Owners report the dual-clutch transmission shudders, grinds, jerks and hesitates when pulling away or shifting, sometimes rolling back on hills or failing to accelerate. Many say clutch replacements and software updates did not stop the problem from returning.

How common

113 of the 300 complaints we read (38%), roughly 795 of all 2,110 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 67 of 113 reports; 1 report mentions a crash; 3 reports mention an injury

Before you buy: Ask whether the clutches have been replaced or the transmission software updated, and on a test drive watch for shudder, grinding or hesitation when pulling away from a stop.

• Transmission shifted erratically and slipped gears, then would only engage reverse with a transmission overheat warning; owner says this caused a chain-reaction rear-end crash behind the car. · filed Sep 2025
  Read the owner's complaint

  erratic shifting and eratic slipping gears , first happened while on highway and then it wouldnt go in any gear besides reverse and would say transmission overheat wait 5 min . caused another veihcal behind me to slam on there brakes and they ended up getting rear ended from the car behind them ..... all becouse of my cars tcm or transmission issues>!!!! also not too mention ` random unusual noises coming from clutch or shifter when not even start car yet _delayed start and delayed shifting .. i could go on and on this car is a nightmare

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11686017

• Vehicle lost motive power while driving and had to be pulled to the shoulder; a mechanic found metal shavings in the transmission fluid and said the transmission needs replacing. · filed Aug 2025
  Read the owner's complaint

  The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission after finding metal shavings inside the transmission fluid. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 105,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11679967

• Car takes time before it engages and drives correctly. · filed May 2025
  Read the owner's complaint

  When I drive my car it takes time before it kicks in to drive correctly

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11662950

Owners report the transmission slips out of gear or shifts into neutral on its own while driving, cutting drive power, sometimes at highway speed or while pulling into traffic. Some say it would not re-engage or go into reverse.

How common

32 of the 300 complaints we read (11%), roughly 225 of all 2,110 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 29 of 32 reports; 1 report mentions an injury

• While accelerating, RPMs rose to 4000 without matching speed and the car hesitated and jerked; afterward the check engine light came on with code P07A5. · filed May 2026
  Read the owner's complaint

  While driving home from work, I was attempting to accelerate my RPMs showed 4000. However, my speed did not match the car. He hesitated and was doing a lot of jerking after I got home turned off the car turned it back on my check engine light came on and it threw a code P07A5.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11738402

• Transmission slipped into neutral at 65 mph on the highway and would not re-engage for several minutes, forcing the driver to stop in a narrow shoulder. · filed Aug 2022
  Read the owner's complaint

  I was driving 65mph on CA highway 880 in the left carpool lane. Suddenly my transmission slipped and my car ended up in neutral. I was forced to park in whatever space there was between the concrete barrier and the carpool lane. After the car stopped, the transmission would not re-engage for another 3 minutes or so. After that it re-engaged and I was able to drive back home. My understanding this is one of the issues that can be expected with a Ford DPS6 transmission. COMPLETELY UNSAFE. I had two young children in the car.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11477700

• Engine sometimes won't start and the car unexpectedly drops out of gear while driving, sometimes stranding the owner roadside for up to an hour. · filed May 2022
  Read the owner's complaint

  Sometimes the engine will not start. I have to continue attempting start until I hear a noise on the motor then it starts. Then if it goes in gear it will drop out of gear while driving. Most of the time I have to shut the vehicle off and restart multiple times to get it working again. I may be on the side of the road for 45 minutes or an hour waiting for it to reboot and start working again. Thus I don’t allow my fiancé to drive it by herself and this is not good.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11464154

Owners report a steering assist fault warning with sudden loss of power steering or a steering wheel that locks or seizes, sometimes at highway speed. Dealers found failed steering gears or racks in some cases.

How common

30 of the 300 complaints we read (10%), roughly 211 of all 2,110 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 27 of 30 reports

• Electric power steering suddenly locked up while driving on the freeway with no warning, a close call the owner says is a common issue on these Focus models. · filed Aug 2024
  Read the owner's complaint

  Electrical Power Steering. While driving the steering suddenly locked up. There was no prior indication. Upon having a Master Mechanic check the vehicle, it was stated that it is a common problem seen by mechanics and after researching online searches, the Ford Focus vehicles from 2010-2014 have experienced the same issue. This is an absolute hazard. The cost to repair will be close to $4, 000. I am requesting that an immediate recall she be mandated by Ford. This was a close call for me on a main Freeway.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11607623

• After a dealer service visit the car began pulling to one side, and the shop found the electric power steering was going out with no warning light. · filed Mar 2023
  Read the owner's complaint

  Electric power steering goes out without any warning. I took my car to the dealership to get rotors and tire rods put on.Go pick up my car, soon as I pull off the lot get down the road my car is pulling to the pulling to the right. I keep driving, it's pulling to the left. I took the car back and told them my car is doing something weird. The tech gets in the driver seat and I get in the passenger seat. We driving and he said yeah that is weird. Now, when I took my car there for repairs, it wasn't doing this. They do some testing and they tell me my Electric power steering is going out. Without any warning.I don't know if they did something to it or it just went out. It's a safety hazard because there was no warning light or anything. That's an accident waiting to happen.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11511356

• Electric power steering rack makes noise when turning the wheel; it has not locked up yet but owner wants a recall. · filed Oct 2022
  Read the owner's complaint

  I have a 2013 Ford Focus Titanium with 92k miles and have been experiencing problems with my electric steering rack. It’s making noises when turning the steering wheel. I have not had it replaced yet as I fill this something that should recalled and covered through Ford. It has not locked on me yet but this is something that should be recalled and fixed as I’m hearing multiple ford owners are experiencing the same issue.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11489447

Owners report stalling, hard starting and rough idle, often after refueling, along with a fuel gauge that reads wrong. Dealers and mechanics found failed purge valves and deformed or collapsed fuel tanks, and some cars were not covered by the related recall.

How common

15 of the 300 complaints we read (5%), roughly 106 of all 2,110 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 14 of 15 reports

Related recalls

Owners mention 18V735000, 19V515000. Check the VIN for it.

• Car repeatedly loses power with rough idling and hard starting; a Ford customer satisfaction program did not fix it, and a mechanic later diagnosed a failing canister purge valve. · filed Jun 2024
  Read the owner's complaint

  I have had multiple instance of losing power with my car, I completed Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02 and the known issue was not solved. I then went to a mechanic to have a diagnostic test performed due to the check engine light being on and they concluded that the issue was the Canister Purge Valve as well as possibly the Charcoal Canister due to the CPV malfunctioning. Other than losing power within my car the other associated problems, as confirmed by mechanic, are rough idling, difficulty starting, decreased fuel economy, and increased emissions.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11592965

• Car repeatedly failed to start and would not idle after refueling; a code later pointed to the canister purge valve, which failed even after an earlier related recall was performed. · filed Nov 2023
  Read the owner's complaint

  The canister purge valve has failed. Was not defective when recall #19S22 was performed. Car failed to start repeatedly and would not idle after refilling the tank from low (fuel light on) to approximately 75%. Eventually, the car did start and after keeping the RPMs at 2000 for a few minutes, the car is back to idling normally. Check engine light did not appear until 3 days after the stall at the gas station, which had a DTC P1450 code indicating inability for the car to bleed the fuel tank, suggesting the canister purge valve. Ford should offer the free replacement of the defective purge valve and inspection of the carbon canister and fuel tank even after the 19S22 recall was performed (which was just a software update and inspection at the time of service). The possibility of the car stalling not just at the gas station is a safety issue for others and the occupant because of the possibility of a sudden loss of power/becoming an obstruction/or abruptly stopping on the road.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11553936

• Vehicle lost power without warning at 75 mph, and on another occasion failed to start; the fuel system parts were previously replaced under a recall but the problem continued. · filed Jul 2023
  Read the owner's complaint

  The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the roadway and the vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the powertrain control module needed to be updated and that the carbon canister, fuel tank, and fuel delivery module needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). On another occasion while attempting to starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact added fuel and the vehicle started however, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted a case was filed and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 110,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11535141

Owners report the engine suddenly stalls or shuts off while driving, sometimes at highway speed, or loses power and slows on its own, and dealers often could not find a cause.

