CarComplaints.com Notes: Ford changed a lot of things for its 3rd generation, just none of them were a good idea.
The transmission tends to hesitate and jerk when accelerating. The new electronically-driven power steering can fail suddenly and without warning. Even Ford's SYNC can be a headache. Actually, scratch that last one — it's always been a headache.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,630 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The radio/entertainment system of car has stopped functioning. Approx. 4 months ago, radio/entertainment system would intermittently shut down while driving. Prior to the shutdown, a very loud cracking noise would was heard through speakers. Only after turning the vehicle off and on would the service return. The stoppage would occur daily while driving, approx. 2-3 times a day. I changed the battery 4 weeks ago and once that happened, the frequency of stoppages increased and the noise through the speakers became louder. Two weeks ago, after a very loud screech, the radio/entertainment system ceased functioning. When turning on the car ignition, the entertainment system screen will only display the time and date. No use of radio, cd player, usb port and bluetooth.
Was driving to work and my car would not go. The rpms went way high and I could not go over 15 miles per hour in my car. Also my automatic clutch was bad and my stereo also has stopped working.
Initially, once vehicle is started and radio is turned on, crackling sounds are heard across entire dash of car. Radio stops working. Some days radio works, other days long stretches of crackling and then radio stops. Recently, radio does not work at all. When back door is opened, speaker in rear driver door crackles and sound is heard all the way to the front driver door and across dash to the radio. Radio has stopped working altogether. Cannot be turned off (appears to be on even though not working). Events occurred over 2 week period. No difficulty with transmission, operation or dashboard. Last event with crackling occurred as rear driver side door was opened to put items in back seat. Car not running.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus equipped with Goodyear viva 3 tires, size: 215/55R16 (na). The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 30 mph and the change engine oil warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that a warning message illuminated, indicating that the vehicle would shut off in five minutes due to overheating. Furthermore, while driving between 50 to 70 mph, the vehicle shook. The vehicle was taken to herb chambers Ford of westborough (310 turnpike rd, westborough, MA 01581, (508) 366-8311) where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be reset and replaced and that the tires were bald. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle failure mileage was 97,000. The tire failure mileage was unknown.
Vehicle completely died while driving. Replaced battery vehicle starts but shuts right off on its own. Vehicle also started on its own with keys just in the on position.
- Elk River, MN, USA
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Within the last 12 months or so, the stereo will emit a loud pop (which is quite alarming whilst driving) and then go out. It is now followed by what can only be described as electrical current running throughout the car and speakers. This last Saturday, while at work, a customer came in and asked who owned the blue Ford Focus because it's making a weird noise. I go outside (keys in my pocket) and sure enough, it sounds like electricity running through the speakers!! the following day, it did this again (keys still in my pocket). I performed a google search for this issue and came upon multiple sites (some dating as far back as 2015) describing this issue and the fact that Ford is unwilling to address this issue. I contacted Ford Motor Company this morning and was told that I would need to take it to my nearest Ford technical service to have a diagnostic performed so they could note what the issue may be, on my dime! to which I questioned the validity of this statement as there are thousands of people complaining about this very issue and find it rather odd that Ford has no knowledge what so ever regarding this issue. My main concern is, what possible damage could it be doing to the cars electronics as well as the alarming pop whilst driving. One of the main safety features of this vehicle was the ability of hands free calling, but that feature is completely rendered useless when this happens.
On Thursday August 2, 2018 around 8:30. The wires in the dash board caught on fire. The card began to fill with smoke. I could smell the burning and I wasn't sure of what was happening. I could hear a spark sound and I could tell that the wires where burning. This was an extremely dangerous situation, the entire car might have caught on fire, if my boyfriend didn't come and contain the fire.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the engine warning indicator flashed and remained illuminated as the failure progressed. The vehicle jerked and decelerated to a low rate of speed each time the indicator flashed. The dealer (landers Ford, 2082 w poplar ave, collierville, tn 38017, (901) 854-3600) provided a software update to the computer; however, the failure recurred. The contact planned on taking the vehicle to a second dealer (jack schmitt Ford, 1820 vandalia St, collinsville, il 62234, (618) 477-8126) for further diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure numerous times, but offered no assistance. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.
The first problem was with the transmission, Ford extended the warranty to cover whatever the part was out to 150K miles. The second problem was the radio/sync system quit working. And as of today July 7 a steering assist fault warning is coming up on the dash. I did some research and the problem does not appear to be an isolated incident. The steering assist fault warning comes on when you start the vehicle, we have not seen it happen while in motion.
I bought this car brand new in 2013. On 5/16/2018 I was driving down the road during rush hour in the left lane of traffic when all of a sudden the I get a notification that says "engine fault service now". then the engine cuts off in the middle of a busy road. The person behind me almost smashed into me but swerved at the last second and cut a car off in the lane next to me. I tried to turn the car off and then on, but it wouldn't start. It was sooo dangerous to be stuck on the road not able to do anything. I had to call the police to set up flares behind me. I have been reading blogs and I am not the only person this has happened to.
The car is stalling when accelerating which seems to be a common complaint from this year Focus owners. I took the vehicle to a transmission shop but they too were unable to diagnose. Some of the reading is showing there is an electrical connection issue which is causing this.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle's power seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to galpin Ford (15505 roscoe blvd, van nuys, ca 91343), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 143,358.
I've had the clutch and transmission control module replaced twice. The car still doesn't drive properly. My car locks, auxiliary, ac nobs need tweaking to work. The brake lights constantly go out. When I'm on an incline the brake alert comes on. And now there is a power steering issue. The steering wheel is completely locked up and I'm unable to drive the vehicle.
Wipers will not work when raining. Then they will come on on their own. Then go off again then come on and not turn off even after then engine has been shut off and the key removed. This is a major safety hazard and has been reported several times by several people. 2012 was recalled for this very same thing
Design failure in engine wiring harness the wires with in the engine wiring harness rub together with the vibration of an ignited engine. As friction occurs between the individual encased wires, the casing wears down, the wires risk becoming fused together within the harness. The consequences of a faulty engine wiring harness: 1.RPM readings do not coincide with the motor. The vehicle struggles to accelerate from the traffic light even though the car idles at 2000 RPM. Therefore, the tachometer is unable to read the rotation of the engine's crankshaft. 2.as the vehicle in motion encounters an incline it loses power and is unable to accelerate on any grade hill, causing the engine to dump fuel. In such instance one can watch the fuel gauge recess quickly from full to empty. 3.whether the engine is turned on or off, the tail light and horn will also short out, presenting faulty circuits.
Ford Focus shuts off when you press the brakes. It cranks back up fine but whenever you pull off and stop or try to slow down the car will shut down. It is happening constantly now.
Driving down the road at 35 when a steering failure warning popped up on the screen we drove a short distance to a gas station by then the power steering was completely gone. We did leave the gas station just trying to limp it home not far out of the gas station the steering completely locks up. Had it towed to the closest Ford dealer. $1900 to have the steering module replaced. I had just had the car in a month ago because the transmission failed. That was on recall so no cost. I'll tell ya I feel punched in the stomach and cant believe Ford does not take responsibility for all their faulty parts. Launching a complaint with Ford. New richmond, wi bought used in 10/17 Ford Focus 2013 86000miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving, an abnormal popping noise was coming from the radio. In addition, the radio failed to operate and then operated independently. After attempting to the lock the doors while inside the vehicle, the doors failed to lock while driving. The vehicle was taken to blue springs Ford (3200 nw South outer rd, blue springs, mo 64015), but was not diagnosed due to the cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Niskayuna, NY, USA