Auckland resident Suraj, who didn't want his surname used, was returning from a camping trip on December 26 when his Ford Kuga self-ignited near Whangārei. Suraj GC Ford NZ says the faulty vehicle was not flagged because it was a private used import and not sold by Ford NZ. Reports of fires in Ford Kuga and Ford Fiesta ST models worldwide resulted in a safety recall in 2017 involving 400,000 cars. Ford NZ spokesperson Tom Clancy said during the recall the company contacted customers directly and via Ford dealers at regular service intervals. Normally, he said, vehicles they imported from Japan would be flagged at the border if they were subject to a safety recall.

Source: Stuff January 07, 2020 03:56 UTC