2009 Ford Focus: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 29, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 62,000 miles · NY

The car lost power on the highway at 65 MPH. I pressed the accelerator and nothing happened. I had to coast to the side of the highway. The engine and the wrench light came on. The engine was idling but would not accelerate at all when I pressed the gas pedal. I turned the car off and let it rest for a minute. I turned it back on and was able to accelerate the car fine. This happened six times (losing power) on my way home. I was traveling to an event and had driven 200 miles when I had to turn around. This was a driving hazard - especially on a highway! Ford should recall these cars.

Filed Jun 4, 2014 · Transmission · 79,000 miles · MI

My car lost power as I was driving down the street. I was pressing the accelerator, but the car was not receiving any power. I was told my throttle body was defective. I have seen where other ford models manufactured during this time have had the same problem, and a warranty extension has been granted. Why not on this vehicle as well?

Filed May 25, 2014 · Electrical · UT

Going 75 MPH when car lost power. Pulled over and restarted seems to work fine until it happens again. Luckily it has only happened when I'm going to work early in the morning when there is less traffic.

Filed Nov 24, 2013 · Transmission · 142,730 miles · MD

While transitioning from one road to another, the vehicle suddenly lost power. When trying to accelerate, the vehicle reached approximately 5000 rpms and did not reach a speed above 20mph. This continued to occur at each stopping point. The engine would then "kick" and normal driving capabilities would be restored briefly.

Filed Sep 10, 2013 · Transmission · 39,845 miles · WA

While driving at a steady speed the car lost power, the tach dropped to 1,000 RPM. The yellow wrench light came on. Car started slowing down. Pressed accelerator and nothing happened. Car would not respond at all. Pulled off the road into a parking lot. Took car out of gear and the idle started to vary from 500 to 1500. Shut the car off. A few seconds later started it up and was able to drive home without incident. It has occurred on four more occasions since then. Most recently 2 weeks ago.

Filed Jun 21, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 40,000 miles · VA

Last year during the summer I would be driving and the engine and wrench lights would come on and I would lose power. Pressing the accelerator did nothing, no response. This has continued to happen occasionally but in the last couple of weeks it has been a daily thing and it happens numerous times each day. I live in virginia and it has not happened in the winter or early spring when the temps are cooler. I drive about 60 miles round trip and the majority of it is on the highway. This is a dangerous situation. I get to the side of the road and turn the car off, let it set for a minute or less and then start it again and it runs. I don't have to let it stay off for any amount of time, I can start it shortly after shutting it off with no problem. The tach jumps up between 2000-3000 rpms and then settles down. I don't have my foot on the gas when this happens. Sometimes it won't happen again for the rest of the trip but sometimes I drive only a couple miles before the situation repeats. When I'm parked with the car running I can watch the tach falter and drop below 1000 rpms but it catches itself and returns to normal. This is getting old and is nerve wracking while driving on the highway waiting for it to happen.

Filed May 24, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 61,280 miles · MI

Car went into limp home mode (wrench light) while pulling into traffic, sudden loss of power almost LED to accident. My two year old was in the vehicle, with her side exposed to oncoming traffic when the car lost connection between the accelerator and throttle. Returned home immediately. Went out to start it later, no warning lights, ran fine. 2 days later, it went into limp home mode on the freeway, this time cel came on. Code p2135, indicating a problem with the throttle body. Part replaced, problem hasn't recurred. Research online indicates this is a known problem (there is a tsb). I would regard it as a safety issue based on the failure rates of widespread (albeit anecdotal) evidence. Though it isn't uncontrolled acceleration, it still is a loss of control; this system is drive-by-wire, the same as toyota. I would think it should be given consideration for recall. Below are experienced shared on various forums regarding the vehicles affected (2008-2011 focus): www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271461 www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317251&highlight=throttle+body www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298322&highlight=throttle+body www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291391&highlight=throttle+body www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290333&highlight=throttle+body www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=257103&highlight=p2112 www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262099&highlight=p2112 www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174484&highlight=wrench+light www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/focus/2009/cruise-control-problems.php www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/focus/2008/vehicle-speed-control-problems.php http://bit.ly/18ccw56 http://bit.ly/16toxcc http://bit.ly/19aqtpn http://bit.ly/18cch08 http://bit.ly/11ik0mu ...and countless more on www.fordfocusforums.com.

Filed Oct 3, 2012 · Transmission · 70,200 miles · PA

On october 1 2012 I was driving down my street at aprox 45 MPH when the car suddenly lost power and would not accelerate. Luckily I was close to home and about to coast down hill to my driveway. When I pulled into my driveway the car was still running but not quietly, it sputter and was quite loud. I let it sit for a day and started it back up all light are off, however while driving (I live 50 miles, one way all highway driving at high speeds) to my place of employment this morning october 03 2012 I noticed at if I were driving at anything less then 60 where my foot wasn't on the gas I could feel what seem like the tran slip.. I hope my children are not in the car with me should this happen again. And im praying it doesn't!

Filed Nov 21, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 55,000 miles · CA

I was driving on the freeway at approximately 65mph, when the car lost power. Stepping on the gas pedal had no response. I put the car in neutral and coasted out of traffic and onto the shoulder. When I stopped on the side of the road, the car was shaking violently as if it was getting ready to stall. I tried repeatedly to step on the gas but there was no response. I turned the car off for approximately 30 seconds and tried to restart it. It started right up and the throttle was acting normally. Since that first incident, over a year ago, this has happened six more times with the last one being on 11/14/11. I was traveling at 70 MPH on interstate 15 going north up the hill from baker, ca when this happened. Trying to dodge the other motorists and the big rigs to even get to the shoulder was very scary. I have researched this problem and apparently it is not unique to my vehicle. Someone is going to get seriously injured if this issue is not resolved. As other complaints have stated there is no code left on the computer after I restart the car so my mechanic wants to drive my vehicle until it happens, but it only happens every couple of months. I can't be without my car for that length of time so I am very frustrated.

Filed Mar 16, 2011 · Transmission · 20,750 miles · PA

This is the second time the car lost power and the wrench light came on. The first time the dealer replace a part on the motor. I do not think that ford has any idea why this happens. My wife drives mostly on 4 lane roads,at high speeds,and sense this is not a one time problem, then ford should take these cars off the road before some one gets kill,or is that what it takes for the something to be done, and done right and not I think it might be this part or that. I did not see any where ford has fixed this problem, so they should remove said cars from the highway. The two times this happen to my wife it was light traffic and she could pull off the road, we purchase this car because of the long drive and the fuel mileage. If this happens in traffic will you know what the out come can be, at the speed they drive . Heaven help us if something is not done!

Filed Feb 10, 2011 · Transmission · 34,200 miles · CO

While driving my 2009 ford focus on a trip the car lost power and coasted to a stop. The engine began to violently shake the car. The wrench light came on. We shut the car off and restarted it. It worked fine. On the return trip home the car did the same thing. We took it to the dealer, phil long ford in colorado springs, co. They said nothing was wrong with the car. It's still under warranty and they refuse to repair the car or look further as they told me they are losing money to do so. The mechanic doesn't get paid nor the dealership, it's a lose-lose for us - "they aren't part of ford" was also in their response. Sorry, but you're out of luck. I've sent a letter to the president of phil long and ford motor co. I was told a service manager would call and help after this. 10 days have passed and nothing has happened. The car issue is dangerous as it almost caused an accident. Further non work on this may cause loss of life or an accident yet. I believe ford and the dealership should take this seriously. The car again is under warranty and no one is willing to assist because their computers don't register an issue.