NHTSA Complaint #10947255 — 2013 FORD FOCUS

RADIO SHORT -- THE RADIO HAS STOPPED WORKING AND MAKES A VERY LOUD POPPING SOUND. IT BEGAN AS ONE LOUD POP. IF YOU RESTARTED THE CAR THE RADIO WOULD WORK. NOW, EVEN WITH THE RADIO OFF, THE SPEAKERS WILL MAKE AN EXTREMELY LOUD POPPING SOUND. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY, AND CAN HAPPEN OUT OF THE BLUE. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT IS VERY SUDDEN, AND VERY LOUD, LOUD ENOUGH TO CAUSE YOU TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, OR IMMEDIATELY JERK THE WHEEL DUE TO FRIGHT. THE RADIO MAKES STATIC WITHOUT THE RADIO TURNED ON, AND EVEN WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN THE CAR. THERE IS AN ACTIVE THREAD ONLINE HTTP://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/FORUM/CAR-AUDIO-SYNC-MYFORD-TOUCH-ELECTRONICS/358625-CRACKLING-RADIO-PROBLEM-MY-2012-SEL.HTML THAT GAVE ME THE INFORMATION I NEEDED TO HELP DIAGNOSE AND REMOVE THE FUSE. THE LOUDNESS OF THE ISSUE, THE RANDOMNESS, INABILITY TO MAINTAIN FOCUS ON THE ROAD IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. IN REMOVING THE FUSE I NOW HAVE LOST THE LOCK/UNLOCK FUNCTION OF THE DOORS AND THE ABILITY TO USE MY FLASHERS. I WILL BE GOING TO FORD TO HAVE THE RADIO HEAD UNIT REMOVED UNTIL I CAN RESOLVE THIS WITH FORD. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR