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 2008 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
I JUST HIT THE 100,000 MILE MARK ON MY 2008 FOCUS, I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, AFTER A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AT 20,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES, MY CAR WAS SHAKING REALLY BAD AND MAKING ALOT OF ROAD NOISE. THEN AT 84,000 MILES I HAD TO PUT ON MY 4TH SET OF TIRES. MY MILES ARE ALL HIGHWAY MILES, I ROTATE EVERY 6000 MILES, THEY ALWAYS TELL ME THE ALIGNMENT IS WITHIN FACTORY SETTINGS. THEN AT 98000 MILES MY CAR STARTED DOING IT AGAIN, THEY SAID MY REAR TIRES ARE BAD, THEY BLAMED IT ON A BAD TRAILING ARM AND THEY HAD TO RESET MY CHANBER TOES IN THE REAR END, AGAIN, THEY SAID MY ALIGNMENT IS FINE. ALL OF THIS WAS DONE AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE CAR. SO NOW AT 100,000 MILES, I AM GETTING READY TO PUT ON MY 5TH SET OF TIRES. THIS IS INSANE. I'M AFRAID AT SOME POINT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO HAVE A TIRE BLOWOUT OR SOMETHING AND SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET HURT. PLEASE HELP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION AT TIMES WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY JIGGLE THE IGNITION KEY FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SECONDARY KEY FOR THE IGNITION HAD TO BE USED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,0000.
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE REAR WHEELS MISALIGNED SINCE NEW PURCHASE. DEALERSHIP HAS NEVER OMITTED THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUES TO INSIST IT IS A TIRE ISSUE. THE MISALIGNED WHEEL CAUSES MULTIPLE FLAT SPOTTING AND EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIRES, WHICH LEADS TO HEAVY VIBRATION AND NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA RESULTING FROM THIS PROBLEM. *TR
2008 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS PULLING INTO HIS PARKING SPACE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD. HE IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE, WHICH CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE TO BE THROWN FORWARD. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WAS ONE OF THE FOUR TIMES, THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.
ON THIRD SET OF TIRES RATED FOR 75K TO 80K BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURE DEFECT. CAR IS IN SHOP HAVING ANOTHER FRONT & REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE AFTER PURCHASING NEW TIRES AGAIN. SHOP SAYS THEY RECOMMEND INSTALLING AFTER MARKET CAMBERS THAT WILL HOPEFULLY HELP THE DEFECT IN DESIGN AT A COST TO ME FOR $510.00. I'VE GONE ON-LINE AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SAFETY ISSUE. THE TIRES WEAR OUT REGARDLESS OF THE LENGTH OF WARRANTY USUALLY WITHIN 6K TO 30K MILES. THE TIRES WEAR OUT ON THE INSIDE CAUSING CUPPING EVEN WITH REGULAR TIRE ROTATIONS EVERY 6K MILES. I SPOKE WITH FORD AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR IS A PROBLEM. THE ON-LINE FORUMS REGARDING THIS ISSUE OTHER FORD OWNERS HAVE STATED THEY ALSO CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. *TR
THE RIGHT REAR DOOR IS LOCKED SHUT AND CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF ANY ACCIDENT OR OCCURANCE. THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OR WITH THE KEY OR REMOTE OPERATOR. IF ANYONE IS TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE OR IF INGRESS IS NEEDED IN AN EMERGENCY, THIS DOOR IS INOPERABLE. THERE IS A MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHICH MAKES THE DOOR UNUSABLE. *TR
THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE WE HAVE HAD SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LEAK DUE TO A FAULTY SPLASH GUARD. WE HAVE HAD IT SERVICED BY FORD SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE ISSUE HAS COME BACK AGAIN, AND WE ARE NO LONGER IN WARRANTY. I HAVE 3 COMPLAINTS THAT COME WITH THIS ISSUE, 1 I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH RUSTING OUT, 2 EVEN WITH DEFROSTERS ON HIGH, IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS BECAUSE OF THE MOISTURE IN THE CAR (EVEN AFTER DOING WHAT WE CAN TO SOAK UP THE MOISTURE) AND 3 I HAVE SOME CONCERNS THAT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WILL BECOME AN ISSUE IE. THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER IS ALMOST ALWAYS WET. AT THIS POINT WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH MOLD CONCERNS, BUT WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE MOLD CLEAN FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR BEFORE. I AM WRITING YOU, BECAUSE THIS IS AN ISSUE FORD KNOWS ABOUT, AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT AT SOME POINT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT, AND I FEEL AS THOUGH FORD IS NO LONGER CONCERNING THEMSELVES WITH THIS ISSUE, AND ARE NOT CONCERNED WITH CORRECTING THEIR ISSUE. *TR
