NHTSA Complaint #11253504 — 2013 FORD FOCUS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT'S SON STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S SON DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE CANISTER PURGE VALVE (CPV). LATER THAT DAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 68 MPH, IT WAS BELIEVED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT'S SON DIED INSTANTLY AND THE PASSENGER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. ANOTHER MOTORIST OBSERVED THE CRASH AND CALLED 911. THE PASSENGER WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR THEIR UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD ON THE SCENE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.