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Ford Focus Engine Problems

120 messages,  Last post on Apr 29, 2013 at 3:54 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Electrical, Engine, Car Warranties

    
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Messages Page 7 of 12

#61 of 120 13 Day old B/N Ford Focus TDCi died by iceman29

Dec 01, 2009 (5:57 am)

  I purchased a brand new 2009 Tonic Ford Focus TDCi on October 29, 2009 here in the Philippines for about 25,500 us Dollars. During my inspection of the unit when I was picking it up, I noticed a smudge on the chrome plate in front of the hood of the car. I asked them to fix the smudge, they tried to use rubbing compound and polishing but it couldn’t be removed, so they opted to exchange the chrome plate with another one attached to another vehicle. Upon leaving the dealer with the new car, I noticed that the steering wheel wasn’t centered and it was veering to the right by about 15 degrees. I immediately called the agent who sold me the car who promptly told me that they will also fix this problem right away. As I was already on the highway on the way homeat the time, I told him that I’ll just bring back the car the following week. They did fix the steering problem the following week as they had to rotate the tires, do wheel balancing and wheel alignment which took about a day to complete.
  
                Then on November 8, 2009, I noticed that the driver side power windows wasn’t working anymore as it would go halfway up then go back down when closing it. It would take several presses on the power window button to finally get the window back up. Again I called the dealer regarding this and would have it repaired on my 1000 kilometres preventive maintenance call which I had scheduled with the dealer for November 13, 2009.
  
                But on November 11, 2009, at around 5 PM as I was cruising at around 70 to 80 kph on a Highway, the car’s engine suddenly and without warning abruptly died on me, the “engine malfunction” indicator came up, the oil pressure, battery warning, ESP lights came on. The steering wheel of the car started to freeze up making controlling the vehicle very hard, and the brakes became non-responsive. I was almost hit from behind by an SUV and several other vehicles blew their horns at me. I was just barely able to force the steering wheel to point at the shoulder and park there. On the shoulder, I turned the car keys to the off position and then tried to restart the engine. Upon putting the keys back to the ON position, Engine Malfunction indicator already on, on start up, the engine cranks up but wouldn’t start.
  
                I called up Ford’s Emergency Roadside Assistance who sent a tow-truck to pick up the vehicle. I waited 3 hours for their tow-truck to arrive. I was left in shock with the incident but thankful that I was apparently not hit during that engine failure and I had no one waiting for me when I was stranded on the highway for 3 hours. I rode with the tow truck back to the and didn’t accompany them back to the dealer for delivery of the defective car.
  
                I overlooked the initial problems with the vehicle as I thought these inconvenient but minor problems with the car. I had gotten their 5 year warranty and a comprehensive insurance with Act of God coverage for peace of mind. I reasonably felt safe about my purchase. But when the November 11, 2009 incident happened, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I was almost hurt during that incident, I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE driving that car. I’m not the only one using that car; I don’t want to place the lives of my family who rides with me in danger.
  
                Ford Group Philippines said that the culprit was a faulty “PCM”, basically the computer module which controls the engine’s power. They said they had replaced the faulty PCM unit and the car is now in good running condition. But even if they have changed the faulty part, what caused that part to break down in the first place? The car was running fine before it happened and it just suddenly dies. I don’t think there is really a way to reassure me that what happened on November 11, 2009 wouldn’t happen again with that particular car. As prior to that major incident, there were at least 3 other faults with this supposedly brand new vehicle.
  
                I am requesting the dealer/Ford Philippines that the unit I bought from them be replaced with another unit entirely and to make sure that this type of thing never occurs again as it appears they have poor quality control upon releasing so called brand new units.
 
It's really been frustrating as the Philippines has poor consumer rights but I expected more from a Global company. The vehicle was assembled here in the Philippines in Ford's local plant. I have talked to the consumer officer at ford and the manager of the dealer and they just told me the unit was now repaired and in good "running conditon". I don't want that car anymore. It's dangerous.

