Page 8 of 36 · complaints 351–400 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 Feb 26, 2008115,000 milesKS

THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN TO THE "ON" POSITION, REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS TRIED. THE CYLINDER APPARENTLY IS STUCK, AND THE CAR WILL THEREFORE NOT START. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 23, 2008NJ

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND LIKE OTHER COMPLAINTS MY IGNITION ALSO JAMMED UP, AND LEFT ME DOWN AND HAD TO FIND A WAY GET HOME FROM MY JOB ,AND COST ME $ 240.00 FOR A LOCKSMITH THE NEXT DAY. I THINK FORD SHOULD TAKE ACTION AND RECALL THIS VEHICLE, AND REPAY ALL THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. GC *TR

Steering › Column
Filed Feb 22, 200893,750 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,750.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Feb 21, 2008170,000 miles00

IGNITION SWITCH SEIZING, UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. 2001 FORD FOCUS WAGON. HAS HAPPENED, AND BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF FORD OWNERS, YET FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS THEY DO NOT SEE IT AS A 'SAFETY ISSUE'. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME, IT WAS AROUND 11PM ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, ON A SMALL SIDE ROAD NEAR MACK AND WOODWARD, DOWNTOWN DETROIT. THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL ANYONE CAN CONVINCE ME MY SAFETY WAS NOT IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY PART! *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Feb 19, 200853,800 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE REAR LATCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE THAT THE DOOR WAS AJAR. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CLOSING THE REAR LATCH. WITHIN THE LAST SIXTY DAYS, THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWENTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN 2005 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,143 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,800.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 14, 200840,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AND BACKFIRE BEFORE ACCELERATING. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING INDICATORS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE FUEL SYSTEM, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT THEY SAID NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 05/07/08 *BF UPDATED 05/07/08. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Feb 11, 2008FL

MY CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF...I ENCOUNTERED MY FIRST INCIDENT JUST RECENTLY, ABOUT A WEEK AGO. MY CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT HAPPENED RIGHT AS I WAS CHANGING LANES. I THOUGHT I NEEDED A JUMP BUT WHEN THAT DID NOT WORK I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY FUEL SYSTEM WAS CLOGGED/BLOCKED, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT STATEMENT, BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A FUEL SYSTEM FLUSH, A FUEL FILTER, AND A NEW FUEL PUMP. I CHECKED THE RECALL LIST AND SAW THAT MY CARD MAKE AND MODEL WERE ON THE RECALL LIST FOR FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE AND WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME THAT MY CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY. I TELL ME THAT MY ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELSE...THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR AND NOW FORD IS TRYING TO SAY MY CAR WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL AND ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 8, 200883,073 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, STUTTER, SKIP, AND NOT RUN WHEN THE TANK REACHED A QUARTER TANK. INITIALLY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING BELT, GEAR, PULLEY, AND TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. FINALLY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TOO LATE TO BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,073. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF\THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Feb 3, 2008130,007 miles00

KEY WILL NOT TURN...CAN'T START CAR..KEY TUMBLER DEFECTIVE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 30, 2008100,000 milesOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. PRIOR TO THE CONTACT OWNING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED IN 2004 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 22, 200878,871 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DUE TO A CRASH. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,871. UPDATED 3/11/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 03/11/08 *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jan 14, 200895,925 milesMD

ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING NORMAL CAR MOVEMENT. NO ANY ACCIDENTS HAPPENED BEFORE, NO VEHICLES OR CURBS INVOLVED, JUST DURING MOVEMENT, FORTUNATELY ON VERY LOW SPEED. BOTH BUMPERS HAS NO ANY TRACKS OF CONTACT WITH SOMETHING. (SIMILAR, LIKE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE02026). *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 14, 200894,000 milesLA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STRUCK A CURB WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE INSURANCE CLAIM ADJUSTER ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE INSURANCE AGENCY LABELED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL IF ONE WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000. UPDATED 02/12/08. *LJ

Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Solenoid
Filed Jan 13, 2008MI

KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE OFF AND CAN'T BE REMOVED. *TR

