Yet another complaint against the Ford Motor Company and another about its Focus. I have only had my focus for 2 years comimg up oon the 24th of this months and While I haven't had the same problems of the frequency of problems, as some on this site have reported; I have had my share.
I use my car for work, so it get about 50-75 miles a day put on it. During that first year I had taken a trip to FL, while on the highway going about 70 mph; all electrical went out in the car. It died. I do not know about previous models, but when the car is off the "anti-theft" light above the radio flashes. The radio was the first thing I noticed, then the blinking "anti-theft" light, and looking back up I realized the car was not on anymore. Being it's a standard, I was able to quickly restart the car w/o much incident. It would do this a few more times during that first year. Because it wasn't a continuous problem and happened only occasionaly I never took it in (I know, my mistake).
About the end of the first year the IAC, or Idle Air Control Valve goes out. AFTER ONLY 1 YEAR! This would have been very expensive, but it was covered under warrrenty and I only had to pay the $100 deductible.
Not 3 months later, I had been driving my car and shut it off. When I went to start it again, I could not turn the key. After some time of trying thinking that maybe the steering wheel lock was stuck, I called roadside assistance and had it towed to AUFFENBURG FORD in Belleville, Illinois. There they told me that a pin in the cylinder had broke off. Now I do not think that is quality craftmanship after a little more than a years use.
One week after having the ignition cylinder replaced at a $100 cost to me, the steering wheel came loose. There is no easy way to describe this, except that there was about 3 inches of play before the wheels turned in the direction you wanted them to go
When I took it in, I asked if it may have come loose when they replaced the ignition cylinder. They replied that it was not neccessary for them to remove the steering wheel to complete the repair. I didn't believe them. The car is acutally in my dad's name (I make the payments) and after having the car in the shop twice in a week, he raised cane.
Threatened then with a lawyer for making things go wrong that shouldn't be. I dropped my car off at 9:00 in there morning and was told that I would be called when it was ready for pick-up. I had to call them. My first call was at about 3:00 pm, it was then I was told that they had put some lock-tite on it and was waiting for it to dry/set. I was not called until 6:00 to come pick up my car.
I would like to know what they were doing with my car for nine hours. The service tech said it only takes 4-5 hrs for the lock-tite to dry. We suspect they were fixing everything they messed up when they "fixed" the IAC.
Now this week I go to change my brake pads and find that the part of the chassis to which the caliper is connected is rusted out. The threads for the bolt are actually so rusted that they strip out when you re-insert the bolt. Now it's in the shop again and I have no idea how much its going to cost. Since purchasing this car I have gotten married and we are looking to get a second car. I would like to think that Ford will get better, that they will improve their customer service and cars. But, even though my wife would like an Escape; I cannot see myself investing in another car Fixed Or Repaired Daily.
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