Page 14 of 36 · complaints 651–700 of 1,761

2001 Ford Focus complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed Jul 15, 200526,000 milesTX

DT: THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER DROVE TO AUSTIN TEXAS, WHEN SHE ENTERED THE VEHICLE THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE CONSUMER'S HOUSE DUE TO THE DEALER BEING CLOSED. THE CONSUMER HEARD OF A RECALL ON FORD FOCUS ZX3, WHICH WAS HAVING WHAT CONSUMER BELIEVED TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD WHO SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ONE WEEK AFTER HE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ERG VALVE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A FALSE READING. THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V288000 WAS DIRECTED TOWARDS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; BATTERY/CABLES. *AK *SC

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 15, 200584,800 milesKS

OVER TIME I WAS HAVING MORE DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. EVENTUALLY IT TOOK UP 10-15 MINUTES OF TOGGLING THE KEY AND GEAR SHIFTER TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS FIXED THREE TIMES UNDER WARRANTY (WHICH HAS SINCE EXPIRED). THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE OLD PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 12, 200590,000 milesIA

I WAS AT THE STORE AND GOT INTO THE CAR AND WENT TO STICK THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. IT WOULD DING BUT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO ANYTHING. I ASSUMED IT WAS MAYBE THE FACT THAT I NEEDED A NEW KEY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEN I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE BECAUSE I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND CANNOT AFFORD TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AND TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IS A BUNCH OF '!@#$%. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I ASSUMED IT WAS RELIABLE. I WAS WRONG. I TALKED TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE RECENTLY THAT TOLD ME ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE FOCUS'S. WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE FOR PEOPLE ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT OR THE LAST. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jul 9, 200534,000 milesNY

I OWN A FORD FOCUS WAGON 2001. I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED DURING RECALL# 03V482000. I HAD THIS RECALL PERFORMED ON MY CAR IN 2002. THIS PAST MONTH THE PUMP FAILED AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT. AFTER READING YOUR DISCRIPTION OF THE ORIGONAL PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP I REALIZED FORD NEVER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. I EXPERIENCED THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE SUPPOSED CORRECTED FUEL PUMP. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS CLOGGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. HE SAID IT WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AND THE NEW FUEL PUMPS HAD BEEN CHANGED. ONCE I REALIZED THIS HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A RECALL I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 5, 200547,259 milesNY

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS. OVER THE PAST 1 1/4 YEARS, MY CAR HAS EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE CAR EXPERIENCES A LOSS OF POWER, "BUCKS LIKE A BRONCO", AND EVENTUALLY STALLS WITHIN A MATTER OF MOMENTS. THIS HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES ON HILLY STATE HIGHWAYS WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 MPH. IF THE CAR IS ALLOWED TO SIT, IT WILL TYPICALLY RESTART AFTER A HOUR OR SO. LAST WEEK THIS OCCURED ON FLAT TERRAIN WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING AND THE CAR GOING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT LOOK AT THE VEHCILE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AND ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE FUEL PUMP HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO GUARANTEE THAT REPLACEMENT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I ADVISED THE DEALERSHIP OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 AND WAS ADVISED THAT IT DID NOT PERTAIN TO MY CAR. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS ADVISED THAT UNLESS THE DEALERSHIP COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE FDM WOULD NOT BE REPLACED UNDER THE PROGRAM.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 4, 2005CO

FORD FOCUS 2001 (1) KEY HAS BEEN HARDER TO REMOVE FROM IGNITION, AND MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN (2) KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. I BELIEVE CYLINDER TUMBLERS ARE WORN OUT. (3) CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME, AND I NEEDED TO BRING IT TO A DEALER. MY RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 00-02 FOCUS'S.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 30, 2005IN

DT: WHEN DRIVING A CERTAIN SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL JERK, USUALLY BETWEEN 35-45 MPH,. IT IS WORSE WHEN TRYING TO GO UP HILL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER THAT REPLACED PARTS 2 DIFFERENT TIMES, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP, AND THEY REPLACE IT. THE DEALER THOUGHT THAT MAY SOLVE FPROBLEM, BUT IT DID NOT. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Jun 27, 2005MI

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY. THE SPRING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THIS IS CONNECTED TO THE HORN, AIR BAG AND TURN SIGNAL. *AK THE TURN SIGNAL CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED, PRODUCT CODE#047-002. *SC *JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 22, 200538,000 milesGA

