Page 15 of 36 · complaints 701–750 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 →

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 7, 200550,000 milesPA

FUEL PUMP FAILED ON INTERSTATE - FORD HAS REPLACED AT NO COST, BUT I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FREE REPLACEMENT IF I HAD GONE TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE. ALSO, WE WERE TRAVELING AT 70MPH WHEN IT FAILED - NOT MUCH TRAFFIC OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE.*AK

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 4, 200568,000 milesFL

SLOW SPEED ACCIDENT. ACCIDENT RESULTED IN NO DAMAGE TO VECHICLE HIT AND NO DAMAGE TO OUR VEHICLE. PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PASENGER SIDE AIR BAG BROKE WINDSHIELD AND SENT FRAGMENTS OF GLASS FROM THE VISOR MIRROR THROUGHOUT THE CAR. *AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 1, 200558,000 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED FACE INJURIES AND RECEIVED 23 STITCHES IN THE FACE. *AK *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 30, 200536,000 milesOH

THE FUEL FILTER GETS CLOGGED WHICH BLOCKS THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE, CAUSING STALLING. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE FUEL FILTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN # 03V482000. THERE WAS BRAKE PULSATION, THE FRONT END CREAKS REALLY BAD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE NO POWER AND OR STALL WHILE GOING 40-45 MPH. *SC *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Mar 28, 2005OK

THE RIGHT SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE ON ITS OWN. DRIVER TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR WHILE EXISTING AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. BUT WAS ABLE TO EXIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE DOOR MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Mar 25, 200520,000 milesIL

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY RECALLS CAN A CAR HAVE BEFORE IT IS A LEMON! MY 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD EVERY PROBLEM OUT THERE AND MORE THAN HALF OF THEM, I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR. IN THE 4 YEARS I?VE OWNED THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AT MY COST DUE TO STALLING, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP?S FAULT, SO THAT WAS REPLACED; THE STRUTS REPLACED AT MY COST AFTER THEY CAUSED MY FRONT TIRE TO EXPLODE ON THE FREEWAY; THE BUSHINGS WORKED ON 3 TIMES YET THE SUSPENSION STILL MAKES A VERY FRIGHTENING NOISE EVERY TIME I DRIVE. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE (OR SHOULD I TRUTHFULLY SAY, LACK OF?) WHEN I RECEIVED YET ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Mar 24, 200550,000 milesNM

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE IN OPERATIVE. SHE COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST SHE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB ON SOME OCCASIONS WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED THE ODOMETER ALSO STOPPED WORKING AND THE VEHICLE IDLED ERRATICALLY. AT TIMES WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PRESSED WHILE STOPPING THE ENGINE WOULD DIE WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS ALSO UNSTABLE AND AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER IS NEVER SURE HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. *NM

Air Bags › Frontal1 injured
Filed Mar 24, 2005NY

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal1 injured
Filed Mar 23, 200563,000 milesMI

WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED THIRD DEGREE BURNS TO HER FACE, LIP, AND NECK AREA. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *JB *SC *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 23, 200576,515 milesIN

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKED UP, I LEFT WORK AND COULD NOT GET THE KEY IN TO START IT. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT IT HAPPENS TO A TON OF FORD FOCUSES, MAYBE YOU COULD GET A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT IS COSTLY TO FIX AND KEEPS GOING BAD. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed Mar 23, 20053,975 milesNY

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE/OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR) VALVE. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 23, 2005MI

THE IGNITION TUMBLER BROKE INSIDE. KEY WOULDN'T GO IN AT ALL. *AK

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device
Filed Mar 23, 2005MN

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION KEY TUMBLER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 20, 200555,000 milesWA

IGNITION LOCK ON 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS FAILED THREE TIMES CAUSING EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILLS. FORD CALLS THIS A "KNOWN MALFUNCTION" BUT WILL NOT RECALL THE PART.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 18, 2005WA

KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED UNLESS CONSUMER JIGGLED IT AROUND OR TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO REMOVED THE KEY, BUT HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE BEING PURCHASED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

Seat Belts › FrontCrash
Filed Mar 18, 200542,000 milesCA

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BROKE AND DID NOT SECURE THE CONSUMER. ALSO, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD AFTER CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 18, 2005OK

IGNITION FAILED ON MY 01 FORD FOCUS. KEY WOULDN'T TURN. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. JUST OWNED THIS VEHICLE 2 WEEKS. A FEW DAYS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT I WAS BROKE DOWN DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 17, 200551,512 milesLA

