Battery Cable Problems of Ford Focus - part 2

Failed to start; noticed that positive cable insulation near connection to battery was melted; had battery jump-start; took to have battery check in car while running; bad battery; replaced battery with new one; and failed to turn on; mechanic checked continuity and there was none found; mechanic cut off part of cable with burnt insulation and tried to reconnect; no remedy; notified by mechanic that it would cost approximately $400 to replace positive cable harness. Mechanic notified me of a recall he found concerning the zetec engine and battery cable harnesses catching on fire; thus, contacted dealer with VIN; and they said there is no such recall associated with that VIN. . .

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Focus 🔎.

While my son was driving our 2001 Ford Focus the battery caught on fire. Luckily, he pulled over and someone stopped with a fire extinguisher. The car had already been recalled for faulty battery cables. These were already replaced by bell Ford in phoenix. The car has been towed and is still waiting repairs.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Focus 🔎.

Battery cables were replaced under recall 02v288000. New cables only lasted for 2 years before car quit running and the cables needed replacement again. 2nd replacement was not covered under warranty or recall so consumer had to replace cables at Ford dealer for $250 (parts and labor). Consumer feels that two years of life on battery cables is completely unacceptable. Car is now considered somewhat unreliable due to the fact that battery cables are prone to failure.

Driving down the highway at about 55 mph, car hesitated, ran real rough, then ran normal until I reached my destination. When I reached my destination car just died in parking lot, would not turn over, would not do anything. Had car towed to hillside Ford (nearest Ford dealer). They called me back and said that could not figure out the problem until they put a starter in the car because the car was not turning over. What the starter has to do with the car dying is beyond me? so I said ok, they changed the starter, charging me of course ($180 for starter), and then realized that the car still didn't do anything. This is when they figured out that the battery cables were all burnt up. So they told me they would have to be changed (another $90. 00 for cables). So after the starter and the battery cables were changed the car was back to running normal. My total bill including labor $618. 00. I had no choice but to get the car done because it is my only source of transportation. After further looking into recalls on the NHTSA website for my car, I realized that there is a recall for the battery cables on my Focus, with my engine and the same year (recall #: 02v288000). I called Ford and they told me that all recalls are VIN specific and my car was not on the list. This is the same thing they said when they had a silent recall on the fuel pump, which they finally agreed to take care of.

Battery cable was located in a way that caused abrasion against battery case. Wear by this abrasion caused failure of the insulation and a short circuit. This resulted in total engine and electrical failure and started a small, brief electrical fire of the cable insulation and battery case. The incident occurred on a freeway, and put the occupant in significant danger. Vehicle was towed to garage. Battery and battery cable harness assembly was replaced. Status of alternator not yet available.

Battery cable failure identical to those recalled in 2000-2001 Ford Focus (02v288000) in a vehicle manufactured very early in 2002 model year. Failure initially caused engine to miss while driving, causing it to lurch severely with a loud 'bang'. Dealer (berge Ford, mesa, az, 8/05/2005) had vehicle 3 days, found no problem. Vehicle became incapacitated 8/24/2005, cable was replaced at dealer (holmes-tuttle Ford, tucson, az, $500 battery cable!), but not returned to us.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Focus 🔎.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus and she was having problems with the electrical system . Horn failed three times in one year, but the main problem was that on 8-18-05, when she started the car, it was slow to start then it just would not start at all. She thought the battery was bad, but it was good and the alternator was good. She took it to a mechanic and they told her the wire that connected the battery on the left side was burned out. They would not let her drive the car because they said the car could catch on fire. She had it towed to Ford. Who told her that there are no recalls. The contact cited recall 02v288000; regarding the electrical system/ battery cables.

The consumer's daughter drove to austin texas, when she entered the vehicle the ignition would not turn. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the consumer's house due to the dealer being closed. The consumer heard of a recall on Ford Focus zx3, which was having what consumer believed to be the same problem. The consumer contacted Ford who said that this vehicle was not part of the recall. The consumer stated that one week after he bought the vehicle the service engine light came on. The consumer had the erg valve replaced. The consumer believed that this may have been a false reading. The NHTSA recall campaign 02v288000 was directed towards the electrical system; battery/cables.

2000 Ford Focus with z-tech engine caught fire drivers side battery compartment/wire harness.

Consumer received recall 02v288000 concerning battery cables. When driving at night, at any speed, headlights got dimmer, and the radio came on and went off intermittently. Consumer saw this recall on NHTSA website, and believed battery cable failure was the cause of this problem. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified.

Recall 02v288001 concerning battery cables. Consumer said that the battery cables were routed too close to the engine which resulted in an under hood fire. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was told that this vehicle was not eligible for recall due to VIN even though the vehicle experienced the same defects as described in the recall.

1. Car stalled 1 day while going around a right corner. Car also stalled another day. On Aug. 25 car stalled while driving down the road. Everything electrical went out. When pulled over noticed smoke coming from hood then through the air vents. Car was towed to a Ford dealer and the battery, the battery cover and the battery cables were replaced at no charge.

2001 Ford Focus learches under normal driving. Electriclal issues lights dimming dach lights same under normal driving. 5 trips to the dealer no identifiable cause. Remedy was to replace battery cables @ 487. 10 .

