Ford Focus won't start problems

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · TX

I am filing this complaint regarding my 2016 Ford Focus S and concerns about a potentially recurring safety defect associated with Ford’s safety recall involving the canister purge valve. My vehicle experienced a no-start condition and stalling. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be towed to an authorized Ford dealership for inspection. These symptoms are particularly concerning because the recall information describes the possibility of engine stalling and difficulty restarting the vehicle. The dealership informed me that the recall had previously been performed on my vehicle. However, despite the recall repair, my vehicle experienced symptoms consistent with those described in the recall. The dealership was able to start the vehicle when it arrived and stated that it could not reproduce the problem. The dealership subsequently performed diagnostic testing on a dyno but claimed that the issue was unrelated to the recall. No definitive cause for the no-start and stalling condition was identified. I was charged $219 for the diagnostic testing. I am concerned that the dealership’s inability to reproduce an intermittent problem does not establish that the underlying safety defect has been corrected or that the current symptoms are unrelated to the recalled component. A vehicle that unexpectedly stalls or fails to restart creates a serious safety risk. If the engine stalls while driving, the driver could lose power and potentially lose power steering assistance and normal brake assistance. The vehicle could become disabled in traffic, at an intersection, or in another dangerous location. A vehicle that unexpectedly fails to restart could also leave the driver stranded in an unsafe location.The problem was intermittent, which may explain why the dealership was unable to reproduce it during its inspection. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether the recall remedy is adequately addressing this safety concern and reimbursement of a diagnostic and tow fee.

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · PA

checked out car for traction control light staying doen scanned car on computer-received code U0-0100-00 ABS Computer may have to be re-programmed checked out rubbing noise in rear of car-no start and/or transmission engagement loss of power with DTCS u0100 intermittent concerns of loss of transmission engagement while driving, intermittent no start or a loss of power-parts number AE8Z-7Z369-F Transmission Control Module Kit-car has under 100,000 miles on it

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Fuel system · OH

Car doesn't start after putting in gas, has to revved to start. Leaking fluid on right front driver side. Car doesn't start in intervals throughout the day.

Filed Aug 14, 2026 · Engine · OH

I was driving and during the drive I realized that if the accelerator pedal was pressed more than the lightest touch the car would stop accelerating. I decided that I had to turn back to go home, and during my return trip the engine oil pressure lamp started flashing at me. Soon after, I entered a roundabout and pressed the clutch. At this moment the engine stopped working (tach to 0 rpm) and I had to coast and pull over. The starter worked but the engine did not turn over--it was seized. Prior to that day, it seemed like the car was having trouble with its turbocharger--boost was delayed at first and later intermittent. Since I was on a mostly empty road this did not pose a safety threat to others, though I did slow down traffic as I pulled over on a two-lane road. If this same issue had happened later into my drive on a busier road or highway, mine and others' safety would have been put at risk due to my car suddenly not working with little warning. The engine is seized and needs to be replaced. It would be available for inspection as I have not yet replaced it. The current cost to repair has been quoted to me at between $9000 and $10000.

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · UT

My 2014 Ford Focus with a DPS6 dual-clutch transmission began experiencing severe shuddering and harsh shifting. A Ford dealership confirmed the concern and diagnosed DTC P07A3 — Transmission Friction Element A Stuck On — using Ford's prescribed pinpoint test. Recommended repair exceeds $4,000. Vehicle is available for inspection. This is a recurring failure on this specific vehicle. Ford's own warranty history documents six prior DPS6 repairs between 2016 and 2023, including two full clutch replacements, three TCM/PCM reprogramming sessions, and a full TCM replacement under program 14M02 — all at Ford dealerships. The current failure occurs just 35,000 miles after Ford's most recent transmission repair. Prior repair orders document dangerous safety events including sudden loss of drive while in motion, no-start conditions, and complete loss of throttle control on the highway — consistent with the known DPS6 failure pattern. Ford issued six Customer Satisfaction Programs covering this transmission over eleven years — 14M01, 14M02, 15B22, 19N07, 19N08, and 14M02 Supplement 7 — acknowledging a persistent design defect. Despite this documented repeat failure history on this specific vehicle, Ford has denied goodwill assistance. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate Ford's continued denial of repair assistance on vehicles with documented repeat DPS6 failures and the ongoing safety implications of this transmission's known design defects.

