Ford Focus: Problems & Solutions

tjatford

Grab the Positive starter cable near the battery post. Wiggle them around a couple of inches while still attached to the battery post. Do the same for the negative cable.

tjatford

make sure your door ajar switches are properly set before replacing the computer. Do you have any door ajar lamps come on while driving down the road?

tdi guy

There have been a number of comments regarding squeeling brakes front and rear. I have a 2003 ZX3 with 26,000 city miles. The rear brakes make a great deal of noise. Someone suggested that there has been a TSB issued regarding brake problems. Does anyone know how I can check for TSB's on the Focus?

Thanks!

fordfool

> Does anyone know how I can check for TSB's on the Focus?

http://www.alldata.com/recalls/index.html

http://tinyurl.com/d9mho

Lists of Recalls and TSBs are free; the details and information are by subscription.
Same thing on the Ford Web site. Your dealer can show you the details of a TSB.

FordFool

likeitornot

I have an 05 Zx4 sedan that I recently purchased used. I noticed twice on the same red light that's up a steep hill, I started slightly rolling backwards. This might be my fault from not pulling up far enough but still..it's scary. What if there was another car first and I was behind them and had to stay at that part of the hill?

I think it happened somewhere else too.. But it could just be me being paranoid now.

There's a certain highway that I use a lot and it's up hill and if traffic is backed up on it, you're stuck rolling and inching and breaking on it. What if I roll on that right into the car behind me..

Is this a common problem or is it my driving?

And other then me noticing the breaks squeaking today for the first time after driving 2hours (I never drive that long..) they seem fine..

tdi guy

It has now been 12 weeks since my cd changer has failed. The first replacement took six weeks to appear, then turned out to be the wrong unit. It took another six weeks for the correct unit to arrive, but turned out to be defective. Customer service has been of no help, the dealer seems caught in the middle, and Ford seems entirely unconcerned. And Ford wonders why they are approaching collapse. I have had my Focus for 16 weeks and have spent the past 12 trying to get it fixed. What a shame as, otherwise, I like the car.

jhart

After my son's 2000 Focus began having problems at 30k I began tracking his car's failures during conversations with him. I found out that the rear spring or trailing arm has failed. The rear doors flew open and he lost a computer that skidded under a truck. The brake pedal for no apparent reason just falls to the floor. The car will not idle and no obd faults found. Gassy smell at idle. The egr tube burnt /rusted in half. I replaced it with a new one. Not real cheap. I spent yesterday in a cold driveway drilling out the ignition switch and replaced it with a junkyard special, but the key is not compatible with the sensor they gave me so I connected the old sensor to the wiring module and hold the old key next to it to start the car. Now that I can move it I have to find a locksmith with the coding device or maybe rekey it. The car leaks water so bad there is a chunk of ice on the passenger floor an inch deep. My son can't remember the number of recalls he has had to make time for, and the dealer cannot fix the water leak. It has never achieved any gas mileage close to the stated mfg promise. My old 96 Dodge Caravan with 130000 miles gets 25-26 at highway speeds and it is a v-6 and a lot heavier than the Focus. I am trying to convince him to get rid of this POC as soon as possible for his children's sake. FORD, I have a better idea...Class action law suit!!! Thank you.

dhock

My 2005 zx4 has 18000 miles and gets a lousy 32 MPG (warm weather) and 26 during the winter. My Ford dealer says that this is O.K. But my '93 Escort Wagon (replaced by the Focus) would normally get 35-37 in warm weather and never below about 32 during the winter and my '87 did even better.

I realize that the '87 was a dog but the '93 had quite sufficient power. Why did Ford screw it up and give us an "economy" car that gets worse mileage tthan my wife's Sebring convertible (with a 6 cyl engine)? O.K.

dupes01

Anybody ever had issue with a misfiring 2L zetec engine 'shuddering' under acceleration?

This same issue happened at 40,000 miles a year ago, and when I brought the zx3 to the dealer, they told me #2 spark plug was broken down.

So I replaced all plugs and wires and now I'm having the misfiring again at 60,000 miles. No engine light comes on and no codes are found when ECU is scanned. Fuel filter was changed at about 30,000 miles.

I'm puzzled, any insight or similar experiences out there?

