2013 Ford Focus Owner Complaints

AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 AM, ROADWAY WAS WET (PREVIOUSLY RAINED), TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN LANE 3 OF 3 AND CHANGING LANE INTO LANE 2 OF 3 WHILE MILDLY ACCELERATING AND THEN LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR LIGHTLY AS CHANGING LANE (APPROACHING REAR OF VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME). AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AFTER CHANGING INTO LANE 2, THE VEHICLE APPARENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT USER INPUT, ENGINE COULD BE REVVED TO 5K RPM WITH NO EFFECT ON FORWARD SPEED. I MOVED GEAR SELECTOR INTO N FROM D AND BACK, AND D TO L AND BACK WITH NO EFFECT. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO FAR LEFT AS IT WAS UNSAFE TO MOVE TO RIGHT. VEHICLE WAS OTHERWISE COASTING WITH VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE (SPEED LOSS WAS VERY GRADUAL SUGGESTING NO BRAKING EFFECT VIA ENGINE COMPRESSION). ONCE I REACHED APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH THE TRANSMISSION REENGAGED A GEAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED WITHOUT USER COMMAND, CAUSING LOSS OF PROPULSION AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND. *TR

10/30/2012

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION HUNTED FOR A GEAR BUT SEEMED TO GET STUCK BETWEEN GEARS AND ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE RPMS STAYED UP SINCE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE RPMS DIDN'T DROP, BUT KIND OF JUMPED AROUND. I TRIED APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR BUT IT JUST REVVED AND DIDN'T ACCELERATE. I THEN STOPPED APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, THEN SHIFTED BACK TO DRIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION FOUND A GEAR AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. *TR

11/9/2012

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES ARE HARD TO READ ON A SUNNY DAY. THE VISION OF THE SPEEDOMETER, WHILE DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY IS VERY HARD TO READ. IT IS A DISTRACTION TO STARE AT THE SPEEDOMETER, TO SEE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS ARE SET AT THE BRIGHTEST SETTING. THE GLARE FROM THE POLISHED ALUMINUM ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY. THE CLUSTER GAUGE BACK LIGHTS NEED TO BE BRIGHTER. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WAS NOT A HELP... *TR

10/18/2012

INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE IN PARK - STOPPED THE CAR AND PLACED IT IN PARK (THOUGHT I DID) SHUT THE CAR OFF AND LOCKED THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED THE STORE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS OBVISIOUSLY NOT IN PARK BUT ALLOWED ME TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND LOCK THE DOORS WHILE NOT IN PARK. I HAVE NOTICED THIS BEFORE AND FIND THAT YOU NEED TO ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE IT IS IN PARK. THIS IS A KEYLESS VEHICLE - OTHER KEYED VEHICLES THAT I OWN WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO PULL THE KEYS OUT IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FLAW IN THIS KEYLESS VEHICLE.. *TR

1/6/2013

I OWN A 2013 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK TITANIUM MODEL. PURCHASED THE CAR IN JANUARY 2013. CURRENTLY HAS 1100 MILES ON IT. CAR HAS A SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT FORD HAS DUBBED "POWERSHIFT". TRANSMISSION IS VERY JITTERY AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHILE ACCELERATING. IT IS ALSO HESITANT TO SHIFT GEARS AND PICK UP SPEED. IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THE CAR JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. FROM A STANDING STOP THE CAR WILL START TO ROLL BACK WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE AND STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

2/13/2013

NOTED JERKY MOVEMENT OF CAR DURING TURNS AND IMMEDIATELY UPON ACCELERATION. WAS MINOR AT FIRST, BUT APPEARED TO INCREASE IN DURATION AND INTENSITY WITH ADDITIONAL MILEAGE. QUALITY OF SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS VERY POOR - SURGING AND LURCHING NOTICED. SLIGHT OIL LEAK DETECTED TOWARDS FRONT END OF ENGINE AT FIRST OIL CHANGE. UNDER ENGINE COVER ALSO COATED WITH ENGINE OIL RESIDUE. TOOK VEHICLE INTO FORD DEALER FOR ABOVE COMPLAINT, WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE HAD LOST OIL DUE TO LEAK AND HAD CONTAMINATED ITS CLUTCHES (EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC, IT HAS 2 CLUTCH DISCS) WHICH CAUSED ERRATIC PERFORMANCE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR. INITIAL GUESS IS DEFECTIVE REAR MAIN SEAL IS AT FAULT. CONCERN OVER DAMAGE TO ENGINE DISMISSED BY SHOP SUPERVISOR. PERSONAL CONCERN WAS THAT VOLUME OF OIL SOAKING INTO UNDER ENGINE COVER COULD BE IGNITED BY ENGINE AND CAUSE FIRE. SAFETY CONCERN OVER DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION IS THAT DECREASED PERFORMANCE WOULD LEAVE VEHICLE STRANDED. COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL WOULD RESULT IN CAR STOPPING, AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE ACCIDENT, DAMAGE, FIRE, ETC. *TR

3/8/2013

DRIVING TO WORK TRAVELING AT 80 MPH MY FORD FOCUS 2013 HATCHBACK SE DECELERATES TO 60 MPH. I STEP ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE RPM GOES FROM 3000 RPM TO 4500 RPM WITH NO INCREASE IN SPEED. THE CAR WAS ONLY GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE IN THE ROAD NO MORE THAN 10 DEGREES OF ELEVATION. I RELEASE THE GAS AND THEN TRY TO STEP ON THE BRAKE GENTLY. IF THERE WERE PROBLEMS ACCELERATING I WANTED TO BE SURE I WOULD BE ABLE TO STOP. THE BRAKES WORKED FINE, BUT WHEN I PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE I COULD NOT GET THE CAR BEYOND 60 MPH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT EVER HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW JAN 2, 2013. I LIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO SO THERE WERE NO EXTREME WEATHER CONDITION TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE. *TR

2/14/2013

AS I PULLED OUT INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC FROM A GAS STATION, I REALIZED MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 15-20 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND PROCEEDED TO THE STOP LIGHT, WHICH WAS ABOUT A 100 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD. AT THE RED LIGHT I PLACED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 3500-4000 RPM'S. I THEN TURNED ON THE WARNING FLASHERS, AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PROCEEDED AT 15-20 MPH UNTIL I COULD TURN INTO A SAFE AREA ABOUT 1 MILE DOWN. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. WHEN THE DEALER RAN MY VIN# THROUGH THEIR SYSTEM, IT SHOWED THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THIS VERY PROBLEM. THEY THEN REPAIRED THE CAR AND IT NOW SEEMS TO BE RUNNING OK, ALTHOUGH I DON'T FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT IT. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING LIKE THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, ESPECIALLY IF I AM IN A SITUATION LIKE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. MYSELF AND MY WIFE WERE KNOWINGLY PUT INTO A POTENTIALLY UNSAFE RISK BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WHICH I FEEL COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD BEEN A LITTLE MORE PROACTIVE IN NOTIFYING THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS OCCURRING. *TR

4/23/2013

DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY ~50MPH THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT AS THOUGH BEING BLOWN BY HEAVY WINDS, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS LITTLE/NO WIND THAT DAY. I APPLIED A TYPICAL, SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT TO THE LEFT BUT THE STEERING WHEEL RESISTED MY INPUT, AS THOUGH SOMEBODY WAS HOLDING ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE RIGHT, AFTER A SPLIT SECOND, THE OPPOSING PRESSURE RELEASED AND THE WHEEL OVERCORRECTED TO THE LEFT FOLLOWED BY THE IDENTICAL RESPONSE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT BACK TO THE RIGHT. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS EVERY MILE OR SO, FOR APPROXIMATELY 9 MILES, UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE HIGHWAY. AT LOWER SPEEDS (CITY DRIVING) THE STEERING IS COMPLETELY NORMAL. THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED ON THREE DIFFERENT STRETCHES OF HIGHWAY IN THE JACKSONVILLE AREA. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT LANES, CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE, AND I HAD THE DEALERSHIP CHECK IT BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. APPLYING LIGHT/STEADY/EVEN PRESSURE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE DESIRED CORRECTION, WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE BEYOND THE POINT WHERE YOU FEEL THE RESISTANCE SEEMS TO HELP PREVENT THE OVERCORRECTION PROBLEM. ON 9 JAN, WHEN CROSSING UNEVEN LANES ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, THE WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT MORE THAN YOU'D EVER EXPECT UNDER THESE CONDITIONS AND I ENDED UP HALF WAY INTO THE NEXT LANE. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS IN THAT LANE OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITHOUT A DOUBT. THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY AN OVERCORRECTION TO THE LEFT, AND AGAIN BACK TO THE RIGHT. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN BELOW 40MPH BEFORE THE RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING EASED UP. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY THAT I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH; I HAVE TRAVELED IT WITHOUT INCIDENT ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS, AND I WAS PREPARED FOR THE TRANSITION BETWEEN THE TWO UNEVEN LANES. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER VEHICLES WITH EPAS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL!! *TR

1/10/2013

APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES INTO TRIP TO WORK FROM HOME THE POWER ASSIST STEERING ON MY 2013 FORD FOCUS FAILED AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE BECAME SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFICULT TO STEER. LUCKLY I WAS ON A STRAIGHT PATH, HAD THIS HAPPENED IN A TURN, AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY OCCURED. AT THE POINT WHERE THE POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILED A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARDS LED DISPLAY THAT READ SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT THAT LOSE OF POWER ASSITED STEERING DETECTED. AFTER THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARED, THE VEHICLE'S (!) LIGHT REMAINED LITE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHO AFTER LOOKING AT IT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT RAN PERFECTLY. NO ISSES WITH THE STEERING AT ALL, BUT THAT THERE WERE SOME "CODES" LOOGED IN THE VEHICLE'S SYSTEM THAT THEY WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH AND WERE TRYING TO REACH THE "FORD HOTLINE" FOR FURTHER HELP. *TR