MANUAL DOOR LATCHES ON 4-DOOR, KEY ENTRY. USE OF KEY TO GAIN ENTRY ON BOTH FRONT DOORS BEGAN A GRADUAL FAILURE. HAD TO WORK THE KEY, APPLY PRESSURE TO THE DOORS, ETC, UNTIL BOTH LOCKS FAILED TO OPEN WITH KEY. TWICE HAD PUT CHILDREN IN THE CAR, ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED DOORS, THEN UNABLE TO OPEN DOORS WITH KEYS. FORD SAYS IT ISN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY, ALTHOUGHT THE PROBLEMS FIRST STARTED APPEARING WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE UNLOCKED. EVENTUALLY HAD AN AUTO BODY MAN DISASSMBLE THE DOORS, LUBE THE LATHES, AND THE WORK AGAIN, ALTHOUGHT THEY ARE STARTING TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AGAIN. NEW LATCHES ARE $120 TO $160 EACH IF YOU CAN FIND THEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER, SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, AS IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,300. UPDATED 1/17/13 *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING AND BACK PAIN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 1/23/13 *CN UPDATED 02/11/2013 *JS
AFTER ARRIVING AT DESTINATION, WENT TO OPEN DOOR, IT WOULD NOT OPEN, UNLOCK WOULD NOT WORK. DOOR IS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO UNLOCK AND EXIT OUT. NEEDED TO CRAWL OVER TO DRIVERS DOOR TO EXIT VEHICLE. *TR
FACTORY PIRELLI TIRES TREAD DEPTH AFTER ONLY 15191 MILES ON NEW 2008 FORD FOCUS SES---2 TIRES @ 2/32 AND 2 TIRES @ 3/32. DEALER AND PIRELLI WON'T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. (CAR DRIVEN IN LOCAL SMALL TOWN). NOT HAPPY! *TR
I OWN A 2008 FORD FOCUS. IN 2010 MY CAR WOULD JERK BADLY WHEN I WOULD PRESS ON THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT IN TO FORD AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS MY TRANSMISSION. LUCKILY I STILL HAD WARRANTY AND THEY GAVE ME A NEW ONE. WHEN I GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP I STILL NOTICED SOME JERKINESS TO IT AND TOLD THEM. I WAS TOLD TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND IT WOULD GO AWAY, IT NEVER DID. 6 MO.LATER I NOTICE THE CAR GETTING WORSE. THE GAS PEDAL IS HESITANT AND THE GEARS HESITATE TO SHIFT. ESPECIALLY WHEN I DRIVE UPHILL AND TURN A CORNER. IT ALSO TAKES A LONG TIME TO GO UP TO SPEED. I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE AGAIN AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. NOTE: THEY DID NOT TEST DRIVE MY CAR. HOW CAN A DOCTOR DIAGNOSE A PATIENT IF HE DOESN'T GIVE HIM A CHECK UP? I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AND THEY HAD THE NERVE TO CHARGE ME $200. IF I HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? I SERVICE MY CAR ON TIME AND HAVE IT WELL KEPT. IT'S NOW 2012 NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY CAR. I'VE HAD SPARK PLUGS, FUEL FILTER, ENGINE OIL CHANGE, AIR FILTER CHANGED AND "NEW" TRANSMISSION AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD. *TR
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN APRIL 2008 BY JUNE THE DOORS WERE HARD TO OPEN. AT THAT TIME I LUBRICATE THEM, THAT SEEM TO HELP FOR A SHORT TIME. THEN THE BACK DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE OPENING AS I WAS DRIVING. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WENT TO MEREDITH FORD IN PLYMOUTH NH. I WAS TOLD IT WAS COSMETIC AND THEY DID'N WORK BECAUSE I LIVED ON A DIRT ROAD.WHICH I DID NOT. I TOLD THEM SOME ONE WAS GOING TO FALL OUT OF MY CAR I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER I BETTER HAVE GOOD INSURANCE. I STILL HAVE A ROPE HOLDING BY BACK DOORS CLOSED. AND I WAS NEVER TREATED SO BADLY BEFORE IN MY LIFE. *TR
AT 60,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED CHEWING UP TIRES AND STILL IS. THE FIRST SET IT DID THIS TO WERE WORN TO THE WIRE UNDER THE RUBBER BEFORE IT WAS NOTICED. IT HAS CHEWED UP TWO MORE SETS SINCE THEN ALL IN UNDER 10,000 MILES AND THE TIRES ARE RATED FOR APPROX. 50,000 MILES. *TR
