Ford recalls 255,404 U.S. Focus cars

Ford (F) has initiated a recall covering 255,404 Ford Focus vehicles in the United States from model years 2012 through 2018. The action targets specific vehicles equipped with components that can cause the engine to stall unexpectedly while in motion, creating a heightened risk of crash and potential injury.

The company identified that these vehicles are affected by a malfunction of the canister purge valve, a part of the emissions and fuel vapor management system. When the valve fails to operate correctly, it can lead to conditions that trigger an unexpected engine stall during driving.

Ford determined that the affected Focus vehicles had previously been repaired under an earlier recall or service action related to the same underlying issue. Those earlier repairs were performed incorrectly, leaving a subset of vehicles still vulnerable to engine stalling despite having undergone service.

The new recall is intended to capture those improperly remedied vehicles and ensure that the defect is fully addressed. By focusing on cars with prior, inadequate repairs, the campaign narrows in on vehicles that remain at risk rather than all Focus models from those years.

To fix the problem, Ford dealers will install a free update to the powertrain control module or related powertrain software. This software update is designed to correct how the vehicle manages the canister purge valve and associated systems, reducing the risk of engine stall events linked to the defect.

Owners of affected vehicles will not be charged for the repairs, as the software update is covered as part of the recall service. The remedy is intended to bring the vehicles into compliance with safety expectations by ensuring more reliable engine operation under conditions that previously led to stalling.

The recall is identified within Ford’s internal system under the code 26S40. For regulatory purposes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has assigned the campaign the number 26V369.

This latest action is also tied to an earlier NHTSA recall number, 18V735, which relates to the same canister purge valve issue. The connection helps regulators and consumers trace the history of the defect and understand how the new campaign builds on prior recall efforts to fully resolve the safety risk.