Ford Focus Complaints

22,326 consumer complaints on file.

#10264290April 6, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK, FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD IT REPLACED 12/15/07 AND IT IS NOW DEFECTIVE AGAIN ON 4/6/09. I HAD IT FIXED LAST TIME FOR $200, BUT IT CAN COST UP TO $400. HOW THIS ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE IS BEYOND ME. THEN AGAIN THE PINTO'S EXPLODING GAS TANK WASN'T DEEMED A "SAFETY ISSUE" BY FORD, EITHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264293April 6, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK WILL NOT TURN. FORTUNATELY FOR FORD, MY WARRANTY IS UP. I HAVE READ REVIEWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THE FORD FOCUS MODEL IN THE YEARS 2000-2003. I CANNOT DRIVE WITHOUT FEARING THAT THE IGNITION WILL LOCK UP ON ME AND I WILL BE STRANDED. THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS TO ME. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT HAVE HAD AN EMERGENCY TO ATTEND TO WHEN I WAS STRANDED UNABLE TO START MY CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264162April 5, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH RANDOMLY BROKE ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS. MY KEY WILL NOT TURN THE SWITCH. I WAS STRANDED WITH MY 2 CHILDREN. I CONTACTED AAA AND THE LOCKSMITH THAT I SPOKE WITH WAS OUT OF STOCK ON THE IGNITION CYLINDER BECAUSE "THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. I USUALLY KEEP 4 OR 5 ON HAND." I CONSIDER THIS A PERSONAL SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE WAS NO WARNING OF IT OCCURRING. IT WAS ALL VERY RANDOM. I DROVE TO THE LOCATION. I DID MY BUSINESS. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR. MY KEY WOULD NOT WORK. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO ADDRESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263951April 2, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REMOVED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE MECHANISM. THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, NO ERROR CODES WERE PRODUCED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL FELT AS IF IT WOULD POP OFF. THE DEALER FOUND A DEFECT WITH THE STEERING COLUMN AND HAD THE COMPONENT REPLACED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE FORD DEALER STATED THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAGS FOR A PLETHORA OF REASONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. HE WAS VERY LEARY OF OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE FACT OF NOT HAVING A FUNCTIONING AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE AIR BAGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,786.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263832April 1, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOOSENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING BEGAN TO WANDER AND FAILED TO RESPOND NORMALLY. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY TIGHTENED THE ADJUSTMENT SCREW AND RE-TIGHTENED THE LOCK NUTS ON THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263827April 1, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE PUNCTURING MY TIRE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP GETTING REPAIRS. (ESTIMATED REPAIR COSTS ARE $782.). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263708March 31, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR SHOULDER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND THE INDICATOR WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 35 MPH, A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT AND THE TWO VEHICLES T-BONED WITH EACH OTHER. AGAIN, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND MIDDLE TO UPPER BACK AREA. SHE ALSO HAD PAIN IN HER CHEST. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 65,000. UPDATED 4/23/09 *CN UPDATED 04/27/09.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10263602March 30, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2002 IGNITION LOCKS UP WITH KEY LEFT IN IT. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO HIRE A LOCKSMITH AND PAY OVER $400.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263608March 30, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN MY DAUGHTER OPENED THE DOOR SOMETHING POPPED AND YOU COULD NO LONGER OPEN THE DOOR - I FAILED AN INSPECTION AND RECEIVED A TICKET BECAUSE THE DOOR WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY. MY NEPHEW WENT TO THE JUNKYARD TO GET THE PART BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE IT NEW AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS HAPPENED OCT OF 2007. I OWN A 2003 FORD FOCUS. MY DAUGHTER OPENED THE BACK RIGHT SIDE WINDOW AND SOMETHING AGAIN POPPED. THE WINDOW WOULDN'T GO UP OR DOWN. A DEALER SAID IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED - AGAIN - THAT THE PLASTIC PART THAT MAKES IT GO UP AND DOWN POPPED. AGAIN OFF TO THE JUNK YARD - $8.00 BUCKS WHAT A DEAL. THESE THINGS STARTED RIGHT AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED - GO FIGURE. WHY ARE PLASTIC PARTS BEING PUT INTO OUR VEHICLES - AS A SINGLE MOM I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE ALL PARTS FOR THE DOOR HANDLES AND WINDOWS AS THEY POP. WE NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263625March 30, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY IGNITION LOCK FROZE UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR. KEY WOULDN'T TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP FOR REPAIRS. I CALLED FORD AND ASKED THEM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THEY DECLINED. I OWN A 2004 FORD FOCUS ZX5. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263281March 27, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. UNSAFE, LEAVES DRIVER STRANDED. INTENDED TO BUY NEW PART, BUT RESEARCHED FIRST, FINDING THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AMONG FOCUS OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263144March 26, 2009
