Starter Problems of Ford Focus - part 1

Takata recall amongst the known recalls, is a lot of unsaid issues with this vehicle. It started with the tcm. When I had the dealer fix it, the codes were showing ok but the vehicle continued to display the same issues when trying to accelerate. For some reason when driving, it seems as if I'm driving a manual vehicle instead of a automatic. The clutch is giving me problems. It tend to get stuck in the hill assist mode. A few weeks ago my car just died. It seemed to be the battery. When replaced it was ok for a day or so. I had it checked to see if my alternator was bad. It both places stayed it was fine. Periodically it would stop. It didn't seem like there where any determining factors on when (like cold or hot weather). So I drove it less. One day when driving, going 46 mph, it just shut down. The screen showed �not in park�, starting system fault and it would not allow me to place the vehicle in neutral. It then began to start and stop whenever. The grounds were checked, the starter, the alternator, the fuse and orhers. My horn would sometimes go out for days, up to weeks. When trying to start the car, it would eventually flash �normal mode�. It's so many things going on here! I fear all the time with this car. When the tcm started acting up, it stopped while driving too. I'm a mother of 5, I've has this car for 4 years as for the past 2yrs I've been living in fear of my children and I dying in this car. I've spent more money buying rentals and having others assist with transportation when this car acts up, I could've paid half of my last 2yrs off. This is not fair because everyone doesn't have the ability to just get up a go trade in a car or walk away. I've been having different problems for over 2 yrs now but when it shut off while driving on the highway, it was in the beginning of September 2018 (this month) it got worst and I had it towed to the dealer.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Focus 🔎.

I had my car towed to my mechanic because of it has been not starting/hesitating to start when in park. I also tried switching to neutral and attempted to start and got nothing. My mechanic ran a diagnostic test and its coming up with a security code issue stating my key does not read but will start several minutes after attempt. This has just randomly started happening and I have read multiple complaints in Ford forums stating the same situation. All lights on dash and radio come on but car has no noise and refuses to start. I thought it was my battery or starter and my mechanic has confirmed that it was neither. I tried contacting the Ford dealership where I bought this car and they refuse to fix it or even acknowledge the issue. This make has had more issues than I have ever had with any vehicle I have ever owned. Ford needs to step up because this is ridiculous. My husband has the same vehicle and his transmission is also on nationwide recall backorder for the same make and model. They should have had a warning for consumers that this was a terrible production year.

See all problems of the 2012 Ford Focus 🔎.

The steering wheel locks up and won't turn this has happened while driving and when I just start the car. I can put my key in the ignition and all the lights, radio, and chime works, but the car won't start. I had it checked when I got it started and the battery was fine and the altenator was fine and so was my starter. I have been having problems with my car for the past 4 years please help.

12,771 miles, starter replaced. 14,207 miles, fuel pump replaced. 18,249 miles fuel pump replaced and transmission control module reprogram for failure. 19,999 miles replace clutch and starter motor assembly. About 24,000 miles, car no start, battery replaced "bad battery". 29,975 miles car no start, jumped to start. 31,500 miles no start, battery replaced "bad battery". Approx 32,750 miles, replace clutch and whatever else they may find. This car stutters in first gear (automatic transmission) when it was purchased it was fine and then a month later it started to shake and stutter on acceleration from a stop, whether in traffic or in the driveway. Ford told us that it was a "Smart transmission" and that it had to get used to two people driving the car although I am the primary driver. New "clutch pac" only temporarily solves the problem and then it starts all over again after a month or so. We have also had a no starting issue. We received a letter from Ford about it, but they cant seem to help and wont replace tcm because they say the dealers can't show the part is malfunctioning.

Recently I've had an issue with the starter. The dash stated the car battery was low, I have the car taken to a local mechanic where the battery is testing that it is good. The car will start in the mornings after resting and I don't drive as much as just to be safe while I try to figure out what's going on with this car. I've had this car fixed three times in the past year, once for the customer survey satisfaction (not a recall Ford told me) to have the transmission fixed, another to have the steering module replaced and a third time to have the clutches replaced and that was done by a dealership to stop the lurching and jerking that the car does. I'm amazed at the callousness of a company that completely ignores the pleas of people who have almost crashed in their vehicles! no regard for their consumers what so ever!! I promise this will be the first & last Ford vehicle that I ever buy.