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

The vehicle began to experience issues where it was difficult to start and ran rough. Multiple times after turning off vehicle and attempting to restart later it would not restart. Had vehicle towed to dealership for repairs, they conducted a recall repair and test over multiple days. Picked up vehicle, drove approximately 7 miles. Went into store came back and vehicle would not start. Multiple other recalls are listed for this date range and motor that likely could be impacting my current vehicle. However, this VIN is not listed as a specific recall. Current situation places driver and passenger at risk as the vehicle does not run properly and does not restart

Filed Apr 12, 2026 · Transmission · VI

I purchased a 2018 Ford Focus in Sept of 2023 with 30k+ miles. Financed. In April of 2025 the car started making strange noises when starting and then would not go into reverse. The car pushed in neutral and drove about 2 miles. Stopped for gas and then the car would not start. The car was towed to a mechanic. He had the vehicle for 2 wks trying to purchase a part called an Actuator. I reside on St. Croix USVI and purchased this vehicle from a fleet sale from Centerline Rental Cars. After the Actuators were placed, I drove the car and within a day had a screeching sound upon starting car. Drove it back to mechanic and we did a test drive.21 The car would slow down and speed up on it's own. The vehicle this time died and had to be pushed onto the lot. Was worked on again and still did not work properly. Car was towed to Ford Metro for analysis. The car now has 40k+ miles in 18 mos of use. They quoted me $4,213.00 for parts and labor. I am still paying $359.00 a month since April 2025. The car was towed back to my residence where it sits dead. Please advise.

Filed Apr 3, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

●Unknown- transmition seem to slip or acted like stalling or about to die. Would jerk forward and shutter till finally would not start after being turned off. So had it towed because would not start again. ●myself and others in my 2017 Ford Focus titanium edition were traveling over a bridge at the time of the incident and very well have stalled out or quit running in the middle of traffic on a bridge causing a collision or worse loss of life ●No- no service center has addressed the issue not due to me not trying but merely, nothing's been done from where I've taken it to ●No- at the moment that is not required as of yet. ●Yes- the forward jerking and shuttering started a couple of years every now and then, until it turned into such a severe situation. ●No - no signs signals lights or anything on the dash showed any kind of sign of anything wrong with the vehicle.

Filed Mar 11, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WA

Recall maintenance with regard to the federal safety agency ID Number: 19V515000 for a Purge Valve was completed 1/9/2025. Starting in October 12, 2025, driving on the freeway, a large "bang" was felt/heard. I pulled over, the dust cover under the car had ripped partially off and took a portion of my grill trim with it. The car still ran perfectly fine, so I continued the mile and a half to my house. I did not see anything that I may have hit on the highway and did not see anything eject behind my car when this incident happened. I noticed the oil light begin to flicker as I was ½ mile from home for maybe a second, then it was off and then flickered again, it did not stay lit. I filed a claim with my insurance-Progressive-they wanted to total my car without inspecting it. I negotiated and they had me take it to The Ford dealer who inspected it visually to see if the cause was internal combustion as my insurance claimed, or external damage. See photos. They recommended a full engine replacement after only a visual inspection and charged me $276.70. I had the oil-pan replaced as shown on my bank statement $1053.77, with Interstate Automotive who verified no engine damage was found. Next the LCD instrument panel showed distorted, or not at all, or perfectly fine at times, which made it hard to read, and no instrument warnings are given for any issue, just the check engine light. As of today, 3/10/26, car will no longer reverse or progress into 2nd gear, is sluggish and feels as though it has no power at all. This happened randomly on 3/9/26 after the car would not start and it was believed to be a battery issue. The battery was replaced 3/9/26 $148.08. When the diagnostic codes for the check engine light were tested, they showed a faulty CO2 module issue. New parts will be installed on 3/11/26. All of the above described issues seem as though they could be related to a major safety issue with this vehicle, but Ford insists any courtesy fixes are not available to my VIN.

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · SC

Fuel purge valve is malfunctioning. Vehicle loses power and is sluggish. Idles very rough and sometimes has a loss of power. My car has been at Ford twice in the last six months and problem still isn't fixed. Complete engine was replaced about a year and a half ago due to recall issue which I don't want happening again. I do not feel safe driving this car. I made an appointment with Ford a month ago for tomorrow for same stalling issue. I went to drop off and explain I wanted the repairs done for the recall to see if that fixed the problem. I filled up my gas tank on Sunday. The car wouldn't start and engine light came on saying engine failure service now. I let it sit for about ten minutes and it hesitantly cranked and engine light went off but accelerates slower with loss of power. It keeps doing this intermittently and sometimes loses power, and struggles when idling. I cut off let sit and then is okay until I pump gas again. I told the service repair person what happened and handed him the key to drop off the vehicle. He said if the light was not on at the time he would not be able to fix it and they couldn't schedule my vehicle for any additional recalls that are greatly needed for the car. It is running terrible. It idles and intermittently loses power while driving. Evan at Ford (Greer) response was to wait until it got bad enough that the engine light came on and stayed on. This was at D&D Ford in Greer, SC. He said it was Ford's policy the light had to be on to replace under recall with no charge. I told him it is unsafe to drive if it gets any worse it could cause an accident. I have two children and his recommendation to wait until it gets worse was appalling. He kept backlashing Ford and stated he doesn't work for Ford he works for D&D and only represents Ford. I said to him he was not representing Ford very well and that it was highly unlikely they would agree with his statements. I asked for documation of this policy--it contradicts what he says.