Ford Recalls 389,316 Vehicles After Earlier Repairs Failed
Ford recalls are widening again as the company said 389,316 previously repaired cars, trucks and SUVs need another fix. The largest group is 255,404 Ford Focus vehicles from the 2012 through 2018 model years, which can stall if a canister purge valve malfunctions.
The re-recall reaches several model lines because earlier repairs did not solve the underlying problems the first time. Ford said dealers will update the Focus powertrain control module software, while other vehicles are being brought back under separate recall numbers tied to different defects.
Ford Focus and F-150
The 255,404 Focus vehicles were previously repaired improperly under recall number 18V735. Ford said the canister purge valve issue can cause the engine to stall, and dealers will address it through a software update to the powertrain control module.
Ford also said 91,190 F-150 pickups from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 model years are being re-recalled after an incorrect repair under recall number 20V097. In that group, the daytime running lights may not dim properly when the headlight switch is moved from automatic to Headlamps On.
2018 and 2017 F-150s
Another 10,742 2018 Ford F-150s are back in the recall process under 17V669 because the truck can move unintentionally if the shifter is quickly moved from P to D. Ford also said 4,445 2017 Ford F-150s are being called back under 17V053 after the instrument panel could lose power after initial start-up in cold outside temperatures.
Those repairs add to a wider pattern. Last year, Ford logged over 150 separate callbacks covering nearly 13 million vehicles, and the company has been working on new quality control measures at its engine plants around the globe.
Ford Escape and Fusion
The re-recall list also includes 18,124 2017 Ford Escapes under recall 16V617. Ford said the power window automatic reversal function may let a window put an unacceptable amount of force on an object before retreating.
A separate group of 5,252 vehicles includes 2015 through 2018 Focuses and 2013 through 2016 Fusions. Ford said those vehicles were previously fixed improperly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845 because the clutch could fracture and lead to a transmission fluid leak.
For owners, the immediate step is to match the vehicle to one of the affected model years and recall groups and then get the corrected repair when dealers make it available. The core issue is not a new defect in every case; it is that multiple earlier repairs did not fully solve the original problems.