Tires
Filed Jan 8, 2008MO

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS, ORIGINALLY THERE HAS ONLY BEEN ONE OWNER TO THIS VEHICLE. VERY RECENTLY, I EXPERIENCED A VERY LOUD NOISE IN MY LEFT REAR TIRE WHICH AS DAYS PAST, I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. MY TIRE HAD BEGUN TO WOBBLE TO THE POINT I THOUGHT THAT IT MAY COME OFF MY CAR. THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS IN THE TIRE. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Jan 3, 2008NJ

IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3, THERE IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. SEVERAL THINGS DO NOT WORK OR HAVE SHORTS, OR THE SWITCHES OPERATE OTHER THINGS. RIGHT NOW, THE DEALER IS INSTALLING A NEW WIRING HARNESS FOR $500 AT LEAST. I JUST FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 200 FOCUS ON THIS ISSUE. THIS IS THE SAME CAR AS MINE. MINE SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED. THE PROBLEMS BEGAN JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS MINOR AND I COULD LEAVE IT ALONE. THE DEALER IS ALL-AMERICAN FORD IN HACKENSACK, NJ. CAN YOU HELP ME?*CN

TiresCrash
Filed Jan 2, 2008101,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE THEN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE CRASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIRE HOWEVER; HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE NUMBER OF CYLINDERS AND TIRE INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 2, 2008128,000 milesKY

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED THE 2001 FORD FOCUS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS AND ALSO HAD REPLACED A FEW RECALLED PARTS. THE ENGINE AT THAT TIME HAD 78,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF IT CURRENTLY HAS 128,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND HAD TO REPLACE SERVERAL PARTS WHICH ARE OXYGEN SENSORS CATALYC CONVERTER, STRUTS, SHOCKS AND IDLE PULLEY. I GET MY OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS ON A REGULAR BASIS. ONE MORNING WENT TO START MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND IT WOULD NOT START. IT WAS ACTING AS IF IT HAD RUN OUT OF GAS BUT I HAD OVER A HALF OF TANK OF GAS IN IT. AFTER TRYING TO START IT IT FINALLY STARTED AND WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. IT RAN FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS THEN DIED. I LEFT IT ALONE THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO AN AUTOREPAIR SHOP AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT A BEARING HAD BROKE OFF AND HIT MY THIRD CYLINDER AND SMASHED MY SPARK PLUG. IT ALSO HIT THE PISTON AND THE PISTON WAS CRACKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS AND I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A CLUE THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THE AUTO REPAIR PLACE SAID THE I WAS LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED AT HOME AND NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. I AM NOW HAVING TO GET A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE COSTING ME $3,300. WHICH I HAVE TO HAVE FINANCED. IS THERE ANY THING THAT I CAN DO?*CN

Electrical System
Filed Dec 30, 200725,000 milesIL

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS NOW I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY DISCHARGING. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE AND THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY, MY CAR DID NOT START 12/22 AND AGAIN ON 12/26, 12/27 AND NOW TODAY, 12/30/07. I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE JUMPSTART MY CAR EACH TIME EXCEPT THIS MORNING. NO ONE IS AVAILABLE THIS EARLY IN THE MORNING. I AM TIRED OF FORD SAYING THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WE NEED FORD TO COME FORWARD AND ADMIT OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND EITHER FIX OUR CARS AT NO CHARGE OR ISSUE A BLANKET RECALL OR SOMETHING. I CANNOT AFFORD THE TOWING CHARGES, THE DAYS OFF WORK WHILE THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP ETC. THIS WILL GO ON FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN I CAN GO 3 MONTHS, MAYBE 6 MONTHS WITH NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE TRIED NOT USING MY DOME LIGHT AND KEEPING IT IN THE OFF POSITION. I MANUALLY TURN OFF MY RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS BEFORE LEAVING THE CAR IN CASE THAT WAS WHAT WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. I DO NOTICE THAT A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THE BATTERY GOES DEAD THE CAR WILL START LUNGING A COUPLE OF DAYS IN ADVANCE BUT ONLY ABOUT ONE TIME PER DAY. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Dec 29, 200772,000 milesMD

NOTICED A CREAKY SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. WHEN MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT, THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. CAR HAS 72,000 MILES. REPLACES BOTH FRONT SPRINGS. HAVE NEVER KNOWN COIL SPRINGS TO JUST BREAK ON A CAR. AND JUDGING FROM THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED HERE AND ELSEWHERE ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS YEAR CAR, IT IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. SHAME ON FORD FOR NOT FOLLOWING UP ON THIS. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Dec 24, 2007140,000 milesNH

ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I WENT TO PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND I STRUGGLED FOR AN HOUR OR MORE TO GET IT TO TURN. VERY FRUSTRATED AT THAT POINT THAT I FINALLY HAVE RESIDED TO KEEPING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, WHICH IS NOT A GOOD IDEA,BUT AFRAID OF BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Dec 14, 200731,000 milesNM

RECENTLY THE IGNITION LOCK ON MY FORD FOCUS JAMS UP. I PLACE THE KEY IN THE LOCK, WHICH IS A BIT STICKY, AND THEN THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. AFTER 15-30 MINUTES OF TRYING TO TURN IT, IT WILL START, OTHER TIMES NO. WE ARE STILL RESEARCHING ON THE WEB HOW TO REPLACE THIS PART. *TR

Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Solenoid
Filed Dec 10, 2007125,000 milesMN

2001 FORD FOCUS ZTS - IGNITION WOULDN'T START DURING SUMMER MONTHS (NOT PREDICTABLE); HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD A FEW TIMES UNTIL ENGINE COOLED DOWN (30 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR) BEFORE WOULD START AGAIN. LAST WEEK, WHEN KEY INSERTED INTO CAR, STEERING WHEEL WOULD BE LOCKED UP AND KEY WOULDN'T TURN. FINALLY FAILED ON ME TWO DAYS AGO; LUCKILY I WAS AT HOME AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 2-YEAR-OLD IN ZERO-DEGREE WEATHER! DEALER SAID IT WAS FAULTY SOLENOID SWITCH IN STARTER. HAVE READ THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT REPEATS ITSELF! I HOPE TO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Dec 6, 2007MD

AS THE OWNER OF A FORD FOCUS 2001 - I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT - HAD TO BE TOWED. THE PROBLEM IS CHRONIC IN FORD FOCUS - YET FORD IS NOT RECALLING OR ATTEMPTING TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS IN ANY WAY TO REMEDY THE FLAW. *TR

Fuel System, Other
Filed Dec 6, 200760,000 milesIL

AFTER CAR HAS WARMED UP FOR 30 MINUTES APPROX. IT RESTARTS AFTER TURNING ENGINE OFF BUT WILL NOT IDLE ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER MUST KEEP THERE FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AT ALL TIMES, EXCEPT WHEN CAR IS MOVING AND ENGINE IS ENGAGED. THE CAR HAS A STANDARD TRANSMISSION. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERYTIME. BUT AFTER CAR HAS WARMED UP AND HAS HAD THE ENGINE TURNED OFF 2 OR 3 TIMES THIS ACCORES. IF THE ENGINE IS ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN FOR 15 MIN. TO 45 MIN. THE CAR WILL IDLE AGAIN. THE TIME IS DEPENDENT ON THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 30, 200752,474 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER ADDING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 15, 2003 AND RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AGO. THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $433 AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE; HOWEVER, THE FIRST REPAIR WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE IGNITION SWITCH SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER THREE YEARS. THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,474 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,732.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Nov 27, 200742,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATES, STALLS, AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD AT LEAST 12 TIMES; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 27, 2007118,250 milesCT

BROUGHT 2001 FORD FOCUS IN FOR RECALL ON REAR DOOR LATCH, CAMPAIGN ID: 05V030000. DEALER AT ENFEILD, CT FORD WOULD NOT HONOR RECALL FOR THE REAR LATCH DOOR WHICH HAD THE SAME FAILURE AND FAILED OPEN WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THEY CLAIMED THE RECALL ONLY COVERED THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS AND NOT THE REAR HATCH OF A WAGON. *TR

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
Filed Nov 25, 200750,000 milesNM

BRAKES HAVE BEEN FAILING FREQUENTLY. AFTER TAKING IT TO BE REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME IN JUNE, I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS NEARLY II THE INTERSECTION BEFORE THE BRAKES WORKED. THE PROBLEM IS REPEATED AND I FEEL AS THOUGH THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF THE BRAKES CAN NOT BE REPAIRED PROPERLY BY EVEN THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Nov 23, 2007105,574 milesNY

THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS LEAKING. FOUND INTERNAL SEAL WALL CRACKED/WASHED OUT ALLOWING LEAKAGE PAST SEAL RING. STEADY DRIP OF COOLANT FROM THERMOSTAT HOUSING EVEN AFTER REPLACING SEAL RING. FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM IN DISCUSSION THREADS ON INTERNET. COOLANT PUDDLED UNDER CAR WHERE PETS CAN DRINK IT AND LOSS OF COOLANT CAUSING OVERHEATING. *TR

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Nov 20, 200723,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE REAR WINDOWS COLLAPSED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PLASTIC HOLDER FAILED AND CAUSED THE CABLES TO INTERTWINE, WHICH THEN CAUSED THE WINDOW MOTOR TO MALFUNCTION. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $300. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Nov 15, 200761,000 milesTX

VEHICLE IGNITION LOCK FROZE WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION. IGNITION KEY WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE LOCK. DRIVER WAS LEFT STRANDED AND LOCK SMITH HAD TO BE CALLED TO DRILL OUT THE IGNITION AS A TEMPORARY FIX AND THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. VEHICLE MAKE: FORD VEHICLE MODEL: FOCUS SE YEAR: 2001 *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 15, 2007OH

PASSENGER AND DRIVERSIDE DOORS ON THE 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 HAVE QUIT OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. DOORS HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO BE OPENED AND I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISMS WE "FROZEN". TO THIS DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE DOORS FIXED MUST LEAVE WINDOW DOWN TO REACH TO THE INSIDE TO OPEN THE DOORS IN THAT FASHION. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 12, 2007112,000 milesIL

I BOUGHT MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IN APRIL 2007 FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. ONE DAY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I WENT INTO A STORE AND WHEN I CAME OUT MY KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. FORTUNATELY I GRABBED A PASSERBY TO HELP ME AND HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THEN A FEW DAYS AGO I GOT HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT, PARKED MY CAR, AND WENT INSIDE. NEXT MORNING WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE FOR WORK THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION AND THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED AGAIN. AFTER AN HOUR OF TRYING TO GET THE KEY IN, I HAD TO CALL A MECHANIC TO TOW THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND GET IT REPAIRED. IT COST ME $400. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 12, 200792,001 milesCA

DEFECT REPORTED BY A PROFESSIONAL TOW COMPANY, THE INDIVIDUAL A CERTIFIED ASE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.(VERIFIABLE) SEAT-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE CRANKING VEHICLE. . FIRST OCCURRENCE: CRANKING VEHICLE ON ROADSIDE. DRIVER'S SEAT-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. SECOND OCCURRENCE: FOLLOWING DAY, CRANKING VEHICLE WITH PASSENGER SEATED IN FRONT. PASSENGER SEAT-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS WHILE CRANKING MOTOR.NO COLLISION OR IMPACT INVOLVED NO INJURIES WORTHY OF DOCUMENTING. AIRBAG FAULTS ARE NON-DISPUTABLE UNACCEPTABLE. ANY UNWARRANTED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAN COST LIVES, AND WARRANTS A FULL INVESTIGATION TOWARDS A RECALL FOR INSPECTION, AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULT DESIGNED AIRBAG SYSTEM. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Nov 10, 2007CA

IGNITION SWITCH- MY KEY WON'T ENTER THE IGNITION. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE PART. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS FAULTY PART. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Nov 3, 200754,000 milesMI

2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH <55,000 MILES HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE BOTH FROM SPRINGS BROKEN. AT THE TIME OF DISCOVERY NEITHER SPRING HAD WORKED LOSE FROM THE PERCH, HOWEVER WITH ADDITIONAL TIME THE SPRINGS WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE AND POTENTIALLY PUNCTURE A TIRE. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 23, 2007GA

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WATER STARTED LEAKING INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE LEAKING CONTINUED. AFTER IT RAINED AGAIN, THE WATER LEAKED INTO THE FLOOR ALL OVER MY NEW VIDEO CAMERA. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I LIVE AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, YET THE CAR DID NOT LEAK AGAIN. RECENTLY MY HUSBAND WAS DOING MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR AND FOUND A "FOR SALE" SIGN SPRAY PAINTED BLACK LODGED OVER THE CABIN AIR FILTER. HE REMOVED THE SIGN AND NOW MY CAR IS POURING WATER AGAIN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORD VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY '00 TO '04 FORD FOCUSES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Oct 23, 200784,000 milesOH

