Yep, it's official – the Ford Kuga is finally being recalled

Ford South Africa and the National Consumer Commision today finally announced a safety recall of their troublesome Kuga SUV at a press conference held in Pretoria. Over the last few months the Kuga has come under the public and press spotlight for its worrying habit of bursting into flames. In total 48 cars have burnt to the ground and one human life has been lost.

The recall affects 4 556 of these vehicles equipped with 1.6-EcoBoost engines produced between 2012 and 2014. According to investigations the fires were caused by an overheating problem. As temperatures soared to dangerous highs the cylinder head would crack open allowing oil to spill over hot engine components thus sparking a catastrophic underbonnet inferno. Recalled vehicles will undergo a software update as well as a thorough cylinder head inspection. – Thomas Falkiner