2006 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 204 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 22 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 19 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
204 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Mar 7, 2008
REAR TIRES PREMATURELY WORN AND DAMAGED. 2006 FORD FOCUS WITH 34,000 MILES. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WORE OUT BADLY, (BALD SPOTS, AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. ALSO THE DRIVER'S REAR TIRE WORE OUT WELL BEYOND THE ACCEPTABLE RANGE FOR THE MILEAGE. ALSO NEEDS REPLACEMENT. REAR END IS UNSTABLE AND I TURNED THE CAR AROUND WHEN REAR OF CAR LOST STABILITY. HAVE AN ALIGNMENT SCHEDULED BUT IN 50 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR'S REAR WHEELS TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT BAD ENOUGH TO MAKE CAR UNSAFE. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 14, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR WOULD ENGAGE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 430,000.
Suspension, Nov 24, 2007
I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON REAR TIRES. AT 20K MILES THE REAR TIRES ARE ALMOST BALD 2/32 OF TREAD LEFT. THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE THAT DEALER WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT ALIGNMENT IS ONLY COVERED FOR FIRST 12K MILES. THE FRONT WAS ALIGNED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER A BAD TIRE WAS FOUND AT SCHEDULED SERVICE. IT IS SO BAD NOW THAT WHEN YOU HIS A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE REAR OF THE CAR JUMPS TO ONE SIDE. *TR
Air bags, Oct 25, 2007, crash
AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *JB
Structure, Oct 9, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAME APART. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING IN ORDER FOR IT TO COME APART. AS OF OCTOBER 9, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,800 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,750.
Tires, Sep 12, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE, SIZE 195/60R15. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN. A REAR ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED FOUR TIMES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED INFORMATION ON THE ROAD HAZARD TIRE COVERAGE, INFORMATION ON WEBSITES PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT, VEHICLE DESCRIPTION AND CONTRACT AND PICTURES OF THE DEFECT. UPDATED 09/24/07 *TR UPDATED 10/11/07 *TR
Air bags, Sep 11, 2007
DRIVING AT LEGAL SPEED MY SIDE DRIVERS AIRBAG DEPLOYS THEN EXPLODES UNDER MY LEFT ARMPIT CAUSING ME TO LOSS CONTROL, BUT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. FORD TECHNICIANS PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS, NOTICED A SCRAPE ON PASSENGER UNDERCARRIAGE. THERE CONCLUSIONS WAS THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING ON THE RODE. THIS WAS A SMALL THREE INCH SCRAPE THAT SO CALLED CAUSED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. I DON'T BUY THAT. IN MY OPINION, THE BAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED BECAUSE NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I SUSTAINED BRUSHES AND LACERATIONS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AND WILL TRADE IN. AGAIN, THE SCRAPE JUST REMOVED THE UNDER COATING, NO OTHER DAMAGE RESULTED. MY BEST GUESS WAS A ROCK. THESE SAFETY BAGS ARE NOT PREVENTING PERSONAL INJURY, BUT CAUSING THEM. *TR UPDATED 12-12-2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $500 DEDUCTIBLE BEFORE THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD PAY THE ADDITIONAL FEE. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Air bags, Aug 21, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID STRIKING AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SPUN AROUND A FEW TIMES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE, HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND FILED A REPORT. TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED WHIPLASH, ONE OF WHOM WAS PREGNANT AND WAS HOSPITALIZED. FORD OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 24, 2007
