2005 Ford Focus: wrong fuel gauge reading

Filed Nov 6, 2017 · Driver assistance · 191,000 miles · GA

Immediately upon starting my car ... My fuel gauge would flash on and off like as if it was low. I noticed that the weather was damp and a fog in the air. The fuel gauge was flashing with a half tank of gas in my vehicle. Upon driving off slowly, my rear hatch unlatched and my dashboard lights turned off. This occurred 4-5 times ... Before I was able to get my trunk to latch. Although I was able to drive down the highway eventually without my rear hatch unlatching, my dashboard lights were completely off.

Filed Oct 4, 2014 · Electrical · 76,046 miles · NY

Car started normally. Dashboard lights came on as usual. Lights went out in sequence as usual. Normal driving started with no abnormal dashboard display. Moments later all dashboard light started flashing off and on eratically. There was no effect on driving that could be discerned. All the car handling features seemed normal. As driving continued some or all of the dash lights would come on and off eratically. The only light that stayed on when the rest went out was the engine symbol light. The fuel gauge also indicated no-fuel eratically.

Filed Aug 18, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · CO

We bought this car used, after we got it we noticed the fuel gauge was broke, there's something wrong with the brakes, and there are numerous other problems that worry me. We have small children to think about so the safety of this vehicle is very important. It has a good battery, but it's always dying after being driven. We have taken it to the dealer several times but they have yet to fix it. I don't know that there is anything you can do about this, but I'm desperate to try anything and anyone for help.

Filed Apr 12, 2012 · Electrical · 17,000 miles · CT

I purchased this vehicle new in 2005. Within the first year and a half I started noticing that the dash lights would illuminate when the vehicle was parked, no keys in the ignition. The ABS and battery light would flicker on and off accompanied by a buzzing sound. The wireless remotes stopped working as well. I brought the vehicle to ford as it was still within the three year/36,000 mile warranty period. They said that they could not duplicate the problem. They re-programmed the wireless remotes. After this the problem continued with the flickering lights and buzzing sound and also the wireless remotes stopped working. I returned the vehicle to ford and they told me that the dash lights were malfunctioning and they would have to open up the dash, they quoted me $700 just to open up and diagnose plus the labor charges for whatever the problem was. This was right after the the year/36,000 mile warranty period was over. I mentioned that I had been to the dealership for the very same reason when the vehicle was under warranty but they could not find the problem. Ford said that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. Ford did not fix this issue and also said that the wireless remotes could not be reprogrammed. In the years since the initial problem, I have had to put in two new alternators. The dash lights flicker almost continuously. The dash display (speedometer, odometer, etc.) has completely cut out while driving the vehicle several time. The vehicle still operates but loses power when the dash cuts out. When the dash display cuts out you are driving without a gas gauge, speedometer, etc. When the dash lights come back on, there is a "hiccup" or power surge accompanied by the same buzzing sound that occurs when the dash lights are flickering when the vehicle is parked.

Filed Sep 16, 2010 · Fuel system · 52,000 miles · MI

Fuel gauge sticks. The fuel gauge indicates that the tank is half full and then will drop immediately to empty and the emergency fuel low indicator turns on.