NHTSA Complaint #10723417 — 2010 FORD FOCUS

WE OWN A 2010 FORD FOCUS AND FOR THE PAST 6 WEEKS WE HAVE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR DOES NOT SHUT OFF BUT ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE IS GONE. ONCE WE STOP THE CAR, TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT, THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE IS RESTORED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST SIX WEEKS. IT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS ON A FOUR LANE ROAD WHEN THERE IS NO CHANCE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE AND YOU HAVE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF FAST MOVING TRAFFIC, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT. IT ALSO HAPPENED WHEN TURNING ONTO A BUSY FOUR LANE ROAD FROM A SHOPPING CENTER. WE WERE TURNING LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC WITH PLENTY OF ROOM AND TIME TO MAKE THE TURN UNTIL WE LOST ACCELERATION, PUTTING US IN HARMS WAY WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY THE ONCOMING DRIVERS WERE PAYING ATTENTION AND STOPPED WHILE WE WERE STOPPED, TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING TO REGAIN ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND TALKING TO THE LOCAL FORD MECHANIC, IT LOOKS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. THE PROBLEM CENTERS AROUND THE THROTTLE BODY AND SENSORS, CAUSING A DISENGAGEMENT WITH THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. SO FAR WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE AND HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT I CAN NO LONGER PUT MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. IT IS JUST TOO UNSAFE WITH THIS ISSUE.