NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Recall Query RQ23-006: Loss of Motive Power
- Closed
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened Recall Query RQ23-006 on September 15, 2023 and closed it on December 20, 2024. NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012–2018 Ford Focus for it.
Updated daily from NHTSA's investigations file
Key facts
- NHTSA number
- RQ23-006 (also written RQ23006)
- Investigation type
- Recall Query An investigation into whether an existing recall covers the right vehicles or whether its remedy works, run much like a Preliminary Evaluation.
- Status
- Closed December 20, 2024
- Opened
- Closed
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Component
- Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Evaporative Emissions — Canister
- Vehicles and equipment
- 2012–2018 Ford Focus
A recall appears here only when NHTSA's investigations file links one to the investigation; NHTSA's summary or record can name others.
NHTSA's summary
As NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation wrote it for Recall Query RQ23-006.
try.vin does not copy NHTSA's investigation documents; NHTSA's investigation record lists the ones NHTSA has published.
On September 15, 2023, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) after receiving 98 consumer complaints alleging loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles. The RQ focused on the effectiveness of the remedies of Recall 18V-735 and 19V-515. In October 2018, Ford issued Recall 18V-735, which updated Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software in MY 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI engines built prior to April 13, 2017, and those with 2.0L GTDI engines built prior to February 2, 2018. The recall addressed vehicles experiencing a malfunctioning Canister Purge Valve (CPV) that can stick open and PCM software that does not adequately detect a stuck-open CPV condition. A CPV that is stuck open can cause excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system, potentially deforming the fuel tank, collapsing on itself. This deformation of the fuel tank can cause a Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) to illuminate, an inaccurate or erratic fuel gauge indication, drivability issues, and/or loss of motive power. In July 2019, Ford issued Recall 19V-515, which addressed certain MY 2012 and MY 2017 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI and MY 2013-2014 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines whose PCM software had been reprogrammed as a part of recall 18V-735. The updated software calibrations for these subject vehicles were not properly installed by Ford at the time of production. Approximately one year after this RQ was opened, on September 25, 2024, Ford initiated a customer satisfaction program (24N07) for MY 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with the 2.0L GDI and GTDI engines to—as ODI learned during this investigation—address a different issue with the CPV from the primary focus of the safety recalls (18V-735 and 19V-515). Ford stated the CPV may not operate as intended in these vehicles. A failed CPV on its own merit, may cause drivability concerns such as engine hesitation, running rough, or stalling at low speed, which will be accompanied by an illuminated MIL. This program provides a one-time replacement of the CPV for vehicles with 15 years of service or less (with no mileage restriction). This coverage will automatically transfer to subsequent owners. It is to be noted that the customer satisfaction program being taken by Ford to address this RQ investigation results in a much different and significantly less severe problem than the safety action taken to remedy 18V-735 and 19V-515. ODI found no further issues with the combined scope and severity related to 18V-735 and 19V-515 therefore, ODI is closing this Recall Query. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Vehicles and equipment listed for this investigation
NHTSA's investigations file lists these vehicles and equipment for Recall Query RQ23-006. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to that page's NHTSA investigations section.
What an NHTSA investigation is
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) looks into possible safety defects in vehicles and equipment, often after owner complaints. An investigation usually starts as a Preliminary Evaluation, or as a Recall Query when it concerns whether an existing recall covers the right vehicles or fixes the problem, and ODI can upgrade it to a more detailed Engineering Analysis. A Defect Petition asks NHTSA to open an investigation, and Audit and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations into whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules.
An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
To see whether a specific vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Ford VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Sources
NHTSA's investigation record for RQ23-006
Investigation details come from NHTSA's investigations file, which try.vin imports once a day. The investigation types are described from the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General's May 2023 report on NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA's petition rules (49 CFR Parts 552 and 557) and NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation procedures. How try.vin reads NHTSA investigations.