Ford recalls more vehicles in Africa over safety fears

The latest announcement takes the company’s tally of recalled vehicles to more than 5,000 in recent months

The Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has recalled 1,050 Ranger and Everest vehicles in the region due to a potential engine defect that could cause the cars to stall while driving, the company announced on Thursday.

The affected models are equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and were built between June 2022 and March 2025. According to Ford, the left-side camshaft sprocket in the vehicles may fracture, which could lead to engine stalling and increased risk of a crash. Of the 1,050 vehicles, 995 are located in South Africa.

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Ford did not provide an exact country-by-country breakdown for Botswana, Namibia, and Eswatini, where 55 affected vehicles are registered in total.

FMCSA has now recalled over 5,000 vehicles across the region in recent months, citing multiple safety issues in several popular models.

Earlier recalls included 1,796 Puma models, produced between November 2021 and September 2024, which were pulled due to a potential fuel system defect that could lead to engine fires. The company also recalled 2,872 EcoSport vehicles, built between April 2021 and July 2022, over a transmission assembly flaw. 

According to News24, Ford said affected vehicles will be inspected and repaired by authorized dealers “at no charge to the customer.” The company emphasized that it is working closely with its dealer network to ensure service.

“Our priority is to ensure the safety and peace of mind of our customers,” FMCSA spokesperson Dudu Nxele stated.

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In January 2017, FMCSA, in collaboration with the National Consumer Commission (NCC), issued a recall of the model Kuga, manufactured between December 2012 and February 2014, due to fire risks. More than 80 fire-related incidents were reported.

Established in 1923 in Port Elizabeth, just two decades after Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in the US, the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa became the first automobile manufacturer in South Africa.