How common

14 of the 300 complaints we read (5%), roughly 98 of all 2,110 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 14 of 14 reports; 1 report mentions a crash; 2 reports mention an injury

Related recalls

Owners mention 18V735000. Check the VIN for it.

• Vehicle stalled and shut off at a red light while driving 35 mph, and took ten attempts to restart. · filed Dec 2024
  Read the owner's complaint

  The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and shut off at a red light. The contact stated that after ten attempts the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 196,666.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11630181

• Vehicle was in motion when it came to a stop after losing power. · filed Jan 2020
  Read the owner's complaint

  MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP FROM LOSING POWER

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11298868

• Vehicle shook and then stalled while driving, and was struck by another car during the stall, deploying the airbags and causing minor injuries; dealers had said the stalling was normal. · filed Jul 2019
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. AS SHE BEGAN TO DRIVE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL AND WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAD MINOR INJURIES, HOWEVER, THE OTHER DRIVER CLAIMED TO BE INJURED BUT HER INJURIES WERE NOT DISCLOSED. AN AMBULANCE WENT TO THE SCENE AND TREATED THE CONTACT AND THE OTHER DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSE GIVEN FOR THE VEHICLE FAILURE. AL SERRA AUTO PLAZA 6167 SAGINAW RD, GRAND BLANC, MI 48439 (810) 694-5600 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; A RECALL HAD BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE'S VIN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON 6 OCCASIONS TO 3-4 DIFFERENT DEALERS WHERE THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE DRIVING AND STALLS WAS SAID TO BE A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. *BF *TR

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11232572

Owners report doors that would not latch or opened by themselves while driving, most often the driver's door. Some latches were replaced under a recall.

How common

11 of the 300 complaints we read (4%), roughly 77 of all 2,110 on file

Safety

Airbag, seat belt or door safety: 6 of 11 reports

Related recalls

Owners mention 16V643000, 18V735000. Check the VIN for it.

• The front passenger door opened by itself twice while driving with a child in that seat; owner says the dealer refused the recall repair because the car has a salvage title. · filed Nov 2022
  Read the owner's complaint

  The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 15-20 MPH with his daughter in the front passenger's side seat, the front passenger's side door opened inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and closed the door; however, the door failed to close securely. The contact stated that the door unintendedly opened for a second time. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) due to the vehicle having a Salvage Title. Additionally, the dealer failed to honor the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). However, the contact stated that the vehicle still had the original parts impacted by the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11495384

• Door would not latch again after a recall repair for the same problem, and the dealer now wants to charge for the fix, saying no recall currently applies. · filed May 2019
  Read the owner's complaint

  I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL , NOTICE# 16S30/NHTSA RECALL 16V-643 MAY, 2017 AND IN DOING SO I NOTIFIED THE VICKSBURG FORD DEALERSHIP HERE AND SCHEDULED A APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY VEHICLE CHECKED, AND THE PART MADE IT HERE TUESDAY 5/30/17) AND IT WAS REPAIRED I WAS TOLD. NOW YESTERDAY AS I TRIED TO CLOSE MY DOOR IT WOULD NOT LATCH SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE FORD CO TO HAVE IT CHECKED AGAIN TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL EXISTS. OF COURSE NOT IT WAS IN 2017 THAT I CAME OUT AND IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE PROBLEM IS IT HAS HAPPENED NOW. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR OUT THERE AT THE TIME I WAS ONLY FOLLOWING WHAT I WAS INSTRUCTED TO DO, NOW THE WANT ME TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE THE SERVICEMAN TOLD ME , HE DID NOT THINK FORD WOULD PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT ON NOTICE AT THIS TIME. THEY WANT ME TO PAY $197.50 PLUS TAX AND $110.00 LABOR CHARGE. I DONOT FEEL THAT THIS IS RIGHT, BECAUSE THEY WAS PAID FOR DOING THE JOB IN MAY, 2017 EVENTHOUGH AT THE TIME I WAS NOT EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AT THE TIME, AND IT IS HAPENING NOW THEY NEED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I CANNOT RIDE AROUND WITH A DOOR THE IS NOT SHUT PROPERLY. NOW I AM STILL TRYING TO FIND MY RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR, AND THEY DO HAVE A RECORD OF IT BECAUSE THE SECRETARY TOOK A FORLDER WITH THE SERVICE TICKET BACK IN THE BACK TO THE SERVICEMAN BUT HE ACTED LIKE THAT WAS NOT THE RECALL TICKET. I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR MY RECEIPT BUT IN THE MEANTIME I NEED TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I DONOT FEEL THAT THEY NEEDS TO BE PAID TWICE WHEN THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUS TODAY. IT WAS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL LAW AND I AM ENTITLED TO THAT SAFEY RECALL ACT. LUCKILY I HAD JUST MADE IT TO MY HOUSE AND PARKED WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT, I HAVE ONLY THE ONE VEHICLE AND IT IS DRIVEN EVERYDAY TO WORK, ERRANDS. NOT GOOD. THX YOU. .

