Ford Focus 1.6 Ecoboost recall - bit late for me
Discussion
I have just fallen victim to Ford Focus 1.6 ecoboost coolant problem. I got the recall notice on Friday 23rd March 2018, car goes on fire on Sunday 25th ... two days later, its almost like the car read the notice.
I did check the coolant level on Monday 19th March (day off for st patricks day) and it was just a little short of MAX, but hardly in need of any coolant.
Drove about 200 miles that week, including 25 mile on sunday to my mothers house. I did hear the electric fan when i stopped but thought, well i was in traffic and some cars do this, not usually the focus though. Two hours later i drive 1 mile , stop at traffic lights and i see smoke coming from the bonnet. I thought it was the car exhaust in front. I pulled over, lifted the bonnet, and there are flames, the rubber boot and the wiring harness to the crankcase sensor is on fire. Temp on dashboard has never changed from normal, no electric fan operating and the car is so hot it is on fire!
Managed to get a resident with a gallon of water to put the flames out, while i switched off the engine. I waited half an hour, and put warm coolant back in in hope more than expectation it would start, no chance!
Car was then towed to a ford dealer (left outside as it was sunday), on monday they tell me they dont want to fix it, but try Trustford. Three Trustford garages tried i get one that might look at it on Thursday, though later they tell me next week, after Easter.
Surely this is something Ford will fix, i have no idea what damage was done, but to just drive a car and it go on fire is alarming, with no warning,. If i had gone shopping and left it after a short drive i would come back to an inferno.
I wonder what you guys think, is this something ford should cover?
Car is Nov 2013 with 38K on clock
I did check the coolant level on Monday 19th March (day off for st patricks day) and it was just a little short of MAX, but hardly in need of any coolant.
Drove about 200 miles that week, including 25 mile on sunday to my mothers house. I did hear the electric fan when i stopped but thought, well i was in traffic and some cars do this, not usually the focus though. Two hours later i drive 1 mile , stop at traffic lights and i see smoke coming from the bonnet. I thought it was the car exhaust in front. I pulled over, lifted the bonnet, and there are flames, the rubber boot and the wiring harness to the crankcase sensor is on fire. Temp on dashboard has never changed from normal, no electric fan operating and the car is so hot it is on fire!
Managed to get a resident with a gallon of water to put the flames out, while i switched off the engine. I waited half an hour, and put warm coolant back in in hope more than expectation it would start, no chance!
Car was then towed to a ford dealer (left outside as it was sunday), on monday they tell me they dont want to fix it, but try Trustford. Three Trustford garages tried i get one that might look at it on Thursday, though later they tell me next week, after Easter.
Surely this is something Ford will fix, i have no idea what damage was done, but to just drive a car and it go on fire is alarming, with no warning,. If i had gone shopping and left it after a short drive i would come back to an inferno.
I wonder what you guys think, is this something ford should cover?
Car is Nov 2013 with 38K on clock
Ok, Quick update
Phoned TrustFord, and they have agreed the fire was a result of issues directly related to the recall. They carried out a diagnostics check to come to this conclusion. Car will be fixed under the recall with no cost to me. Now chasing up Ford customer services for a courtesy car, as parts have to come from Germany, and no idea how long it will be, also chasing up car hire i have paid and two tow vehicles. Will update and see how this pans out.
Phoned TrustFord, and they have agreed the fire was a result of issues directly related to the recall. They carried out a diagnostics check to come to this conclusion. Car will be fixed under the recall with no cost to me. Now chasing up Ford customer services for a courtesy car, as parts have to come from Germany, and no idea how long it will be, also chasing up car hire i have paid and two tow vehicles. Will update and see how this pans out.
It's good that yours is being repaired by ford so it will be interesting to hear your updates. I've just checked etis and it seems that mine has an outstanding recall service required so it looks like either the previous owner or the dealership I've bought the car from has the letter as I haven't had anything and if it wasn't for you I wouldn't know about this issue so thank you
Hi, I’ve just been made aware of your post.
My Grand C-Max 1.6 EcoBoost was also subject to the recall.
I called to book the car in on 27th March to be told the recall was on hold, I then received a call back later that day to say the recall work could go ahead and subsequently booked the car in. I also checked my coolant the same day and topped up to max.
29th March I noticed smoke coming from my bonnet while driving along a dual carriageway. I pulled over aiming to pull into a service road for safety but there were already flames starting to come from under my bonnet.
Fortunately a nearby McDonald’s came to my assistance with managers dousing the initial flames until the fire brigade arrived.