1/24/2013

VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH WITH NO WARNING. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART FOR 10-15 MINUTES, THE CAR DID RE-START, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP ON 2/22. AWAITING INFORMATION FROM DEALER. *TR

2/25/2013

WE WERE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON 290 AT 1ST AVE.OUR VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. WE CALLED THE FORD 1-800 NUMBER AND REQUESTED TOW SERVICE AND THAT AN ILLINOIS TROOPER BE CALLED. WE ALSO CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE BRAND NEW CAR. THE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED WE TRY STARTING THE CAR AGAIN. SECONDS AFTER STARTING THE CAR AGAIN, A FLAME BURST OUT OF THE FRONT HOOD. WE EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER MORE FLAMES APPEARED , FOLLOWED BY THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR BECOMING ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR

5/8/2013

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH. SUDDENLY AN ERROR MESSAGE POPPED UP "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC". THEN THE CAR WAS DISABLED. THE SPEED AUTOMATICALLY REDUCED. THE SPEED DID NOT RESPOND OR INCREASE AT ALL WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SAFETY. THEN THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, THEN TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THE ERROR MESSAGE "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" POPPED UP AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED FROM 0 TO 30 MPH, THEN IT RAN CONSTANTLY AT 30 MPH. THIS TIME, THE SPEED DID NOT RESPOND AT ALL WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL, WITHOUT YOU BEING ABLE TO TURN OFF CRUISE CONTROL! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE 1ST TIME. THEY REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE 2ND TIME. I EVEN TOOK A PICTURE OF THE ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD AND SHOWN IT TO THE SERVICE ADVISER. THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN RIGHT AFTER I DROVE OFF THE DEALERSHIP. THEN, I MANAGED TO DRIVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE ERROR MESSAGE STILL ON AND WITH THE ISSUE OCCURRING. SERVICE WAS ABLE TO COLLECT SOME KIND OF CODE FROM THAT ERROR MESSAGE, BUT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR, AND TOLD ME THEY WILL CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY. IT HAS BEEN 3 DAYS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE AT ALL. THIS MORNING, I TURNED ON MY CAR AND DROVE FOR 2 MINUTES AND THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN! AS FOR PROOF, I WAS ABLE TO RECORD A 30 SECOND VIDEO CLIP WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING ON A CONSTANT SPEED OF 30 MPH WITHOUT ME STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM CAN OCCUR RANDOMLY ANYTIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD! NOT SAFE FOR DRIVING! *TR

5/6/2013

THIS IS ACTUALLY THE 3RD TIME IN A MONTH THIS OCCURRED. THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING COMES UP. 1ST TIME ON 7/29, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, AND THE WRENCH SYMBOL DISPLAYED. TURNED OFF AND TRIED AGAIN 5 MINUTES LATER, AND THE CAR WORKED FINE. THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR GAVE NO NOTICE AS I MOVED TO ACCELERATE AT A GREEN LIGHT. A CLUNK, AND NO POWER, AND THE "STOP SAFELY" NOW WARNED OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME. I TURNED THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON, A PEDESTRIAN ASSISTED ME IN PUSHING THE CAR OUT OF THE TRAFFIC. IT RESTARTED 5 MINUTES LATER, I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER DID THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. AFTER WAITING OVER 2 WEEKS FOR THE CAR, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" OCCURRED AGAIN 5 DAYS AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TO TAKE TO FIX THE ISSUE. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR, KNOWING THE POWER CAN BE DISABLED ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME. I HOPE FORD TAKES THESE ISSUES SERIOUSLY. *TR

8/21/2013

MY FIVE YEAR OLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER REAR OF THE FORD FOCUS EV (2013) IN A BOOSTER SEAT (BOTTOM ONLY, NO BACK). HE MANAGED TO WRAP THE SEAT BELT AROUND HIS TORSO. WHEN MY WIFE ARRIVED HOME AND PARKED, MY SON UNHOOKED THE SEAT BELT, BUT THE BELT HAD LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE BELT WAS VERY TIGHT AGAINST MY SONS CHEST. WE TRIED TO WIGGLE HIM OUT AND TO RELEASE THE TENSION ON THE BELT, BUT WITH EACH TRY THE BELT TIGHTEN MORE. HE BECAME VERY SCARED AND WE CUT THE SEAT BELT.

8/29/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOCK WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SEAT BELT TO CLICK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE SEAT BELT LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,600.

