Ford Focus Instrument Cluster problem.

[Vivavilla]

The insrument cluster on my 2003 Ford Focus has just had a total failure and had to be replaced at a cost of �285. Has anyone else experienced this problem as I've heard it's a common fault with the Focus, particularly Zetecs. I'm a bit annoyed because the car isn't too long out of the warranty and if it's a known fault, surely Ford should be offering some discount on the work??

[steve2010]

who told you that,i am a technician at fords,and that is not a common fault on the focus.they are fobbing you off,was it a ford garage or back st workshop.

[Vivavilla]

The work was carried out at Fords and I must admit I didn't think the cost was too bad (especially as I'd been quoted �400 by another garage!). I'd heard about the fault through a few people - local mechanics, not at the Ford garage.

[steve2010]

so you believed it,i phoned my friend from work earlier,hes been at fords 7 yrs,hes only seen 2 come in for that problem

[Vivavilla]

Unfortunately my knowledge of cars is fairly limited as I am not a qualified mechanic so I do tend to believe what people tell me. Apologies if you've taken offence - apart from this I'm a Focus Fan!

[furrycheeky]

At the garage I work for we sell roughly 30 Focus cars a year and have seen 5 or 6 dash failiures. Not enough to warrant giving Ford hell but still a worrying amount.

[binky_bingo]

Hello...

I used to work in the industry, not for Ford though...

I'd be very tempted to do a bit of research on the subject of dash failures on the focus as I know my next door neighbours went on a 4 year old car.

The general belief however is that a part such as the "dasboard and all instrumentation" is not a consumable on a car and therefore should be expected to last the lifetime of the car should it not? That would certainly be my line with Ford and if they say no, then why? do they have many?

The manufactuer I worked for would have made a substantial contribution to the work.

[leapy]

i have a 2003 focus 1.6 zetec the dash has stopped working.the engine management light is on as weel as the battery and temp warning light the car still drives and i have had the engine checked it has been suggested it could be the instrument cluster but no one seems sure.when the instrument self test is done i am told everything works as it should.two dealers have said to try a new cluster and see but price is �3-400 pounds and neither dealer seems to be sure if this will fix it

[dogboy1]

The problems you are experiencing is going to be the cluster Im afraid. The Ford diagnostic computer does NOT pick up a fault code in relation to this problem. Do not waste your time with further costly diagnostics. You are probably looking at �400 all in for that job.

Steve2010 states it's not a 'common fault' with a Focus. My garage has replaced FIVE this year on this model and having 'cold called' a number of garages around the country they are seeing this fault come in ALOT.

The 'Limitation Act' 1980 gives you time limits to claim for a manufacturing defect; which this appears to be. If you have to replace the cluster I would complain and seek a free replacement. Call Ford customer service out of a paper exercise and be told by them that the will not help then write to the Ford Executive Department in Brentwood.

Its all well and good Focus owners 'taking this on the chin' and paying for this part but I think anyone reading this with the same problem should have a hard think and ask themselves 'why should I have to pay'!"

[Birmins]

My 4 and a half year old Ford Focus CL 1.4 went in to the local Ford dealer with a faulty cylinder coil pack which was replaced, and, shortly afterwards the instrument cluster went crazy, all the lights flashing, including the tachometer. The car drives OK though the speedo no longer registers. On some occasions I can switch on and everything looks OK, but mostly not. Is there a Ford web site which explains about this instrument cluster failure?

[Birmins]

I have now had the repair done. The garage where we purchased the car (on the South Coast) had a test Focus dash in their workshop, presumably because they see so many Focus cars with similar problems. By using the test and bypassing ours they could eliminate all other causes of the trouble we faced. Then they took the car to a Ford dealer because the computer controls the tachometer, and this had been zeroised as a result of the trouble. They replaced the speedo head, and the car is now fine. They charged for 45 minutes labour and the part which was �245, plus VAT of course. We have a document that states what the mileometer reading was prior to being zeroised, which we have to keep with the vehicle documents to be legal!

[tonydoble]

I have also just paid �346 for a cluster replacement on my 2002 Focus Zetec 1.6 petrol model.
I wrote to Ford and they phoned today, to tell me I was going to get NO copmpensation, as the car is out of Warranty.
I have also written to Visteon in the USA, the makers of the cluster.
When you pay over �10,000 for a new Ford, you do NOT expect to replace the entire instrument cluster - I expected 10 years reliable service.
I am now taking the matter up with Trading Standards and I have already lodged a complain with BBC Watchdog.
The more pressure on Ford, the better.
TonyD

[MikeH155]

Someone said this is not a common problem please follow this link you may change your mind

http://forum.rac.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1926

I have the same problems with my 04 Focus with 23K on the clock.
Will be speaking to Ford - and 'Watchdog@ !
Regards

[Vivavilla]

Thanks for all the replies. I must admit I had given up on chasing Ford but on seeing the posts and other forums regarding this I've decided to take the challenge up again! I fail to see how Ford can ignore this problem when it is obviously well documented. If I do have any success then I'll be sure to post an up-date.

[MikeH155]

Read about a DIY solution to the 'Focus dead instruments' problem on one of the discussion sites. Take out the cluster, brush down the back of the PCB's spray with WD40 stick in the airing cupboard overnight, refit and everything is OK. Worth a try to save �400, I am giving it a go this weekens and will post the results.
Run diagnostics - �100
No faults reported so Ford fit new cluster �400
DIY with WD40 ...... Priceless !

RegaRDS

[PFA lab]

Father in laws focus lost all dials on instrument cluster,car has only done 17,000 miles.Tested all circuits ,earh connections etc . no joy,went on line found diy repair ,removing instrument cluster,carefully spray/brush WD40 on rear of pcb allow to dry or dry with gentle hair dryer if impatient .You will find this actually works saving �300-�400 ,Father in law over the moon

[MikeH155]

Re. my earlier post about Focus 'Dead Instrument Cluster'
Did a 100 mile round trip on Saturday with the heater blowing hard as it was a cold (but dry) day.
Half way home the instruments all came back to life. I have read that it could possibly be moisture causing the problem (like a mobile phone - get it wet it dies - dry it out its OK) and I think the cluster dried out on the journey.
I stripped out the cluster (easy job described in my Haynes manual)
and gave the circuit boards a good coat of WD40, reassembled and everything seems to be working fine - even the milage is restored to the correct reading. So we shall see if they stay working permanently.
I have recorded all the details on the clusters quality control sticker and they are available if anyone wants to compare notes (could be a dodgey batch as a lot of 03 cars seem to be affected.) My cluster was manufactured late 03.

[lemondkurd]

If you have a failed Ford Focus instrument cluster and don't want to pay 228 pounds for it plus 80 pounds plus VAT for a simple fitting job, go and get one from your local breakers. I missed one at 25 pounds but got one for 45. Make sure the part no. is the same, ie; take yours out first. The 2002 model has a small white button to depress before you move the black lever to release the plug on the rear of the unit. If I can replace one, most people can. Good luck.

[markcoley]

I've had the same problem too. I've uploaded some photos on the the RAC forum if anyone is interested in what is going on.

http://forum.rac.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1926&p age=18

[paul.cooperm]

This article aired 14/04/2008 on BBC's Watchdog describes this exact problem. I doubt Ford wish to admit a fault on one of the UK's most popular car. Mind you a temporary fix is detailed in the article.

"There could be an even cheaper way to fix the fault, with a contact spray like WD40. This is what Matt Skinner used when..."

Coops

[dazzy90]

Hi all,
I have had my wife's cluster replaced on her Focus 02 1.8 model today for the Fail Often Repair Daily stated price of �99. However after the replacement the dashboard mileometer is now reset to zero (or rather 5 miles since returning from dealership!)
I called the dealership about this, they said there is nothing they can do except 'stamp' or 'sign' the Service book to state what the mileage was when this cluster was replaced?!!?!!
This doesn't sound right to me?! Has anyone else had the same feeble excuse given after the works have been done???
Surely in the 21st century EVEN Ford can manage to enter the correct mileage again by connecting the car to their computer??!
If Del Boy Motors can turn a mileometer back these can be 'wound' forward???!