Ford Focus has been at the center of many major recalls since its launch in North America when it replaced the Mazda-derived Escort.
Ford Motor is recalling 1.5 million 2012-18 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter GDI and 2.0-liter GTDI engines for a malfunctioning canister purge valve which deforms the fuel tank and results in faulty fuel gage readings. Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires because of this safety defect.
The Ford recall announcement comes the morning after Ford Motor reported disappointing Q3 earnings which included major operational losses – Europe, China – as well as drops in market share for several regions. Consumer Reports yesterday also rated Ford Motor dependability – based on customer complaints – near the bottom of a list of all major automakers.
The Focus safety defect repair was prompted by the National Highway Safety Commission because of customer complaints. Ford apparently did not have or act on such complaints until regulators got involved. Drivers should maintain at least a half tank of fuel until the recall is completed.
Affected vehicles include 2012-18 Ford 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. There are approximately 1,463,389 vehicles in North America – 1,282,596 in the United States and federalized territories, 136,272 in Canada and 44,521 in Mexico – with the safety defect. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S32.
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 as is required by U.S. regulations.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Ford Recalls 1.5 Million Focus Models for Bad Fuel Gages
Ford Focus has been at the center of many major recalls since its launch in North America when it replaced the Mazda-derived Escort.
Ford Motor is recalling 1.5 million 2012-18 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter GDI and 2.0-liter GTDI engines for a malfunctioning canister purge valve which deforms the fuel tank and results in faulty fuel gage readings. Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires because of this safety defect.
The Ford recall announcement comes the morning after Ford Motor reported disappointing Q3 earnings which included major operational losses – Europe, China – as well as drops in market share for several regions. Consumer Reports yesterday also rated Ford Motor dependability – based on customer complaints – near the bottom of a list of all major automakers.
The Focus safety defect repair was prompted by the National Highway Safety Commission because of customer complaints. Ford apparently did not have or act on such complaints until regulators got involved. Drivers should maintain at least a half tank of fuel until the recall is completed.
Affected vehicles include 2012-18 Ford 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. There are approximately 1,463,389 vehicles in North America – 1,282,596 in the United States and federalized territories, 136,272 in Canada and 44,521 in Mexico – with the safety defect. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S32.
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 as is required by U.S. regulations.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.