Ford recalls more than 255,000 Focus vehicles over engine stall risk

Ford announced a recall covering more than a quarter million Ford Focus vehicles over an issue that may cause the engine to stall unexpectedly.

The recall affects 255,404 Focus vehicles from the 2012-18 model years due to an issue with the canister purge valve (CPV). These vehicles were covered by a prior recall, but the correct software fix may not have been installed on the affected vehicles.

If the fix wasn’t properly installed, the CPV may malfunction and stick open, with the powertrain control module (PCM) unable to adequately detect the stuck open CPV.

“A CPV that is stuck open during the evaporative leak monitor check can cause excessive vacuum in the fuel system of these vehicles. Excessive vacuum can result in deformation of the plastic fuel tank,” the recall report said.

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Affected vehicles may trigger a malfunction indicator light, or drivers may observe an inaccurate fuel gauge indication, inaccurate distance to empty and/or have drivability concerns.

Ford flagged a concern with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it found discrepancies that showed the software fix may not have been successfully applied to all vehicles.

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The company then identified the subset of affected vehicles and issued a recall earlier this month. Ford isn’t aware of any reports of accidents or injury related to the issue.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the PCM updated, with software parts to be validated before the process concludes. 

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There will be no charge for the service. 

Ford approved a reimbursement plan for owners who paid to have the issue fixed prior to the May 2023 safety recall, and owners who paid out of their own expense to have repairs completed may be eligible for reimbursement.