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Windsor

Ford recalls 58,000 Focus models due to faulty software

The Ford Motor Company is recalling thousands of its top-selling compact vehicle due to a software issue.

The Dearborn-based automaker announced Tuesday morning that it is recalling 58,000 Ford Focus compact cars sold in North America, due to what is called an incomplete powertrain control module software used to service those cars. Only a small fraction of those, however, were sold in Canada.

"Affected vehicles did not receive the... calibration software that will detect a malfunctioning canister purge valve," the company said in its recall notice. "When the canister purge valve is stuck open in these vehicles, an excessive vacuum can develop in the fuel vapour management system, potentially deforming the fuel tank. If this occurs, the customer may observe a malfunction indicator light, inaccurate or erratic fuel gauge indication, drivability concerns or loss of motive power."

No collisions or injuries related to this issue have been reported.

The Ford Focus models affected are:

  • 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles with 2.0-litre GDI engines built from Oct. 7, 2010, to July 23, 2012, and from Aug. 24, 2016, to April 13, 2017
  • 2013-14 Focus ST vehicles with 2.0-litre GTDI engines built from May 3, 2012, to Dec. 11, 2014
The cars were built at the Wayne Assembly plant outside of Detroit, Ford said.

Owners of the vehicles are asked to bring them in for service at a Ford dealership, where the software will be recalibrated free of charge. Vehicle owners are asked to maintain at least half a tank of fuel until their vehicle is serviced.

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