Regulators wrap up probe into Ford Focus vehicle recalls

Government safety regulators announced on Monday that they have concluded their investigation into two past recalls of the Ford Focus, confirming that Ford Motor Company has adequately addressed the issues raised.

In 2018, Ford issued a recall for approximately 1.5 million Ford Focus sedans manufactured between 2012 and 2018 due to power loss concerns. The problem stemmed from a malfunctioning canister purge valve and software that failed to properly identify when the valve was stuck in an open position. If this occurred, it could lead to an excessive vacuum buildup in the fuel management system, potentially causing the fuel tank to deform.

While five accidents and two injuries were reported as a result of this issue, fortunately, there were no fatalities involved. Ford addressed the software problem during the initial recall and performed another software update in a separate recall in 2019. However, in 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated an investigation after receiving 98 consumer complaints regarding ongoing power loss in the Ford Focus vehicles.

This fall, Ford launched a customer satisfaction initiative aimed at replacing the canister purge valve in affected vehicles. The company noted that the valve might not operate correctly, leading to possible hesitation or stalling at low speeds.

Following this proactive approach, the NHTSA stated that Ford’s recent program effectively addressed its concerns, resulting in the closure of the investigation into the earlier recalls.