2005 Ford Focus Complaint Log

2005 FORD FOCUS, HAS LOST TO 7 SPOKE WHEEL COVERS IN 3 MONTHS. *NM

A/C CONDENSATION LEAK. *NM

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AND A HALF I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THE ABS AND BATTERY LIGHT WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF ACCOMPANIED BY A BUZZING SOUND. THE WIRELESS REMOTES STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO FORD AS IT WAS STILL WITHIN THE THREE YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY RE-PROGRAMMED THE WIRELESS REMOTES. AFTER THIS THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH THE FLICKERING LIGHTS AND BUZZING SOUND AND ALSO THE WIRELESS REMOTES STOPPED WORKING. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE DASH LIGHTS WERE MALFUNCTIONING AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO OPEN UP THE DASH, THEY QUOTED ME $700 JUST TO OPEN UP AND DIAGNOSE PLUS THE LABOR CHARGES FOR WHATEVER THE PROBLEM WAS. THIS WAS RIGHT AFTER THE THE YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD WAS OVER. I MENTIONED THAT I HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE VERY SAME REASON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. FORD SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. FORD DID NOT FIX THIS ISSUE AND ALSO SAID THAT THE WIRELESS REMOTES COULD NOT BE REPROGRAMMED. IN THE YEARS SINCE THE INITIAL PROBLEM, I HAVE HAD TO PUT IN TWO NEW ALTERNATORS. THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKER ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY. THE DASH DISPLAY (SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, ETC.) HAS COMPLETELY CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIME. THE VEHICLE STILL OPERATES BUT LOSES POWER WHEN THE DASH CUTS OUT. WHEN THE DASH DISPLAY CUTS OUT YOU ARE DRIVING WITHOUT A GAS GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS COME BACK ON, THERE IS A "HICCUP" OR POWER SURGE ACCOMPANIED BY THE SAME BUZZING SOUND THAT OCCURS WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS ARE FLICKERING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. *TR

INTERMITTENT STALLING ISSUES WITH MY 2005 FORD FOCUS WAGON. IT WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING BOTH GOING OVER 50 MPH AND IDLING IN TRAFFIC. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION AND IS GOING BACK IN 2 DAYS. *NM

THIS IS ABOUT A 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX3, BOUGHT NEW WITH 8 MILES ON THE CAR. DRIVING ALONG @ 65 MPH & ACCORDING TO WITNESSES IN BACK OF CAR, THE DRIVER-SIDE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF OF THE CAR. THE CAR THEN FISH-TAILED THEN STARTED FLIPPING FRONT END TO BACK END 5 TO 7 TIMES FOR A GOOD 100 TO 150 FEET ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND BECAUSE OF A SEAT BELT THERE WAS ONLY MINOR INJURIES. *NM

2005 FORD FOCUS STRUT BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE AXLE TO BREAK. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND FLIPPED OVER. *KB *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES, SIZE P19560R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND THE STEEL BELT WAS VISIBLE. DUE TO THE LOW MILEAGE ON THE TIRES, THE FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. HE ALSO NOTICED WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE GOODYEAR DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES. RECENTLY, THE FRONT TIRES MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT TIRES IN DECEMBER OF 2007 WITH KUMHO TIRES. THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES SINCE THE REPLACEMENT. CURRENTLY, THE REAR TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. ON THREE OCCASIONS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE ANY PROBLEMS. THE FOURTH OCCASION THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END WAS REALIGNED HOWEVER THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE SEVERELY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE STABILIZER ARMS WERE INSTALLED. PRIOR TO THE REPAIR, BOTH REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. IN ADDITION, THE AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT THE COMPONENT DID NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH OVER A SLIGHT RISE IN THE ROAD, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE COLLISION SENSOR HAD BEEN ACTIVATED.

