Ford warns sedan owners not to charge hybrids until they are fixed

2023-06-30 11:58:38

A Ford Fusion Energi recall covers about 14,500 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) at risk of losing power or catching fire.

Ford warns car owners not to charge hybrids until they are repaired.

The recalled 2019-2020 Ford Fusion Energi Hybrids are equipped with battery power control modules. Those modules can be damaged by too much voltage and current flow.

A car can lose its motive power and possibly catch fire, something that has happened at least seven times.

In July 2022, Ford learned of five reports of Fusion Energi fires that occurred in the trunk areas of 2019 Fusion Energi hybrid cars equipped with 30 Ah high-voltage batteries.

All of the fires occurred in the US, and all of the fires occurred between March and May of 2022. And the five Fusion Energi fires occurred while the hybrids were at dealerships for battery power control module replacement.

Dealers were servicing the modules to repair one or more voltage-sensing “Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs),” a check engine light, no-start issues, or loss of drive power.

It was determined that the fires started in the modules, so the high voltage batteries were sent to the supplier for testing. The provider confirmed certain issues, but did not find the root cause of the problem.

Ford issued a technical service bulletin to dealers in February 2023 that told technicians to replace the high-voltage battery if vehicles came in for service with one or more voltage-sensing DTCs instead of just replacing the modules.

In May, Ford was monitoring the Fusion hybrid issue and learned of two additional Fusion Energi fires, both of which occurred while he was driving.

Ford is aware of seven confirmed Fusion Energi fires, 270 warranty claims, but no reports of accidents or injuries.

If a Ford Fusion hybrid starts having trouble, Ford says a driver may receive a “stop safely now” message before the car loses power.

Ford does not know how dealers will fix the issues, so provisional recall letters are expected to be mailed on July 10, 2023. Second Ford Fusion Energi recall letters will be mailed once dealers are ready. to make repairs.

Ford engineers are working to find the root of the problem.

Ford says to refrain from charging your Fusion Energi, “to maintain a lower charge level in the high-voltage battery, reducing the risk of loss of motive power and vehicle fire until a remedy is available.”

Owners of 2019-2020 Ford Fusion Energi Hybrids can call 866-436-7332 and ask about Ford Fusion Hybrid Recall number 23S33.