A damaged right-hand oil separator could cause an oil leak and subsequent engine fire, according to the recall notice.
Ford Australia has recalled 691 examples of its 2020-2022 Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch and Focus small car citing a potential fault with an oil separator in the engine bay.
The affected Fiesta vehicles were built from 14 November 2019 to 7 March 2022, and are stamped Model Years 2020 to 2022, a Ford Australia spokesperson confirmed to Drive.
Meanwhile, affected Focus models were built between 30 August 2021 and 20 October 2021. All are Model Year 2022 vehicles, and are powered by the 1.5-litre turbo engine – excluding the ST hot hatch.
The recall notice, lodged with the Department of Infrastructure, says: "Due to a manufacturing issue, the right-hand engine oil separator may have been damaged prior to engine assembly and may result in an oil leak. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source may cause a vehicle fire.
"If this was to occur, vehicle occupants may identify an oil smoke odour when driving or smoke emanating from the underhood area."
A full list of vehicle identification numbers for the 691 vehicles involved in the recall can be found here.
"Ford will contact affected owners in writing, requesting that owners make an appointment at their preferred Ford Authorised Dealership for inspection and rectification," the company advises in its recall notice.
"For further information, contact any authorised Ford Dealer or Ford's Customer Relationship Centre on 1800 503 672."
In a statement, a Ford Australia spokesperson told Drive: "Ford Dealers will inspect the right-hand engine oil separator for evidence of oil leaks and/or damage. If leaks and/or damage are found, dealers will replace the right-hand engine oil separator.
To have your vehicle checked, find your closest Ford dealership by clicking here.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines as a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
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Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
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