NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
391 reports103,000 miles · Sep 30, 2019
Electrical System
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 A…
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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. SINCE WHEN IS THERE A TIME LIMIT ON PUTTING YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS REQUIRED WHEN YOU ARE AT A RED LIGHT, AND OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN YOU STOP TO CONSULT DRIVING DIRECTIONS AND DON'T WANT TO PUT YOUR CAR IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON! WHAT IS THE TIME LIMIT? 30 SECONDS?
NHTSA ODI #11259095
103,000 miles · Sep 30, 2019
Exterior Lighting
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 A…
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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. SINCE WHEN IS THERE A TIME LIMIT ON PUTTING YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS REQUIRED WHEN YOU ARE AT A RED LIGHT, AND OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN YOU STOP TO CONSULT DRIVING DIRECTIONS AND DON'T WANT TO PUT YOUR CAR IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON! WHAT IS THE TIME LIMIT? 30 SECONDS?
NHTSA ODI #11259086
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2019
Electrical System
CAR IS NOT CHARGING. SMART CHARGE SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY
NHTSA ODI #11256986
62,000 miles · Aug 28, 2019
Unknown Or Other
THE LIGHT INDICATING A DOOR IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT DESPITE ALL DOORS AND TRUNK BEING CHECKED. SAFETY LOCK DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN DRIVING. I BELIEVE THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE FOCUS RECALLS RE THE SIDE DOORS IN LATER YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11251895
63,307 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Air Bags
WHILE HAVING TIRES MOUNTED AND CHECKING THE REASON FOR ILLUMINATION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AIRBAG LIGHT THE DEALERSHIP DISCOVERED THAT MY FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. I CALLED FORD AND WAS ADVISED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME IN 30 DAYS
NHTSA ODI #11232422
100,000 miles · Jun 4, 2019
Air BagsFuel/propulsion System
I HAVE JUST ACQUIRED THIS VEHICLE IN OCT OR SEP OF 2018. IT HAS BEEN A PRETTY GOOD CAR UP UNTIL NOW. THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. MY MECHANIC CHECKED WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WITH HIS COMPUTER AND HAS SAID IT'S A FUEL ISSUE. I TAKE IT BACK TO HIM ON THURSDAY TO GO OVER THE F…
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I HAVE JUST ACQUIRED THIS VEHICLE IN OCT OR SEP OF 2018. IT HAS BEEN A PRETTY GOOD CAR UP UNTIL NOW. THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. MY MECHANIC CHECKED WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WITH HIS COMPUTER AND HAS SAID IT'S A FUEL ISSUE. I TAKE IT BACK TO HIM ON THURSDAY TO GO OVER THE FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE TO BETTER DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. IN THE MEANTIME, I'VE BEEN LOOKING UP VARIOUS COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES WITH MY 2007 FORD FOCUS AND NOT STATING THE SPECIFIC ISSUES AND THE TWO MAIN COMPLAINTS AND RECALLS THAT KEEP COMING UPSTATE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS AIRBAGS AND FUEL SYSTEM ISSUES. THESE ARE BOTH THE ISSUES I'M HAVING. THE AIRBAGS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF WITHOUT THE SYSTEM BEING RESET. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND HASN'T GONE OFF. IT CAME ON WHEN MY HUSBAND FILLED THE TANK UP ABOUT 3-4 WEEKS AGO. THE ONLY REASON WE'VE NOT HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IS DUE TO INCOME. I'M DISABLED, MY HUSBAND IS IN THE PROCESS OF RETIRING IN SEPTEMBER AND HE WAS INJURED ON THE JOB AND HAS BEEN OUT FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS. I WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WERE RECALLS BUT WE'RE MAKING A TRIP TO DURHAM IN JULY AND NEED A RELIABLE VEHICLE AND ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENGINE CATCHING FIRE OR NOT GETTING THE FUEL NEEDED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS HAS BEEN ANY SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #11217689
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2019
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
I WAS TURNING LEFT ON A YELLOW LIGHT IN A BUSY INTERSECTION DURING RUSH HOUR. THE CAR OPPOSITE OF MINE WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND HIT THE BUMPER OF MY CAR. MY AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF AND MY SEAT BELT DOESN'T PULL OUT THE WAY IT SHOULD NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11208898
60,000 miles · Feb 13, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemWheels
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 …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11179958
120,127 miles · Jan 27, 2019
Structure
BOUGHT MY 2007 FORD FOCUS AND AS SOON AS MY WARRANTY EXPIRED BOTH REAR DOORS ARE NOW LOCKED SHUT AND I CAN NOT GET THEM OPEN BY UNLOCKING THEM, THE HANDLES DON'T SEEM TO BE CATCHING ON ANYTHING AND THE LATCH SEEMS TO BE STUCK. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID HE CAN'T FIX IT WITHOUT TEARING THE DOOR OFF IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKE…
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BOUGHT MY 2007 FORD FOCUS AND AS SOON AS MY WARRANTY EXPIRED BOTH REAR DOORS ARE NOW LOCKED SHUT AND I CAN NOT GET THEM OPEN BY UNLOCKING THEM, THE HANDLES DON'T SEEM TO BE CATCHING ON ANYTHING AND THE LATCH SEEMS TO BE STUCK. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID HE CAN'T FIX IT WITHOUT TEARING THE DOOR OFF IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. I'M AM NOW ABOUT TO HAVE A SON AND CANT USE MY CAR DUE TO NOT HAVING ACCESS TO MY BACK SEAT AT ALL WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #11172376
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V735000, I'VE EXPERIENCED MANY OCCURRENCES WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS IS FAR MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IF THE GAS TANK IS LESS THAN HALF FULL. THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THIS WAS AROUND 2011, BUT HAS HAPPENED MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY SINCE THEN. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE DEC…
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SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V735000, I'VE EXPERIENCED MANY OCCURRENCES WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS IS FAR MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IF THE GAS TANK IS LESS THAN HALF FULL. THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THIS WAS AROUND 2011, BUT HAS HAPPENED MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY SINCE THEN. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATES, COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND THEN THEN ENGINE CUTS OUT, DROPPING THE RPMS DOWN TO 0. THIS THEN REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, TURN OFF THE CAR, TURN THE CAR BACK ON, AND THEN RETURN THE CAR TO GEAR.
NHTSA ODI #11151004
NHTSA investigations
1PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO