New Zealand’s top selling vehicle, the Ford Ranger, is being recalled over concerns grass caught under it could catch fire.
A total of 12,000 vehicles built after July 2016 will be recalled, though parts are not yet ready for the work.
Until then owners are being advised of how to check their vehicle for a build up of dry grass around the diesel particulate filter, or being invited to have the vehicle checked. The filter can get very hot, which can set material alight.
Ford New Zealand communications manager Tom Clancy tells Auto Media Group the cars are safe to drive
“There have been no reports of any incidents in New Zealand but we are going ahead with the recall here too,” Clancy explains. “Yes, they are perfectly safe to be on the road. The issue has to do with driving over long dry grass.”
“Ford is contacting customers now to alert them of the risk and provide instructions on how to inspect their vehicle,” Clancy says. “Customers are reminded to refer to the warnings in the Owner Manual especially relating to starting and stopping the engine, fuel and refuelling.
“Customers will be contacted again as parts are available to address this concern.”
“While the likelihood of this situation arising is low, Ford is taking precautionary action to help prevent this situation from occurring as customer safety is the company’s top priority.”
Most of the issues with the vehicle in Australia have only resulted in small fires with minimal damage. In that market, 59,000 vehicles are being recalled.
