Wiring problems of the 2006 Ford Focus

The wiring harness flexes where it passes from the body to the tailgate causing the iinsulation and wiring to break and short to the body resulting in a blown fuse and no rear lights. This has occurred whilst driving and when stationary opening the hatchback.

Rear hatch wiring harness has frayed wires and can cause a fire there is rubbing against wiring harness from the rubber boot covering it. These wires are live and cause a fire and are always on due to connection to all rear electrical components. I found this out when trying to figure out why my rear hatch would not open unless unlocked with the key.

Vehicles shifter button failed to engage. Initially discovered it was due to a blown fuse (#32. ) after replacing, vehicle operated fine for a few days, but again shifter button failed to engage. Investigated on the internet and found out the blown fuse was due to cracked wiring insulation causing exposed wires in the rear hatch. Also learned this issue caused the rear tail and brake lights not to operate. Found multiple complaints on the internet regarding this same issue of which it was ultimately due to a design flaw because the wires on the rear wiring harness are too short.

My 2006 Focus zx5 started intermittantly unlocking the hatchback when I stepped on the brake pedal. I was driving on the freeway when I pulled over to take a phone call. I left the car in drive with my foot on the brake pedal. After about 5 minutes I completed my call and merged back into traffic. When I reached my destination I parked my car and got out. I returned to my car, started the engine and could not get the gear shift out of park. I had someone watch my brake lights while I stepped on the brake pedal. The lights did not work and I found the fuse for the brake lights was bad. I took a fuse from another circuit and got home. I had been driving for 20 miles with no brake lights. I took the car to a Ford dealer and they found a broken wire and 6 other wires with cracking insulation. They said they fixed the problem and the car worked ok. In January of 2013 I noticed after closing my hatchback and getting in the car my the "door open" indicator stayed on. I checked all doors and the hatchback and all were closed. After finding out on-line that there have been complaints about the Focus wiring since the 2000 models, I took off the carbody end of the rubber conduit to the hatchback. I found a broken wire (fixed my door open indicator problem when I repaired it) and 6 wires with black electical tape on them. I found that the electrical tape is wearing through just like the wire insulation did. I contacted the dealer and complained about the half ass repair they did. The service manager stated that was the repair authorized by the extended warranty. I asked what repair was authorized by the original warrenty and he said the same repair. Ford has known that this harness is a problem since 2000 and I was told they are still using the wiring in their 2013's. Why haven't these cars been recalled!.