CarComplaints.com Notes: Ford changed a lot of things for its 3rd generation, just none of them were a good idea.
The transmission tends to hesitate and jerk when accelerating. The new electronically-driven power steering can fail suddenly and without warning. Even Ford's SYNC can be a headache. Actually, scratch that last one — it's always been a headache.
The radio started making popping noises and now doesn't do anything but show time. Trying to google where to buy replacement is confusing too. It's a pain.
Seems to be a common issue, when you go to a salvage yard, it's the first part missing. It's almost 200 dollars to replace, so I just listen to bluetooth, which is kinda annoying, but its minor (unless you're doing 80mph and the road noise is overbearing).
The car is a lemon. The car won't start or turn over. The transmission is not working properly. Before all this, the dam radio system completely stopped working.
My radio completely stopped working. At first the radio stations would change by itself while driving and the radio would turn off randomly. After about a month of driving like that, the radio stopped working all together. No Bluetooth audio via Sync, CD, Radio, Line in, nothing. The dealership fixed the problem under warranty, would of cost me $750, if paid out of pocket.
ONE DAY IT STARTED TO HAVE STATIC AND THEN IT WILL CUT OFF AND ON. THEN IT STOPPED WORKING FOR COUPLE OF DAYS THEN IT WOULD TURN ON OUT OF THE BLUE EVEN WITH THE POWER OFF. HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP LATELY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE TIME OR MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. HATE THE 2013 FORD FOCUS, WORST CAR EVER.
- Joanna G.,
Arcadia, US
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Replaced replacement audio control unit due to problem persisting. Problem stopped, but sync audio could not be heard, and tuner buttons 7-0 stopped working. Would not let you save a radio station, though it would start to
Sound system started blowing out during driving. Would work for a while then stop playing with a loud POP (video included). Got progressively worse, to the point where static would constantly be coming through the speakers, whether the system was on or off. Sometimes got loud enough I would have to vacate the car. Eventually stopped being able to tune a station or use any audio at all. Replaced audio control unit, however, sync audio stopped working, and program buttons 7-0 stopped working
Radio just quit. It will light up, but has no audio, no Bluetooth. Purchased car new and had the usual herky - jerky transmission, but Ford fixed that under recall after the car left us broke down on the side of the road. Now this, we paid them the $125 for diagnostic, but they want $500 - $600 more to replace the radio. This car is not that old and is not high mileage. This should be a manufacturer fix. We will probably start shopping for a replacement. This will make our search a little easier because it will reduce our research by one make - no FORDS!
The radio worked WONDERFULLY for like the first year after I bought it used in December of 2014 then in April of 2016 a few weeks after I brought my newborn daughter home it went out WITHOUT ANY warning at all!!! I've looked & I've looked but haven't found ANYWHERE where it says there's ever been a recall or really anything helpful to tell me how to fix it! Can SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED?!?!?!
Same problem with the radio shortly after I had the System Update done. It started of with a popping sound every so often. Then changed into extreme loud static noise. Don't want to sound dramatic but these sounds come out of nowhere and sure make your heart skip a beat or two.
Right now my thoughts about the Ford Focus line is WTF! I mean how can you produce a car and sell it with all these recall issues. I love the look of the car, but to be honest I will never again buy another Ford ever or will advice friends to do so. I purchased a new car because I did not want to have to deal with an older used one and all it's issues that may have come with it. I mean I'm a woman that other then turning on a vehicle and putting some gas and maybe oil in does not know a thing about cars or have the luxury to have an mechanic around to help.
So for the last 3 weeks my radio is DEAD completely, no more static noise no more popping sounds just silence. Very irritating if I might say so. I did some reading up for the last couple of weeks and tried the disconnecting the batteries - did not work. Turning it off and back on - does not work. As a matter of fact, right now it is chooses when it will allow you to be turned on or off even though there is no noise. Changing the Fuse - did not work. It will cost me a $100 to get it inspected and from what i have read will be another $500+ to replace the radio. I also don't believe that it is the radio itself and more of a wiring issue but eh, just a dumb blond! Why is this not on recall???
Purchased my girlfriend this vehicle, she deserves something nice to drive. Paying over $16000 for this car and the radio was malfunctioning and now its totally dead. From what I've checked online about the problem, a lot of people have the same issue and I have yet to find a solution. I should not have to pay up to a grand or so (from what others have said) to fix something on this new of a vehicle. This issue should be on a recall.
My radio started going out several months ago. There would be a loud "pop" and then nothing. The only way to fix it was to shut off the car and turn it back on. It was happening about once per week. It seemed to be worse in the rain. It got progressively worse until it was happening several times per day. Now there is an awful screeching & static noise coming from the speakers. It scares the hell out of you! Turning the car off doesn't even fix it. I've had to pull the fuse to stop the noise. I've seen several other people complain about the same thing. The dealer ship charged me $120 to tell me I need a new radio....which they will install for $500. I just don't think it's the radio. It feels like a wiring or ground issue. The fact that it was worse in wet weather also lead me to believe it was not the radio. I'd really like to hear from anyone else that may have had the same issue and what you did to fix it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The radio started making popping noises and now doesn't do anything but show time. Trying to google where to buy replacement is confusing too. It's a pain.
- Lauren B., Newellton, LA, US