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Ford Focus clutch can break and cause fire

NHTSA campaign 18V845000 · Reported 2018-11-28 · Ford Motor Company

critical How serious is it? About this label

This is the most serious type of defect because leaking fluid on hot parts can start a fire; the notice does not tell owners to park the car, but get it to a dealer right away and take any burning smell or shifting trouble seriously.

What's wrong, in plain English

Certain 2016-2018 Focus cars with the 1.0-liter engine and 6-speed manual transmission may have a clutch that cracks and breaks apart. The broken pieces can damage the transmission and let transmission fluid leak out. If that fluid drips onto a hot engine or exhaust part, it can catch fire. Ford's repair adds software that detects when the clutch is slipping too long and steps in, plus a new clutch if yours needs one.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your Focus is covered by campaign 18V845000.
2. Contact a Ford dealer, or Ford at 1-866-436-7332 (recall 18S07), and ask for the repair promptly.
3. The dealer will install the updated software and replace the clutch if needed, free of charge.

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 transmission, driveshaft and wheel recalls: which ones are urgent? · all 55 Ford recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Safety risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.

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