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO VEHICLE ( FOCUS ) DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT SCREECH WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED. TOOK IT INTO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IF I HAD REPORTED BRAKE NOISE IN FIRST 12 MONTHS OR 18,000 MILES THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT. THEY HAD A TECHNICAL ADVISORY FROM FORD INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF VEHICLES BUT DID NOT WANT TO SEND OUT RECALL NOTICE BECAUSE THEN EVEYONE WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT BRAKE SQUEAK. SINCE I DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM IN THEIR TIME LIMITS THE EXPENSE TO FIX ( ESTIMATED TO BE OVER $700 ) WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I DON'T TRUST FORD BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD COVER UPS BEFORE. I DON'T BELIEVE THEM WHEN THEY SAY VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND I DON'T HAVE $700 TO SPEND TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. I TALKED TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND CORPORATE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. ALL BASICALLY SAID IT WAS MY TOUGH LUCK. I WANT TO GO ON RECORD AS CHALLENGING THEIR STANCE ON THIS ISSUE AND HOPE YOU CAN INVESTIGATE BRAKE SAFETY ON THIS VEHICLE AFTER 18,000 MILES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 18, 2007
SAME PROBLEM AS ODI #10182755. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AS FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR PARKING, THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY KICK INTO HIGH REVS, (OVER 5000 RPM, AND ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, BUT WOULD STOP IF BRAKES APPLIED VERY STRONGLY. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN APRIL 2006. SEVERAL MORE INCIDENTS OVER THE NEXT MONTH, INCLUDING TWO TIMES WHERE THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AND A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE; NEITHER REPAIR FIXED THE PROBLEM. FINAL ATTEMPT AT REPAIR DEALER DROVE THE CAR OVER 600 MILES IN 5 DAYS AND REPORTED NO PROBLEM FOUND. PROBLEM DISAPPEARED UNTIL MARCH 2007 WHEN IT OCCURRED AGAIN.*AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 7, 2007
VEHICLE STARTING PROBLEMS. TOOK IT TO DEALER A FEW TIMES AND IT STILL DOES IT FROM TIME TO TIME. AN ADVISORY WAS ISSUES, BUT STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. REAR PASSENGER BEARING WENT BAD AROUND 9000 MILES. FRONT BRAKES WERE ALREADY WORN OUT AT 17000. THEY REPLACED THEM , AND STILL WENT OUT AROUND 21000. HAD TO USE OTHER COMPANY PADS/ROTORS TO GO BY. REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE CRACKED, NOT USED, CRACKED. THEY SAID IS NORMAL. MANY SUSPENSION NOISES. THEY SAID ALL WAS OKAY. I CHANGED THE SUSPENSION FROM MY OWN MONEY SINCE THEY WERE NO HELP AND STILL SAME NOISES. NOW THEY BLAME THE E AFTER MARKET SUSPENSION ON THE PROBLEMS. *AK OTHER USERS AND PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO COMPLAINED ABOUT SAME OR SIMILIAR ISSUSE.
Suspension, Tires, Apr 9, 2007
REAR TIRES PREMATURELY WORN AND DAMAGED. 2006 FORD FOCUS WITH 21,000 MILES. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WORE OUT BADL, (BALD SPOTS, AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. ALSO THE DRIVER'S REAR TIRE WORE OUT WELL BEYOND THE ACCEPTABLE RANGE FOR THE MILEAGE. ALSO NEEDS REPLACEMENT.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 1, 2007
I'VE HAD MY 2006 FOCUS ST FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT ENGINES PUT IN IT. THE ORIGINAL MOTOR THREW A PISTON ROD DOWN THE BOTTOM OF MY ENGINE AND OUT. THEY SAID IT WAS POOR CASTING ON THE CRANKSHAFT. THIS WAS AT ABOUT 4,000 MILES. THEN AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES IT DID THE SAME THING ONLY THIS TIME I CAUGHT IT BEFORE IT BLEW. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE ...AGAIN. WHAT HAPPENED IS MY ROD BEARINGS WENT OUT WHICH IS MOST LIKELY WHAT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME, CAUSING MY ENGINE TO COMPLETELY THROW A PISTON ROD. NOW I AM ON MY 3RD ENGINE AND HOPING THAT THIS ONE STICKS. THE MECHANICS ARE VERY PUZZLED WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THEY HAVE RUN ALL THE DIAGNOSTICS TO PROVE I HAVEN'T BEEN RACING AND I GET REGULAR OIL CHANGES THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. FORD IS TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT. GOOD NEWS IS 2 MORE TIMES IT'S A LEMON. BAD NEWS IS I HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH MISSED TIME AT WORK AND THE INCONVENIENCE OF IT ALL. BEWARE BUT, THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A REGULAR OCCURRENCE AMONG FOCUS OWNERS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 18, 2007
THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING HORRIBLY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIXED. THEY SAID IT WAS BRAKE SHOES THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED--I AUTHORIZED THEM TO DO THE REPAIR. LESS THAN A DAY LATER, THE SQUEAK WAS STILL AS BAD. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AGAIN. SUPPOSEDLY, THE SHOP MANAGER TEST DROVE IT HIMSELF AND SAID THERE WAS NO SQUEAK. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT FORD STATES THAT IT IS "NORMAL AND EXPECTED THAT THE BRAKES WILL STILL SQUEAK UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 100 TO 150 APPLICATIONS." IT STILL SQUEAKED THE NEXT DAY, AND AT THIS POINT I AM WELL PAST THE 150 BRAKE APPLICATIONS AND IT SOUNDS JUST AS BAD AS IT DID BEFORE I EVER BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER. FUNNY THING IS, I WAS ABOUT 8 DAYS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD TO HAVE IT FIXED FOR FREE. I DON'T CARE ABOUT SPENDING THE MONEY, I JUST CARE THAT I SPENT $265 AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL IDLE HIGH AND THEN ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WILL STOP IF HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THIS FAILURE HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 13,000. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AT THIS TIME. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 28, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE OVERFLOWED FROM THE GAS TANK ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO UPON EXAMINATION DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS MINOR DEBRIS IN THE VENT HOSE OF THE GAS TANK. THE DEALER BLEW OUT THE VENT HOSE. AFTER THE PROCEDURE THERE WERE NO FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS TANK. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 06E056000 REGARDING FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE WHICH WAS FOUND THAT WAS SIMILAR TO THIS ISSUE. UPDATED 01/10/06. *JB
Steering, Oct 24, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AT NIGHT, AND WHILE MAKING A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN, THE RIGHT WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE DROPPED INTO A SHALLOW ROADSIDE DITCH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DITCH, HOWEVER THE STEERING LOCKED. A LARGER AMOUNT OF FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THERE WAS A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE SPUN 360 DEGREES, AND LANDED IN THE DITCH ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - *NM
Structure, Sep 21, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING 5 MPH FROM A STOP SIGN ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A VEHICLE TRAVELING 35 MPH IMPACTED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE OTHER VEHICLE INCURRED SLIGHT DAMAGES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE VEHICLE'S PARTS WOULD BE SCATTER ALL OVER THE ROAD AFTER AN IMPACT OF LOW SPEED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2006
ON FRIDAY THE IGNITION ON MY CAR DID NOT IMMEDIATELY TURN. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT AT THE TIME. SATURDAY AFTERNOON IT REFUSED TO TURN AT ALL. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. IT FIT AND WAS REMOVABLE BUT JUST WOULDN'T TURN. THE CAR WOULD NOT THEREFORE, START. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A PUBLIC PLACE PREGNANT WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD CHILD FOR SO LONG DRUG DEALERS STARTED SHOWING UP. I HAD TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK WHEN IT FINALLY ARRIVED. THIS IS IN A 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTW WAGON. IT IS 3 YEARS OLD WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. I SPENT ALL DAY TUESDAY ON THE PHONE SPEAKING WITH VARIOUS LEVELS OF MECHANICS AND MANAGEMENT. THEY ALL AGREED THAT FORD IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT. ONE OPERATOR DID NOT EVEN RECORD MY PHONE CALL. FORD IS RECALLING DIFFERENT MODEL VEHICLES FOR IGNITION CYLINDER PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE NOT SET UP ANY PUBLIC REIMBURSEMENT OR REPAIR FOR THIS SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE. I HAD TO PAY A PRIVATE LOCKSMITH TO COME TO MY HOUSE AND BUILD A NEW CYLINDER AROUND MY KEY BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AGAIN AND PAY THE EXORBANT DEALER PRICE. I WAS WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY AND THE TUESDAY SURROUNDING LABOR DAY WEEKEND. THE PRIVATE LOCKSMITH REPAIRED IT WEDNESDAY IN A TIMELY MANNER. I HAVE NOT BEEN OFFERED TOWING REIMBURSEMENT, A RENTAL VEHICLE, A REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT OR AN APOLOGY. THE OLD PART (WHAT WAS LEFT AFTER DRILLING IT OUT PER FORD INSTRUCTIONS) WAS NOT SAVED. *NM
