Page 20 of 36 · complaints 951–1,000 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 →

Service Brakes, Air › Disc
Filed Apr 28, 200416,900 milesNY

EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS,ONLY 16,900 MILES ON CAR

Fuel System, Other
Filed Apr 25, 200445,000 milesNY

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS EXHIBITS ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF THE FAULTY FUEL MODULE. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED FORD, THEY SAID THAT MY VIN WAS NOT ONE OF THE VEHICLES AFFECTED. I'D LIKE THE FUEL MODULE REPLACED, AS IT IS FAULTY. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 24, 200442,977 milesCA

I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2001 FORD FOCUS AND HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES AND I THINK THAT A PART THIS EXPENSIVE SHOULD LAST LONGER. I SEARCHED FOR OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOUND MANY FRUSTRATED FOCUS OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS PART SHOULD HAVE A LONGER WARRANTY. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 22, 200456,000 milesCA

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN I WOULD PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULDN'T TURN , IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES FOR MY CAR TO TURN ON. EVENTUALLY AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE KEY IT NEVER DID, AND I WAS FORCED TO TOW MY CAR HOME. I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERS AND THEY SAID THAT THE COST TO FIX WILL RANGE FROM $350-600. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO KIDS ON A LIMITED INCOME, THERE IS NO WAY I WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD THIS.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 20, 200436,976 milesGA

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO THE BRAKE ROTORS PADS, AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP BEING INOPERATIVE. FORD MADE THE REPAIRS BUT FAILED TO REPLACE THE O RINGS WHICH CAUSED THE PUMP TO FAIL AGAIN. FORD HAD FUEL PUMP RECALL #03NO1 BUT THE SAME EXACT PART WENT BAD. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED DUE TO THE CALIPERS SEEPING FLUID, BINDING THE PISTONS. *SC *JB

Suspension › Rear
Filed Apr 20, 200443,000 milesNJ

MY REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THEY FAILED AT 8,000 MILES AND WERE REPALCED BY THE DEALER UNDER A RECALL PRGRAM. THE SECOND TIME, WHICH IS THE BASIS FOR THIS COMPLAINT, THEY FAILED AT 43,000 MILES (THIS IS ONLY 35,000 MILES LATER). THE DEALER CHARGED ME TO HAVE THEM REPLACED DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE CONCEDED THAT IT WAS PREMATURE BEARING WEAR. BOTH TIMES I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMEING FROM MY REAR WHEELS.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Apr 19, 200454,000 milesWA

KEY WILL NOT TURN. CALLED DEALER AND IT APPEARS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY FORD FOCUS'. AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB I SEE THAT IS TRUE. DEALER WANTED $325 + TOW TO REPLACE IGNITION. NOT SURE IF THAT INCLUDED REKEYING. IN ANY EVENT, I FOUND A LOCKSMITH WHO WILL COME TO MY RESIDENCE AND REPLACE THE IGNITION WITH A BETTER ONE THAN FORD IS OFFERING FOR SUBSTANTIALLY LESS MONEY.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Apr 19, 2004OH

FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS; I HAD 21K+ MILES ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS, THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE WHEN BRAKING, AND SPECIALLY DOWNHILL. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT I NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS, AND "MOST LIKELY ROTORS". THAT'S RIDICULOUS FOR SUCH LOW MILES. FEARING FOR MY FAMILY SAFETY I DID REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS, BUT NOT WITH THE DEALER.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 18, 200461,710 milesNJ

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 FORD FOCUS OVER A 6 LANE SUSPENSION BRIDGE FROM PA TO NJ, MY CAR STARTED TO ACT AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. CAR SLOWED WITHOUT WARNING THEN DIED,THIS HAPPENED AS A 18 WHEEL TRUCK WAS BARING DOWN ON ME AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. SITTING AS A DEAD DUCK THE TRUCK BARELY MADE IT AROUND ME NEARLY CAUSING A MULTI CAR ACCIDENT. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR (BARELY KEEPING IT RUNNING) I SLOWLY MADE IT TO THE TOP AS IT DIED AGAIN , I GLIDED DOWN THE BRIDGE IN NEUTRAL, I PULLED OVER AT THE END OF THE BRIDGE AND RESTARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, EACH TIME HAVING TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR.. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND HAD TO FIGHT FORD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM UNTIL NOW.. THIS TIME I ALMOST GOT KILLED.. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS! PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *JB

