Ford Focus Complaints

22,326 consumer complaints on file.

#10229006May 27, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS BROKE IN HALF AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC. I HAVE FEWER THAN 50K MILES ON THE CAR. THE ONLY EVENT THAT MIGHT HAVE LED UP TO THE BREAK WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 10MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP INSIDE A PARKING GARAGE. THE SPRING, SHOCK ABSORBER, AND TIRE MUST BE REPLACED. AND MY MECHANIC EXPRESSED SURPRISE THAT THE TIRE DID NOT EXPLODE. I CONTACTED FORD TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART SINCE IT WAS SUCH AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE. I WAS INFORMED THAT SOME CARS OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL , AND YEAR WERE RECALLED BECAUSE OF CORROSION ON THESE SPRINGS. HOWEVER, MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. A QUICK SEARCH OF WEBSITE SET UP FOR FORD FOCUS OWNERS BY OWNERS REVEALED SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228926May 26, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS PREMATURELY, WHICH CAUSES OIL TO DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE BURNING OIL CREATES FUMES. THE POORLY DESIGNED SEALS AROUND INTAKE AIR BOX ALLOW FUMES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THESE TWO DESIGN FAILURES COMBINE WITH EACH OTHER TO EXPOSE PASSENGERS TO BURNING OIL FUMES. NOW, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE VALVE COVER GASKET TO AVOID EXPOSING MYSELF TO BURNING OIL FUMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228835May 24, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228759May 23, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I BOUGHT A 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AT THE END OF 2004. AT 42,000 MILES THE CLUTCH WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL CARS SINCE FIRST GETTING MY LICENSE OVER 20 YEARS AGO, SO I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I LOOKED UP INFO ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM (TSB# 05256 NHTSA ID# 10018945 DATED JAN. 1, 2005). NOW THAT THE CLUTCH (WHICH FORD KNEW ABOUT ) WENT BAD, FORD SAYS IT IS NOT A WARRANTY PART AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE, LEAVING ME TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF MY POCKET. I DON'T THINK CUSTOMERS SHOULD PAY FOR FORD'S BAD PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228663May 22, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SWITCH FROZEN, THE COST TO REPAIR/REPLACE QUOTED BY FORD DEALERSHIP WAS $361.00, THE COST BY A LOCKSMITH IS $300-$350. 2004 FORD FOCUS Z3. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228566May 21, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN, LEAVING ME STRANDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228598May 21, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH TO FIX FOR OVER $200. THE CAR WAS FINE BUT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND WORSE TO THE POINT I WAS STRANDED AFTER ABOUT A WEEK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228296May 20, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS WON'T TURN, LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, EACH ONE LEAVING ME STRANDED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228180May 19, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS EACH TIME I HAVE TRIED TO START THE CAR FOR THE PAST 3 DAYS. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN SOME DANGEROUS PLACES (INCLUDING A PARKING STRUCTURE IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES AT 1:30AM) FOR UP TO 40 MINUTES TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO START. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228223May 19, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE, WHEELS