AT 38000 MILES THE IGNITION CYLINDER IN THE CONSUMER'S 2001 FORD FOCUS FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *JB *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 21, 2005NY

DT: CONTACT STATES: THE DEALER FIRST SAID IT WAS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE LATCH , AND THEN REVERSED THE DECISION. THE DEALER DID OFFER TO PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR, BUT HE REFUSED. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 21, 200540,000 milesTX

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND THE IGNITION SWITCHED LOCKED ON ME AND COSTS 500.00 AT THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED. I ALSO HAVE A FORD TAURUS AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT A REP AT THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING THEM TO FIX IT TO BUY THE PART (WHICH WAS ABOUT 70.00) AND HAVE SOMEONE ELSO TO PUT IT IN. THIS COST ABOUT 120.00 IN TOTAL. ALSO I HAD A WRECK IN THE FORD FOCOS AND IT SO HAPPENS THAT MY RENTAL CAR WAS A FORD FOCUS AND I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS AND 1 DAY THE IGNITION LOCKED UP. I CALLED FORD AND THE REP LAUGHED AND SAID "OH YEAH THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, WE ARE AWARE OF IT BUT THERES NOTHING WE CAN DO". I WAS STRANDED FOR 3 HOURS BECAUSE I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL A FLATBED WRECKER TRUCK WAS AVAILABLE, BECAUSE WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS SO DO THE WHEELS AND THEREFORE THE CAR CANNOT BE ROLLED. BUT ANYWAYS 3 OF THE SAME CARS ALL WERE LEMONS. THEY ALL PRODUCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS, AND IT SEEMS AS IF I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEMS AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT THEREIS NO RECALL FROM FORD FOR THIS ISSUE. BUT AS THEIR REP CONFIRMED THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 14, 200553,750 milesOH

APPROX. ON MAY 10TH, WHEN PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT TURN. IT TOOK MANY TRIES OF WIGGLING THE KEY BACK AND FORTH, ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE LOCKED STEERING WHEEL SOME SMALL DEGREE TO GET THE KEY TO ACTUALLY TURN OVER IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR. THIS PROBLEM BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE MY SPARE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND COVER MY STEERING WHEEL IN AN ATTEMPT TO HIDE THE KEY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SOMEONE VIA PHONE AT THIS AGENCY AND WAS REFERRED TO THIS WEBSITE, BUT DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO COMPUTER UNTIL NOW. AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO SOMEONE AT THE FORD COMPANY VIA PHONE WHO COULD OFFER NO SOLUTIONS UNLESS I WERE TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP, HAVE IT INSPECTED AND REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. I HAVE ORDERED THE PART AND AM AWAITING ITS SHIPPING. COINCIDENTLY, WHILE ORDERING THE PART, THE YOUNG MAN WAITING ON ME STATED HIS GIRLFRIEND CALLED HIM OVER THE WEEKEND WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER NEWER FORD FOCUS. I GAVE HIM YOUR WEBSITE ADDRESS. HE STATES HE HAS MET SEVERAL PEOPLE SINCE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND GAVE YOUR WEBSITE TO THEM.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 13, 2005128,000 milesTX

ON SATURDAY 5/14/2005 THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY WELL MAINTAINED FORD FOCUS SE, 2001, (EQUIPPED WITH A ZENTEC ENGINE), CAUGHT ON FIRE IN A FASHION SIMILAR TO THOSE DESCRIBED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS IN THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES: HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ARCHANGEL_JJN/ HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_FIRES.HTML. THE DAMAGES OCCURRED TO MY FOCUS ARE CLOSE TO THOSE GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PICTURES OF THE SECOND WEB SITE. THE FACT THAT THIS OCCURRED ON A PARKING LOT A BLOCK AWAY FROM A FIRE STATION PREVENTED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. BUT HAD THIS OCCURRED ON MY HOUSE'S COVERED GARAGE, THE WHOLE HOUSE HAD BURNED. WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR IS SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA 02V288000 CAMPAIGN. BUT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON AUGUST 2003, AND THEREFORE DOES NOT QUALIFY TO THE VOLUNTARY FORD RECALL TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE REFERRED WEB SITES, THIS IS HE SAME SITUATION REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS CASE TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE, CLAIM NUMBER 179019215. THE ADJUSTER IS MR. RUBEN ROMERO @ 800 733-8910 X4385. AS ALLSTATE SUGGESTED, I ALSO CONTACTED FORD. YESTERDAY, I WAS INFORMED BY ALLSTATE THAT MY ACCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOST. ON MONDAY 5/16/2005, I CONTACTED MR. MCCLUSTER, FROM THE TIPTON FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO PHOTOGRAPHED MY PICTURES FROM THE FIRE. HE ASSURED ME THAT HE WAS GOING TO LOG THE INCIDENT INTO THE SYSTEM AND ASK ME TO CONTACT FORD AT 866 436-7332. WHEN I CALLED T

