Ford Recalls 237,000 Focus Cars in China Over Ignition Problems

Automakers' recall woes aren't limited to the United States. Ford Motor (F) has offered to recall 236,643 Focus compact sedans in China because of ignition problems, news agencies reported Tuesday.

Ford is recalling the vehicles after about 2% of drivers experienced stalling, usually after traveling at low speeds, Whitney Foard Small, Ford's spokeswoman in Bangkok, told Bloomberg News. The company will install new engine calibration software in the cars to correct the problem, she said.

The vehicles were built through a three-way joint venture, comprised of Ford, Chongqing Changan Automobile and Japan's Mazda Motor, Reuters reported, citing a statement posted on China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine's website Tuesday. The affected vehicles were made from August 2008 through Friday, it said.

The recall would be the largest for Ford in China.

Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford owns a 35% stake in the joint venture, known as Changan Ford Mazda Automobile. Changan Auto owns 50% of the company, and Mazda owns the remaining 15% stake. Models made by the joint venture include the Focus, Ford Fiesta, Ford Mondeo and other sedans for the Chinese market.