FaultScore

2007 Ford Focus engine problems

18 of the 524 complaints about the 2007 Ford Focus are about the engine — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 36,000 miles.

F

18

Complaints

3

Crashes

3

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine AND Engine Cooling 10 55.6%
Engine 6 33.3%
Engine 1 5.6%
Cooling System 1 5.6%

Engine & Cooling across every Ford Focus year

2000 512 14.2%
2001 281 7.8%
2002 122 3.4%
2003 78 2.2%
2004 35 1.0%
2005 29 0.8%
2007 18 0.5%
2008 21 0.6%
2009 24 0.7%
2010 53 1.5%
2012 501 13.9%
2013 357 9.9%
2014 450 12.5%
2015 177 4.9%
2016 283 7.9%
2017 310 8.6%
2018 352 9.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 226,000 miles Washington, DC

ENGINE

I GOT MY VEHICLE FROM AN AUCTION SITE, SO I DO NOT HAVE ANY HISTORY ON IT BEFORE 2016. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT REGULAR INTERVALS, ESPECIALLY, WHEN THE CAR IS IN EXTREMELY COLD OR HOT TEMPERATURES. THE GAS PEDAL, ALSO, GETS STUCK, REGULARLY, I WOULD HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH MY PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING. I HAVE NOTICED THIS, OVER THE YEARS, WITH THE CAR IN STATIONARY MODE AND WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, CITY OR HIGHWAY DRIVING BUT, ESPECIALLY, AFTER HAVING TO PERFORM A HARD BRAKE IN TRAFFIC. I WOULD HAVE TO KEEP PRESSING ON THE GAS PETAL TO GET IT TO RELEASE ITSELF FROM WHATEVER IT IS ALLOWING GETTING STUCK TO, THEN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR IS BETTER, UNTIL THE NEXT TIME OF IT HAVING TO BE UNSTUCK. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR THIS ISSUE BUT, THE MECHANICS DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM DESCRIBING. OF COURSE, WHEN THESE PERSONS TEST DRIVE MY CAR THEY DO NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM, LIKE I DO, SO THERE IS NO DOCUMENTATION IN MY POSSESSION ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE KEY IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH COIL THINGY. I HAD TO GET IT REPAIRED BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE OF SOMETHING NEW HAPPENING WITH THE BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS BEING DRAINED BECAUSE OF THE KEY NOT BEING ABLE TO COME OUT OF THE COIL, AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME, AGAIN, IN HIGHWAY DRIVING SPEEDS OF 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I HAVE BEEN GOING TO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GIVE ME ANY FEEDBACK AS TO WHAT TO DO, OTHER THAN TO JUST SAY BUY A NEWER VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN HEARING A SOUND, RECENTLY, WHEN THE KEY IS ABOUT TO COME OUT OF THE SWITCH THAT SOUNDS LIKE A CLICKING RELEASE SYSTEM CLICK. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF A SPRING IS BAD IN THE SYSTEM. THESE ARE ALL UNKNOWN COMPONENTS PARTS, BY THE TECHNICAL NAME, HOWEVER, THE ISSUES ARE REAL IMPORTANT FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROADS THAT I DRIVE ON.

NHTSA complaint #11389516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Struthers, OH Crash

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. LAST WEEK WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO HER GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FORCE OF THE CRASH LOOSENED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED THAT THEY WOULD MAIL A REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO VISIT A COLLISION SHOP BEFORE GOING TO A DEALER. DONNELL FORD (7955 MARKET ST, YOUNGSTOWN, OH 44512) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND BELIEVED THE THROTTLE BODY MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #11278025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Leesville, SC

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER (J.D. BYRIDER LOCATED AT 1801 GORDON HWY, AUGUSTA, GA 30904; (706) 736-5543) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 803-359-4114 AND STATED THAT THERE MAY BE AN OPEN RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS BEFORE THEY COULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11002492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Sultana, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SOMETHING IN THE CAR MAKES A SQUEAKY NOISE AIR CONDITIONER GAVE OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10609259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 114,000 miles North Port, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHEN I FIRST NOTICED, IT WAS AROUND THE 45 MPH WHEN I FELT THE JERKING OF THE VEHICLE. AS TIME WENT ON IT STARTED TO DO THAT AT 35 AND (SOMETIMES OR) 45 MPH. THIS PAST TUESDAY 3RD OF JUNE 2014 IT STARTED TO DO THIS AT 15, 25, 35, AND 45 MPH FROM SITTING AT THE RED LIGHT AND MOVING FORWARD. AFTER GETTING A TUNE-UP.. IT IS A LITTLE BETTER BUT IT STILL DOES THAT AT 35 AND SOME TIMES AT 45.

