Ford recalls over 4,500 Kuga model cars in South Africa

By Hassan Isilow

PRETORIA, South Africa (AA) - Ford South Africa has announced a safety recall of more than 4,556 Kuga 1.6 liter model vehicles after some of them reportedly caught fire while being driven, a senior company official announced Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Pretoria, Jeff Nemeth, chief executive officer of Ford South Africa, said: ''Recent fires affecting the 1.6 liter Ford Kuga's has been extremely unfortunate. All the vehicles must be taken back to Ford dealers."

He said the affected vehicles had been manufactured between December 2012 and February 2014.

At least 40 Ford Kuga models reportedly burst into flames while being driven in some of the country's roads.

Some local media reports said at least one person was killed during such an incident in 2015 but Ford denied the claim.

"We are not aware of any injuries that have resulted from our engine compartment fires," Nemeth said.

He assured customers their safety was the company's number one priority.

"We fully appreciate the high level of concern and disappointment surrounding this issue," he said.

Nemeth said the fires were due to overheating in the vehicles engine compartment but promised the company would fix all affected vehicles.