2002 Ford Focus: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Aug 13, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 327,000 miles · NC

I am writing this for two incidents happened within a two week time frame. 1. The engine had to be replaced since one piston pin had broken due to which the whole piston had broken inside the engine. The whole engine had to be replaced as per mechanics suggestion. I have the invoice from the mechanic shop and the mechanic would gladly provide more details if needed. 2. This was scary ! While driving at 70 miles an hour on cruise,the car would not come out of cruise control and constantly accelerated even after trying to use brakes. (ideally when you first touch the brakes, the car should come out of cruise) once the car reached at a speed of 80 miles and I could not do anything. When the car was shut down abnormally, and restarted the issue continued and even when it was in neutral, it constantly raved up. I see other people have recently filed complains for this and expect the federal safety agency to do something about it urgently as in my opinion it is a huge safety issue. The mechanic mentioned that the cruise control cable was stuck in the housing. Currently the cruise control has been disconnected by my mechanic and I have bought a new cruise control cable from the dealer and hope to get it fixed soon, however expect the company to take care of both of the above issues.

Filed Dec 3, 2013 · Engine · 136,000 miles · MA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine ignited in flames without warning. The contact was able to exit the vehicle without injury. The fire department and the police department were called and both a police and fire report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was ruled as destroyed and was towed to the contact's insurance agency for further investigation of the failure. The contact also mentioned that upon further research, he discovered that the cruise control wiring remained hot at all times and could have possibly been the cause of the fire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Feb 26, 2007 · Electrical · 117,300 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. While driving 55 MPH on the highway he attempted to use the cruise control and it activated and deactivated without warning. The vehicle lost power and shut off. No warning indicator lights illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed. The road conditions were clear. The dealer informed the contact that the battery cables were corroded and the power lead fuse panel was inoperable, the cables and ground circuits needed to be replaced. The mechanic repaired the vehicle. The failure and current mileage was 117,300.*ak updated 03/19/07.

Filed Oct 19, 2005 · Transmission · 29,300 miles · FL

Dt: the consumer complained about a transmission problem. While driving at any speed the transmission would slip. The vehicle was not in cruise control, the consumer manually pushed the accelerator pedal and the transmission would slip into neutral. After 10 to 20 seconds it would go back into drive. At times when stopping at a traffic light the vehicle would attempt to surge forward. The dealership was unable reproduce the problem, therefore this could not be fixed. *ak (11/23/05) recall campaign#03v482000.

Filed May 29, 2005 · Electrical, Transmission · 451 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Runaway auto throttle body sticking caused car to become a runaway auto with no control to stop. Exiting highway 80 at prnryn rd. Ext. Cruise control shut off auto speeded up enjine roared appliing brakes didn't stop auto. Went off road and struck a large oak tree. Vehicle overturned down an embankmend. Landed on roof of auto. Auto had 450 miles on it and was totally destroyed.

Filed Feb 19, 2004 · Acceleration · 7,000 miles · TN

While driving the vehicle, the cruise control would not work properly. The dealer was not notified. *ph when the consumer disengaged the transmission, the engine began racing uncontrollably. The consumer felt that this was caused by omission in the logic design of the cruise control system.

Filed Nov 6, 2003 · Acceleration · 60,000 miles · NJ

While driving 65 MPH with cruise control on the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would not restart. Consumer managed to pull over, and left vehicle over night. The vehicle started up the next day with no problem. Dealership was notified but the problem was not resolved.

Filed Oct 12, 2003 · Acceleration · 13,040 miles · GA · crash

Cruise control failed to respond to application of brakes.*mr the second incident caused the consumer to strike another vehicle because the cruise control failed to disengage.*ts

Filed Sep 11, 2003 · Acceleration, Brakes · 13,040 miles · GA · crash · 4 injuries

I have a 2002 ford focus se w/ 5 speed manual transmission and cruise control plus other options. On date listed, I was traveling at 65 MPH on a 4 lane hwy approaching a traffic light. The car was in 5th gear w/ the cruise control on. Upon touching the brake pedal to turn off the cruise control and begin braking, neither event happened. I tried 3x to get the cruise control to turn off by pressing the brake pedal hard. It failed all three times. By then, I was rapidly approaching a group of cars in both northbound lanes of ga hwy 365 completely standing still waiting for the light to change. In response to a runaway car, I attempted to drive off the right shoulder of the road; however, the car immediately in front of me did the same. I struck her car on the right side with the left side of my 2002 ford focus se. My passenger reached over & turned the ignition switch to off. I was able then to brake the car to a stop a few feet from a concrete culvert. The left front wheel of my car was folded approximately 45 degree angle and the entire front end was down on the ground. The left front tire had blown out. Neither car was driveable. This is the second time this car has failed on turning off the cruise control when the brake pedal was applied. Further, the brake wear indicator had begun squeling recently. The car had 13040 miles on it at the time of the accident. It was purchased one year earlier. Willard ferguson

Filed Jul 31, 2003 · Acceleration · CO

Consumer would put the cruise control on and the vehicle would accelerate without warning. Dealer notified.

Filed Dec 11, 2002 · Acceleration · VT

While driving, when cruise control is engaged the vehicle's acceleration decreases. Please provide more details. Mr

Filed Mar 28, 2002 · Acceleration · TX

When the brakes were applied with the cruise control activated, the vehicle continued to accelerate. The dealer has been notified. Nlm