The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. When the vehicle was started, the contact noticed that the battery was dead. A tow truck was called to jump start the vehicle. The failure recurred the following day. The oil and the seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was not caused by the battery. The technician diagnosed that a cluster under the dashboard, which controlled all the light signals, was faulty and needed to be "repaired or replaced." The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000. Updated 04/08/16

- Fowler, CA, USA

: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the starter failed. There were no warning signals for the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined the flywheel and the starter had to be replaced. After the first incident, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer thirty times for the following failures: Brakes rotors were replaced four times; battery and alternator had to be replaced; the transmission had to be replaced after the second attempt to repair it. The electrical wiring under the dashboard had to be rewired. The air conditioning was repaired three times with the replacement of defective valves; the rear door latches were repaired according to recall # 05V300000. The dealership had not corrected the noises from the steering column. The manufacturer was contacted and refused to cooperated in finding a suitable resolution. The last problem found by the dealership was the required replacement of the engine heads. The engine heads were attached to the vehicle frame.

- Playa Del Rey, CA, USA

Owner of a Ford Focus/2003. Ignition switch locked up and had to get my car towed ($45) as well as pay for repairs ($183). Called Ford headquarters and talked with a representative about being reimbursed. I also mentioned the problem I was having with my gauges. Upon starting car, gauges are all out of wack, swinging back and forth and landing on zero. After being on the road for about 15 or 20 minutes they will positioned at the right place. The representative seem to only care to hear about one of the problem (ignition switch) and not the other one. I was put on hold for a while and when rep return she told me to call company that was repairing my Focus and they will help me in this matter. I called the company and the guy that eagerly took my money stated that he will do a claim for me and he stated that I will get some of my money but not all of it back. In checking the recalls I see ignition switch lockup is one of them. I only have had my car for a little over a year. My windshield is cracked and insurance says I must pay $250 before they fix it, when turning on air conditioner, driving seem difficult (hard to pull), liftgate water leaks, and upon purchasing my car, brakes were squeaking; I mentioned this to the dealer and he told me not to worry about it that the brakes were new and had to be broken in. Well they are still squeaking after a year in a half. I need all of these things fixed on my car, right now I am a month behind in car payments (good record on making my payments), had to use the money to get the ignition switch repaired.

- Wadesboro, NC, USA

"check battery" light comes on when driving slowly or stopped. When driven for more than 45 minutes speedometer jumps wildly and dash lights go on and off. Electrical buzzing noise from dashboard. Dealer reports that they can not find the problem.

- Carteret, NJ, USA