MY CAR KEPT STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND AT STOP SIGNS AND WHERE EVER IT FELT LIKE. THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES. THEN JUST BEFORE IT GOT TO 36,000 MILES IT WOULD STALL WHEN EVER IT BECAME HOT. AS I WAS GOING UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN PASSES IN WASHINGTON, OREGON AND CALIFORNIA IT WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING EVERY MILE. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS I HAD CARS BEHIND ME AND TRUCKERS ON ALL SIDES AND THE CAR WOULD JUST QUIT AT 65 MPH OR WHAT EVER SPEED I WAS AT. I HAD MAD TRUCKERS AND MAD CARS AND TRUCKS, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. WHEN I LIMPED HOME (780 MILES) I GOT THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED AND FOUND THAT IT WAS THE FUEL RAIL SENSOR. I CALLED FORD AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR A FAULTY PART OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. THEN LAST WEEK I SAW ON THE NEWS THAT TOYOTA AND ANOTHER COMPANY HAD RECALLED THEIR VEHICLES FOR THE SAME EXACT PART. I CALLED FORD TODAY AGAIN AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO ADMIT THAT THIS IS DANGEROUS ON THEIR CARS. IT SEEMS TO BE OK TO RECALL OTHER VEHICLES, BUT FORD THINKS THEIR '!@#$% DOESN'T STINK AS WE SAY ON THE FARM. I WANT THIOS RECTIFIED. IF OTHER MANUFACTURERS THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM. I THINK FORD SHOULD BUCK UP AND ADMIT THAT THEIR VEHICLES COULD POSSIBLY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD IF THIS IS THE WAY THEY TREAT CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE FORD CARS. GAYLE SORENSEN *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A GRINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO HEAR THE NOISE WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, BUT REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IT. THE TRUNK LATCH DID OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/30/06. *AK

IN DECEMBER MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE FORD FOCUS AND THE STREETS WERE WET, A CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY AHEAD OF HER AND WHEN SHE WENT TO USE THE BRAKES. THEY FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. SHE RAN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. ON MAY 3, 2006 I WAS DRIVING THE SAME CAR ON WET ROADS AND THE EXACT SAME SCENARIO HAPPENED. I NEEDED TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM STEERING THE CAR TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE STALLS; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

THE DRIVER'S PANT CUFF ON THE RIGHT LEG CAN BE SNAGGED BY SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT. CRANK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED UNDER CRUISE CONTROL. THIS PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM BEING ABLE TO USE THE RIGHT FOOT TO APPLY THE BRAKES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE SIDE. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES ALONG WITH WHIPLASH. THE POLICE WERE AT THE SCENE AND PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED IT TOTALED. THERE WAS ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AROUND A SHARP CURVE, THE BRAKES FAILED. ALSO, THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE RUNNING ONTO A SIDEWALK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE STEERING AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERSHIP FURTHER DETERMINED THE BALL JOINTS WERE FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED BALL JOINT FAILURE LED TO THE ACCIDENT. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION, AS WELL AS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. *AK

THREE TIMES SINCE THE CAR'S PURCHASE IN LATE 2005 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A 'BRAKE FADE, SOFT PEDAL" ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN 3 TIMES TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP CROWN FORD IN REDDING, CA FOR THE PROBLEM AND WAS DISMISSED BY THE DEALER AS THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM! SINCE THEN THE WARRANTY HAS ENDED ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE ISSUE REMAINS AND OCCURS A FEW TIMES EACH YEAR! EVERY TIME IS A SCARY SITUATION, I AM SURE ONE DAY THE VEHICLE WILL JUST NOT STOP!!! YOU PRESS THE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL FADES TO THE FLOOR, YOU HAVE TO LET UP ON THE PEDAL AND THEN PRESS IT A COUPLE TIMES TO PUMP UP PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE! WE HAD WAITED FOR A RECALL FROM FORD AND NOTHING! LAST NIGHT 12.27/2016 I SAW ON THE NEWS THAT A PROBE HAS BEEN OPENED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT ON NEWER MODEL YEARS OF FORD AND MERCURY BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE FOCUS! FORD MOTOR CORP NEEDS TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS AND OPEN A FULL RECALL TO REPAIR THE ISSUE BEFORE MORE TRAGEDIES OCCUR!!! THE TIMES WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS IS ALWAYS ON BUSY STREETS, AT SIGNALS OR STOP SIGNS.