9/24/2013

AS I PULLED OUT INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC FROM A GAS STATION, I REALIZED MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 15-20 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND PROCEEDED TO THE STOP LIGHT, WHICH WAS ABOUT A 100 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD. AT THE RED LIGHT I PLACED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 3500-4000 RPM'S. I THEN TURNED ON THE WARNING FLASHERS, AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PROCEEDED AT 15-20 MPH UNTIL I COULD TURN INTO A SAFE AREA ABOUT 1 MILE DOWN. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. WHEN THE DEALER RAN MY VIN# THROUGH THEIR SYSTEM, IT SHOWED THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THIS VERY PROBLEM. THEY THEN REPAIRED THE CAR AND IT NOW SEEMS TO BE RUNNING OK, ALTHOUGH I DON'T FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT IT. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING LIKE THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, ESPECIALLY IF I AM IN A SITUATION LIKE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. MYSELF AND MY WIFE WERE KNOWINGLY PUT INTO A POTENTIALLY UNSAFE RISK BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WHICH I FEEL COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD BEEN A LITTLE MORE PROACTIVE IN NOTIFYING THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS OCCURRING. *TR

4/23/2013

LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED - AS I WAS DRIVING THE HIGHWAY TO GO HOME, THE CARS MOTOR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, AFTER BARELY MAKING IT TO THE SHOULDER (INCHES FROM TRAFFIC) I LOOKED AT THE ESTIMATED MILES TO EMPTY, WHICH STATED 17 MILES TO EMPTY - YET I WAS OUT OF FUEL. SEEMS FORD FOCUS HAS A INCORRECT READING ON THE FUEL ECONOMY/AND OR ESTIMATED PORTION THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. (I TOOK A PHOTO OF THE DASH READOUTS AS WELL). *TR

8/27/2013

MY 2013 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK, IN THE DAYTIME YOU CAN NOT READ THE SPEEDOMETER GAGE IN THE CLUSTER PANEL. THE GAGE LIGHTING NEEDS TO BE BRIGHTER. THE SPEEDOMETER GAGE IS SET BACK IN THE DASH AND THE DIM LIGHTING MAKE IT VERY HARD TO SEE HOW FAST YOU ARE TRAVELING. WE LIVE IN SUNNY FLORIDA AND THE BRIGHT SUN DURING THE DAY MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TELL YOUR MPH. THE INSTRUMENT DIMMER SWITCH IS ADJUSTED TO THE HIGHEST SETTING. ON A CLOUDY DAY OR AT NIGHT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM TO SEE & READ. I DROVE 2 OTHER 2013 FORD FOCUS HB AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FORD DEALER SAID THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD, IF ONE CAN NOT CLEARLY READ THE SPEEDOMETER GAGE. I SURE HOPE AT SOME POINT IN TIME, THIS CAN BE CORRECTED. THANK YOU. *TR

6/4/2013

WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS OR IF YOU TURN ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES, GET "VERY DIM". WHEN THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE TURNED TO OFF, ALL OF THE GAGE LIGHTS GET BRIGHTER. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND SEE THE SPEEDOMETER DURING THE DAYTIME. I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE WITH MY RUNNING LIGHTS "ON" DURING OUR TRAVELS IN THE DAYTIME. BUT THE GAUGES GET TO DIM TO READ IN THE DAYLIGHT, SO WE TRAVEL WITH OUR RUNNING LIGHTS IN THE "OFF" POSITION. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THAT IS THE WAY THEY ARE DESIGNED AT THE PRESENT TIME. THE LOCAL DEALER DOES NOT HAVE A "FIX".... THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND MY WIFE. *TR

8/10/2013

THIS IS A COPY OF COMPLAINT SENT TO FORD... "THE HOOD ON MY ONE MONTH OLD FOCUS HAS POPPED FOUR (4) TIMES. TODAY I BROUGHT IT IN TO MY DEALER (RT 23 AUTO MALL, BUTLER, NJ) AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT "MAY" BE MY FOOT ACTIVATING THE HOOD LATCH. IF MY FOOT CAN OPEN THE CAR HOOD, YOU HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM. (WHICH WE ALREADY KNOW FROM THE OTHER DESIGN ISSUES THE FOCUS HAS). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!! FORD SHOULD REMOVE ALL FOCUS' FROM THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. MY DEALER AGREED AND GAVE ME A LOANER. THEY WILL BE CONTACTING YOU MONDAY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. IF I WAS ABLE TO TEST DRIVE THE FOCUS FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR, I PROBABLY (DEFINITELY) WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. I HAD CONVINCED MYSELF TO BUY AN AMERICAN MADE CAR, BUT I WAS WRONG!" *TR

1/26/2013

DRIVING INTO WORK ONE MORNING, I WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, ALMOST TO A STOP WHEN I THEN TURNED INTO A PARKING SPOT, PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE SO I THEN PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT A MUCH FASTER SPEED THAN USUAL AND THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE WALL OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE IN THE SPACE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN. ON OTHER OCCASIONS BEFORE THIS, I HAD EXPERIENCED HESITATION WHILE PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT NOTHING LIKE WHAT HAPPENED THE MORNING THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, HITTING THE CEMENT WALL IN THE PARKING STRUCTURE. *JS

