Ford Continues Recall of Kugas in South Africa
Ford South Africa has begun the second phase of its safety recall for Kuga SUVs that have reported having engine fires in South Africa.

Photo of the Ford Kuga courtesy of Ford.

Photo of the Ford Kuga courtesy of Ford.
Ford South Africa has begun the second phase of its safety recall for Kuga SUVs that have reported having engine fires in South Africa.
Over 4,500 Ford Kugas produced from December 2012 to February 2014, equipped with a 1.6-liter Ecoboost engine, were recalled in March by South Africa Ford following dozens of reports of vehicles catching fire, according to Reuters.
Ford South Africa is continuing the recalls of the vehicles, which also now includes the Fiesta ST hot hatch, in what the automaker has described as “Phase 2," according to Wheels 24.
"Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has commenced with Phase 2 of the safety recall action for all affected Kuga 1.6 models, and is requesting customers to schedule an appointment with their dealer in order to have the vehicle enhancements completed,” the automaker said in a statement.
For the second phase of recalls, new hardware will be installed, which comprises of a new coolant expansion tank with a sensor that monitors the level of the vehicle’s coolant, according to Business Tech.
Ford South Africa has requested customers to schedule an appointment with their dealer in order to have the vehicle enhancements completed.
Additionally, the vehicle’s updated software introduced as part of the second phase of recalls includes the vehicle's ability to reduce engine power, as well as providing notification to the driver to safely pull over if coolant levels drop below the minimum required level.
Shortly after the second phase was announced, a Ford Kuga caught fire in Ekurhuleni, a metropolitan municipality in South Africa, according to Times Live.
More Global Fleet

Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention
Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.
Read More →
Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools
Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.
Read More →
Fleet Costs Are Rising: Here’s How Leaders Are Responding
Fleet leaders are under pressure to reduce costs, adapt to economic uncertainty, and make smarter decisions. See how peers across North America are responding with real data, proven strategies, and forward-looking insights. Download the 2026 Market Pulse Report to benchmark your strategy and uncover where you can gain an edge.
Read More →
Enterprise Fleet Management Surpasses 900,000 Vehicles in U.S. & Canada
Enterprise Mobility connects with mobility solutions around the globe
Read More →Automotive Fleet's Guide to Fleet Electrification
Unlock the secrets to a successful transition to electric fleets with Automotive Fleet's comprehensive Fleet Electrification Guide!
Read More →
Sumitomo Rubber Industries to Acquire Viaduct
Viaduct will join Sumitomo as an independent subsidiary. Partnership strengthens global reach and accelerates AI-driven innovation for fleets and manufacturing.
Read More →
AfMA’s 2025 Education & Leadership Summit: 26 Years of Impactful Connection
Held in Sydney, the Australasian Fleet Management Association’s 2025 Summit marked ten years of growth as the event expanded its global reach and doubled down on practical, non-commercial fleet leadership programming.
Read More →
Closing Soon! Nominate a 2025 Global Fleet Team of the Year
Submit your nomination for the award that honors outstanding multinational fleet teams. Nominations close Aug. 15.
Read More →
Seven Strategies to Reduce Preventable Accidents
“Accidents” suggest inevitability, but most crashes are preventable — caused by driver actions and behaviors. Here’s why shifting the narrative can improve road safety.
Read More →
2024 Global Fleet Conference in Photos
Check out photos from the first two days of the 2024 Global Fleet Conference, which convened for the first time in San Diego Nov. 4-6 as part of the new Fleet Week series of conferences.
Read More →