MY CAR HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE DOORS FOR QUITE AWHILE. ITS ALWAYS BEEN ANNOYING, BUT ITS NEVER REALLY SEEMED LIKE SUCH A BIG DEAL TO ME. TODAY, HOT SUMMER DAY, I WENT SHOPPING WITH MY BOYFRIEND, HE SAID I'M GOING TO GO GET YOUR CAR I WILL BE BACK, AS 30 MINUTES PASS HE IS FINALLY BACK TO TELL ME THAT MY DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE KEY WOULD NOT UNLUCK THE DOOR. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BACK DOORS JUST BEING STUCK ON LOCK FOR DAYS AT A TIME BUT IT ALWAYS EVENTUALLY FIXES ITSELF, WHICH IS WHY I HAVE NEVER REPORTED IT BEFORE. BUT TODAY I HAD TO PAY 30 DOLLARS FOR A LOCKSMITH TO COME OUT AND UNLOCK MY DOOR. I AM NOT VERY HAPPY BECAUSE I AM A POOR COLLEGE KID WHO COULD REALLY USE THAT MONEY ON SOMETHING ELSE. AS I RESEARCH THIS ONLINE I SEE MORE THAN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VERY SAME THING HAPPENING TO PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR THAT I HAVE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF FOR SOME REASON THERE WAS A KID IN THE CAR THAT WE COULD NOT GET OUT. IT INFURIATES ME THAT NO ONE WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I THINK IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT THIS PROBLEM BE INVESTIGATED AND IF NECESSARY THE CARS BE ON RECALL TO GET FIXED FOR FREE. THANK YOU. *TR
THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE THE CAR. THE REAR HANDLE SEEMS TO PULL NORMALLY BUT THE MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK. THE DOOR CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE PULLS OUT LOOSELY. WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR 3 DAYS AGO SOMETHING BROKE INSIDE THE DOOR. THE DOOR CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW MECHANISM FAILED RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE MOTOR WILL GO DOWN BUT THE WINDOW WILL NOT. I CAN PULL IT DOWN BY PUTTING ONE HAND ON EITHER SIDE OF THE GLASS (AFTER OPERATING THE BUTTON THAT WOULD NORMALLY OPEN THE WINDOW) THE WINDOW CAN BE CLOSED USING THE BUTTON. *TR
KEY LOCKS FOR FRONT DOORS AND DOOR LATCHES WON'T OPEN DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP, OF COURSE IT ISN'T COVERED. IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY LOCK YOUR DOOR WITH YOUR CHILD IN IT ON A HOT DAY, YOU CAN'T GET THEM OUT IN TIME. SHOULDN'T THE LOCKS AND LATCHES WORK FOR AT LEAST 100K MILES? HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAR UNLOCKED ALL THE TIME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT CONSTANTLY REMAINED ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED VARIOUS UNKNOWN PARTS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED, BUT THE PARTS FOR THOSE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE NEEDED PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
SAME EXPERIENCE! A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO EMIT LOUD NOISES WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT STABILIZERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 DOOR HANDLES DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THEM BREAKING. I TALKED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND HE SAYS HE HAS REPLACED OVER 10 OTHER 2007/08/09 FOCUS EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. NONE HOWEVER WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND OF COURSE BOTH OF MY BROKE AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE COST WAS 142.00/PER THIS IS A HUGE DESIGN FLAW AS WELL AS COSTLY. *TR
DRIVERS SIDE, PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT BE UNLOCK BY ANY MEANS. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE A CHILD WAS IN A SAFETY CHILD-SEAT AND COULD NOT BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE DOOR. THE UNLOCK BUTTONS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR HAD NO EFFECT, THE UNLOCK BUTTONS ON THE KEY BOB HAD NO EFFECT AND THE MANUAL LOCK/ UNLOCK BUTTON CAN NOT BE MOVE FROM THE LOCK POSITION. THE DOOR REMAINS LOCKED UNTIL REPAIRS CAN BE MADE. A QUICK WEB SEARCH SHOWS THAT THEIR IS NO SHORTAGE OF FOCUS OWNERS HAVING EXPERIENCE THIS SAME SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF THE CAR HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE CHILD HAD TO BE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED? I FEEL THAT EVEN ALLOWING VEHICLES TO BE MANUFACTURED THAT DOES NOT HAVE FOOL PROOF MANUAL LOCK RELEASES FOR EACH DOOR IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND A GROSSLY NEGLIGENT THREAT TO EVERYONE EACH TIME THEY ARE IN A VEHICLE. IS IT REALLY THAT MUCH OF A STRETCH TO IMAGINE A VEHICLE INVOLVE IN AN ACCIDENT AND LOSING ELECTRICAL POWER AND NONE OF THE DOORS COULD BE UNLOCKED? SO, MY COMPLAINT IS NOT THAT SOMETHING BROKE OR FAILED TO WORK, BUT THAT ITS FAILURE COULD UNNECESSARILY CAUSE SUCH AN EMINENT UNNECESSARY THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED AND THE REAR DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPLACE ANY OF THE DOOR LATCHES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCKED. CANNOT BE OPENED. CANNOT BE UNLOCKED ELECTRONICALLY NOR MANUALLY. *TR
FORD DEALER HAD FIXED FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WILL NOT FIX REAR WHEEL BEARINGS UNDER WARRANTY. CAR MAKES A ROARING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. I THINK THE REAR PARTS ON THE CAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $490 TO FIX. ALSO I PAID $25 FROM THE FORD DEALER FOR WIPERS THAT KEEP SCRAPING THE WINDSHIELD AND GIVE ME POOR VISIBILITY. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE BACK DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DOOR IS UNLOCKED BUT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I WAS TRAVELING ON INDUSTRIAL BLVD WHEN AN ELDERLY COUPLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. WITH NO TIME TO REACT I HIT THE FRONT END OF THEIR CAR WITH THE FRONT AND SIDE OF MY CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. AFTER MY HEAD HIT OFF THE WINDSHIELD MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I HAVE A SEVERE CONCUSSION AND SOME INJURY TO MY RIGHT LEG. THE MAIN POINT TO THIS ACCIDENT IS THAT I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND MY HEAD STILL STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. AND ONCE AGAIN THE AIRBAG WAS DELAYED ON DEPLOYMENT. *TR
VEHICLE HAS BECOME DIFFICULT TO STEER. POWER STEERING PUMP IS LEAKING FLUID. *TR
BECAUSE "INCIDENT" DATE IS REQUIRED, I PUT TODAY'S DATE, BUT THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A CONTINUOUS CONDITION. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THE PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THE PARKING BRAKE ALWAYS FREEZES (WILL NOT RELEASE) AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 DEGREES (SOMETIMES WARMER). USE OF THE PARKING BRAKE DURING WINTER MONTHS RESULTS IN DRIVING WITH BRAKE SET, WITH OBVIOUS DANGERS. NOT USING THE PARKING BRAKE DURING WINTER MONTHS SOMETIMES RESULTS IN VEHICLE LEFT IDLING WITH NO BRAKE SET (THERE ARE TIMES, IN ALASKA, WHEN IT IS NOT SAFE TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN LIGHTING) WITH OBVIOUS DANGERS. I HAVE HAD THE CABLE REPLACED, TO NO EFFECT. I AM 62 YEARS OLD, AND WHILE I HAVE HEARD OF PARKING BRAKES FREEZING, THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED (OR DRIVEN, FOR THAT MATTER) THAT EVER ACTUALLY EXHIBITED THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT DOORS COULD ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS BEGAN TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VIBRATION WAS CAUSED BY SAGGING MOTOR MOUNTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER COULD NOT SIT IN THE SEAT DUE TO THE VIBRATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TIRES CUPPING. HAD IT REALIGNED AROUND 20,000 MILES BECAUSE FORD ONLY COVERS WHEEL ALIGNMENT UP TO 12,000 MILES. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES AROUND 35,000 MILES, HAD IT REALIGNED AGAIN AROUND 36,000 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO COSTCO WHERE I BOUGHT THE NEW BRIDGESTONE TIRES FOR TIRE ROTATION AND THEY SAID THE TIRES WERE CUPPING !! SAME PROBLEM, ALIGNMENT DON'T HELP. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I SEE MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. *TR
THE IGNITION KEY IS BINDING IN IGNITION CYLINDER WHEN TURNING TO START POSITION ONLY. TWICE IT HAS NOT STARTED ON THE FIRST TRY. TWICE I HEARD A METAL SOUND WHEN STARTING. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS 2008, AND HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS SUGGESTED TO ME TO GO DIRECT TO A FORD DEALER SERVICE SHOP WHICH I DID. THE CAR WARRANTY EXPIRED 5/2011 SO I DON'T QUALIFY FOR FREE REPAIR ON THIS PROBLEM. AS FAR AS I CAN SEE IN RESEARCHING THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON IT. I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY. *KB
