47 of the
323 complaints about the 2009 Ford Focus are about the
electrical system — 15% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
84,661 miles.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start-up after multiple attempts without warning. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the ignition switch and housing were replaced. A few months later, the failure recurred, and the contact took the vehicle back to the same mechanic and had the starter replaced. A few months later after the repair, the failure recurred, and the contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic who replaced the ignition switch and housing for a second time. After the failure occurred for the fourth time, the initial independent mechanic instructed her to place the vehicle in neutral to see if the restarted. The vehicle was started in neutral and the mechanic replaced the neutral safety switch. Despite the repair, the failure recurred. A dealer was notified of the failure and a representative acknowledged that the failure was a known issue; however, there were no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as the dealer. The manufacturer was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11428924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesAcworth, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE FUEL PUMP KEEP DISABLING! WHEN TRYING TO CRANK THE CAR IT WILL CONTINUE TO TURN OVER AFTER THE KEY HAS BEEN PULLED BACK OUT OF THE START POSITION
NHTSA complaint #11349109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,827 milesLakeland, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT SON STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,827.
NHTSA complaint #11330138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesAlbion, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I TRY TO START MY CAR, SOMETIMES IT WON'T TURN OVER WHEN TURNING THE KEY. I HAVE TO TRY A FEW TIMES IF NOT MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO START AND IT JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11301476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPetersburgh, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR WAS STATIONARY. THE DOORS LOCK AND DO NOT UNLOCK. AFTER HOURS OF SEARCHING THE MANUAL AND GOOGLE I FIGURED OUT HOW TO BYPASS THE AUTOMATIC LOCK AND TURNED THAT OFF SO MY DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK WHILE I DROVE. THAT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT, THEN THE DOORS JUST STOPPED OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR FOCUS.
NHTSA complaint #11279639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jonesboro, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY IGNITION IS NOT WORKING. I TURN THE KEY OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND THE CAR WON'T START. THE LIGHTS COME ON, THE BATTERY IS CHARGED, THE AIR WORKS, BUT THE VEHICLE WON'T START. I USED TO BE ABLE TO GET IT STARTED BUT I NOW HAVE BLISTERS ON MY HAND FROM TRYING TO START THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11268271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesChester, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIRD TIME HAVING A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH! CAR WILL TURN ON BUT WON'T START, COSTING MORE TO FIX THAN THE CAR IS WORTH.
NHTSA complaint #11234649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln Park, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION NOT WORKING PROPERLY.KEY HAS TO BE TURNED SEVERAL TIMES TO START CAR WHEN PARKED.
NHTSA complaint #11142604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burkburnett, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PUTTING KEY IN IGNITION DOESN'T ALWAYS START THE CAR...I'VE HAD TO TOW MY CAR HOME AFTER TRYING FOR 30 MINUTES. ONLY TO HAVE IT START WHEN MY HUSBAND TRIED. ITS BEEN AN ISSUE EVER SINCE HE BOUGHT IT. CURRENTLY HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN 2 DAYS BECAUSE OF THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11113475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Livingston, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INSERT KEY, TURN TO START, WILL NOT START, HAVE TO PUSH IN KEY HARD FOR THE IGNITION TO START CAR
NHTSA complaint #11079064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Niagara Falls, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN OR START THE CAR. IF I DO NOT PLAY WITH THE STEERING WILL IT WILL NOT START. I DON'T THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE THIS HARD TO START A CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11056785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,323 milesCadillac, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION ,AT TIMES DOSE NOT START CAR. BATTERY STAYS CHARGED.
NHTSA complaint #11042964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesMooresville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SWITCH WORN PARTS, COMMON COMPLAINT RECALL EARLIER MODELS, PROBLEM PERSISTS IN 2009 FOCUS. WARRANTS RECALL AND FORD FIX.
NHTSA complaint #11031687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesSnowmass, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DOORS BECOME LOCKED AND YOU CANNOT OPEN THEM FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. ALL UNLOCKING DEVICES TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK THEM. TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND HE GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR AND COULD NOT GET OUT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #11015369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesSeguin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIR BAG LIGHT IS STUCK ON RANDOMLY MAKES A "DINGING" SOUND. TIRES CONTINUE TO WEAR OUT AT A RAPID SPEED, IGNITION SWITCH WILL GET STUCK AN ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER-CAN'T FIND A CAUSE. AND THE A/C STOPPED WORKING THIS WEEK, MECHANIC LOOKING FOR A LEAK UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT THESE ISSUES AND WHY THEY ALL STARTED WITH IN PAST MONTH. EACH PROBLEM THEY CAN'T FIND SOLUTIONS OR TELL ME IT'S PROBABLY A SENSOR OR THE HEAT. THEY HOOK IT UP TO THE COMPUTER AND IT SHOWS NOTHING WRONG?!?!