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Apr 16, 200442,000 milesPA

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3, MY TAIL END STARTED TO SWAY OUT FROM UNDERNEATH ME. THEN I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I THEN PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE SITUATION AND NOTICED MY WHEEL BEARING WAS NOT SECURED PROPERLY. THEN I WENT ONLINE AND RESEARCHED FORD FOCUS RECALLS AND DISCOVERED THERE TO BE ONE ON THIS ISSUE. I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT PAT & DAN'S DELBALSO FORD DEALERSHIP IN KINGSTON, PA. THEY REFERRED ME TO FORD'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. AFTER SPEAKING TO FORD, I MADE A RETURN CALL TO DELBALSO FORD AND THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME. THEY MADE ME WAIT ABOUT A WEEK FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND THEY MORNING OF, I MADE A CALL FOR THEM TO GET MY CAR WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. AS A RESULT I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET TO COLLEGE WHICH IS ABOUT 20 TO 30 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE MISSED WORK BECAUSE OF THIS AS WELL. I MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE MY PROBLEM RESOLVED BY CONTACTING THE FORD MANUFACTURERS' SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEIR RECALL HAD BEEN CANCELLED. THEY WENT ON TO SAY THAT THEY WERE JUST BEING "NICE" AND ASSISTING THEIR CUSTOMERS BY PERFORMING THE "WARRANTY PROGRAM" AND THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR RECIEVED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE PROGRAM. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT WHEN OWNERSHIP CHANGES AND ALL WARRANTY INFORMATION IS SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS LIABLE FOR ALL RECALL INFORMATION TO BE SENT OUT. I WAS NEVER MAILED NOR BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THIS WA

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Apr 15, 20044,000 milesNH

THE IGNITION - THE KEY WON'T GO IN, OR GOES IN HARD, BUT WILL NOT TURN. I AM TOLD THAT IT NEEDS A NEW STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION AND COMPUTERIZED KEY, AND THE WARRANTY WON'T COVER THE $800+ CHARGE. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE KEY HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE INGITION.*AK

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed Apr 13, 2004VA

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNT ODOR COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO EXPOSED WIRES. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. PASSENGER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE FUEL BOX. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 8, 2004MI

NHTSA RECAL 03V482000 CONCERNING STALLING. RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED ON FEBRUARY 17,2004. SINCE THEN, VEHICLE HAS STALLED FOUR TIMES. WHILE ACCELERATING VEHICLE HESITATED, AND THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO CHARGED THE CONSUMER TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST.*AK *MR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 8, 20043,812 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 5, 2004TX

MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE KEY WILL GO INTO THE IGNITION (AND THE DINGING SOUND STARTS), BUT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 3, 200454,500 milesWV

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 HAS STALLED AROUND TURNS AND WHEN IT GETS BELOW 1/3 TANK CONSISTENTLY SINCE I GOT IT, AND IN MID MARCH IT COMPLETELY STALLED OUT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TOOK NEARLY 20 MINUTES TO RESTART. I JUST VISITED FORDS WEB SITE TO FIND OUT ANY RECALL INFORMATION AND IT CAME UP WITH NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM, OR ANY OTHER PROBLEM. *NM

Service Brakes, Air
Filed Apr 1, 2004DE

IN DEC,OF 2003 I HAD CAUSE TO GO TO FORD AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE BRAKES ON MY CAR,THIS WAS THE 4TH TIME I HAD COMPLAINED TO THEM. AT THIS TIME THEY SAID THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN TO 0.I WAS INTO FORD JUST 2 MONTHS BEFORE FOR THE SAME THING AND NOTHING WAS SAID AT THE TIME,NOW THEY DECIDED THAT WE WERE GOING TO PAY FOR THE WHOLE THING ROTORS INCLUDED I WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT THE CHEAP BRAKES THAT FORD PUTS ON ONLY LAST FOR LESS THEN 12,000 MILES WE PAID TO HAVE THEM REPLACED BECAUSE FORD GAVE US NO CHOICE,NOW WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BACK BRAKES MAKING A LOUD SQUILING NOISE I AM SO UNHAPPY THAT THEY CHOOSE TO DO NOTHING.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 1, 200417,000 milesND

VEHICLE WAS SURGING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 53-63 MPH. *PH *SC *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Mar 29, 200434,500 milesCT

2001 FORD FOCUS 34500MILES; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION UNEXPECTEDLY DROPS OUT OF GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPPEDS AND UNDER LOAD . ALSO BRAKES AND ROTOR SHOT AT 345OO MILES. FORD CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. CANNOT BELIEVE IT.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 23, 2004PA

VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED DUE TO A CONTAMINATED FUEL TANK. *PH THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, AND AFTER READING THE NOTICE SHE REALIZED THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. *JB

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Mar 22, 2004ME

WHILE DRIVING FROM A PARKING LOT DOORS LOCKED. DOORS WERE INOPERATIVE, EXCEPT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. ALSO, HORN STARTED TO BLOW AND THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IT. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Mar 19, 200433,000 milesCA

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TUMBLER FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION MODULE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 18, 2004FL

WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A HESITATION. CONSUMER FEELS THAT ENGINE MAY SHUT OFF. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 12, 200439,450 milesFL

