2001 Ford Focus complaints

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED, AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC DID AN INSPECTION AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. *AK

2001 FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION AND STEERING LOCKS. DEALER WANTS $410 OR MORE TO FIX. JUST OFF WARRANTY.

SINCE THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE EXPIRED, CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY A SERVICE FEE TO GET THE ENGINE STALLING RECALL PERFORMED. (NAR) *PH *CB

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REPAIRS AFTER THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE OF POSSIBLE PROBLEMS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. VEHICLE STARTED TO HAVE SYMPTOMS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, POWER LOST AND STALLING. *LA THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT. THE CONSUMER ALSO REQUESTED REIMBURSED. RECALL#03V482000 *SC *JB

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS SE 2001 AND THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. THE PADS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THIS VEHICLE, THEREFORE THE BRAKES ARE WEARING AT A RAPID RATE IN 8 TO 10,000 MILES. I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN JULY OF 2003 BECAUSE THE BRAKES WORE ALMOST GONE AND I COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE BRAKES ON THE FOCUS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED AND I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WHO IS HAVING PROBLEMS. SO FAR FORD HAS REPLACED MY BRAKES TWICE AND MY CAR HAS 33,000 MILES. NOW THEY ARE LYING TO ME AND TELLING ME MY BRAKES ARE FINE AND I KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THEY WON'T DO IT AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS TO PROVE THAT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM THESE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FORD NEEDS TO DESIGN A BRAKE PAD TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I COULD NOT PROVE MY ACCIDENT WAS A RESULT OF THESE FAULTY BRAKES.*AK

MY WIFE OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. IT NOW HAS ALMOST 29,000 MILES AND THE FRONT BRAKES ARE STILL SQUEAKING AND GRINDING ALMOST WITH EVERY USE. IT HAS BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2001. THEY HAVE MADE 4 REPAIR ATTEMPTS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE BRAKES STILL MAKE A LOT OF NOISE AND BRAKE DUST. THE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND VARIOUS OTHER BRAKE PARTS ALSO. THE SERVICE MANAGER (RICHARD) AT ADAMS FORD IN BELTON, MO INFORMED ME TODAY THEY WOULD DO NO MORE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HE LAUGHED AND SAID FEEL LUCKY YOU DON'T OWN A MERCEDES BECAUSE THEIR BRAKES SOUNDED LIKE A DUMP TRUCK STOPPING. *JB

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S WIFE MADE A LEFT TURN AND FRONT WHEELS LOCKED. THEN, VEHICLE DRIFTED AND HIT THE CURB AND A POLE. BOTH, CONSUMER AND WIFE HAD THEIR SEAT BELTS ON, BUT SUSTAINED BACK AND LEG INJURIES. ALSO, A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE FUEL LINES. INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED, AND WAS TOLD BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK *TR

DEALERSHIP TESTED THE FUEL PUMP AND INDICATED THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT DIDN'T REPLACE IT. 120 MILES LATER ENGINE MISFIRED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF ENGINE MISFIRING, CONSUMER INDICATED ENGINE WASN'T MISFIRING OR SHOWING ANY OTHER SIGN OF PROBLEMS UNTIL DEALERSHIP STARTED WORKING ON IT.*AK

WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE INGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER BOTH WERE LOCKED UP. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN FOUND OUT THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER ALL OF THE EXPENSES SO I WAS OUT $350. NOW WHY DO YOU BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IF IT DOESN'T COVER SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT IS APPARENTLY A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE CAR?? I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MATTER.

CONSUMER STATED DEALERSHIP WAS HAVING A PROBLEM GETTING THE CORRECT MOTOR MOUNTS FOR VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THAT THE MOTOR WILL FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM BY 2 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS. YET, THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

ALTERNATOR IS OVER CHARGING WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT IT WILL BURN OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK

IGNITIOIN SWITCH FREEZES. WHEN KEY IS INSERTED THE SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. A LOCKSMITH SHOWED ME HOW TO FREE IT UP BY TAPPING ON THE SWITCH WITH A SCREWDRIVER...!*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER CONCERNING FUEL PUMP FILTERS. *PH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED LEAVING THE CONSUMER STRANDED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PART BUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. *TT *JB

THE TRUNK COLLAPSED ON THE CONSUMERS HEAD DUE TO THE HYDRAULIC LIFTS FAILING. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED AND HAD TO GET STITCHES. *JB THE CONSUMER HAD THE LIFTS REPLACED TWICE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. *NM

