I noticed a few months ago while I was driving my radio would randomly just cut out and the entire radio would completely lock up. Before it cut out, it would make a horribly loud sound. Restarting the car would fix the problem. It starting happening more and more and now my radio is completely useless. Now there is a constant noise that sounds like whistling and crackling and it doesn't stop, even if the volume is down and the radio is off. Even turning off the car won't make the noise stop. When this is happening the entire radio locks up. I ended up just pulling the fuse so I don't lose my mind and my eardrums (the noise gets incredibly loud at random times). I plan on taking it to the dealer, but I just wanted some input from you guys. I managed to get a video so I can show the service department.
Here's the video: http://youtu.be/KD1lC5BwCm0
I really have to say I'm astonished that Ford hasn't done anything about this issue, it's clear that it's pervasive...but I guess that it's better for me to know now where Ford stands on it's products. The radio was the last straw for me. I remember when the transmission issue took Ford years to acknowledge, not waiting around for other problems with this car. I'm trading mine in this week for another brand, I'm not going to be stuck with a worthless car when it's reputation gets so bad that I'll have to pay someone to take it. Not buying Ford again.
One bad experience can do that, as most don't buy cars that often.
I saw an extended warranty on one item (APIM IIRC?), but def. nothing to cover all radio issues, this problem included.
This was less of an issue to most when the car radio was a single basic unit that could easily be swapped out. The new integrated electronics seen in most cars now take it to another level, desirable to most when working right but more of a problem when not.
It's not that long ago that many were happy when the stock radio gave up, it was a good excuse to replace it with a fancier one they wanted.
Hi Sailor, I completely agree with you; I remember when the radio in our Forrester finally gave up the ghost, it was a nice opportunity to swap it out with a better aftermarket one (and really easy to do...in fact there was a great You Tube walk through on it). But this is too much for me to put up with. It cost me about $200 all told for the new one in the Subaru, I'm not buying a replacement from FORD which I won't be able to depend on anyways...and most likely an aftermarket that does fit this car will end up losing some of the functionality that they marketed it on (the SYNC, Bluetooth, etc.).
I will say it will be something I look for in my replacement car....the integrated systems in newer cars really are nice and look amazing but it's a huge risk because stereos do fail...I guess if you have the money that's fine, but I hold on to my cars until they are used up (my last one I got almost 300,000 on).
Well, if you're saving $ you're prob. not paying for sync services & many aftermarket setups have bluetooth.
Quite a few choices avail. now, from used factory pieces up to a full screen tablet installation. None are as easy as a quick swap of a head unit unfortunately. You CAN swap the dash surround to one that accepts a simpler head unit if desired for the easiest replacement entire. Even the remote buttons can still be used if desired.
Having same exact issue, pulled the fuse #79, 2014 SE hatchback. Going to stealership Wednesday. Wonder how much they will rule me over the coals for this issue. 2 year old car with 60k on it. Probably won't be buying another Ford, going back to Jeeps.
I appreciate the info... I've never really had such a bad experience with a car before (really!). The radio does it's little "silent treatment" so often now it's as bad as my ex girlfriend (ok, bad joke).
On top of that, I had to get the hood latch sensor replaced because the alarm was going off all the time (50,000), it chews tires like bubble gum (I don't drive angry), the foam vent things above the trunk disintegrated so it looks like something gnawed it's way out of the trunk (also 50,000), the transmission thing had it in the shop for days (and still does it's little jive and shutter on a regular basis)....ugh.
tsb info. in the MkIII section on the vent foam, cheap replacement parts when past initial B to B warranty (some just made their own).
Chewing tires is usually from alignment issues, rotating them alone just spreads the wear between the tires. Rear with too much toe in is the most common culprit.
New problem around 75000miles to 85000 look for the fuel system to go out. Lots of complaints on this same issue Ford still sitting on their hands. #sotiredofthiscar
Getting pretty OT for this thread, might want to post a thread with more details in the MkIII Problems section.
