Page 32 of 36 · complaints 1,551–1,600 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 →

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 10, 2002OH

CAR WOULD REPEATEDLY CHUG AND ALL GUAGES WOULD DROP TO 0, RADIO/CD WOULD TURN OFF. FINALLY, CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY CAR BEHIND US WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AND GO AROUND. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 9, 2002MI

THREE TIMES I HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE STICK EVEN THOUGH I HAVE LET OFF THE GAS. ONCE WHEN I HAD LESS THAN 5,000 AND AGAIN AT THE END OF LAST YEAR. ONCE WHEN I PARKED THE CAR AND ONCE WHILE I WAS STOPPING AT A LIGHT. BOTH TIMES I HAD TO SHUT-OFF THE VEHICLE AND RE-START IT TO CURE THE FAILURE. I DID NOT REPORT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT IT DID IT AGAIN LAST WEEK WHILE I WAS DRIVING.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 9, 2002CA

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR ALWAYS SHAKES WHEN ITS IN PARK OR AT A STOP LIGHT AND IT STALLED 2 TIME. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND STILL CANT FIND THE PROBLEM.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 7, 2002FL

WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY CAUSE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Suspension
Filed Jun 7, 2002NY

WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH EXTREME VIBRATIONS OCCURS WITHIN STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 7, 2002AL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT PERFORM PROPERLY. YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 7, 2002MN

VEHICLE STALLED 4 TIMES, ALWAYS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A STOP. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE.*AK

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Jun 7, 2002IL

I WAS WATCHING THE NEWS LAST NIGHT AND HEARD A STORY THAT THE NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS THAT THE FORD FOCUS ENGINE CAN STALL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS WHAT HAPPEN TO MY CAR FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. BUT, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW STARTER. THIS WAS STRANGE TO ME BEING THE FACT THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD. AFTER SEEING THIS REPORT I KNOW UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSE BY DEBRIS ACCUMULATING IN THE GAS TANK, BLOCKING FUEL FROM BEING DELIVERED TO THE ENGINE. AFTER THE NEW STARTER WAS INSTALLED I'M STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. FOR EXAMPLE AT TIME IT SEEM LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL OR IT FEELS LIKE ITS DRAGGING.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 7, 2002HI

CAR STALLED WHILE ON HIGHWAY ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ALSO WAS GETTING POOR GAS MILEAGE. BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE PROBLEM SOLVED AFTER SECOND SERVICE.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 7, 2002NC

CAR SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY, NO WARNING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, THE CAR TOOK A WHILE TO RESTART, RADIO WOULDNT COME BACK ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED RADIO. AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE DEALERSHIP, SERVICE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP, AS REQUESTED BY FORD MOTOR CO, ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AS TO HELP ISOLATE WHY IT WAS HAPPENING. I WAS ASKED IF I NOTICE THE LIGHTS DIM PRIOR TO CAR SHUTTING DOWN. I REPLIED, I DONT RECALL IF THE LIGHTS DIMMED BECAUSE I WAS MORE THINKING ABOUT IT IS DARK, I HAVE A BLACK CAR, NO LIGHTS, NO POWER & A SEMI COMING UP BEHIND ME, ON I40. MY THOUGHTS WERE OF NOT GETTING KILLED AT THAT MOMENT. THE CAR STARTED BACK UP, HOWEVER THE RADIO AGAIN DIDNT COME ON INCLUDING THE CLOCK. THE LAST TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN AFTER IT SHUT DOWN, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE RADIO AND CLOCK NOT WORKING. IT WAS KEPT FOR ONE WEEK AND I WAS ADVISED THE RADIO WORKS, IT MERELY HAS A LOOSE FACE PLATEON THE RADIO & YOU HAVE TO KEEP" HITTING THE CONTROL TO GET IT ON. I KNOW FIRST HAND THE RADIO SHUTTING DOWN IS A RESULTING OF COMPLETE POWER LOSE (INCLUDING THE CLOCK). I DONT THINK A LOSE FACE PLATE ON THE RADIO WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. FROM WHAT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS, AFTER CONSULTING FORD , THEY HAVE REPLACED ANYTHING THE CAN BE REPLACED. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS CAR MANY TIMES. THE DEALER HAS LESS REPAIR INVOICES BECAUSE THEY HAVE COMBINED MULTIPLE REPORTS INTO ONE. IF YOU COUNT THE DEALERSHIP RECORDS OF HOW MANY TIMES, IT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Jun 6, 2002CA

