Thousands of Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid owners have been left stranded – both figuratively and literally – after the automaker issued a fire-risk warning with no clear repair timeline.
In early March, Ford issued an urgent recall notice advising 26,000 drivers across Europe not to charge their Kuga hybrid vehicles, citing a potentially dangerous battery defect that could lead to short circuits or fires. The vehicles, sold since 2019, have now become a point of growing consumer frustration as owners say Ford has failed to follow up with clear answers or solutions.
Drivers received letters warning them not to charge the battery and to immediately exit the vehicle if a “stop safely now” alert appears. But despite the alarming notice, the company has yet to provide a fix – and is telling customers the vehicles are still “safe to drive.”
“The advice to exit the car quickly is alarming,” said David Ellis, who can no longer drive his husband, who uses a wheelchair, due to safety concerns. “They said we’d hear back when engineers have a software fix – that was four weeks ago.”
Ford owners are now paying the price – literally. Without battery charging, the vehicles rely solely on their combustion engines, doubling fuel costs and undermining the very environmental benefits they were marketed for. Some drivers report monthly costs have surged, and Ford has yet to offer compensation or reimbursement.
Adding to the outrage is the fact that this is the second fire-related recall for the Ford Kuga. In 2020, Ford replaced batteries in more than 27,000 vehicles after seven of them caught fire while charging. Now, customers are questioning whether the automaker ever truly addressed the issue – or if they’re reliving a high-voltage déjà vu.
Ford has suspended deliveries of new Kuga hybrids until a fix is finalized. The manufacturer estimates that a software update could reach dealerships by July – but with tens of thousands of vehicles impacted, the backlog could stretch much longer.
Experts are warning drivers to check their insurance policies. The Association of British Insurers cautions that failing to report recall notices could invalidate claims in the event of an accident. And consumer advocates are urging drivers to push for courtesy cars or refunds under the Consumer Rights Act if the fix drags on.
“If Ford can’t repair the issue within a reasonable time, owners are entitled to escalate,” said consumer rights specialist Martyn James. “If they refuse to offer a resolution, drivers can take them to small claims court.”
The Motor Ombudsman confirmed it’s now in discussions with Ford following the recall and expects further updates on how the company plans to compensate or assist affected customers.
In the meantime, thousands of drivers are left holding the keys to vehicles they can’t safely charge – or trust.
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