South Africa : Ford to recall 4556 Kugas and social media reacts

The Ford Kuga 1.6 litre SUV has been recalled in South Africa after a total of 47 Kuga’s caught fire and 1 person reported dead. The EcoBoost models, produced between 2012 and 2014 seem to be the only Ford models with the problem.

According to TimesLive, a number of insurance companies reported the incident to Ford as far back as 2014

What Kuga owners should do

In the event of a fire, owners of the Ford Kuga are advised to pull over, switch off the engine and ensure that all occupants are out of the vehicle. Ford warns owners to not open the bonnet as it is unsafe to do so.

Ford also insists that the 1.6 Kuga is safe to drive, provided the integrity of the cooling system is maintained, and the safety recall has been actioned.

Social Media reaction

*At a Job Interview

Interviewer: Have you ever taken any risks in life?

Interviewee: Well I came here in a #FordKuga

— AbortedNews (@AbortedNews) January 17, 2017

https://twitter.com/MSGkekana/status/821000679145738240

https://twitter.com/disaster_fund/status/821235848532426752

My mate has a Samsung Note car kit in his #FordKuga.
Always showing off by sending me pics! pic.twitter.com/i0rJ1ugHJs

— Hon. Min. of hot wings 👱🍗🍗 (@JasonMcCall01) January 17, 2017

#FordKuga when you catch fire it is called "an overheating problem"

— Antoine (@antoinedlmsa) January 17, 2017

https://twitter.com/THABORI/status/821229145191514112

RT "@amliveonsafm: Kaveen Jimmy says Ford has NOT contacted them to see the evidence they have on how his brother's #FordKuga caught fire"

— Xolani Mvulana 🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩 (@xolanimvulana) January 17, 2017

Only 1 model and 1 derivative affected, Ford Kuga 1.6 ecoboost manufactured between 2012 & 2014 #FordKuga @CliffCentralCom @AutoTraderSA

— George Mienie (@GeorgeMienie) January 17, 2017

@FordSouthAfrica The fact that you havnt recalled the #FordKuga shows that you care about your pockets more than human life. #Dissapointing

— Ashleigh 🎼 (@Lees4Peace) January 16, 2017

On the highway I was driving next to a #FordKuga, man I swear I slowed down and changed lanes so fast

— Catstix (@Boondaah) January 16, 2017

Kuga owner warns others of ‘death trap’: Shaken EC woman escapes unharmed https://t.co/yf3Ig10g6r #FordKuga pic.twitter.com/gPxZxMrkh6

— Daily Dispatch (@Dispatch_DD) January 16, 2017

In another plot twist, it seems @FordSouthAfrica knew about the fire hazard with the #FordKuga a full year ago. > https://t.co/RF28D62VAE

— A.O (@PILLAY_CGLM) January 16, 2017

Staff Writer