I HAVE REPORTED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS TO YOU WITH THIS LEMON. THE DEALER WAS TOLD WHEN THE CAR HAD 5000 MILES, THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. SEVERAL EXPERTS HAVE NOTED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY CALIPER CAUSIING THE BRAKES TO FAIL AND THE TIRES TO CONTINUALLY BLOW OUT, RESULTING IN NUMEROUS ROADSIDE EMERGENCIES. THE DEALER HAS REUSED TO EITHER REPAIR, OR REPLACE THE CAR FROM THE BEGINNING STATING THEY WILL NOT LOSE MONEY AND THAT THE SAME THING HAS NOT OCCURRED OFTEN ENOUGH. THE CAR IS INOPERABLE SINCE THE DEFECTIVE CALIPER, THE ROTORS, AND THE SHOES ARE ALL SEVERELY WORN. THE REPAIR SHOPS STATE THAT THE CAR IS TOO NEW TO GET THE PARTS AND THAT ONLY FORDD CAN GET THE PARTS. THEY WANT ME TO PAY $200 MINIMUM FOR EACH ITEM OF AT LEAST FOUR, SAYING THEY WILL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN STATING SINCE MY COMPLAINTS BEGAN. I HAVE REPORTED THESE FACTS TO YOU BEFORE, NUMEROUS TIMES, AS WELL AS BY TELEPHONE. I HAVE GOTTEN NO RESULTS. I AM DISABLED AND HAVE SPENT THE LAST WEEK HOME ALONE WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO GET MY MEDICAL CARE, AND OTHER NEEDS. THIS CANNOT GO ON.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 6, 2002TX

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR FRONT-END COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AS EXPECTED, HOWEVER SOMETHING IN THE PROCESS CAUGHT THE SLEEVE OF DRIVER'S JACKET ON FIRE. DRIVER RECEIVED SEVERE BURNS. THERE WAS AN AREA THE SIZE OF THE HOLE IN THE JACKET WHERE THE MATERIAL HAD MELTED TO THE AIR BAG. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE PROPELLANT USED TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG CAUSED THE FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY AT TEMPERATURES OF 500 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. HOWEVER NO SUCCESS IN CONTACTING MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. *TT *YD *NM

Suspension
Filed Jun 3, 2002MD

WHILE DRIVING FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL MAKES A LOUD THUMPING NOISE. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES ERRATICALLY. THERE IS ALSO A BURNING SMELL WHICH IS VERY HARSH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed May 31, 2002IL

WHILE DRIVING AT 5MPH A FRONTAL COLLISION OCCURRED. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS VOILENTLY DEPLOYED CAUSING MAJOR INJURIES TO DRIVER, THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.*AK VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE. FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED. *JG *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed May 31, 2002IL

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE JUST STALLED OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING.*AK THE VEHICLE STALLED AS IF IT HAD RUN OUT OF GASOLINE WITH AN ALMOST FULL TANK. AFTER LETTING THE ENGINE SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART.THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN A FEW DAYS AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 15 TO 65 MPH, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *JG

Steering
Filed May 30, 2002GA

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM IS GETTING LOOSER THE MORE CONSUMER DRIVES, THE LOOSER STEERING WHEEL GETS. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN STEERING AND THAT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *JB THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE IS DECREASING FROM 300 MILES TO 200 MILES AND THEN TO 180 MILES FOR A FULL TANK OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCES STALLING AND CHANGING GEARS HAS BEEN DIFFICULT. *YH

Suspension › Rear
Filed May 30, 2002GA

CONSUMER STATES WHEN DRIVING IF VEHICLE HITS A BUMP THE REAR END OF VEHICLE GOES FROM SIDE TO SIDE LIKE ITS LOOSING TRACTION OF THE ROAD. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. JBCONSUMER FURTHER STATES THE VEHICLE USED TO GIVE THEM 300 MILES WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL TO EMPTY. NOW THE VEHICLE GIVES THEM 180 MILES. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS TROUBLE CHANGING GEARS AND HAS BEEN STALLING. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. *JG

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed May 29, 2002MI

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash
Filed May 28, 2002FL

AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH MINOR FRONTAL IMPACT WHILE COMING TO A STOP. PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG COVER FLIPPED UP AND SHATTERED ENTIRE WINSHIELD. ONLY DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE WAS LICENSE PLATE FALLING OFF.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed May 28, 2002MI

