 4 566 Kuga 1.6-litre models to address an engine-overheating problem that had caused fires in at least 39 vehicles.

Mohamed said the complainants alleged that their rights had been violated.

He said the NCC convened a screening committee to look into the matter, and a resolution was taken to recommend an investigation into the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa because of allegations that the company had contravened certain provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.

Mohamed added that the issues raised in the complaints went beyond the scope of the product-safety recall and an investigation was therefore necessary.

The Kuga models affected by the recall were built between December 2012 and February 2014. Models with 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre engines are unaffected.

Ford initially determined that the fires were due to overheating caused by a lack of coolant circulation, which could lead to a crack in the cylinder head and an oil leak. If leaking oil reached a hot engine component, it could catch fire.