In 2012 I purchased the vehicle from future Ford in sacramento California. Over the past four years, the car has problems with the transmission, pcm module, transmission control module, clutch, starter, steering wheel, electrical system. I took the car to two Ford dealerships for repairs. The service technicians cannot repair the car. I contacted Ford motor company many times and they refuse to refund my money and recall the vehicle the car is very dangerous to drive and a risk to my life and safety.

The car was operating fine up to the point after it was parked at a nearby strip mall. After returning to the car, the car would not start. The dash lights come on, radio works, etc but the starter acted like it was not even getting power. I thought the vehicle had a bad battery, after multiple attempts to jump start the car, it finally started. Once the vehicle was running, I put it in reverse and it would not move as if it was in neutral. I checked the dash indicator to see if it was in reverse and the shift indicator had nothing highlighted. I put it back in park then it highlighted the "p", put it back in reverse and again it acted as if it was in neutral. I rolled back a bit and put it in drive and it still acted as if it was in neutral. It would not engage the transmission. I thought it could be due to a low power battery which also had acid leaking so I replaced the battery with a new battery. The car wouldn't start again but everything else worked (I. E. Radio, dash, a/c blower, etc). I let it sit a day and tried again the following day and it started right off the bat. I put it in gear and it went into gear this time. A couple minutes later, an incline assist warning came up on the radio screen and the traction control and abs alerts were lighted on the dash. Suddenly, the car would not go into gear again. I turned the car off and started it back up which it then went back into gear with no problem. I did research online and found others were experiencing the same issue. Some even while driving, which makes me very uncomfortable to think of that happening on an interstate. I contacted my Ford dealer about the issue and they denied ever hearing anything about that type of issue. Extremely frustrating as this could be a potential safety hazard where someone could get killed and Ford is playing coy to cover themselves. Does Ford care about human life?.

I own a 2012 Ford Focus se. I bought my Ford Focus in December 2012 from folsom lake Ford located in folsom California. At 20000 miles I took my car in for its factory service and advised the transmission was not operating correctly. According to folsom lake Ford their service department reprogrammed the transmission computer and ordered parts for the transmission¿parts that would take a month to arrive, but never heard back from folsom lake Ford after that. About 35000mls started major transmission issues with my Focus-it would not shift correctly. The check engine light never came on, nor were there any other diagnostic/malfunction advisements from the vehicle¿s information system. Other systems began to malfunction¿specifically electronic systems, idle control malfunctioned-. Idle rough, sometimes idling wild and extreme fluctuations. My Focus would stall constantly while stopped at intersections, also randomly stalling while at driving speeds. Multiple times my Focus stalled on the freeway, while driving at normal freeway speeds 55-70mph. After my Focus had a stalling incident it would not start at all as if it was due to a power drainage. If it did not immediately fire-up, the starter would continue to operate whether I tried to discontinue or not. When the vehicle did finally start, the transmission always operated unusually after that ¿ shifting incorrectly, not smoothly shifting into gear, sometimes not shifting into the proper gear or not shifting at all. At about 42000mls service performed on my Focus the battery checked and in good working order. By 43000mls after major transmission issues my battery was corroded/ruined.

On hot days, the Ford Focus intermittently will not start after shutting off the engine. It takes 30-45 minutes before the car stops again. The engine does not turn over, it acts as though the starter motor is going out. Ford is unable to reproduce this while in the shop, so they are unable to fix it. Investigating, I see that there are a lot of people experiencing the same issue on the internet for 2000-2012 Focuses. This problem did not start until the car was 4-5 years old. There are many videos on youtube showing this symptom, I have posted several. I fear that if I am at an intersection and the engine stops that I will be unable to restart the car. Or, in the case of an emergency, the car will not start.

See all problems of the 2009 Ford Focus 🔎.

Vehicle towed to Ford dealer because it would not start. Upon inspection, dealership found front sub frame completely rusted through. Said it is "one pothole away from the engine falling out; totally unsafe to drive. " rusting also caused corrosion in wires from ignition to starter, resulting in car not starting. This car was purchased brand new, has been garage kept, only driven 5,000 miles per year by elderly couple. Obviously the metal used in sub frame was not properly coated. Will cost thousands of dollars to fix, if it is deemed worth fixing! someone could have been seriously hurt or killed if this engine had indeed fallen out while in motion!.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Focus 🔎.

Driving on route 209 approximately 40 miles an hour. I noticed white smoke coming through the dash. Immediately pulled the car over, put the car in park, removed the key, and got out of the car. With no key in the ignition the starter began turning over. I didn't have any tools to unhook the battery. The starter turned over for about a minute, then the windshield wipers, headlights, and horn all began activating. I immediately called my mechanic for emergency roadside assistance. After about 4 minutes of the wipers head lights and horn all activating with no key in the ignition, someone stopped and had some tools unhook the battery. Mechanic showed up about five minutes later, had the car towed to his shop, and began searching for the problem. After removing the dash panels he says that the headlight switch cost a shortwhich melted all the wires togetherunder the dash and going back to the tail lights. He says it is due to the small wires that Ford uses and they're harnesses and the way they twist them together so they will fit into the small plastic tube under the dash. I haven't been able to find a recall to attach this problem too. However I really think Ford should be responsible for these damages. I'm considering this car a total loss.

See all problems of the 2005 Ford Focus 🔎.

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while parked the vehicle failed to start. The contact attempted to jump start the vehicle when she noticed sparks coming from the battery. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that there was an electrical shortage which damaged the starter. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.

See all problems of the 2010 Ford Focus 🔎.

Key would not turn in the ignition lock cylinder. Ignition key could be inserted all the way into the lock cylinder, but key would not turn forwards or backwards to either engage the starter or turn on accessories. Tried moving the steering wheel to free up the cylinder and made sure the car was in park to try and turn the cylinder. Nothing. Was told by the aaa mechanic that this is a common issue with early model year Ford Focuses. The issue, per the aaa tow truck operator could be temporarily resolved by using some wd40 on the key and a couple of quick taps to the key while in the lock cylinder. This fix did not work at this time. Had to have my car towed to the dealer since this was not a fix I could make on my own (I could replace the cylinder myself, but the car's passive alarm would need to be re-set by the dealer). Resulting charge was $378. 50 for a part I could have fixed for $60-70. My lock cylinder needed to be re-keyed by the local Ford dealer. Safety issue: could have been stranded. Car failure occurred on very cold day.

I have 2002 Ford Focus the ignition or starter is giving me problem the car want start at times I get stranded sometimes it takes over five minutes to get started.

The vehicle ignition starter fails to start the vehicle. You must hit the key into the ignition in order to actually start the car. This occurs every time that I attempt to start the car. This is a common issue that recurs even after you replace the parts. This is a mechanical error that will constantly break down.

See all problems of the 2004 Ford Focus 🔎.

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 won’t 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 won’t unlock;8/07/09-lr tire sensor off;06/09/10-lfront dr won’t open from outside;06/09/10-lr dr won’t open;06/09/10-dr seal leaking dust in;8/21/10-lrear dr won’t open from;8/21/10-dust coming in.

See all problems of the 2008 Ford Focus 🔎.

The car was having trouble starting we replaced the battery checked the cables had the starter tested the guy said it was the nuetralization switch. He got back into start the car and it locked up. It is now still sitting there for them to figure out how to fix it.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Focus 🔎.