9/24/2013

THE PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 FORD FOCUS ST, A SPORTY VERSION OF THE STANDARD FOCUS IS WITH THE GOODYEAR 235/40/18" SUMMER ONLY TIRES AS A STANDARD TIRE FOR ALL ST'S. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE, THEY OPENED A CASE NUMBER ([XXX]). I CALLED THE SALES MANAGER AT ASKING IF HE HAD ANY CONCERNS ABOUT SELLING A CAR WITH SUMMER ONLY TIRES. AFTER A BRIEF DISCUSSION HE AGREED THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE OFFERED AN OPTIONAL PACKAGE FOR THE CAR AS THEY DO FOR THE MUSTANG GT. I ALSO CONTACTED GOODYEAR'S CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY ALSO DIDN'T RECOMMEND THIS TIRE FOR WINTER DRIVING AND SUGGESTED FORD COULD HAVE OFFERED SEVERAL OTHER ALL WEATHER HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES. I WAS NOT TOLD THIS WAS A SUMMER ONLY TIRE FROM THE DEALER OR FORD, AND I SHOULD PURCHASE A WINTER SET OF TIRES AND WHEELS BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR. FOR AN ENTRY LEVEL CAR FOR SOME BUYERS THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM AND AN ADDED COST NOT EXPLAINED BEFORE THE SALE. TODAY I RECEIVED A CALL FROM [XXX]THE REGIONAL FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER. SHE HAD REVIEWED THE CASE WITH A FORD TECH MANAGER FOR THE FOCUS ST, THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE CAR COMES THIS WAY WITH SUMMER TIRES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN SNOW BUT CUSTOMERS CAN PURCHASE A SECOND SET OF ALL WEATHER TIRES AND WHEELS FROM LOCAL TIRE DEALERS SINCE THE FORD DEALER DOES NOT OFFER AN OPTION OR TIRES. NO OFFER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES, NO CREDIT FOR THE SUMMER TIRES TOWARDS PURCHASE OF ALL SEASON TIRES, OR MOUNT & BALANCE OF TIRES I COULD PURCHASE. AT THE DEALER OR FORD THERE IS NO OPTION TO PURCHASE AN ALL SEASON TIRE FOR A MAIN STREAM SPORTY ECONOMY CAR, LIMITING IT'S USE TO ABOVE FREEZING TEMPERATURE DRIVING. I'M VERY SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED BY FORDS UNWILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE ANY SOLUTIONS FOR A SERIOUS DRIVABILITY AND SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE 2013 FORD FOCUS ST DURING WINTER DRIVING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

3/7/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS SE. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO TIRES, SIZE 215/55/R16. THE DOT NUMBER WAS CNB3WBPC0913. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES HAD LIMITED TRACTION AND FAIL TO GRIP THE ROAD. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING LIMITED CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 2/11/14*CN THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES. UPDATED 02/18/14

12/26/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE A YAKIMA BIKE RACK ON THE ROOF OF HIS VEHICLE BUT THE FRONT AND REAR CLIPS FAILED TO CONNECT PROPERLY. THE RETAILER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER ENSURED THAT THE RACK WAS ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE RACK WAS NOT REPLACED. *TR

4/15/2013

MAY 1ST: SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION, VEHICLE SHUTTERS WHEN SHIFTING 4TH: NO CHANGES IN PERFORMANCE. SHUTTER AND VIBRATION CONTINUES; NO WORK PERFORMED. ADVISED ALL OF THIS IS A ?NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC? OF A DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. 10TH: SIGNIFICANT SHAKING AT IDLE CONTINUES 17TH: VIBRATION CONTINUES; TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO BUCK AND STALL. VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WELL TO SUDDEN STOPS? SIGNIFICANT SHUDDERING AND RPM GAUGE HAS RAPID FLUCTUATIONS. GEARS STILL MAKING GRINDING NOISE. 18TH: TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FELT WORSE THAN USUAL TODAY. 20TH: VEHICLE DOES NOT DRIVE WELL. TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO CLICK/POP/GRIND; GEAR CHANGES ARE ROUGH, SIMILAR TO SOMEONE WHO CANNOT DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION 24TH: ROUGH IDLE PERSISTS; CAR SLOW TO ENGAGE IN FIRST GEAR; FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. JUNE 4TH: ROUGH IDLE CONTINUES 26TH: GEAR CHANGES ARE NOT SMOOTH AND IN FACT ARE QUITE ROUGH; CAR DOES NOT FUNCTION NORMALLY. NO IMPROVEMENT WHATSOEVER SINCE LAST UPDATE. 29TH: VEHICLE SHAKES BADLY UPON START; VERY ROUGH SHIFTING; CAR DOES NOT FEEL SAFE JULY 5TH: GEARS ARE NOT ENGAGING PROPERLY; DELAYED ACCELERATION FROM 0MPH IN DRIVE 11TH: VIBRATION IS AS BAD AS EVER; NO IMPROVEMENT. 17TH: HAD TWO CASES OF DELAYED ACCELERATION & BUCKING TODAY 19TH: VEHICLE SHUTTERED SIGNIFICANTLY TODAY; RPM GAUGE PLATING CONTINUES TO RATTLE; PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH REMOTE KEY; BEGINNING OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS 21ST: TRANSMISSION STALLED UPON ACCELERATION AGAIN; SUBSTANTIAL HESITATION 22ND: LOUD GRINDING NOISE SHIFTING TO REVERSE; RPM GAUGE WENT TO ABOUT 2500 26TH: STALLING, SHUDDERING/BUCKING CONTINUES; GEAR CHANGES ARE NOT SMOOTH 28TH: INTERIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM; INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE NOR DO THE A/C & RADIO LIGHTS; 29TH: EXPERIENCED A VERY HARD JOLT UPON ACCELERATION SO MUCH SO THAT IT JARRED THE ENTIRE CAR. *TR

