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.

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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.

3 Comments

  • kahinJune 22, 2016 at 8:14 am

    I have a 2011 Ford Fusion I just buy it and power steering failure middle in the highway last night 06/21/2016 then I just call Ford Co. then they told me we cannot fix it 1600 the parts I told wy is it so expensive then they hang up phone

  • CherylAugust 4, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    I have a Ford Focus 2012. I am having a Steering assist problem with my car. Courtesy of Conyers, GA wants $1560.00 to replace the Steering Gear Box and Rake. I have not recieved a letter for a recall. Is there a lawyer in Atlanta GA?

  • Taylor and MichelleJuly 29, 2015 at 7:45 pm

    Final letter I am sending to FORD due to no return action. Re: 2nd NOTICE ---New Lease Vehicle and Several Visits to Service Centers To Whom It May Concern or Marsha, We are writing this letter regarding the final attempt letter we provided at the beginning of July 2015. I received a voicemail from Marsha on July 14, 2015. She stated that my letter was received, and that my Customer Service M[Show More]Final letter I am sending to FORD due to no return action. Re: 2nd NOTICE ---New Lease Vehicle and Several Visits to Service Centers To Whom It May Concern or Marsha, We are writing this letter regarding the final attempt letter we provided at the beginning of July 2015. I received a voicemail from Marsha on July 14, 2015. She stated that my letter was received, and that my Customer Service Manager in this matter would be Kathleen. Also, stating we would be receiving a follow-up call that Thursday (7/16/2015) from Kathleen as she was currently out of office until then. However, after receiving NO correspondences, I proceeded to follow up with the number 866-631-3788 and extension 77761 that Marsha provided for Kathleens contact information. We made several call attempts that following Monday, July 20th, and again on July 22nd leaving a voicemail. We made another attempt yesterday July 28th, 2015. We have yet to receive any feedback, other than Taylor receiving a call the day after she received the car back from the dealership (3rd time after suppose fix was implemented). Which had been running fine for those first few days after. There have now been some major changes. Taylor has been involved in an accident (damage to the rear-end of her vehicle (she was found “not” at fault)) and no major injuries. However, we feel this may have been avoided had the vehicle been made in safe standings. We are both still having hesitation and jumping issues. I Still have yet to hear anything from the dealership of the “waiting list” that I have been on for several months now. Remembering back when issues started the dealership pushed back and stated it was the way we were driving our vehicles that were the cause of hesitation and jumping. To now being informed that FORD is away and correcting the issue with lonnng waiting lists. However, Taylor finally made the cut of the waiting list, received the service that was supposed to correct this, only to have gone back several times for more service work and now having been in an accident, of no fault to her own, but because of the attempt of pulling forward and the dangerous hesitation. Our leases need to be terminated immediately without affecting our credit negatively, due to dangerous and faulty accelerating issues!!! We have taken every appropriate attempt on our end to resolve this matter effectively. Only to receive nothing back from FORD, other than a… “Yea we are aware of the issue”… “We have put you on waiting lists”… “here is a Customer Service Managers, Name and Number (with no responses)”… No Action has been given from Ford Corporate at this time!! It is extremely frustrating and unfortunate that further legal action is needed to resolve this known issue. Documentation will also be sent to NHTSA, CPB.

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