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 →
I WILL START WITH THE FACT THE CAR IS ON IT'S FOURTH BATTERY. IT HAS HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED ALONG WITH EVERY SENSOR IN THE CAR SOME TWICE. THERE WAS A STEERING COLUMN RECALL DONE ON IT. THE TWO BACK WINDOWS TRACKS HAVE BEEN BROKE A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES. THE DOOR HANDLES BRAKE THREE SO FAR. THE STEREO IS BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAVE HAD TO DO THE BRAKES TWICE SO FAR AND ALL THIS AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 63,498.8 MILES . *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SLIPPED. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT DRIVE THE SAME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT IN STOCK AND THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF ENTIRELY. THE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER WHENEVER THE SIGNAL LIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS, OR AIR CONDITIONING WERE ACTIVATED. THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUED TO SHORT AND, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAMS HAD TO BE ACTIVATED. THE SEAT BELT IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SEAT WAS INOPERABLE AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTINUED TO MOVE BACKWARDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND WHILE THE IGNITION IS ON. FINALLY, NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE FUNCTIONAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. *TR
THE IGNITION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL OR START THE CAR. THE KEY WILL GO IN BUT NOT TURN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON THE SAME CAR. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION 22 MONTHS AGO. THIS IS FRUSTRATING AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED IN BOTH INSTANCES. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ANYONE BUT ME? THE CAR IS A 2001 FORD FOCUS LX. *TR
2001 FORD FOCUS, SEVER GASOLINE LEAK, WHEN NOTICED HALF A THANK HAD LEAKED IN 1 HOUR. STOPPED CAR, HAD IT TOWED AFTER ALLOWING THE LEAK TO STOP. COULD HAD GET ON FIRE, ROAD GOT COVERED WITH GAS. DEALER FOUND DISCONNECTED GAS LINE TO GAS PUMP ON GAS PUMP. COULD NOT CONNECT THE GAS LINE BACK SINCE NECK WAS DAMAGED, REPLACED GAS PUM AND GAS LINE. PUMP WAS CHANGED BY SAME DEALER ON 2005 AFTER CAR DIED BECAUSE PUMP BROKE, RECALL WAS IN EFFECT AND PUMP CHANGES AS RECALLED. *TR
REAR ELECTRIC WINDOW MALFUNCTION.\ FORD FOCUS SE 2001 IT STARTED WITH THE WINDOW NOT GOING DOWN SINCE 2004 AND NOW ONE WINDOW YOU CAN PULL DOWN BY YOUR HAND. *TR
KEY WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO IGNITION CYLINDER ON 2001 FORD FOCUS, SO THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED. IT APPEARS THAT MANY FOR FORD FOCUS OWNERS, BUT FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A RECALL IS NEEDED. *TR
THE REAR SEAT CENTER SEAT BELT IS INTERMITTENTLY LOCKED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND YOU NEVER CAN RELY ON IT TO BE USED. IT SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. CURRENTLY OURS IS LOCKED SO TIGHT IN THE RETRACTED POSITION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL IT OUT AND USE IT. *TR
I HAVE A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM WITH MY 2001 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON. IF THE GAS GETS BELOW 1/2 TANK, THE ENGINE STALLS AND THE MOTOR STARVES FOR FUEL, BUT THERE IS ABOUT 1/2 TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE NOW IN 30 DAYS. *TR
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR AFTER WORK, LATE AND NIGHT, IN A DARK, EMPTY PARKING LOT, AND TRY AND START MY CAR. MY IGNITION WILL NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. I TRIED FOR 30 MIN TO GET IT WORKING BEFORE I GAVE UP. IT JUST HAPPENED, NO WARNING OF AN ISSUE. I DO NOT SEE THIS TO JUST BE WEAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. SPORADICALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THEN RESTART MOMENTS LATER. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY CABLES. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES); THEREFORE, SHE WAS NOT ENTITLED TO ANY REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HESITATED, AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, SURGED, AND EXPERIENCED OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE BECAME SLUGGISH AND STALLED AT ANY SPEED. AFTER WAITING 20 TO 40 MINUTES, THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SERVICE STATION FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF UPDATED 08/07/08 THE DEALER LOWERED THE FUEL TANK, REMOVED THE OLD FUEL PUMP AND FOUND THE SCREEN IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. UPDATED 08/07/08
THERMOSTAT HOUSING HAS STARTED LEAKING COOLANT. THIS IS REPORTEDLY A COMMON FAILURE ON FOCUS WITH 2.0L DOHC ENGINE (ZETEC). THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILURE MAY OR MAY NOT BE A CONNECTION TO THE VALVE COVER LEAKING OIL ONTO THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH PRODUCES A FAINTLY NOTICEABLE BURNING SMELL WHEN DRIVING. *TR