WHEELS
I HAVE HAD 3 WHEEL STUDS BREAK OFF WHILE CHANGING TIRES FROM SUMMER TO WINTER AND BACK. TOOK TO 2 DEALERS AND CONTACTED FORD AND NONE OF THESE SOURCES WOULD HONOR 3/36 WARRANTY REGARDING MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. DEALERS STATED THAT STUDS WERE RUSTY AND THAT THEY WERE PROBABLY PUT ON TO TIGHT. THIS FALSE, AS I DO THIS MYSELF WITH A TORQUE WRENCH PER VEHICLE SPECS. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION IF I WAS CHANGING A FLAT ON SOME RURAL ROAD OR BUSY HIGHWAY AND I COULD NOT GET WHEEL OF WITHOUT BREAKING WHEEL STUDS. RUST ON THE STUDS CAUSED BY ROAD SALT AND DEBRIS THROUGH THE OPEN WHEEL NUT DESIGN IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263171March 26, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION STARTED CAR DROVE HOME. PARKED CAR. TURNED IT OFF. KEY STUCK. DISCONNECTED BATTERY. KEY CAME OUT. RECONNECTED BATTERY. REINSERTED KEY. KEY WOULDN'T TURN. CAR WOULDN'T START. LEFT OVERNIGHT. TRIED AGAIN. LEFT ALONE FOR A FEW MORE HOURS. RE INSERTED KEY. DEPRESSED BRAKE...MOVED CAR OUT OF PARK AND BACK INTO PARK. KEY THEN WORKED FINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262980March 24, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE IDLING IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE, THROUGH A ROD THROUGH THE BLOCK OF THE MOTOR CAUSING INSTANT AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND OR INJURY. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH 2000 MODEL YEAR FOCUS AND HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A SALVAGE MOTOR FOR ALMOST $2000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262783March 23, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE, BUT THE FAILURE REMAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER HAD NO PRESSURE AND THE PISTON WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AND THE CONTACT IS WAITING FOR AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262719March 22, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EQUIPMENT
IT STARTED WITH A TICKING NOISE I COULD HEAR WHEN IT JUST IDLED, THEN I GOT HOME STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT MADE A LOUD NOISE LIKE SOMETHING HAD FALLEN INTO THE ENGINE. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN WE HAD SOMEBODY LOOK AT IT THEY SAID THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION IN THE # 4 PISTON. THEY HAD SAID SOMETHING HAD FALLEN OFF THE PISTON AND MADE A BUNCH OF DENTS AND DANGS SO NOW WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. IT IS IN MY DRIVEWAY NOW WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262511March 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION TUMBLER IN MY 2000 FOCUS SE HAS FAILED TO THE POINT THAT NOW IT WON'T TURN UNLESS I SPEND 10-15 MINUTES JIGGLING IT AND PLAYING WITH IT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT MANY FOCUS ENTHUSIAST SITES HAVE REPORT. FORD HAS EVEN REDESIGNED THE TUMBLER IN NEWER VERSIONS IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, SO THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS, BUT HAVEN'T ISSUED A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $160-220 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A KEY TUMBLER SHOULD HAVE A LIFESPAN OF MUCH MORE THAN 9 YEARS. THAT IS SHAMEFUL, FORD. I WISH I COULD'VE CONVINCED MY WIFE TO GET THE CIVIC INSTEAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262532March 20, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A LARGE TRUCK RAN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A LIGHT POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MAJOR CONTUSIONS DURING THE CRASH. ONE YEAR AGO, THE CONTACT STRUCK A DEER WITH HER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT THAT TIME AS WELL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000. UPDATED 04-14-09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT CAUSED BRUISES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER CHEST FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. UPDATED 0415/09. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10262436March 19, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILURE...TOP 7" OF SPRING SNAPPED OFF MAKING THE CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. INCIDENT OCCURRED 1 BLOCK FROM HOUSE BUT NOT IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATED UNTIL I FOUND BROKEN SPRING PIECE IN THE ROAD AFTER WORK. HIGHWAY TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A BAD CRASH DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. I PURCHASED REPLACEMENT PARTS (FORD SVT SUSPENSION KIT 397-M-3000-ZX3) AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THE REMAINING UNBROKEN SUSPENSION PARTS. CAR HAS ONLY ABOUT 50000 MILES AND IS NOT ABUSED. FAILURE APPEARS TO BE DUE TO EXTENDED FATIGUE CRACK PROPAGATION INSTEAD OF AN ISOLATED CATASTROPHIC EVENT. THERE IS OLD RUST ON THE SPRING BREAK POINT SURFACE ALONG WITH FATIGUE CRACK STYRATIONS INDICATING A LONG FAILURE TIME. POSSIBLE CAUSE WOULD BE SUB-STANDARD MATERIAL OR HEAT TREATMENT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE AND MILEAGE. FORD WOULD HAVE HAD A HUGE LAWSUIT IF THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN MY INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262480March 19, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAGS. IN ADDITION, A TRACK HARNESS WAS NEEDED. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE TEST SHOWED NO ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY IF THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO OPERATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 59,828. UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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