Ford Focus Complaints

22,326 consumer complaints on file.

#10184193March 5, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION KEY HAS LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT TURN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184261March 5, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER OF 130000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WULD NOT TURN. THE CONTACT TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND DIFFERENT WAYS TO MOVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, SHE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR, BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN . THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD LIGHT UP, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD CHIME, BUT THE IGNITION REMAINED FROZEN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184124March 3, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE IGNITION CYLINDER IN MY 2000 FOCUS ZX3 BROKE (FROZE UP) FOR THE SIXTH TIME. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER SIX TIMES NOW IN THE SAME VEHICLE IN SEVEN YEARS. IT HAS COST ME A LITTLE OVER $400 EACH TIME, EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183974March 2, 2007
SUSPENSION, TIRES
MY 2001 ZX3 FOCUS WOULD EAT TIRES .. GOT IT USED BUT WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES PUT NEW FIRESTONE TIRES ON AND HAD IT ROTATED EVERY 3000 MILES TO KEEP IT FROM SHAKING .. DID THAT 4 TIMES AND SOLD THE P.O.S. THE PEOPLE AT FIRESTONE TOLD ME IT WAS BAD ENGINEERING ON FORDS PART . BRAKES WOULD MAKE NOSE THAT THE DEALER HAD NO CLUE WHAT IT WAS . .. NOW I DATE SOMEONE I WITH A 2002 FORD FOCUS. AT 30,000 NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS . NEW PCM . AND THE LIST IS STILL ADDING UP. IF THE FOCUS ISN'T A LEMON ... THEN THERE IS NO POINT OF THE LEMON LAW. TIME TO CHANGE IT AND MAKE IT HARDER TO SELL CARS THAT ARE MADE SO CHEAP!!! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184017March 2, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I'VE HAD MY 2003 FORD FOCUS WAGON IN TWICE FOR REPAIR OF THE IGNITION LOCK. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE PROBLEM THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T RELEASE AS THE KEY WOULDN'T FIT INTO THE IGNITION. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REMOVED THE LOCK CYLINDER. IT WAS CLEANED AND LUBED AND OPERATING NORMALLY ON 26 JANUARY 2007. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 13,000 MILES ON IT! THEY HAD TO DRILL OUT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND REPLACE IT. I HOPE THIS TIME IT WILL LAST LONGER THAN A MONTH! THIS WAS A VERY COSTLY SERVICE! $267.00 FOR LABOR AND $99.91 FOR THE PART! I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS YET BUT IF THEY DO HAVE ONE I'M HOPING TO GET MY MONEY BACK AS THIS HAS BEEN A VERY COSTLY SERVICE TO ME - ALMOST $600.00 TOTAL FOR BOTH INSTANCES! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184033March 2, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED: FORD FOCUS SE YEAR 2000. PURCHASED FROM OMAR CAR SALES IN FREMONT (510)-770-0107 I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY. WHEN I CAME OUT OF RALEY'S AT ABOUT 4:50 PM, I COULD NOT START MY CAR. IT WAS MAKING A CLICKING SOUND ONLY. (1) JUST HAD MAJOR WORK SOME OF THE TIMING BELT, A MOTOR MOUNT, AND SPARK PLUGS, ALL NEW FORD PARTS WERE USED AS REPLACEMENTS. THE CAR HAD BEEN IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BEFOREHAND. I HAD ONLY PURCHASED THE CAR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO FROM OMAR CAR SALES FOR $6,000.00, AND IT WAS RUNNING FINE TILL 3 MONTHS AGO, WHEN THE TIMING BELT WENT THEN GOT FIXED IN ONE WEEK. ONE MINOR PROBLEM WITH AN IGNITION SWITCH WAS FOUND WHEN I 1ST BOUGHT THE CAR, ALSO VERY MINOR. (2) BUTCH'S AUTOMOTIVE INC IN FREMONT, 510-793-9883 FOUND PROBLEM, (THE VALVE SEAT INSIDE THE ENGINE COLLAPSED AND FAILED, PISTONS CAME DOWN, RUINED MY ENTIRE MOTOR INCLUDING OIL ON PARTS IN PROCESS) I REPORTED IT TO NHTSA, THEY SAID I ALSO NEEDED TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP, AND MANUFACTURER OF WHICH I DID. NHTSA SAID THAT IF THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T DO ANYTHING, TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I SPOKE WITH JOSE IN SERVICE AT FREMONT FORD WITHIN 24 HOURS. HE SAID CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER TRIED TO CLAIM THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS. I THINK THERE ARE, AND IF NOT, I WOULD LIKE A DISCREET RECALL STARTED. (3) BUTCH SAID THE COST OF REPAIR WILL BE $5,200.00 FOR ALL THE DAMAGES ENGINE WISE, PLUS A RE-BUILT ENGINE BEING INSTALLED. I WOULD LIKE ALL COSTS REIMBURSED TO ME, AS THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, I MIGHT HAVE DIED WHEN OTHER CARS CRASHED INTO MY STALLED VEHICLE. I HAD RECALLS DONE AT FREMONT FORD, AND MY RECALLS WERE UP TO DATE. BUTCH SAYS HE WAS ABLE TO GET A NEWLY REBUILT FORD ENGINE TO NEWARK , CA DEALERSHIP, AND MY MALFUNCTIONED ENGINE WAS RETURNED TO THAT DEALERSHIP. (510)-651-5600. I ALERTED RESPONSIBLE PARTIES OF THIS MATTER IN FORD, LOCAL AND FACTORY WIDE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183862March 1, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I'VE HAD MY 2006 FOCUS ST FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT ENGINES PUT IN IT. THE ORIGINAL MOTOR THREW A PISTON ROD DOWN THE BOTTOM OF MY ENGINE AND OUT. THEY SAID IT WAS POOR CASTING ON THE CRANKSHAFT. THIS WAS AT ABOUT 4,000 MILES. THEN AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES IT DID THE SAME THING ONLY THIS TIME I CAUGHT IT BEFORE IT BLEW. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE ...AGAIN. WHAT HAPPENED IS MY ROD BEARINGS WENT OUT WHICH IS MOST LIKELY WHAT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME, CAUSING MY ENGINE TO COMPLETELY THROW A PISTON ROD. NOW I AM ON MY 3RD ENGINE AND HOPING THAT THIS ONE STICKS. THE MECHANICS ARE VERY PUZZLED WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THEY HAVE RUN ALL THE DIAGNOSTICS TO PROVE I HAVEN'T BEEN RACING AND I GET REGULAR OIL CHANGES THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. FORD IS TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT. GOOD NEWS IS 2 MORE TIMES IT'S A LEMON. BAD NEWS IS I HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH MISSED TIME AT WORK AND THE INCONVENIENCE OF IT ALL. BEWARE BUT, THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A REGULAR OCCURRENCE AMONG FOCUS OWNERS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183868March 1, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
ON 2/24/07, I MADE A PURCHASE AT A DRIVE THROUGH WINDOW AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. I LEANED ACROSS THE CENTER CONSOLE TO PLACE THE ORDER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. WHILE DOING SO, I BUMPED THE GEAR SHIFT AND IT MOVED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE SIDE OF THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE. UPON ARRIVING HOME, I TESTED THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE, AND FOUND I COULD MOVE IT FROM REVERSE TO NEUTRAL TO DRIVE, AND FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL, ALL WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE GEAR SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT UNINTENDED SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS INCIDENT, AND I BELIEVE THE SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THAT. ON THIS VEHICLE, THIS IS A PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183898March 1, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING THE 2003 FORD FOCUS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS WOULD LAST ANYWHERE FROM A FEW SECONDS TO A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND RADIO WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF, AS WELL AS THE LIGHTING SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WILL ALSO LOCK AND SHE WASUNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED SHE ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY MANUALLY HITTING THE UNLOCK SWITCH. THE VEHICLE LOCKS FINALLY OPENED AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MINUTES. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPROGRAMMED, WHICH WAS DONE IN NOVEMBER 2006, BUT SHE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN EXITING THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONTACT HE DID NOT KNOW WHY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 57000 MILES. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183948March 1, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE STRUT AND SPRING OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS JUST IN A PARKING LOT BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AT HIGHER SPEEDS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183805February 28, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT OIL WAS DRIPPING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. OIL BURNED WHICH COULD CREATE A POTENTIAL FIRE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE INSPECTED BY DEALER ON 3/14/07 AND REPLACED THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON 3/20/07. UPDATE *4/23/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184773February 28, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FORD FOCUS WITH IGNITION LOCK UP PROBLEMS *WRITER PLEASE NOTE FOR CUSTOMER THAT COMPLAINT IS BEING FORWARDED TO FTC.* *CC *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183660February 27, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