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 13, 200514 milesMA

DT: BRAKES FAILED TWICE SINCE 2001. BRAKES WERE REPLACED IN 2001 AND 2002. KEPT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE WATER PUMP/BATTERY, AND TIRES MALFUNCTIONED. ON JUNE 11 2005 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR STOPPED. THE CAR MADE A POPPING SOUND AND STARTED SMOKING. THERE WAS A WARNING, THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON. THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON RIGHT BEFORE. CAR DIDNT START BACK UP AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. CAR WAS TOWED TO HOME. DEALER REPORTED NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. CAR WAS REGULARLY SERVICED.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Jun 13, 200588,400 milesWI

DT: CONTACT STATES A LOCAL SERVICE DEALER SAID THE INSULATION ON WIRES FROM THE TRUNK LID TO THE INSIDE HAS BEEN SCRAPED OFF IN THE FACTORY. THIS DID CAUSED A SHORT IN THE WIRES, LEADING TO THE LOSS OF ABRAKE LIGHTS.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 13, 200542,000 milesMI

DT: DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCK FAILED IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. CONSUMER HAD TO OPEN MANUALLY. IF ONE NEEDED TO EXIT THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY FASHION HE WOULD HAVE TO CRAWL OVER SOMETHING TO GET TO ANOTHER DOOR. THE OTHER DOORS DID WORK. THE OWNER HAS ALREADY NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE LATCH HAD BEEN REPLACED. THEY WERE PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCK. THE DOOR LOCKED THE WIFE INSIDE, AND SHE HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE SEAT TO GET OUT OF THE PASSENGER DOOR. *AK *SB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 12, 200554,000 milesOH

ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT DEPT. STORE PARKING LOT. HIT CONCRETE POLE IN PARKING LOT CAUSING AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AND CAUSING AIRBAG BURNS ON WRIST. CAR TOTALED.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 9, 2005PA

DT: WHEN OPENING THE TRUNK THE LATCH WILL NOT LOCK THE TRUNK. THE LIGHT ON THE DASH STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME, AND I CONSUMER TO GO OUT AND PLAY WITH THE TRUNK TO GET IT TO CLOSE.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Jun 6, 200539,000 milesNC

DT: THE IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED TWICE. IT FAILED IN 2003 AND IN 2005. FORD TELS ME THERE IS HIGH FAILURE RATE ON THESE CYLINDERS. THE KEY LOCKS UP, AND YOU CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT. AND YOU CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL. *AK

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device
Filed Jun 6, 200540,000 milesOH

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITH HAS LOCKED UP LEAVING MY CAR COMPLETELY OUT OF SERVICE AND ME STRANDED, THE STERRING WHEEL AS WELL AS EVERYTHING ELSE LOCKS UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10 TIMES THREE TIMES RESULTING IN TOWING AND COMPLETE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. FORD HAS DONE NOTHING EXCEPT REPLACED THE PROBLEM PART EACH TIME RESULTING IN FAILURE AGAIN. IT IS ALSO NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRENTY.

Steering › Column
Filed Jun 5, 2005NY

MY STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN THE CAR ON. I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK NO PROBLEM WHEN I CAME OUT I COULD NOT GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT MOVE THEREBY NOT ALLOWING ME TO TRUN THE CAR ON

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Jun 3, 2005GA

I FIRST NOTICED A ROARING SOUND COMING FROM MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. I TOOK MY CAR IN TODAY TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT AXEL ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I DON'T FEEL THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT JUST HAPPENED OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS NOR DO I THINK I DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE I REALIZED IT COULD POSSIBLY BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY IN MICHIGAN AND ASKED WHAT THEY DO ABOUT VEHICLES THAT ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I DID TELL THE GENTLEMAN ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAD SEEN ON THIS SITE AND AGAIN HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I GUESS IF SOMEONE GETS KILLED DUE TO THESE "UNSAFE" VEHICLES THEN SOMEONE WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT WHICH IS A SHAME.