MY VEHICLE HAS JUST BEEN TURNED INTO OUR DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING, FOR THE SAME REPEATED PROBLEM OF ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. THIS IS OUR 5TH VISIT, AND WE ARE ON OUR 4TH EGR VALVE. SAME COMPLAINT, THE CAR DRIVES SLUGGISHLY, SHUTTERS AND ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TRAVELING THROUGH A MAJOR INTERSECTION AT NIGHT. WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF A LEFT HAND TURN, AT THIS PARTICULAR INTERSECTION, 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC ARE TURNING LEFT AT THE SAME TIME. WE WERE ON THE INSIDE LANE, MAKING OUR TURN AND THE FOCUS SHUT OFF. WE WERE NEARLY REAR ENDED, AND BARELY AVOIDED A LARGE INTERSECTION ACCIDENT WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND US QUICKLY BRAKING AND SWERVING INTO THE OTHER LANE. IT WAS TERRIFYING! WE HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED, AND EACH TIME OF OUR COMPLAINT, THE DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSIS THE DIRECT PROBLEM. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ARTICLES REGARDING OTHER FORD FOCUS VEHICLES HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. JUST RECENTLY HAVE READ ABOUT THE PAINT CHIPPING OFF FROM THE INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK, CAUSING A BLOCKAGE, SO THAT FUEL CANNOT FLOW THROUGH INTO THE PUMP. THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM. HOW MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THESE SAME REPEATED DIFFICULTIES? I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR A GOOD RELIABLE CAR FOR MY 16 YEAR DAUGHTER TO EVENTUALLY HAVE, AND CONSIDERING THE EXPERIENCES I HAVE HAD WITH SHUTTERING, SHUT OFFS..DO NOT WANT TO PUT HER BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS CAR FOR SAFETY REASONS. OUR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 23, 2002MD

STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THE TRANSIMISSION WOULD CLATTER AT ANY SPEED. CLATTER BECAME PRONOUNCED AND TOOK THE CAR IN AND IT HAD A BAD BEARING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ONE. WHILE THE CAR HAS 60K ON IT ALL THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY AS I DRIVE IT 100 MILES ROUND TRIP PER DAY.*JB

Tires
Filed May 23, 2002ME

CONSUMER STATED HE COULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN 45 MPH, ANYTHING OVER FELT AS IF HE WAS LOSING CONTROL AND DRIVING THROUGH A CONTINUOUS PUDDLE, SWERVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, TIRES ONLY HAD 6500 MILES ON THEM, DUNLOP SP SPORT W-10, P205/50R16, DOTU22V4M61501MA2520. *YH

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed May 21, 2002WV

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH TWO FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED,AND THEN PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG BURSTED AND BURNED PASSENGER. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AKI

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed May 18, 2002SC

I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THEY HAVE TOLD ME " THEY HAVE NO REPAIR PROCEDURE" AT THIS TIME. THE WASHER TANK VENT IS LOCATED SUCH THAT IT ALLOWS UP TO 3 QUARTS OF FLUID TO DRAIN OUT OF THE TANK. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR TO COLEMAN FORD TWICE AND THEY DID REPLACE THE TANK AND CHECK THE SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE TANK VENT ISSUE IS CORRECTED IS WHAT I WAS TOLD AT COLEMAN FORD.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed May 13, 2002NC

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND NONE OF FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Relay
Filed May 10, 2002NJ

STARTERN RELAY SENSOR ON VEHICLE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL OUT INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER COULD NOT FIX PROBLEM. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed May 8, 2002CO

BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, PEDAL STIFFENS UP AND CONSUMER CANNOT PRESS DOWN ON PEDAL TO APPLY BRAKES. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. BUT PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TT

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed May 6, 2002NJ

WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE ABOUT 60MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEWOUT INTO TWO SEPARATED PIECE OF TREAD. FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK , DOT NUMBER W279. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash1 injured
Filed May 4, 2002CA

AIRBAG DEPLOYED AT LESS THAN 20MPH. NECK INJURY. *AK

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed May 3, 2002TN

WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE PASSENGER' SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO BUMPS OR SUDDEN STOP THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Air BagsCrash
Filed May 3, 2002AL

THE ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG IS THAT UPON DEPLOYMENT IT SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD, SHOWERING GLASS THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR CAUSING CUTS AND SCRATCHES IN ADDITION TO THE BURNS FROM THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS. FORD CORPORATE STATED THAT THIS WAS ABNORMAL, HOWEVER THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THIS WAS NORMAL. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 3, 2002CT

TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE WHETHER AT IDLE OR WHEN SHIFTING. THE DEALER CHECKED OUT THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES AND MAINTAINED THAT IT WAS A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION TO MAKE NOISE OR CLATTER.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 3, 2002NV

CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 37 DAYS SINCE BOUGHT NEW. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Apr 30, 2002CA

THIS VEHICLE WAS LISTED AS USED BUT HAD ONLY 600 MILES ON IT WHEN WE PURCHASED IT. WE HAVE NOT SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE, BUT I FEEL THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 14,800 MILES ON A NEW CAR. THE SERVICE MANUAL STATES THAT YOU DO NOT NEED A BRAKE INSPECTION UNTIL 15,000 MILES, HOWEVER, MY CAR ALREADY HAS ROTOR DAMAGE. THE DEALER AS WELL AS FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME IT WAS MY PROBLEM AND THE DEALER SAID THE MANUAL IS "WRONG." I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN BRAKE SYSTEMS GIVE OUT, WITHOUT WARNING, WELL BEFORE THE INDUSTRY STANDARD. I AM HAVING MY BRAKES FIXED TODAY ELSEWHERE SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE ME $500 TO FIX THE DAMAGE. THERE IS A WEBSITE OUT THERE CALLED WWW.FORDFOCUSBRAKEPROBLEMS.COM WHERE YOU CAN FIND A LARGE AMOUNT OF CONSUMERS SUFFERING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR FORD FOCUS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 29, 2002NC

CAR HAS CUT OFF 5 TIMES IN LAST YEAR AT SPEEDS OF 55MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE LAST TIME CAUSED MY DAUGHTER TO LOSE CONTROL AND RUN OVER A MEDIUM. SHE WAS LUCKY THAT SHE DID NOT CROSS IT AND KILL HERSELF AND SOMEONE ELSE. FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO FIX IT AS "THEY CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM." WHEN WILL THE NHTSA DO SOMETHING? AFTER SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE KILLED?*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 29, 2002KY

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 FOCUS WAGON ON INTERSTATE OFF RAMPS IT STARTS TO STALL AND HESITATE. THE RPMS DROP OUT WITH ABSOLUTLY NO POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IS REALLY SCARY. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS YESTERDAY WHILE IWAS MERGING FROM A RAMP AND MY CAR DIED OUT INFRONT OF A SEMI TRYING TO GET ONTO THE RAMP.I PULLED OVER AS FAR AS I COULD TO GET OUT OF HIS WAY HE LOCKED UP HIS BRAKES. I TAKE THIS SAME RAMP ALL THE TIME SINCE ITS ONMY WAY HOME FROM WORK. THIS PROBLEM STARTS IF I LET THE GAS GET BELOW A 1/2 TANK. I BEEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM BRINGING IT BACK TOMORROW AGAIN TO HAVE THEY FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH THIS. I TOLD MY FAMILY ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND SAID IF I GET KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT ON A RAMP IT BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM OF IT DYING. AND TO GO AFTER FORD FOR THIS. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS SO THEY KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. I WENT OVER YOUR OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHISCLE/ IT IS UNREAL THE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE IN COMMON WITH THEM, IT WORRYS ME. I WAS GOING TO GIVE THIS CAR TO MY DAUGHTER TO DRIVE SHE 16 BUT NOT NOW. I WANT HER TO COME HOME IN ONE PIECE. I HAVE HAD A WATER NOISE IN THE DASH THEY CANT FIND, STICKING GAS PEDAL NOW FIX FOR NOE AFTER 2 TIMES IN THE SHOP. THE OIL SMELL IN THE CAR. LEAKING OIL I SEE IN IN THE DRIVEWAY BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIND WHERE ITS COMMING FROM. I WISH I KNEW MORE ABOUT THE LEMON LAW A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. IT DOESN'T APPLY TO ME NOW BECAUS

Air Bags › FrontalCrashFire1 injured
Filed Apr 26, 2002TX

I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AT APPROX 20 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG BURST A FLAME AND SMOKE, BURNED MY BLOUSE AND BRA, AND BURNED ME WITH SECOND TO THIRD DEGREE BURNS.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Apr 26, 2002CA