While driving at any speed, the vehicle stalled. The consumer restarted the vehicle, and drove it to a mechanic for inspection. The mechanic determined that the battery cables needed to be replaced. Recall# 02v288000. The consumer was told that his vehicle was not apart of this recall. The positive battery cable was found routed improperly.

The vehicle was experiencing the same failure as described in the battery cable recall 02v288000. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

While driving the dash light began to flicker then the vehicle shut down suddenly while in gear. Campaign id number : 00v411000. The consumer was told that the power cable to the battery was the result of the problem. Campaign id number : 02v288000. The consumer was told by the service department that this is a problem because the vehicle could explode. The warranty company turned the consumer down stating that the problem was not part of the warranty. The key gets stuck in the vehicles ignition and would not come out. The doors would not close properly and remained open while the vehicle was in gear. When the tire was removed the consumer noticed that the wheel was missing a lug nut. Campaign id number : 00v303000 the air vent did not stay open when the a/c was on high. The brakes howled like a wounded dog from the time of purchase. Pads and rotors needed to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. She had her vehicle repaired according to recall# 03v482000 ( fuel system, gasoline). After the repair while at a local gas station she saw a puddle of gasoline from under the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer and an updated version of the component was installed. Years later, while driving the driver-side head light failed. She pulled over to a local store and turned the vehicle off. Minutes later smoke engulfed the front-end of the vehicle, and then flames erupted. The fire department extinguished the flames and cut the battery cables. A fire fighter speculated that the battery caused the fire. The manufacturer was contacted in reference to recall #: 02v288000 (electrical system:battery:cables). Upon contact she was advised that her vehicle identification number was excluded from the VIN range. She was in the process of sending correspondence to the manufacturer that exemplifies the failure. The failure mileage was . The current and failure mileages were 115,000.

The battery cable coroded causing the vehicle to shut down at highway speed. Please provide any addition information. Ts.

The vehicle was parked, when all of a sudden, it caught fire, due to a battery cable wire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for analysis.

While exiting the highway, the vehicle stalled and caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined the fire started in the engine. The inspector determined that the cause of the fire was related to a faulty cable/battery connector. This was a known problem in the 200-2001 Ford Focus model.

In the last past five months while driving at any speed and with no warning vehicle stalled due to corroded battery cables, causing consumer to pull off the road. Dealer notified.

While driving at night time headlights failed, only the high beam worked. Also, this vehicle had a problem with misrouted battery cables. Dealer not notified. Vehicle's warranty expired.

While driving about 65 mph on the highway vehicle stalled and shut down due to battery cable wire melting. Consumer was able to steer onto the side of the shoulder.

Defective vehicle - numerous major problem and defective parts, recalls.

Various problems involving 2000 Ford Focus. Recall campaign #02542 was issued for the vehicle in reference to defective battery cables.

Consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as mentioned in recall 02v288000 concerning battery cables. Dealer would not repair the vehicle because VIN number was not included.

I own a 2000 Ford Focus stz. I bought this vehicle for my wife and kids. The first incident with this vehicle was back in I think March. The ignition froze, leaving my wife stranded at work and the kids at the babysitter. She had to find a ride to the babysitter and then home. She then had to call a tow company and have the car towed to skyline Ford in salem oregon. She was told that there have been quiet a few Focus with this problem. The service tech knew immediately what was wrong with the car. We were 100 miles over the factory warranty!! we had to pay for the faulty part. The next problem was in the beginning of August. We went to get ice cream. The car stalled as we were leaving the ice cream store. The car would not start. It finally started after about 15 minutes. We were only about 10 minutes from home. All the way home the car acted like it was not getting enough gas. Upon arriving home, I opened the hood and noticed that the battery cable was melted. We called skyline, who could not get us in until Saturday. It was 3 or 4 days. Now we are told that we have to pay $120 for a faulty part!! there was a recall on this car for faulty battery cables. We are told that if Ford decides that there is a problem with the actual cable, then we will be refunded the $120. This is outrageous!! I wish that I had never purchased this car. It has really hurt my opinion of Ford products.

While driving vehicle began smoking, then caught on fire under the hood. Dealer diagnosed melted battery cable as cause.

2000 Ford Focus. Bought at sanger Ford outlet new. Problem: cable and wiring frayed. Result: aaa called. Dead battery. Towed. Inconvenience.

Nhtsa recall 02-v-288-000:certain passenger vehicles equipped with zetec engines, loose or broken attachments and misrouted battery cables could lead to cable insulation damage. This recall failed.

My 2002 Ford Focus caught on fire late one night. The vehicle is no longer able to be driven. A engine compartment fire on the drivers side in the area of the battery is where it started. The dealer refuses to cover the loss. The date of the incident listed below may be incorrect I can provide you with the correct date soon.

Consumer's vehicle has the same problem as mentioned in recall#02v288000 concerning battery cable. Dealer will not repair because this vehicle was not covered under recall due to VIN.

Dt consumer states there is a recall for the battery cables and the recall repairs was done on may 21, 2003, the vehicle completely stalled and it caused another vehicle to rear end consumer's vehicle on October 12, 2005. Consumer stated that her husband checked the vehicle and the battery cables burned out and melted again, and that is the same thing happened as stated in the recall. Contacted Ford, they said to bring vehicle in for inspection, but than likely it was something else.

The dealership refused to honor the recall for the rear wheel bearing 01 I 017 000 and the battery cable 02 v 288 000.

The vehicle continued to experience a problem with the battery cable after the recall was performed.