Page 4 of 5 · complaints 151–200 of 205

2006 Ford Focus complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2006 record →

Electrical System
Filed Jul 13, 200965,724 milesTX

THE KEY HAS BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT BECAUSE THE CAR DOES NOT THINK IT IS PARK EVEN THOUGH IT IS PARKED. THE DEALER INSIST THAT THERE WAS A SODA SPILLED ON THE IGNITION AND THIS RESULTED IN THE CHIP IN THE IGNITION SHORTING OUT. THIS KEY HAS BEEN STUCK SINCE MAY AND HAS ONLY COME OUT OF THE IGNITION ONCE SINCE THEN! THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THEY HAVE TO ORDER THIS PART AND CHANGE OUT THE IGNITION TO FIX IT. SO FAR, THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AND WE CANNOT LOCK ALL OF THE DOORS BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 21, 200962,000 milesMA

MY 2006 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK DEVELOPED FRAYED WIRES IN THE HATCHBACK HARNESS THAT CAUSED A SHORT SO THAT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON AS THEY SHOULD WHEN THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON UNLESS THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER IS ALSO TURNED ON. DESPITE BEING COVERED BY FORD'S 'EXTRA CARE' EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN THAT IS SUPPOSED TO COVER WIRING HARNESSES, FORD IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

Wheels
Filed Mar 26, 200928,505 milesNY

I HAVE HAD 3 WHEEL STUDS BREAK OFF WHILE CHANGING TIRES FROM SUMMER TO WINTER AND BACK. TOOK TO 2 DEALERS AND CONTACTED FORD AND NONE OF THESE SOURCES WOULD HONOR 3/36 WARRANTY REGARDING MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. DEALERS STATED THAT STUDS WERE RUSTY AND THAT THEY WERE PROBABLY PUT ON TO TIGHT. THIS FALSE, AS I DO THIS MYSELF WITH A TORQUE WRENCH PER VEHICLE SPECS. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION IF I WAS CHANGING A FLAT ON SOME RURAL ROAD OR BUSY HIGHWAY AND I COULD NOT GET WHEEL OF WITHOUT BREAKING WHEEL STUDS. RUST ON THE STUDS CAUSED BY ROAD SALT AND DEBRIS THROUGH THE OPEN WHEEL NUT DESIGN IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY FORD. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 19, 200959,828 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAGS. IN ADDITION, A TRACK HARNESS WAS NEEDED. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE TEST SHOWED NO ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY IF THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO OPERATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 59,828. UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Mar 9, 200975,000 milesGA

I HAVE A 2006 FORD FOCUS AND MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE NO HELP. THE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS BUT THEY WON'T ISSUE A RECALL ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE- MY CAR IS AT RISK OF BEING STOLEN AND I DON'T HAVE THE 400.00 THEY ASK TO REPAIR THIS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 13, 200945,000 milesCA

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WON'T COME OUT. I HAVE TO REMOVE ONE OF THE BATTERY CABLE FROM THE BATTERY, REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THEN REPLACE THE BATTERY CABLE BACK. THIS HAS HAPPEN MORE THAN ONCE. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jan 15, 200998,000 milesMN

THE REAR OF THE CAR JERKS/PULLS AROUND. IT IS VERY HARD TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THOUGHT IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. AFTER HAVING FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENTS DONE, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. SEVERAL MECHANICS TRIED DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM WITH NO LUCK. FINALLY ONE MECHANICS WAS ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. SEEMS THE REAR LOWER ARM ASSEMBLIES ARE FAILING (DEFECTIVE OR WEAK PARTS). MY WIFE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT A FEW WEEKS AGO WHICH I BELIEVE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR (BACK END BASICALLY DOES WHAT IT WANTS TO DO) THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. I KNOW OF THREE OTHER PEOPLE WITHIN A TEN MILE RADIUS WHO ARE ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE FORD FOCUS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT TAKE EVERY LITTLE BIT OF EFFORT TO KEEP YOUR CAR IN CONTROL ESPECIALLY ON SNOW COVERED ROADS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 29, 200835,500 milesCA

2006 FOR FOCUS 2.0 I-4 BLEW OUT SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD N WITH IGNITION COIL. END RESULT FINDING THAT THE CAR HAD THE WRONG SPARK PLUGS FROM THE FACTORY. AND FORD WONT FIX THEIR MISTAKE. THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Nov 14, 200849,000 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR; HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO CLOSE AND HAD TO BE TIGHTLY SECURED WITH A BUNGEE CORD. IN ADDITION, THE LATCHES FAILED TO SECURE THE REAR LIFTGATE. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 13, 200830,000 milesKS