BOUGHT MY 2008 FORD FOCUS MARCH 14, 2009 WITH 15,000 MILES AS A FLEET RETURN. AT 36,000 MILES THE HANKOOK OPTIMO H725 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ARE WORN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. JUST AVERAGE DRIVING ON THE TIRES. THESE TIRES ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A 80,000 MILE TREAD LIFE GUARANTEE. HANKOOK'S WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES. TO SAY I AM DISAPPOINTED AND PERTURBED BY THE POOR PERFORMANCE OF THESE TIRES IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT TO THE HALF WAY POINT OF THEIR TREAD LIFE. *KB
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, ONLY CONTINUING TO RUN AT A ROUGH IDLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY ACCELERATION. THE ONLY POSSIBLE RESPONSE WAS TO LIMP TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RAN AS NORMAL FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP. FOUR DAYS LATER THE SAME THING OCCURRED. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER AND HAVING THEM TELL ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT OCCURRED AGAIN AND THEN HAVE IT TOWED IN, I CONVINCED THEM TO LOOK FURTHER INTO IT. I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE OF THE SAME TYPE. THE NECESSARY REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. THE NEXT DAY THE DEALER CONTACTED ME AND SAID THE FORD HOTLINE STATED THEY HAD PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS AND ADVISED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS WAS DONE AND THE VEHICLE HAS OPERATED CORRECTLY SINCE THE REPAIR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE OIL FILTER DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE WHICH RESULTED IN INTERNAL DAMAGES. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY OR WITH THE DOOR UNLOCK BUTTONS. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. SOMETIMES ONE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK, SOMETIMES ALL DOORS WON'T UNLOCK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK 395 TIRES, SIZE P195/60/R15, DOT BJCFPDFH3207. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SINCE HE NOTICED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES WERE WEARING EXCESSIVELY BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A TIRE THAT SHOULD LAST UP TO 80,000 MILES; HOWEVER, INFORMED HIM THAT THE TIRES WOULD ONLY LAST 40,000 MILES AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. UPDATED 08/24/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE FAILURE HAPPENED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR. UPDATED 11/28/11*JB
I PURCHASED A '08 FORD FOCUS- 4DR SDN SE IN MARCH '08 FROM MARK MARTIN FORD IN BATESVILLE, AR. JULY '08, DOORS LOCKED & WOULDN'T OPEN. SINCE THE ORIGINAL DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE, IT'S BEEN RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP 14+ TIMES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR REPAIRS FOR A TOTAL OF 209 CALENDAR DAYS (JUST FROM MAY 14,'10-DEC. 31,'10). IT IS DOCUMENTED THAT THE CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS BEFORE 12,000 MI. HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE AR ATTY. GEN'S OFF, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, FORD CREDIT, MARK MARTIN FORD. STARTED LEMON LAW PROCEEDINGS & HAD AN ARBITRATION MEETING SET IN JAN. '11. FORD CUSTOMER CARE WAS WORKING ON A BUYBACK/REPLACEMENT. FORD WANTED A SECOND OPINION. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. FORD MADE MANY ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I SENT A DEMAND LETTER TO FORD. THEY DIDN'T ATTEMPT TO DO A FINAL FIX. INSTEAD THEY REPOSSESSED THE CAR. I WAS ONLY 2 MOS BEHIND & MADE ARRANGEMENTS W/FORD CREDIT TO MAKE A PAYMENT IN DEC. '10. I DID. I HAVE A LETTER FROM MARK MARTIN FORD STATING,"THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY KNOW TO DO." I HAVE A LETTER FROM FORD STATING, "ALTHOUGH THEY ADMIT TO NO WRONG DOING ON THEIR PART, THEY WANT ME TO BE A SATISFIED CUSTOMER & ARE WILLING TO WAIVE THE BALANCE I OWE" (YET IT'S ON MY CREDIT REPORT). THE AR ATTY GEN'S OFF SAYS I HAVE A CASE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MARK MARTIN FORD ON THESE DATES FOR REPAIRS/DEFECTS:7/30/08-RR DOOR STAYS LOCKED;7/30/08-RUMBLE SOUND WHEN DRIVING;10/08/08-DRS HARD TO OPEN W/OUTSIDE HANDLE;10/08/08-RR DR WONT UNLOCK;10/08/08-STAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE, WHERE THE AIR BAG FUSE WAS REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE FAILURE OCCURRED A THE THIRD TIME; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,899.