351capri

Can anyone on here give an old guy a clue of where & how to change the air filter on these cars? I've built engines and restored older cars and none of them have been this irritating. Mine in particular is an '05 ZX3. Don't even get me started on changing the spark plugs! I guess you can't change them unless your ready to rebuild?
Thanks in advance folks!
Frustrated

micweb

Do you have he PZEV model? Check your Moroni (original vehicle msrp) sticker, or the label under the engine compartment hood. If you do, you have a lifetime air filter which is sealed. It has a gauge which tracks remaining filter capacity, so that if you are in severe driving conditions (dusty) it will let you know it needs an early filter replacement, which may be covered under the extended 150,000 emissions warranty provided on the PZEV models.

lost

ALL 05 models with the 2.0liter motor have a "Lifetime" filter ,check Visteon web site for more info..

jimv6

Does any body have a suggestion on how to get the "Outside Air Vent" to close?
After pushing the button the light comes on but air still comes in from outside.
Is this door electrical or vacume driven?
maybe I should just buy the manual, recomendations welcome.

jimv6

evandro

It's vacuum-driven, but if the airflow is in windshield-defrost mode, then the air-vent remains always open (although I think that then the light doesn't come on).

HTH

focusnogo

Okay, we have a new 2005 Focus (20K miles now) and ever since about 3 months old the car will periodically not start unless you give it gas with the gas pedal. I know you aren't supposed to do that with fuel injection but it's that or be stuck in the booney's somewhere. Sometimes if you stop turning the key you can try two or three times without giving gas and it will finally start. Dealer says NO CODES (how nice for them) and they CAN'T REPRODUCE the problem (again, how nice for them)...they refuse to replace anything on the car without a code. Anyone have this experience or am I the lucky ONE??? If so, what did you get done that fixed the problem, I'm going to drop it off AGAIN tomorrow.

Thanks.

jimv6

Thank You.

jimv

jhart1

My son sold his Focus, but guess what, my nephew's Focus had the ignition lock break for the third time. I checked with kekskeys ( an Ebay store) and she has 95 sets. She will key it for you if you send the key or you can take it to a locksmith. Under $40 S&H plus $30 for the locksmith. A lot cheaper than $250 for a dealer rip-off with the same old junky oem part. I have drilled out four key locks and am getting good at it. That doesn't say much for Ford.

dstorm2

I have a 2005 focus zx5 that was backed into when the car was unoccupied.The driver airbag blew but not the passenger.I replaced the driver airbag, control module, seat belt pretensioner,clockspring, but I still have an airbag light on.Ford said still something wrong with it but they do not know what.Is there something else in this system that still needs to be replaced. What about the seat belt pretensioner on the passenger side, could that have blown. The passenger airbag light comes on and goes off as it should.Thanks for information.

akangl

Had the exact same issue with my 2004 Focus ZX3, did it since it was new. When I moved to Texas I left the car behind in Alaska with over 51,000 miles on her. She still does it and always starts eventually. I used to just cycle the key 3 times and then she would always start. Seemed like the hotter the weather the more she did it. The dealer never could reproduce the problem, I just chalked it up to a quirk.

dupes01

My 2003 focus with the zetec engine misfires sometimes. Most of the time it runs great, but once in a while it will misfire if I give it throttle to accelerate in 5th gear. It is a 2003 with 65,000 miles and has been well maintained.

Anybody else have this problem? This sounds expensive to diagnose since no engine light is coming on.

frizzlefry

I had that problem with my 2005. I also had a severe brake problem and Ford, after 5 months of me hounding them, finaly replaced it with a 2006. But anyways, there is a technical service bulliten out for that one. Mine had 4000 km when it started doing it on an intermittent basis. The garage threw on the service bulliten and it cleared it right up. I never had to use the gass pedel though...just had to crank it over a couple of times...

micweb

Try switching to a Top Tier gasoline ( www.toptiergas.com ) or running some fuel injector cleaner through it (Techron by Chevron works great, some others work but some don't). If a few tanks of gas don't solve the problem, you'll have to keep investigating and let us know what you find out. My next guess would be spark plugs and spark plug wires, but first try a more detergent gasoline.

fastzx3

I own a 05 zx3 and the air filter is a lifetime element Or so ford says, good for the life of the vehicle. what is interesting is the air filters life is supposed 150,000 miles umm I think I may want to keep my car longer than that?

fastzx3

My 05 focus has the same problem lucky its very rare, usally on very hot days, Took it to the dealer and they told me the same thing cannot reproduce the problem. And they had no CEL (check Engine light) but she has not done this in a while. I was lucky to my ford dealership took up the bill on the rental 2 weeks and still could not fix my foci, but none the less I researched this and its a very common problem for any ford. Something to do with the MAF ( mass air flow) sensor and condesation. Hey as long as she starts after the sec attempt Im happy. because the car is a very reliable vehicle and is very fun to drive.

soleils

I HAVE A 2004 FOCUS, 39,000 MILES AND THE IGNITION LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. ALWAYS HAPPENS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. $200 DOLLARS FOR LABOR & $120 FOR THE PART. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.