NHTSA complaint #11012457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesGirard, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL 4 DOOR LATCHES AND LOCKS DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY. VERY DANGEROUS!!! I CAN'T GET OUT OR GET IN THROUGH ANY DOORS AT TIMES. IT'S DIFFERENT EVERY DAY. THEY WON'T OPEN WITH FOB OR MANUALLY. I SEE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL AND GET THIS FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET OUT!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11000935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesDetroit, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE IGNITION WOULD TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11000382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesElmira Heights, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REAR DOOR LOCKS APPEAR TO BE JAMMED OR PERMANENTLY LOCKED. WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH POWER LOCKS OR MANUALLY. THIS HAPPENED RANDOMLY OUT OF NOWHERE. MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE ALSO BROKE SO I AM ONLY ABLE TO USE ONE DOOR ON MY VEHICLE RIGHT NOW. THE REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE HENCE WHY I SAID THEY APPEAR TO BE JAMMED FOR NO REASON. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN IF I WERE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND GET LOCKED INSIDE MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10939828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesElmira, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REAR DOORS ARE JAMMED OR STUCK ON LOCK, FOR NO REASON. POWER LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK THEM AND DOING SO MANUALLY DOES NOT WORK EITHER. THESE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE NOR THE OUTSIDE. MY CHILD LOCKS ARE NOT ON. I ALSO KEEP MY CAR DUST FREE AND LUBRICATED. THIS COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND WERE TO BE LOCKED IN MY CAR. MY CAR SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE UNLOCKED AND LOCKED WHENEVER I PLEASE AND WHENEVER IS NEEDED. THE FACT THAT I CANNOT EVEN UNLOCK THEM MANUALLY IS DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10939833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesOrlando, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OKAY THE VEHICLE IS 2009 BUT ONLY HAS 58,000 MILES. SOMETIMES I HAVE DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TRYING TO START CAR. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO TRY AND JIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL. YESTERDAY I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF , TOOK THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION, OPENED THE DOOR TO EXIT THE CAR AND THE ALARM OR WARNING WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. I GOT BACK IN THE CAR, SHUT THE DOOR, IT STILL WOULDN'T SHUT OFF, SO I PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION TO TURN IT ON THEN OFF AGAIN, AND THAT WORKED BUT I STILL HAVE OCCASIONAL ISSUES WITH STARTING THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10863282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,700 milesANN Arbor, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN THE UNLOCK BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO DEPRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. NO FURTHER DETAILS WERE AVAILABLE ON THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,700.
NHTSA complaint #10860722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesSpring Valley, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT APPROX. 50,000 MILES THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN EVENTUALLY UNABLE TO TURN KEY OVER. HAD A NEW SWITCH INSTALLED AND NOW SIX MONTHS LATER IT'S STARTING TO GO OUT AGAIN. VERY POOR QUALITY SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10817282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMaryland Heights, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE HAVING THE REPAIRS PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE IGNITION HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 02/19/16*LJ; UPDATED 05/02/18
NHTSA complaint #10808016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesAnaheim, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SOMETIMES THE CAR DOESN'T CRANK OR START AND IT HAS HAPPENED AROUND 6 TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2011. IT ISN'T THE BATTERY BECAUSE I HAVE JUST REPLACED IT BUT SEEMS LIKE THE IGNITION SWITCH OR CYLINDER IS THE PROBLEM. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED
NHTSA complaint #10795334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilbertown, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING PERFECT THEN AFTER A MOTOR MOUNT WAS REPLACED THE CAR STARTED THEN WENT DEAD IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR WILL TURN OVER BUT IT ISN'T FIRING RIGHT NOW IT GAVE NO WARNING. THE COMPUTER READ A THROTTLE ACTUATOR TROUBLE CODE AND THAT'S ALL. THE CAR WILL KEEP TURNING OVER AFTER I RELEASE THE KEY IT HAS NOT DONE THIS BEFORE NOW WE HAD SOME TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION LOCKING UP AND WE HAVE TO TURN IT REALLY HARD TO START GET THE KEY IN THE STARTING POSITION. THE IGNITION SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS AND THE THROTTLE BODY WILL UPDATE WHEN I FIND OUT MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10763403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,950 milesMilwaukee, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT STEADY 70MPH, ENGINE DROPPED TO IDLE SPEED. NO PRIOR INDICATION OF TROUBLE. VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN. WRENCH LIGHT WAS ON. ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD NO EFFECT. I PUT IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL, AND COASTED UNTIL I REACHED AN AREA AREA WHERE I COULD PULL OFF TO THE SIDE. THIS WAS IN A TIGHT CONSTRUCTION AREA. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND NOT NEAR OTHER VEHICLES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. OTHERWISE THE OUTCOME MIGHT HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT. WHEN I WAS STOPPED, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, BUT ACCELERATOR HAD NO EFFECT. WITH NO ALTERNATIVE, I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I THEN STARTED THE ENGINE. OPERATION APPEARED NORMAL WITH NO WRENCH LIGHT ON. I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND CHECKED CONNECTED MY CODE READER. NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES. DURING SOME SUBSEQUENT DRIVING, THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER EVENTS OR INDICATION OF PROBLEMS. I AM GETTING A FORD OEM THROTTLE BODY TO REPLACE MY EXISTING. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN FORD PROBLEM THAT HAS AVOIDED A RECALL DESPITE THE POTENTIAL DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TYPE OF FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10747435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHAT IT IS THAT BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS NOW IS THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT ALLOW MY KEY TO TURN OVER THE CAR TO START IT. I HAVE TOO JIGGLE IT TO FINALLY GET IT TO STRART MY CONCERN IS SOMETHING GOING WRONG AND CAUSING A MAJOR PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #10745839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,101 milesSAN Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHT BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,101.
NHTSA complaint #10693279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesHaines, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #10678503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,345 milesThornton, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10640424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.