2018 Ford Focus: wrong fuel gauge reading

Filed Oct 31, 2024 · Fuel system · 107,379 miles · AL

On several occasions over the last several thousand miles, several issues have developed (all without warning at the time of first occurrence). At random times the engine will shut off when lifting out of the throttle. The car will run out of fuel before the fuel gauge is on empty or the "Miles to Empty" indicator state there are more miles to empty. Additionally, when shutting off the car to fuel at a gas station, the car takes up to a minute of cranking to re-start. When it starts, it will randomly shut off for the first several minutes unless throttle is applied before it shuts off. On 10/30/24 when driving with the gas gauge and range to empty indicators not on empty, the car stalled when beginning a slight climb, leaving the car stranded at night in the left most lane of traffic. This suggests fuel tank deformation. When issues started, the Canister Purge Valve was tested and found to be working correctly. It appears Recall 18V‑735 is the issue here. Every symptom related to Recall 18V‑735 is being experienced ("malfunctioning Canister Purge Valve (CPV) that can stick open and a Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software that does not adequately detect a stuck-open CPV. A CPV that is stuck open in these vehicles can cause excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system, potentially deforming the fuel tank. If this occurs, the customer may observe a Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL), inaccurate or erratic fuel gauge indication, drivability concerns or loss of motive power."). Expanding this recall to cover 2018 Ford Focus with the 1.0L Ecoboost seems prudent as Ford should update the PCM to avoid drivers of this vehicle being stranded in unsafe situations.

Filed Jul 18, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · NY · 1 injury

Vehicle has been having more frequent issues starting up. Engine stalls intermittently and hesitates after fueling up. Been getting inaccurate fuel gauge and distance to empty readings lately. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety was compromised because the car stalled without warning on the highway almost causing me to get into an accident, and it also shut down on me after pulling out from the gas station after fueling up. Car also loss power and hesitated on highway when merging, causing traffic to back up. I feel extremely unsafe. Problem was replicated with my mechanic after driving with him from the gas station. The car has always passed inspection from when I bought it and i stay up to date with its maintenance from the dealerships. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp just illuminated a few days ago from 7/18/2024 but have been experiencing this issue slowly for a few months, and has been progressively getting worse until the check engine light came on which is the current situation. Mechanic found multiple codes P1450, P0456 and etc when he connected the computer to my car showing a CPV purge valve and other issues associated.

Filed Mar 20, 2024 · Fuel system · 120,471 miles · TX

previous recall 18V735000 that covered the fuel system was inadequate. my 2018 se is constantly displaying incorrect fuel levels, and it has multiple warnings regarding the fuel system.

Filed Sep 21, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 55,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the purge valve was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact also indicated that the vehicle had previously experienced rough idling, check engine light illuminated, fuel gauge reading errors, and the Distance to Empty reading was incorrect. The local dealer was notified of the failures. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Aug 29, 2023 · Fuel system · 68,820 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light, the low oil pressure warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart even though the fuel gauge indicated that there was a quarter gallon of fuel remaining in the fuel tank. The contact stated that after his friend added fuel to the vehicle, the vehicle restarted and operated as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred while at a complete stop at a traffic light. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the nearest gas station, where the vehicle completely lost power. The contact refueled the vehicle and the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve was stuck and needed to be replaced. The failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 68,820.

Filed Jan 30, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · 73,474 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the transmission experienced rough shifting while the vehicle jumped, and the engine revved loudly. The transmission fault message was displayed. Additionally, the fuel gauge level was inaccurate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control unit (TCU) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,474.

Filed Jun 10, 2022 · Fuel system, Transmission · FL

Transmission control module failed, and according to Ford Service tech, basically "ate" the clutch. Vehicle can not go above 30 mph, and does not shift properly. Tech states is not included in recalls, though thinks it should be included. Parts on backorder with no ETA on resolution. No repairs able to be made. Purge Control Valve failed, causing engine to die while fuel gauge showing 3/4 tank, repeated issue until tranmission control module failure rendered vehicle mostly unusable. Tech states is not included in recalls, though thinks it should be included. Parts on backorder with no ETA on resolution. No repairs able to be made.

Filed Jun 2, 2022 · Engine · TX

The component that failed is the CANISTER PURGE VALVE. The engine light was on and we took it to a certified auto shop. Report from the auto shop: Diagnosis for check engine lamp on, run tests for codes P0300 random misfire, P0316 misfire on startup, P1450 cannot bleed fuel tank vacuum. No misfires present at this time found sticking canister purge valve pulling a constant vacuum on the fuel tank, makes is possible to pull raw fuel if the fuel level is high, suspect this to be the cause of misfire codes. Recommendation by the auto shop: Replace canister purge valve, clear computer, and retest on cold start.

Filed Apr 7, 2022 · Fuel system · 61,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle would stall after being started. The vehicle had to be started several times before being able to accelerate. The fuel gauge was occasionally inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic which diagnosed the failure to be an evaporative emission control system. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2022 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling, the fuel gauge failed to provide an accurate fuel level. The contact stated the vehicle was difficult to start and required that the accelerator pedal was pumped while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact informed the manufacturer of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Nov 5, 2018 · Electrical, Fuel system · 14,333 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 ford focus. While the contact was driving, the fuel gauge failed to provide an accurate reading. Occasionally, the vehicle also failed to start. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The contact was also referred to the federal safety agency. The approximate failure mileage was 14,333.