2006 FORD FOCUS WITH LOW MILEAGE REPLACING BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE 3RD TIME, MY CONCERN IS OF FAULTY PARTS FORD COMPANY MAY BE USING AND IF SO, DUE TO THE OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS SHOULD I BE ALARMED AND SHOULD I WORRY WHEN MYSELF AND MY FAMILY ARE TRAVELING IN THE CAR WILL THE BRAKES FELL. FORD CHARGED ME THE FIRST REPAIR COST AND NOW JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER READY TO CHARGE ME AGAIN FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 12, 200836,500 milesVA

ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, MY KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I COULD START AND DRIVE THE CAR, BUT NOT GET THE KEY. I DROVE TO A FORD DEALER AND THE PERSON HAD NO TROUBLE GETTING MY KEY OUT. THIS WAS AT 34,000 MILES. NOW, AT 36,500 MILES, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I AM TAKING TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY BETTER REPAIR UNDER THE 3/36,000 WARRANTY. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Oct 11, 200812,356 milesNJ

VEHICLE WAS IN FRONT END COLLISION AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 19, 200834,400 milesIA

2006 FORD FOCUS ZX4 MODEL SES. IGNITION KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. CAR WILL START BUT KEY WILL NOT COME OUT. CAR CAN BE PUT INTO GEAR WITH SWITCH IN OFF POSITION. SAFETY PROBLEM CAR HAS 35,000 MILES. DEALER DID WARRANTY REPAIR TODAY - WE ARE PICKING THE CAR UP TONIGHT SO I DON'T KNOW THE QUALITY OF THE REPAIR YET. *TR

Suspension
Filed Aug 16, 200827,500 milesTX

27500 MILES, 2006 FOCUS ZX3, I NOTICED AS GOING OVER SPEEDBUMPS AND PARKING INTO PARKING SPOT, MY CAR MADE CREAKING NOISES AS IF THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. I TOOK THIS TO MY DEALERSHIP AND IT TOOK THEM A WHILE AND EVENTUALLY THEY FOUND RUST ON THE SPRINGS. THEY FILED OFF THE RUST AND PUT THE CAR BACK TOGETHER, NO MORE CREAKING. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 7, 200848,665 milesWA

MY KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2006 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON AND WOULD NOT COME OUT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP I FOUND OUT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND BRAKE/SHIFT INTERLOCK HAD BOTH FAILED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM OFTEN IN FORD FOCUS CARS. I HAD BOTH PARTS REPLACED, BUT I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT PART OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS NOT QUITE THREE YEARS OLD YET. THE PARTS ARE WORKING FINE NOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED THOUGH. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jun 16, 200812,000 milesFL

BOUGHT CAR WITH 12,000 MILES ON IT IN 2007. NOTED VIBRATION AND PULL TO THE RIGHT SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. TOOK TO A DEALERSHIP FOR ALIGNMENT AND TOLD THE ALIGNMENT WAS PERFECT. AFTER ANOTHER MONTH AND HAVING TO REPLACE ALL THE TIRES DUE TO BALD SPOTS, TOOK CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SHOWED ME THE COMPUTER PRINT OUT AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ALIGNMENT. SECOND SET OF TIRES NOW PREMATURELY WEARING AND CAR CONTINUES TO VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. TIRES ROTATED EVERY 6,000 MILES AND ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING. LIKE THE CAR BUT FEEL UNSAFE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 9, 200873,000 milesNH

2006 FORD FOCUS ZX3 SE REAR HATCH DOOR WIRING ---BROKEN WIRES AND WIRE INSULATION. FIRST STARTED WITH PLATE LIGHTS BLOWING OUT. NOW ALL PARKING LIGHTS,TAILLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ARE OUT---BLOWING FUSES!!! OUT OF CURIOSITY I PULLED DOWN THE RUBBER BOOT OF THE WIRE HARNESS OF THE REAR HATCH DOOR AND FOUND BROKEN WIRES AND INSULATION. WENT TO FORD WEBSITE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS, FOUND NO RECALLS AT ALL FOR MY CAR!!!!! UPON FURTHER RESEARCH FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM FROM 8 YEARS AGO NOV - DEC OF 2000!!!!!!!!! *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Apr 23, 200813,000 milesMD

