Ford Fuel Tank Problems Spark Recalls...Again

It does not take an expert to know that the fuel tank is an important part of any car. That’s why Ford is taking another look at some 58,000 Focus models in North America.

Actually, the company is taking a third look at the cars. They were part of an October 2018 recall of nearly 1.5 million Focus models that Ford said at the time were at risk of stalling. Some of those cars didn’t get the appropriate software upgrade when they were brought in for inspection, according to the company.

“This may result in an engine stall while driving without warning or without the ability to restart, and can increase the risk of a crash,” the company said in a July letter to Focus owners.

When Ford announced the first recall last year, it said certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles with 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engines were equipped with defective canister purge vales. The canister purge valve helps limit vapors from escaping a vehicle’s fuel tank. Some of devices were “stuck open” on Focus models, according to the company, which could create a vacuum and deform fuel tanks. That could cause the cars to stall.

Software Issue

The Focus models involved in the latest recall did not get the appropriate powertrain control module software upgrade the first time around, Ford said in the letter. As a result, the PCM software may not detect when a canister purge valve is stuck open.

The recall covers 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles with 2-liter GDI engines and as 2013-14 Focus ST vehicles with 2-liter GDI engines. Ford wants owners to bring the vehicles to a local dealer for inspection and a software upgrade.

“Ford has not issued instructions to stop driving your vehicle under this safety recall,” the company said in the letter. “You should contact your dealer for an appointment to have your vehicle remedied as soon as practicable.”

In the meantime, the company says owners should keep their cars’ fuel tanks at least half full at all times.

How a California Lemon Law Attorney Can Help

If you have been stuck with a defective vehicle in the Golden State, a California lemon law attorney can help.

The state’s lemon law obligates car makers to repair vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also requires the manufacturer to buy the car back or replace it if repair attempts are not successful. It is up to the owner or lessor to decide whether to take a buy back or a replacement car.

The California Lemon Law attorneys at the Bickel Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across the state.  We have a strong record of success for the people that we represent and we do not charge upfront fees in most cases.

Our offices are conveniently located in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an attorney.