10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,292 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #20

Dec 162021

Focus

  • miles
The service technician at local authorized Ford dealership (Bill Alexander Ford) informed me that during the service today they were not able to rotate my tires because the aluminum lug-nuts had swollen to such an extent that they could not get a socket on the nuts. The technician advised me to purchase steel lug-nuts and then the dealership could break off the aluminum nuts and replace them with the new ones. Of course I am concerned that breaking off lug-nuts may damage the wheel. Several years ago I replaced several lug-nuts with locking nuts and found covering them with the correct sized socket was so difficult that I have been concerned ever since about whether I could remove a flat tire in case of an emergency. Now I am hesitant to drive the car in case I get a flat.

- Yuma, AZ, USA

problem #19

Nov 132021

Focus

  • miles
A majority of the lug nuts on my wheels had to be replaced because of the severe corrosion to them due to the crappy aluminum caps on the original vehicles. Three of them had already fallen off within the past 6 months. Mechanic said I would not have been able to remove a flat tire if that had occurred do to the damage on the lug nuts. The tires shop was installing my winter tires and notified me of the need to replace them. They are NOT cheap. It appears there have been a number of complaints about this issue. Some kind of reimbursement would be appropriate, yes?

- Portland, ME, USA

problem #18

Mar 072019

Focus

  • miles
HI, Ortega Highway in California. got a flat tire. I pulled over to change to the spare and can't get the lug wrench (OEM) on the nuts...(drizzling steadily) I see I am risking stripping the lugs. I'm in the forest- cell signal is spotty. I'm left no choice but to drive on my flat tire slowly to a gas station (several miles) And they can't get it off. I call for a tow to tire shop. They show up in a car w/ a 4 way lug wrench..because of course, they assumed they had to fit. must be my ineptness..and he can't get one lug loose. And now I miss my appt., I have to wait another two hours for a tow truck, while several creepy people want to "help" me.... (help me get thrown in their trunk they mean.. ) I'm making light of it now, but I really resent my safety being put in jeopardy and not even given a heads up when Ford knows it's a problem...no surprise, I've got a Focus transmission.Any integrity & ownership of defective design is non existent.. I can forgive mistakes, they happen. And as long as I am aware of them, I can prepare... But Ford doesn't give a [XXX] about our safety. I've had it, no trust is left. Cost benefit analysis is their concern, which saves them money short term yay, for stockholders & CEO bonuses. Ignoring their long term loss of customers due to unethical behavior. Tangent over.. I made it to the tire shop 15 minutes before close. That shop was the place I first learned of the lug nut "2 metal swelling and stripping" issues. He had a special tool just for Ford Lug nuts. This has happened several times since then... I have had to leave my car on the side of the road, also, drive it to the tire shop slowly. damaging my rim... But my real concern is getting a flat tire that I cannot change myself because the lugs strip/ swell in some isolated area... was lucky it was day that first time, scary as [XXX]...Ford puts drivers in unsafe situations because irresponsibility is now it's business model. Cost us time, money, & piece of mind INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #17

May 282020

Focus

  • 6 miles
NHTSA recall 18V-735 and code P0606 indicates a fault in the ECM/PCM /P06B8 internal control module transaction.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #16

Jun 172020

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
My vehicle stalls while driving, and shakes when I press on the gas. I have to drive my car extremely slow or else it will shake. Sometimes it gives me a problem when trying to start my car.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #15

Feb 032019

Focus

  • 72,000 miles
Oem aluminum lug nuts deform over time after routine maintenance. Lug nuts swell and become stuck to the wheel. Provided oem tire wrench cannot remove lug nuts. I was almost hit by a car trying to change a flat tire. This is a serious road hazard. Manufacturer needs to perform recall and provide replace with non-defective lug nuts. Other drivers have reported same issue, but Ford thus far refused to issue a recall. Https://www.hbsslaw.com/cases/Ford-lug-nut-defect/pressrelease/Ford-lug-nut-defect-Ford-owners-sue-over-defective-lug-nuts-in-millions-of-vehicles

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #14

Sep 282018

Focus

  • 76,000 miles
Lug nuts. I hit a curb near my house cutting the side wall of my tire. Time went flat. When I went to change the tire the lug wrench would not fit onto the lug nut. I called Ford for help the told me it was a common problem. The aluminum cover on nut "swells" making it impossible for the wrench to fit. I had to pound the wrench on with a rubber mallet, and knock it off after loosening the nut. If I was on a freeway with out access to a mallet I would have been stranded and in a very dangerous situation. Ford told me it is a common problem with all manufactures, les schwab where I bought my tires told me they see it every day, a common problem, the tire shop at costco where I work told me the same. I sounds to me you are putting peoples live in danger by letting car company's get away with this. They should at least be supplying drivers with rubber mallets.

- Martinez, CA, USA

problem #13

Jul 102018

Focus

  • 37,421 miles
Went to dealer for oil change & tire rotation and was told all lug nuts had to be replaced because rust made them swell. Cap was never sealed to prevent rust from building up between silver cap on lug nut and steel nut itself, only four years old and had to replace all 20 lug nuts

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #12

Jul 082017

Focus

  • 29,000 miles
Ford Focus is highly vulnerable to electric defects in which indicators appear for a long period of time after being attained to, brake tends to slip unexpectedly, bluetooth has stopped working, usb ports, brake lamp faults. My main concern for other drivers and my self is the vulnerability to sharp turn and the crucial acceleration delays. These problems were attained to and maintained by Ford multiple times, problems occur within 1-2weeks after maintenance. I'm concerned even more about the performance and shaking at high speed as well that hasn't been revised.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #11

Aug 182017

Focus

  • 19,000 miles
While driving home through the village at under 30mph, slowing down from 30mph because of traffic stop ahead, the right front side of vehicle crashed down and control was lost causing me to sideswipe parked vehicle. The pieces of the front end appear to have failed and were falling all over the road.

