Ford Focus and Fusion Recall Issued for Transmission Software
Areazine synthesizes this NHTSA vehicle recall directly from NHTSA's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2013-2016 Fusion and 2015-2018 Focus vehicles due to a clutch fracture risk that could lead to transmission fluid leaks and fire.
What this NHTSA vehicle recall tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by NHTSA on July 10, 2026 and geographically references United States. Its severity classification of "high" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Vehicle Recalls - determines the consumer-protection framework behind it, which shapes what remedies (refunds, replacements, repairs, or the recall itself) are available to affected consumers and which agency holds statutory responsibility for enforcement.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are recall, product-safety, nhtsa, Vehicle.
What Happened
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.
Which Products Are Affected
The recall covers certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles, with a total of 42,016 units affected. The NHTSA Campaign Number is 26V376000 and Ford's recall number is 26S43.
What You Should Do
Dealers will update the software free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
Why This Matters
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.
Source
NHTSA Campaign 26V376000 - Ford Motor Company
Original source: NHTSA Official Notice ↗
Related Vehicle Recalls
All Vehicle Recalls →Nationwide notices with similar length or severity timing 8
Two Areazine-derived peer sets for this NHTSA vehicle recall: nearest notices by body length and by same severity near the same agency date. Peers come from other categories so they are not the same-feed Related list above.
Similar body length
Nearest notices by article body length (1,086 characters here).
Similar severity timing
Same severity (high) notices issued closest in time to July 10, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this NHTSA vehicle recall.