Why the secrecy in car recalls in Malaysia?
Ford is recalling a model, but why is it being done secretively instead of the company making a public announcement about it?
By S M Mohamed Idris
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 to break loose and dangle, leaving 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 C346 built between Mar 21, 2013 and January 24, 2014 were 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 contacted the factory there, he was told any complaints must be brought up with the Malaysian importer i.e. Sime Darby Auto Connexion Sdn Bhd.
After the driveshaft failure case in Johor, the Customer Service Division of the Ford Asean and Apem office issued a circular “Customer Satisfaction Programme R1413” to owners of this model/batch of cars.
The driveshaft problem was already known earlier and a recall was made in Australia. However, Ford Asean and Apem chose to remain silent until an incident occurred in Johore on May 28 this year. The circular was then issued on June 6.
The notification was sent out by post and if the original owners had sold their cars, the new owners may never get this circular.
Ford is actually recalling these cars, but why is it being done secretively? In other countries, Ford would have had to issue a public announcement about it.
We call on the Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism to invoke Section 23 of the Consumer Protection Act 1999 to declare the affected batch of the Ford Focus as unsafe and for the manufacturer/supplier to ensure every unit is rectified before any life or limb is lost.
S M Mohamed Idris is the President of Consumers Association of Penang.
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