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Trinity Mirror Regionals Driving Force columnist STEVE ORME gives his take on everything from the car with the biggest cup holders (Ford Edge, 20oz) to congestion charges and how your money is spent getting toads safely across the road. It's motoring but not as you know it ...
Posted by Steve Orme on November 4, 2007 1:25 PM | Permalink
Anyone out there had any problems with a Ford Focus instrument cluster? On behalf of an avid reader I’d be grateful beyond mere human gratitude to have your comments.
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Steve,
Please have a look at the RAC link on the previous post where I've started the ball rolling with Ford. Would appreciate ANY help!
Regards,
Dogboy
Posted by: Dogboy | November 10, 2007 1:07 PM
Steve
Similar experience with my March 2003 Focus. Instrument cluster has failed at 59500 miles. The car has a full Ford Service History.
My local auto-electrician has offereed to replace it with a second hand Cluster Unit that will cost £47:50 plus £50 to fit. Ford Dealer quotes £250 for new unit incl VAT plus labout £80-90 plus VAT. But some say the unit has to be reprogrammed in by Ford. Do you know if this is true.
Dave
Posted by: D Bell | November 10, 2007 7:14 PM
I am going to seek some more ifo on this, sounds like a very real problem
Posted by: Steve says... | November 12, 2007 12:10 PM
I have had the same problem with my Ford Focus 2003. The instrument panel will all of a sudden go off and not come on for days and then all of a sudden it comes on. I think this should be a recall item. Ford told me it would cost the same around 300 to 400 to fix. The car is only 4 years old for crying out loud.
Posted by: Jilana | November 14, 2007 5:40 PM
Hi Guys
This is from Australia. I have a ford focus 2003 LX 2.0. Exactly same dash cluster problem. Speedo, tarcho falling down to zero, Ometer read like [------]. The local dealer charge me above AU$1,500 to replace it. The car is only 35,000 now, how ....
Posted by: Max L | November 19, 2007 6:44 PM
I have a 03 Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec and have the same problem. The instrument cluster dies intermittently and then comes back to life showing all the correct values. I've written a letter to Ford to complain and seek come compensation or replacement as this seems to a be common fault but I have not heard anything back.
Posted by: Kevin O'Sullivan | December 14, 2007 12:42 PM
same thing ,no fuel gauge ,no temp guage, no rev, no speedo , £40 for a second hand one and have been told quite easy to fit a new one fitted £350
Posted by: lawrence marshall | December 20, 2007 7:37 PM
My 03 27k mile 1.6 Focus Zetech Estate has just developed the instrument cluster symptoms over Christmas.
Spontaneous boughts of
- All Dials to zero
- Odometer displays ----
- EMC light on.
then all normal.
Very frustrating.
All tied up with the EMC. A fault designed in by Ford, that only Ford can fix, that the consumer has to pay for.
Posted by: Redders | December 31, 2007 3:25 PM
This is from México. My car is a Ford Focus Wagon 2003 and at beginning instrument cluster dies intermittently and then comes back to life showing all the correct values. Currently is total dies.
I would like to know what do you recommend
Posted by: José Francisco Martínez | December 31, 2007 4:03 PM
Same problem as others mentioned. Sudden failure of instrument cluster (rev, speed, oil temp, fuel, odometer) which was intermittent at first but now seems permanent. All other electrics are fine, no problem actually driving from what I can tell.
Posted by: Richard Trethewey | January 1, 2008 11:05 PM
Me too. I have the same problem. 03 1600cc Focus. Seems to be a very common problem but Ford don't want to know!!!
Posted by: Simon Brookes | January 8, 2008 9:01 AM
Same problem 02 Focus 25k Miles only.Has anybody had a answer from Ford about this problem. Watch Dog ???
Brian G
Posted by: Brian Geen | January 8, 2008 2:42 PM
I had an '01 Y reg Ford Focus as my old (first and last)company car.
Bad mistake!!
I should never have given up the generous car allowance from my days at the weeklies!!
Anyway it never had air con and it got very hot in the warm summer months. When I moaned about an upgrade, management said I should park it in the shade!!
