Ford Focus Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 248 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Ford Focus across 18 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (60). The words owners use most often: “turn signal” (9% of reports).
- 248exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $230typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Turn signal: mentioned in 22 of 248 complaints (9%)
- Wiring harness: mentioned in 16 of 248 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical exterior lighting repair on the Ford Focus at $230, and half of them between $170 and $330.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2017), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 158 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 248 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 11 a fire, 3 an injury.
Ford Focus exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Focus | 5 | 1% | 47,183 |
| 2017 Focus | 9 | 1% | 125 |
| 2016 Focus | 8 | 1% | 30,000 |
| 2015 Focus | 3 | 0% | 34,100 |
| 2014 Focus | 10 | 0% | 51,000 |
| 2013 Focus | 14 | 1% | 27,500 |
| 2012 Focus | 26 | 1% | 84,000 |
| 2011 Focus | 3 | 3% | 41,553 |
| 2010 Focus | 3 | 1% | 50,000 |
| 2009 Focus | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2007 Focus | 14 | 4% | 75,000 |
| 2006 Focus | 6 | 3% | 76,701 |
| 2005 Focus | 20 | 5% | 75,000 |
| 2004 Focus | 7 | 2% | 45,000 |
| 2003 Focus | 15 | 2% | 92,000 |
| 2002 Focus | 12 | 1% | 43,500 |
| 2001 Focus | 32 | 2% | 67,570 |
| 2000 Focus | 60 | 2% | 57,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting
Model years: 2012, 2013
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus BEV vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured September 15, 2011, through May 6, 2013; and model year 2013 Focus ST vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured February 16, 2012, through May 7, 2013. Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Without the proper illumination of the side maker lamps, the vehicle may be less visible in night time conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the headlamp assembly wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C04.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
A major electrical issue has occurred in this car since June 1, 2025. The Traction Control System dashboard indicator (the skidding car) comes on even though I am not using the TCS. When this happens, I get a message saying "Hill start assist not available," and am unable to manipulate my…
I purchased a 2017 Ford Focus from a car dealership called lion cars on 4201 West Colonial Drive in Orlando Florida the car has a major major electrical issue I was at an intersection and the car went completely dead and turned off and it locked me inside the car I couldn't get out of the car the…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while parked the fault in rear tail light signal illuminated. The contact changed the bulb and upon inspecting the vehicle contact noticed lighting panel was burned and damaged however the failure recurred. The vehicle was not towed to an…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, he became aware that the headlamp was not illuminating properly. The contact stated that the bulbs inside headlamp housings were overheating, causing the headlamps to become burned. The headlights and bulbs were…
Se acelera y desacelera repentinamente Quiero acelerar para llegar a la mismas velocidad del trafico y no lo hace y eso hase que ponga en peligro la vidad mia y de mi familia por que otro carro puede chocarme. Cuando sucedio eso se activo el CHECK, lo apago por completo y los parabrisas se activan…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Focuss have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 248 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Ford Focus. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Focus exterior lighting?
Yes: 1 safety recall list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix exterior lighting problems on the Ford Focus?
Owners report a typical cost of $230 (half paid between $170 and $330), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Ford Focus?
The most frequent phrase is “turn signal”, in 22 of 248 complaints, followed by “wiring harness” (16).
Other Ford Focus problems
- Power Train problems (6,803)
- Electrical System problems (4,342)
- Engine problems (2,318)
- Steering problems (2,099)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,440)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,281)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (1,158)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,076)
See all Ford Focus problems.