Ford Focus Complaints (2005)

441 consumer complaints on file.

#10143611November 24, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION NEAR MY HOME. THE STREET WAS WET, AND WHEN I DETERMINED THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP, I APPLIED FULL BRAKING. MY VEHICLE DOES HAVE ABS, BUT MY WHEELS FULLY LOCKED. I REAR ENDED A 1994 FULL SIZE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH. MY CHIEF COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THAT THE ABS BRAKING WAS ESSENTIALLY NON-EFFECTIVE. THIS ACCIDENT WAS MY FAULT, HOWEVER, I DID EXPECT THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON MY VEHICLE TO WORK. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED FOR REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143447November 22, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND IT GETS THE WORSE GAS MILEAGE I HAVE EVER SEEN. I NEVER GET BETTER THAN 25 MPG HIGHWAY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH THE FORD DEALER TELLING HOW GREAT IT WAS ON GAS. THAT I WOULD AVERAGE 32 MPG. I COMPLAINED TO MY DEALER WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID I WAS AVERAGING 31.7 MPG ACCORDING TO THERE COMPUTER. THAT IS NOT TRUE! THEN THEY SAID IT NEEDS A BREAK IN TIME OF 5000 MILES. I HAVE 15000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY EVERY DAY. MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED BUT FORD IGNORES US. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143464November 22, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED, THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED IT WAS A BATTERY NOT CHARGING PROPERLY LIGHT. LATER IN THE DAY, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR, AND THE ALTERNATOR IS BEING REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143043November 17, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SHIFT CABLES CONTINUED TO BREAK. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE AND ONCE PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CABLES TWICE, MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CABLES ONCE, AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT REPAIRS WERE MADE BEFORE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL HARD TO GET INTO GEAR. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS BEFORE IT BREAKS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142645November 14, 2005
WHEELS:HUB, SUSPENSION
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE WHEEL COVERS POPPED WHILE DRIVING, ONE OF THE COVERS CAME OFF THE CAR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE COVER BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC. HE CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY WOULD REVIEW THE PROBLEM ONLY IF THE WHEEL COVER WAS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140327October 20, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN MY VEHICLE SHIFTER IS IN NEUTRAL (I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANS) AND THE BRAKE IS PRESSED CLUSTERS ON THE DASH ILLUMINATE (OIL LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT.) THE ENGINE STALLS AND I LOOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP AND STEER ESPECIALLY IF I AM ON THE FREEWAY DOING 65!. IT SEEMS TO DO IT MOST OFTEN WHEN I AM ON THE FREEWAY GOING DOWN A HILL IN NEUTRAL AND THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139212October 10, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THURSDAY MORNING, (10/6/05) I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON THE DAN RYAN I94. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY HOOD. I THOUGHT I MUST BE OVERHEATING, THOUGH THAT SEEMED WEIRD SINCE IT WAS FAIRLY COOL OUTSIDE AND NOTHING ON MY DASH SHOWED DISTRESS. I PULLED QUICKLY TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND DECIDED TO CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. WHILE ON HOLD A STRANGE SMELL STARTED TO FILL THE CAR AND I NOTICED MORE SMOKE AND THE SMOKE WAS GETTING DARKER. I GRABBED MY BAG, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. WITHIN A MINUTE, THERE WERE SMALL FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I BEGAN TO WALK QUICKLY AWAY FROM THE CAR ALONG THE SHOULDER. ALL THIS TO SAY THAT THE CAR IS TOTALED, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MADE IT BEFORE IT EXPLODED....BUT IT IS DESTROYED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134349October 6, 2005
STRUCTURE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT: 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GRILL AND HEADLIGHTS WERE OUT OF PLACE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WERE NOT SURE IF THEY WERE GOING TO ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP MADE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT THE CONSUMER DIDN'T FEEL IT WAS PROPERLY CORRECTED. THE CONSUMER STATED ONLY ONE HALF OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS ABLE TO BE PUT IN COMPLIANCE. HE HAS BEEN TOLD THE RADIATOR SUPPORT PANEL WAS BUILT IN AN IMPROPER POSITION. FORD STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITHIN TOLERANCE. IT SHOULD NOT AFFECT ANY SAFETY COMPONENTS. WHEN THE CONSUMER ASKED FOR THAT IN WRITING THEY WERE UNSURE OF THEMSELVES. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE HOOD SITS TOO LOW AT THE FENDER NEAR THE RIGHT A- PILLAR, THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134975August 31, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
ON SUN 8/28/05 I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I69. JUST SOUTH OF EXIT 25 I WAS GOING TO PASS A RV. I CHECKED MY MIRRORS AND THOUGH IT WAS SAFE TO PASS, BUT I MISSED JUDGED THE CAR BEHIND ME AND HE WAS IN MY PASSING LANE. I JERKED BACK INTO MY LANE. WHEN STRAIGHTENING UP SOMETHING POPPED IN MY STEERING. AS A RESULT I WHEN SLIDING SIDEWAYS DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I FINALLY ENDED UP SLOWLY GLIDING DOWN THE GUARD RAIL. I COULD NOT STEER MY CAR. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135024August 31, 2005
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ONCE ON A 3 LANE EXPRESSWAY (7/29/05) AND ONCE ON A BUSY STREET (8/4/2005), THE STICK SHIFT DISCONNECTED ITSELF FROM THE TRANSMISSION LEAVING ME IN NEUTRAL THE FIRST TIME AND 1ST GEAR THE SECOND TIME. THE 2005 (245 MILES ON IT) FORD FOCUS LEFT ME IN A SITUATION WHERE I WAS A SITTING DUCK AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED THE FIRST TIME AND YELLED AT THE SECOND TIME. THE DEALER (FRONTIER FORD, SANTA CLARA, CA) RECONNECTED THE LINKAGE THE FIRST TIME IT WAS TOWED IN. IT FAILED AGAIN ON 8/4 AND WAS TOWED IN AGAIN. NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE 8/4/2005 AWAITING PARTS. THE DEALER SAID MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO EXHIBIT THIS FAILURE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY HAZARD AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING TO FIX IT BUT TELL ME THAT THE CABLE ASSEMBLY IS ON ORDER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134406August 27, 2005
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX4 IN DECEMBER OF 2005. UPON DELIVERY I NOTICED MY CAR HAD A HARD TIME STARTING AND THE WHOLE ENGINE WOULD SHAKE AND KNOCK. AFTER A MONTH I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THE CONDITION CONTINUED AND I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM BUT ASKED TO KEEP IT FOR AN OVERNIGHT START. I BROUGHT IT IN A FEW DAYS LATER SO THEY COULD KEEP IT OVER NIGHT AND THEY FOUND A BULLETIN BY FORD SAYING THEY KNOW THERE IS A HARD START PROBLEM BUT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T UNLATCH OCCASIONALLY. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CASING REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DISCOLORED. THEN ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 62 MILES AN HOUR AND MY CLUTCH WENT OUT AND MY CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR AND HAD TO WEIGHT IN 90 DEGREE WEATHER FOR 2 HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO COME. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD AND THEY SAID MY FLY WHEEL HAD CRUMBLED AND MY CLUTCH WAS BAD. IT TOOK THEM 9 DAYS TO REPLACE MY CLUTCH. A DAY LATER MY CAR WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT WITHOUT GRINDING AND I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THIS TIME THEY HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WAS RUINED AS WELL. TO THIS DAY MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR 32 DAYS JUST FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR IS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR OR DIAGNOSIS FOR A TOTAL OF 45 DAYS SO FAR. NEITHER WENDLE MOTORS OR FORD WILL REPLACE THE CAR SO I AM PERUSING A LEMON LAW CASE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133136August 17, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT, TIRES