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS, BOUGHT NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER THREE TIMES. IN EACH OF THESE INSTANCES I HAVE HAD TO MISS CLASS BECAUSE MY KEY WILL NOT TURN AND START MY CAR. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, BUT THEN I REALIZED THAT THE KEY DOES NOT TURN AT ALL. ON EACH OCCASION I HAVE HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. FORTUNATELY, THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. THE SERVICE EMPLOYEE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS AND IT SEEMS THAT THE KEY IS NOT LONG ENOUGH FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER. HE SAID THAT IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HE WOULD HAVE GIVE ME NEW KEYS THAT FIT THE CYLINDER, AND THUS REPLACE ALL LOCKS (INCLUDING THE TRUNK). AT FIRST HE OFFERED TO DO THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE, BUT SINCE THE MILEAGE IS OVER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY (STILL WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY), I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY LINE.*AK

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Mar 17, 2005MI

FORD FOCUS 2001 RECALL RECEIVED AFTER REPAIR OF FRONT COIL SPRING. *BF FORD ONLY REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER $150.00 OUT OF THE $470.00 THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE REPAIR WORK DONE. THE CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE STRUT AND THE DAMAGE RIM THAT THE COIL SPRING CAUSED. *JB

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Mar 16, 200536,470 milesOH

DRIVESHAFT BROKE AFTER BRAKING AND SWERVING AT 50 MPH.*AK

Equipment
Filed Mar 10, 20058,500 milesWA

I HAVE REPLACED MY ROTORS AND BRAKES 3 TIMES ALREADY AND NOW THEY ARE STARTING TO MAKE THAT SOUND AGAIN WHERE IT STARTS TO DRAG. I JUST REPLACED MY BRAKES IN MAY OF 2004 AND I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN IT 8,000 MILES. I STILL HAVE 4,000 MILES LEFT ON THE WARRANTY. I TOOK IT IN TO BILL PIERRE FORD AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL TO HAVE THIS NIOSE AND THAT THERE IS PLENTY OF BRAKE LEFT. I AM THINKING THAT THEY ARE WANTING ME TO DRIVE IT UNTIL THE WARRANTY IS UP SO I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND PAY OUT OF MY POCKET INSTEAD OF JUST REPLACEING THEM NOW! I AM VERY IRRITATED NOW CAUSE I CAN NOT GET ANY HELP AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME ANOTHER $600.00 DOLLARS!! I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THEM 3 TIMES OUT OF MY POCKET . WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH FORD HOW CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS!*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 4, 200569,000 milesCA

THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 2, 200555,000 milesWI

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. SUDDEN FAILURE. NO ACTION TAKEN YET. *AK

Suspension
Filed Mar 2, 2005DC

BOTH SPRINGS FAILED IN THE CONSUEMR'S 2001 FORD FOCUS. *BF

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 2, 2005NJ

THE 2001 FORD FOCUS HAD FIVE RECALL NOTICES. *BF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A STRONG FUEL SMELL. THE FUEL CAP LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. REFER TO RECALL CAMPAIGN# 03V482000. *SC *JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 26, 2005CA

KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER IN IGNITION. IGNITION JAMMED. KEY WILL NOT MOVE TO START CAR. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM. FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Feb 23, 200555,000 milesNM

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DOOR LATCH. IT WILL NOT CLOSE OR LATCH SAFELY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Feb 17, 2005NJ

THE DRIVER PLACED THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE ON IT ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 16, 200546,783 milesOH

CONSUMER WAS SHIFTING GEARS AND TRANSMISSION FAILED ON ITS OWN. TRANSMISSION WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT PROPERLY, AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD GO BACKWARDS IN REVERSE AFTER A LOT OF JERKING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO BACK AT ALL. *TC

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Feb 16, 2005OH

DRIVER'S SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Feb 15, 2005NY

THE DRIVER HEARD A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE ESCALATED WHILE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND REMAINED ON. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. ALSO, THE ENGINE NEEDED A SENSOR. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 9, 200553,988 milesWI

IGNITION KEY HS BEEN LOCKING STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD NOT TURN TO UNLOCK COLUMN. STRANDED IN DOWNTOWN BELOIT, BECAUSE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC. MECHANIC COULD NOT TURN IGNITION KEY TO UNLOCK STEERING COLUMN. CALLED LOCAL FORD DEALER. DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS, HOWEVER THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL ON THIS FROM FORD. MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION CYLINDER AND TUMBLER. TOTAL COST: $246.40. LOCAL MECHANIC: ACE AUTO SALES, (608) 362-6600. MECHANIC'S NAME AND OWNER OF SHOP: BRAD. NOT HAPPY IN BELOIT. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Feb 9, 2005CA

THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT TURNING WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING ON. MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED BY OWNER.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 8, 2005TX

A GRINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM REAR OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE ROUGHLY. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND REPLACED THE ALL FOUR TIRES. THEN, DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Feb 8, 2005IL