WE TAKE THE CAR TO ALBANY FORD FOR EVERY MAJOR SERVICEING. WHEN WE STARTED TO HEAR THE GRINDING NOISE, WE REPORTED IT TO THE SERVICING PERSONEL. THEY FELT IT ODD THAT THE BRAKE PADS AS WELL AS THE ROTORS SHOULD FAIL AT 22000 MILES BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE SAYING THAT THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER AS THIS WEAR AND TEAR. ALSO WHEN WE TOOK THE CARE FOR SERVICING AT 5000 MILES, THE BRAKE PADS WERE 10 MM AND WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR BACK AT 14000 MILES, THE PADS WERE 5MM. NOBODY AT THE SERVICE CENTER INFORMED US THAT THE BRAKE PADS WILL NEED TO BE CHANGED SOONER AS THEY ARE WEARING OUT FASTER THAN USUAL. AT THAT TIME THEY DID NOT FEEL IT WAS ODD. THEY REALLY SHOULD HAVE WARNED US, BUT INSTEAD THEY PUT THE BLAME ON US SAYING WE WERE BRAKING HARD. WE DONOT DRIVE THE CAR VERY MUCH AS WE HAVE GOOD PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE AREA WE LIVE.I CONTACTED OTHER REPAIR SHOPS AND ONE OF THEM, AT MIDAS SAID THAT SHE WAS SEEING THIS AS A THIRD CASE OF BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM IN TWO WEEKS. THE OTHER TWO CARS WERE MUSTANG. WE TRIED GETTING IN TOUCH WITH A SUPERVISOR, BUT THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO CALL US BACK AT THE TIME WHEN WE ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM, THE LEFT SIDE BRAKE LIGHT SEEMED TO HAVE STOPPED WORKING. HOW DO WE GET THE FORD PEOPLE TO TAKE OUR COMPLAINTS RIGHT AWAY.*AK

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Apr 25, 2002PA

REAR SEAT BELT EXTENDER GETS STUCK DURING COLD WEATHER, NOT BEING ABLE TO USE SEATBELT.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum
Filed Apr 23, 2002TX

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE IS AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. FORD HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE ONCE UNDER AVERSIVE RECALL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AGAIN AT 33000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *YH

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 23, 2002PA

MY 16 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MINOR ACCIDENT. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AT SUCH A SPEED IT CAUGHT HER SLEEVES ON FIRE. ONCE HER SLEEVES WERE ON FIRE SHE PANICKED THINKING HER HAIR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE, WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND END UP IN SOMEONE'S YARD. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SEAT, INSTEAD IT DEPLOYED TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALLED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. BEING THAT THIS CAR IS TARGETED TOWARDS TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS AND AT THE RATE OF SPEED IN WHICH THEY DEPLOY. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE CAR TO BE TOTALLED, OTHERWISE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE IN CONTROL TO SAVE THE CAR AND HERSELF FROM 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS THAT SHE SUFFERED ON HER ARMS.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 22, 2002WA

UPON IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND I (THE DRIVER) RECEIVED SECOND-DEGREE BURNS TO MY ABDOMEN.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 19, 2002NV

CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, ONLY ABLE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER. NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 19, 2002NV

WHEN IDLING VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE INTERMITTANTLY, BEGINNING AT ENGINE AND WORKING IT'S WAY BACK TOWARDS REAR OF VEHICLE.. DEALER CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Apr 19, 2002NV

WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE, DEALER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS DUE TO WARPING. THEN REPLACED ROTORS AGAIN ON 15 SEP. 2001 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. NLM

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Apr 19, 2002IN

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE STOPPED WORKING. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY IT STOPPED WORKING. NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 19, 2002IN

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE, ON NUMEROUS OCCASION HAS BEEN STUCK IN PARK POSITION THAT NO MATTER HOW HARD THE CONSUMER TRYS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER. NLM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 19, 2002IN

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING WILL STALL OUT THE CONSUMER ALSO SMELLS GAS. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. NLM

Suspension
Filed Apr 19, 2002IN

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WILL START TO PULL TO THE LEFT AND WHEN TRYING TO ADJUST IT TO THE RIGHT THE VEHICLE WILL THEN MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT AND THEN BACK TO THE LEFT SO THE VEHICLE IS MOVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE ROAD. CONTACTED DEALER. NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum
Filed Apr 19, 2002IN

CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE ADJUSTERS ON THE REAR BRAKES HAVING BEEN ADJUSTING IMPROPERLY CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT SEVERAL TIMES. NLM

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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