THE IGNITION LOCKS WHEN THE KEY IS PLACED WITHIN THE CYLINDER AND THE CAR IS ATTEMPTED TO START. THE IGNITION CYLINDER DOES NOT TURN AT ALL. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND USE ANOTHER KEY, BUT THIS DOES NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. *LA

MY IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP LEAVING ME STRANDED 200 MILES FROM HOME. *LA

WHILE BRAKING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE ROTORS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WORN. THE MECHANIC TRIED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR A MONTH. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE GAS PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE CABLE POPPED OUT OF THE THROTTLE MECHANISM AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM THE ENGINE STALLING RECALL 03V482000 UNLESS THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A FUEL FILTER FOR $42.00. *JB

FAILURE OF FUEL PUMP CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL AND DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE TO BE TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS. FORD PAID TO REPLACE THE PUMP BUT REFUSED TO PAY TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FILTER OR REIMBURSE TOWING EXPENSES. FUEL FILTER PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED ON A SO-CALLED RECALL NOTICE NO. 03N01, BUT FORD IS ADVISING DEALERS TO REPLACE PART ONLY IF IT FAILS AND WILL NOT STAND BY IT'S CONSUMERS FOR FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH DEFECTIVE PART.

THE VEHICLE'S TAILGATE UNLATCHED AND OPENED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NHTSA: #03V482000 CONCERNING FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL INDICATING THERE WAS NOT RECALL AT THIS MOMENT. THE CONSUMER WAS ASKED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH WOULD COST $90.00. *NM

THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER IT BROKE. *PH (NAR) THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN AND ENCLOSED IS A COPY OF THE SAFETY RECALL ISSUED IN REGARDS TO THE STEERING COLUMN. *CB

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLED. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. AT THIS TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP. *AK *JB *NM

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON IT'S THIRD FUEL PUMP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED, STALLED, AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

HYDROPLAINES AT CERTAIN SPEEDS EVEN WITH NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT! (ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED DECEMBER 17, 2002)

AFTER THREE UNSECCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE MY FORD FOCUS REPAIRED FOR ENGINE STALLS(WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT,WITH 18-WHEELER BEHIND ME).IIONCE AGAIN TOOK MY CAR TO FORD FOR WARRANTY WORK.THEY FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT SUPPLING ENOUGH PRESSURE AND FIXED IT I THOUGHT,WHEN AT WORK WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND THE EXHAUST AT RUNNING TEMPERATURE,ALL THE FUEL LEAKED OUT AND COULD OF VERY EASILY CAUSED A FIRE WHICH COULD OF CAUSED A GREAT LOSE OF LIFE NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT ALSO FOR MY WIFE AND KIDS WHO ALWAYS DRIVE THE CAR

WE SUED FORD VIA THE MAGNUSON MOSS WARRANTY ACT. THE FOCUS HAD BEEN SOLD PRIOR TO THE FILING OF THE LAW SUIT. WE REACHED AN OUT OF COURT SETTLEMENT OF $3500. THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR WAS INTERMITTENT STALLING. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM/REAR TRAILER ARM BROKE IN HALF, NEAR THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL, OF MY FORD FOCUS 2001 AFTER DRIVING ON SANDY ROAD DURING A RAIN SHOWER.

THE TIRE AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND THE CAR STATED SLIDING. AFTER THE CRASH THERE WERE BOLTS THAT WERE FOUND ON THE GRASS WHERE THE CRASH HAPPENED

WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO 3RD GEAR IT FREEWHEELS AND OR WILL NOT PULL

ALSO NOV/20/01 MY ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING ONCE AGAIN.....WARRENTY COVERED THAT.

VEHICLE SLUGGISH WHEN GAS PEDAL PUSHED, FINALLY STALLED OUT AND WOULDN'T START FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN STARTED ONLY RAN FOR A MOMENT THEN STALLED AGAIN. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WHERE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WERE REPLACED.

ENGINE LIGHT ON. JERKY GEAR ENGAGING. CHOPPY ACCELERATION. 8/02 REPLACED ALTERNATOR 8/02 REPLACED V BELT 10/02 BLINKERS OUT & ELECTRIC WINDOWS BROKE 10/02 BATTERY LIGHT ON "CORROSION ON WIRES" 1/03 WOULDN'T START, BATTERY LIGHT ON, "WIRE FELL OFF ALTERNATOR" AIRBAG LIGHT ON THEN OFF

MY 2001 FOCUS ZX3 WILL SPUTTER, LOSE POWER, AND THREATEN TO STALL. THIS OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. IT HAS STALLED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ONCE. WHEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, NOTHING COULD BE FOUND WRONG WITH IT AND SO I WAS CHARGED NOTHING. IT STARTED UP AGAIN JUST FINE, BUT PERIODICALLY THREATENS TO STALL AGAIN. ALSO, THE PAINT OVER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL IS BUBBLING UP AND COMING OFF.

