Ford Issues New Service Campaign for Certain Focus Models

Ford has announced a new service campaign for approximately 255,000 Focus models from 2012 to 2018. The campaign addresses a previous recall from 2018, which concerned a purge valve that could stick open and cause a vacuum in the fuel system. This issue can lead to a warped plastic fuel tank, resulting in a check engine light, inaccurate fuel gauge readings, or engine stalling.

The original fix involved a software update to the engine control module. However, an audit revealed that some updates were not applied due to an outdated diagnostic system. Affected vehicle owners will need to visit a dealer for a free reflash and verification. This issue highlights the potential for software glitches to affect any modern vehicle, including those from various manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Toyota.

Hybrid vehicles are particularly sensitive to fuel system issues due to their reliance on precise pressure readings. Symptoms such as a check engine light, erratic fuel readings, or rough running can indicate underlying problems with a vehicle's fuel system.