Brake lights only work with key on.

[Theman2b]

I was at the drive in theatre with the family last week. I found myself mindlessly sitting in the drivers seat with my foot on the brake with the car off. I had a moment where I picture everone behind me mad because my brake lights were annoying them. To my surprise they weren't. I have since checked to see if this was a fluke or not. It isn't they only work with the key ( or button ) in the accessory or on position. Weird.

[Sponsor]

[Timthom62]

This is intentional.

According to the service manual, the body control module doesn't activate the 'stoplamps' when the ignition is on the "OFF" position.

It also says that they won't activate with the key in the "ACC" position, but I've never actually checked to see if that's also true. Sounds as if it might not be.

[Lactobeezor]

Mine is the same way. I thought it was odd also but then wondered why I would need my brake light to activate while the car was off.

[Wildsailor]

This is a carryover European feature. It is working correctly.

[Phokus]

Ooh that's good to know. I find myself mashing the brake pedal when the car is off all the time and my lights come on on my 09 Focus.
Nice that they won't come on anymore

[DrkKnight614]

Um, this is a new thing? If the cars off why would the brake lights go on? Mine doesn't do this.

[TboneZX3]

Originally Posted by DrkKnight614

Um, this is a new thing? If the cars off why would the brake lights go on? Mine doesn't do this.

Yes, this is not typical for an American car. In every car I've owned prior to this, the brake lamps would light if the brake was pushed--even if the key wasn't in the ignition.

[Altis]

Sometimes you might want to flash the (bright) brake lights if you're stopped somewhere you shouldn't be and someone doesn't seem to notice you.

Better question is, what advantage is there of disabling it?

[Michaelc1220]

Originally Posted by TboneZX3

Yes, this is not typical for an American car. In every car I've owned prior to this, the brake lamps would light if the brake was pushed--even if the key wasn't in the ignition.

I agree, I've only owned american cars. This is the only one that is equipped with this feature. Whether it makes any difference or not i dont know, but the only reason i noticed was because usually with the car backed against the garage, i could see the garage door light up when i get in and put my foot on the break. With the 2012 focus it doesn't light up..

[Wildsailor]

Originally Posted by Altis

Sometimes you might want to flash the (bright) brake lights if you're stopped somewhere you shouldn't be and someone doesn't seem to notice you.

Better question is, what advantage is there of disabling it?

The car is/was designed in Europe and has features that work in common with the European versions. The European vehicles of Ford, and possibly other makes as well, work this way and have for quite some time. The 2012 Focus is the second vehicle designed in Ford's small car center of excellence for the US market. Ford is trying not to do what it did with the Escort, Contour, and Gen I and II Focus; re-engineer it here in the US.

I am not sure if anyone ever really needs the brake lights to work while the ignition is off. If you are doing a bulb check turn the ignition on first. If you are on the side of the road use the hazard flashers. The feature just works different and it may be surprising that it is different but this is one of the features that work in common with the European version.

The Gen III Focus is a world car.