B.C. driver seeks buyback for defective Ford SUV

A British Columbia driver is asking Ford to buy back his defective hybrid SUV. He claims the vehicle does not perform as expected, leading to high gas expenses. Jason Turner purchased a new Ford Escape plug-in hybrid in April. In December, he received a safety recall for the vehicle’s battery, which Ford identified as defective. Turner stated that the recall warns of potential loss of power and fire risks, raising serious safety concerns. Ford has advised drivers to avoid using the plug-in charging feature until a fix is available, which is expected in the next few months. Turner feels that this limitation has rendered his hybrid vehicle less useful. He expressed frustration over the lack of clear answers from both Ford Canada and the local dealership, Bannister Ford. Turner emphasized his safety concerns, stating that he now faces the risk of accidents due to the vehicle's issues. Additionally, he mentioned that he is no longer experiencing the fuel savings typically associated with a hybrid. Turner is losing patience with Ford’s responses. Initially, he approached them politely, but now he demands action, stating that his safety is more important than the vehicle itself. In response, Ford Canada acknowledged Turner's complaint. They reaffirmed their commitment to customer safety but maintained that it is safe to drive the vehicles until the remedy is provided. They are working on a software fix expected by the second quarter of 2025. The dealership has not yet commented on the situation.