2000 FORD FOCUS #1 CAR HAS BEEN OWNED BY ME SINCE 2001 (BOUGHT FROM A DEALER WITH 13K MILES ON IT), IT GETS USED LIGHTLY AND NEVER GOES ON LONG TRIPS. I USE IT JUST FOR LOCAL DRIVING, TO AND FROM WORK. (ABOUT 5 MILES A DAY, CAR HAS 80K MILES ON IT) THIS CAR IS A LEMON! I HAVE HAD SOME OF THE STRANGEST PROBLEMS AND GONE THROUGH MORE RECALLS THEN ANYONE SHOULD HAVE TO. #2 PROBLEMS I'M HAVING CURRENTLY: SUSPENSION CAR'S FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING HAS BROKEN, MAKES VERY LOUD CRUNCHING NOISES WHEN TURNING, NEEDS REPAIR. ELECTRICAL CAR HAS SMELLED OF BURNING RUBBER, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS STARTED SMOKING ON MORE THEN ONE OCCASION, HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO GOING UP IN FLAMES. TURNING THE CAR OFF THEN DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY TERMINAL CURES THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. WAS ALSO TOLD BY LOCAL MECHANIC FRONT AXLES ARE BAD, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON BUT DO NOT KNOW MUCH MORE ABOUT IT. PROBLEMS I'VE HAD: FUEL PUMP RECALL, DOOR LATCH RECALL, AND BATTERY CABLE RECALL. HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BEARINGS OF THE CAR, PAID OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THOSE, BECAUSE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THEM. AFTER READING NHTSA CAMPAIGN #01I017000 I HAVE SINCE LEARNED OTHERWISE. #3 ALL THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING WITH THE CAR CURRENTLY ARE NOT FIXED. ALL THE OTHER ONES WERE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. THE FRONT SPRING IS STILL AVAILABLE AS IS STILL ON THE CAR, AND HE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS STILL INTACT. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE SPRING SOON BUT I'LL HOLD ON TO IT. THE SAME GOES FOR THE FRONT AXLE'S. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227839May 15, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS . I AMONG SEVERAL CO-WORKERS WHO CAR POOL BECAME STRANDED DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE KEY LOCK IGNITION SWITCH. THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN. MY KIDS HAD TO SIT AFTER SCHOOL FOR 2 1/2 HOURS TILL I COULD PICK THEM UP IN ANOTHER VEHICLE ONCE I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED. ADDITIONALLY MY CO-WORKERS WERE DELAYED TO THEIR FAMILIES AND SEVERAL OF THEIR CHILDREN MISSED IMPORTANT AFTER SCHOOLS ACTIVITIES. IN REVIEW OF OTHER TESTIMONIALS ONLINE THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THIS FORD VEHICLE AND APPEARS TO BE ITS NUMBER 1 COMPLAINT IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION..IF THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE FORD SHOULD FIX THIS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER..SO NOW I TOW IT TO THEM SO THEY CAN REPLACE WITH ANOTHER FAILING PART FOR 500.00...IT'S NOT RIGHT..IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY KIDS WERE LEFT UN ATTENDED FOR 2 1/2 HOURS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227888May 15, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WITH NO WARNING AND 1000K OUT OF THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OR START THE CAR. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER COST $258.44 PLUS TOW. CONSUMERS DO NOT EXPECT A CAR WITH 37K TO FAIL ON THEM LIKE THIS. I COULD HAVE BEEN ON A FAMILY OUTING WITH MY SON WHO IS A DIABETIC. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY REPORTED YET FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. DEPENDABILITY OR LACK THERE OF, IS IMPERATIVE TO THE SAFETY OF A VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227926May 15, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
FOR ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE BRINGING MY CAR TO FORD I HAD BEEN NOTICING A VIBRATION FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL THOUGH THE WHEEL WAS NOT SHAKING. THIS WAS ONLY HAPPENING WHEN I WAS GOING FASTER THAN 50-55MPH. I CHECKED THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES AND ALL WAS OK. FINALLY, I BROUGHT IT TO FORD AND THEY FOUND A BENT CONTROL ARM IN THE FRONT R/S. IN ADDITION, THEY FOUND A SLIPPED BELT ON THE L/R TIRE AND R/F TIRE HAD UNEVEN WEAR. OK, SO HERE'S MY COMPLAINT....THERE IS NO WAY THAT I HIT ANYTHING SO HARD THAT I BENT MY CONTROL ARM IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!! SINCE THERE IS NO WAY TO PROVE THIS I HAD TO LIVE WITH THE FACT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR - ALMOST $400.00. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS WITH THE TIRES. SINCE THE REPAIR IN THE FRONT WAS THE SAME PLACE THAT THE TIRE HAD UNEVEN WEAR, I HAD TO EAT THIS ONE TOO - $125.00. THE PROBLEM IS, WHAT ABOUT THIS SLIPPED BELT IN THE REAR TIRE? I GUESS I WAS TO BLAME FOR THAT ONE TOO. MAYBE THESE PIRELLI TIRES ARE THE PROBLEM. I SHOULD HAVE READ THE COMPLAINTS HERE BEFORE I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO FORD. FORD DIDN'T HAVE ANY OTHER TIRES THAT FIT THESE RIMS, BUT THE SAME PIRELLI'S THAT WERE ON THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. SINCE THE CAR WAS ALREADY IN THE SHOP AND MY TIME IS LIMITED, I WAS STUCK GETTING THE SAME JUNK. MY MESSAGE....DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE I MADE - DO NOT REPLACE THE TIRES ON YOUR FOCUS WITH THE PIRELLI'S THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. IF I CAN SAVE SOME PEOPLE A FEW HEADACHES AND SOME MONEY, I WILL FEEL MUCH BETTER FOR THE MISTAKE THAT I MADE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227712May 14, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATES FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE EVENTUALLY ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY CRASHES DUE TO THE FAILURE AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227730May 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION KEY/CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACE. KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227640May 13, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2003 FORD FOCUS THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227369May 12, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION LOCK ON A 2004 FORD FOCUS REPLACED. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. *NJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227492May 12, 2008
SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
I WAS DRIVING NY CAR ABOUT 25-30 MPH WHEN I HEARD A NOISE. LOW AND BEHOLD MY RIGHT WHEEL WAS WOBBLING BACK AND FORTH. THEN IT STOPPED FOR A MOMENT SO I DECIDED TO TAKE CAR TO SHOP. ON MY WAY TO THE SHOP MY BARRING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON THE EVERYTHING LOCKED UP,GOT TO SHOP RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS SMOKING BAD. SHOP TOLD ME EVERYTHING BURNED UP COAST ME 1,200.00 TO GET BACK ON ROAD. JUST ONE OF THE MANY THINGS FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227494May 12, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAD A CRACK IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR THAT I TOOK TO GET REPAIRED. I DROVE MY CAR THERE, TURNED THE CAR OFF WHILE WAITING FOR THE CUSTOMER IN FRONT OF ME TO PULL UP. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND PULLED IT UP TO WHERE THE SERVICEMAN WAS WAITING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. I GAVE THEM MY INFORMATION. THE SERVICEMAN THEN TOOK MY CAR, STARTED IT, AND DROVE IT INTO THE SERVICE BAY. THEY DID THE WORK ON THE CAR AND THEN WITHOUT WARNING THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THEY TRIED AND TRIED. IT WOULDN'T TURN. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OR ANYTHING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER AND ASKED THEM HOW THIS HAPPENS, IF IT HAPPENED OVER TIME, OR WHAT. THE GUY TOLD ME THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AND THEN IT WOULD COST $400 TO GET REPAIRED. JUST OUT OF THE BLUE WITHOUT WARNING HE SAID THAT THE IGNITION COULD GO OUT! I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE ONLY HAD TO REPAIR THE IGNITION SWITCH AT VIRTUALLY HALF THE PRICE USING FORD DEALER PARTS! IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE THAT SOMETHING AS VITAL AS THE IGNITION CAN JUST STOP AT ANY TIME! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227512May 12, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY ENGINE IN MY BRAND NEW 2007 FORD FOCUS WAS NOT STARTING PROPERLY. HAD TO ACTUALLY PUSH THE GAS TO GET THE ENGINE TO CATCH. CONTACTED MY DEALER, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINES IN THE 2007. HE WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN IT WAS READY TO BE FIXED. I WAITED 8 MOS AND CONTACTED FORD CANADA. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND BROUGHT IT IN, BUT NOTHING WAS DONE THEN EITHER. IT CONTINUES TO BE A POOR STARTING PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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