I covered the south of the city at the time, so when it got too hot, a nice cool dip in the pool at Garson Leisure Centre always did the trick.
Echo advertising revenue always "dipped" in the summer.
The instrument cluster worked ok!!
Posted by: Gigsy | January 8, 2008 9:28 PM
I have a 2003 Focus Wagon Zetec. The instrument cluster has the same kind of intermittent "on/off" problem.
I notice that when the instrument cluster is "dead", the automatic door lock (when driving to a certain speed) do not work too. Does anyone notice that ? Another thing I notice, the first time the instrument cluster "come back to life" after being "dead", the speedo and RPM needles goes all the way up and come down (it looks like a kind of reset). Does anyone notice that ?
Posted by: Dan | January 10, 2008 8:40 PM
Hello.! Happy New Year 2008.!
Posted by: AngelaBridget | January 11, 2008 6:43 AM
Same on my Focus 1.6 5-Dr 2003 model. This issue has only arisen in the last month - it may be cold-related. After driving for a bit, then stopping and restarting, the instruments are back - with a big sweep as Dan noticed. Another oddity is that my temp and fuel gauges seem to point to mid-point mark when the ignition is off - my memory is that these should both be fully off when there's no power, indicating a short somewhere. I've seen comments relating to Earthing issues but not sure how this gibes with the symptoms.
I'm reluctant to take it to a Ford garage until I know what's wrong since it's easiest for them to insist that I get a new cluster.
Posted by: Alex | January 11, 2008 12:51 PM
Same problem suddenly happened with us today 14/01/08, Dashboard symbols flashing, speedo and fuel on zero, apparently 2 doors were open aswell!! We have a 52 reg Focus. Not sure what to do now!!
Posted by: Kevin | January 14, 2008 6:27 PM
My early 84 focus with 23k on the clock has the same problem - instruments died about 4 weeks ago - returned the next day - died last week again and nothingtumped - since - local garage stumped - went to auto electrician who is taking the matter up with Ford. Will keep you posted.
Regards
Posted by: Mike Halls | January 24, 2008 9:55 PM
Re. my previous post - should have read early 04 focus (registered Jan 04 - Manuf late 03)
Had it been early 84 I wouldnt have much to moan about !!
Posted by: mike halls | January 25, 2008 2:36 PM
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 instruments (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.
Posted by: mike halls | January 28, 2008 11:50 AM
I have had the problem for 18 months, it appears to happen during damp weather & does not affect the cars performance. I saw on another site that if you take the cluster out & spray the board with WD40 let it dry & then re-assemble it seems to cure the problem. It has nothing to do with the engine management system or the vehicle speed sensor. I tried the WD40 idea & so far so good.
Posted by: Rodrigues | January 30, 2008 3:13 PM
I have the exact same problem. I have a focus CL on a 53 plate; only done just under 22K miles. Ford are blaming the fault on the wiring loom; which they said my auto electrician "busted" when he fitted my alarm. My boss has had the same problem last year with his 03 focus; coincidence? I think not. The Ford garage will not have it, and are charging me over £400 to take all of the wires out of the loom and put them back in again.
Posted by: James Mitchell | February 2, 2008 8:45 PM
Instrument cluster died on my 03 ford Focus in December 2007. I discovered you can buy a new cluster on ebay for £40 or so and it's easy to fit. Only problem is, having consulted ford mechanics (one of which is my brother) it appears that using a 2nd hand speedo can cause serious probs when it's communicating with the rest of the cars electrics. I bit the bullet and went to a Ford Dealer. Total cost of replacement was £477!!! Have been in touch with Ford and complained. They say it is not a recognized fault! Feel pretty let down by Ford as I always thought they were a fair manufacturer! Not anymore - Don't buy a Ford!!!!!!
Posted by: Max | February 12, 2008 9:34 AM
I have just bought an 02 reg 1.6 Focus Zetec from a local Ford dealer. The car has dome about 27k but the odometer shows only about 400 miles. The trip mile counter is working ok. Is there any way I can get the odometer to show the true mileage of the car?
Posted by: Peter La Mattina | February 16, 2008 12:10 AM
Yet another 03 focus 1.8 with same problem. It only petrol and temperature gauge that not working. Ford should have sorted the problem for everyone and certainly not been charging people £300-£400!!! Maybe they would then keep their loyal customers!
Posted by: Lisa H | February 25, 2008 3:06 PM
Hi there -- do any of you still have problems with your Ford Focus Instrument Cluster? I am doing some research for a BBC Programme and would like to hear from you. Please contact me on 020 8752 6576. Thanks, Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | March 13, 2008 6:57 PM
Same problem, intermittent loss of ALL instrumentation, including speedo on my 04 plate 1.8 TDCI.
VERY UPSETTING when this happens on the motorway and NO DOUBT ILLEGAL.
Warning lights off and on etc.
DISGRACEFUL SUPPORT FROM FORD
This is an obvious design defect which FORD are trying to cover up.
Posted by: chris dodd | March 25, 2008 12:30 PM
I have just had to replace the cluster on my 52 reg Focus 1.6. Having no speedo could have led to many points on my licence. Phoned my local Ford dealer, and the problem was diagnosed immediately. They've replaced at least 6 clusters in the first 3 months of 2008. I also phoned a couple of other Ford dealers in my area, they all said the same thing, it is a very common problem. Cost of replacement including labour and VAT = £419.00
Posted by: Jon A | March 25, 2008 4:36 PM
Same problem - total instrument failure. Focus has only done 67K miles, I think the battery is overcharging?
Dave
Posted by: Dave Bailey | March 25, 2008 6:04 PM
I have a '99 T reg 2 litre Focus saloon, just clocked up 80k. I have the problem with needles hitting the max when I start, but this looks like a battery/earth problem - easy fixed.
I don't have problems with my odometer, but now and then the trip meter will go from 99.9 to 0.00 instead of 100 - but the total mileage is correct.
maybe the older Focus's are more reliable for this problem?
Posted by: David Hart | March 30, 2008 11:46 PM
had a problem with instrument cluster panel on my ford focus for over 6 months on and off problem solved when i took out the cluster and cleaned the plug in the back which had oil on it, re-fitted now perfect ford says i needed a new cluster?
Posted by: charles | April 8, 2008 3:10 PM
02 Focus Zetec 32,000. My dash has not worked for 2 months and I have got by with guessing the amount of petrol I have left in the tank and using sat nav as a speedo. Now my in-laws are coming to stay and I was embarassed into doing something about it. So I tried the overnight WD40 fix suggested in the RAC thread (link included above)and hey presto this moring it is all working fine and the mileage has come back correctly. Please try this, what have you got to lose, about 30 mins work and potentially save £400 - £500. I have never "tinkered" with a car before but this was easy. Here it is for people like me who want it step by step.
1. Unscrew the 3 screws that hold dash trim in place. Pull out boot lid connection on right ny pushing catch. Pull down and out from trim the plastic bit above steering wheel. Remove trim completely.
2. unscrew 4 screws that hold in instrument console. At the back is an electronic connector. Pull the black holding plactic bit on the connector to the left and the electronic connector pulls out. Remove console completely.
3. Take console inside and remove 5 screws that hold white cover over circuit board, remove and clean. Pull out circuit board. Brush with dry brush, I used a shaving one. Spray both sides with WD40 and leave to dry.
4. Put it back together, this took me about 10 mins, good luck, I hope it works for you to.
Posted by: neil | April 9, 2008 10:55 AM
My speedo died on the motorway this morning out of nowhere! Googled a bit and found this, and interested to see it is not an isolated problem by the looks. Rev counter and all other instruments look fine! Speed dial shows zero the whole time now.
Focus 1.8TDCI, 53 plate, now stuck at 41900 miles, odometer didn't increase during the journey.
Perhaps it is more age related than mileage 40-50K may just be the average)ish) mileage after 3-4 years on most of the cars with the fault.
When I switch on the ignition the speedo dial makes a sickly attempt at springing into life then falls back
Did have the heaters on full + heated seats at the time. Never any previous problems with this car, it just does 44mi round trip motorway commute every day and not much else and is otherwise great.
