Ford Focus Complaints

22,326 consumer complaints on file.

#10209894November 26, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ONE MONTH AGO I NEEDED TO HAVE BRAKES REPLACED, AND ASSUMED THAT BECAUSE THE LIGHT CAME ON THIS WAS AN INDICATOR. AFTER BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BRAKE FLUID WAS STILL DISAPPEARING. I ALSO FOUND A DRIP ON MY PEDAL FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE DASH, AFTER MY FOOT SLIPPED ON THE CLUTCH FROM SLICK BRAKE FLUID, AND NEARLY WRECKED MY CAR ON I-70 WHEN I NEEDED TO SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR AFTER MY FOOT SLID RIGHT OFF THE PEDAL. TURNS OUT THE MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING. MY CAR IS ONLY 3.5 YEARS OLD, AND ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT TOTAL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MECHANIC, IT IS A FORD MANUFACTURED ONLY PART, AND WITH PARTS AND LABOR IS COSTING ME $450+ TO REPAIR THIS ON A RELATIVELY NEW CAR NOT EVEN PAID FOR YET. STILL NOT A SAFE SITUATION WHEN YOU CAN'T KEEP YOUR FOOT ON THE PEDAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209923November 26, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
FOR THE SECOND TIME, MY 2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK HAS FAILED IN THAT THE KEY WON'T TURN AND VEHICLE IS IMMOBILIZED. CURRENT MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS APPROXIMATELY 48,500 AND IGNITION CYLINDER WAS DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED BY FORD DEALER AT 28,000 MILES AND REPLACEMENT PART FREQUENTLY STUCK AND NOW IGNITION CANNOT BE UNLOCKED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209941November 26, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED A FEW SECONDS LATER. FORD STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209843November 25, 2007
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
BRAKES HAVE BEEN FAILING FREQUENTLY. AFTER TAKING IT TO BE REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME IN JUNE, I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS NEARLY II THE INTERSECTION BEFORE THE BRAKES WORKED. THE PROBLEM IS REPEATED AND I FEEL AS THOUGH THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF THE BRAKES CAN NOT BE REPAIRED PROPERLY BY EVEN THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209775November 24, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR
I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON REAR TIRES. AT 20K MILES THE REAR TIRES ARE ALMOST BALD 2/32 OF TREAD LEFT. THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE THAT DEALER WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT ALIGNMENT IS ONLY COVERED FOR FIRST 12K MILES. THE FRONT WAS ALIGNED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER A BAD TIRE WAS FOUND AT SCHEDULED SERVICE. IT IS SO BAD NOW THAT WHEN YOU HIS A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE REAR OF THE CAR JUMPS TO ONE SIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209713November 23, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS LEAKING. FOUND INTERNAL SEAL WALL CRACKED/WASHED OUT ALLOWING LEAKAGE PAST SEAL RING. STEADY DRIP OF COOLANT FROM THERMOSTAT HOUSING EVEN AFTER REPLACING SEAL RING. FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM IN DISCUSSION THREADS ON INTERNET. COOLANT PUDDLED UNDER CAR WHERE PETS CAN DRINK IT AND LOSS OF COOLANT CAUSING OVERHEATING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209757November 23, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS. ON THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 22, 2007 I PARKED MY VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IN TURN BLOCKED THE EXIT OF MY OTHER VEHICLE FROM THE GARAGE. WHEN I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE THAT NIGHT TO GO TO WORK, THE KEY WOULDN'T FIT INTO THE IGNITION. I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO JAM THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN FORWARD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT COST ME $380 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AND MAKE NEW KEYS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT HAVING AN EMERGENCY. IF I HAD TO TAKE MY SON, WHO IS 1 YEAR OLD, TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LEAVE MY HOUSE FOR AN HOUR. I HAVE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AND HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE IS HAVING A LOT OF THESE ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209680November 22, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE HAD A FEW PRIOR PROBLEMS GETTING MY KEY TO TURN IN MY IGNITION, WHICH I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO FIX MYSELF. LAST NIGHT HOWEVER, I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A LESS THAN IDEAL NEIGHBORHOOD AFTER 30 MINUTES OF TRYING TO START MY CAR. THIS IGNITION LOCK PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED THE EVE BEFORE THANKSGIVING WHICH LEAVES ME WITHOUT A CAR ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209658November 21, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
