In what could be the biggest recall ever in the history of Indian automotive industry, Ford India announced a recall of 1.28 units of its bestseller Figo hatchback and the Classic sedan on the ground of glitches in steering and rear suspensions system. The pull back announced from the car maker’s stable has affected several batches of the models produced between January 2008 to December 2010 and from September 2010 to February 2011.
Going by the company’s statement, “Ford India rolled out a voluntary and pre-emptive Field Service Action (FSA) starting July 23 to inspect certain batches of its Figo and Ford Classic models for potential issues related to the Rear Twist Beam (RTB) and the Power Steering Hose (PAS).” The statement further added that the cars manufactured in the aforementioned period will have their RTB inspected and if found defective, the company will replace the same. According to the company officials, there happens to be an impending crack in the RTB, which makes its presence felt through an abnormal sound coming from the rear end of the car.
The company statement further added, “If the vehicle is continued to be driven and the noise symptoms are ignored, it could lead to the RTB unit breaking, resulting in diminished ride and handling and brake performance - potentially rendering the vehicle inoperable.”
Also, the Figo and Classic models manufactured between September 2010 and February 2011 will have to get their PAS hose replaced as a precautionary step. On this the car maker stated, “In the case of the PAS Hose issue, a total of 17,655 units of Ford Figo and Ford Classic produced and sold in India from September 2010 till February 2011 will be replaced.”
The fully owned Indian subsidiary of the American car maker has started a voluntary pre-emptive 'field service action' to check the batches of the Figo hatchback and Classic sedan for the possibilities of the abovementioned issues related to RTB and PSH. Interestingly, the total number of car that has been recalled is more than the average yearly sales of the car maker, considering the fact that Ford India sold 92,665 units during 2011-2012. Reportedly, the recall announced by Ford is the biggest ever in the history of Indian auto industry; however, the company has confirmed that there have been no casualties reported in the country till now.