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11205957

• Driver's door suddenly would not latch or shut one morning after being used normally the day before, with no apparent cause. · filed Apr 2017
  Read the owner's complaint

  DRIVER'S DOOR WON'T LATCH. USED THE CAR NORMALLY THE PREVIOUS DAY. CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, AND WHEN I GOT IN TO DRIVE, THE DOOR WOULDN'T SHUT, WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10979823

Owners report the transmission control module failed, causing revving, sudden downshifts, loss of forward power or jerking, and in some cases the car would not restart.

How common

11 of the 300 complaints we read (4%), roughly 77 of all 2,110 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 10 of 11 reports

• Vehicle lost motive power twice while driving about 20 mph with the check engine light on; the dealer diagnosed a failed transmission control module but did not repair it. · filed Jul 2025
  Read the owner's complaint

  The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH on two occasions, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the roadway and restarted. The contact stated that after the first failure, the vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure could not be replicated; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that on the second failure, the vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure persisted upon restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to another unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11677529

• Car failed to shift at a stop sign due to a bad transmission control module; the dealer confirmed it's covered by recall but the car has sat waiting for the part for two years. · filed Jun 2024
  Read the owner's complaint

  For some reason the recall doesn't show up on the last page, but my TCM went out. The car failed to sshift at a stop sign. I brought the car to a Ford dealer, who confirmed the part was covered by recall. That was 2 years ago. It's bene sitting in their parking lot ever since. I've emailed them twice. The first time, they seemed to try just reentering the cars ticket, based on emails I was getting. I got several emails saying service has been scheduled. The second time they told me the repair was complete. I drove to Ford where they told me they were stil waiting on th part. That's when I emailed this site, which directed me here. I don't know what a "reasonable amount of time" is, but I feel two years of waiting is excessive.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11597711

• Car had trouble shifting into park, then the transmission failed completely while getting gas; owner says a recall notice for the module was never received and Ford would not help, quoting $9,000 for a new transmission. · filed Jun 2023
  Read the owner's complaint

  We bought a used car,as is, and had no problem. Approx 6 wks later it had trouble going into park and were told (by our technician) there was a recall on a computer. Made an appt. with the dealer and on the day it was to go in husband went to get gas the transmission failed so we had AAA tow it to them. They then told us the entire transmission failed and there was no warranty. We learned there was a nationwide problem with the computers. We never, nor did the dealer we purchased it from ever receive a notice from Ford that there was a recall on the outer computer. If they had done that the transmission could have been saved. I contacted Ford and was told to go back to the dealer they were doing nothing, The car sits in our driveway. This is not the only year Ford had a problem with Ford Focus transmissions. They should do something. We were quoted $9000, for a new transmission. Being on social security and a small pension we can't afford it and a used transmission is not feasible because of the major problems with the trans.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11529731

Owners report a Stop Safely Now warning followed by loss of throttle or drive power, leaving the car unable to move.

