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.
Power cut off suddenly, and car had to be restarted multiple times to "limp home." The dealer diagnosed a problem with the throttle body and replaced it, but it was not covered under warranty. I understand from the internet that several other models have been given an extended warranty by Ford for this problem, but not the Focus yet.
I drive approximately 1 hour each way to work and back. During this trip I am spend a lot of time on two lane major access roadways with speeds of 55 mph. Driving at a steady 60 mph throughout most of my trip, I had a sudden loss of power in heavy traffic and the orange wrench that signifies "limp home mode" came on. Since half of my trip is on roads that are rural in amenities, I was unable to limp to the nearest Ford dealership or auto parts place the offer testing services. I coasted to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle which could be done under a roll as it is a 5spd. The car restarted immediately and ran perfect the rest of the way home (about 25 miles). This vehicle ran fine for three more weeks and then began doing the same thing again. One of the things I noticed the most is that it does not seem to do this over 60 mph as one day a week I am traveling at more highway speeds (70 ish) and it has never done this under that type of load. This had been an off and on occurrence since April, yet has become more common. I borrowed a scan tool from my neighbor, drove the car with it plugged in, and today came up with two codes in less than 11 miles of driving. P2135 and P2111 which when I contacted my Ford service technician came out to be throttle body codes. To date it has happened 27 times while driving, has not left me stranded, yet, but has caused rapid deceleration in some heavy traffic. Car does reset itself and runs fine for a while right after, however I am concerned that this could become much more of a hazard as time goes on. Currently has 74,500 miles on car.
I was traveling at highway speed with the cruise control set at approximately 70 mph when the transmission/drive train warning light came on. It stayed for several seconds before turning off. I began to look for the next exit to get off and take a look. After another mile, the same light came on, only this time, the check engine light came on with it. The cruise control shut off and my car began to slow down and would barely accelerate when the gas pedal was pressed. The engine also started to run very roughly. I stopped on the side of the highway and had it towed to the nearest facility, thinking that it was a problem with the transmission. At the shop, they told me it was a defective throttle body. They discovered that the throttle body had been recalled on several other models of Ford vehicles and called them. They were told that mine was not under the recall and not under warranty.
While driving my car, I was stopped at a red light and when it turned green I was unable to accelerate. The wrench light was on and I couldn't move my car. I had my grandchildren with me and it was very scary to say the least. It has happened on the highway where I was unable to accelerate and had to put on my hazard lights and reset the car. I have seen online there are similar issues with the Ford Focus and there should be a recall. I am lucky that I and my grandchildren didn't get seriously injured.
- Quincy, MA, USA
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Every morning when I start my car and begin to accelerate, the wrench icon will appear on the dashboard and I lose all control over acceleration. The car comes to a stop. If I restart car, it drives fine for the rest of the day until the next morning. I believe it is a throttle body sensor problem. This is not safe at all. Especially with a child.
Traveling around 75 passing a truck when we lost all response from the pedal and had to veer into ditch to avoid collision...service lights came on and car idled rough we cycled the key and regained pedal control..changed pedal and still have had the issue multiple times. Vehicle will remain parked not replacing a 400 dollar throttle body that has been failing on multiple years of the Focus the factory should handle this is a hazard.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the check engine warning light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
While driving at around 15 mph, my car started to accelerate even though my foot wasn't on the gas. I looked at my dash to confirm cruise control was not on (it wasn't) and noticed the service engine light was on. If I didn't touch the gas or brake the car would accelerate up to 30 mph and stay constant at that speed. I rode the brakes to the local Ford dealer. They inspected the car and determined the issue was the throttle body sensor, and said I had to replace the entire throttle body. Cost was $400 for the part and $230 for labor. This was not covered on the powertrain warranty I still have.
I was driving with cruise control on at about 60 mph when the car suddenly began to lose speed and a wrench light came on. When I tried to accelerate, the car did not respond. I put on the hazard lights and the care "coasted" at 20 mph for 2 to 3 miles until I was able to pull off at a convenience store. I turned off the engine, was about ready to call a tow truck, and thought to restart the care again to see what would happen. The wrench light was off and I was able to make it to work with no problem. I am taking it into the Ford dealership tomorrow; however, I have ready many on-line complaints about this same type of incident and I am skeptical that they will be able to solve the problem. Needless to say, this will be the last Ford product I purchase (I bought the car new).