WAS DRIVING HOME AND ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING AND GOT LOUDER AND WHEN I RETURNED HOME HAD MY HUSBAND LOOK AT IT AND FOUND 3 MOTOR MOUNTS WERE RUSTED OFF. DEALERSHIP REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS A WEEK LATER AT MY COST AND DIDN'T GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR. *TR
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE BEHAVES AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN. *TR
WHILE MY YOUNG DAUGHTER AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY 65MPH, I SMELLED RUBBER BURNING, LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW AND SMOKE COMING FROM MY CAR, I TURNED RADIO DOWN AND HEARD THE LOUD WHINING SOUND AS I TRIED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD WAS A LOUD CRUNCHING NOISE AND I FELT SOMETHING HITTING UNDER MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR, I HAD TROUBLE STEERING THE CAR BUT DID GET IT PULLED OVER, AFTER MY HUSBAND INSPECTED THE CAR BRIEFLY WE NOW KNOW THAT THE COIL SPRING BROKE CUT INTO MY TIRE AND OTHER DAMAGES, MY FRONT FENDERS WERE ACTUALLY SITTING ON MY TIRES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED HOME WE DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR. AFTER LOOKING AT OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT I HAVE HAD ALOT OF THESE PROBLEM AS WELL. MY CAR HAS SEEN THE BACK OF A TOW TRUCK MORE THAN ITS SHARE. *TR
DEFECTIVE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED, WEDGED AGAINST TIRE, CAUSING PARTIAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. RIGHT SIDE FRACTURED JULY, 2005, LEFT SIDE FRACTURED MAY, 2008. COIL SPRING & RELATED PARTS REPLACED BOTH TIMES. *TR
WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS WITH 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION LOCKUP. THOUSANDS OF CASES, YET NO RECALL FROM FORD. KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. COULD ENDANGER SAFETY. *TR
MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION WAS LOCKED UP AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START MY CAR. I WAS STRANDED IN AN UNSAFE PART OF CITY WHILE WAITING FOR AAA TO SHOW UP AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AND ONLY WORK TEMPORARILY IN THE HIGHEST SPEED. AFTERWARDS, THEY WOULD SLOWLY STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP; HOWEVER, HE SPOKE TO THE DEALER ON THE PHONE AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. HE DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE CURRENTLY STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,600.
FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN. *TR
ENGINE FAILED AT 109,000. IT THREW A ROD AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE WITH NO WARNING. *TR
IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP LEAVING US STRANDED. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY CLAIM THEY COULD DO NOTHING AND TOLD ME TO CALL A DEALER AND HAVE IT FIXED. THIS CALL WAS MADE AT AROUND 9PM SO THERE WERE NO DEALERSHIPS OPEN. MY FIANCE HIT THE KEY WHILE IN THE IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN AND UNLOCK THE IGNITION. I AM UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION FOR FEAR IT MIGHT DO THIS AGAIN WHEN I AM ALONE. *TR
2001 FORD FOCUS WITH VARIOUS DEFECTS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD WORK DONE NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS LISTED IN THE RECALLS BUT HER VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL. SHE WOULD LIKE FORD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE.*KB
WE WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HAS CAUSED SOME INJURY TO MY FACE AND MAY HAVE CAUSE SOME LOSS OF VISION IN MY RIGHT EYE. *TR
2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION DOES NOT TURN. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER TOLD HER IT WOULD COST AROUND $350 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEN THE PROBLEM MIGHT RETURN. SHE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF NHTSA HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS. *KB
THE WIRING IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 THAT CONNECTS THE REAR HATCH TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR DETERIORATES SIGNIFICANTLY. THE WIRING ON MY CAR HAS STRIPPED THROUGH THE INSULATION, AND HAS BROKEN 4 OF THE 8 WIRES COMPLETELY IN HALF. THIS DISABLES THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT, THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER, AND THE TRUNK LID CAUSING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR
KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION-2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 I'M HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAYJUNE 2, 2008 TO FIND SOMEONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM/REPAIR 2 DAY WAIT WITHOUT A CAR. *TR
THE KEY ONCE INSERTED IN THE IGNITION WILL NOT START MY CAR (2001 FORD FOCUS). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THEN SHUT OFF A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE (03N01) IN JANUARY OF 2004 AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THEY WOULD NOT CHANGE THAT PART UNTIL THE FAILURE OCCURS. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY RECEIVING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,781 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,800.
THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS PREMATURELY, WHICH CAUSES OIL TO DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE BURNING OIL CREATES FUMES. THE POORLY DESIGNED SEALS AROUND INTAKE AIR BOX ALLOW FUMES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THESE TWO DESIGN FAILURES COMBINE WITH EACH OTHER TO EXPOSE PASSENGERS TO BURNING OIL FUMES. NOW, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE VALVE COVER GASKET TO AVOID EXPOSING MYSELF TO BURNING OIL FUMES. *TR
THE IGNITION IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS WON'T TURN, LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, EACH ONE LEAVING ME STRANDED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATES FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE EVENTUALLY ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY CRASHES DUE TO THE FAILURE AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE MADE A STRANGE NOISE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
SUNDAY MORNING (4/6/2008) I GOT IN MY CAR AND BACKED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL AND GOING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD A VERY LOUD METAL ON METAL SOUND. I PUT THE CAR UP ON JACK STANDS AND INSPECTED THE SUSPENSION. I FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING WAS NOT SEATED ON THE STRUT BASE. AT THIS TIME I DROVE THE CAR TO SEARS AUTO REPAIR IN NOVI, MICHIGAN. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO SEARS THE SPRING MOVED A COUPLE TIMES, MADE SOME NOISE, AND AFFECTED THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. SEARS INSPECTED THE SPRINGS AND FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED IN A COUPLE PLACES AT THE TOP. I ENDED UP REPLACING BOTH SPRINGS AND IT COST $436.86. ON MONDAY (4/7/2008) I DECIDED TO GO ON THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT IF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS SPRINGS. I FOUND OUT IT WAS NOT AN UNCOMMON ISSUE. IN FACT FORD ISSUED A TSB (03M02S2) AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SPRINGS TO 150,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS (ONLY IF SERVICED AT A DEALERSHIP). UNFORTUNATELY I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER I REPAIRED THE CAR ON SUNDAY. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY FORD OF TSB ON THE SPRINGS. ALSO, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR USED (ABOUT 1.5 YEARS AGO) FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH SHOULD HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR THINGS LIKE THIS (SPRING CORROSION). ON MONDAY (4/7/2008) I DECIDED TO CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE (800-392-3673) TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REIMBURSE MY EXPENSES AND DISCUSS THE SAFETY CONCERN. I WAS TOLD BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT FORD DID
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO STALL AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL AND THEN REGAIN POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
2001 FORD FOCUS ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK FAILED, CAUSING THE DOOR NOT TO BE OPENED WITH A KEY OR KEYLESS ENTRY. *KB THE DEALER STATED DRIVER DOOR LATCH AND RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WERE FROZEN, WHICH CAUSED THE CENTRAL SECURITY MODULE TO SHORT OUT. *JB
MY KEY WILL GO INTO THE IGNITION OF MY FORD FOCUS, HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINS LOCKED AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. EVEN AFTER "JIGGLING" THE STEERING WHEEL, I CAN'T TURN THE KEY AT ALL. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR SOME REASON THE KEY CAN TURN. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT "TESTS" TO SEE IF PERHAPS PARKING STRAIGHT ON,ETC WILL ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR HOWEVER THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT. THIS PROBLEM LEAVES ME QUITE FRUSTRATED, POSSIBLY STRANDED, AND POSSIBLY IN DANGER AS I CAN'T START THE CAR WHEN I NEED TO. IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE DAYS AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING CRAZY SO I HAVE NOT DONE ANY REPAIRS YET. BUT AFTER READING THAT THIS IS A PROMINENT PROBLEM, LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO FIX IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYWHERE FOR FEAR THAT MY CAR WILL NOT LET ME TURN THE KEY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND MAKES A THUMPING SOUND. ALL OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN THEY ARE ACTIVATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,003 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
LOCK CYLINDER LOCKED. *TR
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JUL07. IN DEC07 STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR SURGING/JOLTING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY (55-65 MPH) THEN CAR WOULD JUST STALL, COMPLETELY DIE. ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, NO POWER STEERING NO LIGHTS. I WOULD MANAGE TO GET IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NARROWLY AVOIDING ACCIDENT AND CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER SAT FOR ABOUT 10 MINS IT WOULD START. IT WOULD DRIVE OK FOR ABOUT 10-20 MILES AND THEN SURGE AND DIE. IT HAPPENS PERIODICALLY AND IN BETWEEN THE CAR MAY DRIVE FINE FOR WEEKS. SERVICE CENTER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN 3-18-08 WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 65MPH, JOLTED TWICE AND COMPLETELY DIED. I WAS NEARLY KILLED AS A SEMI WAS BEHIND ME AND ANOTHER BESIDE ME. I HAD TO FIGHT THE CAR TO GET IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NARROWLY MISSED THE SEMI RUNNING UP OVER THE TOP OF ME. AFTER SITTING FOR 10 MIN IT STARTED AGAIN BUT WOULD NOT REACH FULL POWER. I COULD ONLY GET IT UP TO ABOUT 50 MPH, THEN STARTED JOLTING AND DIED AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 6 MILES THIS CONTINUED FOR 30 MILES. ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I HAD THAT READ BY ADV AUTO LATER AND IT WAS TWO CODES ONE FOR MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. IT HAS BEEN IN SERVICE GARAGE SINCE THEN. THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I DID NOTICE THAT THIS SEEMS TO ONLY BE HAPPENING WHEN IT RAINS. THEY SPRAYED WATER TODAY ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS RUNNING AND IT DIED IN THEIR SHOP. THEY STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. IT ALSO HAS A LOUD VIBRATION/NOISE IN FRONT END. MO
