DETROIT—Ford Motor Co. is recalling 49,197 EV charging cables in the U.S. over a fire risk.
The company, in a statement, warned that using the 120-volt cord with an AC outlet that is worn out, damaged or not on a "dedicated circuit" may heighten the temperature on the wall outlet and possibly lead to a fire.
The recall, which also affects 1,327 charging cables in Canada, covers:
- Ford Focus Electric vehicles from the 2012-15 model years that were produced between Sept. 2011 and March 2015 in Michigan;
- Ford C-MAX Energi vehicles from the 2013-15 model years produced between April 2012 and March 2015 in Michigan; and
- Ford Fusion Energi vehicles from model years 2013-15 produced between Sept. 2012 and March 2015 in Mexico.
Ford is "aware of some fire reports," the company said in a statement. No injuries have been linked to the recall, a spokeswoman said.
Ford dealerships will replace the cord with the most recent version of the 120-volt convenience cord, which will include a thermistor.
"The thermistor can identify over-temperature conditions at the plug/outlet interface and will discontinue charging until the temperature decreases to an appropriate level," Ford said.
Customers will be notified by mail along with a reminder of standards for "adequate wall outlets," and that extension cords cannot be used "under any circumstance" to charge the vehicles, the company said.