#63 of 120 Re: Existing discussion [pf_flyer] by iceman29

Dec 01, 2009 (5:38 pm)

does my really fit in engine problems.. it's more of a lemon 13 day old car sir and ford is giving the run around about giving me a replacement.

#64 of 120 Engine jerks when show by chebykin

Dec 09, 2009 (11:17 am)

Focus ZTS 2002, manual tran, 115K miles.
Since about 90K miles I notice the following problem.
When there is a snow on the road engine jerks time to time.
Only when it is snow, not rain.
Approximately once per couple minutes.
Feels like engine stops running for a a brief moment, but so far does not stall.
Check Engine light is off.
This is very annoying because such jerks are not good for transmission and I am afraid at one showy day engine could stall.
I was in mechanical shop couple times with this issue but no luck.
Some wires were replaced but it did not help.
What this could be?

#65 of 120 Eng jerks by oldfordmech

Dec 09, 2009 (5:52 pm)

Have you replaced your spark plugs or plug wires ? With your mileage, it would not hurt to replace both these items. After doing this, if still jerks
let me know..Ps - Use good qualty parts on plugs & wires

#66 of 120 Re: Eng jerks [oldfordmech] by chebykin

Dec 10, 2009 (12:11 pm)

Replying to: oldfordmech (Dec 09, 2009 5:52 pm)
Yes, spark plugs and their wires were replaced about a year ago, during 105K maintenance. Still jerks when show in the road.
As I can guess snow gets into some sensitive area of engine.
Have no idea what it could be.

#67 of 120 Will not idle by greenpony

Jan 04, 2010 (7:19 pm)

I own a 2007 2.0L 5-speed with 55,000 miles. It has been through two winters already, but once temps started dropping this season the car occassionally will not idle when the engine is cold. When the problem presents itself, the engine will crank but will not "catch". It eventually starts, but may take several minutes of cranking, then waiting. I have noticed that if I feather the throttle, the engine will rev, but as soon as I let off the pedal, the engine dies. I had it in and they "reflashed the PCM," but it hasn't helped. Any thoughts?

#68 of 120 yep by oldfordmech

Jan 04, 2010 (8:15 pm)

You have what is called an idle air control valve. It is about 3" long, silver in color, with a diamond shaped base and mounted close to the throttle plate. it is about the dia. of a quarter and is mounted with 2 8MM bolts. you can get a new valve at Ford or pos NAPA. They say not to clean the valve, but I have fixed a # of these by removing valve, fill with carb cleaner and work valve back & forth with a small screw driver. Then rinse clean with hot tap water, dry it out & remoumt. That may or may not repair problem, but it"s worth a shot.
Cliff

#69 of 120 2000 Ford Focus LX...please help! by megsze

Apr 15, 2010 (5:54 pm)

It seems like over the past few months one thing after another keeps going wrong with my focus. The latest thing that has everyone baffled is it now sounds like (all I can think of is...) a Harley. It's loud. It's slow getting going, it doesn't want to shift (if I let off the gas a little bit, sometimes it'll shift, other times it wont)....It was stalling quite a bit, but for some reason it hasn't done that lately.
 
Not long ago, my dad had to replace the head on it for me and since then, I've been having all these issues....
 
This weekend I'm having the right-rear wheel bearing done and the EGR valve replaces (along with anything else that might need replacing....have to wait and see until he can get in there to look at it)..
 
Anyone else having similar issues? Or any ideas on what could be going on?
 
Vacuum leak? EGR sticking open? Just a POS?

#70 of 120 2003 focus idle problems by traster67

Apr 24, 2010 (4:21 pm)

i just put another engine in my 2003 focus, it has the 2.0 sohc engine. the engine is used but has low miles on it. i got it running but the idle is going up and down, and it's idleing really high. i also noticed that the exhaust coming out of the tail pipe is very, very hot. it burns my hands to hold it ther for a few seconds. any ideas what it might be?..thanks.

Messages Page 7 of 12

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