8/6/2013

MY PERFORMANCE CONCERN STARTED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. I HAD REPORTED WHAT I PERCEIVED AS A PERFORMANCE ISSUE TO THE DEALER BUT OPTED TO GIVE A NEW CAR TIME TO "BREAK IN". 4 WEEKS INTO MY OWNER EXPERIENCE, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HELD AND DROVE THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS AND HAD DETERMINED THAT A TRANSMISSION COMPONENT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE I WAS EXPERIENCING. I NOW HAVE OVER 10K MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS SINCE TOLD ME THAT THE ROUGH IDLE IN PARK OR IN GEAR WITH BRAKE APPLIED IS THE RESULT OF THE "DIRECT INJECTION" TECHNOLOGY USED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE HESITATION EXPERIENCED DURING 0 TO >0 ACCELERATION (GRADUAL OR HARD) IS ALSO THE RESULT OF THE "DIRECT INJECTION" TECHNOLOGY COUPLED WITH ELECTRONIC CLUTCH TECHNOLOGY USED IN PLACE OF A TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS COMBINATION HAS YIELDED NUMEROUS "ALMOST STALLED" CONDITIONS DURING NORMAL DRIVING MANEUVERS INCLUDING ACCELERATION DURING THE COMPLETION OF A LEFT TURN CROSSING ONCOMING LANES OF TRAFFIC. I RAISE THIS CONCERN AS I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION OF F150 VEHICLES WITH "DIRECT INJECTION" TECHNOLOGY AS A POTENTIAL CAUSE FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE FORD FOCUS HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY GOAL IS TO RAISE AWARENESS TO A SIMILAR CONDITION FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER UTILIZING THE SAME TECHNOLOGY. I ALSO HAVE A SECOND VEHICLE ([XXX]) THAT IS LEASED AND HAS THE SAME PERFORMANCE ISSUE DESCRIBED ABOVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

6/10/2013

THIS INCIDENT HAS NOW OCCURRED TWICE IN ONE WEEK. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX AND THE CAR JUST DIED. THE FUEL LIGHT NEVER WENT ON AND STILL SAID I HAD ABOUT 30 MORE MILES UNTIL E. WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY PUT GAS IN IT AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. IT SAID I HAD 144 MILES UNTIL E AND THEY CALIBRATED IT AND THE MILEAGE DECREASED TO 133. I DROVE THE CAR 80 MILES AND HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY, BUT THIS TIME I WAS ON A BUSY STATE ROAD GOING ABOUT 55 MPH WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. THE CAR JERKED AND I COULD TELL IT WAS LOSING POWER. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A SUBDIVISION. THE FUEL LIGHT NEVER WENT ON AND ALSO STATED I STILL HAD ABOUT 33 MILES LEFT UNTIL E. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED AGAIN TO SAME DEALERSHIP AND NO WORD ON WHAT IS WRONG. WAS TOLD THEY WERE ON THE PHONE WITH FORD TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I AM CURRENTLY IN A RENTAL AND SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR AS I AM AFRAID THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. ALSO, HAD MANY TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ISSUES THIS SUMMER AND THOSE PARTS HAVE SINCE BEEN REPLACED. THE CAR IS A YEAR OLD AND BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE TIMES THAN MY OLD CAR THAT I TRADED IN FOR MY NEW FORD. *TR

11/7/2013

WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS OR IF YOU TURN ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES, GET "VERY DIM". WHEN THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE TURNED TO OFF, ALL OF THE GAGE LIGHTS GET BRIGHTER. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND SEE THE SPEEDOMETER DURING THE DAYTIME. I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE WITH MY RUNNING LIGHTS "ON" DURING OUR TRAVELS IN THE DAYTIME. BUT THE GAUGES GET TO DIM TO READ IN THE DAYLIGHT, SO WE TRAVEL WITH OUR RUNNING LIGHTS IN THE "OFF" POSITION. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THAT IS THE WAY THEY ARE DESIGNED AT THE PRESENT TIME. THE LOCAL DEALER DOES NOT HAVE A "FIX".... THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND MY WIFE. *TR