I HAVE SOME MAJOR CONCERNS WITH MY BRAND NEW FORD FOCUS. I WAS IN A VERY MINOR CAR ACCIDENT. THE ONLY DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WAS A COUPLE OF CRACKS IN THE FRONT BUMPER, LOSS OF THE FORD EMBLEM AND CRACKED GRILL. THE FRONT WAS NOT CAVED IN OR THE GRILL EITHER. THE SUPPORT BRACKETS FOR THE GRILL WERE STILL IN TACT. ABSOLUTELY NO DAMAGE TO THE HOOD. AS I GOT BACK ONTO THE ROAD THE HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED OUT THE WINDSHIELD, AND SOME DAMAGE TO THE ROOF. THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY, IN MY OPINION, WAS POORLY CONSTRUCTED. THE MIDDLE PART OF THE LATCH IS METAL BUT IT IS INCASED IN PLASTIC. KEEP IN MIND THAT WHEN THE HOOD FLEW UP, THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE HOOD. THIS IS NOT A VERY GOOD SAFETY FEATURE FOR THE VEHICLE. NOT ONLY HAS THE VEHICLE INCURRED MORE DAMAGE THEN WAS NECESSARY, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY HURT SOMEONE ELSE ON THE FREEWAY AS I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING WILL THE HOOD COVERING MY WINDSHIELD. IF NEED BE I WILL GLADLY FORWARD PICTURES ON MY BADLY DAMAGED CAR. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183686February 27, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
YESTERDAY I GOT INTO MY CAR (A 2004 FORD FOCUS), PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. TODAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. THE KEY CYLINDER HAD MALFUNCTIONED. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS, BUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO RECALL THE AFFECTED MODELS EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP DID REPAIR THE PROBLEM, BUT I HAD TO PAY OVER $200 FOR IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183560February 26, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IT HAD BECOME HARDER AND HARDER OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO TURN THE KEY IN MY IGNITION. THEN ONE NIGHT AFTER WORK, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. I CONTACTED AAA, AND THEY SENT OUT A LOCKSMITH THE NEXT DAY. THE LOCKSMITH HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE IGNITION BECAUSE, ACCORDING TO HIM, CERTAIN PIECES WERE BROKEN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183570February 26, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY HE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT ACTIVATED AND DEACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE CORRODED AND THE POWER LEAD FUSE PANEL WAS INOPERABLE, THE CABLES AND GROUND CIRCUITS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,300.*AK UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183450February 25, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY BRAKE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND IT FELT LIKE MY BACK END WAS FISHTAILING. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED AAA. AS AAA WAS TOWING MY VEHICLE, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. THE WHEEL COULD NOT BE LOCATED AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE DID NOT CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES TO OTHER VEHICLES. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING HAD FAILED AND THE REPAIR BILL WAS IN EXCESS OF $2,900, INCLUDING THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED TO THE REAR SPINDLE, CONTROL ARM AND SUSPENSION. MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE PREVIOUS 2 MODEL YEARS WERE RECALLED FOR REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183462February 25, 2007
AIR BAGS
I WAS RECENTLY IN AN ACCIDENT. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OTHER THREE CARS INVOLVED ALL HAD AIRBAGS AND THEIRS DID DEPLOY. MY CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. I WOULD THINK THAT IN AN ACCIDENT OF THIS MAGNITUDE THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. I AM NOT CERTAIN THAT THE EXTENT OF MY BACK INJURY WOULD HAVE BEEN LESSENED BY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING, I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE IN THE CASE OF A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH OTHER CONSUMERS. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10183463February 25, 2007
TIRES
I RECENTLY HAD A TIRE FAILURE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO CALL IT AS THE ENTIRE MIDDLE SECTION OF RUBBER CAME COMPLETELY OFF. THERE WAS ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT (IF ANY) SIDEWALL LEFT (I HAVE PHOTOS). I TOOK IT TO A GOODYEAR DEALER WHO REPLACED IT AT A "PRORATED" RATE ALTHOUGH MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE WARRANTY WAS THAT IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY COVERED. I HAD IT REPLACED AND PAID THE $80.00. I ALSO CONTACTED GOODYEAR TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS THEIR POLICY AND THAT MY TRANSACTION WAS HANDLED CORRECTLY, I INCLUDED A PHOTO WITH MY CORRESPONDENCE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS THEIR POLICY AND THE DEALER HAD CONTACTED THEM ABOUT MY INCIDENT. THEY ALSO ASSURED ME THAT A TIRE SHOULD NOT DO THAT AND THEY ARE SORRY ABOUT IT. I AM FEELING THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS POSSIBILITY, IF IT HAD BEEN A FRONT TIRE I WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED THE INCIDENT AS I WOULD HAVE LOST TOTAL CONTROL (GOODYEAR TIRE). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183387February 24, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT FULLY STOP. MY CAR ENTERED INTERSECTION AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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