THE REASON SOME OF THESE ARE NOT DATED IS BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS KEEP ON PERSISTING THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MY CAR DIES ON ME AND THE CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE. IT MAKES A WINDING SOUND WHEN I TAKE OFF AND STILL THEY CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE. MY GEARS ALWAYS WIND AND AS SOON AS I GET IT OUT OF THE SHOP ABOUT ONE TO TWO WEEKS LATER IT IS DOING IT AGAIN, WHEN I AM DRIVING IT JERKS LIKE IT WANTS TO DIE OR GO OUT OF GEAR(KEEP IN MIND I HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT). I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES TWO TIMES I AM ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES AND THEY ARE MESSED UP NOW. I AM NOT A BAD DRIVER I KNOW IT IS NOT ME I HAVE A CHILD THAT IS CONSTANTLY WITH ME I DO NOT DRIVE CRAZY TO MAKE ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAPPEN. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE REPLACED ONCE ALREADY AND NOW THEY ARE SQEEKING AGAIN. MY CAR CIGARETTE LIGHTER KEEPS ON BURNING OUT. I JUST GET SO FRUSTRATED THAT I AM SPENDING ALL OF THIS MONEY FOR THEM TO WORK ON MY CAR WITH THE WARRANTY AND THEN TELL ME THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND NOW THE WARRANTY IS OUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS PEICE OF JUNK. I HAVE HAD 2 OTHER CARS AND THEY NEVER GAVE ME ANY PROBLEMS AND KNOW I AM STUCK UNHAPPY EVERYDAY WITH THIS CAR I CAN NOT STAND TO DRIVE, I FEEL UNSAFE IN IT EVERYDAY.

SINCE THE CRASH JUST HAPPENED YESTERDAY (12/22/02), I DO NOT HAVE AN ESTIMATED REPAIR COST YET, BUT MY FEELING IS THAT EITHER THE BILL WILL BE VERY HIGH OR THE CAR WILL BE TOTALED. MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. SHE WAS DOING ABOUT 30 MPH ON THE DIRT ROAD NEAR OUR HOUSE. A DOG RAN OUT IN FRONT OF HER. SHE TRIED TO STOP QUICKLY; THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND SHE HIT AN EMBANKMENT/DITCH. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND SHE RECEIVED 2ND DEGREE BURNS ON HER LEFT ARM FROM THE AIRBAG, AS WELL AS A BURN ON HER CHEST FROM THE SEATBELT. SHE ALSO RECEIVED A BLOODY NOSE FROM THE IMPACT OF THE AIRBAG. WE WERE ABLE TO BRING HER HOME FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM, SO WE ARE GRATEFUL, BUT WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW SHE COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED MORE SERIOUSLY.

MY DAUGHTER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AT 40MPH AND THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND SHE FELT A DROP IN THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR, THE CAR STARTED SLIDING AND HIT A CURB. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WAS BROKE OFF. A TOW TRUCK TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT NEEDED A CONTROL ARM; HUB ASSEMBLY; TIE ROD END; TIRE & WHEEL; AXLE; BRAKE LINE; BRAKE PADS & ROTOR; TRANS PAN AND INNER TIE ROD. THEY CONCLUDED IT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT WAS HER FAULT AND THE COST WOULD BE $2,387.77 JUST FOR THE MECHANICAL ONLY. SHE PURCHASED THE CAR SEPTEMBER OF 2002, PUTTING OVER $8,000.00 DOWN ON THE DAY OF PURCHASE WITH A REMAINING BALANCE OF $6,000.00. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT SHE HAD NO INSURANCE. I BELEIVE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH CAR TO CAUSE IT TO GO OUT OF CONTROL, AND FEEL FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT.