I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AND THE IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN. I TRIED JILTING THE WHEEL TO TRY TO GET IT TO UNLOCK.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Mar 12, 200430,000 milesNJ

I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS IN JAN/2001. AFTER 16000 MILES MY ROTORS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH OTHER BRAKE PARTS THIS REPAIR WAS DONE ON 10/15/02 AND WAS COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. AFTER 30000 MILES I BEGAN TO HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE WHENEVER I APPLIED THE BRAKES. AT 30528 MILES, ON 03/05/04, I WAS INFORMED BY THE OASIS FORD DEALERSHIP (OLD BRIDGE, NJ) TECHNICIAN THAT MY ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH OTHER BRAKE PARTS AND BECAUSE THIS WAS A WEAR PROBLEM, IT WAS NOT COVERED BY MY VERY EXPENSIVE WARRANTY. I TOLD HIM THAT THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ONLY 14000 MILES AGO. HE SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ROTORS PROVIDED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. HE SAID THEY WERE TOO THIN AND COULD NOT BE MACHINED BECAUSE THAT WOULD REDUCE THEM BELOW "SPECS". THIS REPAIR WOULD COST ME $360.00 NOW AND, PRESUMABLY, ANY FUTURE BRAKE REPAIR. THE ROTORS APPEAR TO BE OF INFERIOR QUALITY AND PERHAPS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. REGARDS, ED BARRY. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 12, 2004129,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A PINGING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SEVERAL MOMENTS LATER CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THE ENGINE DIED. CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT THE ENGINE HAD THROWN A ROD THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 12, 2004CA

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON HIS DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE FOR THE FUEL PUMP. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND LEFT IT THERE FOR 2 DAYS. WHEN CONSUMER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE HE FOUND THAT DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE PARTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ALSO, CONSUMER DID NOT THINK THAT MECHANIC ACTUALLY CHECKED THE VEHICLE AFTER DOING RECALL REPAIRS. HE STATED THAT THE RECALL CALLED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP WITH FULLER. VEHICLE WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING, HESITATING AND STALLING. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 11, 200429,000 milesFL

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V482000 CONCERNING FUEL PUMP PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP, CHARGING $25.00 FOR PARTS AND $40.00 DO FOR LABOR. TOTAL CHARGE WAS $75.00. CONSUMER OBJECTED PAYING FOR LABOR BECAUSE THE RECALL LETTER INDICATED IT WAS FREE OF CHARGE. *AK *SC

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 9, 2004NY

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE WOULD EITHER SURGE OR STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 9, 2004WA

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BUT DUE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING A "BRANDED TITLE", THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $430.48 FOR THE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. (NAR) *PH *CB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 6, 200464,639 milesPA

IGNITION CYLINDER ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS FAILED TWICE AND LEFT ME STRANDED . TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS IS OVER $700. FORD WILL NOT STAND BEHIND PRODUCT. RECALL IS IN ORDER. *JB

Tires
Filed Mar 5, 2004MS

ON FEB 28, 2004, DRIVING ON I-10 FROM LOUISIANA TO HOUSTON, FIRST HEARD A POP NOISE, THEN IMMEDIATELY FELT LOOSING CONTROL OF WHEEL, TRIED TO HIT BREAKS TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR, AND THEN MY 3 YEARS OLD FORD FOCUS FLIPPED OVER, AND THANKS GOD NOBODY GOT INJURED, AND EVERYONE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. CHECKED THE CAR, THE TREAD ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE(GOOD YEAR) LOOKED RIPPED OFF, ASSUME THIS TIRE BLEW OR EXPLODED DURING THE DRIVE ON HIGHWAY, WHICH IS VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. INSURANCE IS STILL INVESTIGATING THE CASE. BUT MORE RIDICULOUSLY THE LA POLICE GAVE A TICKET FOR 'CAN'T MAINTAIN THE CAR". WE GOT 4 NEW TIRES FOR ONLY ABOUT 2 MONTHS, EVERYTHING IS IN GOOD MAINTENANCE, AND THERE WAS NO DRIVING FAULT OR OTHER ACCIDENT ASSOCIATED WITH MY ACCIDENT, PLUS WE WERE THE VICTIMS OF THIS TIRE EXPLOSION, WE ALMOST LOST OF LIFE DURING THE DEADLY FLIP OVER. THE INSURANCE IS DOING THE INVESTIGATING ABOUT TIRES, WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TO COMPLAIN, BUT IT MAY TAKE A WHILE TO DEAL WITH GOODYEAR THEN. NOW FOR THIS 170$ TICKET, 5 HOURS DRIVE FROM MY HOME IN MISSISSIPPI, WHAT WE SHOULD DO TO DEAL WITH THE LA POLICE? I FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD TICKET GOODYEAR INSTEAD OF INNOCENT VICTIMS LIKE US, BUT 5 HOURS DRIVING TO COURT IS REALLY ANNOYING ESPECIALLY WE ARE STILL DRIVING A RENT CAR DURING THIS MOMENT. IS THERE ANYWHERE WE CAN DISCUSS THIS POLICE MANNER EXCEPT 5 HOURS DRIVING TO LA COURT? FRUSTRATED CAR OWNER LINGYUN JIN SUN. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Mar 5, 200431,000 milesMT

