Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key ceased in the ignition when the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed nor repaired. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the ignition switch. The key fob was replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.
1) the airbag did not deploy in an accident several years ago ( approx. December, 2011 - mileage was approx. 45,000) when the car collided with an oncoming car and was damaged on the front end and driver's side. No one was injured. During the past 2 or 3 years, I have noticed that the driver's side airbag warning light has been going on and off for days at a time. It seems to be affected by heat and humidity. It seems to go on when the weather is humid and off when the air is dry, at all times of the year. I am not sure whether the airbag would deploy when it is necessary. 2) during the past year, the power steering has making a loud grinding noise when I turn the steering wheel either right or left. A mechanic who worked on it said he put a clamp on it and refilled the steering fluid, which helped for a few weeks, but the problem has returned. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while parked, the contact turned the air conditioning on to levels 3 & 4 and noticed that the air would not blow. The failure recurred on one other occasion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pigtail and the switch melted together. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Right tail light burned out, which I noticed in a window reflection as I drove away from an auto parts store. When I opened the tail light assembly to change the bulb, I saw that the bulb and its base and socket were scorched black, and the hole in the red plastic tail light assembly where the bulb has to go through was melted and warped. The red plastic had to be scraped with a knife to open the hole enough for the bulb to go through. I had to go to more than one auto parts store to buy a new socket. I had to use black duct tape to hold the socket in place. When I checked the left tail light assembly, I saw that it had also melted and the previous owner had also used black duct tape to hold the socket in place. I read online that Ford has said the reason for the melting is that the driver keeps his foot on the brake pedal too long. …
Out of no where my battery indicator light came on. I stopped to get gas and all electrical components of the car cut off and the car died. I had someone jump me and I made it to my house and in the parking spot and as soon as I parked my car it died again. I went and bought a new battery on 6/11/2015 today is 7/28/2015 and the same thing happened again I had the battery replaced a second time and had the car tested and found out the alternator is failing. I have found many many complaints about the alternator failing and believe this has become a huge issue. I had my children in the car with very high temperatures outside and the car shut off. I will replace the unit but I have seen where many people replaced it multiple times within a 2 year span. Please look into this situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Focus. While driving 70 MPH, the engine stalled and the battery warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred several other times. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and it was towed to his residence. The dealer (j.d. Byrider located at 1801 gordon hwy, augusta, ga 30904; [phone]) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at [phone] and stated that there May be an open recall. The manufacturer advised the contact to check for any recalls before they could inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was 130,000.
I was driving in the rain when the internal lights started to flicker. This was followed by the radio shutting off, headlights dimming before turning off, and wiper blades failing. This was quite dangerous as it was dark out and raining, and I had no wipers or headlights. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to get off the road before the car failed entirely. The car would not restart, and I had to get towed to a mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the problem as a faulty alternator, which also caused the battery to fail. The mechanic replaced both components for $630.80.
The air bag light indicating that the passenger air bag even when there's a passenger on board will indicate the airbag is off. It has been doing this everysince I got the car 4 years ago. Now I have a child and people who ride in the passenger seat and safety has become a huge concern there are many reports online of this issue including on here. My family and I cannot afford to replace this or fix this our selves to my knowledge the only aftermarket parts on my car our the tires and all of the mounts. For the original manufactured mounts failed and broke.
While driving around down town los angeles the 2007 Ford Focus the right front tire went flat then the engine stalled. When I attempted to restart smoke was coming from under the hood. When we got out of the car flames were coming from the windshield wipers area. 911 was called and the fire department came and put out the fire. The insurance company is going to appraise the damage on Wednesday 3-3-2010. But I am pretty sure that is a total loss.
I've had to get the wheel bearings fixed 3 times. The electrical warning lights go off and on for example the engine light comes on and then goes off for no reason and the same with the airbag light. Also the sensor for the passenger seat that senses a person or a inanimate load is incorrect sometimes. And last, when I punch my excellorator to go on the freeway, it doesn't kick into overdrive every time. More times it doesn't than does.
Electrical complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2007 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the electrical system of the 2007 Ford Focus, 22% of the model year's 391 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Ford Focus electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2007 Ford Focus. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Ford Focus electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.