Ford Focus AC & Heater Problems

AC & Heater complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Appliance › Air conditioner
  55
• Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
  18
• Defroster/defogger/HVAC system › Heater core
  6
• Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
  6
• Defroster/defogger/HVAC system › Rear window
  2
• Recreational vehicle/trailer › Lpg systems › Water heater
  1
• Defroster/defogger/HVAC system › Fan/motor
  1

Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1131%
• 25k–50k
  1233%
• 50k–75k
  514%
• 75k–100k
  38%
• 100k–150k
  411%
• 150k+
  13%

What owners report

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.

I was on my way to work and the knob to change your air setting to defrost broke, which eventually cause my windshield to ice up and for me to go in the ditch.I took the car into Ford 3 times to get it fixed until they told me the main box that changes which direction the air comes out was broken ($2,000 fix) and the mechanic said its common on Focus's. I asked why it wasn't recall and they said its not a safety issue, I responded "so your windshield freezing over and going in the ditch because of it isn't a safety issue?" then he agreed, but I guess Ford doesn't still.

Dt: the contact stated when using the heater dust blew in his eyes. The vehicle was taking back to the dealer for inspection. The dealer told him the particles were actually flux from the heater core. When the heater core got hot the flux broke up and separated from the core. The dealer flushed the heater core. This stopped the particles from escaping for several weeks. The problem recurred. The contact's eyes were burning and stinging when the flux blew in his eyes. He must turn the vents away from his face to avoid any contact with the particles. The vehicle is scheduled for another heater core flush next week. No other repairs have been made at this time.

The storage trays became extremely hot when driving for an extended period of time with the heater on, especially when directed to the floor only. In the owner's guide book there was an error that stated; am/fm stereo with single cd/mp3 premium should be for a 6 cd unit as noted by the cd 6 above the cd slot.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was left unattended for approximately fifteen minutes with the engine running and the defroster activated. When the contact arrived back to the vehicle and opened the front drivers door, smoke began pouring from the drivers seat. The contact stated that she did not realize the heated seat was activated as well. The contact burned two of her fingers as a result of attempting to extinguish the fire. The contact then poured water on the seat and was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised that there were no recalls on the vehicle pertaining to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was left with the dealer where the contact was awaiting repairs. The failure mileage was 54,677. Updated 3/8/11 updated 03/14/11

Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH with the passenger side heated seat activated, she noticed smoke. She cut out the foam in the seat and removed the entire passenger side seat. The contact called the dealer who referred her to the manufacturer. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

The original Firestone tires (205/50r16) wear out prematurely. The vehicle becomes unsteady on bumpy, wet or snow covered roads, causing the driver to lose control. The rear tires vibrate and chatter when driving on wind roads and on open roads at highway speeds, also the rear tires were showing irregular and premature wear. The manufacturer representatives stated that improper factory alignment specification were the cause of the problems. Auto door locks malfunctions. The rear hatch door was misaligned and would not close properly, the rear window washer would not spray properly and the rear window washer nozzle failed, there was an odor coming from heating or A/C system, the power steering line was leaking. The transmission was difficult to shift into 2nd gear and reverse when it was cold, the child restraint brackets was putting dents in the rear seat

There is a strong mildew smell when defrost is turned on. Took to dealer, dealer states that there is a bacteria producing agent in the defrost system. Dealer states all new cars are like this. Consumer has a breathing problem and this mildew smell May create a bigger problem. Ts

Related recalls (2)