8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,070
Average Mileage:
89,300 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace tank and valves (10 reports)
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problem #10

Apr 012017

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

My car first started off by it being a half a tank full, then it would just run out of gas when it got to a quarter. Stalls if it is getting low on gas on the middle of the highway. Now it's just at its worst. It says full, however when it gets a little under the F line, it stalls. I stalled 4 times on the highway. So scary and dangerous. However, I just found out there is a recall just as I was going to see a mechanic. Hopefully Ford fixes this 3rd recall I have had on this car. I had the transmission malfunction also, which got replaced 2 times and also the latch on the back door.

I am happy at least that Ford is taking care of this issue. Although there are way too many recalls that are costing Ford a lot of money and the service workers more work.

- Terese W., Waterbury, US

problem #9

Jul 102018

Focus Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,250 miles

One would think with under 55,000 miles on a car there would be some warranty. Not so with Ford. I was headed home, stopped for a traffic light, then accelerated up a hill when I heard a "BANG". Check engine light came on. Following week I took it to a Ford dealer who changed me $125 to diagnose a "collapsed tank" and requested $1800 to fix it. I don't have $1800 to spend so I haven't had it fixed. Now the fuel indicator is stuck on FULL and I can only drive about 200 miles before I run out of gas. Tank "fills" with 7 gallons, which means I am still getting about 28 miles per gallon but don't have access to the remaining 5 gallons due to the collapse.

Why hasn't Ford issued a recall for this? It seems to be a pretty common problem..

- Ron P., Orlando, FL, US

problem #8

Nov 142017

Focus SE 2.0L 4

  • Manual transmission
  • 79,115 miles

Fuel tank would not fill without filler hose constantly clicking off. Took 10-15 minutes at pump to fill. [I did not get check engine light warning.] Dealer says fuel tank "collapsed" due to malfunction of purge valve. Estimated $1800 to repair. Vehicle is out of warranty (79,160 miles on 75,000 warranty; just my luck). I declined repair, began shopping for a new car, initiated an online "escalation" to Ford - who kicked it back to the service manager at the dealer. My guess is the dealer will offer a trade on a new Ford instead. Not keen on that, at least until EcoSport is available here. Is it dangerous to drive a vehicle with a "collapsed" fuel tank? Will Ford cover the defect repair out of warranty??

- Ralph D., Wilmington, US

problem #7

Jun 282017

Focus Flexfuel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

I was driving 65 mph down the interstate when the car sputtered and stalled. I sat on the side of a busy highway until it would start only to die again (at a much reduced speed). Eventually, I made it to the dealership. They informed me that the canister purge valve had stuck open causing suction in the tank and resulting in the fuel tank collapsing. They said that I need to have the fuel tank, fuel pump, purge valve and canister replaced at a cost of $2025.

I did report this to Ford customer service. There is 103,000 miles on the car and no warranty. Another car was there at the same time with the same problem. Ford obviously has known about the problem for quite some time. I must have my car repaired as I use it for work. They said it will take a week to get parts in. Ford should own up to the defect and issue a recall and/or Focus owners should file a class action to get our money back for this manufacturer defect.

- Robin V., Eupora, US

problem #6

Apr 212017

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,112 miles

The latest issue (of MANY!) is the malfunction of the purge valve, which apparently made the gas tank collapse. Was told replacing the gas tank was not critical - so I made the decision to hold off and try to find the parts at cost and get repaired elsewhere vs. paying the $2,000+ to replace it. When asked what caused it, the tech failed to mention it was due to the faulty purge valve.....a tactic I'm all too familiar with when it comes to Ford. I dealt with bad TCM's for a good year and a half and one tech actually told me my car was stalling because of the way I was driving. It took a year and half, multiple visits to ALL the Ford dealerships in the Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown area, tows and rentals, hours being stranded on roadways, before they finally figured out what was wrong with it. I think it was a year after that that they finally issued the recall on the TCM (better late than never??). Luckily I was still under the 75,000 mile warranty. As luck would have it (my luck), the faulty purge valve and subsequent collapsed gas tank happened 112 miles past my warranty and won't be covered. I will NEVER buy another Ford.

- Erin B., Austin, TX, US

problem #5

Nov 042016

Focus Titanium 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,800 miles

This vehicle has disappointed us over and over. The only two brand new vehicles that I have ever owned in my 47 years have been Ford's and they have both been POS's. A 2005 Ford F150 (motor replaced at 115,000) and this 2012 Focus which has just been a money pit. TCM failure, All of the passenger side electronics faulty and now a collapsed fuel tank. I wrote to Ford but of course I got no where. I will definitely not be buying another Ford anything.

- Bryan W., Fairview Heights, IL, US

problem #4

Jul 152016

Focus SEL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,000 miles

I have had this car for 3 years. First issue was the TCM module which I took to have fixed but dealer did not actually do the work. Now this on top, car starts stalling after you have run about 120 miles, thinks it's out of gas. Take to another dealer, Gas tank is deformed and damaged. Fuel tank, fuel pump, purge valve and canister, and fuel system all done and has to be replaced to the tune of 2898.89!!!! I see all these same complaints.....wtf Ford....why no recall. It is obvious there is a major problem.

- Cindy W., Braselton, US

problem #3

Sep 152016

Focus SEL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

I just paid to have a new fuel sensor put on there and a week and 20 miles later I feel the tank up the fuel valve gets stuck open causing the tank to collapse. The Ford service center is quoting me a price of $2k to fix this KNOWN issue. I've already had my transmission replaced twice. This really is a terrible make and model.

- Jasmine B., Destrehan, LA, US

problem #2

Nov 092015

Focus 4-cyl 2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,572 miles

I paid for an extended warranty (5 year, 50,000 miles). The said it was a Ford error resulting from the emissions. Which, to no surprise, is not covered.

Update from Jul 24, 2016: I paid for an extended warranty (5 year, 50,000 miles). The warranty company, Route 66, said the imploding gas tank was a Ford problem resulting from an emissions defect. Which, to no surprise, is not covered. At first Ford told me I caused the problem because I let my fuel level get down to a 1/4 tank (not empty, mind you, a 1/4 tank!). That's asinine. I had a good laugh at that one. I've been driving for 45+ years. I don't know too many people that can honestly say they haven't pulled into a gas station on fumes at one time or another during their driving years (even if it was as a teenager). I've never heard of even one of those nearly empty tanks imploding. The service guy at Ford told me my gas tank imploded and a bunch of other parts had to be replaced (none of which, of course, were covered by Ford or Route 66). He said the Ford Focus gas tank is made of plastic (as are some other Ford cars and trucks) and it's not as strong as the other material. I think maybe Ford should let people know this important fact. He told me to hold my receipt, that I wasn't the only one who has had this issue. He said Ford may recall it in the future or pay me back part of the money. It also cost me an extensive tow bill and a rental car for 3 days.

- d.fl, Loxahatchee, FL, US

problem #1

Nov 262015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Took vehicle to repair shop because of stalling. Was told that the fuel tank collapsed in on itself because of a stuck valve and would have to pay 1800 dollars out of pocket for repairs. Bullshit

- James H., Tampa, FL, US