Inspection on all SUVs with fire danger

FORD SA has agreed to inspect every one of the Kuga family of SUVs it sold in SA‚ the National Consumer Commission (NCC) said yesterday.

This follows a meeting between the embattled car maker and the commission last week after as many as 23 Kugas caught fire this year.

“The company undertook to conduct safety inspections on all Kuga utility vehicles that have been sold in the country.

“The inspections will form part of precautionary measures instituted at the behest of the NCC after serious allegations of engine overheating on the Kuga vehicle surfaced in the media in recent weeks‚” the commission said.

It added that it had not to date received any complaints from consumers about the Kuga vehicle.

It said that at the meeting‚ which was chaired by NCC deputy commissioner Thezi Mabuza Ford SA filled the body in on two separate investigations it was conducting.

“The company has vowed to expedite its investigation into engine overheating incidents and will report back to the NCC with its findings by end of February 2017.

“Ford has undertaken to alert all Kuga owners to take their vehicles to a nearby Ford workshop or dealership for a free safety inspection.

“Consumers can contact its customer service helpline on 0860-011-022 for advice or assistance‚” the NCC said.

It’s unclear whether the latest undertaking by Ford will be enough to stave off a possible class action lawsuit after yet another Kuga burst into flames at the weekend‚ allegedly after technicians assured the owner the vehicle was safe to drive in Durban.

Times Media has revealed that as many as 23 Kugas have caught fire this year.

Some of the affected owners are considering a class action lawsuit‚ including the family of a man who died after being trapped inside his burning vehicle.

Ford has recalled tens of thousands of similar models‚ named the Escape‚ in the US and China citing the risk of engine fires. — TMG Digital