MY "ENGINE LIGHT" HAS BEEN "FLASHING" INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THE DAY I DROVE THE CAR HOME BRAND NEW! THIS IS A "MISFIRE" CODE. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN UNDER HARD ACCELERATION (LIKE TRYING TO PASS A CAR)...YOU CAN JUST IMAGINE THE "SAFETY CONCERNS" INVOLVED , WHEN 7 OUT OF 10 TIMES I TO TRY TO PASS A CAR.....I GET HALFWAY BY THE VEHICLE...THEN MY CAR "MISFIRES"....LOSES ALL POWER....AND I COAST BACK INTO POSITION "BEHIND" THE VEHICLE I TRIED TO PASS!..WHILE I WAIT FOR THE CAR TO RECOVER AND START TO RUN CORRECTLY AGAIN!....IF I DIDN'T LOSE MY POSITION!..WHICH HAS HAPPENED!....MY CAR HAS BEEN "REPAIRED" 4, GOING ON 5 TIMES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE....EACH TIME I BRING IT TO BE FIXED...IT DOESN'T GET FIXED...OR AS I WAS TOLD ON MY FIRST COMPLAINT, AND MY SECOND COMPLAINT (THERE'S NOTHING WRONG)....THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH.....MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY YARD SINCE JANUARY...AFTER THE LAST TIME THEY "FIXED IT"...CANT EVEN DRIVE IT NOW....IT DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT HOME AFTER THE LAST REPAIR! *TR

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX5 WITH 19,000 MILES ON IT THAT I PURCHASES ON 2-16-2006. I HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL 2-22-2006. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND HIS GRANDMOTHER WAS IN THE CAR WITH HIM AN HE TRIED TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT, WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. HE PUMPED THE BRAKES 3-4 TIMES AND THEN JAMMED ON THEM. WHEN HE JAMMED ON THEM THE CAR SLIP INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. WHEN OUR CAR STOPPED THE ENGINE WAS RACING. HE TURNED THE CAR OFF. WE TRIED TO START THE CAR A COUPLE OF OTHER TIMES AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT BUT THE MOTOR WOULD STILL RACE UNTIL THE POLICE OFFICER OPENED THE HOOD. THIS CAUSED FRONT END DAMAGE TO OUR FOCUS AND DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HE HIT. THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO HAD A PERSONAL INJURY THAT WAS REPORTED LATER. THERE HAS BEEN NOT CORRECTIVE ACTION DONE TO THIS POINT. *NM

WHEN FUELING GAS TANK, PUMP KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. FIRST REPORTED 6-30-05 TODAY TOOK INTO MAITA FORD, AUIBURN AND RECEIVED INFORMATION OF A REPORT: OASIS SSM 18938 WITH NO NEW INFORMATION TO FIX PROBLEM.. WHY? *NM

WHEN I PURCHASED MY 2005 FORD FOCUS, I HAD NOTICED THAT MY KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. LATER I DISCOVERED, THAT IF YOU "CANNOT" PUSH THE BUTTON IN ON THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER ON THE FLOOR TO PUT IT INTO GEAR, THE SHIFTER THEREFORE IS LOCKED AND THEN YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PULL YOUR KEY OUT. THIS WORKS FOR ME, HOPEFULLY IT HELPS SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION, THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS REPAIR AS THE PROBLEM IS NOT AN ISOLATED INSTANCE. THERE ARE HUNDRED OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS, YET FORD WILL NOT ABSORB THE REPAIR. *TR