04svt

phowell1, You think bottoming out in a zx3 is bad I drive a SVT and front driver side tire bottoms out fiercly around any rght turn

dischinger

Good luck with that ignition lock-up. I am working on my fourth ignition (2000 Focus). Once I get it started I try to remember to pull the key out in ACC- it worked well for many months. Then my mechanic accidentally turned it all the way off and spent the bettter part of two days labor "fixing it"- Guess what- It just happened again after 2 months use! I can't in good conscience sell the thing. Furthermore I cannot believe it is not a recall. Some backdoor latch is recalled but not the ignition. That ignition proves beyond a doubt that there is truly EVIL in the world!!!

jturc

I have had my 2005 focus for about 4 months know and it has been in the shop more than on the road it seems. My shifter link fell off on the way to a concert which was very convenient and left me out 300 bucks, and now on my way back to school somthing with my clutch broke. I pushed down the clutch and heard a pop. Anyone know whats up with this? I am also seeking action for a replacement since my car has just over 9,000 miles on it. I would appreciate it if anyone could give me suggestions on who to contact.

micweb

New car warranties are automatically transferred to the new owner. Since you have a 2005 Focus with less than 36,000 miles, you need to be taking it to a Ford dealer for free repair work. I'd start doing oil changes there (on special, about $35) to keep the warranty in effect. Virtually nothing else is required to preserve your warranty.

f0rdsux

I have these terrible lights (dealer installed option $1000.) on my wife's ZTW. What a waste of money. The wiring is shot (4 years old) and Ford refuses to do anything about it. The lights can go out by moving the wires, the fix is $270. Cdn and they won't budge at all. Their customer service staff is brutal. I'll never buy another Ford and am trying to get the word out any way I can to save someone else from buying these 4 bulb headaches. Anyone else have problems with them? Maybe if there are enough people Ford will recall them.

evandro

As it's dealer-installed, it's dealer-warranted. Ford has nothing to do with it. Sorry.

I myself never, ever get any accessory installed by the dealer, much less pay for it. It's a nonnegotiable point for me and if it's so for the dealer too, I just take my business elsewhere, as Ford dealers are like belly buttons.

Good luck.

ruhl

SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS. REPLACED EVERTHING FROM THE IGNITION TO THE STARTER. FOUND OUT THE SOLENOID WAS THE PROBLEM, DIDN'T COMPLETELY GO OUT JUST ENOUGH TO START EVERY FEW DAYS.

ud0ntkn0wme86

My car decided it didn't want to start. I went outside and ran a few errands yesterday and it ran, then I parked it, went to start it and she would crank but not fire. After several vain attempts I heard her wanting to start, pumped the gas a bit and got her to fire up and she ran fine the rest of the day. I went out today to go to work and she cranked and cranked but refused to fire. You can smell gas every time you try to start her, and she does crank but she just wont fire - sounds like she's starving for fuel. Could this be yet another fuel pump issue??

ud0ntkn0wme86

Wow. So much for it being the fuel pump. My 2000 Focus with 96K miles has to have:

New mass air flow sensor (second one in a year)
New wiring harness for the fan and the o2 sensor
Timing belt, pulley and tensioner
New spark plugs and wires
Valve cover gasket
New thermostat and gasket

Lucky me. Just thought I'd let ya'll know what happened to her to cause those symptoms.

honolulu1

I need help. My 2001 just died. Here's the story: On June 1, I was about to leave on a 5 day trip (flying not driving). I noticed that there was a small amount of coolant leaking from the car, but as I was about to go to the airport, I decided to deal with it when I came back. On June 6 I returned and saw that more coolant had leaked out. I called my mechanic and asked him if it was okay to put water in the radiator in order to drive it to the shop. He said yes. I put water in. It seemed like A LOT. When I tried to start the car, it just sounded bad, so I turned the engine off right away. I called the mechanic back and said I was going to have it towed in. When the car got there, he said it was a blown head gasket. Since I had purchased an extended warranty from the dealer, I had the car towed there. After several days of not doing anything, they said the engine was seized up, and they were calling in an inspector to see if they would honor the warranty. Well, they didn't honor it. They said I have been driving the car while it's been overheating, and knowing that, I've been putting water in. This is a lie, as the check engine light has never come on, and the temperature gauge never said it was overheating. Plus the only time I ever put water in the car was on June 6. And where I usually park my car, it is on a slight downslope, so I would have noticed any coolant leaking... And there wasn't any. I really need help on this, as the dealer wants $2800 to replace parts in the engine. Tomorrow I am having the car towed home. Not only that, but they are charging me $547. for tearing apart the engine... They are adding insult to injury. My mechanic says these engines are so bad, his supplier doesn't even have any. Does anyone have any suggestions/help?

