2014 Ford Focus: wrong fuel gauge reading

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Fuel system · CA

The vehicle has a recurring fuel-level/distance-to-empty (DTE) malfunction that has caused it to run completely out of fuel and lose motive power while the instrument cluster indicates substantial remaining range. This has occurred four times. On the first three occasions, the vehicle ran out of fuel while displaying approximately 28-30 miles DTE. On two occasions, including the most recent, the engine shut off unexpectedly in the roadway and other motorists had to help push the disabled vehicle out of traffic. During the most recent incident, the vehicle displayed approximately 35 miles DTE when the engine shut off. There was no sputtering, warning message, warning lamp, or other indication that the vehicle was actually out of fuel. I previously brought the vehicle to an independent repair facility specifically for the inaccurate fuel/DTE indication and occasional stall-like behavior. Fuel trims were checked and no obvious cause was identified. I subsequently learned that Ford Safety Recall 18S32 had been performed on this vehicle in 2021, before I owned it. That recall addressed excessive fuel-tank vacuum/possible tank deformation and identified symptoms including inaccurate fuel gauge, inaccurate DTE, and possible stalling. I then brought the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealer and repeatedly identified the inaccurate fuel/DTE condition as my primary concern, including providing it in writing. The dealer performed a PCM update under another campaign, but the fuel-level/DTE malfunction was not diagnosed or repaired. After that dealer visit, the vehicle again ran out of fuel and shut off in the roadway, this time while displaying approximately 35 miles DTE. Roadside assistance was requested. The vehicle is available for inspection. Ford has been notified and an Automotive Safety case opened. The cause remains UNKNOWN. My concern is repeated unexpected loss of motive power while the vehicle indicates usable fuel remains.

Filed Feb 26, 2024 · Fuel system · TX

Gas tank was filled and experienced erratic fuel gauge indication during drive. Parked vehicle and next day there was gasoline coming out of the bottom of the car. Towed and mechanic said the gas tank shows deformation, issue where the tube into tank/assembly is defective.

Filed Aug 11, 2023 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was displaying an incorrect reading on the instrument panel, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the purge valve was replaced. Despite the repair, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed the vehicle with a defective purge valve and a defective fuel tank. The mechanic then informed the contact of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Sep 15, 2022 · Fuel system · 123,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the roadway. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a nearby gas station, even though the fuel gauge indicated that there was fuel in the tank. The contact stated that he added 9 gallons of fuel and the vehicle restarted. The contact stated that he had experienced the failure 6 times. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and they associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2022 · Fuel system · 106,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the stalling also occurred after refueling. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge was not accurate. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed; however, the dealer stated that the failure could be related to the fuel tank and the fuel tank might need to be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V525000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Aug 8, 2022 · Fuel system, Transmission · SC

One day when I went to go fill my 2014 Ford Focus up, my car started and stalled randomly. I could not get my car to turn back on. After a few tries, it finally came on. This issue would go on for two weeks every time I filled up my car. If my car only gets $10 in it, its fine though. only happens when I fill it up. Then my car gas gauge started acting funny and will fluctuate between empty and full while driving. I can't tell how much gas I have in my vehicle. Then my husband, who so happens to be a mechanic, took a look and noticed my fuel tank is now caved in and is deformed. There is a problem with my CPV which has now affected my fuel tank. Upon further investigation, I did see where there was a recall about the power train quite a few years ago and then not long after, another recall about the CPV failing and causing stalling, not accurate gas gauges, and deformed gas tanks. I called my local Ford dealership about this. When I typed in my VIN the only active recall was the door latch system. Which means it was either fixed in the past or for some reason my vehicle wasn't recalled when it should have been. My ford dealership said there was no current or past recalls on my specific vin and were refusing to fix my car. I feel like it is unfair my car was affected by a recall but I can't get it fixed just because my vin says my car wasn't affected. It definitely was. I am a poor college student just trying to make a life of myself. I will soon have no car, unless my husband finds a way to fix it without spending an arm and a leg. Thanks for listening and please help me. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Aug 1, 2022 · Fuel system, Transmission · GA

01/08/2019- Vehicle was checked for fuel tank deformation (18S32) Vehicle Mileage 65,162 the technician comments read as follows (check dtcs, check for available PCM software update, no available software update, no parts replaced) 07/26/2022- Vehicle was brought to Billy Howell Ford Lincoln Dealership for a permanant emmissions code PO442. Ford Corporate arranged the Diagnostic appointment. The technician comments read as follows (checked dtc's. found multiple DTC's set in various modules. PO442 is only fault set in PCM. checked OASIS, no relevant information found. performed EVAP system test, passed. performed EVAP purge and seal test, passed. connected smoke machine to test for leaks. EVAP smoke machine measured a leak of approxamitely .040", near acceptable range. visual inspection during EVAP leak test, found smoke emitting from vapor canister fresh air vent tube, indicating EVAP vapor canister vent leakage. recommend replacing EVAP vapor canister and retesting. 07/30/2022- I took vehicle to have the EVAP vapor canister replaced mechanic noticed that the fuel tank was slightly deformed. I drove the vehicle approxamitely 120 miles so the PCM would cycle and clear the permanent code . Fuel guage was on empty w/light on. I stopped at gas station I put 26 dollars of e-85 in vehicle. when i returned to car the fuel gauge was reading full DTE 418 miles. The gauge was reading innacurate. I drove the car about 40 miles before it stalled and it would not start. I waited a few minutes and tried to start the vehicle and it started . Iimmediately drove home and parked it in the garage. All of these symptoms point to the recall (18S32) Billy Howell Ford say's my recall was already completed and I cant recall it again. The vehicle has never received a PCM reprogramming for the fuel tank (19S22) Ford was supposed to reprogram the PCM software back in 01/08/2019 when they checked for the tank deformation . Withouty the software update and necessary repairs. its a risk.