- East Syracuae, NY, USA

problem #10

Jul 212017

Focus

  • miles
Got a flat tire. Called roadside assistance and his tools were not able to remove the bolts nor was my crowbar from Ford. Stripped bolts and swelling. Took car to discount tire they said this is common with Ford cars and that the materials used on the bolts were not of good quality. Recall should be looked into. I had the flat while I was at home. But if this would have happened on the highway I would have had to call a tow truck. Which is not safe. Advised to get all of the bolts replaced.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #9

Jul 122017

Focus

  • 50,500 miles
Lug nuts are unable to be removed with lug nut wrench. Ford dealer says the lug nuts are defective and need to be replaced due to 'swelling'. Ford corporate says these are wear and tear item and will not replace. This is a critical safety item as the tires are unable to be removed or changed to a spare tire after a flat tire occurs.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #8

Apr 162016

Focus

  • 16,514 miles
Low tire pressure light appears every two to three weeks. At least one tire needs to be inflated, sometimes more than one tire needs to be inflated. The Ford dealer inflates them usually. Tire pro has also inflated tires. Ford doesn't tell me what problem is, they just keep inflating the tires. Light appears when vehicle is being driven on a city street, highway, turning and stationary. Also, vehicle shudders on acceleration from the moment I purchased vehicle. Took vehicle to Ford service department. Vehicle doesn't shudder as bad as before but still has issue.

- Dixon, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 062016

Focus

  • 16,947 miles
While driving at approximately 55 mph on highway the driver side front tire failed catastrophically causing temporary loss of control. Car was safely pulled to side of highway. Upon inspection, it was noted that the sidewall had failed in multiple places. Car was carefully driven approximately 2000 feet to safe location for wheel removal and replacement with spare. Upon removal it was noted that tire had failed in multiple locations on both sidewalls. There was no evidence of road hazard damage to the tread area nor was any road debris noted at the time of the incident.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #6

Dec 122015

Focus

  • 30,000 miles
Continental tires on my 2014 Ford Focus SE, also noticed other complaints for same thin from others. Front passenger tire has developed bubble in sidewall under normal driving conditions. Bought vehicle brand new in raleigh, nc. Vehicle and tires have 30,000 miles.

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #5

Dec 072015

Focus

  • 2,488 miles
The car was driven by my daughter driving straight down a residential street at approximately 40 mph.my daughter hear a loud pop sound and the front passenger tire suddenly blew out, causing severe rim damage, inner and outer tie rod damage, dent to the inner fender, and the hub cap split. There is a huge gaping flap on of the side of the tire. The tire is made by Continental sold by Ford.

- Joplin, MO, USA

problem #4

Oct 072015

Focus

  • 12,100 miles
On 10/07/15 I took my 2014 Ford Focus in to check air pressure on tires after the TPMS light turned on a couple days prior when I was driving on the way to work on normal pavement. They checked the tires and found leaks on right front and rear tires. Ford mechanic told me they were unrepairable. He tried getting me into new tires but why if I only had 12000 miles on them. I didn't understand. When I asked if the waranty covered he said they didn't but im sure it does.

- La Puente, CA, USA

problem #3

Sep 302015

Focus

  • 19,355 miles
Previously, due to the transmission shifting into reverse while the gear selector is in "D" drive, I backed into a female pedestrian hitting her and almost running her over. There are still scratches from her rings on my back bumper. Ford has performed numerous tsb's and recalls to "fix" the issue. Upon the most recent tsb and recall update, I was promised it would take care of any issues, including an issue where the vehicle would shudder and search for a gear before engaging and spinning out from a complete stop. After driving it for 30 miles, I noticed the engine running rough, shaking, and slowing down while in idle. I stopped for a refuel. I got back in the vehicle and calculated my mpg's as I always do - only 19mpg, which Ford says is "within spec" as long as it is not more than 8mpg off. (the on board mpg calculator shows 22.7mpg - always incorrect). It should be 26city, 36hwy. I placed the gear selector in "D" drive (as was also referenced in the on board screen). Once pressing the accelerator, the vehicle's in dash screen flashed that I was in "R" reverse and the vehicle lurched backwards. I braked, then the engine revved and went automatically back into "D." I drove 2 blocks, at a speed of 40 mph in "D, " it again switched to "R" revving the engine, then slowed to a stop. I pulled over, turned the engine off and waited before turning it back on. The drive home, it would jump between gears "searching." I let it sit overnight, and today it has not exhibited these actions. I'm uploading a photo showing the car doing 35 in the "R" position with the RPM jumped up to 3500. I was actually going forward. In "R, " car should not go over 20mph. This is evidence that it switched mid "D" drive. Also, the tires are starting to form pits and has a circumference of separation/splitting which dealership said is "fine." This is causing a vibration and whirring noise.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #2

Sep 302015

Focus

  • 175,000 miles
When I take off from being stopped, my car drags with a vibration. When I pick up speed on the freeway my car slides to the left and I lose the control of the steering. My phone numbers have never been able to be sync to my car because the electrical part is defective. My tires light stays on off and on. It feels as if something is getting loser under the rear of my car. On fox 2 news this morning, they announced a recall on Ford car axles. Today is October 1, 2015. The date of the last incident is given below. But I have been having problems for a while. When I took my car to the dealership about the light and tires, they just reset it. They didn't take time to test drive it and really address my problems with this car. I don't want to have a accident or die in my car. I would like to get these problems taken care of.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #1

Jul 302014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 9,500 miles
Occasionally when backing up going forward or turning the wheel the car makes a suttle grinding noise.

- Fenton, MI, USA