Ford Recalls 255,404 Focuses That Could Unexpectedly Stall

The affected vehicles were all incorrectly labeled as having received the appropriate software update required by a previous recall, despite not being fixed.

Alex Conley|Car and Driver Ford issued a recall for 255,404 Focus sedans and hatchbacks because of an issue that could unexpectedly stall the engine. According to related documents, the entire recall population was previously incorrectly labeled as receiving the remedy for a recall filed in 2019. The recall defect itself stems from the Cannister Purge Valve, which may malfunction and cause the Focus to unexpectedly stall while driving. Ford is recalling more than a quarter-million Focus sedans and hatchbacks, according to paperwork filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall covers 255,404 Focuses from the 2012–2018 model years, which suffer from an issue that may cause the engine to stall unexpectedly.

According to documents filed with NHTSA, the stalling issue is caused by a fault within the Cannister Purge Valve (CPV), while the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) fails to detect the issue. If the issue presents itself, the CPV can become stuck open during the engine's evaporative-leak monitor check, causing the engine to stall without warning and preventing it from restarting. Vehicles experiencing the defect may illuminate the check-engine light, and owners may notice an inaccurate fuel level.