Ford’s weak lock fix won’t be free for South African consumers

Ford hasn’t had a good few years when it comes to its vehicles PR. In 2016, it was the Ford Kuga that would spontaneously combust. In 2019, it’s weak locks on older Fiesta and EcoSport models.

The company on Wednesday issued a statement on Twitter, notifying users that it’s aware of the vehicles’ security issues and that a solution is being “finalised”.

At Ford we take vehicle security very seriously.
While newer EcoSport & Fiesta vehicles are not affected, we are aware of older models being targeted.
We are finalising solutions which we will be communicating to customers as a matter of urgency. Watch below for more. pic.twitter.com/WtGWPwqTrb

— Ford South Africa (@FordSouthAfrica) April 24, 2019

According to Ford’s response to another tweet, criminals are seemingly “targeting previous-generation Fiesta and EcoSport models sold between 2013 and quarter two of 2018”.

In the meantime, users have found novel ways of disuating crooks from breaking into their vehicles.

In the meantime 😔 pic.twitter.com/cwNHxgOFvw

— Rafique (@rafee_gp) April 25, 2019

Additionally, a 2017 Facebook group dubbed “My FORD was broken into South Africa” now has more than 10300 members at the time of writing, with a slew of stories from victims of crime.

As for the solution itself, Ford notes that the fix will come at a “minimal cost” to consumers. “Ford is working hard to limit the impact on the customer as far as possible,” it concluded.

Hi TK, there will be a minimal cost. Ford is working hard to limit the impact on the customer as far as possible. [^CO]

— Ford South Africa (@FordSouthAfrica) April 25, 2019

It’s not yet clear when a fix will be available to consumers.

Feature image: The Ford EcoSport by Memeburn