Ford Recalls Over 5,700 Vehicles Including EcoSport, Puma, & More

Rethabile Nyelele25 July , 2025

Ford Motor Company Southern Africa (FMCSA) has announced a significant recall campaign. This affects a total of 5,718 vehicles across four models. The affected units are spread across South Africa and neighbouring countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including Botswana, Namibia, and Eswatini. The move comes after the automaker identified various safety-related faults in the EcoSport, Puma, Ranger, and Everest models.

EcoSport Leads in Recall Numbers

The largest group impacted in this round of recalls is the EcoSport compact SUV. Ford has recalled 2,806 units in the country, along with 25 in Botswana and 41 in Namibia. These vehicles, manufactured between April 2021 and July 2022, may have a serious issue involving the front half shafts. Ford reports these shafts could have been incorrectly inserted into the transmission system.

The defect primarily affects models with the six-speed automatic gearbox. This problem raises the risk of the half shaft becoming disengaged, which may result in an abrupt loss of engine power while driving. More worryingly, the possibility of the vehicle rolling away exists if parked without the handbrake applied. Both scenarios significantly increase the chances of an accident.

Fuel Leak Risk Prompts Puma Recall

Built at the same Romanian factory as the EcoSport, the Ford Puma is also under scrutiny. A total of 1,796 units are being recalled. 1,775 are in South Africa, six in Botswana, 13 in Namibia, and two in Eswatini, due to a potential fuel line issue.

According to FMCSA, the fuel line may come into contact with a bracket. This contact causes it to wear down over time. As a result, this wear could lead to a fuel leak, posing a serious fire risk if exposed to an ignition source. Warning signs for drivers include the smell of fuel, visible leaks beneath the vehicle, or smoke caused by fuel coming into contact with hot surfaces.

Ranger and Everest Hit by Engine Fault

Meanwhile, the popular Ranger bakkie and Everest SUV face recalls tied to a camshaft sprocket issue. This issue affects certain versions powered by the 3.0-litre V6 Lion turbodiesel engine. A total of 571 Rangers and 479 Everests are affected locally. Smaller numbers are also flagged in Botswana, Namibia, and Eswatini.

FMCSA says the left-hand camshaft sprocket may fracture unexpectedly, leading to sudden engine stalling. Importantly, this fault does not affect the 2.0-litre single and bi-turbo Panther engines. These engines are used in other variants of the Ranger and Everest models.

How Affected Owners Should Respond

Ford has assured customers that all repairs will be carried out free of charge. Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted directly. They will be encouraged to book an inspection and repair appointment at their nearest Ford-approved dealership.

To check if a specific vehicle is part of the recall, owners can visit www.ford.co.za/owner/recalls. There, they can enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the provided search bar.

Safety First as Ford Moves Swiftly

With over 5,700 vehicles impacted in our region alone, the scale of this recall highlights the importance of regular quality checks and customer transparency. While no incidents have been reported yet, Ford’s preemptive action serves as a reminder for motorists to stay informed. It is important for motorists to be proactive when it comes to vehicle safety.