Haven't seen general fuel system issues posted, other than the tank pump recall for some (stickied in the MkIII section for those who don't know about it).
I just bout my 2012 ford focus about 8 months ago used, my car has not even 80,000 miles on it, and it started making this crackling and popping noise about 2 months after I got it..at first it would just make a loud bang and shut off, and I could restart my car and the radio would come back on, but over the months it has gotten way worse. Now I havn't had my radio turned on for almost a month, but even with it off, it still makes this crackling noise.. and a few weeks ago it started doing it even when my car is shut off..I'll walk up to my car and hear it from outside the car.. it's the most annoying thing I've ever heard and I'm about to lose it! I'm calling ford tomorrow to make an appt. For hopefully Monday. I have a warranty on my car, but am just wondering if my warranty will cover this? And also read from others posts that sometimes it starts back up again after you get it fixed? Can someone please tell me what I should tell ford that's wrong with the radio specifically, so I can hopefully only have to get this fixed once? I don't want to keep having to pay them a deductible. And why if so many people are having this issue, is ford not doing anything about it??
I just bout my 2012 ford focus about 8 months ago used, my car has not even 80,000 miles on it, and it started making this crackling and popping noise about 2 months after I got it..at first it would just make a loud bang and shut off, and I could restart my car and the radio would come back on, but over the months it has gotten way worse. Now I havn't had my radio turned on for almost a month, but even with it off, it still makes this crackling noise..
Honestly I would just skip worrying about Ford and grab one from a junk yard. I highly doubt you have a warranty that covers it, and even the diagnostic fee will cost more than a junk yard radio.
Dealership charged $112, cleaned battery terminals and connections to "radio" and the ACM (faceplate). Told me the connections on the battery were loose which was causing the radio to try and "restart". If problem came back within 30 days to bring it right back in free from a further diagnostic charge. Went 2 weeks or so and no problems. Though it might be condensation build up from AC use so I didn't use AC......well got super hot here in New England and I decided to use AC but just the foot vents.....today problem came back. I can't be absolutely sure but it's got me wondering if AC use and this radio issue have a connections. I'm pretty sick of this car at this point. Sad because I've worked on a focus for the past 9 years, 2002, 2008, and 2014 now...never had this many problems with the older ones.
I brought my son's '13 focus in to dealership diagnose the radio problem. It's the audio control module. Car had the same issues everyone else describes, radio would pop and shut off. Restart the car and it would work. Then the crackling started just before the pop and shut off, then it would continue so I would turn the radio off; then it would keep going with the car off. That's when I decided to have it "diagnosed" $133.75 and they tell me the audio control module needs to be replaced ....cost $572.50 - on a 3 year old vehicle. With 19 pages of complaints you would think Ford would investigate and provide a fix. That is crazy, so now I drive the car with no radio, and the bluetooth doesn't work so that's a safety issue as well. UGH. We have had nothing but trouble with this car since purchasing last year, starting with the transmission issue they recalled. We call this the fucus.
Thanks for the info, ya you would think they would recall it already. 2 of my many local dealers act like they have never heard of this. Im still deciding if I want to spend that much to fix a dang radio too. Do you have a part number?
Honestly I would just skip worrying about Ford and grab one from a junk yard. I highly doubt you have a warranty that covers it, and even the diagnostic fee will cost more than a junk yard radio.
Dealership charged $112, cleaned battery terminals and connections to "radio" and the ACM (faceplate). Told me the connections on the battery were loose which was causing the radio to try and "restart". If problem came back within 30 days to bring it right back in free from a further diagnostic charge. Went 2 weeks or so and no problems. Though it might be condensation build up from AC use so I didn't use AC......well got super hot here in New England and I decided to use AC but just the foot vents.....today problem came back. I can't be absolutely sure but it's got me wondering if AC use and this radio issue have a connections. I'm pretty sick of this car at this point. Sad because I've worked on a focus for the past 9 years, 2002, 2008, and 2014 now...never had this many problems with the older ones.
