Ford Focus NHTSA Recall Investigation Closed

Back in September 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into select 2012-2018 Ford Focus models after its Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) unit received 98 complaints from customers pertaining to a loss of power while they were driving those vehicles. Ford proceeded to issue two recalls pertaining to this problem – which it traced back to a malfunctioning Canister Purge Valve (CPV).  However, the NHTSA wound up opening this investigation after receiving the aforementioned complaints claiming that the recalls didn’t properly address the issue, but now, that query has officially been closed.

The NHTSA chose to close its investigation after Ford launched a new customer service program this past September. The first recall issued in 2018 pertained to 1.5 million 2012-2018 Ford Focus models that were equipped with faulty CPVs, as well as Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software that didn’t properly detect when those pieces were stuck open – in which case, excessive vacuum could build in the fuel vapor management system, potentially deforming the fuel tank and causing it to collapse on itself.

In 2019, Ford issued a second recall for this problem with updated software after it discovered that in certain models, the previous updates weren’t installed properly when those vehicles were produced. The resulting customer satisfaction program was subsequently launched after the NHTSA received complaints that those updates weren’t effective either, and this time around, Ford offered a one-time CPV replacement for vehicles with 15 years or less in service with no mileage limit – and it’s transferrable to subsequent owners as well.

Ultimately, the NHTSA and Ford are aware of five crashes and two injuries that have occurred as a result of this problem, but the safety agency has determined that Ford’s latest fix adequately addresses its concerns, which is why it opted to close the investigation. However, as is always the case, it reserves the right to reopen the investigation if it receives additional complaints down the road.