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.
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...
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