I brought my son's '13 focus in to dealership diagnose the radio problem. It's the audio control module. Car had the same issues everyone else describes, radio would pop and shut off. Restart the car and it would work. Then the crackling started just before the pop and shut off, then it would continue so I would turn the radio off; then it would keep going with the car off. That's when I decided to have it "diagnosed" $133.75 and they tell me the audio control module needs to be replaced ....cost $572.50 - on a 3 year old vehicle. With 19 pages of complaints you would think Ford would investigate and provide a fix. That is crazy, so now I drive the car with no radio, and the bluetooth doesn't work so that's a safety issue as well. UGH. We have had nothing but trouble with this car since purchasing last year, starting with the transmission issue they recalled. We call this the fucus.
I had the same issue with my 2013 Focus S. In my case head unit experienced same issues of crackling when car was off or on. Finally head unit gave up ghost. When turn the radio on it just says welcome to Ford audio. It will allow to put in and to eject cd, but otherwise it is not working. Tomorrow I have apt at best buy to put in aftermarket radio and Metra dash panel. It was getting old using Bluetooth speaker to listen to music. Other wise car is flawless @ 167k miles. Still have original brakes and only maintenance items like oil, plugs, filters and tires were replaced. No issues with transmission, but I guess 5 speed manual is fairly reliable. If it was not for the radio issue, it would have been perfect commuter.
Anyone know the head unit part number? Any different ones via year or model? Found a local parting out a wrecked MK3 and he said I can have it for $50!
Yeah there are some differences. I don't know all of them, but I got a radio from a 2013 or 14 can't remember. It went in fine but some of the buttons and knobs didn't work right. I think it was the volume, aux and something else. Could probably be fixed by re-pinning the plug. But I wasn't getting into all that.
We have a 2012 Focus with this same problem. We are the second owner so this is not covered by warranty. We also had to pull the fuse out to stop the noise. Our's would even pop and crack when the car was OFF and keys were not in the ignition. I have researched and founds tons of issues with this. This is a known issue all over the web but still dealership wants $100 to test it. Ford should send out a memo on how to fix this and should make it right. Our car has @60K miles on it. On a lighter note, we also had to just replace the wheel bearings because they were completely shot. The car sounded like a jet engine driving down the road to the point of where you could still hear it above the radio, when it was working. This is my first Ford and so far I have not been impressed.
We have a 2012 Focus with this same issues with the radio. Has anyone been able to find a fix for this? It pops and cracks even when the power is off and no key in the ignition. We came back to the car after shopping and heard it as we were walking up to the car. We are the second owners so it isn't covered under warranty but with a 4 year old car, you should not have issues yet.
2014 ford focus s radio is doing the same thing they stated the radio will need replaced to the turn of $523 at this point since googling this and seeing this is a known issue no point in paying for a replacement if it will happen again,better to just put a after market radio in it correct? just disappointed a radio in a car this young would just crap out
thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!! also thank you for this thread i had no idea this was such a huge problem happy to know i'm not alone on this happening to them
Rather then go thru each forum reference again suffice it to say ditto. If a solution to this issue is not provided by ford tomorrow then I WILL pursue the best legal remedies including but not limited to class action and tv networks
Made initial contact two attorneys to begin class action lawsuit. It appears under all circumstances that we have merits to continue this to a reasonable solution
Made initial contact two attorneys to begin class action lawsuit. It appears under all circumstances that we have merits to continue this to a reasonable solution
Right, that would be the answer for anything they think they can collect enough in fees to be worth it.
Might even get a settlement for fees, damages to the originator, and a few cents to all who sign on so they can close out all the potential complaints at once.
Or it could be like the multiple suits against Starbucks over how much liquid is received in an iced drink.
P.S. - it was nice when they extended the warranty on another radio module (ACM), something for this one would help. BUT there's a limit to everything, the price of expecting lifetime coverage is WAY too high.
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