Ford has found a solution to the problems with the Kuga PHEV: the brand will replace the entire battery pack of affected cars. Ford of Europe expects to start the recall in December.
After an investigation in collaboration with battery supplier Samsung, Ford has found that there are impurities in the cells of the battery pack due to an error in the production process. On this basis, Ford has decided to preventively replace the battery pack of all cars, according to Ford Autonews in a statement. It further states that Ford will contact the owners in November to schedule an appointment at the dealer. The recall is due to start definitively in December and is expected to last until the end of March. In the Netherlands, it concerns more than 900 copies, as Ford Netherlands has previously confirmed to Techzle.
Ford has also shut down production of the Kuga PHEV due to the problem, but it is not yet known when it will restart. Due to the setbacks with the plug-in hybrid, Ford was forced to enter into a partnership with Volvo, so that the brand can still meet the European CO2 standard. The Kuga PHEV was in fact essential to its success. Incidentally, Ford is not the only brand that has to solve problems with its plug-in hybrids. BMW and Hyundai have also previously initiated recalls. BMW had to recall several plug-in hybrids, while Hyundai is forced to return no fewer than 7,819 copies of the Kona Electric to the dealer.