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.
Ignition issues. The key will not turn in the ignition. Cannot start my vehicle or turn the steering wheel. My car only has just over 56,000 miles. I am seeing that this is a common complaint and could be a safety issue. I am elderly and disabled and it could be a serious issue to my health if I am stranded somewhere in bad weather
Carhop car lots, not only in tulsa, but in surrounding areas, are selling cars that are unsafe, at any cost. The problems range from warped frames, cracked stress points, leaky fuel systems, electrical issues that couldn't be fixed by duct tape, even though it's visible where they re-taped things. Exhaust coming inside the vehicle, engine drive train issues that have been temporarily repaired, so they will run temporarily, but need further repairs.
The back door locks on this car do not work. They say a lubricant was used to fix the recall issue, however, if that was the fix, it did not work and the locks should have been repaired. That Ford will not address this is insane to me, as door locks should not just go like that. The "fix" was not a fix at all. Also, the lights on this vehicle are horrible. It cannot be driven at night in an unlit area. There is no visibility. I was told once a recall was performed it was then done, however, I do not believe the lock was taken care of properly, therefore, I feel Ford should take care of this. I have applied the lubricant as they instructed to the doors and this does nothing. Neither door will stay closed & opens if driven.when this happened the first time, there was a child in the back seat. We were very lucky we were in a 25 mph zone and were able to immediately pull over. The doors have to be corded shut until a lock is installed. I do not feel I should have to carry the burden of this repair and do not understand how they say a lubricant can fix this problem. It is my opinion the locks should have been replaced during the recall, not just sprayed with a lubricant. I cannot believe I'm the only person with this issue. I feel that Ford saying this recall was completed is far from incorrect and they are responsible for making this right. Again, I understand once a recall is completed it is closed, however, I feel you should look into Ford having not really completed this recall, as the issue was not fixed. It should not have been closed. All they did was put a temporary band-aid on it and did not take full responsibility.what it comes down to is Ford took the cheapest way out at the time and did not truly fix the problem and did not take their full responsibility. Doors that were recalled and are not working were not fixed.I have had contact with Ford with no solution
- Greenfield, WI, USA
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The needles on the instrument cluster have stopped working 80% of the time. They will also jump around, along with the mileage screen flicker to "8888888" or "--------" whenever the vehicle is off. Battery and connections are all fine and the alternator has been replaced.
The ignition cylinder has had issues with turning when first inserting key. On two (2) separate occasions has left me stranded. Once was while I was leaving work and another when trying to go to work. This issue has now cost me a days pay and a lot of headache. Ford has claimed that the ignition cylinder not turning is not a safety issue and therefore will not issue a recall. At this time I feel that there have been more than enough people with this issue that Ford needs to do right by their customers and fix the issue.
The ignition switch would not turn. Although I had both keys with me, and both will still unlock the doors, neither would turn the ignition switch. Between towing and replacement of the switch, I had to shell out $450. Ford knows this is a problem with this vintage Focus, but does not think it important or a safety matter. As a woman who often travels alone, I think it is a safety matter. I have driven many, many old cars - much older than this one - and have never been stranded by something as simple as a faulty ignition switch. Although I was stranded in familiar territory and not far from home, it might easily have been otherwise. Ford knows of this problem, it was caused by their use of faulty equipment, and they should fix it.
The drivers seat back support has snapped. The seat needs replacement. This was not caused by any accident just normal driving. I must say I've never heard of a seat breaking like this before. Needs to be replaced.
My ignition key cylinder has gone bad. My key will not turn therefore I cannot drive my car. Being that I am a young female, I found this experience to be horrific and highly unsafe. My county has one of the highest murder rates and being stuck without a way to get away from a troubling situation has left me to highly regret the purchase of my Ford Focus. I see on your website that hundreds of people have complained about this issue. I don't understand how a defect in a car cannot be recalled! this Venture is costing me over 600 dollars which I like everyone else do not have to spare. I find it a shame that Ford does not own up to their mistake. It makes you question the quality the american auto industry puts forth. I have always been a believer of supporting our local business and industry however I have learned that american industry like to burn people and sell unsatisfactory products. I appeal to you to recall the Ford Focus cylinder before someone makes the ultimate sacrifice to prove that this is indeed a high risk safety concern!
I was out doing errands and the key would not turn in the ignition even with the steering wheel loose. I tried a few times and it finally turned. Later that evening when leaving the key would not turn again, except this time it did not ever turn and I ended up having to borrow a car from my in-laws. We are in the process of getting quotes to have it looked at and fixed or replaced.
I own a 2003 Ford Focus ZX3 (std) with 49000 miles. The week of ~2/1/06 to 2/8/06 I began noticing that the key in the ignition was getting stuck and would require some jiggling before the key would turn in the ignition. This happened about 5-10 ten times throughout the week. On 2/8/06 I went out to my parked car and the key would not turn. I tried putting the car in/out of gear, turning the steering wheel sharply, reinserting the key, etc... the car was towed to an auto repair shop. The repair work included drilling out the broken ignition cylinder and replacing the ignition cylinder with a new one. The cost to me was $370. The tow truck operator and mechanic indicated to me that this is a common problem with the Ford Focus and that they have both towed and repaired quite a few of focuses for this problem.
Today, June 24/05 my 2003 Ford Focus with 22000 miles on it, had a problem. I went to start the car, and the ignition was totally locked up. I happened to have stopped at a gas station, and the garage man gave it a try and couldnt' do anything so I called Ford roadside. La's all city tow, stopped very shortly, and told me that they knew very well that all the Focus' did this and he was able to slam on the keys just so to force the faulty ignition lock pin to turn and the car started so I was able to get it to the dealer. The head of service at hollywood Ford acknowledged that they all knew about the issue and repaired it. However by that time I had missed work. I just shudder to think about some poor person somewhere stopping in the wrong neigborhood and unable suddenly to start thier car, particularly if they have a child with them. Ford customer service rep acknowledged that there had been complaints about this issue and confirmed that no recall had been issued.
The consumer was driving over a rock the size of a tomato and the wheel rim has a tear straight down the middle of the rim. The pressure of the air blew the tire toward the inside of the rim. The rim shattered and the tire was left intact. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, who stated there was nothing they could do. The vehicle was equipped with low profile tires.
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- Waynesburg, PA, USA