2009 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 229 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 26 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 21 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
229 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Dec 8, 2012
MY 2009 FOCUS SES WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING CONSTANTLY ON IN NOVEMBER 2011. THEY REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MODULE. THIS WINTER (2012) THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. IT APPARENTLY HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH HOT/COLD TEMPS. *TR
Wheels, Nov 20, 2012
FORD MANUFACTURE THE FOCUS WITH A 2 DEGREE NEGATIVE CAMBER. THIS MAKES YOUR REAR TIRES GO DEFECTIVE AS FAST AS 10,000 MILES ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T ROTATE YOUR TIRES VERY OFTEN. YOU CAN GET AN ALIGNMENT EVERY MONTH AND IT WILL NOT FIX THE DEFECT. I HAVE 24,000 MILES ON MY FOCUS AND I HAVE MY THIRD SET OF TIRES ON IT. I'VE DID THE RESEARCH. AN ALIGNMENT SHOP HERE IN WARRENSBURG MO FOUND THE PROBLEM AND FIXES AROUND 4-5 FORD FOCUS A MONTH. THEY PUT IN A KIT THAT BRINGS THE CAMBER WITHIN A FRACTION OF A INCH WHICH WILL GIVE YOU ABOUT 3 TIMES THE LIFE SPAN OF THE TIRES. THE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO ZERO THE CAMBER. IF YOU DON'T GET THIS DONE, YOU WILL BE BUYING TIRES LIKE I DID EVERY YEAR. I DID MAKE A COMPLAINT TO MY DEALER AND THE FORD COMPANY ITSELF WITH NO HELP SO I SENT MY COMPLAINT TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY DEPARTMENT WHICH INVESTIGATES SAFETY ISSUES AND FORCES AUTO COMPANIES TO FIX DEFECTS WITH A RECALL. NEED FOLKS LIKE YOU TO DO THE SAME. THE LAST SET OF REAR TIRES I TOOK OFF SCARED ME. IT WAS SO CLOSE OF COMING APART. MY COMPLAINT IS THE SAME AS THIS GUYS COMPLAINT I POSTED ABOVE. I HAD TO CHANGE MY FIRST SET OF TIRES ON MY BRAND NEW 2009 FORD FOCUS AT 22,000 MILES DUE TO SEVERE CUPPING, MY SECOND SET AT 38,000 MILES, AND MY THIRD SET AT 60,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER THE FIRST TIME AND WAS TOLD IT A KNOWN DEFECT ISSUE OF THE REAR CAMBER BUT NO RECALL. TO FIX IT YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR AM APPROXIMATELY $400 KIT AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. IF YOU CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT AND NOT CHANGE THE TIRES YOU GET SEVERE BOUNCING ON THE FRONT END AND MAKES STEERING DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. THIS IS A COMPANY CAR SO WE CHANGE THE TIRES OFTEN AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR
Suspension, Nov 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR TIRES WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND AN ALIGNMENT WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING EXCESSIVELY FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2012
(COMPLAINT #2) DIFFICULTY IN INSERTING AND REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION. REPOSITIONING STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES "LOCKS" AND "UNLOCKS" IGNITION KEYHOLE ALLOWING FOR KEY INSERTION AND KEY REMOVAL. COMPLAINT #1 SUBMITTED AS A SEPARATE COMPLAINT AND WANTED TO INCLUDE 1ST COMPLAINT WITH THE 2ND ONE - TURNING VEHICLE KEY TO START POSITION GLIDES RATHER THAN "CLICKS" TO EACH POSITION. IGNITION KEY FEELS AND SOUNDS LIKE IGNITION TUMBLERS ARE STRIPPED. DELAY BETWEEN START AND VEHICLE ENGINE ACTUALLY STARTING WHEN KEY GLIDES TO START POSITION. THIS DELAY IS A SIGN THAT VEHICLE WILL NOT START DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION PART. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2012
(COMPLAINT #1) TURNING VEHICLE KEY TO START POSITION GLIDES RATHER THAN "CLICKS" TO EACH POSITION. IGNITION KEY FEELS AND SOUNDS LIKE IGNITION TUMBLERS ARE STRIPPED. DELAY BETWEEN START AND VEHICLE ENGINE ACTUALLY STARTING WHEN KEY GLIDES TO START POSITION. THIS DELAY IS A SIGN THAT VEHICLE WILL NOT START DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION PART. COMPLAINT #2 IS BEING SUBMITTED AS A SEPARATE COMPLAINT AND WANTED TO INCLUDE 2ND COMPLAINT WITH THE 1ST ONE - DIFFICULTY IN INSERTING AND REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION. REPOSITIONING STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES "LOCKS" AND "UNLOCKS" IGNITION KEYHOLE ALLOWING FOR KEY INSERTION AND KEY REMOVAL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 5, 2012
TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY IN PASSING LANE WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON,NOTICED VEHICLE SLOWING DOWN. APPLIED PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL,NO ACCELERATION. I HAD TO GET OFF ROAD QUICKLY BECAUSE CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP;ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IN DOING SO. VEHICLE IDLED ROUGH AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF ACCELERATION. I SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO START IT UP AGAIN AND HAD ACCELERATION CONTROL AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER SHIP AND THEY REPLACED THROTTLE BODY. SERVICE TECH STATED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACING SEVERAL OF THESE THROTTLE BODIES ON FORD VEHICLES LATELY AND THEY EXCEPT A RECALL.MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. FORD KNOWS THIS ISSUE EXIST,GET IT RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
Air bags, Oct 24, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 80 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER WERE KILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Oct 3, 2012
ON OCTOBER 1 2012 I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET AT APROX 45 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND ABOUT TO COAST DOWN HILL TO MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT NOT QUIETLY, IT SPUTTER AND WAS QUITE LOUD. I LET IT SIT FOR A DAY AND STARTED IT BACK UP ALL LIGHT ARE OFF, HOWEVER WHILE DRIVING (I LIVE 50 MILES, ONE WAY ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS) TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT THIS MORNING OCTOBER 03 2012 I NOTICED AT IF I WERE DRIVING AT ANYTHING LESS THEN 60 WHERE MY FOOT WASN'T ON THE GAS I COULD FEEL WHAT SEEM LIKE THE TRAN SLIP.. I HOPE MY CHILDREN ARE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME SHOULD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. AND IM PRAYING IT DOESN'T! *TR
Electrical system, Oct 2, 2012
I PURCHASED THE ABOVE VEHICLE IN 2009 NEW. I HAVE DRIVEN IT 43000 MILES SO FAR AND 2 TO 3 MONTHS AGO I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN. THE HORN IS MOUNTED TO THE FRAME RIGHT FRONT TOWARDS THE BOTTOM. RAIN OR WATER HAD MANAGED TO GET INTO THE HORN DUE TO IT'S LOCATION. INSTEAD OF A LOUD SOUND YOU CAN BARELY HEAR IT SINCE WHEN I PULLED IT OFF, IT WAS FULL OF WATER. THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM SINCE IT IS USED TO WARN OTHERS. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 31, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED USING THE REMOTE. THE DOOR COULD ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2012
I WAS DRIVING HOME FRIDAY AND I NOTICE A LIGHT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH AND IT LOOK LIKE A WRENCH, SO AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOWDOWN, SO I PRESSED THE ACCELERATION BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SPEEDUP AND IT ACTED AS THO THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE RIGHT LANE AND OVER TO THE SIDE OFF, THE FREEWAY AFTER I STOP THE CAR, THEN I TURN THE ENGINE BACK ON AND THE CAR WOULD DRIVE NORMAL,IF I ACCELERATED SLOWLY IT ACTED LIKE THE TRANS WAS SLIPPING,AND AFTER I GOT HOME I WAS GOING TO BACK THE CAR BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE IT WOULD NOT MOVE., THIS IS A 2009 FORD FOCUS, AND AFTER READING THE REVIEWS ON LINE I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY THAT THIS HAVE HAPPEN TO, AND THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE IN ON THE FREEWAY DOING 70MPH. AND THIS HAPPENED FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS MOD OF VEHICLES. *TR
Tires, Aug 9, 2012
I PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS 2009 A YR AGO FROM THE KIA DEALER SHIP IN RAPID CITY SD. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 18,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR JUST OVER A YR AND IT HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TRAVELING TO ABERDEEN SD , GOT AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE WORE OUT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS IS USUAL FOR THE FORD FOCUS AND THEY HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO ALIGN THE CAR MORE OFTEN TO AVOID THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AS IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. TIRES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS. I WAS TRAVELING AND COULD HAVE WRECKED MY CAR AS I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED UNTIL AROUND 60,000 MILES. I AM LUCKY I DID NOT CRASH WHEN I WAS TRAVELING. I DID PURCHASE TIRES FOR 600.00 AND WOULD LIKE FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jul 31, 2012
