The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Friday that Ford Motor Company has initiated a recall affecting 255,404 vehicles in the United States due to a potentially defective canister purge valve that could lead to engines stalling unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.
The recall scope is limited to certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles that previously received incorrect repairs as part of an earlier service action, according to the regulator. The agency said the prior repair work is connected to the current defect report, which prompted the new recall.
To remedy the issue, dealers will perform a software update to the powertrain control module (PCM) at no charge to owners, the NHTSA stated. The software update is intended to correct the symptoms related to the faulty canister purge valve as identified by the safety regulator.
The NHTSA also outlined observable signs owners might encounter if their vehicle is affected. Those signs include an illuminated malfunction indicator light on the dashboard or fuel gauge readings that are inaccurate, both of which were cited in the regulator's recall notice.
Owners of potentially affected vehicles will be notified through the recall process, and dealers will apply the PCM software modification without cost. The recall announcement did not provide additional technical details about the software change or the timeline for owner notifications beyond the regulator's disclosure.
Given the recall covers a defined model range and specific prior repairs, the regulator's notice focuses on the connection between the earlier incorrect service action and the current safety concern. The recall emphasizes dealer-performed software intervention as the prescribed fix.
Contextual note: The recall was made public by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Friday and cites the canister purge valve fault as the condition that may cause stalling while driving. Dealers will implement a free PCM software update for affected vehicles. The NHTSA said drivers may see a malfunction indicator light or encounter inaccurate fuel gauge readings as potential symptoms.