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Jun 3, 200563,000 milesIL

DT: WENT TO REPLACE THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT AND THE PLASTIC HOUSING WAS COMPLETELY MELTED. THEN, CHECKED RIGHT AND IT STARTED TO MELTING. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND SAID WARRANTY EXPIRED, NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control ModuleCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 1, 200541,000 milesOH

DT: 8-10 MONTHS AGO CONSUMER BOUGHT A 2001 FORD FOCUS. SERVICE DEALER NOTICED AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING AND WENT AHEAD AND INSTALLED A NEW AIR BAG. THIS WEEKEND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS PAST WEEKEND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT INVOLVING ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS AS OF YET WERE DONE. THE AIRBAGS HAD NOT BEEN CHECKED OUT, NO EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN AS TO WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 1, 2005MO

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CAUSED A THIRD DEGREE BURN ON MY RIGHT ARM AND STOMACH. IT IMPLODED AND BURNED A 6-8 INCH HOLE IN MY SWEATSHIRT AND JEANS.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed May 31, 200551,203 milesDE

3 TIMES IN 1 WEEK, MY IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK. THE KEY TURNS, THE CAR STARTS, BUT WILL NOT COME OUT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 MONTH AND IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 48K MILES ON IT. AFTER EXTENSIVE INTERNET RESEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FOCUS PROBLEM.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 23, 200580,000 milesKS

THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK AT THE STOP LIGHT THE MOTOR BLEW OUT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE #4 VALVE SET DISLODGED SOME HOW MOST PARTS STAYED IN #4 AND #3, BUT GOT IN EVERY PART OF THE HEAD. THE SERVICE QUOTE NEED REPLACED ENGINE WITH LONG BLOCK. VEHICLE NEED ENGINE ASSEMBLY COMPLETE- REMOVE AND REPLACE. *BF

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device
Filed May 21, 2005VA

I DON'T THINK THAT THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS LIFE THREATENING. MY PROBLEM IS AS FOLLLOWS: I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND FOR SOME REASON THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAS A PROBLEM THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS BY ITS SELF. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO IT HAPPEND FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I HAD TO HAVE TOW TRUCK TAKE IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN AND I NO LONGER HAVE WARRANTY ON MY CAR. I JUST THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM THAT THIS CAR HAS. AFTER REVIEWING OTHER PEOPLE THAT OWN A FORD FUCUS AND THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I REALLY BELIEVE THAT A RECALL IS NECESSARY BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. ANYWAYS, I WENT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING ME SINCE THE CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE WHEN IT WAS UNDER THE WARRANTY. BUT THEY SAID THAT SINCE IT HAPPEN ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THEY COULDN'T DO IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. I WANTED TO KNOW IF ANYONE IN YOUR DEPARMENT COULD HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON WARRANTY. I JUST THINK THAT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A MANUFACTUR DEFECT AND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN BEFORE AND THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIX IT AT NO CHARGE.

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed May 19, 2005128,000 milesTX

ON SATURDAY 5/14/2005 THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY WELL MAINTAINED FORD FOCUS SE, 2001, (EQUIPPED WITH A ZENTEC ENGINE), GOT FIRE IN A FASHION SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS IN THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES: HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ARCHANGEL_JJN/ HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_FIRES.HTML THE DAMAGES OCCURRED TO MY FOCUS ARE CLOSE TO THOSE GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PICTURES OF THE SECOND WEB SITE. THE FACT THAT THIS OCCURRED ON A PARKING LOT A BLOCK AWAY FROM A FIRE STATION PREVENTED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. BUT HAD THIS OCCURRED ON MY HOUSE'S COVERED GARAGE, THE WHOLE HOUSE HAD BURNED. WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR IS SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA 02V288000 CAMPAIGN. BUT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON AUGUST 2003, AND THEREFORE DOES NOT QUALIFY TO THE VOLUNTARY FORD RECALL TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE REFERRED WEB SITES, THIS IS HE SAME SITUATION REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS CASE TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE, CLAIM NUMBER 179019215. THE ADJUSTER IS MR. RUBEN ROMERO @ 800 733-8910 X4385. AS ALLSTATE SUGGESTED, I ALSO CONTACTED FORD. YESTERDAY, I WAS INFORMED BY ALLSTATE THAT MY ACCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOST. ON MONDAY 5/16/2005, I CONTACTED MR. MCCLUSTER, FROM THE TIPTON FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO PHOTOGRAPHED MY PICTURES FROM THE FIRE. HE ASSURED ME THAT HE WAS GOING TO LOG THE INCIDENT INTO THE SYSTEMA AND ASK ME TO CONTACT FORD AT 866 436-7332. WHEN I CALLED THAT NUM

