2008 FORD FOCUS Electrical System Problems

Ignition cylinder fails, leaving drivers stranded. Ford Focus online forums are plastered with numerous complaints about the focus ignition lock cylinder failure, and there are youtube videos showing how to repair it with tape or rigging a bypass push button ignition switch, but FORD should be fixing these issues so people are not stranded. Issue does not happen when driving, and only happens when key is off, and attempting to crank the car. Several people have complained about 500 dollar repairs that only last a few months before issue returns, and ford is very aware, but there are no recalls for the defect. I suppose a car that wont start is not considered dangerous, in itself, but the "hacks and fixes" for the issue can potentially be, and I think this deserves extreme scrutiny, as it affects several ford year models. drivers can suddenly be stranded miles from home and stuck with expensive repair costs that can render them without any transportation at all with no means of resolution.

MY IGNITION SWITCH IS GETTING STUCK AND IT IS NOT ALLOWING ME TO TURN ON THE CAR. IT IS HARD TO TURN ON MY VEHICLE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS MARKING ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, IT ISN'T ALLOWING MY VEHICLES MOTOR TO VENT OUT.

Mileage: 265,767

CONSTITUENT WRITES IN REGARDS TO SWITCH ASY IGNITION FAILURE ON 2008 FORD FOCUS. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS FOR THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CYLINDER IN THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME. THE IGNITION WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSTALLED A PIECE OF CARDBOARD IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Mileage: 104,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. INITIALLY, THE KEY HAD TO BE PUSHED DOWN FOR IT TO TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND WIGGLE IT UNTIL THE KEY TURNED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT CALLED FIRST FORD (LOCATED AT 292 WILLIAM S CANNING BLVD, FALL RIVER, MA 02721, (508) 730-1000) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 167,845.

Mileage: 167,845

WHEN I PUT KEY IN IGNITION MOST TIMES IT DOESNT CATCH AND CAR DOESNT TURN ON. I HAVE TO PUSH HARDER TO CRANK CAR ON OR TAKE KEY OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND KEEP TRYING UNTIL IT CATCHES. SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL KEY OUT PART OF IGNITION SWITCH PULLS OUT A LITTLE AND CAR VEGINS TO CHIME UNTIL I PUSH IGNITION SWITCH BACK IN. I KNOW THERE WAS A SIMILAR RECALL UNTIL THE 2005 MODEL, THIS ISSUE WAS NEVER FIXES FROM ALL THE RESEARCH IVE DONE ON THIS ISSUE

Mileage: 10,000

CAR TRIES TO DRIVE ITSELF WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE ( STATIONARY) & THE MALFUNCTION ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT IN THE CITY.LIGHTS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED SINCE PURCHASE. NO BACKSEAT LIGHTS WORKING.CAR ISLES RANDOMLY AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL STITCH TO NEUTRAL AND THEN IT GIVES ME CONTROL TO DRIVE AGAIN.PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE

Mileage: 119,000

THE INGNIITION SWITCH WENT OUT FOR A SECOND TIME. I REPLACED IT ONCE BUT DECIDED TO PUT A START BUTTON ON MY CAR. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR AN ANOTHER INGNIITION SWITCH. THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON IT.

Mileage: 56,598

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF THE FAILURE, BUT NOTHING COULD BE DONE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

OUR CAR IN 2017 WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD SUDDENLY STOPPED WITH ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON. CAR GOT STUCK AND WE COULD NOT START ENGINE IN NEXT FEW MINS. AFTER FEW MINS EVERYTHING BACK TO NORMAL. WE STARTED DRIVING AGAIN. AND DID NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM AGAIN FOR A WHILE. FAST FORWARD TO OCTOBER 2018 IT HAS DONE IT 3 TIMES NOW WHERE THE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND IT DIES NO POWER AT ALL I HAVE TO PUT IN PARK AND TURN OFF. IT THEN NORMALLY STARTS RIGHT UP AGAIN. THIS STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IN BUSY STREETS NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL SHOP. THEY SAID SERIOUS PROBLEM BIT WHERE THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. NEXT WENT TO FORD DEALER. SAME ISSUE HAPPENED IN FRONT OF THEM . THEY TOLD ME IT COULD BE IGNITION AS IT WAS OFF A LITTLE BUT THAT IT WOULD NOT START SO THAT WOULD NOT BE THE PROBLEM WITH IT DYING WHILE DRIVING. BUT AGAIN SAME PROBLEM. WE CALLED THEM AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WHILE DRIVING CAR BACK TO SHOP. BUT AFTER GOING THERE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM. SO THEY SAID TO TAKE CAR BACK BUT ADVISED TO BE CAREFUL WHILE DRIVING AS CAR MIGHT STOP ANYTIME

Mileage: 140,000

VEHICLE STATIONARY. UPON INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE DOES NOT START. THIS OCCURS WITH SEVERAL TURNS OF THE IGNITION. ONCE THE KEY IS STRONGLY INSERTED OR WIGGLES AROUND THE ENGINE STARTS. RECENTLY DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER. IT HAPPENS DAILY!

Mileage: 125,000

OUR CAR IN FEB 2017 WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD SUDDENLY STOPPED WITH ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON. CAR GOT STUCK AND WE COULD NOT START ENGINE IN NEXT FEW MINS. AFTER FEW MINS EVERYTHING BACK TO NORMAL. WE STARTED DRIVING AGAIN. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL SHOP. THEY SAID SERIOUS PROBLEM BIT WHERE THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. NEXT WENT TO INVERGROVE FORD DEALER. SAME ISSUE HAPPENED IN FRONT OF THEM . THEY DID SOMETHING. GAVE CAR BACK. BUT AGAIN SAME PROBLEM. WE CALLED THEM AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WHILE DRIVING CAR BACK TO SHOP. BUT AFTER GOING THERE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM. SO THEY SAID TO TAKE CAR BACK BUT ADVISED TO BE CAREFUL WHILE DRIVING AS CAR MIGHT STOP ANYTIME

Mileage: 61,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TURNING THE SWITCH, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN 2012 FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

Mileage: 163,000

HAVE PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER DOOR AND BOTH REAR DOORS. DOOR WON'T LATCH AT TIMES AND POWER DOOR LOCK WON'T LOCK AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES WON'T UNLOCK OR BOTH.

Mileage: 180,000

SWITCH TO START VEHICLE IS "STICKING" WHEN IT WORKS OR NOT STARTING AFTER 15+ ATTEMPTS. VERY ANNOYING & PERHAPS DANGEROUS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR. THE POP FEATURE, I BELIEVE , IS NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO START OR REMOVE THE KEY. CAR LESS THAN 80K MILES. OTHERWISE, LOVE THE CAR. CAR HASNT BEEN FIXED OR REPAIRED YET, LOOKING FOR RE-CALLS BC SEEMS TO BE A COMMON SITUATION.

Mileage: 80,000

OUR 2008 FORD FOCUS HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY HARDER TO CRANK. WE HAVE BEEN HAVE TO APPLY PRESSURE WHILE TURNING THE KEY AND NOW IT WON'T START AT ALL. I AM NOW STRANDED AT WORK UNTIL I CAN GET SOMEONE TO COME PICK ME UP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A PIN INSIDE THE IGNITION THAT WEARS DOWN UNTIL IT CAN NO LONGER MAKE CONTACT WITH THE PART INSIDE TO GET CAR TO CRANK. I BELIEVE FORD REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE ON THIS AND OTHER WEBSITES. *TR

Mileage: 179,288

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO START WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,437. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 94,437

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER MORE THAN FIFTEEN ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS HARD TO TURN, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/24/16.*JB

Mileage: 90,000

WE HAVE SPENT OVER 700$ TRYING TO FIX A IGNITION PROBLEM. NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL. THIS IS AWFUL. IT ISN'T FUN GETTING CAUGHT IN HOT WEATHER STUCK, NOT BEING ABLE TO START YOUR CAR.

Mileage: 190,000

I HAD TO PUSH THE KEY IN REALLY HARD TO START THE CAR. WELL, AFTER DOING THAT SO MANY TIMES IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