NHTSA complaint #10596683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Levittown, NY Crash 1 injured

ENGINE

MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A 4 CAR ACCIDENT, HE WAS THE THIRD CAR IN THE ACCIDENT. THE FIRST CAR CLAIMS THAT ANOTHER CAR AHEAD OF HER STOPPED SHORT AND TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR SHE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES CAUSING THE SECOND CAR TO HIT HER IN THE BACK. MY SON COULDN'T STOP IMMEDIATELY SO HE HIT THE SECOND CAR IN THE BACK., THEN THE FOURTH CAR HIT [XXX] ON THE BACK WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO DENT THE WHOLE HOOD AND BROKE THE RADIATOR AND CAVE THE FRONT BUMPER INTO THE MOTOR. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. MY SON HAD TO GO IN THE AMBULANCE SINCE HIS CHEST WAS HURTING AND HIS NECK GOT STIFF AND SORE THAT HE COULDN'T MOVE IT. HOWEVER I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T ENGAGE EVEN WHEN MY SONS CAR GOT HIT WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO DENT HIS WHOLE FRONT END. PLEASE ADVICE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10578940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,000 miles Lithonia, GA Crash Fire 4 injured

ENGINE

MY CAR WAS IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT AS WE HIT A POWER POLE HEAD ON GOING AT LEAST 50 MPH. I WASN'T THE DRIVER. AT IMPACT BOTH THE DRIVER AND MYSELF HAD OUR HEADS CRASH INTO THE DASHBOARD. THE DRIVER SMASHED HIS HEAD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND I HIT THE AREA ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX. MY HEAD ALSO HIT THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY TO THE GROUND. MY CONCERNS ARE THAT WITH AN ACCIDENT OF THAT MAGNITUDE, NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THE CAR. ALL 4 PASSENGERS RECEIVED MULTIPLE SEVERE INJURIES. I'M AWARE THAT IN SOME SITUATIONS AIR BAGS CAN MAKE THINGS WORSE, BUT IN THIS CASE I'M SURE THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER THAN US VIOLENTLY SLAMMING OUR HEADS AND FACES ONTO THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL. I'M ALSO INTERESTED IN SEEING WHY THE SEAT BELTS DIDN'T CONSTRICT US FROM MOVING THAT FAR FORWARD.

NHTSA complaint #10577297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Franklinville, NJ Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE HOOD COMPARTMENT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. MAH

NHTSA complaint #10525300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pevely, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2007 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WOULD COST $547.00 TO REPLACE THE CLUSTER PANEL. PLUS, THE COST FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THAT WAS ALSO ON.

NHTSA complaint #10509049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,000 miles Beaver Falls, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHEN SLOWING DOWN (COASTING OR BREAKING) THE ACCELERATOR HANGS. IT WILL HOLD AT A CONSTANT RPM (BETWEEN 2500 AND 4000, DIFFERENT EACH TIME) I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND DEPRESS THE THROTTLE ALL THE WAY SEVERAL TIMES. I CHECKED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND THERE IS STILL TENSION ON IT SO IT IS NOT MECHANICAL BETWEEN THE PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY. ALMOST SEEMS LIKE A NEUTRAL SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #10456716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Covington, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME INOPERATIVE. UPON RESTARTING, THE MALFUNCTIONS CONTINUED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE PCM WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA complaint #10443399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY COMPLAINT, BUT IT IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT THAT AFFECTS COMFORT, IF NOT SAFETY. MY WIFE AND I BOTH BOUGHT NEW 2007 FORD FOCUSES. SOON AFTER MY CAR WENT OUT OF WARRANTY (AT ABOUT 37,000 MILES IN FALL 2009), THE AIR RECIRCULATION FUNCTION ON THE A/C STOPPED WORKING. THE INDICATOR LIGHT GOES ON, BUT THE AIR CONTINUES TO BE DRAWN FROM OUTSIDE. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MOTOR THAT OPENS AND CLOSES A VENT DOOR HAD DIED. IT WOULD COST ABOUT $600 FOR THE MOTOR, PLUS THE LABOR COST OF REMOVING THE DASH TO ACCESS THE MOTOR. BECAUSE OF THE HUGE EXPENSE, I DECIDED TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM. NOW MY WIFE'S CAR HAS THE DEVELOPED THE SAME PROBLEM (AT 21,000 MILES). HER AIR RECIRCULATION BUTTON ALSO HAS STOPPED WORKING. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND SAW SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS' COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM IN THEIR 2007 FOCUSES. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS A FAIRLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR IN 2007 FOCUSES. I AM ASKING YOU TO INITIATE A RECALL, SO THAT PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM CAN GET THEIR CARS FIXED AND HAVE THEIR A/C WORK PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10403625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,000 miles Fernandina Beach, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

IN 2007, I PURCHASED MY NEW FORD FOCUS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDED RATING IN CONSUMER REPORTS. DID YOU KNOW THAT WHEN THE A/C OF THE FOCUS STOPS FUNCTIONING, SO DOES THE AUTO? I AM NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED. I DON'T KNOW IF MOST OR ALL AUTOS ARE BUILT THIS WAY. IF SO, BASED ON THE DIFFICULTIES I HAVE HAD JUST TO FIND OUT THIS FACT ABOUT FOCUS, AND THE $1,400 EXPENSE I INCURRED FIXING PROBLEMS, I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT THIS FACT CLEARLY STATED IN ANY RATINGS DISCUSSION, IN BOLD FONTS. MY CAR HAD BEEN MAINTAINED AT THE DEALER EVERY 3,000 MILES, HAS ONLY 42,000 MILES ON IT, WITHOUT ACCIDENTS, TICKETS, VIOLATIONS. FOREMOST, THE A/C SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER. I AM NOT SURE THAT THE RECOMMENDED RATING WAS WARRANTED.

