BBC Watchdog and the Ford Focus instrument cluster
No doubt all of you who responded to our Ford Focus instrument cluster appeal will have either been riveted to Watchdog on the BBC last night or are lamenting missing it.
In a nutshell Nicky Campbell saved the world by A. getting no satisfactory answer from Ford and B. trotting out an ‘expert’ to talk up their ‘exclusive’ pointing out that the WD40 cure, made public by contributors to this web site, may only be a temporary solution. Really?
To put the record straight, your experiences have been pouring in here and are posted for all to see going right back to November last year - click here to see the previous posts.
Oh, that includes an appeal on March 13 from Sarah at Watchdog for Driving Passion readers to get in touch.
Great that the story now has wider exposure, although I doubt Jose Francisco Martinez in Mexico, who had the problem on his 03 Ford Focus Wagon, tuned in. That’s why it’s called the world wide web.
But as for Watchdog, that bastion of consumer fairness, claiming to have broken the story on your behalf, I don’t think so. They have got no further than readers here would have done. In fact they missed out some of the simple DIY cures you posted.
And in the interests of fairness I should point out that they also gave no credit to the RAC which has also posted the concerns of Focus owners.
That’s the thing, you see, with jaded media like prime-time TV. It’s simply not as interactive as digital media.
Keep those comments and problems coming.
Oh and Nicky, any time we can help, don’t hesitate.
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Steve Orme - Trinity Mirror Regionals Driving Force columnist
nice work, guy
I have a 03 Focus TDCI which has done over 50000 miles the car has developed the same problem. I have read the threads and notice that the cluster can be replaced now for £99 at a Ford garage. However is this the best Ford is offering? Due to the high number of complaints and TV and web based attention this problem has recieved, are Ford still sloping shoulders on this manufacturing defect? I would be grateful for any advice before i take my car to the garage and start the argument which so many of you have obviously experieced previously. Incidently i wonder how many cars have been affected in total!
i have a focus st 170 on a 03 plate which has only done 36k,i have had the same problem,was told they would rectify for £99
after spending money on an auto electrician too!! now ford rang me today and said that my car isnt eligable for the repair and will cost me £300!!!i am totally disgusted at this decision and i will not be pickin my car up unless something is done as i ,as i'm sure you would all agree is ford's fault..
i would be grateful of any advice via e mail
dazzledunn@hotmail.co.uk
I had the same problem on my '03 Focus TDCi after about 45,000 miles. I paid £99 for Ford to fix it, but I agree if it is a design/manufacturing problem they should cover it.
This problems we also in the Netherlands. My 03 Focus 1.6 petrol with 52000 km has this instrument panel problem. It is fixed by the ford dealer and cost me 468 euro's. After reading the internet sites i saw that ford UK account 99 pound for the job. So i inform my dealer and they say that this the instructions are from Ford Germany to do so.
Is there a difference between Ford UK and Ford Germany?
This problem is not unique to the focus. I have the same symptoms on my 53 reg Mondeo TDCi Ghia. The speedo fails, all of the LCD segments display dashes. The cruise control doesn't work, and the local dealer has so far indicated that it will cost about £500 to replace the instrument cluster after the usual problem with diagnostics that don't diagnose anything.
On the positive side, the tacho still works, along with the temperature and fuel gauges.
Sometimes everything works fine, sometimes I can bring it back to life it I travel a little way, stop and turn off the engine, then start up again, but it is not consistent.
Anyone else had this problem on a Mondeo?
Hi there
I have a ford focus from new in 2003 - this year in March had the instrument panel replaced for a substantial cost and the instrument panel has not started the same problem again - registered with the local Ford dealer as it is under warrenty but as this problem takes progrssion over a few months have asked Frod Customer service in Melbourne how we stand - we are seriously thinking of trading in on another car - spoke to my brother in the UK this morning asking is my sister has had any problems and it appears that she has had the same thing in the UK. Glad to hear everybodys comments as we are not happy to have paid for the first replacement and it looks as if we have another replacement to complete.
Val.
Hi val, I never cease to be amazed how far this problem spreads and yet still Ford remains as silent as the grave... and I have a great relationship with the company's PR guys, we even go to the footy together now and again but this thread is never mentioned.
I HAVE AN 02 FORD FOCUS I HAVE JUST HAD IT SERVICED. I TOLD THEM THAT THE PETROL GAUGE SEEMED TO BE STUCK ON EMPTY THEY HAVE TOLD ME I NEED A NEW DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL CLUSTER ABOUT £370 I DO NOT HAVE THIS SORT OF MONEY I HAVE HAD THE CARD FROM NEW. NOW I KEEP SEEING ON THE WEB THIS IS A FAULT FROM FORD WHY SHOUL I PAY BUT WHO DO I CALL I TRIED MY LOCAL FORD WERE I WAS LEFT ON HOLD THEN PUT THROUGH TO SOMEONE WHO NEVER CALLED BACK