FORD FOCUS HAS LESS THAN 7800 MILES ON IT, AND YESTERDAY MORNING AT 5:30 AM WHILE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON SOUTH BOUND ON I-75 AT 75 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK THANKFULLY HE WAS NOT INJURED HOWEVER, SINCE HE WAS NEARLY THE ONLY VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME THIS IS CAUSE FOR GREAT CONCERN. HE IMMEDIATELY CALLED PAT MILLIKEN FORD WHERE WE LEASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY ASKED HIM TO BRING IT IN THAT EVENING FOR REPAIR. THIS AFTERNOON (1-25-06) WE GET A CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT WE NEED TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM BECUASE THERE IS A SMALL DENT UNDER THE VEHICLE WHICH POSSIBLY HIT THE SENSOR AND CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THEY INFORMED US THAT AN ADJUSTER WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT AND LOOK AT IT. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THERE IS NO WAY THAT IF SOMETHING HIT THE SENSOR UNDER THE CAR THE SIDE AIRBAG SHOULD DEPLOY. I HAVE AN 8-MONTH OLD CHILD WHO'S CAR SEAT IS LOCATED BEHIND THE DRIVERS SIDE, I CAN ONLY THANK GOD SHE WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. WHILE YOU PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE BAGS TO DEPLOY WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YOU NEVER EXPECT THEM TO DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN FILING A CLAIM BUT I WILL START WITH YOU AND WILL NOT END UNTIL I GET SOME RESULTS. I NEVER WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME, MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE, CAUSED AN ACCIDENT HIMSELF WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURED. PAT MILLIKEN FORD TOLD US THAT THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 3 OTHER FORD FOCUS'S BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME IDENTICAL REASON. CLEARLY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE WHO OWNS A FORD FOCUS.

THIS IS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR KEY BEING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AND I DISCOVERED THAT IF THE FLOOR SHIFTER IS NOT LOCKED THE KEY WON'T COME OUT. MAKE SURE THE FLOOR SHIFTER IS LOCKED IN PARK AND THE KEY SHOULD COME RIGHT OUT...IF IT DOESN'T WORK THEN YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE OTHER ISSUES WITH THE PROBLEM. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOLDING ON THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMING LOOSE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PRESS THE MOLDING BACK INTO PLACE. WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIR.