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATION PEDAL. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 8, 2005116,000 milesPA

KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. CAN NOT START CAR. WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE IGNITION CYLINDER. GETTING CHECKED TOMORROW.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Feb 7, 200572,120 milesNY

BECAME HARDER AND HARDER TO GET IGNITION CYLINDER TO WORK PROPERLY. IT WOULD LOCK AND TAKE HALF AN HOUR OR MORE TO GET IT TO START. HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER; REQUIRED A LOCKSMITH, A MECHANIC AND $222. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 7, 2005115,000 milesPA

KEY BEGAN STICKING IN IGNITION OF MY FORD FOCUS. THIS PAST WEEKEND KEY LOCKED IN IGNITION. APPOINTMENT MADE WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND I HAVE JUST PAID $252 FOR A NEW CYLINDER. I QUESTIONED MY DEALER ON PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY HAD NONE!! HARD TO BELIEVE WHEN MY LOCAL MECHANIC ADVISED US OF SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. QUICK FIX WAS TO TAKE A HAMMER AND GENTLY TAP ON THE KEY WHEN IN THE IGNITION OR HERE'S THE BETTER ONE-LEAVE A KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL TIMES. AFTER DROPPING MY VEHICLE THIS AM I LEARNED OF THIS SITE TO FILE COMPLAINT FROM WWW.AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET WHERE COUNTLESS PEOPLE HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM. I ALSO PLAN TO TRY FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE BUT WILL THAT HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. I'M HOPING THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP. **JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Feb 3, 2005120,000 milesNC

ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SMELL OF GAS INSIDE WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE DIES WHILE IDLE, SPUTTERING UPON STARTUP, ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE CAR WAS SERVICED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND GETTING WORSE. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED. FUEL INJECTOR CHECKED, WIRES CHECKED AND BATTERY CHECKED. FORD DEALERSHIP NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE. AS OF TODAY THE CAR WILL NOT START. FORD SERVICE ADVISOR RECOMMEND THE CAR BE TOWED TO THEIR DEALERSHIP.*JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Feb 1, 200522,000 milesIL

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. REAR PASSENGER LATCH ON MY WIFE'S CAR BROKE AFTER OPENING THE DOOR, ONLY 15 TIMES. I AM GOOD WITH MY CARS, AND SOME ELBOW GREASE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LATCH BROKE. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE THAT THE SPRING THAT DROPPED THE TUMBLER DOWN ONTO THE LATCH PIN FIXED TO THE CARS BODY DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE DOOR WAS SHUT AS IT NORMALLY SHOULD. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Feb 1, 2005OK

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND MY IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP FOR THE 3RD TIME. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF THIS EXACT TYPE OF VEHICLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS ABSURD. IF THIS PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THEN FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR THEIR POOR MANUFACTURING AND ISSUE A RECALL. I HAVE SPENT $1000 SINCE NOVEMBER 2004 IN REPAIRS TO THIS CAR. I NEED TO GET RID OF IT, BUT I OWE TO MUCH ON IT. I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND THIS TYPE OF MONEY ANYMORE. THIS CAR IS MY FAMILY CAR. I HAVE TWO PRESCHOOLERS WHOM I TOTE AROUND DAILY IN THIS CAR. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AND I AM SCARED TO TAKE MY CHILDREN ANYWHERE IN THIS VEHICLE. IT IS NOT SAFE. I COULD EASILY GET STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITH MY BABIES AND FORD DOES NOT CARE THAT IT IS THEIR PROBLEM NOR ABOUT HTE SAFETY OF THIER CUSTOMERS. PLEASE LET FORD KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF THEIR SCAMS, LIES AND POOR CRAFTMANSHIP, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE LAST IN AUTO SALES!*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jan 30, 200575,000 milesMI

MY IGNITON GETS LOCKED UP AND THE KEY WONT TURN TO START THE CAR. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jan 28, 200565,000 milesMO

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN . *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jan 28, 2005123,000 milesPA

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. PROBLEMS STARTED ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. WINDOW WIPER MOTOR BLEW BUT WAS UNDER WARRENTY. THEN AFTER WARRENTY EXPIRED EVERYTHING STARTED TO GO WRONG. TRUNK HOOD WOULD NOT LATCH CLOSED, THEN DOOR LATCHES STARTED TO STICK , THEN HAD TO CLIMB INTO PASSENGER SEAT TO OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND DOOR HANDLE PLAYS GAMES AND OPENS DOOR WHEN IT WANTS TO. FUEL PUMP HAD A RECALL, THANK GOD BECAUSE I KEPT STALLING ON HIGHWAY. THEN WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FLEW OPEN ON HIGHWAY, ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT. THEN ENGINE BLEW WITH ONLY 123,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ALL OIL CHANGE RECORDS TO PROVE ENGINE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES GIVE OR TAKE 20. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THAT LEFT ME WITHOUT A CAR FOR A WEEK. PAID $1900 FOR AN ENGINE FROM A TOTALED FOCUS. CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY TOLD ME TO HOLD MY ENGINE RECEIPT SO THAT WHEN AND IF THEY GET ANY COMPLAINTS MAYBE IN 2 YEARS OR SO I'LL GET A REFUND. TOTAL MONEY THAT I HAVE PUT IN CAR IS OVER $4,000.00 AND IT'S STILL NOT PAID OFF YET. NOW I NEED A NEW FRONT AXLE BECAUSE THAT IS GOING BAD. WHY CAN'T FORD HELP ME WHEN I HAVE QUESTIONS AND WHY IS IT WHEN I GO TO A DEALER AND THEY CAN'T HELP AND THEN I CALL COMPANY ITSELF THEY GO AND CALL DEALER I WENT TO AND THEY GO BY WHAT DEALER MECHANIC SAYS AND NOT CUSTOMER. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. AND NOW THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM WENT OF OF BUSINESS.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jan 27, 200565,415 milesMO

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER WHO TOWED MY CAR SAID THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. HE SAID HE HAS DONE NINE TOWS THIS WEEK FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND HAD TOWED TWO THIS WEEK TO THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK MY CAR. OF COURSE, MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY = $300 FIX.*AK

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jan 26, 200524,688 milesWI

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH LUGGING AND SPUTTERING UPON ACCELERATION. 1/24/05 MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I CONTACTED BRAEGER FORD MILWAUKEE WI, THE CAR WENT THERE FOR SERVICE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. I RECEIVED A SAFETY PROGRAM NOTIFICATION THAT STATED A DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AT NO CHARGE TO YOU PROGRAM 03N01. BRAEGER CHARGED ME $511 SAYING THAT THE PUMP REPLACEMENT WAS NOT PART OF THE PROGRAM EVEN THOUGH IT WAS CLEARLY STATED ON THE INFORMATION SENT TO ME BY THE MOTOR COMPANY.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jan 25, 200538,000 milesNY

I BOUGHT MY FOCUS BRAND NEW IN 2001. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR I NOTICED THE TWO BACK DOORS WERE DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THERE WAS MINIMAL USE OF THE BACK DOORS UNTIL ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO. I BEGAN TO USE THEM FREQUENTLY NOTICING THE INTERIOR LIGHT REMAINING ON WHILE DRIVING AND THE DOORS SLIGHTLY OPEN. ON A COUPLE OCCASIONS, A DOOR WOULD SWING OPEN WHILE DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THEM WHEN THEY WERE LOCKED B/C THEY NEVER WERE SHUT COMPLETELY. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THEM AND THEY SAID IF WAS $300 A DOOR TO HAVE THE LATCHES REPLACED. I BUNGEED THE DOORS SHUT AND REFUSE TO FORK OVER THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE LATCHES. I HAVE PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS CAR SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS BEEN UP AND FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS ITEM SO I CAN DRIVE SAFELY IN THEIR FOCUS. *NM

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Jan 24, 200540,300 milesNY

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON, AND TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS TORE DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, CAUSING THE LIGHTS NOT TO OPERATE.*AK *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jan 23, 2005120,000 milesOH

SO MANY PROBLEMS DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START, OK LETS TALK ABOUT THE DOORS. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2001 AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY STARTED EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES. THE TRUNK WOULDN'T LATCH AND THE DOOR LIGHT WOULD BE ON OR IT WOULD LATCH BUT WOULDN'T COME OPEN WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THEY WOULD "ADJUST"IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WOULD BE BACK IN A DAY OR TWO, AND IT WAS GETTING WORSE. THE DOORS STARTED TO JAM,AND FLY OPEN WHILE MOVING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD US TO CALL FORD COMPANY COMPLAINT LINE AND THEY SAID IT WAS A MILEAGE PROBLEM,AND THEY EXPLICITLY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP. WE HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND THE FORD MOTOR CO. MANY TIMES AND THEY ARE NO LONGER HELPING,EVEN THOUGH THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER SAID THE DOORS HAD INTERNAL DAMAGE. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM AND THE LAST TIME OUR 9 YR.OLD WOULD HAVE FALLEN OUT OF THE CAR HAD HE NOT BEEN WEARING HIS SEATBELT. OH,YES THEN THERE IS THE SEATBELTS,BRAKE LINES, DOOR KNOBS,BRAKE ROTORS,FUEL PUMP,WHEEL BEARINGS THE LIST GOES ON WE HAVE A LEMON PLEASE CONTACT US TO HELP. *JB

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 21, 2005WI

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

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.

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