Social media has been alive with complaints and concerns from Ford vehicle owners claiming that their car was especially easy to break into and after a prolonged period of silence the vehicle manufacturing company has finally responded.
The recent spike in Ford vehicle thefts has lead to thousands of South Africans joining a Facebook page for those who have had their Ford broken into, which is fittingly named “My FORD was broken into South Africa”.
Ford users claim there are potential security risks to certain Fiesta and EcoSport models, specifically regarding the manipulating of the driver’s door. A number of videos that made their way to social media have exposed these security weaknesses in the models.
Many owners of the cars have become increasingly worried about parking their vehicles in public spaces and frustrated due to the lack of support from Ford South Africa.
This week Ford South Africa released an official video and statement addressing the concerns, saying,
“We regret the inconvenience to our customers – and we will soon launch the following enhancements: The alarm, if fitted, will remain active – and will sound if the car is broken into through the key lock. And, for models without a standard alarm, we will offer one as an accessory. This alarm will also sound if the lock is tampered with. Thirdly, we will offer a replacement lock with a remote and a high-security key.”
Ford owners in need of assistance are encouraged to message the company directly to alert them of personal concerns.
“We are finalising these solutions which we will be communicating to customers as a matter of urgency. In the meantime we encourage customers that have any concerns or queries to contact us through our DMs,” said Ford.
South Africans have taken to Twitter to share their opinions on the safety issues of the vehicles.
When Laura Clancy’s car was broken into it was so seamless it seemed as if the robber had the keys. #CarteBlanche pic.twitter.com/gX0Sa9qiDj
— Carte Blanche (@carteblanchetv) April 28, 2019
It seems like in a day, about 30-40 Ford cars are broken into pic.twitter.com/C11b8rVVie
— #Law&OrderZA (@LawOrder_za) April 26, 2019
.@imanrappetti my colleague was telling me just yesterday day, her Ford Fiesta has been broken into twice already ?- @FordSouthAfrica #PowerTalk
— Phumla ?? (@Phumlaka_N) April 26, 2019
How to save your Ford from being broken into? Park it next to a Golf… Or a Kuga?
— Sunesh (@FoxOneZA) April 23, 2019
? 3 Ford vehicles Broken into at @centurionmall same afternoon… Valuables stolen.. @Ford @FordSouthAfrica needs to do something about this K@K door lock system.??♂️ pic.twitter.com/eUJp3Ek0F1
— @StolencarRSA ?? (@stolencarRSA) April 15, 2019
Picture: Twitter