Filed Jun 18, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · NC

The components and systems that failed are my engine and gas tank, they both are available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk, approximately two minutes before my vehicle slowed down enough to stop my brakes wouldn't work. Yes I have called the dealership and the problems that the representative listed explaining a recall; is what I have been experiencing with my vehicle. Yes, 6/15/2022 the day after my engine failed my car was diagnosed by All 4 U Auto and he confirmed that the engine had blown and along with the gasoline tank both needed replacements. No, there were no warning lamps nor messages prompting alerts of my vehicle. There were several symptoms of the problem prior to the failure that occurred before and after the Ford recall; 18S32. I completed the recall fuel tank deformation 1/3/2019. I am still experiencing issues with my gas tank, which are listed on the official Ford website. I can only pump approximately 80 miles worth of gas or 1/4 full worth of gas. If I pump anymore the vehicle will stall and require for me to restart it multiple times 2 - 10, the more I "over pump" the more I will have to restart and longer it will stall. During pumping even 1/4 worth of gas my entire vehicle will shake and make a loud sound, and with re cranking causing engine malfunction. The website mentions; "Owners are advised to maintain at least a half tank of fuel until their vehicle is serviced for this issue." although I can only pump 1/4 full worth of gas at a time. Another issue is I cannot leave the vehicle idle over 5 minutes, even when in traffic if I do not keep driving up 6 inches every five minutes it will turn off. This problem has negatively affected my battery, on a few occasions leaving the vehicle idle has caused my battery to need to be recharged and replaced. Lastly the vehicle does exactly what the recall mentions; "inaccurate fuel gauge readings". While pumping gas the mileage on the dashboard sometimes does not increase.

Filed Dec 2, 2021 · Fuel system · CA

This vehicle is experiencing a relapse of the same issues that led to a previous recall. It is experiencing fuel tank issues where the fuel gauge is unreliable and acts as though it is out of fuel despite reporting 1/4 tank. This has put the safety of occupants at risk as we were barely able to get off the highway in time before the vehicle came to a sudden and complete stop. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer as to do so will result in exorbitant out of pocket expense since Ford claims to have fixed the recall issue. That however, is not the case when it reoccurs a year later. Neither police nor insurance have inspected the vehicle as I was unaware that was a possibility The warning lamps that displayed were similar to a vehicle stalling out, which should not happen in an automatic transmission vehicle. It needs to be noted that this is a reoccurring issue of an allegedly fixed recall and Ford refuses to take any action on the matter.

Filed Jul 2, 2021 · Transmission · KS

Vehicle was left with Midwest Superstore in Hutchinson, Kansas July 2020 for multiple fuel related and transmission related problems. Dealer replaced purge valve (recall), did not inspect fuel tank. Also a transmission test was done and all above failure levels. Picked up the car with a dead battery, broken fuel gauge, and still stalled regularly with less than half tank fuel. Did not have spare vehicle, dealt with for entire year. Transmission frequently shutters or locks up. Vehicle frequently stalls in traffic or after fuel addition. Finally was able to get it back to dealer (a year later). They note that indeed the fuel tank is crushed (purge valve recall) and will require a tank and pump assembly. Dealership states that Ford will not honor replacement of these components even though the recall was never adequately performed the previous year. The only thing that can make the fuel tank crush is the defective purge valve they replaced.

Filed May 13, 2021 · Fuel system · 63,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v525000 (fuel system, gasoline) and the vehicle was taken to ford of kendall, llc (15551 s dixie hwy, palmetto bay, fl 33157) where the recall was satisfied. Recently, the contact stated that the same failure recurred with the fuel gauge providing an inaccurate reading. The vehicle stalled simultaneously during the failure. The contact then took the vehicle back to the same dealer where he was informed that the fuel tank that was replaced under the original recall had failed. The contact was then informed that the vehicle no longer qualified for service under the original recall and was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided the contact with the same information as the dealer. The contact was offered no further assistance. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 108,000 miles · PA

I have had so much trouble with this car I am upside down on it. Now all the electrical stuff seems to be shorting. I was driving and my fuel gauge kept going to zero then back up to half a tank. Then my check engine light came on. My horn doesn't work which is is huge safety concern for me those are just the new issues I also have had the TCM replaced twice and it never made a difference to the car.