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP BEYOND A MERE STEERING LOCKUP AND COULD NOT BE STARTED. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAS 84K MILES. I HOPE I WON'T BE PAYING FOR A REPAIR THAT IS LIKELY TO BREAK AGAIN SOON. *JB

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner1 injured
Filed Oct 22, 200789,000 milesMD

A/C FAN SWITCH BURNED ALONG WITH THE CONNECTING WIRE BLOCK, PUTTING SMOKE INTO THE VEHICLE, IF THE VEHICLE HADN'T BEEN TURNED OFF AFTER SEEING SMOKE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE. *TR

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device
Filed Oct 21, 200737,000 milesOH

KEY CAN NOT TURN IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS IS THE ISSUE EVERY TIME I TRY TO START THE CAR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 20, 200753,000 milesAZ

2001 FORD FOCUS. ORIGINAL OWNER. MAINTAINED. SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER. DEALER SUGGESTED MOST EXPENSIVE FIX - NEW CYLINDER HEAD AND SPARK PLUGS. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. WILL INSTEAD JUST GET SPARK PLUGS RETHREADED AND TRADE IN CAR ASAP BEFORE ANY OTHER MAJOR ISSUES. CAR LOST POWER. WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN MADE A RIGHT TURN. LOST POWER AND LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISES RESULTED ON FREEWAY ACCESS ROAD. POLICE HAD TO COME OUT UNTIL TOW. DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Oct 15, 200790,000 milesNH

2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION FAILURE THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND DOES NOT TURN AND THE CAR I GUESS IS KNOWN FOR IT AND THE COMPANY DOES NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM THE CUSTOMER HAS TO PAY FOR THE NEW IGNITION EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS AND THE CAR IS KNOWN FOR DOING THIS. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Oct 1, 200790,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE ALSO DECELERATED WITHOUT THE CONTACT REMOVING HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. SHE DID NOT HEAR ANY NOISES OR NOTICE ANY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP AND THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Sep 24, 200783,000 milesCA

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND WITHIN THE LAST MONTH IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS DUE TO A SUBSTANDARD/DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER. I ALSO FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM, QUITE THE CONTRARY; THERE ARE SEVERAL CAR FORUMS THAT HAVE COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE. FOR EXAMPLE, HERE IS ONE AT CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_IGNITION.HTML I ACCEPT THE FACT THAT CAR OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN MAINTENANCE BUT AN IGNITION CYLINDER SHOULD NOT BE GOING BAD IN A 6 YEAR OLD CAR. FURTHERMORE, I HAVE READ SEVERAL FORD FOCUS OWNERS SAY THAT THEY HAVE HAD THIS REPAIR DONE MORE THAN ONCE. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT; I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING OUT $500 TO GET THIS FIXED. PLEASE DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND RECALL THIS PART AND REPLACE IT WITH ONE THAT WORKS. DON'T MAKE ME REGRET BUYING A FORD IN THE FUTURE. HTTPS://SECURE.FORD.COM/SERVLET/SATELLITE/FOOTER/CONTACT-FORD/CONTACT-US-EMAIL?CONTACTMAINTOPIC=VEHICLESERVICEISSUES *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 19, 200730,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER GAS MILEAGE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN OTHER 2001 VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT RECALLS WERE ISSUED FOR THE FORD FOCUS, HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS REGARDING GAS MILEAGE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *UPDATED 12/27/07 *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 17, 2007105,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING AND SHAKING AND SHUT COMPLETELY OFF WHEN TURNING. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000. UPDATED 12/12/07

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Sep 5, 200787,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. ON AUGUST 19, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD METAL SCRAPING THE GROUND AND THEN PLASTIC BEING DRAGGED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. SHE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE FUEL TANK ON THE GROUND. SHE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO GET PERMISSION FOR TRIPLE A TO TOW THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE ARM IN PLACE ON THE FUEL TANK HAD NO THREAD REMAINING. SHE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT BE OF ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed Sep 5, 2007141,000 milesLA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE THEN NOTICED STEAM RISING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER, SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EGR VALVE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY REPLACED THE VALVE AND THE HOSE ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY AFTER THE EGR REPLACEMENT. SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPLACED THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141,000.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 28, 200756,000 milesMO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO STRIKE THE TIP OF THE KEY WHILE IT WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE STARTED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2006, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,834 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

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 →