EVERY TIME WE WOULD ATTEMPT TO DRIVE OUR 2005 FORD FOCUS ZX3 ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE REAR END WOULD WIGGLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE, AT 20 MPH OR FASTER, IT FELT AS IF YOU WERE GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL AT ANY TIME, IT WAS REAL BAD WHEN YOU WENT FROM CLEAN ROADS TO SLIPPERY, IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO GO SIDEWAYS ! FORD GAVE OUR DEALER SEVERAL THINGS TO TRY, BUT THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO STOP CAR FROM WIGGLING ALL OVER, THIS CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, DEALER HAD THE CAR AT THERE LOT FOR APROX 28 DAYS, MAINLY BECAUSE I WOULD NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THIS CAR WHEN ROADS WERE SLIPPERY, WE FEARED FOR HER SAFETY ! FORD DECIDED THEY COULD DO NO MORE UNTIL FORD SERVICE ENGINEER HAD A CHANCE TO DRIVE IT ON SLIPPERY ROADS, HE WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET HERE WHEN ROADS WERE BAD, HE DID A WEEK OR SO AGO DRIVE A XZ3 AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP WHEN THE ROADS WERE ICY, HE CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT OUR DEALERSHIP TO TELL HIM THAT THE FOCUS HE DROVE WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD, AND THAT IT ALMOST WENT SIDEWAYS WHEN HE WENT FROM SLIPPERY TO DRY ! SO THEY DECIDED THAT ALL FOCUS ZX3 MUST DO THAT, AND THAT THERE WAS NO FIX ! ONLY PARTS THAT I KNOW THAT WERE CHANGED WERE THE TIE-BLADES ? FORD WOULD NOT HELP US GET OUT OF IF THIS CAR, BUT OUR DEALER WORKED VERY HARD WITH US, AND GOT MY WIFE IN TO A 2006 ESCAPE YESTERDAY ! A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO SIMMONS FORD IN VICKSBURG MICHIGAN ! *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN USING THE HEATER DUST BLEW IN HIS EYES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THE PARTICLES WERE ACTUALLY FLUX FROM THE HEATER CORE. WHEN THE HEATER CORE GOT HOT THE FLUX BROKE UP AND SEPARATED FROM THE CORE. THE DEALER FLUSHED THE HEATER CORE. THIS STOPPED THE PARTICLES FROM ESCAPING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONTACT'S EYES WERE BURNING AND STINGING WHEN THE FLUX BLEW IN HIS EYES. HE MUST TURN THE VENTS AWAY FROM HIS FACE TO AVOID ANY CONTACT WITH THE PARTICLES. THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER HEATER CORE FLUSH NEXT WEEK. NO OTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FOCUS IN OCTOBER OF 2004. AFTER A RAINSTORM IN NOVEMBER OF 2005, A MAJOR LEAK OCCURRED, LEAVING OVER 2 INCHES OF WATER ON THE FRONT, PASSENGER FLOOR. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE CAR. IN JULY OF 2006 I FOUND WATER IN THE SAME LOCATION. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT THE CAR, THEY STATED THAT IT IS COMING FROM A DIFFERENT LOCATION (NOT WHERE THEY ORIGINALLY SEALED IT). THEY WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE MY DASHBOARD, REQUIRING EXTENSIVE LABOR, TO LOCATE THE NEW CAUSE OF THE LEAK. UNFORTUNATELY, MY WARRANTY IS UP BECAUSE I DRIVE FAR TO WORK. I HAVE ONLY GONE 700 MILES OVER MY LIMIT. AFTER SPEAKING WITH MANY AGENTS AT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY I FIND I AM OUT OF LUCK. A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT IF THERE WERE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THEY WOULD HAVE TO FILE A RECALL BUT HE HAS NOT HAD ANY YET. (I AM THE FIRST...I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE). I WENT ON-LINE TO SEARCH FOR OTHERS IN MY SITUATION. I FOUND NUMEROUS WEBSITES WITH COMPLAINTS OF FORD FOCUSES LEAKING ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR. PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING SITES FOR ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/ HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EE9B783/30 HTTP://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&POSTID=1134094#POST1134094 HTTP://WWW.TALKABOUTAUTOS.COM/GROUP/ALT.AUTOS.FORD.FOCUS/SEARCH.HTML?Q=WATER+LEAK. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED, THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED IT WAS A BATTERY NOT CHARGING PROPERLY LIGHT. LATER IN THE DAY, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR, AND THE ALTERNATOR IS BEING REPLACED. *AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION NEAR MY HOME. THE STREET WAS WET, AND WHEN I DETERMINED THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP, I APPLIED FULL BRAKING. MY VEHICLE DOES HAVE ABS, BUT MY WHEELS FULLY LOCKED. I REAR ENDED A 1994 FULL SIZE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH. MY CHIEF COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THAT THE ABS BRAKING WAS ESSENTIALLY NON-EFFECTIVE. THIS ACCIDENT WAS MY FAULT, HOWEVER, I DID EXPECT THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON MY VEHICLE TO WORK. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED FOR REPAIR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS BRAKING UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE AIRBAG FAILURE.

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE WHEEL COVERS POPPED WHILE DRIVING, ONE OF THE COVERS CAME OFF THE CAR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE COVER BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC. HE CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY WOULD REVIEW THE PROBLEM ONLY IF THE WHEEL COVER WAS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER 2005 FOCUS AIR BAGS FAILED DURING FRONTAL COLLISION. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS FAMILY WERE INJURED, BUT DID NOT STATE HOW MANY. *JB

THURSDAY MORNING, (10/6/05) I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON THE DAN RYAN I94. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY HOOD. I THOUGHT I MUST BE OVERHEATING, THOUGH THAT SEEMED WEIRD SINCE IT WAS FAIRLY COOL OUTSIDE AND NOTHING ON MY DASH SHOWED DISTRESS. I PULLED QUICKLY TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND DECIDED TO CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. WHILE ON HOLD A STRANGE SMELL STARTED TO FILL THE CAR AND I NOTICED MORE SMOKE AND THE SMOKE WAS GETTING DARKER. I GRABBED MY BAG, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. WITHIN A MINUTE, THERE WERE SMALL FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I BEGAN TO WALK QUICKLY AWAY FROM THE CAR ALONG THE SHOULDER. ALL THIS TO SAY THAT THE CAR IS TOTALED, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MADE IT BEFORE IT EXPLODED....BUT IT IS DESTROYED. *NM

