Danger: Don’t Charge a Ford Fusion Energi!

Blue Oval Struggles with Solution

Ford is issuing a voluntary recall of close to 15,000 Fusion PHEVs that were built during 2019-2020 due to the risk of igniting when charging. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 7 combustion incidents involving the electrified four-door.

The NHTSA’s recent safety recall report indicated that 270 separate warranties have been filed citing instances of power failure with the Hyundai Ioniq 5. This is the same concern currently being experienced by many owners.

Ford Motor Company is conducting a recall of certain Ford Fusion PHEV or Fusion Energi models that were manufactured between December 6th, 2019 and July 27th, 2020. The issue here applies to vehicles equipped with a 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain and 30Ah high voltage batteries.

It is noteworthy that the Ford Fusion hybrid and not-hybrid sedans are left unaffected by this recall; however, the recent issue has compounded the problem of an earlier recall regarding the Ford Fusion’s braking failure.

Ford reported that the Fusion PHEV battery’s Current Interrupting Device (CID) may output too much voltage and current to the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM), causing it to fail or pose a fire hazard. The intended function of the CID is to shut off the electrical circuit in the event of a defect in the battery. Ford also noted their unawareness as to what is largely causing this issue.

Ford revealed that it is aware of five reports of fire occurring in its dealerships, a situation once witnessed when F-150 Lightning pickups burst into flame at the Dearborn outpost of the Blue Oval.

Following the preliminary examination,Ford’s High Voltage Battery Systems Team concluded that the outbreaks of fires stemmed from the BECM. Of the other two incidents where the vehicle was in use, both flared up during the span between March 2022 and May 2023 for the Ford Fusion PHEV.

Ford is advising those possessing a Fusion PHEV to forbid charging their vehicles until there is a fix available, in order to minimize the occurrence of fire and power outages. Starting July 10th 2021, Ford will be issuing letters to said owners containing more information about the situation.