NHTSA Complaint #10183898 — 2003 FORD FOCUS

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING THE 2003 FORD FOCUS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS WOULD LAST ANYWHERE FROM A FEW SECONDS TO A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND RADIO WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF, AS WELL AS THE LIGHTING SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WILL ALSO LOCK AND SHE WASUNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED SHE ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY MANUALLY HITTING THE UNLOCK SWITCH. THE VEHICLE LOCKS FINALLY OPENED AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MINUTES. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPROGRAMMED, WHICH WAS DONE IN NOVEMBER 2006, BUT SHE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN EXITING THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONTACT HE DID NOT KNOW WHY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 57000 MILES. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB