Ford Southern Africa has recalled the controversial Ford Kuga 1.6 SUV as part of a “safety recall” after around 40 incidents of the vehicle igniting on South African roads.

“The Ford Kuga 1.6, manufactured between December 2012 to February 2014, must be taken to a Ford dealer as soon as possible,” Ford chief executive for the sub-Saharan Africa region, Jeff Nemeth, told a media briefing in Pretoria.

He said all the affected vehicles, including those that have already been checked “must be taken to a Ford dealer as soon as possible”.

Nemeth said the recall affects more than 4 000 vehicles.

“We’re now announcing a voluntary safety recall for the affected Ford 1.6. Our investigations has enabled us to narrow the number from the originally stated 6 300 to a total of 4 556 affected vehicles.”

He said other Ford models and other Ford Kuga engine derivatives – the 1.5 and 2 litre models – would not be effected.