Suspension › Rear
Filed May 18, 200545,000 milesAL

DT: WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ABOUT 60 MPH AND THE BACK HUB BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS A SPLIT SECOND FROM FALLING OFF. ALSO, REAR BEARINGS WENT OUT. HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO NOTED THAT THE BOTH REAR BEARINGS WENT OUT. VISIBLE TO NAKED EYE, COULD LOOK BACK AT WHEEL AND SEE THAT IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. RECALL FOR CORROSIVE ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN SHOP FOR REPAIRS. SPOUSE CHECKED WHEEL TO SEE IF IT WAS PROPERLY SECURED, AND DISCOVERED THE HUB WAS TOTALLY RUSTED. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed May 15, 2005OK

FOCUS DRIVER HIT REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AT STOP LIGHT - BOTH FOCUS AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. PASSANGER AIR BAG DOOR HIT WINDSHIELD SO HARD IT SHATTERED WINDSHIELD AND SHARDS OF GLASS WENT EVERY WHERE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. LUCKLY THERE WAS NO PASSANGER OR INJURY COULD HAVE RESULTED FROM FLY GLASS. FOCUS AND OTHER DRIVER WERE NOT INJURED. COMPLAINT IS THE POOR LOCATION OF PASSANGER AIRBAG. WHEN ACTIVATED THE WINSHIELD IS DESTROYED BECAUSE OF THE PASSANGER AIRBAG DOOR. GLASS GOES EVERYWHERE INSIDE VEHICLE.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed May 13, 200521,000 milesNY

THE AIR BAGS ON A 2001 FOR FOCUS DEPLOYED WHEN THERE WAS NO IMPACT. FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE BLACK BOX SAYS THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR A REASON. THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CAR EXCEPT FROM THE AIR BAGS. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT REPORT TO FILE BY THE POLICE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO IMPACT, WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OR WITHOUT. SHE WAS DRIVING 10 MPH IN TRAFFIC AND USED HER BRAKES. *AK *SC *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed May 13, 200524,000 milesKY

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP. *AK *SC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 12, 200550,500 milesNH

CONSUMER STATES: STARTING TO HAVE ENGINE HESITATION,LOSS OF POWER, SOME SURGING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A FEW DAYS. THE ENGINE SOUNDS ROUGHER BUT THERE IS NO KNOCKING. *NM

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed May 10, 2005NJ

2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER BROKE, PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE EQUIPMENT, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SWAY BAR BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*MR THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE STEEL BELTS WERE SHOWING THROUGH THE FRONT TIRES AT 54000 MILES. THE SENSOR WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATED WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE BATTERY, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND FUEL PUMP ALSO FAILED. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 10, 20058,001 milesNJ

2001 FORD FOCUS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES, FUEL PUMP, BATTERY, SWAY BARS AND TIRES. *MR THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES FIVE TIMES, THE RADIATOR WENT OUT, THE THERMOSTAT AND SENSORS PERTAINING TO THE ENGINE LIGHT AD GONE OUT, THE FUEL PUMP AND THE BATTERY WENT OUT AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY THE STARTER SHOWED SIGNS OF GOING OUT AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED SWAY BARS AND 4 TIRES. *SC

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed May 9, 200526,000 milesNJ

DT: COMPANY NAME IS PRIME HEALTH MEDICAL, INC./ [XXX]. GOT RECALL LETTER ON MAY 6, 2005 ON PART SHE HAS ALREADY FIXED, AND WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE SHE DID NOT TAKE IT TO A DEALER, THE PART FAILED BEFORE SHE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER. CALLED DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD ON PARTS . PAID $148.58 FOR REAR DOOR LATCH THAT WAS IN THE RECALL. WAS TOLD RECALL PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL MIDDLE OF MAY 2005, AND NEEDED TO REPLACE PARTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF BUSINESS AND SAFETY REASONS. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed May 6, 2005PA

DT: 2001 FORD FOCUS THE ACTUAL BRAKE PEDAL BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO CRASH. SHE STATES THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE BOLTS THAT HOLDS THE PEDAL ON BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE ACTUAL PEDAL TO SWING. THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT SHE STILL OWNS THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED. HIS NECK IS FRACTURED DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHS.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed May 2, 200570,000 milesCA

CONTACT STATED: WHEN THE KEY WAS PUT IN THE IGNITION THE KEY BECAME STUCK. THE CAR WAS AT THE FORD DEALER. AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. FORD TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, FORD WAS REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AND SEAT BELT.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 27, 2005PA

COMPLAINT REGARDING FORD'S DECISION TO ISSUE ONLY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WARNING RATHER THAN A RECALL CONCERNING POTENTIAL FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP IN ITS 2000 AND 2001 FORD FOCUS.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE STALL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 25, 2005VA

WHILE COMMUTING HOME FROM WORK ON INTERSTATE 95 SOUTH IN THE HOV LANES MY CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 - 60 MPH, AND I NOTICED THE CAR STARTING TO SLOW DOWN. I HAD TWO OTHER PASSENGERS COMUTING WITH ME, AND HAD TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER LANE BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED. WHILE THE CAR WAS LOSING ITS DRIVING POWER I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED AT MY DASH PANEL TO SEE IF ANY INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE LIT ,AND THERE WAS NO INDICATOR LIGHT TO GIVE ME NOTICE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. AS I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STALLED AND FINALLY THE ENTIRE DASH PANEL LIT UP. I CONSIDER MYSELF FORTUNATE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR DUE TO THE SPEED OF OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. CONTACTED THE SELLER DEALER , AND HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO SHEEHY FORD FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTED ME THE FOLLOWING DAY AND ADVISED ME THAT MY FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED MAINTENANCE, AND MY FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED , AND TOLD ME THAT NEEDED REPARIS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. UPON PICKING UP MY CAR AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE, I REVIEWED THE INVOICE AND NOTICED THAT UNAUTHRIZED WORK WAS PERFORMED IN ADDITION TO THE FUEL SYSTEM REPAIR AND FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE MANAGER AND DISPUTED THE EXTRA CHARGES. THE MANAGER DID REMOVE THE ADDITIONAL CHARGES. THE TOTAL COST OF THIS SERV

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Apr 25, 200557,000 milesNY

2001 FORD FOCUS ROTORS (FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE) WERE SHREDDED. THE BRAKE PADS WERE ONLY HALF WORN.*MR *JB *NM

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 23, 2005NC

HAND BADLY BURNT BY AIRBAG. *JB

Suspension › Front › Wheel BearingCrash
Filed Apr 22, 200543,297 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING AT 65, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SOME DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. *JB

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 22, 2005IL

THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING OF MY 2001 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON BROKE. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Apr 15, 2005OH

MY WIFE CALLED ME AT WORK AND SAID SHE HAD NO BRAKES AND RAN THROUGH A STOP SIGN. SHE WAS ABLE TO GO TO MY JOB. AFTER LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM, I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL WELL HAD BEEN RUBBING ON THE FRONT BRAKE LINE. IT HAD WORN ITSELF INTO THE WHEEL WELL ABOUT A 1/4 INCH. IT FINALLY CRACKED THE BRAKE LINE, CAUSING FLUID AND LOSS OF PRESSURE. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF ORDERING A NEW BRAKE LINE TO INSTALL, AND HAVE A VERY HARD TIME FINDING THIS PART.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Apr 11, 2005IL

2001 FORD FOCUS REQUIRES COMPLETE BRAKE REPLACEMENT (INCLUDING ROTORS) EVERY 20,000 MILES. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Back Up Lights › Switch
Filed Apr 10, 2005WA

THE LIGHT BULB AND FUSES OF THE REAR TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS MELTED TOGETHER MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE THE LIGHTBULBS, THUS THE ENTIRE TAIL LIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE WHEN IT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO COME OUT THE PLASTIC ON THE LIGHT WAS BROKEN.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Apr 9, 2005CA

IGNITION CYLINDER ON 2001 FORD FOCUS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO TURN KEY. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Apr 7, 200539,000 milesPA

ON 2 SEPARATE OCCATIONS WITHIN 1 YEAR THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. LOCKED UP. FORD REPLACED BOTH TIMES. *AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2001 Ford Focus → · Every Focus year → · How the figures are calculated →