THERE IS JUST TO MUCH PAPERWORK TO COPY OUT, BUT WOULD LIKE TO MAIL COPIES. I AM GOING TO PICK UP CAR THIS AFTERNOON JUST HAD SECOND FUEL PUMP FITTED AND NEW GAS TANK. TO DATE NO RECALL INFO RECEIVED BY POST. HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN DRENCHED WITH GAS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASSION WHILE FILLING CAR. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN KILLED WHEN CAR CUT OUT AT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY NARROWLY MISSED BY TWO OTHER MOTORISTS. VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES & HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS. 1/COUNTLESS ENGINE SENSORS 2/FOUR NEW TYRES 3/NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS 4/NEW FRONT BRAKE ROTAS 5/NEW FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS 6/TWO FUEL PUMPS 7/ONE FUEL TANK 8/WAITING FOR THIRD SET OF A FRAME PLASTIC COVERS 9/THREE STEREO PLAYERS 10/TRACKLINK RESET THREE TIMES 11/STILL HAVE REALY NOISY BRAKES 12/ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE 10 YEAR OLD CAR 13/REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WORKS WHEN FEELS LIKE IT 14/RIGHT HAND DOOR SPEAKER SOUNDS AS IF BROKEN 15/NEW TIRES FITTED SHOWING SIGNS OF ODD WEAR 16/TAIL GATE LEAKES WATER 17/ THOUGHT LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER MIGHT GIVE BETTER RESULTS NO JUST LONGER WAIT.

HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. THE IGNITION LOCKED UP AND THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE PLACED INTO THE IGNITION FULLY, NOTHING MOVED, NOTHING WORKED. UPON REPEATED ATTEMPTS THE CAR WAS FINALLY TOWED AND NOTHING HAS COME OUT OF IT. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER 2001 FOCUS', BUT STILL I HEAR NOTHING OF THIS FROM FORD DEALERSHIPS. I ALSO HAVE HEARD RUMORS OF NUMEROUS RECALLS FOR THE 2001 FOCUS', BUT STILL I ONLY FIND 2 RELEASED. I'M JUST FEELING LIKE A USED CONSUMER THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS FOR THIS CAR. IN REGARDS TO STEERING, WHEEL, TIRE AS WELL THE SUSPENSION. AS THE CAR WAS UNDER 18000 MILE I HAD SO MUCH PROBLEM WITH MENTIONED ABOVE PROBLEMS. I COULD NOT CONTROL MY CAR WHEN IT RAINED OR WHEN EVER THE ROAD WAS NOT IN PERFECT SHAPE.

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY FOCUS. ABOUT 3MO AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING, AND MAKING A NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE PURCHASING DEALERSHIP, AND A MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LOANER CAR FOR ME, SO I MADE AN AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK. THE NEXT DAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, THE CAR SHUT DOWN. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK, THEY TOOK IT TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE STUTTER I WAS FEELING IN MY CAR WAS PROBABLY THAT. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SELLING DEALERSHIP, AND THE SHOP SUPERVISOR WENT OUT WITH ME. HE SAID I WAS DRIVING THE CAR OUT OF CONTEXT. WHAT HE MEANT BY THAT, HE WOULDN'T ELABORATE, BUT SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT SINCE, AND THE COMPUTER WILL FADE IN AND OUT, BUT I WON'T LOSE ENGINE POWER. MY CAR HAS TO HAVE NEW BRAKE PADS EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS, NEW TIRES, AND OTHER MAINTENANCE THINGS. AT LESS THAN 40000 MILES, IT NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS, AND WIRES, WHICH I HAPPILY BOUGHT. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED $300, BECAUSE THE PLUGS WERE IN THE BACK OF THE MOTOR. I WENT TO MY CAR, POPPED THE HOOD, FOUR SPARK PLUGS LINED THE TOP OF THE HEAD COVER. THERE WAS NO FURTHER EXPLANATION OF THE ATTEMPTED OVER CHARGE. MY CAR HAS SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS. THE POSITIVE CABLE ON THE BATTERY, HAS MELTED BACK, THERE IS A LOUD ROAR IN THE CAB OF THE CAR, AND

IN NOVEMBER OF 2002, I NOTICED A SQUEAL UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2001 FOCUS. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY CLAIMED THEY HEARD NO SOUND. I THEN TOLD THE MECHANIC YOU MUST ACTUALLY STEP OUT OF THE CAR TO HEAR THE NOISE.; HE DID HEAR THE NOISE AND FORD HAD TO REPLACE THE BELT TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE BELT. I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD FUNCTION AT WILL. THE LEFT HEADLAMP AND TURN SIGNAL WAS ALSO MALFUNCTIONING. I COULD NOT GET THE WIPERS TO TURN OFF AT TIMES. I WOULD TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, AND THE WIPERS WOULD TURN OFF. THIS WOULD ALSO WORK AT TIMES WHEN THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN ON, BUT NOT ALWAYS. I NEVER NOTICED AN ABSOLUTE CONSISTENCY AS TO WHAT WOULD GET THE WIPERS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THEY ALSO WOULD NOT FUNCTION AT THE CORRECT SPEED. THEY WOULD GO FAST WHEN I WANTED THEM TO GO SLOW AND VICE-VERSA. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN TWICE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. THEY REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH BOTH TIMES. A WEEK FOLLOWING THE SECOND VISIT, I NOTICED THEY WOULD NOT WORK AGAIN. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE THIRD TIME. IN BETWEEN THE TIME I SCHEDULED THE APPOINTMENT AND THE ACTUAL DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT, I NOTICED THE GAS LIGHT HAD COME ON WHEN I STILL HAD ABOUT 36 MILES WORTH OF GAS LEFT IN MY CAR. I NOTICED THE LIGHT WAS ON FOR A BIT AND THEN IT WENT OFF. SO, I TOLD THEM ABOUT THAT PROBLEM AS WELL WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT ASSEMBLY. ALSO THEY REPLACED WHATEVER WIRES WERE CAUSING THE MUL

