NHTSA Complaint #11098863 — 2013 FORD C-MAX ENERGI

WE HAVE USED THE SUPPLIED UTILITY 120V CHARGING CABLE SINCE WE ACQUIRED THE CAR TO CHARGE IT AT HOME. RECENTLY, I NOTICED THAT THE UTILITY CABLE PLUG WAS MELTED AND THE WEATHERPROOF SOCKET FIXTURE PLASTIC HOUSING WAS BURNT I CHANGED THE UNIT TO A DIFFERENT OUTDOOR OUTLET. IT BURNED THAT OUTLET SO BADLY THAT IT'S GFCI WAS TRIPPED AND COULD NOT BE RESET. FEARING A POSSIBLE HOUSE FIRE, I STOPPED USING THE CORD. I REPORTED IT TO OUR FORD DEALER AS A HAZARDOUS PRODUCT DEFECT. OUT OF WARRANTY WAS THE REPLY. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE THE ELECTRICAL RATE LIMITING CIRCUITRY IS IN THE SYSTEM, BUT I STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT DURING CHARGING, THE CAR NOW DRAWS MORE WATTAGE (1600-1700W, LESS THAN A POWERFUL HAIRDRYER) THAN THE CABLE UNIT IS RATED AT (1440W, PER IT'S LABELING), AND THIS DISCREPANCY OVER MANY MANY HOURS OF CONTINUOUS LOAD HAS LED TO THE FAILURE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WAS THE THIRD SUCH FAILURE HE HAS PERSONALLY SEEN. THAT IS ONE DEALERSHIP OUT OF THE NATIONWIDE FORD NETWORK, IMPLYING 1000'S OF THESE FAILURES MAY HAVE OCCURRED. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS CONDITION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A HOUSE FIRE AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED, IN MY VIEW.