8/10/2013

1ST INCIDENT: WIFE WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON ROUTE 30 BYPASS WEST IN DOWNING TOWN WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND GAVE A WARNING TO STOP SAFELY NOW. ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT MY WIFE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN THEN DROVE HOME WITH NO ISSUE. 2ND INCIDENT: TODAY 9/11 MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY FOR WORK AND THE CALL STALLED WITH THE MESSAGE TO STOP SAFELY NOW. SHE RE-STARTED THE CAR WITH NO INCIDENT AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO WORK. *TR

9/11/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT TIE ROD FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, CAUSING THE FRONT END OF THE FRAME TO DROP TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSTIC WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

8/22/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,552. UPDATED 02/11/2014 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TIE ROD. UPDATED 02/20/14

12/31/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD RESTRAINT WERE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND WOULD PUSH HIS HEAD FORWARD TO THE POINT WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT PURCHASE THE ADJUSTABLE HEAD RESTRAINTS. THE CONTACT FOUND THE SOLUTION TO BE UNREASONABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 300.

11/20/2012

THIS IS A COPY OF COMPLAINT SENT TO FORD... "THE HOOD ON MY ONE MONTH OLD FOCUS HAS POPPED FOUR (4) TIMES. TODAY I BROUGHT IT IN TO MY DEALER (RT 23 AUTO MALL, BUTLER, NJ) AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT "MAY" BE MY FOOT ACTIVATING THE HOOD LATCH. IF MY FOOT CAN OPEN THE CAR HOOD, YOU HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM. (WHICH WE ALREADY KNOW FROM THE OTHER DESIGN ISSUES THE FOCUS HAS). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!! FORD SHOULD REMOVE ALL FOCUS' FROM THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. MY DEALER AGREED AND GAVE ME A LOANER. THEY WILL BE CONTACTING YOU MONDAY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. IF I WAS ABLE TO TEST DRIVE THE FOCUS FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR, I PROBABLY (DEFINITELY) WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. I HAD CONVINCED MYSELF TO BUY AN AMERICAN MADE CAR, BUT I WAS WRONG!" *TR

1/26/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT HEADREST BLOCKED THE REARVIEW MIRROR VISIBILITY WHEN REVERSING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ADJUSTMENT AVAILABLE FOR THE HEADREST BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. ..UPDATED 04/24/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON WITH A WIDE SHOE TO STEP ON BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME. UPDATED 05/16/2013 *JS

3/14/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT HEADREST BLOCKED THE REARVIEW MIRROR VISIBILITY WHEN REVERSING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ADJUSTMENT AVAILABLE FOR THE HEADREST BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. ..UPDATED 04/24/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON WITH A WIDE SHOE TO STEP ON BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME. UPDATED 05/16/2013 *JS

3/14/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT HEADREST BLOCKED THE REARVIEW MIRROR VISIBILITY WHEN REVERSING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ADJUSTMENT AVAILABLE FOR THE HEADREST BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. ..UPDATED 04/24/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON WITH A WIDE SHOE TO STEP ON BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME. UPDATED 05/16/2013 *JS

3/14/2013

2013 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POOR DEALERSHIP SERVICE IN GETTING SECURITY CODE CHANGED ON CAR KEYS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED PARTS WERE MISSING FROM THE HATCHBACK AND FOR THE REAR TRAY.

3/20/2013

VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOST DRIVETRAIN POWER AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP IN THE LEFT-HAND LANE OF A MAJOR SURFACE STREET IN SAN JOSE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED THE WARNING 'STOP SAFELY NOW". ATTEMPTS TO RESTART OR REBOOT THE CAR FAILED LEAVING US DANGEROUSLY STRANDED IN MODERATE TRAFFIC FOR OVER 20 MINUTES UNTIL A NEARBY RESIDENT HELPED US TO PUSH VEHICLE TO SAFETY. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO FUNCTION BUT THE VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILIZED. PUSHING THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT, AS IF THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE FORD DEALER REPORTED THAT THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED AND COULD NOT BE DISENGAGED. FORD DEALERSHIP REPORTED OVER 30 DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES APPEARING ON THE VEHICLE THAT PROVED TO BE MISLEADING. INEXPERIENCE OF SERVICE TEAM WITH ELECTRICAL VEHICLES PROVIDED LOW CONFIDENCE THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD AND REPAIRED THE CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC MOTOR AND CONTROL MODULE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY AGREED TO REFUND OR REPLACEMENT OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

6/22/2013

WHILE DRIVING AN ALERT COMES ON STATING "STOP SAFELY NOW", THEN THE VEHICLE STARTS TO LOSE POWER, GIVING THE DRIVER LITTLE TIME TO PULL OVER. IF YOU ARE IN THE FAR LEFT LANE, IT COULD BE A REALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP ONCE BEFORE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED AND IT IS BECOMING AN ISSUE OF CONCERN. FROM THE INTERNET SEARCHES ON FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC STOP SAFELY NOW IT APPEARS TO BE A PRETTY LARGE ISSUE. *TR

8/8/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400.

