Laguna Hills, CA – March 20, 2019 – Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2019 Fusion Energi Hybrid models. The affected vehicles may not provide adequate protection against direct and indirect contact with high voltage sources while the car is being operated. This potential electrical shock could result in the increased risk of injury. As many as 2,108 vehicles could be affected by this issue.
The Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Recall Report on this issue, the vehicles may not adequately protect against direct and indirect contact of high voltage sources during normal operation, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.
Timeline of Events
Ford first learned of the issue Dec. 18, 2018 when a concern related to Fusion electrified vehicles was brought into Ford’s Critical Concerns Review Group for review. It then began a review of other electrified vehicle lines, halting shipment of affected vehicles while the investigation continued. Upon discovering that a unique plastic cover for the bus electrical center had been installed on similar vehicles sold in Europe, Ford then incorporated this cover in the production of its North American electrified vehicles.
Ford determined in Jan. 2019 that further evaluation of the Fusion Energi performance was needed, and contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to discuss requirements and assessment methods associated with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for electrical shock protection, which had gone into effect Sept. 2018.
Ford and NHTSA reviewed testing alternatives Feb. 6 and Feb. 8, 2019. Incorporating this new input, Ford conducted testing Feb. 11 and found that contact with an uncovered high voltage fuse through an access panel gap was possible using a wire test probe.
Ford’s Field Review Committee then reviewed the concern Feb. 13, 2019 and approved a field action. The automaker is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.
The Solution
Starting April 1, 2019, owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have a bus electrical center cover installed over the high voltage fuses. There will be no charge for this service. There will be no reimbursement for costs because the original warranty program provides for a free repair for this concern.
Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 19C05. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V099000.