MY WARRANTY WAS 36,000 WHICH IS UP. FIXING THE BRAKES WAS NO PROBLEM BUT I DONT FEEL MY WHEEL BEARINGS NEED REPLACED THIS QUICKLY WITHOUT HAVING SOME KIND IF DEFAULT IN THEM FROM THE START. MY CAR IS MAKING THIS LOUD, ROARING SOUND, WHICH IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. I'M WRITING TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THE HEADQUARTERS OF FORD CAN DO. THERE ARE RECALLS ON 2001 FORD FOCUSES BUT JUST SO HAPPEN NOT ON MY CAR AND WHY IS THAT WHEN IM HAVING COMPLICATIONS WITH IT. IT SOUNDS LIKE A TRACTOR AND IVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 16 MONTHS. I WAS A STUDENT IN DALLAS AND THAT WAS THE ONLY TRAVELING I DID. I'M NOT HARD ON VEHICLES AT ALL. THE WHEEL BEARING ARE GONE BAD ON MY CAR AND I HOPE THERE'S SOMETHING SOMEONE CAN DO. ITS THE FRONT ONES. BY THE WAY IT DOESN'T SEEM AS IF MY TRANSMISSION IS CHANGING THE CORRECT # OF GEARS.

CAR SUDDENLY STALLS WHEN TAKING A SWEEPING RIGHT HAND TURN. POWER STEERING IS INOPERABLE, LEAVING AUTO IN MIDDLE OF ROAD OR HIGHWAY RAMP.

MY SECURITY SYSTEM BASICALLY WENT NUTTY...IT EVEN SOUNDED FUNNY WHEN THE HORN SOUNDED, THE CRUISE WOULD ALSO STICK OR NOT WORK AT ALL WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TURNED ON. I HAVE HAD THE HEGO SENSOR OR THE FRONT OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, ONE AT MY OWN COST...I HAD A HUGE BULGE POP OUT ON MY TIRE EARLY ON, FIRESTONE REPLACED IT AT NO COST...THE BRAKES HAVE INTERMITTANTLY SQUEALED SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD FEW MILES ON IT, WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO GET IT FIXED, IT BASICALLY FELT LIKE THEY HAD LOOSENED THEM BECAUSE YOU HAD TO PRESS ON THE PEDAL HARDER TO STOP, SOON AFTER THEY STARTED SQUEALING AGAIN, ALL FORD WILL TELL ME IS THAT I NEED NEW BRAKE PADS AT MY COST BECAUSE IT IS ROAD HAZARD...SHOULD A CAR WITH 40,000 MILES NEED BRAKE PADS? I THINK NOT. THE LAST COMPLAINT THAT I HAVE IS THAT THE CAR WILL STALL WITH NO APPARENT REASON WHY...NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED IS OR IF I HAVE JUST STARTED IT OR HAVE DRIVEN IT ALL DAY IT DOES NOT MATTER, I WILL JUST BE STUCK UNTIL IT DECIDES TO START AGAIN.

WAS DRIVING THE TURNER TURNPIKE BACK FROM FUNERAL, CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 76 MPH. BOOM FROM UNDER THE CAR, OIL LIGHT COMES ON, SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. I PULLED OVER, TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE WHOLE ENGINE COVERED IN OIL. BEHIND IS A TRAIL OF OIL FROM OVER THE HILL TO WHERE I HAD STOPPED. I'M PRETTY SURE THE ENGINE IS GONE. NO KNOCKING, TEMP WAS RIGHT, NO WARNING LIGHT, JUST BOOM! DIDN'T EVEN GET TO 50,000 MILES. WHAT A CROCK!