CarComplaints.com Notes: Even though the first model year of a major redesign should typically be avoided, Ford did a good job & the 2008 Ford Focus doesn't appear to have any major defects.
That said, the following model years of this 2nd generation Focus (2009-2011) do appear to be slightly better.
The door lock doesn't work. I had it fixed a year ago when this problem first occured. The ford dealershp told me to call a locksmith. I did and he rebuilt the interior of the lock. He said that the Focus locks are made of aluminum and the bend out of shape so the fix doesn't last. I have never owned a car that I hate more. It is not made correctly and the workmanship and parts are shoddy.
Driver door unable to be unlocked by key or by keyknob, then door behind driver side door locked. Husband had to get in and out of vehicle using passenger side when he took car for fishing trip. I was able to "unlock" driver side door after pushing down on door "pin" while "locking" using door lock mechanism, then using unlock. Had to lock and unlock driver side door after crawling in from passenger side. Has done this before when we went on week long camping trip, where all door locks, except for driver side door, were not able to be able to be unlocked.
That was interesting. My husband and son had to use the windows and climb in and out of the backseat, besides putting in camping supplies!. Sometimes the door locks would work again after driving the vehicle over 5 miles an hour, and the auto-lock mechanisms would correct this problem.
Currently car door behind passenger side is not able to be unlocked.
Camping trip to redwoods was hindered by inability to use car doors due to one or all three passenger doors not being able to be unlocked.
Halfway thru our trip the passenger and rear passenger doors were unable to be opened, thus we had to move much of our camping supplies to right side of car so my son could ride on driver side of the car. Next stop we made, both rear doors stopped working. My son had to squeeze out and in thru the front passenger car door. Next stop, the front passenger door stopped working, but fortunately the right rear passenger door started working, thus we shifted all of the camping gear to the rear passenger seat, (thru the windows, of course), so now my husband and son are in the back seat while viewing the Redwoods. After dealing with this for two days, the passenger side door starting working again, so we shifted all the camping stuff back to the back seat and my husband was riding up in front again. I think this car has gremlins....
I took it in as soon as i couldn't get people out of back seat because of doors locking they told me it was because dust was on eye ..hmmm then it happen again and said don't drive on county roads and then it happened again an again and still today it happens 2011 3 years later..it will be one side then the other sometimes both lock and so on ..Junk is all I can say and very poor service as this is a safety issue when you cant get a 77 yr old lady out of back seat only way out is in between front seats try that one, had to ask ambulance driver to help ... and had to be done I will never buy a ford again..
This problem is VERY dangerous because this car locks you in or out of the car... If all doors do this at the same time I don't know how we could open the doors. I have to get in the back seat and climb over the console to open the front doors...This is something the manufacturer should do something about. This is definitely a defect.
- adouberley,
Bloomingdale, GA, US
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You know My husband and I were loyal Ford people. Note the 'were.' We bought this car and have had nothing but problems with it. The door locks on this car have been fixed about 10 or more times. Now even though I have extended warranty, I have to pay for it. The locks seize up so frequently that my children have learned how to climb through the windows with ease and climb over the front seats. This is a huge safety factor. If, god forbid, I hit the ditch and go into water (as right now there is water everywhere where I live) I would not be able to open the doors to get my children out. what if the car stalls on the tracks?? What then, who is responsible? According to Ford of Canada - I am. There is no flaw in the car. I know I am supposed to fill this out for each time but seriously??
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The door lock doesn't work. I had it fixed a year ago when this problem first occured. The ford dealershp told me to call a locksmith. I did and he rebuilt the interior of the lock. He said that the Focus locks are made of aluminum and the bend out of shape so the fix doesn't last. I have never owned a car that I hate more. It is not made correctly and the workmanship and parts are shoddy.
- oneilltx, Rockwall, TX, US