ON THE 19TH OF APRIL, MY VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. ON THE 20TH OF APRIL, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS; TOP SPEED WAS AROUND 20 MPH. AS A RESULT, WE CHOSE TO RETURN HOME IMMEDIATELY AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. ON THE 21ST, AROUND 10:15 A.M., I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILES, THE ENGINE BEGAN CUTTING OUT COMPLETELY AND THERE WAS A STRANGE ODOR. I GOT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND PULLED INTO AN ADJACENT PARKING LOT. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT IT OFF. I FOUND A NEARBY STORE FROM WHICH I COULD CALL HOME. WHEN I STEPPED BACK OUTSIDE I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE VEHICLE DUE TO SMOKE. I RETURNED TO THE STORE AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. BY THE TIME I STEPPED BACK OUTSIDE, THERE WERE VISIBLE FLAMES. POLICE AND FIRE RESPONDED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 11, 200860,253 milesMD

FORD 2006, FOCUS ZXW, WHEN PARKING THE CAR, THE MOVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STICK TO PARK DOES NOT LOCK IN ALL THE TIME. IT DOES SEEMS TO PARK, CAR DOES NOT ROLL, BUT TRANS MISSION STICK EASILY MOVE AWAY AND FLL INTO OTHER GEARS, AND THE CAR MOVES. WHEN IT DOES NOT LOCK UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. MOST OF THE TIME AFTER ABOUT UP TO 3 MIN LATER YOU HEAR A TING SOUND THEN IT LOCKS. ONCE IT LOCKS KEY CAN BE REMOVED. I ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2003 FORD FOCUS 2 YEARS EARLIER, DEALER REPLACED THE LOCK THEN IT WOULD RELEASE THE KEY, EVERY TIME I PARKED. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 10, 2008FL

I HAVE A 2006 FORD FOCUS AND THE KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK INSIDE OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT WILL STAY STUCK FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN ONE DAY IT WILL JUST COME OUT. *TR

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Apr 3, 200845,074 milesOH

ONE TIRE RUPTURED HOLE IN SIDEWALL RESULTING IN FLAT DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. TOOK TIRE IN TO BE REPLACED. NONE OF OTHER TIRES REVIEWED BY TIRE CENTER. INDEPENDENT COMPANY FOUND REMAINING TIRES TO HAVE "BUBBLED" SIDEWALLS. ALL TIRES FROM SAME BATCH. TIRES ARE ONLY TWO MONTHS OLD AND TIRE CENTER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE BATCH IS DEFECTIVE. (HOW COULD ALL FOUR TIRES GO BAD IN TWO MONTHS?) *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 2, 200836,000 milesLA

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ABOUT A MINUTE AFTER THE CRASH. AS OF APRIL 2, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CRASH DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 1, 200848,000 miles00

SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT AND NON DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. *TR

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Mar 31, 200828,000 milesMN

VERY LOW TIRE LIFE/TREADWEAR PREMATURE. *TR

Tires
Filed Mar 26, 200825,500 milesFL

2006 FORD FOCUS REAR TIRES . NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS WHEN TIRES START TO SHAKE AND THEN WEAR UNEVENLY ON BOTH SIDES. ONLY 26000 MILES ON TIRES FROM THE DEALER. HAVE TO REPLACE. DEALER SAYS THEIR IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR ITSELF, JUST POOR DRIVING. FRONT TIRES STILL HAVE CLOSE TO HALF LIFE LEFT. STILL HAVE REAR TIRES. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed Mar 18, 2008PA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED VERY BADLY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN OTHER FORD FOCUS' AS WELL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000. UPDATED 04/21/08 *BF

Suspension › Rear
Filed Mar 7, 200831,300 milesME

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 › Ignition
Filed Feb 14, 200843,000 milesCA

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 › Rear
Filed Nov 24, 200719,000 milesIN

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 BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 25, 2007CA

AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 9, 20079,800 milesOH

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
Filed Sep 12, 200731,000 milesFL

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 Bags2 injured
Filed Sep 11, 200738,000 milesVA

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 › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 21, 200720,000 milesCA

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 › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Jul 24, 2007MI

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
Filed May 18, 200750 milesVA

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
Filed May 7, 20078,500 milesCA

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 › Rear
Filed Apr 9, 2007OH

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 › Engine
Filed Mar 1, 20074,000 milesUT

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 › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Feb 18, 200713,000 milesMO

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
Filed Feb 16, 200713,000 milesOH

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
Filed Nov 28, 20069,700 milesNY

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

SteeringCrash
Filed Oct 24, 20062,300 milesDE

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 › BodyCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 21, 20065,000 milesLA

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 › Ignition
Filed Sep 7, 200650,133 milesVA

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

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Aug 2, 20065,450 milesIL

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
Filed Aug 2, 2006FL

MY SON WAS ON HIS WAY HOME AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CRASH , NO ACCIDENT. *NM

Air Bags
Filed Jul 27, 2006NE

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 › Cooling System
Filed Jun 28, 2006280 milesGA

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
Filed May 31, 20061,860 milesFL

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

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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