2008 FORD FOCUS DOES NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY OR STALLS RANDOMLY. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS AND NEARLY GOT HIT MORE THAN ONCE. I HAD THE PCM REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED FORD MECHANIC IN 11/14, IT HAD A TWO YEAR WARRANTY. IN 1/16 IT BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 4/16. AFTER REPLACING THE PCM AT A FORD DEALERSHIP THE SECOND TIME MY CAR STALLED OUT ON ME THE NEXT DAY. THE PCM CODE WAS THE SAME AT EACH LOCATION (CODE P00607). BOTH PCM'S WERE PURCHASED FROM FORD BRAND NEW. I AM NOW BEING TOLD BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THE FOLLOWING CODE (P0320) WAS OBTAINED. THEY INDICATED THE FOLLOWING WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE AMOUNT OF $575.00: THE COST OF THE REPAIRS INCLUDE: TUNE UP IS $260.00 THIS INCLUDES SPARK PLUGS ,SPARK PLUG BOOTS, AND 2 IGNITION COILS AND THE LABOR TO INSTALL THEM. THE COST TO REPLACED THE VALVE COVER GASKET THAT IS LEAKING OIL INTO THE SPARK PLUG VALLEYS IS $315.00 THIS INCLUDES THE PARTS AND LABOR. (SPARK PLUG VALLEYS #3 AND #4 HAVE OIL IN THEM.) MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS WAS NEVER A PCM ISSUE; HOWEVER, IT IS SOMETHING ELSE FEEDING MISINFORMATION TO THE PCM TO SEND INACCURATE CODES TO THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. THE PROBABILITY OF THREE PCM'S BEING FAULTY IN 1 YEAR IS NOT LIKELY. THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND IS A RISK TO OTHERS AND MYSELF ON THE ROADS. I HAVE GRAVE CONCERNS REGARDING THE RELIABILITY AND SAFETY OF THE 2008 FORD FOCUS SE. FORD NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE AND CORRECT THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

Mileage: 108,000

I HAVE TO PUSH THE KEY IN REALLY HARD BEFORE THE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER...I JUST HOPE IT DONT LEAVE ME STRANDED ONE DAY....

YES LATELY OVER THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS I'LL PUT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND GO TO START MY CAR NOTHING HAPPENS AT ALL NO CLICK NO NOISE NO LIGHTS COME ON. SO I WILL THEN PROCEED TO TURN THE CAR KEY BACK TO THE STARTING POSITION THEN TRY TO START MY CAR AGAIN AND YES NOTHING HAPPENS AGAIN NOT A PEEP. SO THEN I HAVE TO PROCEED TO TURN MY KEY BACK PULL MY KEY OUT STICK MY KEY BACK INTO THE IGNITION KIND THEN AS THE TWO TIMES PREVIOUSLY TURN TO START MY CAR AND IT ACTUALLY STARTS EXCEPT IT TAKES LIKE 2 SECOND HESITATION BEFORE IT ACTUALLY TURNS OVER MY IGNITION IS NEVER BEEN TAMPERED WITH MY CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT SO I'M KIND OF CURIOUS AS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING BECAUSE I SEE SOMEBODY ELSE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM

Mileage: 35,000

MY. 2008 FORD, FOCUS HAS FACTORY INSTALLED SUNSHINE SHIELD ON ALL WINDOWS. IT HAS BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THROUGH THE BACK WINDSHIELD, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, THE INSTALLED SHADE HAD BECOME FOGGY! MY CAR EATS TIRES WHICH HAVE TO BE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY EVERY 2.5YEARS. THE HEATER/AIR-CONDITIONER FAN HAS SHORTED OUT 3 TIMES, THANKFULLY, NO FIRE HAS BEEN STARTED! ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS OCCUR ON STATIONARY OR MOVING VEHICLE. THE ONLY COMPLAINT THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SHOP IS THE TIRE COMPLAINT. NO PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED.

Mileage: 15,000

3 OF MY 4 DOOR HANDLES DO NOT WORK THE PIN CAME OUT INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL ALLOWING ME TO ONLY USE MY BACK PASSENGER DOOR TO GET IN MY CAR I HAD MY KEYS IN HAND BUT THE DOOR WOULDNT OPEN CAUSING ME TO CALL AAA TO GET IN IM VERY UNHAPPY AND I WILL BE CONTACTING ANYONE I HAVE TO IN ORDER TO FIX THIS IM NOT PAYING FOR IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY HAD TO BE FORCED INTO THE IGNITION AND SHAKEN FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

MY FOCUS DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK. NOT ONLY WILL THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM NOT LOCK AND/OR UNLOCK THE DOORS BUT IT IS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK THEM MANUALLY. SO THE CAR WHEREVER IT IS IS ALWAYS UNLOCKED. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT PARTS ARE BACK ORDERED FOR MONTHS OUT AS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FOCUS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WHEN IT COMES TO THEFT BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY PREDATORS.

Mileage: 130,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE BELTWAY THE CAR STALLS AND SHUTS OFF AND WILL NOT RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND ONCE A TRUCK JUST MISSED ME TRYING TO COAST TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. IT HAS BEEN TO TWO SHOPS THAT SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. TODAY I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I FOUND THE OTHER COMPLAINT HERE ON THIS SITE WHILE LOOKING FOR RECALLS. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FAILURE AND THESE IGNITIONS MISSING A SCREW SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED.

Mileage: 122,056

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,707. UPDATED 8/31/15*CN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY A REPAIR SHOP. UPDATED 09/08/15*JB

Mileage: 58,707

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. REPEATED PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASED NEW!! KEY WON'T TURN LOCK OR GETS STUCK. *JS

Mileage: 32,000

I WENT SHOPPING WITH MY NIECE LAST YEAR AROUND THIS TIME AND I LOCKED MY CAR THE 2008 2 DOOR FORD FOCUS SES, I HAD COME OUT WITH IT POURING RAIN AND I GOT LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR ONLY INSTEAD OF THE KEYS BEING INSIDE THE VEHICLE IT JUST WASN'T WORKING. I RAN BACK INTO WAL-MART THINKING IT WAS THE KEYPADS BATTERY BUT NOPE SOON TO FIND OUT IT WAS WORKING FINE BUT THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO UNLOCK, SO I HAD TO CONTACT MY BOYFRIEND TO COME GRAB MY NIECE UNTIL THE LOCKSMITH GOT TO ME. HE CLICKED THE INSIDE UNLOCK BUTTON MANY MANY TIMES AND STILL COUPLING GET IN, WE TRIED USING THE ACTUAL KEY ITSELF STILL WOULDN'T WORK SO I HAD TO USE THE METAL ROD THAT'S NORMALLY USED FOR UNLOCKING THE CAR TO CLIMB FROM THE TRUNK AND GET THE LATCH THREW THE SEATS TO CLIMB ALL THE WAY THREW THE CAR SO ABOUT 5 HOURS LATER I FINALLY GOT INTO MY CAR AND OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR FIRST AND EVER SINCE MY OUTSIDE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT WORK. THIS HASN'T HAPPENED TO ME QUITE LIKE THIS BUT I'VE OWNED 6 FOCUSES THAT ALL THE DOOR HANDLES HAD TO BE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS LOCKOUT THING HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES SO I CAN'T EVEN LOCK MY CAR AND I KEEP THE WINDOW DOWN JUST INCASE. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

RANDOMLY THE BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. THEY WILL REMAIN IN THE "LOCKED" SETTING. THEY WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. UNABLE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK/OPEN EITHER DOOR. SOMETIMES BOTH DO THIS SIMULTANEOUSLY AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL BE ONE OR THE OTHER. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND THIS STARTED HAPPENING A FEW YEARS LATER. IT WAS SELDOM IN THE BEGINNING BUT NOW IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS THAT ONE OR BOTH DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. IF I CARRIED BACK SEAT PASSENGERS OFTEN THIS WOULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AS THIS IS A SMALL CAR AND VERY LITTLE ROOM AVAILABLE TO CRAWL IN/OUT FROM FRONT SEAT. THIS COULD EASILY TURN INTO AN EMERGENCY SITUATION ON A HOT DAY AND A LARGE PERSON LOCKED INSIDE UNABLE TO GET OUT. A WHILE BACK THE FRONT DOOR HANDLE ALSO BEGAN STICKING. THE DOOR UNLOCKS BUT THE HANDLE DOESN'T ALWAYS FEEL LIKE IT RELEASES ALL THE WAY TO ALLOW THE DOOR TO OPEN. THEN WHEN IT DOES OPEN, SOMETIMES THE HANDLE HAS TO BE MANUALLY PUSHED BACK INTO THE DOOR BEFORE THE DOOR WILL LATCH. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

THE BACK DOOR WON'T UNLOCK THERE FOR RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THEM AT ALL. *TR

THE IGNITION SWITCH,WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION IT SOMETIMES STICKS IN THIS POSITION AND STICKS IT DOES THIS EVERY OTHER TIME WHEN I TURN ON THE VEHICLE IT FEELS THE KEY IS GOING TO GET STUCK IN THE STARTING POSITION IT DON'T SPRING BACK THE WAY IT SHOULD. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

I PURCHASED MY CAR USED AND WAS VERY HAPPY WITH IT FOR THE FIRST 3 YEARS, BUT NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE HAD ONE PART REPLACED, BUT THEY ARE TELLING MY THAT IT IS JUST A TEMPORARY SOLUTION AS AFTER ONLY 2 WEEKS IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I WOULD DRIVE SOMEWHERE AND GO INTO A STORE, ONLY TO COME OUT AND CAN'T START MY CAR. SOME TIMES IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME OTHER DAYS JUST ONCE. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ANOTHER PART THAT COULD COST OVER $800, WHEN THE FIRST TIME IT WAS OVER $250! THIS IS GETTING CRAZY AS I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE AND FIX THEM!! *JS

Mileage: 83,000

TRAVELED 1152 MILES FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO WISCONSIN. CAR HAD PROBLEMS WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED TO START THE ENGINE EACH TIME I WOULD STOP. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. I TURNED THE KEY AND COULD ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AND TURN ON THE RADIO, WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR

Mileage: 125,620

I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION KEY NOT GOING IN THE IGNITION. THAT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *JS

Mileage: 4,000

I AM HAVING MAJOR ISSUES WITH STARTING MY VEHICLE. I WILL TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAVE TO FORCEFULLY TURN MY STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH BEFORE MY VEHICLE WILL START. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH BOTH KEYS THAT I OWN. ALSO I'M ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES AS THEY ARE WEARING ON THE INSIDE VERY QUICKLY. I'VE HAD ALIGNMENT AFTER ALIGNMENT DONE AND NOTHING IS FIXING THE ISSUE. THIS IS MY SECOND FOCUS AND THIS 2008 COMPARED TO MY 2000 IS A PIECE OF JUNK. I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

THROTTLE CUT OUT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE "WRENCH" WOULD LIGHT UP. ENGINE WOULD IDLE, BUT STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL WOULD DO NOTHING. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN WOULD TEMPORARILY FIX THE ISSUE. SEARCHING THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS TO BE A MASSIVE PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODIES. CANNOT BELIEVE FORD HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. DANGEROUS!

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY JIGGLE THE IGNITION KEY FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE KEY HAVING CONTACT WITH THE IGNITION. WHEN KEY IS TURNED, IT DOES NOTHING TO START THE ENGINE. KEY MUST BE PUSHED IN WHILE TURNING FOR IT TO START. PROBLEM KEPT GETTING WORSE UNTIL THE KEY WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE CYLINDER AND THE TUMBLER AND THE ENTIRE SET OF KEYS. PROBLEM SOLVED FOR ONE YEAR, THEN BEGAN AGAIN. WORKING ON SECOND REPAIR IN ABOUT A YEAR- REPLACING IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC AND LOCKSMITH WHO ARE WORKING ON THIS REPAIR, SAY THEY FIX ABOUT 6-7 FORD FOCUS' PER MONTH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

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.

Mileage: 60,000

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

Mileage: 60,000

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

Mileage: 45,000

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

RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCKED. CANNOT BE OPENED. CANNOT BE UNLOCKED ELECTRONICALLY NOR MANUALLY. *TR

Mileage: 74,100

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.

Mileage: 50,000

THE BACK DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DOOR IS UNLOCKED BUT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. *KB

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

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

Mileage: 45,800

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.

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-STARTER HUNG AFTER CAR STARTED;10/08/08-DUST LEAKING IN RR & LF;3/16/09-RR;3/16/09-RR DR WEATHER-STRIPPING FALLING DOWN;3/16/09-POPPING NOISE IN RF&LF;3/26/09-LR DR WONT UNLOCK;8/07/09-LR TIRE SENSOR OFF;06/09/10-LFRONT DR WONT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE;06/09/10-LR DR WONT OPEN;06/09/10-DR SEAL LEAKING DUST IN;8/21/10-LREAR DR WONT OPEN FROM;8/21/10-DUST COMING IN

Mileage: 130,442

THE DOOR LOCK, LOCKS AND YOU CANT OPEN THEM TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR IF YOU WONT IN OR OUT YOU HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE WINDOWS. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WILL NOT STAY ALIGNED EATS UP TIRES. HEAD LIGHTS. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE DEALERS MANY TIMES THEY TELL ME THAT ITS NORMAL. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT BUT THEY WOULD NEVER FIX THE PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 33

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, USUALLY AT SPEEDS AROUND 67 MPH, THE ENGINE LOOSES POWER AND GOES TO IDLE. IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE, BUT IDLES AT 1100 RPMS. THE FIX IT LIGHT TURNS ON. ONCE PULLED OVER, I TURN OFF THE ENGINE, THEN RESTART. IT RUNS ROUGHLY FOR A MOMENT THE APPEARS TO RUN NORMALLY AND THE FIX IT LIGHT GOES OUT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WILL NOT DRIVE IT LONG ENOUGH TO DUPLICATE THE EVENT - USUALLY HAPPENS EVERY FEW HUNDRED MILES. THE MOST RECENT EVENT WAS MAY 30TH 2010 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE 405 FREEWAY, LOS ANGELES. *TR

Mileage: 62,000