The C-MAX Hybrid is part of a dedicated family of electrified vehicles along with the C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid.
Ford is issuing two safety recalls in North America, including a serious one for fires. On 2012-15 Ford Focus Electric, 2013-15 Ford Fusion Energi and 2013-15 Ford C-MAX Energi vehicles 50,000 120-volt convenience charge cords originally provided can cause a fire. Using the 120-volt charge cord originally provided with the affected vehicles with an AC outlet that is not on a dedicated circuit or is damaged, worn or corroded may result in increased temperature at the wall outlet and potentially lead to a fire. Ford admits that it is aware of “some fire reports.”
Affected Ford Vehicles:
- 2012-15 Ford Focus Electric vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, Sept. 15, 2011 through March 14, 2015
- 2013-15 Ford Fusion Energi vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Sept. 4, 2012 through March 5, 2015
- 2013-15 Ford C-MAX Energi vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, April 13, 2012 through March 14, 2015
There are approximately 50,524 vehicles in North America with accompanying charge cords relating to this safety defect with 49,197 vehicles in the United States and its federalized territories and 1,327 in Canada. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S24.
Owners will be notified by mail and reminded of the requirements for adequate wall outlets, and that extension cords should not be used under any circumstance to charge their vehicles. They will be instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer to have the factory-equipped 120-volt convenience charge cord replaced with the latest version of the 120-volt convenience cord that includes a thermistor, free of charge as is required by U.S. law. The thermistor can identify over-temperature conditions at the plug/outlet interface and will discontinue charging until the temperature decreases to an appropriate level.
Ford is also issuing a recall for approximately 100 2018 Ford Edge, 2019 Ford Flex, 2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles that may not have the power supply cable fastener properly secured to the alternator or to the starter motor. In the defective vehicles, if the nut used to fasten the power supply cable to the starter motor or alternator is not fully tightened or is cross threaded, the interface may not provide a secure connection. An improperly fastened power supply cable increases the potential for an electrical surge, which could lead to a fire.
Ford claims it is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries related to this defect
Affected vehicles include 2018 Ford Edge, 2019 Ford Flex, 2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant on May 29, 2018.
There are approximately 87 vehicles in the United States and seven in Canada. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S25.
Dealers will inspect the alternator and starter motor power supply cable nuts and studs for cross threading or damage and verify that the nuts are properly torqued using a torque wrench, at no charge to the customer as is required by law.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Ford Issues Two Safety Defect Recalls for Fires
The C-MAX Hybrid is part of a dedicated family of electrified vehicles along with the C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid.
Ford is issuing two safety recalls in North America, including a serious one for fires. On 2012-15 Ford Focus Electric, 2013-15 Ford Fusion Energi and 2013-15 Ford C-MAX Energi vehicles 50,000 120-volt convenience charge cords originally provided can cause a fire. Using the 120-volt charge cord originally provided with the affected vehicles with an AC outlet that is not on a dedicated circuit or is damaged, worn or corroded may result in increased temperature at the wall outlet and potentially lead to a fire. Ford admits that it is aware of “some fire reports.”
Affected Ford Vehicles:
There are approximately 50,524 vehicles in North America with accompanying charge cords relating to this safety defect with 49,197 vehicles in the United States and its federalized territories and 1,327 in Canada. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S24.
Owners will be notified by mail and reminded of the requirements for adequate wall outlets, and that extension cords should not be used under any circumstance to charge their vehicles. They will be instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer to have the factory-equipped 120-volt convenience charge cord replaced with the latest version of the 120-volt convenience cord that includes a thermistor, free of charge as is required by U.S. law. The thermistor can identify over-temperature conditions at the plug/outlet interface and will discontinue charging until the temperature decreases to an appropriate level.
Ford is also issuing a recall for approximately 100 2018 Ford Edge, 2019 Ford Flex, 2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles that may not have the power supply cable fastener properly secured to the alternator or to the starter motor. In the defective vehicles, if the nut used to fasten the power supply cable to the starter motor or alternator is not fully tightened or is cross threaded, the interface may not provide a secure connection. An improperly fastened power supply cable increases the potential for an electrical surge, which could lead to a fire.
Ford claims it is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries related to this defect
Affected vehicles include 2018 Ford Edge, 2019 Ford Flex, 2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant on May 29, 2018.
There are approximately 87 vehicles in the United States and seven in Canada. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S25.
Dealers will inspect the alternator and starter motor power supply cable nuts and studs for cross threading or damage and verify that the nuts are properly torqued using a torque wrench, at no charge to the customer as is required by law.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.