*this is a safety issue!* when leaving work my car would not start, the starter would not engage and accessories would not come on. . . I went inside for 10 min to try to arrange a ride home. . . When I came back to the car I decided to try one last time and the car started right up no problem. While driving home (at about 8. 30pm local time. . . Fully dark outside) at approx. 50 mph the car died including most accessories, most notably, the headlights. When I tried to steer the car to the side of the road, the steering wheel locked. This all happened very quickly, I was braking and there seemed to be some power assist to the brakes but not full braking power. I was headed straight at a large tree when the car suddenly came to life again and I managed to just miss it. I limped the car about a 1/4 (at 10 mph) to my brothers apartment and it died 2x again on the way. After several days trying to diagnose the problem I discovered that wiggling the key in the ignition induces the car to die. Upon researching this problem I found that this has been reported on a wide scale basis and it concerns me that a recall has not been issued. I was very lucky not to be injured or killed by this problem and many many people are unaware of this risk (as was I until only a few days ago). I have found no way to get the matter corrected via the manufacturer as the current replacement part is almost identical to the original and is noted for short lifetime and for failing in the same manner.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Focus 🔎.

2000 Ford Focus zts exhibiting problems since October 2005. Two mechanics unable to identify problem. In may the car stalled while cruising and was unable to start. It was towed to mechanic. Mechanic diagnosed with a failed starter switch, which had been replaced over a year before. If this incident had happened on a busier road it may have resulted in a serious accident.

: the contact stated the starter assembly continued to fail, not allowing the key to turn or release the steering wheel from the locked position. The service dealer and manufacturer were contacted. The problem has not been resolved.

The temperature had become colder and the accelerator would not depress without force. The problem would occur whenever the vehicle sat overnight or for several hours. The consumer would depress the accelerator until it would move downwards. The vehicle would lunge forward. It would take 4-5 depressions until the accelerator would move downward. Other problems were the brakes squealing and the vehicle suffered from not starting at times, either the panel lights would engage or the starter would grind.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Focus 🔎.

In the last six months the transmission has started to leak fluid (paid to fix that), I get a letter about a recall for the fuel pump take it in and get that fixed on the way to work straight from the dealership one of the guys I work with comments on my brake lights staying on, my brake lights will now not go off and my cruise control will not go on (paid to fix that), then a few weeks later the front wheel fell off! I was pulling into my parents driveway and the wheel just fell off then spent the entire day getting it on a tow truck and getting it off at the dealership. Then the technician kept asking me what I hit. Repeatedly I told him what happened and he finally said that that couldn't have happened unless I hit something (paid to fix that), now I get in my car to get me something to eat and my key will not turn.

The contact stated the ignition switch failed three times within a year and a half. The first time, she went to start the car, the ignition would not turn over. The car was towed and repaired. The second failure was approximately one year later and the same thing happened. The car was towed and repaired for the second time. The third failure happened this week, went to start the car and it would not start again. It is being repaired now. The dealership stated it could possibly be the starter along with the ignition switch. In Dec 2001 the consumer was involved in an accident due to a problem with the tires and the rear axle. The transmission cooler lines were replaced. The brake lights and heater did not work. The egr tube was replaced. The wiper arm was broken. The engine light stayed on all time. The driver side mirror had to be replaced. Updated 01/11/06.

While driving at any speed, the vehicle stalled twice, but always started back up after a few minutes. On one occasion, the dealer replaced the starter and on the another occasion, the transmission was replaced. The starter was found faulty, the transmission was inoperative and there was a vibration while going 40 mph due to shifting, the clock display was inoperative, and the engne light stayed on.

Engine starter failed and had to be replaced.

The starter swicth on my Ford Focus broke.

I purchased a 2001 Ford Focus in August 2001. In sept. 2001 with only 2240 miles on the car transmission seemed to be slipping and the car failed to accelerate properly. Had it towed to the dealership and they said there was a leak in transmission line. This was repaired. In oct. 2002 at 16416 miles headlights would not come on when I turned the switch. Switch was replaced. About this same time new brake pads were required. Nov. 2002 at 17871 miles the ignition cylinder locked up. Car was towed and ignition cylinder replaced. August 2003 at 26757 miles ignition cylinder locked up again. Once again the car was towed to the dealer and ignition cylinder was replaced. Now I have a bubble in one tire and my brakes are squealing. What's next? not once have I picked my car up from the dealer and it been washed or vacuumed out. I bought a new car because I needed reliable transportation. Now I feel like taking it back to the dealer and letting them keep it. I wonder how many Ford employees would buy a Focus?.