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND THEN FLAMES APPEARED. SHE STOPPED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE WHEN IT BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,899. UPDATED 04/11/08 *BF THE DEALER STATED CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE IN A PINCH BOLT TORQUED AND A ZETEC ENGINE CABLE ROUTING. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS. UPDATED 04/11/08 *TR
COIL SPRINGS. LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WITH OUT REASON. THANKFULLY THE SPRING DID NOT BLOW OFF OF RETAINING AREA. IF IT HAD WHILE I WS DRIVING THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED MY STEERING TO LOCK UP BLOW A TIRE OR WHO ELSE KNOW WHAT. AND THE OUTCOME FROM ANY OF THESE COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. *TR
I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER IN JANUARY 2004 FROM MR. FRANK M. LIGON, DIRECTOR OF SERVICE ENGINEERING OPERATIONS OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE LETTER STATED THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROGRAM 03N01 (ENGINE STALLING IN 2000-01 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES) CUSTOMER'S VEHICLES "MAY EXPERIENCE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS ULTIMATELY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL COMPLETELY...AS A RESULT OF CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL PUMP FILTERS."..."FORD IS OFFERING TO REPLACE YOUR VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP (PARTS AND LABOR), AT NO COST, IF YOUR VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS...VALID FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY START DATE, WITH NO LIMIT ON MILEAGE." ...I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE ABOVE FOREMENTIONED SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2001 FOCUS, AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, ORIGINALLY STATING THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER THIS PROGRAM, BUT CALLED BACK LATER AND ULTIMATELY CHANGED THEIR MIND. THE EXPLANATION GIVEN WAS THAT THIS PROGRAM WAS NO LONGER "OPEN." SINCE THE COMPANY HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PARTICULAR SAFETY CONCERN, CONFIRMED THE LETTER BEING SENT AND MY VEHICLE FITTING THE PROGRAM 03N01 GUIDELINES OF MAKE, MODEL, YEAR, AND TIMELINE (10 YEARS UNLIMITED MILEAGE), AND HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT FREE OF CHARGE, AS STATED IN THEIR LETTER, ...I WOULD LIKE TO FILE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE ...AND I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING THIS RUNAROUND THAT THE FORD
THE DEVICE IN THE STEERING WHEEL HOUSING THAT CANCELS THE TURN SIGNAL HAS FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE PART IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTING IN DESIGN. THIS FAILURE RESULTS IN MY RELUCTANCE TO USE THE TURN SIGNALS SINCE I MUST TURN THEM OFF MANUALLY AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN. AND NOT USING TURN SIGNALS COMPROMISES DRIVING SAFETY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF ICE, SLID INTO A CURB, AND CAUSED THE SUSPENSION FRONT CONTROL ARM TO BEND. A NEW SUSPENSION FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. ON MARCH 14, 2008, WHILE MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING NOISE, THE STEERING FAILED, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE CURB AND THE SUSPENSION FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS BENT AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87587.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CV-JOINT MAKES A NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CV-JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40100 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING AND JERKING. SHE PULLED OVER AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS SIDEWAYS. NO ONE HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE YET, BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AXLE SPLIT IN HALF. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,050.
2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START CAR. ELDERLY WIFE WAS FORCED TO WAIT IN CAR IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPS. UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. WE HAVE SCHEDULED THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF APPROX. $400. THIS PRESENTS A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD. *TR
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 TO 40 MPH AND WHEN SHE HIT OR TAP THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE AND TRY TO CUT OFF. THE CAR DID CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START . I TOWED THE CAR TO A SHOP AND FOUND THAT THE VALVE SEAT CAME LOOSE AND FELL ON THE PINIONS, THEREFORE, DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THE VALVE SEAT WAS TOTALLY GONE AND WENT THROUGH THE EXHAUST. FORD MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING WITH NEW MOTOR AND MANIFOLD PLENUM SINCE THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET ALL THE METAL FROM THE VALVE SEAT OUT OF THE PLENUM. I COULD GET A USED MOTOR BUT FOUND OTHER ON THE INTERNET THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THEREFORE THE PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
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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