Ford Escape, Focus and C-Max Recall Issued Over Problems Turning Vehicle Off

Ford Motor Company has announced two recalls impacting over 600,000 vehicles that may be impacted by control module issues that will allow the vehicle to continue running when the key is turned off and for software issues that may cause dashboard warning light malfunctions. 

A Ford Focus, C-MAX and Escape recall was announced on July 2, which impacts approximately 433,000 vehicles from the 2015 model year sold in North America, due to body control module defects that can cause the engine to continue running after turning the ignition key to the “off” position and removing the key, or after pressing the Engine Start/Stop button.

The defect violates federal auto standards to prevent roll-away hazards and auto-theft. It also poses safety hazards to owners, occupants, and car-seated children who may not be able to exit the vehicle on their own. To date, no injuries or incidents have been reported.

The recall includes an estimated 433,000 model year 2015 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured from June 17, 2014 through June 12, 2015 at the Michigan Assembly Plant, model year 2015 C-MAX vehicles built at the Michigan Assembly Plant from April 22, 2014 to June 12, 2015 and certain 2015 Escape vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2014 through June 12, 2015 at the Louisville Assembly Plant.

The recall includes 374,781 vehicles in the United States and its territories, 52,180 in Canada, and another 5,135 in Mexico.

Ford is preparing to notify dealers and owners of both the defect and the anticipated repair process, which will include scheduling a repair appointment at a local dealer to update the body control module software at no cost to the customer.

In a separate field action announced on July 2, Ford also announced an Escape and Transit Connect recall affecting 182,520 vehicles in which dashboard warning lights, messages, and warning chimes could fail to warn operators of safety related issues, such as low tire pressures and disabled airbags, increasing the risk of crash and injury hazards.

Ford announced that the company is recalling certain model year 2014 through 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured from May 19, 2014 to February 6, 2015 as well as certain Transit Connect vehicles manufactured from May 13, 2014 through December 10, 2014 due to a software incompatibility issue that can cause the instrument panel cluster to be inoperative including a blank multi-functional display. To date, Ford has not received any injury reports or accidents as a result of the defect.

Ford engineers were first notified of the problem on April 30, involving an inoperative IP cluster during the start-up process when the ignition was engaged. Ford opened an investigation into why the dashboard warning lights did not illuminate when the ignition was engaged in May. Investigators eventually found that a resistor within the IP cluster that had recently been introduced to correct an unrelated problem was causing the malfunction. On June 15, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and determined a field action was necessary, prompting the recall.

The NHTSA announced that Ford’s recall is anticipated to begin in early August and will require owners to schedule a free repair appointment at a local dealer to have the instrument panel software updated. Customers with further questions may contact Ford customer service by calling 1-866-436-7332 and referencing the recall number 15C03.