I added 2012 to your title so that it would be more likely to be seen by our Ford Customer Service rep. It was mentioned in another thread that devices left hooked up to the USB or data port can create a draw while the car is off causing the battery to go bad. On previous Foci models the typical problem was loose battery terminals, bad hatch wiring, and license plate lights.

 

Thanks for updating the thread. No usb devices have been hooked up to the vehicle. We have contacted Ford Service and have been given a case number. However the dealer is perplexed and they are not able to figure out what is causing the (I assume) power drain to make the battery die.

 

It's interesting you mention that ...

I test drove a fiesta a few weeks ago. ALL of them at the dealer had dead batteries. New AND used.

Are there battery drain issues on the newer models.

 

I added 2012 to your title so that it would be more likely to be seen by our Ford Customer Service rep. It was mentioned in another thread that devices left hooked up to the USB or data port can create a draw while the car is off causing the battery to go bad. On previous Foci models the typical problem was loose battery terminals, bad hatch wiring, and license plate lights.

Thanks for updating the thread. No usb devices have been hooked up to the vehicle. We have contacted Ford Service and have been given a case number. However the dealer is perplexed and they are not able to figure out what is causing the (I assume) power drain to make the battery die.

Here I am!

Hey nasoj1, glad you've contacted Ford Service. I'll be happy to provide you with further assistance. Please PM your case number and I'll see what I can do on my side.

Thanks,

Noemi

 

Info was pm

 

Case number 0820383271.

Hi nasoj1,

Thanks for the info, however, it's preferred PM be utilized for personal information.

Noemi

 

Hi,
I wanted to add this again to the site. I received my Ford Focus after having the non-start issue diagnosed as a defective CM (control module?) and it was replaced.. The car was taken in on Jan 19th and I picked it up on Jan 26th. On February 11, 2012 the battery died again and the car had to be towed back to the dealership. Anyone have any ideas how this can be fixed? This is the seventh time for this same issue. I have my Ford Focus registered on the Ford site and I went back to look at the service history which had been there before and I got a message saying that "there is no service history on this vehicle." Does anyone have any ideas where I can go from here?

 

Hi,
I wanted to add this again to the site. I received my Ford Focus after having the non-start issue diagnosed as a defective CM (control module?) and it was replaced.. The car was taken in on Jan 19th and I picked it up on Jan 26th. On February 11, 2012 the battery died again and the car had to be towed back to the dealership. Anyone have any ideas how this can be fixed? This is the seventh time for this same issue........

Hi nasoj1,

Sorry to hear about your frustration. I will escalate the concern to the Customer Service Manager again.

FCS won't respond until Monday.........

Morning whynotthinkwhynot,

Thanks for the response. I'll have the concern reviewed again.

Have a good morning! []

Noemi

 

You should Lemon Law this car. Just saying....

 

The service schedule reappeared and I've printed it out. The service manager said to me that the dealer should replace the car. In the sate where I live you must go to the dealer first and ask for a replacement or refund, if they refuse then you need to fill out a report with the department of consumer affairs and file it with that state agency. I believe we need to proceed this way for the lemon law to work. I don't know who at the dealership to talk to about it, if there are any suggestions please let me know. The dealership as well as the service department have always been very helpful and supportive. That's one of the reason's I like Ford-their service has always been exceptional.

 

FCS won't respond until Monday. I've never looked into how to apply lemon laws, but I doubt you'll be able to take the service manager's advice as word from the dealer. In fact, I wouldn't mention it to anyone higher up to save that guy's job. You'll likely have to discuss this with dealership's owner or manager. I would do what you're probably already doing- search the internet for any information you can glean on the situation to help you in your quest to either get the functional car that you deserve.

 

Same Issues

I am having the same issues you are. I went to start my car one night, and the instrument lights started flickering and my screen said entering power save mode. I jumped the battery and it fixed the problem. A couple of days later, the car seemed like it wouldn't start. It took a minute for it to finally turn over. I'm over in Afghanistan, and I have someone looking after my car while I'm gone. The first time they go out to my car, they get the flickering lights, low battery mode. There was nothing plugged into the usb port and the lights were left off. Unfortunaltely there is nothing I can do about it until I get back, but I would like to know what fixed your car once you get a resoulution.

 

I am having the same issues you are. I went to start my car one night, and the instrument lights started flickering and my screen said entering power save mode. I jumped the battery and it fixed the problem. A couple of days later, the car seemed like it wouldn't start. It took a minute for it to finally turn over. I'm over in Afghanistan, and I have someone looking after my car while I'm gone. The first time they go out to my car, they get the flickering lights, low battery mode. There was nothing plugged into the usb port and the lights were left off. Unfortunaltely there is nothing I can do about it until I get back, but I would like to know what fixed your car once you get a resoulution.

Hi,
I am on vacation, but the problem is called a parasitic battery drain and I will give you a more detailed answer on my return.

 

Still no problems after the parasitic battery drain was found and fixed.

 

Good, I'm glad they were able to determine the problem and fix it.

The tests they did are not hard for car owners to do as best I can tell. I'm guessing they disconnected one of the battery leads and then ran a DVM in series to measure total current flow from the battery. After waiting 30 minutes or so the system should fall back to low current mode and if the current is too high they (we) could figure out what the problem was by removing fuses until the high draw goes away.

I'm guessing there is a best sequence to this but if removing a fuse drops the current below the magic number then whatever that fuse is powering should be the culprit.


Brian

 

Yes, that's what the tech's did. They disconnected a cable to the battery, put a meter in between and pulled fuses until they found the drain. However, it is not always as simple because you need a diagram of the circuit to find the drain within the circuit. I would let the Ford technicians do this although it is possible if you find a simple fix.

 

Yes, it would certainly help to have the schematics and it would also help to have the troubleshooting procedure because it's likely that you need to test some things before others and do it in the correct sequence to pinpoint the problem.


Brian

 

Luckily for me, it was just a dead cell in the battery. Replaced battery, and it's good to go. Initially I was worried because when I jumped my car, the engine bay started smoking and my friend saw a spark from where the AC compressor is. The car only smoked when the AC was on. The mechanic was unable to duplicate that problem. Hopefully it's smooth sailing for me from now on.

 

2012 Ford Focus Dead battery

I bought the car June 2012 and have had a dead battery 4 times! I have a standard and have been able to start it by popping the clutch. Today it didn't want to start and did end up turning over. Nothing was left on. My son is a mechanic and checked the alternator and it is fine, but he said the battery isn't. So frustrated! A new car shouldn't be doing this. Decided to search the internet and even more upset to see this is a common complaint from other owners and even more upset to see that Ford hasn't figured out why!

 

I bought the car June 2012 and have had a dead battery 4 times! I have a standard and have been able to start it by popping the clutch. Today it didn't want to start and did end up turning over. Nothing was left on. My son is a mechanic and checked the alternator and it is fine, but he said the battery isn't. So frustrated! A new car shouldn't be doing this. Decided to search the internet and even more upset to see this is a common complaint from other owners and even more upset to see that Ford hasn't figured out why!

Hi itsublime2me,

A great first step is to go to your local Ford dealership so they can inspect. Ford certified techs are in the best position to diagnose and repair your vehicle. Additionally, I'm happy to escalated your case to your region's customer service manager. Send me a PM with your VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name; I'll do the rest.

itsublime2me......As your car is under warranty I think you would be wise to take the car to a dealer for troubleshooting. You may have some reason for not wanting to take it to a dealer, but you could possibly save yourself future problems and possibly help other Focus owners, and even Ford with their knowledge base...

...For future reference, http://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/RoadsideAssistance

Every new Ford has included free roadside assistance. If you look in your owners manual there should be a card with a number to call if you're stranded again.
Your salesman should have explained all this to you. If he didn't, this may be reason why you wish not to go back to the same dealership.
Any Ford dealership can look at your car.

Thanks for sharing great info and suggestions, Grumpy and iminhell!

Have a great day,
Crystal

 

Well,
When people let their kids work on cars and don't bring them to the dealer for work, the number of incidents, complaints and resolutions are not properly logged/tabulated.
Perhaps if more people would take their new car in for work under warrenty, things might change quicker.


And 5-10 people complaining on the internet is nothing vs the total number of Focus's sold. By no means a problem of epidemic proportions.

 

First of all, I never said my kid worked on my car. I took it to him, because he is a mechanic and asked him to check the alternator for me.

Secondly, your post is nothing short of annoying. One of those people who think they know better than everyone else, but don't even know how to spell.

 

itsublime2me......As your car is under warranty I think you would be wise to take the car to a dealer for troubleshooting. You may have some reason for not wanting to take it to a dealer, but you could possibly save yourself future problems and possibly help other Focus owners, and even Ford with their knowledge base.
Go easy on iminhell......he's not exactly a rank amateur here.

 

I'm more than fine with whatever people's opinions of me.


For future reference, http://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/RoadsideAssistance

Every new Ford has included free roadside assistance. If you look in your owners manual there should be a card with a number to call if you're stranded again.
Your salesman should have explained all this to you. If he didn't, this may be reason why you wish not to go back to the same dealership.
Any Ford dealership can look at your car.

 

Re: Parasitic battery drain 2012.
Bought my 2012 SEL this last Tuesday from selling dealer, brought it home & parked it overnight, but on Wednesday morning, not enough "juice" to engage starter. Had it towed to servicing dealer that morning, got it back Friday afternoon. Tech discovered source of parasitic drain was light(s) in hatch area. But ... here is the strange part: drain existed at that fixture but light(s) was not illuminated ! Did not speak directly with Tech, but with service "writer", so don't have further details. Vehicle has existed in this state since initial delivery 15 months ago, and tech determined battery was became degraded, so they installed replacement bat ( I assume new ). I like my 2012 hatch, but I'm beginning to REALLY like my servicing dealer

 

Same issue, but out of warranty period

I am having the same issues with my car. It "died" about 3 months ago, 3 days in a row, and we bought a new battery for it. I haven't driven the car in about 4 days or so, and I went out today and TADA!! Dead Battery. I bought my car in May of 2011 when they first came out, and had a few problems then, but since then nothing until the battery issue I am having now, and it is out of the warranty period. How can I go to the dealership and let them know what is happening without being charged? Since this is a widespread problem, shouldn't they check it out without charging me to check it out and fix the problem?

Any help would be appreciated.

I am going to call customer service in the morning and request a case number so this can be documented in their system because my dealership in Mesquite, TX is not the best at customer service, nor are they great with service records.

Thanks!

 

...I am going to call customer service in the morning and request a case number so this can be documented in their system because my dealership in Mesquite, TX is not the best at customer service, nor are they great with service records...!

Hi Ravensunset,

I want to touch base with you and see how things are going with your Focus. If you need any assistance, feel free to send me a PM with your info (VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name) and I'll see how I can help.

Crystal

 

2012 battery drain! took to dealership all they did was replace the battery ! went to pick up the car three days after it was ready and didnt start! guess they will charge more to the warrenty work! positive got a new battery i didnt need!

 

I too am having similar issues. Starting about two weeks ago, the car would lag when I'd turn the key to start. I would have to turn the key to the on position and wait, similar to letting a glow plug heat up, prior to starting. The other day the would not turn over at all, called roadside support, got a jump and took the car to the dealership. They replaced the battery and the car is still not starting. Just wanted to post so that another case is documented. My car is currently in the show with the fuse box and side panel pulled apart.

Hey cbadq3 & Kenmend,

I'd like to put you in touch with your regional customer service managers, who'll work with your dealer directly. Please send me a PM with your full name, daytime phone number, VIN, mileage, and servicing dealership.

We'll go from there.

Todd

 

I too am having similar issues. Starting about two weeks ago, the car would lag when I'd turn the key to start. I would have to turn the key to the on position and wait, similar to letting a glow plug heat up, prior to starting. The other day the would not turn over at all, called roadside support, got a jump and took the car to the dealership. They replaced the battery and the car is still not starting. Just wanted to post so that another case is documented. My car is currently in the show with the fuse box and side panel pulled apart.

 

What I had was a parasitic battery drain. It was finally fixed but they had to trace all the circuits in the car to find it. A quite laborious process. Basically it was an electrical short that kept the whatever it was on after the car was shut off.

 

Currently the prognosis is that there is something wrong with the transmission control module. Something about it not receiving a signal, I'm currently troubled as to how that would cause the vehicle to not start.

 

Hi same problem

My mom just purchased a used 2012 Ford focus Hatchback that is having the same problem.

 

My mom just purchased a used 2012 Ford focus Hatchback that is having the same problem.

Welcome to the forum, meg101!

I want to check into some options. What's the mileage on your mom's Focus?

Meagan

 

Hi same problem

The car is at the dealership now and they can't seem to figure out why it is doing this should I mention this article