IT FIRST STARTED WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I STARTED TO FEEL MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKE. NOTHING MAJOR, I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. DAYS LATER, I HAD MY FRONT WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND I COULD HEAR MY FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION CREAKING REALLY BAD. AND NOW EVEN WHEN THE CARS TURNED OFF AND NOT MOVING AT ALL ITS STILL MAKING A HIGH PITCHED SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION NOISE...NO CLUE HOW THAT'S EVEN POSSIBLE. I KNOW ITS NOT COMING FROM THE ENGINE CAUSE THE CARS TURNED COMPLETELY OFF, AND I'VE TESTED IT OUT WITH THE HOOD OPEN TO SEE IF I COULD POSSIBLY HEAR IT BETTER BUT IM STILL HEARING IT FROM THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION AREA. I'VE GOOGLED "FORD FOCUS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS" AND TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SUSPENSION FROM FOCUSES FROM 2000-2011.I DID MORE READING AND PEOPLES CAMBER WILL START TO CHANGE TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE BUYING NEW TIRES EVERY YEAR...IM JUST SAYING I DON'T WANT A FRONT SUSPENSION PART TO BREAK APART DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN IM DRIVING 70 AND HAVE ME CRASH INTO A DITCH OR A TRUCK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO CHECK OUT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IDLE HIGH AND ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,074 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,600.
Suspension, Jul 5, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SPEED WAS REDUCED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE COMPLETELY DEFLATED. THERE WAS NO FLAMES PRESENT. THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SIMILAR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE DEFECT WAS RELATED TO FAULTY SUSPENSION. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHICH CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM, FRONT RACK AND PINION. IN ADDITION, A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND CAMBER KIT INSTALLATION WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF SIX SET OF TIRES REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. AFTER TRYING MANY TIMES, THE KEY WAS FINALLY ABLE TO BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,028 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,500. UPDATED 08/03/12*LJ UPDATED 08/06/12
Power train, Jun 15, 2012
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND THE "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON. WHILE THE CAR WAS SLOWING, I HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL LANE CHANGES ACROSS HEAVY, FAST MOVING TRAFFIC BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP ALONG THE SHOULDER. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON AND THE CAR RESUMED NORMAL ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING ASSESSED AT THE DEALERSHIP, AS THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN A MAJOR COLLISION IF IT WERE TO RECUR, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL IN HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 15, 2012
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TRAVEL MORE THAN 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL IN RESPONSE TO PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY COAST WHEN LIFTING OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE THROTTLE BODY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WHICH WAS DONE UNDER THE WARRANTY.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 4, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED WHEN USING THE KEY FOB OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SPRAY WATER AND APPLY DRIED LUBE AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500.