How common

6 of the 300 complaints we read (2%), roughly 42 of all 2,110 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 6 of 6 reports

• A stop safely now alert flashed and the car shut off in the middle of busy traffic, blocking cars in both directions; this is the second time it has stopped dead in traffic. · filed Dec 2023
  Read the owner's complaint

  After the Stop Safely Now alert flashed I tried to get off a really busy street and my car turned off in the middle of traffic. I was blocking traffic and cars were trying to pass me on both sides forcing them to drive around my car using the oncoming lane. 3 men helped me by stopping traffic on both sides so that they could push my car off the street onto a church entrance driveway. This is the second time I have had my car stop dead in the middle of busy traffic. The first time I reported this very dangerous problem, my car stopped dead in the middle of a busy intersection.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11559929

• A Stop Safely Now warning appeared and the electric car's power stopped within seconds, leaving it unable to move on a country road; owner says a known Ford technical bulletin describes the defect and it should be a recall. · filed Sep 2021
  Read the owner's complaint

  The power of the car (a 2013 Ford Focus Electric) simply STOPPED within a few seconds of the warning message. A red triangle appeared on the dash with the message Stop Safely Now. I was surprised and pulled over. My safety was at risk because had I been making a left turn in traffic, I would likely NOT HAVE SURVIVED. I was on a country road and able to pull over immediately. The car lost power within seconds and would not move. After my car was towed away, I learned: This is a defect that FORD knows about; it has been confirmed in one of their technical safety bulletins (TSB 17-0045.) It ought to be a RECALL. It is a huge safety issue. The car was towed to a Ford dealership parking lot and could be inspected.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11433047

• Electric Focus showed a 'Stop Safely Now' light, steering grew difficult while coasting, then the car would not accelerate at all. · filed Sep 2013
  Read the owner's complaint

  CAR:2013 FORD FOCUS EV. NOTICED "STOP SAFELY NOW" LIGHT ON AT STOP LIGHT JUST AFTER EXITING FREEWAY OFF WINCHESTER RD IN TEMECULA, CA. WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE TO GET ONTO WINCHETER ROAD TRAVELING WEST GOING DOWN HILL AND NERVOUSLY COASTED DOWN HILL NOTICING THE STEERING BECOMING DIFFICULT. THANKFULLY THE LEFT TURN LIGHT WAS GREEN SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST THRU THE INTERSECTION AND GET ON JEFFERSON ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE FIRST AVAILABLE PARKING LOT OFF OF JEFFERSON ROAD - POLLO LOCO PARKING LOT AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. CALL HUSBAND TO COME GET ME. HE TURNED VEHICLE ON WITHOUT INCIDENT AND DROVE IT HOME WITH OUT ISSUE. WORKING WITH DEALER FOR NEXT STEPS. CALL FRITTS FORD AS I TALKED TO DANIEL IN SERVICE AND HE REPORTED THAT ANOTHER FOCUS EV OWNER JUST REPORTED TEH SAME ISSUE AND WAS ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY, 21.SEPT. THIS PROBLEM IS PERHAPS MUCH BIGGER THAN WE THINK?! FYI: DEALERSHIP = FRITTS FORD, RIVERSIDE, CA CAR PURCHASED ON SUNDAY, 15.SEPT.2013. OWED THE CAR FOR 6 DAYS.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10544722

Owners report the radio, speakers or audio module randomly make loud pops, cracks or piercing noises, sometimes even with the radio off.

How common

4 of the 300 complaints we read (1%), roughly 28 of all 2,110 on file

Safety

Not a safety issue

• Radio makes loud popping noises and cuts out on occasion; an audio shop confirmed the problem. · filed Mar 2022
  Read the owner's complaint

  Radio makes loud popping noises on occasion. This is available for inspection upon request assuming a fix is not made. This loud noise could put the driver and others at risk because loud popping noises could scare dive. This problem has been inspected and confirmed by an audio shop. The radio works on occasion but often has popping sound and cuts out.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11455036

• Audio control module randomly produces ear-piercing noises that distract the driver; owner says NHTSA staff dismissed the concern as cosmetic. · filed Jun 2019
  Read the owner's complaint