THE VEHICLE HAS A CHRONIC FAILURE IN THE REAR BRAKES, THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE OCTOBER 2005. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 FORD FOCUS WAGON. THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE, THE CAR SKIDS, AND THEY SQUEAL. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP OVER A HALF A DOZEN TIMES. *JB

THERE WAS SHAKING IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR...I FINALLY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FOCUS AND WHEN THEY CHECKED IT OUT, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY....THEN IN NOV. 2005 I MOVED TO SYLVA, AND HAVE BEEN TO ANDY SHAW FORD 3 OR 4 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THEM TO CHECK THE SHAKING IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR, TWICE TO BE TOLD THAT MY TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE, AND THAT NOTHING ELSE WAS FOUND AT THE TIME...THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES I WENT THERE, I WAS TOLD THAT MY TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE, AND THEY CHARGED ME FOR BALANCING MY TIRES...WHICH THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, NOR DID IT FIX THE PROBLEM...AROUND THE THIRD TIME I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN SYLVA, THEY DID A TEST DRIVE WITH ME IN THE CAR AND WAS TOLD BY TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THAT IT RODE LIKE ANY OTHER FORD FOCUS...I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FOR MY CAR AT A LOCAL TIRE DEALER THIS PAST SATURDAY, AND TODAY I WENT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH MY CAR, AND THEY PUT MY CAR UP ON A LIFT, AND STARTED MY CAR AND GAVE IT THE GAS SO THAT MY TWO FRONT TIRES WOULD SPIN, AND THE DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE TIRE WAS NOT SPINNING RIGHT, BUT THE OTHER FRONT TIRE WAS SPINNING SMOOTHLY...THE FELLOW TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE MY WHEEL, OR MY TIRE, AND I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD JUST PURCHASED NEW TIRES...THEN I WENT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT MY NEW TIRES, AND ASK THEM WOULD THEY PUT THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE ON THE NEW WHEEL THAT I HAD IN MY CAR AND THEY DID AND I TEST DROVE THE CAR, AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED...I TALKED TO A FORD CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT HAS HIS OWN SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE THE TIE ROD, HE WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAD CAME TO HIS SHOP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME TYPE OF CAR, SAME YEAR, AND ALL... I HAVE BEEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SALISBURY, NC WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR, AS WELL HAVE MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN SYLVA TO BE TOLD THAT MY TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SURGE WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING. NO WARNINGS WOULD OCCUR PRIOR TO THE FAILURES AND THE FAILURES HAD BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE FAILURES, THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE HIGH AND RUN ROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 9/16/11 *CN UPDATED 2/22/12 *CN

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SHIFT CABLES CONTINUED TO BREAK. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE AND ONCE PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CABLES TWICE, MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CABLES ONCE, AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT REPAIRS WERE MADE BEFORE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL HARD TO GET INTO GEAR. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS BEFORE IT BREAKS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP OR AVOID THIS COLLISION I COLLIDED WITH THIS VEHICLE AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE, CAUSING IN EXCESS OF $8,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO JUST MY VEHICLE. BOTH FORNT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY , BUT THE SEAT BELTS DID RETRACT, CAUSING NECK AND ABDOMEN INJURIES TO BOTH OF US IN THIS VEHICLE. *AK

2005 FORD FOCUS WITH AIR BAG LIGHT ON, AND OTHER PROBLEMS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT CLOSE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. *KB

ON SUN 8/28/05 I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I69. JUST SOUTH OF EXIT 25 I WAS GOING TO PASS A RV. I CHECKED MY MIRRORS AND THOUGH IT WAS SAFE TO PASS, BUT I MISSED JUDGED THE CAR BEHIND ME AND HE WAS IN MY PASSING LANE. I JERKED BACK INTO MY LANE. WHEN STRAIGHTENING UP SOMETHING POPPED IN MY STEERING. AS A RESULT I WHEN SLIDING SIDEWAYS DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I FINALLY ENDED UP SLOWLY GLIDING DOWN THE GUARD RAIL. I COULD NOT STEER MY CAR. *NM