Latches/locks/linkages, May 29, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB AND MANUALLY USING THE KEY, BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND USUALLY WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARM. THE CONTACT HAD ALSO BECOME LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE LOCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THERE WERE NO FURTHER REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, May 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE POWER TRAIN WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 07/13/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME, BUT FORD STATED THAT THE POWER TRAIN THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 07/30/12 .....UPDATED 01/14/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STILL COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. BUT, WAS TOLD IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. UPDATED 1/15/2013 *JS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE COMPONENT CHANGED. HOWEVER, THE CLOSEST COMPONENT, TO THROTTLE BODY SENSOR IS VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. UPDATED 03/18/13
Power train, May 6, 2012
ON A SATURDAY, MAY 5, 12 I WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES. WE CAME ON OUR ST. PICTURE OF A WRENCH CAME ON. CAR STARTED TO PUTT PUTT AND FINALLY MADE IT INTO DRIVEWAY. TURNED OFF ENGINE. LOOKED UP IN MANUAL AND SAID THROTTLE CONTROL TRANSMISSION. CALL DEALER IMMED. THE ONLY DEALER OPENED W/IN MILES AND AAA BOUGHT IT THERE. DEALER CHECKED COMPUTER STUFF,UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. NO CODES IN MODULES. PERSON SAID SUSPECT CUSTOMER HIT TCS BUTTON BY ACCIDENT. EMPLOYEE TOLD CUSTOMER EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE AND I COULD TAKE CAR HOME. I PAID FOR 1/2 HR OF WORK WHEN THERE WAS SUPPOSEDLY AN HR. OF CHECKING DONE. HOWEVER SINCE NOTHING FOUND I WAS ONLY CHARGED 1/2 HR. PICKED CAR DROVE APPROXIMATELY 20+ MILES HOME AND IT WAS FINE. SUNDAY- DROVE APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT. WRENCH CAME ON AND I PULLED INTO PARKING LOT. I TURNED ENGINE OFF WAITED AND TURNED ENGINE ON. I DROVE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. IF I WAS ON A HIGHWAY IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE A WITNESS WHO WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME BOTH TIMES. *TR
Suspension, Apr 12, 2012
I HAVE CHANGED TIRES ON THIS CAR 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT APRIL 5, 2010. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THE LAST TIME I PUT TIRES ON THE CAR THAT THE FOCUS CARS HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. I ASKED HOW THEY COULD FIX IT AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE REAR CONTROL ARMS AND REPLACE THEM, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T ADJUST THE ARMS TO ALIGN THE CAR PROPERLY AND IT WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IF WE DON'T CHANGE THE CONTROL ARMS ON THE CAR, THE COST OF REPAIR QUOTED WAS $600.00. AFTER PUTTING $600.00 WORTH OF TIRES ON I COULDN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THE CONTROL ARMS CHANGED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A MANUFACTURES PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Apr 7, 2012
AFTER DRIVING ONLY A COUPLE MILES FROM MY PLACE OF DEPARTURE, SPEED 45 MPH, MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE (AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE "WRENCH" LIGHT, CAME ON. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR NOTHING HAPPENED, MY CAR CONTINUED TO DECELERATE. I PULLED OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE (NO SHOULDER), BRAKED AND THE CAR JERKED TO A STOP; I PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON. I TRIED PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK IN DRIVE, BUT THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED, THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON AND THE CAR RAN NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE SAME ROAD, AT ABOUT THE SAME PLACE (A COUPLE MILES FROM WORK) A MONTH LATER ON JANUARY 18, 2012. THEN IT HAPPENED A 3RD TIME FEBRUARY 13, 2012 ABOUT 3 MILES FROM HOME. EACH TIME IT HAPPENED THE SAME WAY--AFTER DRIVING ONLY A FEW MILES (5-10 MINUTES RUNNING TIME) THERE IS SUDDEN, UNCONTROLLABLE DECELERATION (WHEN I AM TRYING TO ACCELERATE BETWEEN 40-50 MPH), WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON, NO RESPONSE TO PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL, I PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC JUST IN TIME WHILE CONTINUING TO DECELERATE (HAD ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN), BRAKE TO COMPLETE THE STOP, THE CAR SHUDDERS TO A HALT, I SHUT THE CAR OFF, RESTART AND THE CAR ACTS PERFECTLY NORMAL AGAIN. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 16, 2012
DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY MALFUNCTION. THE KEY TO THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT TURN. FRONT DOORS CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED BY THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THE REAR DOORS CANNOT BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. REAR DOORS ARE UNLOCKED BY PRESSING DOWN ON THE LOCK PEG AND USING THE INSIDE LOCK SWITCH ON THE FRONT DOOR TO FIRST LOCK AND THEN UNLOCK, LET OFF THE LOCK PEG AND TOGGLE THE SWITCH AGAIN. DISCOVERED THIS TRICK AFTER MANY WASTED TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONE REAR DOOR LATCH WAS REPLACED BUT, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES WITH IT. AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT (36K), I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT BUT, IT IS NOT A RECALL ITEM AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $200/DOOR TO FIX. THIS IS CAN BE A SERIOUS MATTER IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. *TR