Air bags, Aug 2, 2006
MY SON WAS ON HIS WAY HOME AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CRASH , NO ACCIDENT. *NM
Visibility, Aug 2, 2006
WINDSHIELD WILL NOT CLEAR OFF WITH DEFROST ON, EITHER ON COLD OR HOT. IT LOOKS LIKE CLOUDS OR VAPOR CROSSING THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DEFROST IS ON AND THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS TO BE COATED WITH SOMETHING. TOOK TO DEALER WITH COMPLAINT AND THEY SAID IT WAS JUST THE HUMIDITY. *JB
Air bags, Jul 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR BLINKS ON AND OFF. WHEN IT AIR BAG INDICATOR IS OFF THE PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIR BAG. THIS BEGAN FOUR DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S VENTING SYSTEM BLEW WHITE FLAKES AND DUST INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS ACTIVATED. THE FIRST TIME THE INCIDENT OCCURRED THE HEATER WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CLEANED INSIDE THE VENTING SYSTEM BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE WHITE FLAKES CONTINUED BLOWING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT A CLEANING AGENT THAT MAY HAVE BEEN USED TO CLEAN METAL KNOWN AS SOLDERING FLUX MAY BE THE CAUSE OF WHITE FLAKES COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE EVAPORATOR COIL HOUSING WAS REPLACED ON 04/07/06. THE EVAPORATOR COIL HOUSING WAS CLEANED ON 04/21/06. THE VEHICLE VENTING SYSTEM WAS CLEANED AGAIN ON 05/23/06, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THIS CAUSING A RESPIRATORY PROBLEM.
Electrical system, May 31, 2006
ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY CAR, WITHOUT FOREWARNING, CUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION AND AT VARIOUS RATES OF SPEED. THE CAR IS NOW BEING SERVICED FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THE TWO MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD IT. THE CAR ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH NOT STARTING, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *JB
Electrical system, May 9, 2006, fire
I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD FOCUS ON 12/3/05, IT HAD 4 MILES ON IT WHEN I DROVE OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP. ON THURSDAY MAY 3, 2006, IT CAUGHT FIRE IN MY CARPORT. THE MILEAGE IS BETWEEN 2,000-3,000 MILES, I BELIEVE. I ARRIVED HOME FROM A MEETING AT A LOCAL BANK, HAVING DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES. I PARKED THE CAR IN THE CARPORT, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND ENTERED THE HOUSE. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY STRANGE NOISES OR ODORS. MY HUSBAND ARRIVED HOME ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES LATER. HE BEGAN TOOTING THE HORN ON HIS VEHICLE TO GET MY ATTENTION. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, HE YELLED "GET YOUR KEYS." I COULD SEE FLAMES UNDER MY CAR AND SMOKE SEEPING OUT THE SIDES OF THE HOOD. I THREW HIM THE KEYS AND RAN FOR THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HE ENTERED MY FOCUS GOT THE ENGINE STARTED AND BACKED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE CARPORT AND AWAY FROM THE HOUSE. AS HE BACKED UP THE VEHICLE, FLAMING PARTS BEGAN FALLING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR ONTO THE CONCRETE FLOOR. HE GOT THE CAR BACKED UP ABOUT 10 FEET AND THE ENGINE QUIT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HE EXITED THE CAR AND TRIED TO OPEN THE HOOD. THE HOOD WAS VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH BUT HE GOT IT OPENED. THE FLAMES WERE ABOUT A FOOT HIGH AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AREA ON THE LEFT SIDE. WE WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES WITH THE EXTINGUISHER. WE THEN EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES ON THE PIECES THAT WERE LYING ON THE CARPORT FLOOR. BOTH CONTINUED TO SMOKE FOR SOME TIME BUT THE FIRE DID NOT RE-IGNITE. WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARED AND WE FELT IT SAFE TO APPROACH THE VEHICLE, WE COULD SEE THE CHARRED REMAINS AND MELTED PARTS. IN RETROSPECT I REMEMBER ON TWO OCCASIONS SEEING THE BATTERY ICON LIGHTED ON THE DASH WHILE A SAT OUTSIDE MY OFFICE WAITING FOR THE BANK TO OPEN WITH THE CAR IDLING AND THE RADIO ON. BOTH TIMES I REVVED THE ENGINE AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT. *NM