Skip to main content

EV Myth Busted - Media Widely Covers Ford's Latest ICE Car Fire Recall

EV owners often feel as if EVs are picked on for the fires their cars suffer. Here’s more proof that the mainstream, local, and automotive media do, in fact, cover ICE vehicle fires.

Join us...    

Among the multitude of modern myths that are bandied about in social media are many involving EVs. One goes sort of like this; The media are in on the anti-EV conspiracy. They highlight any EV fire, but they avoid coverage of the same issue with internal combustion vehicles (ICE vehicles).

Related Story: Does The Media Ignore ICE Fires While Over-hyping EV Fires?

We’ve busted this myth in various ways before, but this week Ford, unfortunately, handed us a perfect example that helps to further prove the myth wrong. This past week multiple Ford models, all using a similar component, were recalled because they could burst into flame. We knew about it beacuse we are in the business of knowing about and reporting such things, but we decided to do some quick Googlesearching to see if the media had indeed hidden tis ICE fire issue from the public, so as to be good teammates in the anti-EV movement.

Deja Vu Story From 2012 - Ford Escape Fire Recall

We found that the national media, local media, and the automotive press all covered the Ford fire recall in detail.
Here is a list of examples of outlets that covered this fire recall:
CNN - Ford recalls over half a million SUVs after 20 fires break out
Reuters - Ford recalls 634,000 vehicles worldwide over fire risks
CNBC National - Ford recalls nearly 519,000 U.S. vehicles over fire risks
NBC Local Dallas, TX- Ford Recalls Over 634,000 SUVs Due to Engine Fire Risk
WMUR Local Manchester, NH - Ford recalls over half a million SUVs after 20 fires break out
Car and Driver - Half a Million Ford Escape, Bronco Sport SUVs Recalled over Fire Risk

Lest you think hybrids are being left out of the fire conspiracy in some way, here is a report from Consumer Reports from a couple of months back highlighting fires in Ford Hybrids.

As you can see, the media cover vehicle fires comprehensively. If you find your self thinking that EVs seem to have a lot of fires, maybe they do. Or maybe it’s a case of selection bias since EVs are at your top of mind. Sorry to keep this story short, but we are running late for a dark web zoom meeting of the Anti-EV media cabal.

If you would like to see more coverage of fires of any type tell us which in the comments below.

Image of vehicle under recall by John Goreham.

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

Re-Publication. If you wish to re-use this content, please contact Torque News for terms and conditions.

Join us...