2000 Ford Focus complaints

LAST MONTH, I REPLACED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING ON MY FORD FOCUS WHEN IT FAILED. I HAVE HEARD REPORTS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO A FLAW IN DESIGN. MORE DANGEROUS THAN THAT, THOUGH, IS THE PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE CAR LOST POWER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER RIGHT-HAND TURNS OR GOING UPHILL. IT DID NOT STALL, SIMPLY SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER FOR BETWEEN 2-5 SECONDS. ONE OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I WERE MERGING ONTO THE CAPITAL BELTWAY ON OUR WAY TO VISIT FRIENDS, AND THE CAR LOST POWER, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE QUITE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM, AS FORD HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT IT. THE REPAIRS COST OVER $425, AND INVOLVED REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP AND COMPLETE FLUSH OF THE FUEL TANK. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS CREATED BY CONTAMINATED GASOLINE, WHICH MEANS THAT AT ANY TIME, THIS PROBLEM COULD RESURFACE. I AM FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE MY CONFIDENCE IN ITS SAFETY HAS BEEN SHATTERED BY THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THE FAULTY SYSTEM.*AK

1. JULY 26,2000 WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE LIGHT CAME ON AND EVEN THOUGH THE TANK WAS FULL, THE GAUGE REGISTERED EMPTY. DEALER REPLACED SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY. 2. OCT.11,2000 FUEL GAUGE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE GAUGE REGISTERED THE TANK AS EMPTY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FULL. DEALER REPLACED THE SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY. 3. FEB. 6, 2002, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED FUEL FILLER CAP. 4. AUG. 19, 2002, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, RETURNED TO DEALER WHO REPLACED THE GASKET-FUEL TANK SENDER.*AK

BRAKE PADS HAVE WARPED AT 14000 MILES. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES TO GET BRAKES FIXED, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. ALSO, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND NOISE WHEN BRAKING. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS MAKING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT REAR BEARING NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED. *YH

VEHICLE STALLED AT 20 MPH, ALL GAUGES WENT HAYWIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE WAS GOING 40MPH AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER VEHICLE PULLED OVER CONSUMER HEARD A BOOM EXPLOSION NOISE, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE BATTERY/ ALTERNATOR, AND CABLE WIRES WERE BURNED. THE DEALER GAVE NO EXPLANATION TO WHAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE IGNITION LOCKED UP KEY WOULD NOT TURN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

DEALERSHIP SAD THAT PARTS TO RECALL 00V180000 CONCERNING SEAT HINGE FAILURE WERE ON BACK ORDER.*AK

DEALERSHIP SAD PARTS TO RECALL 01I017000 CONCERNING REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE ARE ON BACK ORDER.*AK

PARTS TO RECALL O1F156000 FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER ARE ON BACK ORDER.*AK

MY CAR HAS STALLED ON ME THREE TIMES. 30-40% OF THE TIME WHEN DRIVING, IT WON'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR UNLESS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS THEN START TO GO AGAIN. ALSO, THERE IS A TAPPING NOISE COMING THE ENGINE WHEN IN IDLE.*AK,

MANY, MANY PROBLEMS AND DEFECTS WITH THIS CAR...ALL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN TWICE AND STILL FAULTY. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

MY FATHER CHECKED THE BATTERY AREA, AFTER READING AN ARTICLE IN THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

AFTER PARKING VEHICLEOVERNIGHT NEXT MORNING IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER GETTING VEHICLE STARTED CONSUMERTOOK IT TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT WIRING HAD MELTED, CAUSING BATTERY NOT TO CHARGE. CONSUMER HEARD SOMETHING ON TV THAT NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING SUCH PROBLEM.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, WHEEL SHAKES AND MAKES LOUD NOISES. *AK THE WHEEL BEARING SPONTANEOUSLY LOOSENED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM PROMPTLY. *JG

I HAVE HAD TO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FOR IT TO HAVE BEEN BOUGHT NEW IN 2000. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IS UNBELIEVABLE. WHEN WE TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REFERRED US TO A LOCKSMITH. THE LOCKSMITH TOLD US THAT HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE HE HAD DONE OVER 300 OF THESE IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO. WHEN WE HAD A TOW TRUCK TO COME AND TOW IT TO THE DEALER,HE TOLD US THAT HE TOWS 2 OR 3 OF THESE CARS A DAY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY UPSURD AND TOTALLY UNFAIR THAT FORD HASN'T RECALLED THIS PART. ALSO, I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS ON THIS CAR DEC. 2000, AND I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY BRAKES NEED TO BE DONE AGAIN. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS CAR. ESPECIALLY THE 2000 MODEL. I HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND A NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AND MORE WITH THIS CAR. *AK

THIS CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AT PEAK TRAFFIC HOURS AND AT THE TOP OF A FREEWAY EXIT RAMP. WE HAVE SEEN TV NEW REPORTS AND AN ARTICLE IN THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE REGARDING THESE SAME SYMPTOMS.*AK

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR UNLOCK MANUALLY OR REMOTE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK CAMPBELL FORD STATED THAT WAS ONE OF THE CHARACTERS OF THE LOCK AND REFUSED TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER TOOK TO OTHER DEALER AND FOUND IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *YH

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

AFTER NEGOTIATING A CLOVELEAF ONRAMP, THE ENGINE RUNS OUT OF FUEL AND STALLS. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND IS DANGEROUS AS WE HAVE MANY 18-WHEELERS IN OUR AREA BARRELING DOWN ON YOUR VEHICLE AS IT LOSES POWER.*AK

VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS, IN TX AND IN AR AND STILL NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED. THE SUSPENSION HAD BEEN REPLACED DUE TO BENT STRUTS FAULTY SHOCKS. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REDONE ON 4 SEPERATE OCCASSIONS AND STILL SQUEAL AND GRIND. THE TRANSMISSION LASTED 6 MONTHS THIS TIME AND IS BEING REPLACED AS I TYPE. THERE IS A WIERD METAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FROM RIGHT SIDE ON ACCELERATION. ALL OF THE RECALLS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. DID HAVE A BURNING SMELL WHICH THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE. EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. WHICH THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES ON AFTERMARKET WIRING. WHICH WOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WIND NOISE. THE CAR NOW SWAYS ON THE FREEWAY AS IF THE WIND IS PUSHING THE CAR AROUND WHEN THERE IS NO WIND. EVERYONE THAT WE SPEAK TO CANNOT HELP ME. THE PEOPLE WILL PULL THE CAR UP ON OASIS AND THAT MAKE COMMENTS LIKE "OH MY GOD" AND "I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY FOCUSES WITH THIS MANY PROBLEMS" I WAS A LOYAL FORD PERSON. I OWN NUMEROUS FORDS. INCLUDING A 94 COBRA, 97 EXPEDITION, 86 SVO, 67 GT390, AND NUMEROUS OTHERS AND THIS IS VERY DISCOURAGING. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ON A RECENT TRIP I HAD TO DO 3 TUNEUPS ON THE CAR JUST TO GET WHERE I WAS GOING. OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE SPARK PLUG HOLES FROM SOMEWHERE. THE CAR SURGES TO NO END. IT IS JUST UNBELIEVABLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS AND MECHANIC SHOPS 20+ TIMES AND IS STILL MESSED UP. I AM JUST GLAD I GOT THE 100K MILE WARRANTY. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO BUY ME OUT OF THIS PIECE.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THIS FUEL PUMP HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED ON 10/18/2001 AND 21127 MILES DUE TO COMPONENT FAILURE. THE PRESENT FAILURE (APPARETNLY THE PUMP BROKE AT THE CONNECTION POINT FOR THE FILTER/LINE) RESULTING IN A LARGE QUANTITY OF FUEL BEING PUMPED OUT ONTO A SHEET METAL SHIELD IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AS WELL AS ONTO THE PAVEMENT AROUND THE VEHICLE. EVERYTHING WAS PRESENT NEEDED FOR A TRAGEDY; FUEL AND IGNITION. THE CAR WAS PARKED ADJACENT TO A RESTAURANT AND SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES AND PRESENTED, IN MY ESTIMATION, A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. THE DEALER TOOK A CAVALIER ATTITUDE TO THE FAILURE AND MERELY ATTEMPTED TO GET FORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THE GAS TANK, PUMP AND FILTER SHOULD BE SCRUTINIZED ON THIS MODEL OF CAR. IF A REPLACEMENT PUMP FAILED ON MY CAR, IT CERTAINLY COULD FAIL ON OTHERS.*AK

PE 02 040/ENGINE STALLING: VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. VEHICLE AT DEALER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

UNABLE TO START VEHICLE,COULDN'T TURN KEY IN IGNITION. CONTACTED DEALER. IGNITION SWITCH WAS BROKEN.*AK

I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY FORD FOCUS ZX3 RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION IS MAKING A LOUD CLUNCKING NOISE WHEN I PUT THE VEHICAL IN REVERSE/DRIVE. I'M CONCERN AFTER READING THAT THIS VEHICLE FRONT SUSPENSION CAN COLLAPSE.INVESTIGATION: PE02-044. *AK

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT WITH LOW MILEAGE ACCUMULATION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

ELECTRIC SYSTEM WIRING CAUSING LIGHTS/ WINDOWS, AND DOOR LOCKS TO GO OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

TWICE, WHILE ON A TRIP, THE ENGINE HAS STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 70 MPH. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WOULD ONLY DO 10 TO 20 MPH MAX. WITH MY FAMILY, ON BUSY HIGHWAYS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BATTERIES WILL DIE, THEN ENGINE WILL START AGAIN WITHOUT TURNING IGNITION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A BAD FUEL PUMP. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AXLE HAD BROKEN.*AK

CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEM WITH TURNING KEY IN THE IGNITION. KEY WILL SOMETIMES GET STUCK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

ENGINE STALLS WHEN CAR IN EXTENDED TURNS (SUCH AS FREEWAY ON RAMP). PROBLEM FIRST NOTICE WHEN FUEL INDICATION AT JUST UNDER 1/4 TANK. PROBLEM OCCURRING AT OVER 1/4 TANK NOW.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED, CONSUMER REPLACED FUEL PUMP. *AK CONSUMER STATED STALLING OCCURED 4 TO 5 TIMES WITHN A 3 WEEK PERIOD.*JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED DURING A COLLISON, IN WHICH THE AIRBAG BURNED CONSUMER'S ARM.*AK *JB

WHILE PARKED PUT KEY IN AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. TRIED ANOTHER KEY, AND WOULD IT NOT TURN. DEALER NOTIFIED, REPAIRED.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CAR HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES AT SPEED TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. LAST TIME IT STALLED MY HUSBAND REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER AND FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR 2 DAYS AND IT ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK

ON A FLAT SURFACE AT ANY SPEED VEHICLES WILL STALL ,THEN SHUT OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

FUEL FILLER HOSE HAS CRACKED, AND CAUSE FUEL TO LEAK OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING FOR 75 MILES WEST ON I96 THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, NO POWER.LUCKLY I MANAGED TO PULL OVER. THE CAR RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES, BUT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN A FURTHER 5 TIMES TILL I ARRIVED AT THE DEALER. THEY SPENT A COUPLE OF DAYS WITH THE CAR, ALL THEY COULD TELL ME THAT THEY FELT I NEEDED TO CHANGE THE PLUGS AND LEADS. HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR ANY LONG DISTANCES SINCE.STILL HAVE BURNING SMELL FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT,CAN NOT SMELL INSIDE THE CAR NOW AS FORD DID FIT A CARBON CABIN FILTER.HAVE HAD FRONT SWAY BARS REPLACED, ALONG WITH REAR WHEEL BEARING, UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AT $100 COST TO MYSELF. PLUGS AND WIRES FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR.*AK

TRUCK LID WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. AFTER DEALER REPAIR, WOULD NOT OPEN. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. AUTO DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK. CURRENTLY ELECTRICAL LOCKS WILL NOT WORK. PAT MILLIKEN FORD STATES REAR PASSENGER DOOR IS SHORTING SYSTEM OUT.

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 THAT HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH STEERING PROBLEMS. ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT TURN. ONLY AFTER BRINGING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP, WAS I ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. AFTER HAVING THE CAR INTO THE SHOP 3 TIMES, THE BEST THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS CAN TELL ME IS THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM SINCE IT IS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE. THE LAST TIME WAS EASILY THE MOST FRUSTRATING. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME IMMOVABLE. UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME, I RAN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OF MY VEHICLE INTO A CURB. THIS IS A REPAIR BILL THAT I HAD TO PAY BECAUSE, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS, THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE TRACED. WHILE NO INJURIES HAVE RESULTED FROM THIS PROBLEM YET, IT DOES HAVE THE POSSIBILITY TO BECOME VERY DANGEROUS AND I FEEL OTHERS SHOULD BE WARNED.*AK

WHILE IN MOTION VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED. THE PROBLEM WAS INTEMITTENT FOR APPROX. 2-3 WEEKS. THE SPEED WOULD DROP AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WOULD GET HOT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP UNDER SECRET WARRANTY AND CONSUMER PAID FOR MAINTENANCE. *JG