'05 FORD FOCUS ZXW. VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 WEEKS OLD. IN SHOP 4TH TIME FOR VIBRATION IN FRONT END AND PULLING TO RIGHT. DEALER REPLACED 1 FRONT TIRE, BALANCED ALL 4, CHANGED CAMBER ANGLE AND RE-ALIGNED STEERING WHEEL. CAR STILL VIBRATES AT 65 AND NOW PULLS TO LEFT. BACK TO DEALER AGAIN FOR 5TH TIME. APPEARS TO ORIGINATE FROM RIGHT FRONT. WILL PRESS FOR STRUT AND SUSPENSION INSPECTION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133144August 17, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER POPPED OUT AND LANDED ON PAPERS AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT BURNED THE PASSENGERS IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN THE TO SEATS. HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. THIS HAPPENED MONDAY AUGUST 15, 2005. THE CONSUSMER SUSTAINED BURNS ON RIGHT HAND.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10133088August 16, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
I WAS REAR ENDED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 8/13/05, THE LOCKING MECHANISM IN MY SEAT BELT DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY AND MY FACE AND ARM WERE PROPELLED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED. I WAS HIT WITH SO MUCH FORCE THAT MY CAR WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER CAR WHO WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER CAR. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10129901July 25, 2005
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DT: 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH. THE FIRST INDICATION WAS THAT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT RIGHT AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 3RD GEAR. THE PART WAS ON BACK-ORDER, AND THERE WERE SO MANY ON ORDER THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN DATE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129422July 20, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING
AS VEHICLE WARMS UP, THERE IS A WHINING NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE RPMS BEING HIGHER. IT ALMOST FEELS AS IF IT'S BELT OR POWER STEERING RELATED, BUT THERE IS NO LOSS OF STEERING POWER. ALSO, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO LOSS OF POWER ANYWHERE ELSE. WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE WHERE A TURN IS INVOLVED, AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, THE NOISE IS "FEELING" IN THE WHEEL IS A BIT EXAGGERATED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO JEROME DUNCAN FORD (IN STERLING HEIGHTS, MI) FOR SERVICE YESTERDAY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE IS "NORMAL OPERATING" NOISE. I DON'T BUY IT AND TOLD THEM I'D DEFINITELY BE BACK IF SOMETHING WENT WRONG.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128737July 14, 2005
EQUIPMENT
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FOCUS ZXW SE 4 DOOR STATION WAGON, VIN [XXX] FROM SCARFF FORD IN AUBURN, WASHINGTON. WHILE RETURNING FROM OUT VACATION A BLACK PLASTIC PIECE OF VENT MATERIAL ABOUT TWELVE INCHES LONG FELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH AND LODGED BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR. WE WERE ON THE FREEWAY AT THE TIME TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND WITH A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY I WAS ABLE, FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT TO REACH AND DISLODGE THE OBSTRUCTION. WE WERE EXTREMELY LUCKY TO AVOID A LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT. THE NEXT DAY, JULY 13, 2005 I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO SCARFF FORD AND THEY REINSTALLED THE PART AT NO CHARGE. HOWEVER, I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS INCIDENT COULD REPEAT ITSELF WITH OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS AND HAVE A FAR WORSE OUTCOME. ONE THING I DID NOTICE WAS WHILE THE ''VENT PIECE'' HAD PROVISIONS FOR FOUR ATTACHING SCREWS, THERE APPEARED TO BE ONLY ONE IN USE. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY TO BLAME, BUT I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128682July 13, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR REV'S UP WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND ALSO WILL KEEP REPEATING THAT FOR ABOUT 2-3 MINS. SO FAR I HAVE ALMOST DROVE THRU 3 INTERSECTIONS AND RAN INTO MULTIPLE CARS AND WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERS ALL THEY HAVE TO SAY IS THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122137May 25, 2005
STRUCTURE
DT: BRAND NEW FORD FOCUS HAS HEAVY RUST ON THE DASHBOARD FRAME. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAYS THIS IS NORMAL OXIDATION ON UNTREATED METAL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122138May 25, 2005
STRUCTURE
DT: THE DASHBOARD PANEL FRAME IS SEVERLY RUSTED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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