Ford Fusion Lemon – Charging Cord Recall
Ford Motor Company is recalling almost 50,000 charging cords distributed with electric vehicles following reports the cords allegedly overheated and caught fire.
Do you own a lemon Ford Fusion? Contact Allen Stewart’s team of experienced lemon law attorneys today.
The Dearborn, Michigan-based manufacturer notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Sept. 10, 2018 they will recall the 120 volt convenience charge cord distributed with the 2013-2015 Ford C-Max, 2013-2015 Ford Fusion, 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles built between April 13, 2012 and March 15, 2015.
The charging cables, manufactured by Canton, Michigan-based component supplier Yazaki Automotive, are susceptible to increased resistance at the plug and home AC outlet interface. Increased plug/outlet resistance can increase heat and create melting or a fire risk.
Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group began investigating allegations of heat damage in December 2013, concluding in May 2017 after finding now manufacturing or quality defect. Following that conclusion Ford investigated four alleged fires involving C-Max vehicles.
NHTSA presented Ford with 12 reports in June 2018, requesting Ford’s review. The manufacturer examined the reports and told the NHTSA they would present the data to Ford’s review group on July 31, 2018. Ford later found an elevated melting and fire rate on charge cords designed without a thermistor: a component which changes electrical resistance as temperature changes.
Ford approved a recall on Aug. 17, 2018.
Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall will begin Sept. 17, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S24. Ford owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
The manufacturer of your vehicle is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide the loss value of your recalled vehicle, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.
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