On March 5th, 2013 I was traveling home at 65 mph and the car jerked for a brief moment and no warning lights came on. Traveled another 20 miles and again it jerked this time the control module/transmission light (wrench icon) came on and the car began to go into limp mode. I was able to pull off the freeway and shut the car off. After a few second started it back up and reset the computer. Was able to get back on the freeway and make it the next 30 miles home and another 10 miles the next day to the dealership with no issues. I was informed on March 6th that the throttle body was bad and has to be replaced. This seems to be an issue with the 2010 Ford Focus her in reading the other complaints. Current mileage on the car is 78,000 but entire engine was replaced at 58,000 miles (under warranty do to a timing failure at 65mph destroying the motor!!!
I am wondering why the transmission light is coming on. I only have 780 miles on the car eventhough I bought the car Jan 2010. I am retired and only need the car to go food shopping and go on a few errands. I was sick in May 2011 and just started driving my car again to the store in Nov 2012. In Jan 2013 the transmission light comes on and I have not had any accidents or stalled on the road as of today. I am wondering if there is a recall for Ford Focus 2010. I received mail for recall on 2011-2013--but I have a 2010 Ford Focus. The car dealer told me to bring the car in--it's due for inspection in April and I plan on taking the car to the dealer in April unless I stall or find out that there is a recall. The wrench light comes on and I only drive at the most 25 city speed limit.
Engine speed began to climb while decelerating/coasting in 2nd gear between signaled intersections on hwy 25 in monticello, mn at about 4.30pm this afternoon. A minor collision was avoided by quickly shifting into neutral and firmly depressing the brake. The engine speed remained elevated (above 2000 rpms) for a few seconds after the vehicle came to a stop. Ford customer care was last notified after a similar instance occurred with the vehicle about 4 weeks ago; I requested a return call from a customer service manager at that time but have yet to receive a response from the manufacturer.
After continued operation in rush hour traffic, the vehicle failed to return to idle speed after coming to a complete stop (manual transmission/not in gear). This occurred twice during a commute home on a signaled highway 10/26/12. I pulled off the roadway and immediately contacted Ford customer care. [xxx], the representative with whom I spoke, stated he would log the concern. Ford has already attempted repair for the problem but the vehicle continues to have idle speed/throttle issues. I question whether the vehicle is safe to operate in close traffic. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Bought Focus new with 49 miles on it on Dec 1, 2010. I have had premature tire wear, and issues with stalling/ jumping. I was driving home from an event this past weekend and had been on the road 45 minutes when the car started acting like it was going to stall, then started making a high pitched squeal noise. I managed to make it home, and after arriving home the car kept wanting to jump while parked. The idle would jump to 3000rpm then back down to 1000rpm, then rise slowly holding steady at 2000rpm for about 5 seconds and then relax. After all of this the car had a strong coolant smell, as well as high condensation dripping out of the tailpipe. Had car towed to dealer, and after 3 days they could not find a problem. After reading the 105 complaints about 2010 Focus I know I am not alone, and now have just decided to ditch the Focus.
On June 22, the mechanic's wrench appeared in the dashboard while sitting in idle with the gear shift in park. The Ford manual states that the warning sign is related to the throttle/transmission. I turned the motor off and restarted the car and the mechanic's wrench went away. On June 25th, the mechanic's wrench appeared again while driving at about 30 mph and the car started to jerk. It was hard to keep it in the road. I dropped it off at the dealership and they said they could not find any codes registered in the computer system. They stated they could not find anything wrong and even checked on the Ford website but could not find anything. I was told to bring it back if it happens again. This does not help because I know something is wrong or the light would not come on and the car would not act the way it had. I am afraid to drive the car in fear of having an accident. Ford is not concerned about this safety issue. There should be a recall on this problem since I have seen many online complaints about this same issue. Please don't wait until someone dies like the issue that loomed around the Ford pinto that caught fire on impact due to where the gas tank was located.
The steering wheel and front wheels lock if the contact key is in the off position as described in my owner's Focus 2010(manual transmission) booklet if we want to pull the Focus behind my 1998 30 foot winnebago adventurer. So I turned the key in position 2, accessories, and drove more than 500 miles after adequate wiring was performed. The Focus battery was dead. A Ford dealer could not solve this mystery. Just in case my eml is [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Charlottesville, VA, USA