Recall 26V369 covers 255,404 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles for a CPV malfunction that can stall engine. Free repair at a franchised Ford dealer once available.
Ford is recalling 255,404 2012-2018 Focus vehicles that were repaired incorrectly under recall 18V735. The canister purge valve can malfunction and stall the engine while driving, which increases crash risk; the Ford dealer repair will be free once Ford makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The canister purge valve is part of the evaporative emissions system on 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles. It opens when the engine computer, the Powertrain Control Module, commands stored fuel vapors from the charcoal canister into the engine to be burned. The PCM software is supposed to monitor that system and protect the fuel tank from too much vacuum.
On affected Focus vehicles, the purge valve can stick open during an evaporative leak monitor check. When that happens, the engine pulls too much vacuum through the fuel system. That vacuum can deform the plastic fuel tank, disrupt fuel delivery, and cause the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving. These vehicles previously had recall 18S32 / 18V735 marked as repaired, but the intended PCM software was not installed or cannot be confirmed on every included VIN.
Owners can see a Malfunction Indicator Light, inaccurate fuel gauge reading, inaccurate distance-to-empty reading, or drivability problems. Those are the warning signs Ford identified before a stall.
Who's affected?
VINs become searchable on July 6, 2026; until then, the VIN-by-VIN list is not public.
| 2012 Ford Focus | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2017 Ford Focus | fuel system |
| 2016 Ford Focus | fuel system |
| 2015 Ford Focus | fuel system |
| 2014 Ford Focus | fuel system |
| 2013 Ford Focus | fuel system |
| 2018 Ford Focus | fuel system |
| Units affected | 255,404 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash because power can drop without the driver expecting it. Warning signs include a Malfunction Indicator Light, inaccurate fuel gauge readings, inaccurate distance to empty readings, or drivability concerns. Drive cautiously and keep extra space until the software repair is available. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012-2018 Ford Focus is included in this recall.
- Wait for Ford's owner letter, expected July 6, 2026, before scheduling the free PCM software update.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions and reference recall number 26V369 when you call.
- Ask a franchised Ford dealer about the PCM software update that addresses the CPV malfunction and unexpected engine stall.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and pull over safely if the engine stalls while driving.
What happens at the repair
Once Ford opens the repair, a Ford technician will update the powertrain control module software. That update addresses the incorrectly completed prior repair tied to the canister purge valve concern and unexpected engine stalling. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ford uses the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you already paid for a related PCM software or canister purge valve repair before the recall notice, ask Ford customer service or the service desk how to submit documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 9, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 6, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| July 6, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 8, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V369?
Recall 26V369 covers 255,404 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall 18V735. The canister purge valve can malfunction and stall the engine while driving, increasing crash risk. Ford dealers will update the powertrain control module software for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2018 Ford Focus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Focus is included in recall 26V369. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the powertrain control module software update once the repair opens. Reference Ford recall number 26S40 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ford dealers will update the powertrain control module software free of charge for included 2012-2018 Focus vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unexpected engine stall while driving. If the canister purge valve malfunctions, the engine can stall and increase crash risk. Check your VIN, then ask a Ford dealer for repair timing and driving guidance tied to recall 26V369.
When will Ford notify owners about this Focus recall?
Ford expects to mail owner notification letters on July 6, 2026. VINs involved in this recall are also scheduled to become searchable on July 6, 2026. You can reference recall 26V369 and Ford recall number 26S40 when contacting a dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V369000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V369 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V369000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 15, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →