2001 Ford Focus complaints

AT FIRST, KEY WOULD GO INTO IGNITION ALL THE WAY, BUT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. WOULD HAVE TO TAKE KEY OUT, PUT BACK IN, ETC UNTIL FINALLY IT WOULD TURN. TODAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED, EXCEPT THEN IT WOULDN'T GO IN AT ALL. IT TOOK 10 MINUTES OF JIGGLING IT AROUND FOR IT TO GO IN; NOW, TO GET THE KEY IN I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND MESS AROUND WITH IT UNTIL IT GOES IN. TALKED TO MECHANIC AND FORD DEALERSHIP - MUST REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS AN OVERLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS AND THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. *JB

2001 FOCUS FAULTY FDM WAS REPLACED. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO HESITATE, SURGE, STUTTER, AND LOSE POWER DURING ACCELERATION. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, BUT WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED HIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE EXACT PLANT THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP THAT WAS ON RECALL PROGRAM NUMBER 03N01 DUE TO HAVING THE VEHICLE STALL ON ME TWICE IN A SINGLE DAY. DEALERSHIP DID REPLACE FUEL PUMP BUT STATED THE STALLING PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE PVC VALVE WAS COLLAPSE AND SHUTTING OFF THE AIR SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE. THAT HAD TO BE REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE AT A COST OF OVER $200. *NM

WE BOUGHT OUR DAUGHTER A 2001 FORD FOCUS. ALL THE REVIEWS STATED THAT THE CAR WAS A GOOD, ECONOMICAL, SAFE CAR. WE PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN 2004. SINCE THE PURCHASE HER STEERING AND IGNITION SYSTEM HAS LOCKED UP ON HER TWICE. AFTER READING MANY SITES IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS. THIS IS AN ECONOMICAL CAR THAT MANY PARENTS ARE RELYING ON TO GET THEIR COLLEGE AGED CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL ALL FORD FOCUSES SO THEY CAN ALL HAVE NEW IGNITIONS INSTALLED. THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN IS MOST IMPORTANT HERE. PARENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONTINUALLY WORRY THAT THEIR 22 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER MAY BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE WITHOUT HELP DUE TO FORDS LAZY ATTITUDE. PLEASE RECALL THESE CARS THAT SO THAT PARENTS CAN HAVE PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THEIR CHILDREN ARE SAFE.*NM

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR OF THE CONSUMER 2001 FOCUS OPENED WHILE DRIVING. *TS THIS IS THE THIRD DOOR THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH. THE FIRST DOOR WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL. THE SECOND DOOR (DRIVER'S DOOR) HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE LATCH AND HANDLE. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THAT REPAIR. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO REQUEST THAT THEY PAY FOR A NEW LATCH FOR THE REAR DOOR BUT THE REFUSED. *NM

2001 FORD FOCUS PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED ALTHOUGH SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER IS PETITIONING THAT ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH AN ON-OFF SWITCH TO DEACTIVATE THE AIRBAGS FROM DEPLOYING IF THE SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED. UPDATED 07/20/11

IGNITION NOT TURNING ON 2001 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE READ A MESSAGE BOARD THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING A LOT WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, BRAKES HAVE BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD BUYER BUT AM CONSIDERING CHANGING TO A DIFFERENT MAKE. *NM

IGNITION CYLINDER ISSUE. 2ND OCCURRENCE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND WHEEL IS LOCKED. WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON YEAR 2000 AND UP FORD FOCUS. NOT COVER BY THE B.S. EXTENDED WARRANTY. STILL NO RECALL. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THIS OCCURRED A SECOND TIME 30,000 MILES LATER AND THE SAME COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.

2001 FORD FOCUS. KEY HAS BEEN HARD TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SINCE I BOUGHT IT. NOW I CAN'T TURN IT AND THE CAR HAS TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE WRECKER DRIVER AND THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE WRECKER DRIVER TOLD ME THAT THEY TOW IN APPROX. 10 FOCUS' A WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH. BROUGHT TO GARAGE AND HAD TO GET IT REPLACED... AT A COST OF OVER $190.00. NOW, ONLY ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER, THE REAR PASSENGER AND MIDDLE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT LATCHING AT ALL. MY CHILDREN USE THESE BELTS FOR THEIR BOOSTER SEATS. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. I AM NOT WANTING TO HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $400 OR SO TO GET THESE FIXED AS WELL. *JB

MY MOTHERS 2001 FORD FOCUS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH IT LOCKING UP. AFTER CHECKING THE WEB I FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD FOCUS BUT FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK SO. I NOW HAD TO BUY THE PART AND FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO INSTALL BECAUSE IT WOULD BE 3 WEEKS BEFORE THEY COULD FIT ME IN AT A PRICE TAG I WAS TOLD OF $550.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED WHICH IS A RIP OFF ESPECIALLY IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO A NUMBER OF OTHER OWNERS OF FORD FOCUS'. IT SEEMS TO ME FORD DOESN'T WANT TO OWN UP TO THE DEFECT SINCE IT'S NOT A SAFETY CONCERN TO THEM. *JB

2001 FORD FOCUS. INSERT KEY BUT IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL!*JB

2001 FORD FOCUS Z3 COOLING LOW SPEED FAN SYSTEM RESISTOR FAILURE, HOT LEAD WIRE IN PLASTIC SHIELDING MELTED , INSULATION MELTED FROM SOCKET TO SOURCE SOCKET. CONTACTS OVERHEATED/MELTED, CIRCUIT'S FUSE DID NOT BLOW. HIGH SPEED FAN CONTINUES TO OPERATE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. CAR OVERHEATS IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE LOW FAN MOTORS DO NOT COME ON, NEVER NOTICED PROBLEM AS AIR CONDITIONER USUALLY ON ALL THE TIME. HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR PAST 6 MONTHS. JUST NOW CHECKED RESISTOR AND FOUND BURNED WIRING. NO FIRE, NO INJURIES BUT GIVEN DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES COULD BE A FIRE PROBLEM. THE FUSE SHOULD HAVE PROTECTED THE CIRCUIT BUT HASN'T. *AK

BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT LESS THAN 24,000 MILES; CONTINUES GRINDING AND SQUEAKING CONTINUE EVEN FOLLOWING BRAKE REPLACEMENT AND TURNING OF ROTORS; AT HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES TWO TIMES, WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON EACH SET OF TIRES; IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED - I COULD GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT ROTATE; NOW AT ONLY 41,000 MILES, THE ENGINE ATTEMPTS TO STALL IN IDLE - THE WHOLE CAR SHUDDERS - AND HAS STALLED TWICE WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THIS PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF, BUT FOR MY TWO CHILDREN AND OTHERS ON THE ROADWAY. IN REVIEWING THIS SITE, I AM OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE SAME PROBLEMS. WHY DOESN'T THE NHTSA ISSUE RECALLS ON FORD FOCUS FOR THESE AND OTHER PROBLEMS? FORD SHOULD RECALL THE WHOLE LINE AND ISSUE REFUNDS TO CUSTOMERS OR CANCEL THEIR REMAINING LOAN PAYMENTS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN, WHO CANNOT AFFORD COSTLY REPAIRS. THE ATTITUDE OF THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IS AWFUL, AND THEY HAVE TREATED ME BADLY EVERY TIME I HAVE GONE IN THERE, SO THAT I DON'T EVEN WANT TO TAKE THE CAR IN WITH THIS LATEST PROBLEM.*AK

BRAKE LINE FAILURE, BRACKET FELL OFF AND WORE BRAKE LINE IN TWO NO WARNING. BRAKES FAILED ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH. NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF PROBLEM, TOTAL BRAKE LOSS. 2001 FORD FOCUS 120000 MILES. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE DUE TO THIS FAILURE.*AK

IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK UP- I DO NOT KNOW WHAT LED TO THE LOCK UP. A FEW DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED MY EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN WENT OUT A FEW DAYS LATER. I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK UP... PLEASE RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS AND THIS OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, #03V482000, FOR THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE. THE RECALL WORK HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED, BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THIS VEHICLE IS NOT HAVING THE PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING ON BUMPY ROAD CONDITIONS T A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE STABILIZER BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE PIVOT JOINT HAD WORN OUT PREMATURELY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STABILIZER BAR. *AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM

WENT SO SEARS AUTO CENTER AT 9570 SOUTH WEST FREEWAY HOUSTON TEXAS 77074. FOR A TIRE CHANGE THEY CHARGE 156.00 AND ALSO TOLD ME THAT MY CAR ROTORS WERE BROKEN AND NEED SHOE/PAD TO BE REPLACED. AND CAR NOT TO BE DRIVEN. TOTAL AMOUNT 571.00. CALLED NEXT MORNING TO CANCEL WORK BECAUSE I DECIDED TO TAKE TO DEALER FORD. BUT THAT TIME CAR WASN'T FIXED YET CAUSE THEY TOLD ME TO PAY FIRST BUT I DIDN'T HAVE A CREDIT CARD WITH ME THAT NIGHT SO I LEFT IT THERE AND TOOK BUS. THEY CHARGE 271. NEXT MORNING FOR SOME SHOE/PAD WHICH I TOOK MY CAR THE THE REGULAR MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SEARS DID NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ON MY CAR. SO I PAY THAT MANY MY CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED. I HAVE TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER WAY TO MOVE. SO PLEASE HELP ME TO TO GET MY MONEY BACK OR TO GET MY CAR FIXED. *JB

JUST DRIVING TO THE BANK AND THE CAR STARTED TO SPUTTER AS IF IT WAS LOSING POWER WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. I HAVE REPLACED THE AIR FILTER AND THE FUEL FILTER. I CHECKED ALL FUSES. WHEN BRAKING I HAVE TO HAVE ONE FOOT ON BRAKE AND OTHER ON GAS TO GIVE IT A LITTLE GAS SO IT DOESNT STALL. *NM

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS THAT I PURCHASED IN NOV. OF 2001. I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR STARTING ABOUT 2 YRS AGO. I HAVE REPLACED FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS ETC ASSUMING THESE WERE THE CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING ON I-90 IN NEW YORK STATE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD FROM THE PASSING LANE WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY, THAT DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID ME. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP OFF THE ROAD AT AN EXIT ABOUT 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD. I FILLED THE CAR WITH GAS AND THE SYMPTOMS WENT AWAY. THE CAR WAS BELOW 1/4 TANK OF GAS AT THE TIME. I HAVE HAD ONE MORE EPISODE OF THIS PROBLEM A FEW MONTHS AGO ON ANOTHER TRIP (ALSO BELOW 1/4 TANK OF GAS). I FILLED THE CAR WITH GAS AND CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AT THAT TIME. HOWEVER, THAT SITUATION DID NOT INVOLVE A NEAR MISS OF AN ACCIDENT. IN MY RESEARCH OF THE PROBLEM, I DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. MY CAR WAS MADE IN THE "INTERIM PERIOD" MENTIONED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I CONTACTED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, BUT WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN ALTHOUGH MY SYMPTOMS SEEM TO BE IDENTICAL. I TYPICALLY KEEP MY TANK FILLED EXCEPT ON LONGER TRIPS WHICH PROBABLY HID THE SYMPTOMS UP TO THIS TIME. AT THIS POINT, IT APPEARS THAT THE FUEL PUMP WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW AND ONLY HAVE ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON IT (I LIVE IN THE CITY AND I DON'T DRIVE THAT MUCH). OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS, THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2001 FOCUS IS STARTING TO FAIL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND AFTER READING ALL THE PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET AM WONDERING WHY NO ONE HAS FILED A LAWSUIT OR WHY FORD ISN'T ISSUING A RECALL. I'M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO SHELLING OUT $300+ TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. I GOT THE SPARE KEY IN THE IGNITION, SO I JUST LEAVE IT IN ALL THE TIME AND LOCK THE DOORS, AND I TRY TO DRIVE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. I GUESS I'LL BE USING MY TAX RETURN TO FIX FORD'S PROBLEM IT'S TOO BAD, MY FAMILY & I HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL FORD CUSTOMERS FOR SEVERAL GENERATIONS, BUT I'LL PROBABLY BUY HONDA NEXT TIME OUT. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH BUMPERS CRACKED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT NO OTHER MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY DETERMINE WHAT OCCURRED. *AK

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKING UP. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED, HOWEVER, IT IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH A LITTLE COAXING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $300 AND THAT HE HAS AT LEAST 2 OF THE SAME CAR COME IN A WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOLD HIM THANK YOU AND WENT HOME AND CALLED FORD, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT I WOULD NEED TO GET IT CORRECTED ON MY OWN. I AM NOT SURE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT DATE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOCKED INTO POSITION WHILE SECURING A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE WHEN SHE TRIED TO UNLOCK IT. THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT TO GET THE CHILD OUT OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE CHILD SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT KEPT GETTING TIGHTER. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

I HAVE OWNED A 2001 FORD FOCUS FOR THE PAST 4 PLUS YEARS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND TODAY THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY BROKE. I LOOKED THIS UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. FOR A FACT THE PARTS PERSON AT BAYTOWN FORD EVEN STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON THE FOCUS AND THAT THE NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN FIXED. IT WILL COST BETWEEN 300 AND 600 DOLLARS TO GET THIS FIXED. I BROUGHT THIS CAR FOR THE SECURITY AND SAFETY IT OFFERED NOW BECAUSE FORD USED BAD PARTS I AM HAVING TO SUFFER. *JB

DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM PROBLEM. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A FULL STOP THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WHICH SHE HAS NOT DONE. ADDITIONALLY, THE TURNING LIGHTS WERE NOT RETURNING TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION WHEN USED. SHE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A FAMILY MEMBER. THEREFORE, SHE DID NOT KNOW THE DEALER'S NAME.*AK

FORD FOCUS IGNITION WON'T TURN. *NM

IGNITION KEY HAS BEEN LOCKING THE STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD NOT TURN TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

2001 FORD FOCUS WORE THROUGH AN AIR CONDITIONING HOSE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONING HOSE WAS DESIGNED POORLY. IT HANGS DOWN BETWEEN THE FRONT TIRES AND IF THE TIRES COME UP AGAINST A CURB, IT SMASHES THE HOSE INTO THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY. NOT ONLY THAT, IF THE HOSE BREAKS, IT LEAKS OIL AND THEN A BELT HAS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION SWITCH; DEALER HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE THE TUMBLERS WERE WORN OUT; THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YRS OLD AND HAS 39K MILES! DEALER REFUSED TO COVER CHARGES. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION LOCKED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *AK

THE IGNITION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS BROKE. I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK IT UP. UPON RESEARCHING THIS FURTHER, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHAT'S THE DEAL?!? *NM

THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING WRITTEN TO INFORM NHTSA ABOUT A POTENTIAL FAILURE I BELIEVE THAT MY 2001 FORD FOCUS 4 DOOR HAS LINGERING ABOUT IN IT. THE POTENTIAL FAILURE IS THE BACK SEAT BOTTOM (THE PART YOUR REAR END SITS ON) DOES NOT CATCH ON THE THREE LIP EDGES ATTACHED TO THE CAR BODY. THE METAL BASE OF THE BACK SEAT BOTTOM HAS THREE HOLES, ONE ON EACH SIDE AND ONE IN THE MIDDLE. THEY CORRESPOND TO THE LIP EDGES FOR WHICH THEY DO NOT CATCH ON. I SPOKE WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE ISSUE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET IT FIXED THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BACK SEAT ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED CONTAINING ALL THE CHILD SAFETY FEATURES AVAILABLE. WINDOW LOCKS, DOOR LOCKS, INTERIOR TRUNK RELEASE AND THE SAFETY SEAT LATCH SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THE BACK SEAT DOES NOT CATCH ON THE LIP EDGES UNLESS IN AN ACCIDENT, THEN THEY SHOULD SLIDE FORWARD AND CATCH, AND THAT IS ONLY IF SOMEONE IS BUCKLED DOWN TO THE SEAT. WELL, NOW I HAVE AN INFANT DAUGHTER TO TRAVEL AROUND WITH IN MY BACK SEAT. THE GENERAL MANAGER GOT THE SAME ANSWER FROM A FORD CONTACT AS I DID FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HOWEVER, SHOULD MY CAR BE HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE BACK SEAT IS EMPTY AND THE QUESTION IS DOES IT CATCH ON THE LIP EDGES OR NOT. I FEAR THAT IT WILL FLY FORWARD SLAMMING THE BACK OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS AND CRUSH OR PUSH ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL OR TH

THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WHICH CAUSED MY DAUGHTER TO ABANDON HER CAR IN AN UNAUTHORIZED PARKING LOT AT HER UNIVERSITY CAMPUS FOR WHICH SHE WAS TICKETED. WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR, A 2001 FORD FOCUS, TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INVESTIGATION, WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER, THIS ISSUE IS RAMPANT WITH THIS CAR. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THEREFORE THE CAR IS STUCK IN PARK AND INOPERABLE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY MAY BE ISSUING A RECALL AND THAT WE SHOULD KEEP OUR ORIGINAL RECEIPT. THIS ALONE TELLS ME THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FAILURE IN ENGINEERING DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING. *JB

WE HAVE READ SEVERAL ARTICLES CONCERNING THE FORD FOCUS 2000 AND AN APPARENT DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF DISGRUNTLED FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE INCONVENIENCE ASSOCIATED WITH IN SOME CASES MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH OFTEN TIMES LEFT THEM STRANDED AND FACING LARGE TOWING AND REPAIR CHARGES. SINCE A FAMILY MEMBER HAD RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET, SPOKE WITH SEVERAL DEALERS AND LOCKSMITHS WHICH LED ME TO CONCLUDE THAT THE FAILED CYLINDERS RESULTED FROM A SUBSTANDARD MANUFACTURED CYLINDER WHICH RAPIDLY DETERIORATES WITH USE AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURES AND JAMS. FORD IS WELL AWARE THAT THESE FRAGILE CYLINDERS ARE MADE OF SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS AND ARE BREAKING AND JAMMING AT AN ALARMING RATE. *JB

THE IGNITION ON THE FORD FOCUS 2001 LX KEEPS "STICKING". THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. THE IGNITION WILL NOT MOVE GIVING THE APPEARANCE OF THE STEERING WHEEL BEING LOCKED BUT THE STEERING WHEEL STILL MOVES, ITS THE IGNITION THAT WON'T ELIMINATE IT BEING LOCKING PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED TWICE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO THIS PROBLEM.*JB

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. ON OCTOBER 31, 2005, I NOTICED THAT MY CAR KEY WOULD NOT FIT INTO MY IGNITION ALL THE WAY AND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN. MY STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO LOCKED IN PLACE. THERE WERE NO PRECEDING SYMPTOMS TO WARN ME OF THIS FAILURE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD COMPANY, WHICH EXPECTS ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND TOWING. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH FOCUS OWNERS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE, ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS, IF YOU CAN. IT IS A SERIOUS INCONVENIENCE, TIME WISE AND FINANCIALLY. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HER HEAD, AND WHEN SHE DID SO, THE AIR BAGS THEN DEPLOYED. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES SINCE SHE WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS. A POLICE AND INSURANCE REPORTS WERE TAKEN. *AK.

THE IGNITION IS LOCKED UP IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOR POSSIBLE REMEDIES, I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCHES ON MY MODEL CAR DATING BACK FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THE STANDARD RATE FOR THESE REPAIRS SEEMS TO BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $350 WHICH TO SOMEONE DRIVING A LOW COST VEHICLE LIKE THE FOCUS IS A LOT OF MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS ADMITTED PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL AND INSTEAD IS CREATING A BOON INDUSTRY FOR THE DEALERS HAVING TO REPLACE THESE PARTS? HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE TO GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS? I HAVE OWNED FORD CARS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I CANNOT SEE A REASON TO CONTINUE TO BUY THEM IF THIS IS THE TYPE OF PRODUCT AND SUPPORT THEY ARE GOING TO START TO PRODUCE. *NM

POORLY DESIGNED IGNITION CYLINDERS. THIS CAUSES THE TUMBLERS TO FAIL RESULTING IN A LOCK-UP OF THE IGNITION. THE OWNER CANNOT TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND AS A RESULT, HAS TO BE TOWED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDERS IN THE 2000 AND 2001 FOCUS WERE THE EUROPEAN DESIGN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY CYLINDER TWICE. ONCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THE SECOND TIME IT WAS NOT AND I HAD TO PAY $200. THERE ARE OTHER FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. SEE THE WEBSITES BELOW. HTTP://WWW.AUTOWHIZ.COM/MESSAGEBOARDS/MESSAGE.PHP?ID=1784 HTTP://CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_IGNITION.HTML HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EEA6DD2/286 AMONG MANY OTHERS I WAS TOLD THAT THEY PUT AN ENGINEER IN THE POSITION TO SPECIFICALLY RE-DESIGN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. SO WHILE FORD CONTINUALLY CLAIMS TO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, IT IS APPARENT THAT THEY DID. WHILE THERE WERE NO DEATHS NOR INJURIES, IT IS NOT UP TO THE PEOPLE TO PAY FOR FORD'S POOR QUALITY. *NM

