18:22 10-02-2026

Ford Kuga PHEV battery recall details and safety measures

Ford has announced a second recall campaign for pre-facelift Kuga PHEV crossovers. The recall affects vehicles from model years 2019 to 2024 that are equipped with a high-voltage battery from Samsung. The automaker had previously updated the software to detect defective cells, but this proved insufficient.

According to Ford, four incidents of so-called thermal runaway—the release of hot gases following a short circuit—were recorded. In all cases, the incidents occurred either during the final stage of charging or when a fully charged vehicle remained plugged in. The affected owners had their battery packs replaced.

As a new precautionary measure, Ford recommends temporarily limiting the battery charge to 80 percent. This can be done through the vehicle's menu. The company emphasizes that a new software version will more strictly monitor battery cell behavior and should ultimately reduce the risk of overheating.

The updated firmware is expected in mid-2026. After its release, all owners of affected vehicles will receive an official invitation to a service appointment. This situation highlights that, even for vehicles in the 2026 model year, battery reliability remains a critical concern for both manufacturers and customers.