Ford Focus suspension problems

SUSPENSION

My car has a faulty transmission from factory, having some issues now for some months, Ford advised to change the transmission at 103K miles. My car start becoming very shaky and slow on hills, I was afraid i will remain with in the middle of the street!

NHTSA complaint #11700711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Since I have had this vehicle, the message " steering assist fault" for my electronic steering has been popping up in the dash screen since as far back as 2016 when there were recalls on the Ford fusion. However, a simple fix would be to turn off the engine and restart the vehicle, and it was go away, only to return a few weeks, or a month later. I repeated the same steps. Now, it has gone out completely, a few months ago. Back then, they told me it would cost about $800, now they are saying $2500. It has occurred various times going back to 2016 until currently, which it is out. Keep in mind, this message has appeared since 2016 and I believe I have contacted you all, who told me that only the Ford Fusion, which has the same exact electrical steering system, went out and that the recall only covered the Ford Fusions models.

NHTSA complaint #11649585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

4 issues: 1. The car pulls back under acceleration. 2. The seat moves back suddenly (seat belt issue). 3. When starting the car, The car drives instead of reversing. 4. There is a squeaky noise.

NHTSA complaint #11644226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Multiple mechanics working at and including but not limited to: Firestone, discount tires, Midas, Walmart, independent mechanics have informed me the rear wheels can not be realigned with the front wheels due to how it was designed. This has caused my rear wheels to become more and more out of alignment with no way to repair the misalignment. So all steering components have been more and more hard to control and are being destroyed at a faster rate. Including but not limited to: car sound deadening stuff. Bolts, nuts, screws, undercarriage, tire wear, the front alignment etc. It has not been inspected by anyone but mechanics.

NHTSA complaint #11639131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak and a corroded subframe. The contact was informed that the subframe was significantly thin due to corrosion and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,625. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA complaint #11578442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The car is not running right I can feel shaking, but no one else can

NHTSA complaint #11555319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered with an abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger's side wheel. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the tire but provided no diagnosis for the warning lamp. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, who diagnosed failures with the rear passenger’s side wheel bearing and clutch. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #11554387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Car stalled at stop sign after filling up on gas. Completely shut off. Would not start back up for 30 seconds. No check engine lights on. It has done this multiple times and I have taken it to the shop but they can’t find a problem. I know there was a recall on the 2.0 but this is a 1.0

NHTSA complaint #11513771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The welded retainer of the front bushing on the right side lower (control) arm had rusted through. This allowed the control arm to separate from the frame and the right front wheel to turn outward (while I was traveling straight ahead). The drive shaft was pulled from the transmission and some parts hit the ground. Luckily, I was approaching a stop sign and traveling at less than 30 miles per hour. (The day before I was on I95 at 65 mph) Upon inspection you can see that the control arm is forged in the shape of a "C" from very thick metal where the bushing rests against the arm. However, the bushing is retained by a much thinner metal, welded across the arm forming the other side of the "C". It is that thinner welded retainer that had rusted out. We live in an area where salt is routinely used on the roads during the winter. I know the car is very old. However, this design is inadequate from a safety perspective in the Northeast.

NHTSA complaint #11504620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I drive a 2002 Ford Focus Sedan. My engine light is on, warning light for trunk door ajar light is on (even though the trunk is securely locked, my front headlights due not work consistently (sometimes work, sometimes don't). My trunk does not always latch secure after I close it as well. I took my car to Advanced Auto Parts and had my engine light diagnosed. Engine codes that resulted were: B1318, B1881, C1947, B2438, B2434, P0457. The representative tested my battery and found that the voltage was slightly lower than it should be. My concern is for my safety as well as the safety of others. Do we have some manufacturer defects on this particular vehicle? Have other concerns which could be the result of vehicle wear and tear, or/and due to manufacturer defects as well. Inner tie rods need replaced as well as control arms/bushings, as reported to me by a mechanic. I have seen recall reports related to the 2002 Ford Focus in which there has been issues directly related to what I'm reporting, which is another reason I'm filing a report. Thank you. The contact wanted to add that the wipers are experiencing an electrical issue as well. When in use, the wipers cannot be switched off when it is at the highest position because it will not return in the downward position.