KEY STARTED GETTING HARD TO INSERT INTO IGNITION SWITCH. KEY WOULDN'T TURN OVER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, BUT ALWAYS MANAGED TO WIGGLE IT TO GET IT STARTED. IT FINALLY FAILED COMPLETELY RESULTING IN A MISSED DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT FOR MY 69 YEAR OLD MOTHER. MATTHEWS FORD IN ASHEVILLE, NC SAYS THAT THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND THEY REPLACE THEM ALL THE TIME. WILL COST AT LEAST $250 TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AND MORE FOR A TOW. *JB

THERE IS A RECALL PROGRAM ON THE 2001 FORD FOCUS THAT I OWN WHICH I WAS NOTIFIED OF IN WRITING BY LETTER. (03N01) THE LETTER STATES THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IF THE CAR IS EXHIBITING STALLING, SPUTTERING, CUTTING OFF, ETC. MY CAR DID ALL OF THOSE THINGS. THE LETTER ALSO STATES THAT THE REPAIR SHOULD TAKE 1/2 DAY. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND REPAIRED SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT AT MY EXPENSE DESPITE THE FACT THAT I HAVE A LETTER. THE REPAIR THEY DID ALSO TOOK 4 DAYS. I WAS OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. THE CAR IS NOW STALLING AND CUTTING OFF CONSTANTLY PUTTING MY FAMILY AND MYSELF IN A GREAT DEAL OF DANGER. I CALLED THE NUMBER ON THE LETTER I RECEIVED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE REPRESENTATIVE NAMED MOHAMMED WAS OF NO ASSISTANCE TELLING ME THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I DID ALREADY TAKE THE CAR AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED WITH THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ON THE LETTER PAID FOR THE REPAIR THAT WAS DONE THOUGH THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. I AM AFRAID THAT IF THE CAR IS NOT REPAIRED SOON, AT FORD'S EXPENSE THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF DANGER TO MY FAMILY OR MYSELF. LYNDON, MOHAMMED'S SUPERVISOR ALSO SPOKE WITH ME AND REPEATED THE SAME THINGS I TOLD HIM OVER AND OVER OFFERING NO ASSISTANCE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A NOISE FROM THE REAR END. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER OVER THE PAST WEEK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER, WHO NOTED THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN IN 2003 ON A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM. THE NETS, 01I017. THIS WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL OR ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY THE SECOND TIME AROUND. THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE CRACKED AND THE BEARINGS WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THIS AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FORD DEALER MANAGER, AND FORD MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THIS REPLACED. *AK

MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 FORD FOCUS WAGON ON 10/14/05 WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HE SUSTAINED 2ND DEGREE BURNS ON HIS LEFT ARM, FROM WRIST TO ELBOW, DUE TO THE AIRBAG CHEMICALS VENTING IN AN IMPROPER WAY. HE IS BEING TREATED BY A PHYSICIAN FOR HIS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN AT PRESENT. *NM

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS' IGNITION CYLINDER STRIPPED AND BROKE. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FOCUS'. I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS BE MADE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 03V482000 REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. . HE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE STALLED FOUR TIMES. THERE WAS HESITATION AND A VIBRATION WITH BEFORE IT LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE STALLED APPROXIMATELY 50 TIMES BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD ACTUALLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PARKED. THIS USUALLY HAPPENED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT. BUT IT DOES HAPPEN SOMETIMES AT RANDOM. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. . THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND CAN NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT HAD A DIFFERENT FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. THEY REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT HIS OWN COST. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER IN 2001 FORD FOCUS IS COMPLETELY FROZEN. THE CAR IS UNABLE TO BE STARTED WITH ANY KEYS. THIS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED. I HAVE NOTED MANY INSTANCES, VIA RESEARCH, OF THIS HAPPENING WITH FOCUS', AND AM DEEPLY DISTURBED THAT FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. *NM

2001 FORD FOCUS STUCK IGNITION. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET I FIND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS AND SOME PEOPLE IT HAPPEDED TO SEVERAL TIMES. MY COMPLAINT - WHY HASN'T FORD BEEN FORCED TO RECAL AND FIX THE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE 2000-2001 FOCUS ( THEY FIXED PROBLEM FOR LATER YEARS).