Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 49 | 6% | 43,000 miles |
| 2017 | 36 | 4% | 31,000 miles |
| 2016 | 82 | 7% | 52,000 miles |
| 2015 | 64 | 6% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 245 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2013 | 276 | 13% | 44,000 miles |
| 2012 | 352 | 9% | 65,000 miles |
| 2011 | 25 | 22% | 48,000 miles |
| 2010 | 43 | 15% | 61,000 miles |
| 2009 | 45 | 20% | 84,000 miles |
| 2008 | 57 | 23% | 83,000 miles |
| 2007 | 85 | 22% | 54,000 miles |
| 2006 | 47 | 23% | 59,000 miles |
| 2005 | 113 | 26% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 183 | 47% | 53,000 miles |
| 2003 | 522 | 53% | 60,000 miles |
| 2002 | 277 | 29% | 63,000 miles |
| 2001 | 496 | 28% | 64,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1,343 | 36% | 62,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 18% | 167,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at various speeds, messages that the brake fluid level was low, and to shift into park were displayed. The contact stated that other unknown messages were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, the instrument cluster and the infotainment system screen failed to turn off intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle had also experienced abnormal battery drainage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was recommended to replace the negative (-) ground wiring cable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred the following day. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the TCM had failed, and the failure could be the cause of the battery drainage. …
After working on [redacted], my vehicle made it home, and wouldn't start. After jump starting, I began to drive it to the dealership. My safety, and others, was put at risk when the car began to smoke, lost power in a driving lane, and then burned down with extreme intensity. The dealership isn't helping. Ford said their Office of General Council is still looking into it, but originally denied my claim before saying they would reconsider my case. An official report from the Lakeland Fire Department stated mechanical failure and loss estimated to be equal to $10,000. The engine light blinked on the way home, the oil lamp went off and on, and then the car wouldn't start. These were the only signs prior to a total loss of power and smoke before my life was in jeopardy.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, the check engine light had remained on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective engine hose. The contact was unable to repair the vehicle. Since the initial failure, the contact stated the engine Auto Stop/Start feature had failed to operate as needed and the engine failed to start as designed while at a stop light. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was jerking upon depression of the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle had been towed to several dealers where multiple repairs were performed; however, the failure returned after each repair. The vehicle was eventually diagnosed with engine failure and the contact was given an estimate for the repair. …
I purchased a 2017 Ford Focus from a car dealership called lion cars on 4201 West Colonial Drive in Orlando Florida the car has a major major electrical issue I was at an intersection and the car went completely dead and turned off and it locked me inside the car I couldn't get out of the car the windows would not roll down the doors were not unlocked and the car started smoking finally I got out then 3 days later I turned around and try to get in the car and the car also locked me in out of the car where I couldn't use my key fob nothing on the car works I did a report on it I found out that the car had been in two major crashes and both reports stated severe damage and when you drive down the road it pulls to the left I brought this attentia attention of lying car dealership they said that they would fix the car or they will replace the car and they never did so now I am without a car …
I got my 2016 Ford Focus in the summer of 2019 and from the start i had issues. The first issue was my car overheating the coolant tank kept getting a hole burned in it and the coolant would leak leaving my car to overheat I've had the tank replaced twice. The second issue was my car just kept turning off still don't know what that was about. Third issue was the vehicle not telling me the correct amount of gas i had it would say i would have a good amount of gas, but it really had little to no gas. The last issue was the Transmisson the car was stalling and gave me kick back that's the only way i can describe it I took it to my mechanic because there was no recall when i looked up my VIN, I paid almost $4000 for the transmission to be fixed to just bring it back to the mechanic because the transmission started giving me problems again. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. The message "Transmission Failure" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights. The contact stated that the vehicle continuously lost and regained electrical power independently. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the transmission was malfunctioning, and the contact was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the TCM was replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under Ford Campaign Number: 19N08. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact's daughter was unable to restart the vehicle. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the body control module (BCM) software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle intermittently decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact stated that upon research, the vehicle was included in the Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 for extended warranty coverage. …
While driving vehicle on highway the Ford Focus started down shifting while accelerating. This caused the car to not be able to reach sufficient speeds on the road and could have caused an accident. With my family in the car I exited the highway and drove the vehicle home, with the car continuously down shifting and not being able to accelerate as designed. The transmission has known problems and model recalls. I brought it to the dealer for repair but the dealer would not honor the recall. I also called Ford customer care and they were of no help in covering this known issue.
Related recalls (5)
Electrical system › Wiring
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured January 11, 2012, to April 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles manufactured May 03, 2012, to October 14, 2013.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332.
Electrical system › Ignition
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Electrical system › Wiring
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673.
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with zetec engines, loose or broken attachments and misrouted battery cables could lead to cable insulation damage.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the battery cables for the condition of the cable insulation and proper tightening of the terminal ends.
Electrical system › Wiring
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A decklid wire harness can fatigue and develop broken wires in the bend area of the wire harness.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the decklid wire harness.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Engine compartment fires
There is no summary currently available
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Focus years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (1,343), 2003 (522), 2001 (496), 2012 (352) and 2002 (277) model years. Electrical complaints make up 36% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Ford Focus electrical problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 15V-813 (wiring, Dec 2, 2015); 15V-436 (ignition, Jul 8, 2015); 14V-495 (wiring, Aug 11, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Focus electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (1,253 mentions), followed by the ignition › switch (798).
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.