Headings:

1. The High Voltage Battery Pack Issue in Ford Fusions: A Cause for Concern

2. Ford’s Investigation into the Issue

3. The Root Cause of the Fault: A Mystery Yet to Be Solved

4. Ford’s Temporary Solution and Unfortunate Consequences

5. The Extent of the Problem: Fires and Warranty Claims

6. Ford’s Commitment to Finding a Solution and Upcoming Recall Campaign

The High Voltage Battery Pack Issue in Ford Fusions: A Cause for Concern

The safety of electric vehicles has been a topic of discussion for quite some time now, and unfortunately, another incident has raised concerns. Ford has recently announced a recall for certain 2019-2020 Ford Fusions due to a problem within the high voltage battery pack. This decision comes after reports of seven fires related to the issue. As of now, Ford has not determined the root cause of the fault, but they are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their customers.

Ford’s Investigation into the Issue

The investigation into this issue began in July 2022 when Ford’s Trend and Early Warning Support team started looking into five reports of fires in the trunk of plug-in hybrid versions of the 2019 Fusion. All five reports came from vehicles in North America that were already at the dealership for repairs following diagnostic trouble codes. These vehicles were scheduled to have their battery energy control modules (BECM) replaced, which raised concerns among Ford’s mechanics.

The Root Cause of the Fault: A Mystery Yet to Be Solved

Upon further investigation, Ford’s team discovered that the fires originated from the BECM. To understand the cause, they sent the BECMs along with high-voltage batteries to their suppliers for analysis. The analysis revealed that the current interrupt device in the cells was activated, leading to excess voltage flowing through the BECM and causing damage. However, the reason behind the activation of these devices is still unknown.

Ford’s Temporary Solution and Unfortunate Consequences

As a temporary solution, Ford instructed its dealers to replace the entire high-voltage battery pack instead of just the BECM when plug-in hybrid Fusions came in under these circumstances. However, this action did not prevent further incidents. Two more reports of fires were received, this time from owners whose vehicles caught fire while being driven. This raised concerns about the effectiveness of the temporary solution and the urgency to find a permanent fix.

The Extent of the Problem: Fires and Warranty Claims

Ford is currently aware of seven fires related to this issue, which is a significant cause for concern. Additionally, there have been 270 warranty claims from owners who experienced a loss of motive power due to this fault. Fortunately, there have been no reported accidents or injuries resulting from these incidents. However, it is crucial for Ford to address this problem promptly to ensure the safety of its customers.

Ford’s Commitment to Finding a Solution and Upcoming Recall Campaign

Despite not having a solution yet, Ford is actively working on finding one. They have announced a recall campaign that will cover 14,452 hybrid Fusions from the 2019-2020 model years. Once a fix is available, Ford will notify owners and advise them on the necessary steps to take. In the meantime, Ford is urging owners not to charge their high voltage battery to minimize the risk of a loss of power or fire until a remedy is provided.

Conclusion

The high voltage battery pack issue in certain 2019-2020 Ford Fusions has raised concerns about the safety of electric vehicles. Ford’s investigation into the issue has revealed that the fires originated from the battery energy control modules (BECM), but the root cause behind their activation remains unknown. Ford’s temporary solution of replacing the entire high-voltage battery pack has not been effective in preventing further incidents. With seven fires and numerous warranty claims, Ford is committed to finding a solution and has announced a recall campaign for affected vehicles. In the meantime, owners are advised not to charge their high voltage battery until a remedy is available.