NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
57 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 21, 2022
Electrical System
Ignition cylinder fails, leaving drivers stranded. Ford Focus online forums are plastered with numerous complaints about the focus ignition lock cylinder failure, and there are youtube videos showing how to repair it with tape or rigging a bypass push button ignition switch, but FORD should be fixing these issues so people are n…
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Ignition cylinder fails, leaving drivers stranded. Ford Focus online forums are plastered with numerous complaints about the focus ignition lock cylinder failure, and there are youtube videos showing how to repair it with tape or rigging a bypass push button ignition switch, but FORD should be fixing these issues so people are not stranded. Issue does not happen when driving, and only happens when key is off, and attempting to crank the car. Several people have complained about 500 dollar repairs that only last a few months before issue returns, and ford is very aware, but there are no recalls for the defect. I suppose a car that wont start is not considered dangerous, in itself, but the "hacks and fixes" for the issue can potentially be, and I think this deserves extreme scrutiny, as it affects several ford year models. drivers can suddenly be stranded miles from home and stuck with expensive repair costs that can render them without any transportation at all with no means of resolution.
NHTSA ODI #11490319
265,767 miles · Jan 25, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
MY IGNITION SWITCH IS GETTING STUCK AND IT IS NOT ALLOWING ME TO TURN ON THE CAR. IT IS HARD TO TURN ON MY VEHICLE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS MARKING ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, IT ISN'T ALLOWING MY VEHICLES MOTOR TO VENT OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11389930
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2020
Electrical System
CONSTITUENT WRITES IN REGARDS TO SWITCH ASY IGNITION FAILURE ON 2008 FORD FOCUS. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS FOR THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11323710
104,000 miles · Dec 3, 2019
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CYLINDER IN THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME. THE IGNITION WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT ME…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CYLINDER IN THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME. THE IGNITION WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSTALLED A PIECE OF CARDBOARD IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA ODI #11286637
167,845 miles · Nov 5, 2019
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. INITIALLY, THE KEY HAD TO BE PUSHED DOWN FOR IT TO TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND WIGGLE IT UNTIL THE KEY TURNED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. INITIALLY, THE KEY HAD TO BE PUSHED DOWN FOR IT TO TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND WIGGLE IT UNTIL THE KEY TURNED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT CALLED FIRST FORD (LOCATED AT 292 WILLIAM S CANNING BLVD, FALL RIVER, MA 02721, (508) 730-1000) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 167,845.
NHTSA ODI #11278232
10,000 miles · Oct 26, 2019
Electrical System
WHEN I PUT KEY IN IGNITION MOST TIMES IT DOESNT CATCH AND CAR DOESNT TURN ON. I HAVE TO PUSH HARDER TO CRANK CAR ON OR TAKE KEY OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND KEEP TRYING UNTIL IT CATCHES. SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL KEY OUT PART OF IGNITION SWITCH PULLS OUT A LITTLE AND CAR VEGINS TO CHIME UNTIL I PUSH IGNITION SWITCH BACK IN. I KNOW THERE WA…
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WHEN I PUT KEY IN IGNITION MOST TIMES IT DOESNT CATCH AND CAR DOESNT TURN ON. I HAVE TO PUSH HARDER TO CRANK CAR ON OR TAKE KEY OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND KEEP TRYING UNTIL IT CATCHES. SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL KEY OUT PART OF IGNITION SWITCH PULLS OUT A LITTLE AND CAR VEGINS TO CHIME UNTIL I PUSH IGNITION SWITCH BACK IN. I KNOW THERE WAS A SIMILAR RECALL UNTIL THE 2005 MODEL, THIS ISSUE WAS NEVER FIXES FROM ALL THE RESEARCH IVE DONE ON THIS ISSUE
NHTSA ODI #11271150
119,000 miles · Jan 4, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension
CAR TRIES TO DRIVE ITSELF WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE ( STATIONARY) & THE MALFUNCTION ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT IN THE CITY.LIGHTS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED SINCE PURCHASE. NO BACKSEAT LIGHTS WORKING.CAR ISLES RANDOMLY AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL STITCH TO NEUTRAL AND THEN IT GIVES ME CONTROL TO DRIVE AGAIN.PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE
NHTSA ODI #11165300
56,598 miles · Jun 13, 2018
Electrical System
THE INGNIITION SWITCH WENT OUT FOR A SECOND TIME. I REPLACED IT ONCE BUT DECIDED TO PUT A START BUTTON ON MY CAR. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR AN ANOTHER INGNIITION SWITCH. THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #11101548
82,000 miles · Apr 23, 2018
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF THE FAILURE, BUT NOTHING COULD BE DONE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #11089719
140,000 miles · Oct 23, 2017
Electrical System
OUR CAR IN 2017 WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD SUDDENLY STOPPED WITH ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON. CAR GOT STUCK AND WE COULD NOT START ENGINE IN NEXT FEW MINS. AFTER FEW MINS EVERYTHING BACK TO NORMAL. WE STARTED DRIVING AGAIN. AND DID NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM AGAIN FOR A WHILE. FAST FORWARD TO OCTOBER 2018 IT HAS DONE IT 3 TIMES NOW WHERE …
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OUR CAR IN 2017 WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD SUDDENLY STOPPED WITH ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON. CAR GOT STUCK AND WE COULD NOT START ENGINE IN NEXT FEW MINS. AFTER FEW MINS EVERYTHING BACK TO NORMAL. WE STARTED DRIVING AGAIN. AND DID NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM AGAIN FOR A WHILE. FAST FORWARD TO OCTOBER 2018 IT HAS DONE IT 3 TIMES NOW WHERE THE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND IT DIES NO POWER AT ALL I HAVE TO PUT IN PARK AND TURN OFF. IT THEN NORMALLY STARTS RIGHT UP AGAIN. THIS STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IN BUSY STREETS NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL SHOP. THEY SAID SERIOUS PROBLEM BIT WHERE THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. NEXT WENT TO FORD DEALER. SAME ISSUE HAPPENED IN FRONT OF THEM . THEY TOLD ME IT COULD BE IGNITION AS IT WAS OFF A LITTLE BUT THAT IT WOULD NOT START SO THAT WOULD NOT BE THE PROBLEM WITH IT DYING WHILE DRIVING. BUT AGAIN SAME PROBLEM. WE CALLED THEM AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WHILE DRIVING CAR BACK TO SHOP. BUT AFTER GOING THERE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM. SO THEY SAID TO TAKE CAR BACK BUT ADVISED TO BE CAREFUL WHILE DRIVING AS CAR MIGHT STOP ANYTIME
NHTSA ODI #11035717
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
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