2008 Ford Focus: engine stalls while driving

Filed Aug 14, 2018 · Body, Engine · 50,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford focus. While driving various low speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, but a failure code could not be located. In the process, the mechanic discovered that the subframe was severely corroded and deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was contacted and provided the contact with case number: 15332352. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also spoke with an unknown dealer who stated that they could not assist with repairing the subframe. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed May 12, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 108,000 miles · WI

2008 ford focus does not accelerate properly or stalls randomly. On multiple occasions I was in traffic on both city streets and highways and nearly got hit more than once. I had the PCM replaced by a certified ford mechanic in 11/14, it had a two year warranty. In 1/16 it began doing the same thing. It had to be replaced in 4/16. After replacing the PCM at a ford dealership the second time my car stalled out on me the next day. The PCM code was the same at each location (code p00607). Both PCM's were purchased from ford brand new. I am now being told by the ford dealership that the following code (p0320) was obtained. They indicated the following work needs to be done in the amount of $575.00: the cost of the repairs include: tune up is $260.00 this includes spark plugs ,spark plug boots, and 2 ignition coils and the labor to install them. The cost to replaced the valve cover gasket that is leaking oil into the spark plug valleys is $315.00 this includes the parts and labor. (spark plug valleys #3 and #4 have oil in them.) my concern is that this was never a PCM issue; however, it is something else feeding misinformation to the PCM to send inaccurate codes to the entire system. The probability of three PCM's being faulty in 1 year is not likely. This vehicle has stalled in traffic on more than one occasion and is a risk to others and myself on the roads. I have grave concerns regarding the reliability and safety of the 2008 ford focus se. Ford needs to investigate and correct this safety issue.

Filed Jul 9, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 122,056 miles · MD

While driving on the beltway the car stalls and shuts off and will not restart. This has happened several times and once a truck just missed me trying to coast to the emergency lane. It has been to two shops that say nothing is wrong. Today I had it towed to the dealership and I found the other complaint here on this site while looking for recalls. This is an extremely dangerous failure and these ignitions missing a screw should be recalled before someone is injured or killed.

Filed Jun 12, 2015 · 77,000 miles · TX

Car stalled in traffic and I could not get it started. Started having problems with the ignition to get the car started. Have to keep the key pushed in, straighten the steering wheel to get it started and sometimes would take 10 times. Not a good thing in traffic. Took it to a dealer and found out that there was a missing screw in an enclosed crimped area of the housing for the ignition which I was then told that was impossible except for an assembly error. Was told there was no way it could have fallen out. We have a stick shift so it is very easy to stall it while in traffic if not paying attention. We almost got hit because we could not get it started. This problem starting it has gone on for some time, but it had continued to get worse. Was told this one screw holds the housing in place so the key works properly.

Filed Mar 19, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 99,794 miles · PA

The vehicle does not exceed 50 MPH. The car would stall and jump under the hood. The car does not accelerate up hill. The car also shakes continuously and roars loudly when 40-50 MPH is reached. The wrench light comes on when driving but the wrench light also goes away when you restart the car. I took the car to mechanics who stated they could not service when wrench light is off. When I did take it to the mechanic when the wrench light was on the mechanic plugged up a system and informed me that it must just be a sensor. I avoid highways because the car does not accelerate after 40-50mph. I am concerned for my safety when operating the vehicle. I do not feel safe. I rely on my vehicle and am disappointed, afraid and uncertain what to do.

Filed Feb 2, 2015 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · NY

The car hesitates and stalls when accelerating from a stop (especially on a hill). Sometimes the "wrench" warning light comes on indicating (electronic throttle malfunction). When the wrench" warning light comes on it does not store a code. When it stalls it always will start back up and drive fine (unless I am on a hill) this happens when accelerating from a stop. It also happens when moving and accelerating. The last time it happened the car went into "limp home mode" there was a line of cars behind me and no place to pull over. I was moving about 10 MPH. When I finally was able to pull off the road I was able to restart the car and drove home with no problem. This is very dangerous in traffic. The car runs perfect in all other instances. I am sure this is an electronic throttle control problem. Ford has admitted there is a problem with these on other models of ford cars my 2008 ford focus has the same problem.

Filed Jul 22, 2014 · Transmission · 61,640 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle loss power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 61,640.

Filed May 23, 2012 · Engine · 68,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH the vehicle stalled without any warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 68,000 and the current mileage was 74,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2011 · Engine · 20,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford focus. While the contact was driving approximately 45 MPH all of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel and suddenly the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who stated the oil filter detached from the engine which resulted in internal damages. The engine was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2010 · Engine · 56,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 ford focus. The contact stated that around two months ago the vehicle started to stall. The contact stated that the wrench icon illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer five times and they have not found any failures. The dealer notified the contact and stated that the black box was not recording any data. The vehicle warranty had nearly reached its limit of 60,000. The contact was concerned that they would not diagnose the failure before the mileage reached 60,000. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 56,000 and the current mileage was 59,100.