Ford Australia has issued its fourth fire-related safety recall in six months. Picture: Supplied.

FORD Australia has issued its fourth safety recall in six months — and the second just one week apart — for a fault that could spark a vehicle fire.

Ford is calling back almost 9000 examples of its Kuga SUV built from December 2012 to June 2014 because the seatbelt pre-tensioner could “ignite the insulation material” in the door pillar which “could result in a fire”.

Ford is recalling almost 9000 examples of its Kuga SUV in Australia due to a fire risk following a crash. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

A statement from Ford says the fault “can only occur as the result of a frontal collision”.

If the front seatbelt pre-tensioner is activated in a crash and if the spindle within the seatbelt retractor pre-tensioner is blocked “the pressure from the exhaust tube can be blown out, leading to a short flame incident and potentially causing … insulation material around the pre-tensioner to burn”, Ford says.

The latest Ford Kuga recall is in addition to an earlier safety bulletin on the same model that was at risk of an engine fire, such as this example in South Africa in January 2017. Picture: YouTubeSource:YouTube

The car maker said the “likelihood of this situation arising is very rare” and there have been no reported incidents in Australia — but it was conducting a recall as “precautionary action”.

Last week Ford recalled close to 43,000 Focus sedans and hatches because the fuel tank may crack under certain conditions and lead to a fire. Ford says there have been no reports of this fault locally.

A photo published last week of a Focus on fire in Australia was not linked to the recall. News Corp Australia has been told that particular Focus fire was not the result of a mechanical fault with the vehicle.

Ford fire recalls so far in 2017

Ford Kuga SUVs from 2012 to 2014 are being recalled due to fire risk. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

Ford Kuga SUV — 8898 vehicles built from December 2012 to June 2014. In an impact which deploys the front seat belt retractor pre-tensioner, there is a possibility the insulation material on the door pillar “could be subjected to a concentrated heat source that could ignite the insulation material” and “could result in a fire”. The ACCC says there have been no reported incidents in Australia.

A 2012 Ford Focus. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

Ford Focus sedan and hatch — 42,988 vehicles built from April 2012 to September 2015. The fuel tank “may crack, resulting in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire”.

The Ford Fiesta ST was caught up in the recall of the turbo 1.6-litre engine. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

Ford Kuga SUV and Fiesta ST hatchback — 4850 vehicles (combined total) built from December 2012 to November 2014. An oil leak from the turbo 1.6-litre petrol engine “may result in a fire in the engine compartment”.

Even the Ford Mustang V8 has had a fire related recall notice. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

Ford Mustang V8 — 1391 vehicles built from May 2015 to March 2016. The battery cable wiring loom could contact the exhaust manifold and “result in a short circuit, potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire”. At the time of publication of the recall notice there had been no reported incidents in Australia.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling