I recently have experienced an intermitment 'Engine Malfuction' message with the car going into limp mode, usualy over bumps in the road, someimes only for a second other times longer. I realised tapping the dashboard / instrument cluster instantly removed the error and I could drive normally. Asking about, I learned that this is almost always a result of the solder joints on the instrument cluster where the loom connects have cracked up.
Here is my how to remove and repair my 2009 Ford Foucs 1.6 Tdci Intrument Cluster