Ford is recalling 1.5 million 2012–18 Focuses for a problem with gas tank deformation.
Ford is recalling approximately 1.5 million 2012–18 Ford Focus vehicles for a problem that could cause the vehicle’s gas tank to become deformed.
The automaker says car equipped with 2.0-liter GDI and 2.0-liter GTDI engines may have a malfunctioning canister purge valve that can become stuck in the open position. When it happens, an “excessive vacuum” in the fuel system can cause the deformation.
As a result, owners may get a malfunction indicator light or a fuel gauge with fluctuating or inaccurate fuel levels. This could lead to a stall while driving and/or an inability to restart the vehicle, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires as a result of this condition.
(NHTSA investigation F-Series power liftgate problem. Click Here for the story.)
The 2012 Ford Focus is subject to a recall due to an issue where a valve sticks open, creating a vacuum that deforms the gas tank.
The affected vehicles include 2012–18 Focus 2.0-liter GDI vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant prior to April 13, 2017, and 2.0-liter GTDI vehicles built prior to Feb. 2, 2018.
According to Ford there are 1,463,389 vehicles in North America with the possible problem, including 1,282,596 in the United States and federalized territories, 136,272 in Canada and 44,521 in Mexico. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S32.
(Click Here for more about Ford recalling 2 million F-150s due to fire risk.)
Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with new software that will detect a malfunctioning canister purge valve and prevent a potential excessive fuel vapor system vacuum condition from occurring.
Dealers will inspect and replace the canister purge valve, carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module, as necessary. There will be no charge for these services. Customers should maintain at least a half tank of fuel until the recall is completed.
(To see more about NHTSA pondering a recall of Ford trucks, Click Here.)
Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it was investigating a problem with 54,000 F-Series trucks with power liftgates that open while the truck is in motion.