2000 FORD FOCUS WITH 30,000 MILES. DIFFERENTIAL BLEW UP AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. ONE YEAR AGO THE STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE FRONT END. I UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS ARE NOT NORMAL OCCURRENCES ESPECIALLY WITH THE AMOUNT OF DRIVING I DO. I CAN'T SELL OR TRADE IN THE CAR WITHOUT REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION, ESTIMATE: 2,700. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209496November 20, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY KEY WONT TURN IN THE IGNITION MOST OF THEM TIME LEAVING ME STUCK AND IN A DANGEROUS POSITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209531November 20, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
ON OCTOBER 25 2007 I PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS SEDAN 4 DOOR CAR WITH MORE OR LESS 400 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I NOTICED THAT WHEN MY DAUGHTER WHICH IS 5 FOOT ONE, 112 LB WAS RIDING IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT, AN INDICATOR LIGHT LIT INDICATING ME THAT THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF ( WRITTEN ON THE PLASTIC), TELLING ME THAT AT THIS MOMENT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF A COLLISION. THIS FEATURE IS SUPPOSED TO ACTIVATE WHEN CHILDREN ARE SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IN ORDER TO AVOID DEPLOYMENT INJURY. I WENT TO MY DEALER 4 TIMES EXPRESSING MY COMPLAINTS AROUND THIS SAFETY ISSUE. EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT THE UNIT WOULD BE RESET AND ULTIMATELY THEY EVEN EXCHANGED A SEAT CUSHION, ALL OF THIS WITH NO AVAIL. CONFRONTED AGAIN WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH MY WIFE AS A PASSENGER (5FT 3 AND 114LB) I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPRODUCED THE SITUATION I WAS EXPLAINING WITH A LOCAL THIN PASSENGER. AS A RESULT OF THIS VISIT I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FILED A COMPLAINT ON 11/19/2007. FORD ADVISED THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A FOLLOW UP CALL IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. TODAY 11/20/2007 FORD CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT ACCORDING TO THEIR ENGINEERS, THE BEHAVIOR OF THE LIGHT WAS "AS DESIGNED" AND AS SUCH I COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. LET ME STATE THAT FORDS EXPLANATION IS RIDICULOUS AND A SEVERE BREACH IN AUTO SECURITY WITH LIABILITY ISSUES. BOTTOM LINE, OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ( IN THIS CASE MY DAUGHTER OR WIFE) COULD BE SUBJECTED TO LETHAL INJURIES AS A RESULT ON NON DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG DUE TO A FAULTY MECHANISM WHICH INTERPRETS ERRONEOUSLY THAT SMALL ADULTS ARE CHILDREN EVEN IN THE CASE OF NORMAL SMALL ADULTS. I FIND THIS SITUATION COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND AWARENESS, IF NOT A CLASS SUIT SHOULD BE INITIATED AGAINST FORD. AS A CUSTOMER, I'M FRUSTRATED AND FEEL AT RISK USING THIS NEW VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209569November 20, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR UNLOCK. THE DOOR IS COMPLETELY STUCK. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, BUT NO RECALLS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209572November 20, 2007
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE REAR WINDOWS COLLAPSED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PLASTIC HOLDER FAILED AND CAUSED THE CABLES TO INTERTWINE, WHICH THEN CAUSED THE WINDOW MOTOR TO MALFUNCTION. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $300. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209240November 17, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WHEN THE REAR WINDOW, (BOTH), IS RAISED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME,(3-5 YRS), THE UPPER CABLE RETAINER ON THE WINDOW ELEVATOR,(ITS MADE OF PLASTIC), BREAKS OFF ALLOWING THE WINDOW TO DROP DOWN. THIS IS BOTH A SECURITY& A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE OLD PARTS I'VE REPLACED THE RIGHT REAR ELEVATOR IN 4/07 NOW THE LEFT HAS FAILED.(11/07). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209137November 16, 2007
AIR BAGS
DEAR SIR: I RECENTLY PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS SEDAN 2007 WHICH HAS THE FEATURE IN WHICH IF THE FRONT PASSENGER IS NOT WITHING CERTAIN RANGES THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. CONSISTENTLY, THE NOTIFICATION THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF LIGHT ON WITH MY 22 YEAR OLD FEMALE DAUGHTER WHICH IS SHORT ( 5FOOT 2 AND 105 POUNDS) IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE TRIED TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH THE DEALER BUT THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION AND THEY STATE THAT THE THRESHOLD IS SET TO 100LB WHICH I CONSIDER EXCESIVE. AFTER ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES OR SO THE LIGHT TURNS OFF AS IT SHOULD BE, BUT THIS LEAVES AN EXTENDED INTERVAL IN WHICH MY DAUGHTER IS NOT PROTECTED. I'D APPRECIATE YOUR ADVICE ON HOW TO HANDLE THIS MATTER . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209001November 15, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