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 3, 200475,296 milesFL

DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM THE STALLING RECALL 03V482000 REPAIRS UNLESS THE CONSUMER PAID $165.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AT NO CHARGE. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 3, 200445,788 milesOH

IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED, RESULTING IN A $250.00 REPAIR.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Mar 2, 200464,000 milesTN

GEAR SHIFT LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 2, 200463,000 milesKY

CONSUMER WAS COMPLAINING OF A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LINE. VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. ALSO, THERE WAS FUEL UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist SystemCrash
Filed Feb 27, 20043,018 milesWA

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. THIS CAUSED A MINOR CRASH, AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

Suspension › FrontCrash
Filed Feb 27, 2004WA

WHILE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO GET OVER INTO THE NEXT LANE, AS HE ACCELERATED AND TRIED TO GO OVER, VEHICLE SUDDENLY DROPPED IN THE FRONT, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER AND HIT A RETAINER WALL, FLIPPING OVER, LANDING, AND FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURY BECAUSE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Feb 27, 200489,000 milesMI

BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING KIDS TO SCHOOL. THE FORD FOCUS (2001) FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Feb 24, 200437,000 milesSC

RECALL 03V482000 CONCERNING STALLING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. DEALER INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. THE CONSUMER SHOWED THE DEALER A LETTER FROM FORD ABOUT THE FUEL DELIVERY PUMP. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE DONE UNLESS IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK ROPER FORD HONORED THE RECALL ON 1/29/04. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2004WI

WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED A BIT OF HESITATION ON THE ENGINE. AS DRIVER STARTED TO BACK-OUT OF THE GARAGE AND HEADED ON TO THE NEIGHBORING STREET, VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED. (NAR) *LA *CB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 23, 2004MA

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS FAILED AFTER MY OWNING IT FOR LESS THAN 2 1/2 YEARS AND IT'S AROUND 58,000 MILES. I BOUGHT IT NEW. THE DEALERSHIP IS SURPRISED AND SAID THEY'VE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE; IT'S ONLY PARTIALLY BEING COVERED BY WARRANTY. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Feb 23, 2004WA

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOST OF POWER AND SURGING AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SPEED. *PH THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PUMP. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND HAD TO BE ORDERED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PUMP AND FILTER WOULD BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE FILTER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WOULD COST $40.00. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Feb 23, 200432,330 milesWI

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM ON 2000 AND 2001 FORD FOCUS. FORD DEALERS AND SERVICE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *LA THE CONSUMER DISCOVER THAT IF SHE REFILLED THE TANK BEFORE THE VEHICLE HA 250 MILES, THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT OCCUR. THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND EVENTUALLY STALLED. IT FELT LIKE A FUEL PROBLEM PER CONSUMER, IN WHICH SHE PLACED "STP FUEL INJECTION" IN THE TANK AND FILLED IT WHICH STOPPED THE PROBLEM. RECAL#03V482000 *SC

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 23, 2004MS

AFTER TAKING VEHICLE FOR RECALL REPAIR, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER IT HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN FOR TWO DAYS. WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN EXCESS LEAK IN THE SOLENOID CANISTER. *LA AFTER REPAIR ON SOLENOID CANISTER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REAPPEARED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP, LIGHT GOES OFF. CONSUMER WENT BACK AND FORTH TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT APPEARING. ALSO, CONSUMER EXPERIENCE LOSS OF FUEL. CONSUMER FULLED GAS TANK AND AFTER BEING DRIVEN 51 MILES, TANK IS HALF FULL. *LA

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Feb 19, 200437,500 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING OVER ICE AT 25 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, CONSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THE FORCE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 19, 2004FL

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC HAS BEEN NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *NM THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. (THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC) *SC

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Feb 15, 200436,211 milesTX

LEAKING FROM WINDSHIELD TO DASH TO PASSENGER CABIN: IN HEAVY RAINS AND CAR WASHES WATER WOULD COME IN THOUGH THE WINDSHIELD SEAL AND RUN DOWN INTO THE DASH NEAR AIR BAG AND COME OUT NEAR FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE. FORD WANTED $1,000 TO FIX THIS. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED ON OTHER FORD FOCUS MODELS. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SERVICE ADVISOR AND THAT NOTHING WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER DISCUSSING THIS MATTER, I GOT PRICE DOWN TO $150.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 13, 2004PA

WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILED. *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 →