Ford Recalls 2012-2013 C-Max and Focus Electric for Missing Door Chime
Ford is recalling 23,000 vehicles because the door chime does not sound when the driver's door is opened while the vehicle is on, increasing theft risk.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 2/5 (Moderate).
Minor labeling or packaging issue, or a voluntary precautionary recall. Risk of harm is low but real — follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Our severity reasoning: The recall addresses a non-conformance to a federal safety standard regarding theft protection. There are no reports of injury, death, or property damage, and the hazard is primarily financial (theft) rather than physical harm, fitting the criteria for a moderate severity issue.
Plain-English summary
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max and C-Max Energi vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start System. The recall affects approximately 23,000 vehicles.
In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened. This failure means the vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." Without the audible reminder, a vehicle owner may exit the vehicle without realizing it is still operational, leaving the vehicle susceptible to theft.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the door chime free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC, C-MAX ENERGI, C-MAX
- Brand
- FORD
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 23,000
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (3)
- FOCUS ELECTRIC
- C-MAX ENERGI
- C-MAX
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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