  AUDIO CONTROL MODULE FAILURE CAUSING EAR PIERCING NOISES AT ANY RANDOM MOMENT THAT TOTALLY DISRACTS THE DRIVER. ATTEMPT TO FILE THIS SAFETY CONCERN WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY AINSWORTH AND LEWIS AS IT WAS NOT ALREADY ON THEIR LISTING. THIS WAS REFERRED TO AS A COSMETIC PROBLEM BY LEWIS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THIS DEFECT WILL NOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY UNTIL SEVERAL ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED AND MANY LIVES ARE LOST DUE TO THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. NO PROACTIVE ACTIVITY WITHIN NHTSA WHATSOEVER. IF THIS IS THE WAY NHTSA CONDUCTS THEIR OPERATIONS, I STRONGLY SUGGEST A COMPUTERIZED APPLICATION THAT WILL SIMPLY HANDLE LEWIS AND AINSWORTH'S JOBS. TAXPAYERS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS ARE GETTING NO VALUE FROM THESE POSITIONS WHATSOEVER.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11218284

• Car stereo makes loud, unexpected popping and static noises while driving, startling the driver into turning the steering wheel to one side. · filed Oct 2018
  Read the owner's complaint

  WHILE DRIVING THE CAR STEREO STARTING TO POP AND HAVING STATIC SOUND. THE POP SOUND IS VERY LOUD AND ALWAYS UNEXPECTED. WHILE DRIVING THE POPS SOUND CAN MAKES YOU TURN THE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL TO A SIDE.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11141028

Owners report stalling and engine shutdown tied to a chafed or badly repaired engine wiring harness, in one case damaging the crank position sensor.

How common

4 of the 300 complaints we read (1%), roughly 28 of all 2,110 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 4 of 4 reports

Related recalls

Owners mention 19V515000. Check the VIN for it.

• Vehicle repeatedly stalled while accelerating whenever the fuel level was not full; owner says a matching fuel system recall did not include her VIN and the manufacturer referred her to NHTSA instead of helping. · filed Apr 2021
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE AND INFORMATION WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL WAS NOT AT FULL CAPACITY. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V515000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT CALLED ZEIGLER FORD OF LOWELL (11979 FULTON ST E, LOWELL, MI 49331, (800) 646-4660) AND WAS THEN REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11414258

• Car kept stalling after a recall repair for a wire harness; owner says the dealer first found nothing wrong, but the harness splices had not been done correctly the first time, and the owner was accused of trying to get a free repair. · filed Mar 2020
  Read the owner's complaint

  I BOUGHT A 2013 FOCUS ST IN FEBRUARY 2020. IT WAS HAVING STALLING ISSUES REPORTEDLY DUE TO A WIRE HARNESS TSB/RECALL CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR DONE. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO CORWIN FORD IN NAMPA IDAHO AFTER TWO WEEKS OF THEM HAVING THE CAR THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND TOLD ME THE CAR WAS FINE. I TEST DROVE IT AND IT DROVE BETTER THAN BEFORE THEY STATED THEY DID NOTHING SO I LEFT. THE SECOND I TURN OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP IT STALLS SO I TOOK IT BACK AND LET THEM KNOW ITS STILL STALLING A TECH CAME AND LOOKED AND VERIFIED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I FINALLY RESEARCHED AND CAME ACROSS THAT TSB SO I CALLED AND LEFT A VOICEMAIL ADVISING THEM TO CHECK THE HARNESS. WELL IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE SPLICES NOT BEING DONE CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME. I WAS CHARGED AND ACCUSED OF TRYING TO FOOT THE BILL FOR TELLING THEM IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL REMEDY OR RECALL WARRANTY...

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11317712

• Engine died at highway speed after the wiring harness chafed through and shorted out, causing a bad crank position sensor; owner paid $700 for repairs not covered under warranty. · filed Jan 2016
  Read the owner's complaint

  DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 96 NEAR MILFORD MILE MARKER 175, PASSING IN THE LEFT LANE ABOUT 75 MPH THE ENGINE DIED AND THE ENGINE FAULT LIGHT CAME ON, SO I PULLED OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE SHOULDER, COULD NOT RESTART, HAD TOW TRUCK TAKE TO NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO TROUBLESHOOT, 3 DAYS LATER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAD RUBBED THRU ON SOMETHING AND SHORTED OUT. THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD, TOTAL REPAIRS 700.00 FOR WIRING REPAIRS AND PARTS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED SINCE NEW HAVE ALL RECEIPTS, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10821268