2009 Ford Focus: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Aug 11, 2015 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 88,000 miles · IA

While driving down the interstate at 70 miles per hour, the car dropped out of cruise control and coasted to 5 miles per hour. Pressing the gas pedal had no result. We were lucky to avoid collision with nearby cars and coasted off the interstate into a park and ride lot. Car had to be towed to dealer repair. We were told by ford dealer that the throttle body had died and had to be replaced. This ford certified preowned car is still covered by powertrain warranty but this does not include throttle body. Numerous actions with ford regarding faulty throttle bodies is widely reported and we believe this issue should be addressed in a formal recall for 2009 ford focus. Repair is $875 which we believe ford should be covering.

Filed May 26, 2015 · Transmission · 57,000 miles · WA

I was driving approximately 60 MPH on the highway (in the far left lane) with cruise control on when my car suddenly appeared to die and the wrench light came on.the car began to decelerate and would not accelerate regardless of how hard I pressed down on the gas pedal. I then had to dodge traffic as I attempted to pull off to the right side of the road (across two lanes during traffic) while my car continued to decelerate. This, at first, happened rarely, but now occurs 2-3 times every time I drive as much as 15 miles. I have read countless forums about others with the same car having the exact same problems, and yet ford is doing absolutely nothing about it. This can be an extremely terrifying and potentially dangerous in the right circumstances. Far too many people are having throttle body/actuator problems for this not to be a design flaw on ford's part, and, from what I've heard, they're refusing to honor others' warranties. I just so happen to be just outside my warranty; what a "coincidence." I'm now looking at a $600 out of pocket repair I simply can't afford at this time. So instead I'm forced to continually look forward to having my car suddenly die in the middle of highway traffic.

Filed Aug 22, 2014 · Fuel system, Transmission · 87,000 miles · KS

At any random moment, the car's wrench light comes on and the car either dies or begins to run horribly. This can happen in town or on the highway - accelerating or on cruise control - it doesn't matter. Turning the car off (if it didn't die) and turning it back on, the wrench light goes off and the car runs again. Code indicates a throttle body issue but after taking it to a mechanic twice, they have not been able to get a code or figure out the issue. This has been going on for over a year. This can really be a dangerous issue if it happens while passing or turning into an intersection. Etc.

Filed Apr 30, 2013 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · IL

Was driving on cruise control on the interstate and moved to pass a semi-truck. I noticed that when pressing the accelerator, nothing would happen, no response. I then lost cruise control and the orange wrench light turned on. I was able to (thankfully and by the grace of god) pull back inbetween two semi-trucks and pull over to the shoulder. I turned the car off then back on again. I was able to drive to work the rest of the way at 75 MPH. I was also able to return home 50 miles safely. Later that night I was driving across the neighborhood and the same problem happened again at 20 MPH after just a block of driving. I took the car to the dealership and after 2 days they are 'unable to replicate the problem' and with no computer code or "proof" that the light turned on there is nothing they can do. With the high traffic volume on the interstate and the large number of semi's I hope I survive the next time this is bound to happen to me on my commute to work.

Filed Nov 5, 2012 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 28,000 miles · PA

Traveling on highway in passing lane with cruise control on,noticed vehicle slowing down. Applied pressure to gas pedal,no acceleration. I had to get off road quickly because car was coming to a stop;almost caused an accident in doing so. Vehicle idled rough and I had no control of acceleration. I shut off vehicle and was able to start it up again and had acceleration control again. Took vehicle to ford dealer ship and they replaced throttle body. Service tech stated that they have been replacing several of these throttle bodies on ford vehicles lately and they except a recall.my concern is that this could have easily caused an accident. Ford knows this issue exist,get it recalled before someone gets hurt or killed.