DT: THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER POPPED OUT AND LANDED ON PAPERS AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT BURNED THE PASSENGERS IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN THE TO SEATS. HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. THIS HAPPENED MONDAY AUGUST 15, 2005. THE CONSUSMER SUSTAINED BURNS ON RIGHT HAND.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WORK PROPERLY. THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE REAR DOOR ONLY OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE SEATS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY MILES TO BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V030000, WHICH IS RELATED TO THE REAR DOOR LATCH. THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS NO MENTION OF A MILEAGE RESTRICTION IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104315. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK AT TIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE IS NOT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPDATED 01/04/11*JB

I WAS REAR ENDED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 8/13/05, THE LOCKING MECHANISM IN MY SEAT BELT DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY AND MY FACE AND ARM WERE PROPELLED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED. I WAS HIT WITH SO MUCH FORCE THAT MY CAR WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER CAR WHO WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER CAR. *JB

'05 FORD FOCUS ZXW. VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 WEEKS OLD. IN SHOP 4TH TIME FOR VIBRATION IN FRONT END AND PULLING TO RIGHT. DEALER REPLACED 1 FRONT TIRE, BALANCED ALL 4, CHANGED CAMBER ANGLE AND RE-ALIGNED STEERING WHEEL. CAR STILL VIBRATES AT 65 AND NOW PULLS TO LEFT. BACK TO DEALER AGAIN FOR 5TH TIME. APPEARS TO ORIGINATE FROM RIGHT FRONT. WILL PRESS FOR STRUT AND SUSPENSION INSPECTION. *JB

ONCE ON A 3 LANE EXPRESSWAY (7/29/05) AND ONCE ON A BUSY STREET (8/4/2005), THE STICK SHIFT DISCONNECTED ITSELF FROM THE TRANSMISSION LEAVING ME IN NEUTRAL THE FIRST TIME AND 1ST GEAR THE SECOND TIME. THE 2005 (245 MILES ON IT) FORD FOCUS LEFT ME IN A SITUATION WHERE I WAS A SITTING DUCK AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED THE FIRST TIME AND YELLED AT THE SECOND TIME. THE DEALER (FRONTIER FORD, SANTA CLARA, CA) RECONNECTED THE LINKAGE THE FIRST TIME IT WAS TOWED IN. IT FAILED AGAIN ON 8/4 AND WAS TOWED IN AGAIN. NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE 8/4/2005 AWAITING PARTS. THE DEALER SAID MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO EXHIBIT THIS FAILURE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY HAZARD AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING TO FIX IT BUT TELL ME THAT THE CABLE ASSEMBLY IS ON ORDER. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4000.

AS VEHICLE WARMS UP, THERE IS A WHINING NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE RPMS BEING HIGHER. IT ALMOST FEELS AS IF IT'S BELT OR POWER STEERING RELATED, BUT THERE IS NO LOSS OF STEERING POWER. ALSO, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO LOSS OF POWER ANYWHERE ELSE. WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE WHERE A TURN IS INVOLVED, AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, THE NOISE IS "FEELING" IN THE WHEEL IS A BIT EXAGGERATED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO JEROME DUNCAN FORD (IN STERLING HEIGHTS, MI) FOR SERVICE YESTERDAY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE IS "NORMAL OPERATING" NOISE. I DON'T BUY IT AND TOLD THEM I'D DEFINITELY BE BACK IF SOMETHING WENT WRONG.

DT: 2005 FORD FOCUS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GRILL AND HEADLIGHTS WERE OUT OF PLACE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WERE NOT SURE IF THEY WERE GOING TO ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP MADE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT THE CONSUMER DIDN'T FEEL IT WAS PROPERLY CORRECTED. THE CONSUMER STATED ONLY ONE HALF OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS ABLE TO BE PUT IN COMPLIANCE. HE HAS BEEN TOLD THE RADIATOR SUPPORT PANEL WAS BUILT IN AN IMPROPER POSITION. FORD STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITHIN TOLERANCE. IT SHOULD NOT AFFECT ANY SAFETY COMPONENTS. WHEN THE CONSUMER ASKED FOR THAT IN WRITING THEY WERE UNSURE OF THEMSELVES. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE HOOD SITS TOO LOW AT THE FENDER NEAR THE RIGHT A- PILLAR, THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. *JB