VEHICLE IGNITION LOCK FROZE WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION. IGNITION KEY WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE LOCK. DRIVER WAS LEFT STRANDED AND LOCK SMITH HAD TO BE CALLED TO DRILL OUT THE IGNITION AS A TEMPORARY FIX AND THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. VEHICLE MAKE: FORD VEHICLE MODEL: FOCUS SE YEAR: 2001 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209019November 15, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. ON THREE OCCASIONS, THREE WINDOW MOTOR REGULATORS HAVE FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND BOTH REAR WINDOWS FAILED AND WERE REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,700.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209093November 15, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
PASSENGER AND DRIVERSIDE DOORS ON THE 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 HAVE QUIT OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. DOORS HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO BE OPENED AND I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISMS WE "FROZEN". TO THIS DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE DOORS FIXED MUST LEAVE WINDOW DOWN TO REACH TO THE INSIDE TO OPEN THE DOORS IN THAT FASHION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209095November 15, 2007
SEATS
I OWNED A 2005 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON AND SUFFERED A REAR END COLLISION WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. AS A RESULT OF THE POOR SEAT CONSTRUCTION, MY LUMBAR SPINE WAS WEDGED IN THE GAP BETWEEN THE SEAT CUSHION AND THE BACK CUSHION DURING THE IMPACT. AT THE TIME, I HAD THE SEAT LOWERED FOR COMFORT. UNFORTUNATELY, AS YOU LOWER THE SEAT, YOU ALSO CREATE A GAP BETWEEN THE SEAT CUSHION AND THE BACK CUSHION, EXPOSING THE LUMBAR SPINE TO THAT GAP. THIS IS WHERE MY LOWER SPINE WAS WEDGED AS A RESULT OF THE REAR-END COLLISION. THE BACK CUSHION HAS TOO LITTLE SUPPORT TO KEEP THE SPINE FROM BUCKLING AND WEDGING ITSELF, BUTT FIRST. NOW, THE GAP WASN'T THAT BIG FOR ME, ONLY ABOUT AN INCH OR SO, BUT THE SEAT PADDING AROUND THE GAP IS UNSUPPORTED AND FLEXIBLE. IMAGINE NOW A REAR END COLLISION WITH A TALL PERSON SITTING IN THAT SEAT, WHERE THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE GAP BETWEEN THE SEAT CUSHION AND THE BACK CUSHION, SAY MAYBE TWO OR MORE INCHES. IN A REAR END COLLISION, WITH THE FRONT BRAKES APPLIED, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY BUCKLES UPWARD AND FORWARD, WHILE THE BODIES IN THE CAR MOVE DOWN AND BACK, AS IN MY CASE (SINCE OBJECTS AT REST [MY BODY] RESPOND ONLY AFTER THE IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE). JUST WATCH ALL THOSE DUMMY COMMERCIALS... THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF YOU MANIPULATE THE LEVER TO LOWER THE SEAT CUSHION. FACT: THE EUROPEAN FORD FOCUS DRIVER SEAT MOVES AS AN ENTIRE UNIT (BOTH SEAT CUSHION AND BACK CUSHION MOVE TOGETHER AS A UNIT, NEVER CREATING SUCH A GAP) FACT: THE U.S. MODEL IS THE CHEAP ALTERNATIVE TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION OF AN ADJUSTABLE SEAT. INSTEAD, THE LEVER LOWERS AND RAISES ONLY THE SEAT BUCKET PORTION FOR THE DRIVER, WHILE EXPOSING A GAP BETWEEN IT AND THE BACK CUSHION. THE BACK SUPPORT STAYS IN THE SAME PLACE ANOTHER FACT: ALL EUROPEAN MODELS HAVE HEADRESTS IN THE BACK SEAT ANOTHER FACT: AL U.S. MODELS HAVE NO HEADRESTS IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10208939November 14, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2004 FOCUS HAS A DEFECTIVE IGNITION TUMBLER. OVER A COURSE OF A FEW DAYS THE KEY BEGAN TO GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD ONLY TURN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. AFTER A FEW DAYS, IT STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I WAS STRANDED IN A DARK PARKING LOT AFTER WORK FOR NEARLY AN HOUR UNTIL SOMEONE COULD GET ME. I THEN HAD TO GET A RIDE TO WORK THE FOLLOWING DAY (50 MI EACH WAY). BEFORE HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE, I CONTACTED SOMEONE AT A FORD DEALER WHO SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. HE SUGGESTED TAPPING ON THE KEY WITH A HARD OBJECT (I USED A POCKET KNIFE) WHILE TURNING THE KEY AND IT WORKED! SO THE CAR IS NOW SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL I CAN GET IT STARTED AGAIN TO TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $450.00 AND THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE THE COST TO RE-KEY. MY HUSBAND ALSO HAS 2004 FORD FOCUS (WE BOUGHT THEM ON THE SAME DAY) AND IS ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION TUMBLER--HOW COINCIDENTAL IS THAT? SOUNDS LIKE A SERIOUS DEFECT TO ME. I CAN'T BELIEVE THE FORD COMPANY ISN'T TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. I OWN 3 FORDS AND WILL NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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