Posted by: Howard | April 10, 2008 10:19 AM
Have just had instrument cluster replaced on my Focus Zetec at 50,000 miles.£450!! (Same problem with dials dying) Ford customer relations took 12 days to decide that they were not contributing to the cost. Will be taking it up with the Executive Office in Brentwood.
Last year I had a dispute over a faulty gearbox which had to be replaced just out of warranty. After several months complaints, negotiations and an online court claim, I got all my money back plus expenses. So here I go again!
Posted by: Tiggy | April 10, 2008 9:41 PM
I had the same problem as all of you, driving along, and all dials go to zero, milage goes ----- all lights on dash light up, and sometimes my clock resets itself to 0;00, and sometimes even my dash tells me i have a door open whilst driving when blatently i havent???? so i took it to ford, (dont bother with the diagostic test because it doesnt even show) and apparently i need a new cluster! so i pay over £500 including diagnostic to get the thing fixed and surprise surprise same thing! so now i have told ford to refund my money because if the part isnt fixing the problem, what am i paying for??? good job i kept my old cluster!
IF FORD CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM WHO CAN? had the same problem for about 3 months now, cant take any chances because on a normal road, sure i can pull over and restart the engine to get back all my dials and readings, BUT YOU CANT DO THAT ON A MOTORWAY, very scary, upsetting, dangerous and illegal!! at a stand still and not sure what to do any suggestions anyone?
Posted by: Christina B | April 10, 2008 10:09 PM
Same problem. My 03 Focus diesel estate dashboard intermittently goes beserk speedo, rev needle etc swinging wildly or staying on zero and engine warning light comes on. My garage thought it was an earth problem. It seems it's not.
Posted by: harry hunt | April 14, 2008 8:27 PM
thank god for recent watchdog programme featured tonight! i suddenly realised i am not alone. googled and found this site. my temp gauge and rev counter are ok (but who really knows) it's the speedometer thats the problem recently going off intermittently. mine is 1.4 focus T reg 1999. it seems no mark one focus is immune to these kind of problems. i can't afford to pay £400 to fix this, so thanks neil i am going to try that wd40 trick myself despite the fact that i can't even change a wheel! i will let you know how i go on. thanks people. p.s apart from this problem my focus has been a great car!
Posted by: carol | April 14, 2008 8:42 PM
Watchdog have taken this up please see
http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/reports/transport/transport_20080414.shtml
we will see if Ford do anything about it.
Posted by: Mike Halls | April 15, 2008 9:02 AM
I had a service back in October 2007 and about three weeks after I was getting instrument failier, so I took it back to Fords and they said it might be a Cluster problem and to have a instrument check which cost me £46.00.After they had it a day, they confirmed it was a cluster problem and it would cost me a further £360.00. So I went back to see the service manager and asked if this was not a fault of fords and they asured me that mine was an isolated case and fobbed me off. So then I got in touch with customer care, they also said it was an isolated case until the evening of the 14th April 2008. Behold good old watchdog was on and I could not beleve how many people had the same problem
Posted by: TERRY BULL | April 15, 2008 2:47 PM
I have an 02 Focus, and have had the speedomoter fail twice. it fails for a few seconds and then comes back to life.
I also have a few other issues;
Temp gauge and petrol gauge have started to flip to the middle position when the key is taken out.
the battery warning light comes on sometimes, again for a few seconds..
I have had the door open light on a couple of times when all the doors where closed.
I have also had a problem with the seal at the bottom of the windscreen, which also seems to be an issue on the Focus. I fixed this by buying a black strip of sealing tape with kind of putty on it from B&Q, worked a treat, and no more leaks!!
I wondered if the leak could be part of the problem??
I'm going to use the WD-40 trick at the weekend..
I have also sent information to watchdog, and they have a letetr on the site to download and send to Ford. (see link above my Mike)
Posted by: Craig | April 16, 2008 9:21 PM
Neil,
Your instructions are fool proof - just wd40'd mine - hope it sorts it.
Anyone can do this it's so simple - follow Neils instructions.
Cheers Neil
Matt
Posted by: Matt | April 17, 2008 8:05 AM
So glad to see I am not alone, mine been on/off for a couple of months, local ford dealer told me too that its the instrument cluster (as they had just done one) cost approx £300 + VAT. Am in the process of searching all the sites for more cases, and going back to them armed with all this info and Watchdog report. Wish me luck
Posted by: marc decastro | April 17, 2008 9:56 AM
Had problems with instrument cluster. ABS and Handbrake warning light appears intermittently. It Cost £417 for parts and labour. Im sorry im not paying that amount of money Mr Ford dealer.
Im going try the WD40 move.
Posted by: Alistair Davies | April 18, 2008 3:40 PM
Although the WD40 spray does work it is far better for the circuit board if you use contact cleaner eg from Maplins (PCB& Flux Cleaner, 200 ml spray, code N64AN) I had to redo mine this W/E after 3 weeks of no dials & hey presto off we go again
Posted by: rodrigues | April 21, 2008 12:32 PM
Updated on Watchdog last night that Ford are going to Renew cluster for £99.00 Hotline No. 0800 166 166
or if you already Bought a new Cluster they will refund the amount whcih has been paid over £99.00. Althogh I was on phone for over 15 minutes straight after the watchdog programme finished. I still havent got through. I will have another go today.
Alistair
Posted by: Alistair Davies | April 22, 2008 9:41 AM
it's carol again, hi. wd40 didn't do the trick for me only worked for a short time. however i did get through to the hot line number, only to be told that i have to get my focus to my local ford dealer for a diagnostic test at the cost of £75 plus vat before they will repair my cluster unit for £99. as many focus owners have posted on the web. a diagnostic test does not reveal problems with the cluster unit. they also told me that they will only repair units on models from late 20022005. until i told him that was utter rubbish and that all mark ones could be affected! i told him to check out the web and he backed down. apparently someone from ford customer care will ring me in 48hrs. i wait with baited breath. i will only pay for the unit the sum of £99 and they can sing for a diagnostic test fee of £75+. used to think focus was one of the best cars but i wont be buying another! ford are making fools out of us all!!! but not for long, refuse to pay anything more than £99 after all thay sold us all cars with a serious defect.good luck carol
Posted by: carol dalton | April 22, 2008 9:56 PM
For those of you who haven't heard the good news, Ford have now admitted to the fault and are prepared to replace the cluster for £99 (see the bbc watchdog site for more info). They are also agreeing to refund anything in excess of £99 to anyone who has had repairs made already.
I guess that all of this is good news to all of us (personally I will never buy another Ford as my Focus has had one problem after another since I bought it) but I would like to add that as Ford are clearly accepting liability for this problem, I am annoyed that I have to pay £99 to correct their fault.
Am I the only person that feels this way?
Posted by: Emma Pattison | April 23, 2008 9:23 PM
was wondering or if it is just mine iv a 1.8 99 T plate focus and as the same as everyone every now and again i lose my dials on the dash but when the speedo dial dies and i come to stop at a junction or something the car stalls and dies too,pretty scary at a busy road as power steering and everything isnt on, it will do this 3 times one after the other everytime i brake to slow down then after the 3rd time it sorta resets itself and the needle comes back to life, has anybody else had thet prob??
thanx
stephen
Posted by: stephen | April 25, 2008 3:40 AM
Does it effect older focus? I have a 2000 W Mrk1 and am obviously concerned.
Posted by: Raj | April 25, 2008 11:27 AM
I have a ford Focus 2003 and in the last 3-4 months when the engine is turned off the fuel and the temp gauge go down as normal ,but then 5 seconds later they move to the half way postion and stay there until I turn the car back on.
Ford have told me when my car had a service that it would cost to much to fix and is not worth doing,and 'is not really a problem'
Posted by: Andrew | April 28, 2008 10:40 PM
This is crazy!! My speedo does exactly the same thing. Given that there are now hundreds of other reports it is clear that this is the result of a faulty part. How can Ford charge us to have it put right??! This is a dangerous fault and one that Ford should be offering to fix at no cost at all to their customers. My opinion of Ford has dropped dramatically.
Posted by: Theresa | May 6, 2008 10:08 PM
received a phone call today from Fords to say they will fit the faulty cluster for £99.00 inclusive, so I think they are admitting they are at fault. £99.00 is better than £360.00 eh.
Posted by: terry | May 8, 2008 6:13 PM
I also have this problem of instruments dropping to zero and the engine warning light coming on. This is on a 2003 LHD Focus Estate Ghia 1.8 TDCI. Performance does not seem to be affected. The Ford dealer (who sold me the car new and has serviced it ever since) has no clue as to what is causing the problem. What I would like to know is, is it something that is likely to lead to a breakdown? Grateful for any advice.
Posted by: Brian Squires | May 9, 2008 4:41 PM
i have o2 focus ford are ripoffs charged me folr lots of stuff to the car dispite only doing 52k last cost was £700 dont trust them dont belive them.i dont i will never take my car to fords ever
Posted by: h jameshp | May 12, 2008 8:21 PM
Yep £99 I`m booked in 4, 29th, it will give me great pleasure to take it in, mind you not being greedy, but I think if they admit to be at fault,they should have done the job without charge.
Posted by: Terry Bull | May 13, 2008 4:13 PM
I have paid the £99.00 to replace the cluster on my 'T' reg Ford Focus. The speedo etc still fail and I have been told that I have to pay for any extra work. Anyone else still got the problem after paying for the 'fix'?
Posted by: Margaret Millgate | May 26, 2008 1:07 PM
I have this exact issue with a 2003 Mondeo. Has anyone else seen this issue with a Mondeo. As far as I know the 99 quid fix only applies to Focus owners - Not so good for me!
Posted by: Stuart Hutcheon | June 4, 2008 9:26 PM
ford focus 53 plate got my car booked in next week have had all the same problems rev count speedo dying then coming back on lights coming on and off
it is getting sorted next week but lets all thank are lucky stars ford do not make aeroplanes then we would be right in the S@@@
Posted by: dom | June 12, 2008 6:11 PM
I have ford focus 53 plate all the same problems as above mine is being fixed by ford on wednesday all i was thinking was we should thank our lucky stars that ford don't build aeroplanes, very disappointed with fords response to this problem will think again when buying a car.
Posted by: Dominic | June 13, 2008 5:35 PM
POSSIBLE CHEAP SOLUTION!
My 03 focus gauges went dead. I read about corroded circuit boards so I insisted my mechanic pull it out. We looked and didn't see much. He put the board back in while I looked for parts. IT WORKED. Seems likely that a lot of circuitry problems go away IF YOU RESEAT THE CONNECTORS! Hard to tell how many electronic components have been replaced when all they needed was reseating!
Posted by: parker ashurst | July 28, 2008 5:47 PM
hi there there was a programme on in the uk about this very problem with the ford focus instrument cluster mine went on my ford focus i telephoned up ford and i was given a refund of almost 200pound for my fauly cluster, by the way i was given this after i sold my car and almost 1.5 years after the problem, the phone number is 0800 166 166 they r the ones dealing with this problem and only this problem.
Posted by: graham murphy | July 28, 2008 7:29 PM
Ford cluster nut wrote...
Hi Steve,
I had a problem with my 03 Ford Focus' cluster clocks. They would intermittently die - meaning I was left with no readings at all, including speedo.
It failed to come up on the usual Ford diagnostic tests and then the cluster died all together - never to return from the dead.
I took it to a Ford garage and they fitted a new cluster clock, costing £320.
I did a bit of snooping on the web and found that this is a common problem on the Focus. All the problems seem to arise when the car approaches 50k on the clock - mine was a little over 48k.
Anyway, check the link to this http://forum.rac.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1926
When I picked my car up, the mileage read 0 miles, I mentioned it to the Ford mechanic and he said they can't reset it to my last known mileage. But he said as long as I have the receipt and my last service log (showing the mileage) I will be fine. But a thread on the link above says otherwise.
It would be good to hear if any more of your readers have encountered this.
PS - Three Ford mechanics each told me this is not a rare problem.
Posted by: Ford cluster nut | November 4, 2007 5:39 PM