The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened up an investigation on Friday into recalled Ford Focus vehicles after nearly 100 new complaints were filed to the federal agency.

In 2018, Ford recalled 1.28 million 2012-2018 Focus sedan models that had a faulty canister purge valve, which controls how much air can enter the engine. The defect could cause loss of power, "erratic fuel gauge readings, and excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system potentially deforming the fuel tank," according to the NHTSA.

During the recall, Ford inspected the valve and the fuel tank and replaced the defective parts as well as provided a software update.

The administration’s Office of Defects Investigation has received 98 complaints that claimed the valve malfunctioned in vehicles involved in the original recall and others from the same batch. The agency is assessing “the scope and remedy” of the recall.

“We are supporting NHTSA with their investigation,” a Ford spokesperson said in a statement emailed to The Messenger. 

The recall included Ford Focus models with 2 liter gasoline direct injection engines built prior to April 13, 2017 and with 2 liter gasoline turbocharged direct injection engines built prior to Feb. 2, 2018.

The NHTSA is also investigating the June 2022 recall of nearly 50,000 Ford Mustang Mach-Es, following similar reports of loss of power.

In August, Ford recalled 42,000 Super Duty F250 and F350 trucks because the left rear axle shaft could break and increase the risk of a crash. 

Ford has issued the most recalls of any other automaker so far in 2023, with 44 recalls and 4.66 million vehicles call in for inspection, the NHTSA reported.