NHTSA complaint #10349399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,326 miles Oklahoma City, OK

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HAVE 2007 FORD FOCUS SE WITH 50,000MIL ON IT. 1ST OFFENSE HAPPENED JULY 2009. HAD TO REPLACE 100,000 MIL WARRANTY SPARK PLUGS(FORD PRODUCT) @ 38,000 MIL.THEY WERE BURNT TO CRISP .REPLACED THEN 2 WKS LATER BTWN 45-50 AN HR MY CAR WAS SHIFTING LIKE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD I NO LONGER HAD A WARRANTY(FORD DIRECTLY SAID THIS) WENT TO ANOTHER REP COMPANY. TOLD ME MY CYLINDERS WERE GOING OUT. NO ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON. COMPANY TOLD ME TO CALL FORD DIRECTLY BECAUSE MAYBE THERE WAS A RECALL. THEY TOLD ME THERE WASN'T AND THAT I DID HAVE A POWERTRAIN WARRANTY BUT THIS WAS NOT COVERED,YET MY OWNERS MANUAL SAYS THAT CYLINDERS ARE COVERED BY POWERTRAIN. I PAID OVER $200 TO FIX PROBLEMS IN AUG 2009.IT IS NOW OCT 2009 AND I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE EVERYTHING AGAIN! I AM TO THIS DATE BARELY OVER 2 YRS OLD ON THE VEHICLE(BOUGHT AUG 2007) AND JUST NOW TURNED OVER 50,000 MIL. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO THIS VEHICLE. THE COMPANY I TOOK IT TOO SAID THAT THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM ALOT BECAUSE THE CYLINDERS GET TOO HOT AND BURN THE SPARK PLUGS BECAUSE THERE IS NO COOLING SYSTEM FOR THIS AREA. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10291618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Williamsport, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT RELEASES THE THROTTLE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY TAKES A LONG TIME TO RETURN TO IDLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE DOES NOT HAVE FULL CONTROL OF THE THROTTLE. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE PULLS BEFORE IT DECELERATES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE RESPONSE IS HORRIBLE. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO THE SLOW RESPONSE TIME WHEN BRAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR THIS FAILURE, BUT WAS ONLY SERVICED ONCE. THE AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED HOWEVER, AFTER 25 MINUTES, THE THROTTLE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 100. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THE SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO HAVE THE ECU EITHER UPDATED OR REPROGRAMMED. UPDATED 06/16/08

NHTSA complaint #10229368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,500 miles Ingersoll, 00

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MY ENGINE IN MY BRAND NEW 2007 FORD FOCUS WAS NOT STARTING PROPERLY. HAD TO ACTUALLY PUSH THE GAS TO GET THE ENGINE TO CATCH. CONTACTED MY DEALER, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINES IN THE 2007. HE WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN IT WAS READY TO BE FIXED. I WAITED 8 MOS AND CONTACTED FORD CANADA. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND BROUGHT IT IN, BUT NOTHING WAS DONE THEN EITHER. IT CONTINUES TO BE A POOR STARTING PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10227512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300 miles Oakland, ME

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT HEARS METAL GRINDING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. HE STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, BUT ARE STILL SQUEAKING. WHEN HE RELEASES THE CLUTCH AND SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, HE HEARS A KNOCKING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING SOUND AS IF IT WILL EXPLODE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING ALL OF THESE FAILURES. THE REPAIRS USUALLY LAST APPROXIMATELY 3-4 WEEKS BEFORE THE FAILURES RECUR. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER REPLACE HIS VEHICLE WITH A NEW VEHICLE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,701 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.

NHTSA complaint #10200571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,000 miles South Amboy, NJ Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 FORD FOCUS PURCHASED IT NEW, CURRENTLY HAS 19,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TODAY SMOKE STARTED TO FILL THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND MY ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. WIRES MELTING ALL OVER THE PLACE, FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ALTERNATOR. THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, THE SMOKE COULD'VE OVER COME ME OR MY PASSENGERS, PLUS THE FIRE ITSELF COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES IF I HAD DRIVEN A BLOCK OR TWO DOWN THE ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER, BUT IT WONT GET LOOKED AT UNTIL NEXT WEEK. MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10196340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2007 Ford Focus problems

← Full 2007 Ford Focus report