This note is for the attention of any of our customers who may have experienced engine damage as a result of loss of coolant and subsequent engine overheating on their 1.0L EcoBoost equipped Ford vehicle. We want to ensure that you receive correct information and advice on this issue.
The Q+A below provides background information on this issue. After reading this please check if your vehicle is affected by Field Service Action 4S615 via our Ford ETIS System (see link below). Please have your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to hand – this is printed on the vehicle V5 document. The VIN is also visible through a panel on the lower left-hand side of the front windscreen, the VIN plate under the vehicle bonnet and inside the driver’s side door.
If your vehicle is shown as being affected by Field Service Action 4S615 please contact your nearest Ford Authorised Repairer as soon as possible and they will inspect your vehicle and speak directly with us on your behalf.
If your vehicle is not affected by Field Service Action 4S615, but you have a 1.0L EcoBoost vehicle and have experienced engine damage as a result of loss of coolant and subsequent engine overheating then your vehicle may be covered by the goodwill support programme set out below. Please note that from 7 March 2022 the goodwill scheme will only cover 1.0L EcoBoost engines on vehicles manufactured between March 2012 and April 2015 inclusive that have experienced engine damage as a result of loss of coolant and subsequent engine overheating due to specific concerns noted by Ford Motor Company Limited and identified in each case by the Ford Authorised Repairer.
You can access your nearest Ford Authorised Repairer by clicking here.
To check if your vehicle is affected by Field Service Action 4S615 please click here to access the Ford ETIS system.
We recommend that all concerned Customers follow these easy steps so that we can get your issue dealt with promptly and with minimum inconvenience to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the issue with the 1.0L Engine?
Certain Ford Focus vehicles with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine may have an issue with the degas pipe causing it to crack. This may result in the engine overheating and failing. In April 2015, owners of the affected Focus 1.0L vehicles were notified of a Field Service Action to change the pipe in question.
There have been a limited number of reported cases involving other vehicles with the 1.0L engine.
2. Who will pay for my vehicle to be repaired?
Subject to being assessed and linked to potential 1.0L engine overheating as set out below, we will make a 100% goodwill contribution to the cost of a repair at a Ford dealer, in full and final settlement.
Please note that from 7 March 2022 the goodwill scheme will only cover 1.0L EcoBoost engines on vehicles manufactured between March 2012 and April 2015 inclusive that have experienced engine damage as a result of loss of coolant and subsequent engine overheating due to specific concerns noted by Ford Motor Company Limited and identified in each case by the Ford Authorised Repairer. Similar or the same engine damage not due to specific concerns noted by Ford Motor Company Limited and identified in each case by the Ford Authorised Repairer, or as a result of the customer not following Ford’s servicing requirements as set out in the owner’s manual, may not be covered by the goodwill support programme.
In the first instance, UK owners who are seeking a goodwill contribution towards the cost of repair should contact Ford by emailing UKCRC1@ford.com. Please refer to Question 12 for more details.
3. Are the repairs covered by a warranty?
Yes. Parts fitted by a Ford Authorised Dealer in relation to the 1.0L EcoBoost goodwill support program, will receive a 1 year/unlimited mileage warranty. Under the terms of the warranty, this means that should the part subsequently fail due to a manufacturing or material defect during this warranty period, the costs of both parts and labour will be covered in full.
4. How do I find out if my vehicle is affected by Field Service Actions?
Please check if your vehicle is affected by Field Service Action 4S615 via our Ford ETIS System (see link below). Please have your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to hand – this is printed on the vehicle V5 document. The VIN is also visible through a panel on the lower left-hand side of the front windscreen, the VIN plate under the vehicle bonnet and inside the driver’s side door.
If your vehicle is shown as being affected by Field Service Action 4S615 please contact your nearest Ford Authorised Repairer as soon as possible and they will inspect your vehicle and speak directly with us on your behalf.
You can access your nearest Ford Authorised Repairer by clicking here.
To check if your vehicle is affected by Field Service Action 4S615 please click here to access the Ford ETIS system.