8/12/2013

VEHICLE GRINDS GEARS FREQUENTLY. FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR VEHICLE WILL SHAKE, LOOSE POWER AND ALMOST STALL BEFORE ENGINE REGAINS POWER AND SHIFTS TO GO FORWARD. TAKEN TO FORD 4 TIMES. THEY SAY IT IS NORMAL AND JUST NEEDS TO BE BROKEN IN. AT ONE VISIT, THEY GAVE ME A 2 PAGE HANDOUT ON HOW DUAL CLUTCH ENGINE WORKS, AS IF THAT JUSTIFIES THE PERFORMANCE. THEY FINALLY REPLACED CLUTCH WHICH HELPED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE ORIGINAL PROBLEMS RETURNED. NOW, ON A GOOD DAY, THE CAR JUST GRINDS IN 3RD GEAR. MEANWHILE, FORD DOES NOTHING, SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *JB

9/4/2013

THIS IS A FOCUS ELECTRIC. WHILE STOPPED IN AN INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT, THE STOP SAFELY NOW LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND GET THE CAR OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTER A FEW CYCLES OF THE START/STOP BUTTON THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

9/12/2013

STEERING AND COMPUTER AIDED SYSTEMS ALONG WITH TIRES THAT WERE NOT DISCLOSED TO BE USED UNDER 40 DEGREES CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING INPUT AND CONTROL WHICH LEAD TO HITTING A CURB AND DAMAGING SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AS WELL AS THE DRIVE-ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE IS WORSE THAT BEFORE. THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE STEERING ON THE 2013 FOCUS ST AND AFTER 6 MONTHS OF GOING BACK AND FORTH, FORD CANNOT REMEDY THE SITUATION AND THE CARE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT ANY SPEED AS THE LACK OF STEERING CONTROL CAUSE UNNECESSARY MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE, REQUIRING NERVES OF STEEL TO DRIVE AT EVEN 20 MPH. CLUNKING NOISES AND GRINDING ALSO COMING FROM SUSPENSION AND TRANSMISSION GEARS. *TR

12/5/2013

STEERING AND COMPUTER AIDED SYSTEMS ALONG WITH TIRES THAT WERE NOT DISCLOSED TO BE USED UNDER 40 DEGREES CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING INPUT AND CONTROL WHICH LEAD TO HITTING A CURB AND DAMAGING SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AS WELL AS THE DRIVE-ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE IS WORSE THAT BEFORE. THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE STEERING ON THE 2013 FOCUS ST AND AFTER 6 MONTHS OF GOING BACK AND FORTH, FORD CANNOT REMEDY THE SITUATION AND THE CARE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT ANY SPEED AS THE LACK OF STEERING CONTROL CAUSE UNNECESSARY MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE, REQUIRING NERVES OF STEEL TO DRIVE AT EVEN 20 MPH. CLUNKING NOISES AND GRINDING ALSO COMING FROM SUSPENSION AND TRANSMISSION GEARS. *TR

12/5/2013

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REST ON A PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT IS NOT HEATED. AFTER HAVING FULLY CLEARED MY WINDSHIELD OF SNOW AND ICE BEFORE MY TRIP, I WAS QUITE SURPRISED TO FIND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS NON-FUNCTIONAL WHEN I WENT TO USE THEM TO CLEAR ROAD SPRAY FROM MY WINDSHIELD. WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS THAT THE WIPERS HAD REFROZEN TO THE WINDSHIELD AFTER HAVING BEEN CLEARED EARLIER. I COMMONLY DRIVE WITH THE VEHICLE'S CLIMATE CONTROL SET TO THE FLOOR/DEFROST SETTING TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD WARM, ESPECIALLY ON THE FIRST LEG OF A TRIP. THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE I OWN WHERE THE WIPERS DISAPPEAR FROM THE VIEW WHEN THEY ARE NOT USED. INSPECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD DESIGN SHOWS THAT THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT DIRECTLY EXPOSED TO CABIN HEAT, NOR IS THERE A EASY PATH FOR ENGINE HEAT TO AFFECT THIS AREA. THERE SHOULD BE, AT A MINIMUM, A METHOD TO DEFROST THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT THE WIPERS REST ON, EITHER THROUGH DIRECT THERMAL ELECTRIC MEANS, OR BY EXPOSURE TO CABIN HEAT WHEN THE HVAC IS ON THE DEFROST SETTING. HAVING WIPERS THAT RANDOMLY NOT FUNCTION BECAUSE THEY ARE FROZEN REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD WHEN ROAD SPRAY COVERS YOUR WINDSHIELD DUE TO GREATLY REDUCED VISIBILITY. ADDITIONAL HAZARDS ARE PRESENT BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO CHOICE TO BUT TO IMMEDIATLY STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO FREE YOUR WIPERS. THIS LEAVES YOU EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS WHILE YOU ARE STOPPED, AS WELL AS THE INHERENT RISK ASSOCIATED WITH MERGING BACK ON THE ROAD FROM A FULL STOP WITHOUT THE AID OF AN ON-RAMP, OR OTHER ACCELERATION LANE. *TR

1/18/2014