honolulu1

My 2001 Focus only has 43,000 miles on it...

lizbeth374

I had this problem back in September, and have had no problems since...this is my original reply...

My 2000 Focus did this just this week. You put the key in and go to turn it and it won't turn. I found if you hit it a good time or two you can turn the key but that is not recommended for long term. See the following link, I followed this guy's instructions and they worked great. Hasn't locked up all week.

http://possumblog.blogspot.com/2004/09/special-possumblog-weekend-edition.html

Good luck!

lizbeth374

I had this problem back in September, and have had no problems since...this is my original reply...

My 2000 Focus did this just this week. You put the key in and go to turn it and it won't turn. I found if you hit it a good time or two you can turn the key but that is not recommended for long term. See the following link, I followed this guy's instructions and they worked great. Hasn't locked up all week.

http://possumblog.blogspot.com/2004/09/special-possumblog-weekend-edition.html

Good luck!

1998expo

i need some help i am experiencing the same problem with the A/C PLEASE HELP ME OUT WITH THE CODES.I have a 2002 ford focus zx5 automatic...

vanace

Your salesman is right... if there is no weight in the seat it won't activate. if you have some weight in the passenger seat, and the seat belt is not on, then your airbag won't deploy in a crash.

jacobnun

I have a ford focus ZX3 with 70k. I noticed last night that it has developed a real bad vibration. After further investigation the vibration is experienced at idle in P and N but gets worse when placed in gear. I also noticed that I would hear a squeal when I turn on the A/C. I inspected the belt, it appeared in good condition and the tentioner seems to be working, I then had here start the car and observed the belt. The belt vibrates and jumps like something is seriously out of balance. Has anyone had a problem with the harmonic balancer, alternator, smog pump, or compressor causing excessive vibration?

vanace

while you say the tensioner is working, it could be weak or failing. That would be my first thought as what to do to fix it.

ud0ntkn0wme86

I have a 2000 ZX3, I had to replace the timing belt, tensioner and pulley at 96K. When they removed my timing belt it looked as if someone had scraped a bunch of the teeth off of it - thank god for non interference motors. Apparently there is a known issue that causes vibration from the engine. I suggest checking the timing belt completely to be sure.

jacobnun

you mean that the tensioner maybe has loose its "tension" power? I guess the only way to be sure is to replace the tensioner......

fixorrepairdly

I bought my used 2000 Focus from a Ford dealer in December of 2002 with 20862 miles. On Aug, 3rd 2004 I had the ignition changed for the first time at 37042 miles.
Last week I replaced the ignition again at 69500 miles. Ford would not concede any responsibility for the repairs. It is no wonder that the company is in trouble financially.
My Japanese cars go w/o need of repairs and they have nearly twice the mileage. I will never buy a car from Ford again.

jacob78550

i have a 2001 ford focus zx3 and i'm having alot of problems with it. From one day to the next my car stopped working. First my car would only work when it was hot outside. Then things got worse to the point that not even when it was hot outside my car wouldn't start. when i tried turning it on the smell of gas would come out of the muffler. I've taken it to several machanics as well as the dealership but nobody knows what's wrong with it. can somebody please tell me what might be wrong with it.

jacob78550

i have a focus too and those cars aren't worth the headaches. At first my car would only start when it was hot outside now it's just parked in the garage. So don't feel bad I think it's just ford making crappy cars.

ghaylez

I am fixing to replace a piece of my thermostat housing that is broke and I don't know what it's called, can somebody please help me?? It's inside the housing actually and I know that it has a rubber gasket that goes around it.(and no it's not the thermostat.) This piece broke when we replaced the thermostat the first time and it was leaking at that time we were told it was a dealer part, but I can't recall what it was called. This is on my 2001 Focus ZX3

Kirstie_H

Hi all,
We're trying to make it easier to find information related to maintenance & repair of your vehicle, so please check the top of the Ford Focus group for our new discussions. If there's not one that suits your question, feel free to start one!