We recommend that all concerned Customers follow these easy steps so that we can get your issue dealt with promptly and with minimum inconvenience to you.
5. Does this goodwill support programme only apply to the 1.0L EcoBoost Ford Focus vehicles affected by the Field Service Action 4S615?
No. This goodwill support program applies to all 1.0L EcoBoost engines that have experienced engine damage as a result of loss of coolant and subsequent engine overheating. It is not restricted by model. It also applies to vehicles affected by Field Service Action 4S615, even if a repair has already been carried out by a Ford Authorised Repairer. Please note that from 7 March 2022 the goodwill scheme will only cover 1.0L EcoBoost engines on vehicles manufactured between March 2012 and April 2015 inclusive that have experienced engine damage as a result of loss of coolant and subsequent engine overheating due to specific concerns noted by Ford Motor Company Limited and identified in each case by the Ford Authorised Repairer. Similar or the same engine damage not due to specific concerns noted by Ford Motor Company Limited and identified in each case by the Ford Authorised Repairer, or as a result of the customer not following Ford’s servicing requirements as set out in the owner’s manual, may not be covered by the goodwill support programme.
6. If my vehicle is affected by overheating, what are the potential visible signs prior to failure?
- Steam emitting from the engine
- Visible leak of coolant from the engine when stationary. The vehicle alert systems will notify the driver of the following:
- temperature gauge and a warning lamp indicate an increase in temperature
- an audible chime will alert the driver that the warning systems are above permitted levels and should the problem persist there is a textual display also alerting the driver providing a warning.
7. What should I do if any of the above occur?
Stop the vehicle safely at the side of the road as soon as you can and contact your recovery provider. You should not restart the vehicle.
8. What happens after vehicle recovery?
Your vehicle should be taken to a Ford Authorised Repairer for diagnosis of the issue.
9. I’ve already had a repair done at my expense – how do I recoup the cost of the repair?
Customers who are seeking a goodwill contribution towards the cost of repair should contact the Ford Customer Relationship Centre by e-mail to UKCRC1@ford.com. Customers should include the following: -
- Full Name
- Full Address (inc. Post Code)
- Telephone/Mob contact Number
- Nature of the enquiry
- Registration number
- VIN Number (can be found in vehicle windscreen)
- Have you visited a Ford Dealership already? If so, which dealer visited?
- All paid invoices related to the repair from a Ford Dealership or, for non-Ford Dealer repairs, proof of genuine Ford Parts fitted.
10. Is this a safety recall?
This is not classified as a safety issue by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency because there are several visible signs (as described above) that the engine is beginning to overheat prior to engine shut down.
11. Why am I not entitled to a courtesy car?
There is no right to a courtesy vehicle in the event that a vehicle repair is required. We will work with our dealer network to ensure that vehicles are repaired without delay, to minimise the inconvenience to the owner. However, generally the owners of the affected vehicles will have to make their own arrangements for alternative transport.
12. How do I make contact?
Customers who are seeking a goodwill contribution towards the cost of repair should contact the Ford Customer Relationship Centre by e-mail to UKCRC1@ford.com. Customers should include the following: -
- Full Name
- Full Address (inc. Post Code)
- Telephone/Mob contact Number
- Nature of the enquiry
- Registration number
- VIN Number (can be found in vehicle windscreen)
- Have you visited a Ford Dealership already? If so, which dealer visited?
- All paid invoices related to the repair from a Ford Dealership or, for non-Ford Dealer repairs, proof of genuine Ford Parts fitted.
13. Why has it taken so long for me to receive the FSA letter from Ford?
The majority of affected customers received this letter in a timely manner based on original owner information. Changes of address and ownership can lead to delays in current registered owners receiving the letter.
14. Why are you making a change to the EcoBoost goodwill programme?
Having reviewed the data since the goodwill programme was launched in October 2018, Ford is giving notice that it is amending the terms of the programme so that effective 7 March 2022 it only applies to 1.0L EcoBoost engines on vehicles manufactured between March 2012 and April 2015 inclusive. We have implemented corrective actions in our manufacturing processes to vehicles built since May 2015 that address these issues.