This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
New onset burning smell while driving in Suburban environment. Parked car, then it wouldn't start. Upon inspection found battery cables/sheath melting. Replaced battery, car started. Car parked and 1 hr later wouldn't start- new battery is dead. Replaced with 2nd new battery, hooked up cables and sparks came from battery (installed correctly). Car still won't start.
The alternator was replaced less than a week ago. Now, it is needing replaced again. There seems to be an issue with the electrical wiring in these vehicles! there are multiple complaints.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. On several occasions, the key could not be inserted into the ignition switch and the vehicle could not be started immediately. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer (parks Ford & Lincoln of gainesville located at 3333 N main St, gainesville, fl 32609) and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. While attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition failed. The failure recurred several times. A local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 23,700. The VIN was not available.
- Amsterdam, NY, USA
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My complaint stems from faulty electrical wiring/ subpar workmanship. My car has developed another wiring harness issue. The rear electrical harnes wires have completely corroded away. The plastic insulation completely cracked leaving the wires exposed and touching each other. This is the second time I have had this issue. The first time it created an issue with the hatch not being able to close properly. The wiring harness was previously replaced( with oem harness) this time the third break light as it is called stopped working completely.. I was stationary when the problem was discovered. I took apart the rear electrical boot after using a bolt meter to test for electrical conductivity at the brake light system. There was no current so I took the next step.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key did not start the vehicle. The driver contacted an independent mechanic who gently tapped the key several times until it turned. The technician diagnosed that the ignition was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was driven home and parked. The vehicle would not restart. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
My car lost all electrical power, but was still running then finally it died. I lost all lights and electric battery was dead so I bought new battery then it happened again, so I bought new alternator because old alternator was bad, then new alternator died within a month. Same problem, then I went online and found a forum about the hatch back Focus and its wiring problem inside the protective sleeve. So I peeled back protective sleeve and sure enough there were exposed wires just like the thousands of posts from other people, this is very dangerous luckily I was able to pull my car off the road before it died, but with severity of this problem there needs to be a recall for this problem.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle lost power, and the battery and engine lights illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, the hazer light failed to function. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after the ignition key would not turn to the on position, the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. It was unknown if the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 76,000. Updated 05/11/16
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic. The failure occurred on six occasions where the battery and alternator were replaced each time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. While parked, the vehicle was not able to start. In addition, the key was not able to turn. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
I was using my passenger seat heater while I was driving to pick something up from the mall when I started smelling a burning smell. When I got to the mall, I looked over to find a large scorch mark on the passenger side front seat
When riding down the road the doors will automatically lock by themselves. The steering wheel has locked several times over the years. When I bought the car used, it came with many keys. Well, this time when it locked, the steering wheel locked and the ignition locked and I had to get it towed from smithfield nc; approximately an hourly from my home. The mechanic can not get it unlocked because the steering wheel has to be turned to unlock it, vice versa, and the steering wheel is locked. Also the lighting is very poor with the head lights and I see this on all the vehicle for that year and make as I ride down the road. My car is parked because I cant afford to fix it. I have found many complaints about this steering and ignition lock issue. I am wondering why this vehicle has not been recalled for the issue. It is a hazard. I have contacted the Ford manufacturer concerning the matter and was told that they can't assist me with it because my car has no warranty. Also, there was a recall on the real door lock. Ford dealership informed me that it was repaired by team Ford dealership prior to me owning the vehicle; I informed him that the problem was still a issue getting the rear door to lock securely at times. He informed me that it could only have been fixed once under the recall. These issues have occurred repeatedly since I bought this vehicle in 2009. They all put me at risk of great danger.
I have been having a problem with my ignition not turning. I looked up and saw over 300 complaints since 2011 on this problem.. I contacted Ford Motor Company and they stated that they could not assist me. I am now taking my car to a company that handles this problem and I have to pay over $150!!! I believe this is a big problem with no recall. The owner has stated that he is fixing at least one car (Ford Focus) a week with the same problem, yet there is not recall!!!!!!
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after getting it replaced again I put up with it until dec5 and had ir replaced again 1 day later keys is stuck in ignition again its a total of 7 ignitions I have replaced and Ford again says there is no problem with ignition, . I have seen hundreds of blogs about same problem and Ford doesn't replay to any of them what can be done? I am tired opf paying 250-200.00 to replace this.
I had to replace ignition kit about a month after I bought car new approximate date by this time the ignition started draining my battery and alternator and had to have them both replace along with new ignition kit and was told I needed new keys this lasted about a month then key got stuck on ignition again continuously at that time I called Ford again and was told they have no problems with ignition and nothing they will do for me. My nephew went to Ford school to become a mechanic and told me Ford has know about this problem since 2002 and doesn't want to do a recall.
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- Payson, AZ, USA