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Ford Focus Fuel System May Cause Stalling

NHTSA campaign 18V735000 · Reported Oct 22, 2018 · Ford Motor Company

critical How serious is it? About this label

The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	18V735000
Reported to NHTSA	Oct 22, 2018
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Part affected	Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2018
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Ford says the Canister Purge Valve on some Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or GTDI engine may malfunction, causing too much vacuum to build up in the fuel vapor system. This may cause the engine to stall while driving, without warning, and the vehicle may not be able to restart. Until the vehicle is serviced, Ford advises owners to keep the fuel tank at least half full.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2. Contact a Ford dealer, or call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
3. Until your vehicle is serviced, keep the fuel tank at least half full.
4. The repair is free.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 18V735000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (1)

2018 Ford Focus

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Ford Gasoline Fuel System Recalls Cover Leaks and Stalling · all 22 Ford recalls in this area

Other Ford Focus recalls

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Jan 15, 2026Ford Escape and Focus Block Heater Fire Riskcritical
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Nov 28, 2018Ford Focus Clutch May Fracture, Risk Of Firecritical

Official notice

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
Safety risk: The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.