MY TIRES WILL NOT LAST OVER 1000 TO 2000 MILES WITHOUT STARTING TO WHINE FROM CUFFING ON THE EDGES. FORD DID NOT PROVIDE ANY CHAMBER ADJUSTMENT IN FRONT OR BACK AND THE CAR WEARS OUT TIRES VERY QUICKLY. I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 61,000 MILES ON MY 2008 AND AM ON MY FIFTH SET OF TIRES. I HAVE ADDED REPLACEMENT ARMS TO THE REAR FOR CAMBER ADJUSTMENT AND CAMBER PLATES TO THE FRONT. DEALER AT FIRST TOLD ME TO ROTATE MY TIRES MORE OFTEN AND THEN ADMITTED THAT THE FOCUS MODEL HAS A PROBLEM WITH EATING TIRES. CONTACTED FORD TO NO AVAIL. *KB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY DOOR ON THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD OPEN WAS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR WOULD OPEN FROM THE INTERIOR, BUT NOT THE EXTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FAILURE WAS EITHER DUE TO THE WIRING OR THE DOOR LATCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
2008 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPLACED OR A GENEROUS TRADE ALLOWANCE BE OFFERED DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH REAR TIRE WEAR AND SUSPENSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY AND EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AGAIN. FORD REFUSED TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE CONSUMER. *JB
LOCKS FREEZE UP. THIS IS A 2008 FORD FOCUS 4 DOOR. 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASED BRAND NEW THE BACK DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. REPAIRED AT DEALER. APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS LATER STARTED FREEZING UP AGAIN AND BEFORE I COULD GET IT IN TO GET REPAIRED THE FRONT DOORS DID THIS AS WELL. I HAD GOTTEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LOCKED THE DOORS THEN NONE OF THE DOORS WOULD OPEN UP, HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH TRUNK. ALL FOUR DOORS REPAIRED. 6 MONTHS LATER DOORS LOCKED UP AGAIN. SOMETIMES THEY WOULD WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY WOULD NOT. EVENTUALLY THE BACK DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I HAD A CHILD IN AN INFANT SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT AND HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO GET CHILD OUT OF THE BACK SEAT. THIS WAS FIXED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONE MORE TIME THREE OF THE DOORS. THEY WHERE REPAIRED AND AT THIS TIME I NOW HAVE A BACK DOOR THAT WILL NO LONGER OPEN. I HAVE VOICED MY CONCERNS TO FORD BUT ALL THEY DO IS CONSTANTLY REPAIR THE SAME WAY AND EVEN TRIED TO TELL ME THAT IT WAS DUE TO DUST BUILDING UP IN THE CAR DOORS, I HAVE LIVED IN THE COUNTRY AND HAD MULTIPLE VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BECAUSE OF DUST. ALSO I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS IS HAPPENING TO WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS NOT JUST MY VEHICLE. THE DOORS FREEZE UP RANDOMLY WITH NO WARNING AND IF SOMEONE WHERE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN DOORS THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HAD TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF WINDOWS TO G
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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