8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$960
Average Mileage:
107,550 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (11 reports)
  2. had to replace - by ford over $960.00 (1 reports)
  3. replaced headlight switch (1 reports)
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problem #13

Jul 312018

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

I bought my 2003 Ford focus about 6 months ago and about a month after I bought it my insterment cluster quit working and it keeps going in and out and I hate when it does cause I have no idea how fast I'm going or how much gas I have in there.

- Kenny N., Branson, MO, US

problem #12

Nov 082017

Focus ZX3 2.0 Zetec

  • Manual transmission
  • 142,100 miles

One day after hanging out with friends after dark I hopped in my Focus to do back home, when I started it up I noticed my speedometer cluster lights & Climate Control Panel didn't work, BTW my headlights worked. I thought hmm, maybe a fuse, So without thinking too much I got on my way home which was about 50 miles away. The next day I decided to figure out the problem, was checked EVERY fuse and they where all good, so I decided to see what other lights don't work also, Turns out my tail lights & my license plate bulbs didn't work the WHOLE time I was driving the day before and risked getting a ticket. Was going crazy trying to find out what was wrong with my car and was seriously considering just scrapping it. After reading every single forum about this sort of issue it turned out my headlight switch just decided to crap the bed one day. Got a new one from a junkyard for $12 and poof all my lights started working again. Ford is truly something else

- Rick B., Springfield, MO, US

problem #11

Jun 032006

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

The gauges stopped working the second week I had the car. Took it back and they "fixed" the problem. The gauges continued to stop and go on a whim. Sometimes they wouldn't work but would come on when I took it back to the dealership so they got annoyed with me. I thought it might have to do with the weather. Seriously. It seemed to do better when it was a little humid. Anyway, I got to where I could estimate the speed of my car pretty well. It amazes me that a car can pass inspection without working gauges! I now have a navigation system that sits on my steering column that tells me my speed so that helps. But that still doesn't tell me if the car is overheating. Ford says it will not recall the car or pay to repair because it is not "life threatening" but I disagree. Not knowing your speed, or the temp of your car, or how much gas you have could potentially land you in a dangerous situation. It's a huge problem.

- bholly, Linden, TX, US

problem #10

Feb 162005

Focus ZTW 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,000 miles

The Instrument Cluster Panel started malfunctioning the next year after purchasing the car. The car was purchased off the lot NEW. I reported this problem to FORD and they wanted to charge me $500.00 to fix the problem. I felt that this was WRONG because I did not have the car for two years. The car stay mostly parked in the garage. I once got pulled over for speeding because the speedometer was not registering the correct speed. For the life of me I could not figure out why FORD would not fix this problem with-out asking me to pay for the repair. I decided I was not going to pay for fixing this problem. The car now has 104,000 miles after 15 years. I figured on day enough people would complain, and force ford to make a recall. I see now, this did not happen! Some one told me about this site in which you can make complaints against car manufactures. I just did not no who to turn to. I did however, at any chance provided me, I would encourage any one who would listen not to purchase a FORD product. Setting here writing this complaint will not do any good, or advance FORD position on making a recall. This Cluster panel has also caused me to purchase over the life span of the problem two(2) new batteries. It took me some time to realize this problem was a drain on your battery. The dials work one moment and the next time you focus on the dials they are going crazy. I just don't think Ford should be allowed to get out of making this a recall no matter the number of years that has gone by. There are many people such as my-self still have the car, and wish to find a solution in getting it FIXED!!!!

- Wesley A., Satellite Beach, FL, US

problem #9

Jul 032012

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

Gauges blinking when I turn car off, then the battery dies. Looking for a solution, mechanic can't find the problem & is baffled.

- Janet G., Villa Hills, KY, US

problem #8

Jul 072012

Focus V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

One day I get in the car and all of a sudden the gauges started to flicker. The engine started to sputter.

- musiclady420, Joliet, IL, US

problem #7

Oct 052011

Focus 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 148,000 miles

My speedometer quit working and would shoot back up, my battery light flickered on, my digital screen went blank and eventually my engine light came on. Had new alternator put in yesterday, battery is about 5 months old. Got my car back yesterday and my speedometer dropped again. Car tends to loose power a bit when speedometer drops.

- vintage, Hamilton, OH, US

problem #6

Jun 162010

Focus ES 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

This is the first car I had problems with the "entire display" panel going out - also the first time I had a display panel you could not fix with fuses.

I thought this was a lower end costing car - i.e. that repairs would be more economical - so be careful what you buy!

My mechanic said it was very unusual and he looked online to see if Ford had covered this problem. No. I had to use a credit card that charges 24% annually.

- essvee, Lakeland, FL, US

problem #5

Jul 152010

Focus Se Pzev 2.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,616 miles

Miles countor not working so went to ford and replaced the hole dash all replaced its a set gee

- Wolfgang B., Pauma Valley, CA, US

problem #4

May 192009

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

Car began sputtering and missing. Fuel injector cleaner in gasoline helped some at first. Then all electrical gauges began going black while driving, then eventually entire car went "black", like somebody had turned off the key. If light on security was not on, then car wouldn't crank. Have been without car for over a week now. Wasn't battery or alternator and electrical checked out okay when tester hooked to fuse panel. Also, all gauges would pin wide open when you cranked the car. This is a bunch of crap!

- Cheri B., Birmingham, AL, US

problem #3

May 262009

Focus

  • Manual transmission
  • 114,000 miles

Speedometer and odometer randomly go to zero and return to normal. May be associated with slight road bumps.

- Ken T., Hartfield, VA, US

problem #2

Feb 092009

Focus 2.0L Spi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

This is such an annoying problem because I have to be very careful around school zones since my speedometer does not work. The most aggravating of all is the fuel gauge not working so I have to guide myself by the tripometer when I reset it after fueling up. As long as I don't forget to reset it there should not be any issues with getting stranded with 4 kids. It has been one probem after another with this car. I always get the oil changed as recommended, recently had the sparks plugs and wires replaced along with the ignition coil.

- vsernalaredo, Laredo, TX, US

problem #1

Mar 102008

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Whenever I get gas and fill the entire tank, my needle goes to empty and my yellow gas light stays on until I have driven 43 miles. The the needle goes back up and the light turns off.

I have started to use 200 Miles on the trip meter as my cue to get gas because twice now my needle has shown a little less than half a tank, but my car has been out of gas and died in my alley as I attempted to pull out of my parking space.

- kkr, Greeley, CO, US