Traction Control complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 | 0% | 71,000 miles |
| 2016 | 12 | 1% | 53,000 miles |
| 2015 | 7 | 1% | 65,000 miles |
| 2014 | 39 | 1% | 48,000 miles |
| 2013 | 37 | 2% | 55,000 miles |
| 2012 | 50 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% | 47,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% | 58,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% | 163,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% | 132,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% | 191,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% | 142,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 0% | 109,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 0% | 160,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 0% | 136,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
So for some reason my airbag light will come on and off for a few weeks. When its on my high beams and dont work and when its off my high beams work. Then today , my car battery randomly died on me twice. It started shaking uncontrollably before then. I thought maybe I needed an oil change because I was close to due for one. When I got it they said my oil was fine and their system checked my battery as working fine too. Also when I try to step on my gas sometimes the car with skid before taking off. Im not sure if anyone else has these issues. I've only had this vehicle for 4 months and it's fairly new.it had one owner before me.
Car has 71000 miles and June 3rd 2020, the steering wheel locked up and was hard to turn (like power steering with no fluid), turned the car off for 30 seconds and back on and it worked fine. Stopped for food and turned car back on and a warning came up "steering assist fault". Took it to a repair shop and there's no loose wires or bad fuse. Will require to have the steering motor replaced.
Engine caught fire 2 weeks after service dept at vic bailey Ford replaced. Incident report. Total loss and lawsuit coming if not compensated for property damage and emotional distress. Engine ignited with me in vehicle! Service bay released car to me 2 weeks ago. Told them was not fixed for 2 weeks waited on appt. Oil light came on after dropping of daughter to school. Multiple witnesses and videos of fire under car and then blew due to heat source which was all supposedly fixed. I was driving the car and pulled over as soon as oil light came on and I smelled smoke. Turned into nearest parking lot off highway 221, spartanburg sc. Roebuck fire dept responded. Will not driver a vehicle from Ford ever again!
Lost power when accelerating. Code said turbo charge boost; gave # to dealer. They want to charge me another $150 to diagnose & get the ame code as my mechanic! I have been calling to check on a recall color a kit that been recalled at least on the last 2 year's models! They looked at my car 1 month after purchase in jan. 2019 but could find no problem (car was still under full warranty then). When I took car to dealer today, 1st question was whether I had an extended warranty! Could not find info by googling it! This site recommended by my mechanic. He has 40 years experience @ a dealer! #128124;#128149;#128099; as I tried to accelerated, I was almost hit from behind by a semi on the highway doing 70 MPH! Risk pulling out onto highway & interstate with no power to accelerate fast enough!!! Dangerous!!! …
While driving home (five hour road trip) noises started coming from the steering wheel. Felt like it was is binding and grinding. This only happened when the vehicle was in motion. Happen on the highway on my way home, later on city streets, when turning. I immediately took my car to savannah tire to see what was wrong. The dx was rack and pinion. They could not repair my car. I was told that my car was unsafe to drive. The problem started around the first of July. My steering not working properly on a five year car is a problem, this made my car unsafe for me to drive. At any time my steering gear could have went out causing me to have an accident hurting myself or others. I could have died. Ford has had steering issues in the past on my car. The car has had three recalls. One Ford recalled on there own (steering issues). …
From the very first year that I bought this car, (2015) it has had multiple problems with it; it shakes, shutters, 9even at 40-50 MPH) uses way too much gas, it had a badly corroded battery, the clutch and transmission both, had problems and recalls!! I was raised, believing that either Ford or Chevrolet, were the American cars to own; not anymore, customer service, after the sale, is a joke; both autonation's (850 n. Burleson blvd, burleson, tx 76028 and the 5000 bryant irvin rd, 76132 locations are horrible!! After I pay this loser of a car off, I will never buy Ford again!!!
Took my car to the Ford dealership, for the 5times . To be looked at again for all the problems I am having and they stated they found the problem, like every time, with the shuddering and hesitation I was experiencing. They have reprogrammed, and replaced the clutch and computer and asked that I drive it again for a bit and see if the problem returns. The problems still remains the same, with no help from dealership, they just keep making excuses, refusing to face the problem, they told me after my 5th trip and waist of time to think about a new car, my car is barely even 11 months old. The last time it was service they didn't even put back in the oil plug, for an oil change I didn't even receive, my car is worst everyday, I have bought 4 vehicles mfri! …
June 1, 2017: I took my 2014 Ford Focus st, with ~10,500K miles only 4 months out of warranty, to a dealership for an oil change and warranty recalls. June 2, 2017: the dealership informed me that while reprogramming the BCM, body control module, the computer was wiped and the car would not start. The dealership said they attempted to reprogram it again but did not work but that they had opened a ticket with Ford's technical support. The dealership provided a loaner car to me for the weekend. June 6, 2017: the dealership called to tell me they still had not received a fix from Ford and that Ford knew of the issue and had replied that they would provide an update within 7 business days. I was told to keep the loaner car until the work was complete. I called Ford's service line to attempt to escalate the issue. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Focus years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (50), 2014 (39), 2013 (37), 2016 (12) and 2015 (7) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Ford Focus traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for any Ford Focus model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Focus traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic (asc) (1 mentions).
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.