I contacted my insurance company to have the car recovered but apart from a ‘sorry to hear that’ when I called the number on the recall letter I have heard nothing from Ford.
I emailed them on 5th April to ask them for some assistance resolving the issue and apart from an automated response I have had nothing back.
Same as the OP my temp gauge was steady at midpoint when the incident occurred.
I would be very interested from the OP to know the best way to get in touch with Ford to try and get a resolution in the same way, although mine will not be repairs as it is likely a total loss.
Any advice gratefully appreciated!
My Grand C-Max 1.6 EcoBoost was also subject to the recall.
I called to book the car in on 27th March to be told the recall was on hold, I then received a call back later that day to say the recall work could go ahead and subsequently booked the car in. I also checked my coolant the same day and topped up to max.
29th March I noticed smoke coming from my bonnet while driving along a dual carriageway. I pulled over aiming to pull into a service road for safety but there were already flames starting to come from under my bonnet.
Fortunately a nearby McDonald’s came to my assistance with managers dousing the initial flames until the fire brigade arrived.
I contacted my insurance company to have the car recovered but apart from a ‘sorry to hear that’ when I called the number on the recall letter I have heard nothing from Ford.
I emailed them on 5th April to ask them for some assistance resolving the issue and apart from an automated response I have had nothing back.
Same as the OP my temp gauge was steady at midpoint when the incident occurred.
I would be very interested from the OP to know the best way to get in touch with Ford to try and get a resolution in the same way, although mine will not be repairs as it is likely a total loss.
Any advice gratefully appreciated!
Hi clare
Basically it was Trustford who i left it with spoke to Ford and they agreed the damage was a result of what had been mentioned on the recall - after carrying out a full diagnostics check. I must have been lucky, i was able to get my fore out quickly. In my case Ford are refusing recovery costs, and hire car fees and the dealer is unable to provide a courtesy car because they also have no idea when car will be fixed.
Admiral insurance did tell me they would cover the recovery and hire costs, but why should my no claims be affected and i pay £200 access because of a known fault with the car?
I can direct you to a Facebook page, there is better guidance in there what to do - funds are being sourced to take a case against Ford on it, worth a look.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FordEcoboostNightm...
Basically it was Trustford who i left it with spoke to Ford and they agreed the damage was a result of what had been mentioned on the recall - after carrying out a full diagnostics check. I must have been lucky, i was able to get my fore out quickly. In my case Ford are refusing recovery costs, and hire car fees and the dealer is unable to provide a courtesy car because they also have no idea when car will be fixed.
Admiral insurance did tell me they would cover the recovery and hire costs, but why should my no claims be affected and i pay £200 access because of a known fault with the car?
I can direct you to a Facebook page, there is better guidance in there what to do - funds are being sourced to take a case against Ford on it, worth a look.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FordEcoboostNightm...
Sorry to hear you had issues with the recall. I was in a similar position in the sense that it took 2 months to get it done. Issues of delays of parts and high demand for the recall - apparently. Got the work finally done in the 2nd week of July and thought all was well. Today on a sunny Friday, I use the car for the first time this morning for 30 seconds and I get 2 warning messages. The first “Engine - Service” and then after another few seconds “High engine temperature stop safely”. Called ford and they said it could be a result of a faulty sensor that they installed and may be a result of the work done on the recall. It is Waiting for a lift to ford now as I notice how jerky the car is whilst driving. I did check the oil - because, well.. I might as well and it did look as if steam was starting to appear from the engine. I have recorded it to show ford as, you know what it is like. You get to a garage - message doesn’t appear again and they look at you as if you’ve imagined it.
I have attached a picture with the last message. Whether that is this new message that would appear after the recall being done I have no idea!
Will report back when ford have a look at it
I have attached a picture with the last message. Whether that is this new message that would appear after the recall being done I have no idea!
Will report back when ford have a look at it
Incase any owners here are checking ETIS and finding it states 'no recall'. I tried mine today in https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall and it says there's a safety recall.
Rang Ford and the same recall is on their system and whilst he couldnt give me specifics, he told me it was a 'cooling system issue' and it will take 2 days to do :/
Rang Ford and the same recall is on their system and whilst he couldnt give me specifics, he told me it was a 'cooling system issue' and it will take 2 days to do :/
Sa Calobra said:
Thinking of buying a 2013 1.6 Ecoboost and looking at the above links it doesn't have any recalls ...would I be ok??
I've had my '61 plate 1.6 Ecoboost Estate since the end of last year, checked the ETIS link and no recall showing, it has been totally fine since then Hope that helps
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