NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
391 reports41,833 miles · Sep 4, 2012
Electrical System
AT 41,833 I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WENT ON, THE RADIO WENT OFF AND 60 SECONDS LATER I LOST ALL POWER. SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 0 TO 60. TOWED CAR. REPLACED ALTERNATOR. AT 45, 296 MILES THE SAME THING HAPPENED-LOST POWER WITHIN 60 SECONDS OF ABS LIGHT GOING ON THE FREEWAY. TOWED CAR. THE SH…
Read full complaint
AT 41,833 I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WENT ON, THE RADIO WENT OFF AND 60 SECONDS LATER I LOST ALL POWER. SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 0 TO 60. TOWED CAR. REPLACED ALTERNATOR. AT 45, 296 MILES THE SAME THING HAPPENED-LOST POWER WITHIN 60 SECONDS OF ABS LIGHT GOING ON THE FREEWAY. TOWED CAR. THE SHOP SAID THAT THE PREVIOUS ALTERNATOR HAD BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND ALSO THE PCM HAD BURNED OUT. REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND PCM. AT 45, 536 RED CHARGING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR IN, REPLACED ALTERNATOR. AT 45, 641 RED CHARGING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR IN. REPLACED ALTERNATOR. ALL REPAIRS DONE AT FORD DEALERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10473859
39,500 miles · Sep 1, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages
BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK, MANUALLY OR WITH ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10473265
53,000 miles · Aug 26, 2012
Electrical System
KEY WILL NOT REMOVE FROM IGNITION. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS BECAUSE I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472500
65,847 miles · Aug 23, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages
THE REAR DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STOPPED WORKING. IT IS STUCK IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION AND CANNOT BE LOCKED MANUALLY OR WITH THE REMOTE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472085
72,610 miles · Aug 8, 2012
Electrical System
ALTERNATOR WENT OUT ON WAY HOME FROM MISSOURI TO NORMAN, OK. REPLACED IT IN JOPLIN, MO. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AGAIN 7/17/12 ON MY WAY HOME FROM MO. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP IN NORMAN, OK AND GOT IT REPLACED ON 7/25. COST OVER $500. BATTERY LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AGAIN 8/3 AND I TOOK IT BACK IN. FORD DEALERSHIO STATED THEY COULD…
Read full complaint
ALTERNATOR WENT OUT ON WAY HOME FROM MISSOURI TO NORMAN, OK. REPLACED IT IN JOPLIN, MO. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AGAIN 7/17/12 ON MY WAY HOME FROM MO. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP IN NORMAN, OK AND GOT IT REPLACED ON 7/25. COST OVER $500. BATTERY LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AGAIN 8/3 AND I TOOK IT BACK IN. FORD DEALERSHIO STATED THEY COULDN'T FIND AN ALTERNATOR WITHIN 3 HOUR DRIVE AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY GOT ONE. THE GUY AT FORD INDICATED MAYBE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THEM SINCE HE COULDN'T FIND ONE. GOT IT REPLACED AGAIN 8/7/12. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469907
77,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40MPH AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40MPH AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO VERIFIED THE ALTERNATOR HAD BECOME DEFECTIVE AGAIN AND ADDED THAT THE SHIFT SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. ...UPDATED 09/12/12 *BF UPDATED 09/18/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10469404
130,000 miles · Jul 30, 2012
Power Train
2007 FORD FOCUS 3 DOOR W/AUTO TRANSMISSION. 130,000 MILES. CAR IS SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. RPM SUDDENLY RISES FOR NO REASON. STRONG VIBRATION ON THE HILLS. MECHANIC REPLACED THE OVERDRIVE SENSOR AS IT WAS THROWING A CODE. FORD WANTS $3700 TO REPLACE WITH NEW TRANSMISSION. I'M NOT CONVINCED THAT IT ISN'T A PROBLEM WITH …
Read full complaint
2007 FORD FOCUS 3 DOOR W/AUTO TRANSMISSION. 130,000 MILES. CAR IS SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. RPM SUDDENLY RISES FOR NO REASON. STRONG VIBRATION ON THE HILLS. MECHANIC REPLACED THE OVERDRIVE SENSOR AS IT WAS THROWING A CODE. FORD WANTS $3700 TO REPLACE WITH NEW TRANSMISSION. I'M NOT CONVINCED THAT IT ISN'T A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS COMPUTER OR WIRING. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF SIMILAR STORIES ABOUT THESE FORD FOCUS TRANSMISSIONS. ITS NOT A WELL BUILT UNIT. FORD KNOWS THESE TRANSMISSION ARE NOT RELIABLE AND SHOULD REPLACE AND REMANN THEM ALL! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468281
89,000 miles · Jul 26, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH WAS INOPERABLE. THE DOOR WAS BEING HELD CLOSED BY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LATCH FOR THE DOOR WAS FROZEN AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH WAS INOPERABLE. THE DOOR WAS BEING HELD CLOSED BY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LATCH FOR THE DOOR WAS FROZEN AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #10467752
85,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
3 OF 4 DOORS HAVE NOW BROKEN ON MY 2007 FOCUS, DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM AS WHAT WAS RECALLED ON THE 05 MODEL -- THE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AND/OR LOCK. THE DOOR MECHANISM IS THE SAME FOR 2000-07, SO I'M NOT SURE WHY 07 WAS NOT RECALLED AS WELL. I PAID THE DEALER OVER $1000 TO FIX THE FRONT DRIVER AND BACK PASSENGER DOORS IN 5/12,…
Read full complaint
3 OF 4 DOORS HAVE NOW BROKEN ON MY 2007 FOCUS, DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM AS WHAT WAS RECALLED ON THE 05 MODEL -- THE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AND/OR LOCK. THE DOOR MECHANISM IS THE SAME FOR 2000-07, SO I'M NOT SURE WHY 07 WAS NOT RECALLED AS WELL. I PAID THE DEALER OVER $1000 TO FIX THE FRONT DRIVER AND BACK PASSENGER DOORS IN 5/12, AND NOW IN 7/12, THE BACK DRIVER DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING -- WHEN YOU GO TO SHUT IT, IT JUST POPS BACK OPEN, AS THE LATCH DOES NOT CATCH. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME FROM MY BABY SHOWER LAST NIGHT WITH THE REAR DOORS TETHERED TO EACHOTHER TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM FLAPPING OPEN WHILE I DROVE DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP, AS WELL AS FORD CORPORATE, AND HAVE BASICALLY BEEN TOLD IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND I AM ON MY OWN TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, BECAUSE MY CAR IS "TOO OLD" (JUST 5 YEARS FROM MFG DATE) AND HAS "TOO HIGH MILEAGE" (NOT THAT THE DOORS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MILEAGE) FOR FORD TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE OF CHEAP, FAULTY PARTS AND POOR WORKMANSHIP. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, AND IS CLEARLY NOT ISOLATED TO MY VEHICLE. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE IGNORED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO IT'S CUSTOMERS (JUST IMAGINE IF THE LATCH HAD STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DOING 70 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY!), AND NEITHER I NOR ANYONE IN MY FAMILY WILL EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466993
61,000 miles · Jul 22, 2012
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LOCK. DID NOT REALIZE THIS UNTIL I WAS WITH A FRIEND AND HIS SON DRIVING DOWN OUR STREET AND MY FRIENDS SON OPEN THE REAR DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEN IT SHOULD OF LOCKED WITH THE REST OF THE DOORS. CAN'T GET THE DOOR TO LOCK NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466918
NHTSA investigations
1PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO
Illustration