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It has come to our attention that a model of the Ford Focus has a serious driveshaft problem which can cause it to fracture “under certain driving conditions”.

In one recent case in Johor, the driveshaft wall gave way causing one end of the driveshaft to break loose and dangle causing a long scratch on the road surface. Fortunately no one was injured.

According to paultan.org, a Malaysian automotive news website, over 4,000 units of the pre-facelift C 346 built between March 21, 2013 and Jan 24, 2014 had been recalled in Australia for replacement of the defective part. According to the same source, there are over 1,200 of the same model/batch cars in Malaysia.

These cars were assembled in Thailand and according to one owner who had contacted the factory in Thailand, he was told any complaints must be brought up with the Malaysian importer, ie. Sime Darby Auto Connexion Sdn Bhd.

After the driveshaft failure case in Johor, the Customer Service Division of Ford Asean and Asia Pacific Emerging Markets (Apem) office issued a circular ‘Customer Satisfaction Program R1413' to the owners of this model/batch of cars.

The driveshaft problem was already known earlier and a recall had been made in Australia. However, Ford Asean and Apem chose to remain silent until an incident happened in Johor on May 28, 2016 and the circular was then issued on June 6, 2016.

The notification is sent out by post and if the original owners have sold the cars, the new owners may never get this circular letter.

Ford is actually re-calling these cars, but why is it being done secretively? In other countries, Ford would have to make a public announcement about such a re-call.

We urge the domestic trade and cooperatives minister to invoke Section 23 of the Consumer Protection Act 1999 to declare the affected batch of the Ford Focus as an unsafe good for the manufacturer/supplier to ensure every unit is rectified before any life or limb is lost.


SM MOHAMED IDRIS is president, Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).

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