Ford Recalls More Than 255,000 Focus Models Over Engine Stalling Issue

Ford is recalling more than 255,000 Focus vehicles because of a potential engine stalling issue. The recall covers certain 2012–2018 Ford Focus models that were previously believed to have been repaired under an earlier recall but were not properly fixed.

The recall, issued on June 9, affects Focus sedans and hatchbacks that were incorrectly recorded as having received a required software update under a 2019 recall.

The issue stems from a malfunctioning canister purge valve, which can cause the engine to stall unexpectedly. The defect may allow the canister purge valve to remain open during the engine's evaporative emissions system leak check, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly and preventing it from restarting, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford has not reported any injuries or crashes related to the issue.

Ford to Provide Free Software Updates and Additional Repairs

Ford advises owners to take their vehicles to an authorized dealership, where the Powertrain Control Module software will be updated free of charge. Owners who previously paid for related repairs may be eligible for reimbursement.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by July 6. Beginning on the same date, affected vehicle identification numbers (VINs) will be available for lookup on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.

Owners seeking additional information can contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332, Monday through Friday.

Ford said it has not received any reports of crashes or injuries related to the defect. The automaker is not currently facing legal action over the recall, although recalls of this type can sometimes result in class action lawsuits, which are closely monitored by Top Class Actions.

In another recent recall, Ford recalled nearly 1.4 million F-150 pickups because of a gearshift malfunction that poses a "significant safety risk."