While driving through a puddle, starter shorted and destroyed flywheel. Later it was found that water had gotten into transmission. In addition, a large amount of water was taken into the cab of the vehicle under the door seals. I was not stopped in the puddle, only moved through it. Due to the water incursion into the cab of the vehicle, the vehicle has been declared a total loss by my insurance. They fear electrical damage could result. I am concerned that anyone going through standing water (this was not a huge puddle) would find themselves with electrical problems that could result in injury.

It all started on christmas day of 2002. My car was only 6 months old and the starter went out. About four months later I began to have problems with the automatic locks. Sometimes the doors would lock all by themselves and at other times they would not lock at all. I reported this problem to the dealership and the service rep informed me that they could do nothing about it unless it was acting up at the time I brought it in. Well, by the time I would get to the dealership everything was ok again. On the 7th of July I took my car to have the oil changed. When I left the dealership all the gauges on my dash were flipping all the way to the right and coming back again. And my battery light was on. I went right back to service dept. They drove the car and (surprise!) it would not do it again. They said they may have spilled some coolant on the belt and it was just losing voltage. As soon as the coolant wore off it should not do it again. On july17 I was driving my car and I looked at my gages and none of them were working. It was just like the car was not even started. I made a u-turn and went to the service dept. They told me to bring in the next day and they would give me a rental car until they could find the problem. The same afternoon they call me and tell my car is ready. I ask if they have fixed the problem and the rep informs me that they could find nothing wrong with the car (after only one day with it!). Well they must think I'm some kind of hypochondriac for my car! I told her that I was not coming to get that car until they found the problem and fixed it. I can not tell how fast I am going and I'm sure they wouldn't like to pay for any speeding tickets.

Vehicle hesitated to start. Started after 40/45 mins. Dealership serviced vehicle. Cause unknown. Please provide more details. Mr.

I was watching the news last night and heard a story that the NHTSA was investigating complaints that the Ford Focus engine can stall causing an accident. This is what happen to my car fortunately I was not involved in a crash. But, when I took the car in I was told that I needed a new starter. This was strange to me being the fact the car was not even a year old. After seeing this report I know understand that the problem is cause by debris accumulating in the gas tank, blocking fuel from being delivered to the engine. After the new starter was installed I'm still have problems with the car. For example at time it seem like it's going to stall or it feels like its dragging.

2001 Ford Focus experiencing problems with the front brakes, fuel pump, battery, sway bars and tires. The consumer replaced the front brakes five times, the radiator went out, the thermostat and sensors pertaining to the engine light ad gone out, the fuel pump and the battery went out and the mechanic could not find the problem. Currently the starter showed signs of going out and the vehicle needed sway bars and 4 tires.

Starter just stopped working, burned the fuse assembly.

There is a very bad squeaking noise when braking, and when consumer lets off the brake there is a grinding noise. Driver states more than twice brake pedal was applied, and pedal went to the floor. Ford has been contacted. . Also consumer was complaining of the transmission slipping, the cigarette lighter was not working, cup holder bubbling, serpentine belt was replaced due to a squeal coming from under the hood, gas light was coming on when the tank was full of gas, door ajar light was coming on, starter and battery were replaced, driver sider mirror knob fell off, rpm runs high, headlamp molding was replaced, sunvisor was broke, rear child seat latch cover was broke, air conditioner and heater were replaced, passenger door trim, driver seat metal bar, rewind button for am/fm cassette was inoperative, carpet loose, pillar trim was coming off, ticking noise was coming from the front of vehicle, the egr valve ws replaced, rear tail light was out, the bulb was replaced, deck lid wire harness, a new fuel tank was installed due to the engine light illuminating, the front and rear brakes have been replaced due to warpage, also the speedometer stopped working.

Car stalled while at a stop signal, then re-started; after 25 yds car stalled again and fire appeared from under the hood. Extinguished by towels and water. Damage noted to be a melt-down at battery and both pos and neg cables. Some melted and burned components adjacent. Insurance fire investigator noted damage in starter area.