NHTSA complaint #11502938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

My car is still at the dealership (CrossRoads Ford ,of Indian Trail, NC). The vehicle has been there since 11/22/22. The Service Department keeps telling me they are waiting on a Recall Part to come in and have not given me anything else. The car will not drive, and they advised it was a Recall Part, but the system shows all Recall has been repaired? I need my car back- I have already paid 3 months for a car payment, on a car that is still sitting in the Service Department there.

NHTSA complaint #11502558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

My 2014 ford focus will not reverse. It also does not lock the doors while driving and have had problems opening the back hatch.

NHTSA complaint #11493155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

The contact stated that her mother-in-law owns a 2007 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her mother-in-law was driving at an unknown speed, the front passenger’s side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a control arm failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that 2 weeks later the driver’s side wheel detached. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic who stated that the control arm had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that 3 months later while stopped at a traffic light, the driver was unable to control the vehicle as the front passenger’s side wheel detached from the vehicle as well as the transmission slid into the engine. The transmission observation was by the tow truck company. The vehicle was towed to the owner's residence. The failure cause was not diagnosed by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact stated that the tow company informed her that the vehicle was unable to be towed on the flatbed due to the fact that the front end of the vehicle might detach. The contact stated that the headlights would also flicker on and off while driving. The contact stated that the independent mechanic replaced the light bulbs however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11469370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I went to Tom Ford Ford in Carmel, IN in 2016 on this issue and was repaired under warranty then Ford sent an updated letter warranty letter about the DPS6 transmission and reduced warranty from 10 years to 7 years which expired in 2021. Car started having transmission trouble in early 2022; Tom Ford will not repair because not under the reduced warranty terms. I asked for Zone mgr from service manager but would not give me his contact and number on the issue. I’m having same problem again

NHTSA complaint #11451856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

I have the ford Focus 2014. And I noticed that the low battery is associated with warning signs such as low brake fluid, malfunctions of the wheel bearing resulting in too much noise of the vehicles. Causing the car to shake and off the speed limit your are driving.

NHTSA complaint #11449273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed with needing the sway bar links replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. Consumer replaced sway bar link twice, once in Sept and second in Oct.

NHTSA complaint #11435135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I bought the car in 2012. It has not run properly since that year. We took it in for computer flashes and the recalls each time they asked and several times more because the lurching, shuddering, and delayed acceleration would always come back. I had to readjust how I drove the Ford Focus compared to any other car knowing that it sometimes stuck or delayed in acceleration. It also would sometimes jolt forward. It rolls back once at a stop sometimes while the car is running. I would have to adjust how far ahead I pulled from people in lines to make sure they had enough space between parking or in line so I didn't roll back and hit them. My car died in the middle of the road on way to get gas back in 2017. We took it in to get looked at and cost hundreds of dollars to fix a fuel tank that suctioned in on itself. We found out a year later there was a recall for that same issue. It was supposed to fix the fuel gauge reading issues too but even after being "fixed" it still never read right. I could never tell what the actual contents of my fuel levels were which is dangerous especially on long road trips. The struts started to leak and go bad well before they should have. This car is totally unsafe between the constant transmission/computer issues, the fuel tank system, door latch recalls (2 of them). We had to have the radiator replaced because one of the Ford Service Centers screwed something up when they did the clutch recall. It broke down while driving the day after the clutch replacement and was overheating. They admitted their fault and replaced it for free thankfully but why did they have to be in there in the first place? Ford needs to finally recall all of these vehicles and make it right. My family has been lifelong Ford vehicle owners and I'm about at the end of my rope with this car.

NHTSA complaint #11430862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Upon accelerating the car vibrates and hesitates. I was almost hit entering an interstate due to this hesitation. It "feels" like it is slipping. I did return it to the place of purchase and they sent it to a Ford dealership. The used car lot indicated that Ford did a computer reset. It seemed better for a short bit, long enough for the computer to "relearn" driving habits and it began again, only worse this time.

NHTSA complaint #11424922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.