The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
The 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.
The remedy
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Focus | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| Ford Fusion | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus | 2015 | 1,022 | 9 |
| Ford Focus | 2016 | 1,183 | 10 |
| Ford Focus | 2017 | 900 | 10 |
| Ford Focus | 2018 | 837 | 7 |
| Ford Fusion | 2013 | 1,792 | 19 |
| Ford Fusion | 2014 | 1,333 | 19 |
| Ford Fusion | 2015 | 997 | 13 |
| Ford Fusion | 2016 | 1,646 | 13 |
Other power train recalls in 2026
30 of the 666 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2026 concerned the power train; Ford Motor Company filed 737 campaigns in all.
| 26V658000 7 Oct 2026 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 26V607000 23 Sept 2026 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 26V576000 9 Sept 2026 | Ford Motor Company |
| 26V525000 12 Aug 2026 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 26V454000 15 Jul 2026 | E-One Incorporated |
| 26V437000 8 Jul 2026 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing |
| 26V417000 30 Jun 2026 | Ford Motor Company |
| 26V413000 30 Jun 2026 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2026