2002 Ford Focus complaints

ON 2 OCCASIONS I COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP RE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE POWDER ON THE FRONT WHEELS - THESE WERE ON THE FIRST TWO OIL CHANGE VISITS. BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL (HUB CAPS WERE DARK CHARCOAL). TOOK CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP ON 2/14/04 FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THAT THE ROTORS HAD NOT BEEN AFFECTED. CAR HAD ONLY 14,300 MILES, EXTREMELY LOW MILEAGE FOR PADS TO BE WORN OUT. REP TOLD ME TO BRING CAR BACK FOR THEM TO CHECK FOR DEFECT IN BRAKES. I TOOK THE CAR BACK 5 DAYS LATER AND WAS TOLD THAT NOT ONLY WERE THE PADS BAD, BUT THAT A MISTAKE WAS MADE IN ROTOR READING SATURDAY AND THAT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THERE WERE SERIOUS COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS WHICH WERE LATER RESOLVED, BUT I WOUND UP PAYING MEINEKE FOR PADS ($133.00 INCL LABOR) FOR A LIFETIME GUARANTEE INSTEAD OF FAIRWAY FORD'S PRICE - $145 FOR 12,000 MILE PADS (SAME BRAND INSTALLED BY THE FACTORY) OR $195 FOR FORD PRODUCT. THAT NIGHT (2/19) I CALLED FORD HEADQUARTERS TO INQUIRE ABOUT WHETHER THEY HAD HAD PREVIOUS, SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF SUCH COMPLAINTS AND THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME; THAT THEY HAVE TO RELY ON THE JUDGMENT OF THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THAT PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP AND I SHOULD CONTACT HIM. I WOUND UP INVOLVING MY ATTORNEY AND WRITING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO INVESTIGATED AND FOUND IN MY FAVOR. THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS FOR FREE. MY CONCERN IS THAT FORD IS OBVIOUSLY USING AN INFERIOR PRODUCT; THAT

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ENGINE LOST POWER, NEARLY RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE TACHOMETER WOULD SUDDENLY RACE UP TO 7000 AND THE WHEELS LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL, AFTER 15-30 SECONDS OR DOWNSHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR, THE VEHICLE RE-ENGAGES AND THE WHEEL POWER WAS RESTORED. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. FORD WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. A FLIGHT RECORDER WAS INSTALLED TWICE. THE ENGINEERS REVEALED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE SPEED SENSORS AND INPUT SHAFT SENSORS. THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE MOVED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. THE LOSS LASTED 10 SECONDS, THE GEAR WAS PLACED INTO 2ND GEAR, THEN BACK TO DRIVE AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK ACTIVE. THIS PROBLEM RETURNED TWO MORE TIMES. ON ONE OF THE INCIDENCES, THE TACHOMETER HAD GONE OVER 7 THEN DROPPED. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTERMITTENTLY. *SC

WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK

WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WORE OUT PREMATURELY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST 2002 FORD FOCUS (VIN#: FAFP383X2W110369). HAVE REPLACED 3 TIRES ALL UNDER 20,000MI. (FIRESTONE). ONE REPLACEMENT TIRE (FIRESTONE) FAILED AFTER ROUGHLY 5000MI. FAILINGS HAPPEN ON FLAT SMOOTH HIGHWAY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN FRONT TIRES FAIL (TREAD IS GOOD, NO WEAR, NO PUNCTURES, PRESSURE GOOD). POSSIBLY TIRE IS SEPARATED FROM RIM??? VEHICLE BOUGHT FROM LITHIA FORD (OMAHA, NE). *JB

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK

FORD FOCUS RIMS. THE CAR HAS LESS THEN 25,000 MILES. WE TOOK IT TO BE LOOKED AT DUE TO A SHAKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WE WERE INFORMED THAT IT HAS THREE BENT RIMS. ALSO WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURE WAS GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE CAR IS DRIVEN ONLY BY A STAY AT HOME MOTHER AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. NOR HAS IT COME INTO CONTACT WITH LARGE POT HOLES.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON AND THE TIRES WEAR OUT TOO FAST I HAVE 45000 MILES AND TWO SETS OF TIRES. THEY SHIMMY BAD. ITS A VEHICLE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR WHEELS. FORD WON,T FIX THE PROBLEM VIN [XXX]. *AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 24600 MILES ON THE CAR. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WHERE GONE WHEN I TOOK THE AUTO INTO THE SHOP.*AK

2002 FORD FOCUS, 48,000 MILES AND I AM NOW ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES ON THE FRONT. CAR SUSPENSION IN FRONT IS VERY LOOSE, EXPECIALLY DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, THROUGH SMALL PUDDLES OF WATER CAR SEEMS TO HYDRO-PLANE, AND ON ICE OR SNOW. THE CAR AT TIMES SEEMS TO BE ALL OVER THE ROAD AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD NEW BRAKES, TIRES, AND ALIAGNMENT, AND THE STRUTS CHECKS, AND THE RPOBLEM STILL EXISTS AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. PLEASE ADVISE.*AK

MY 2002 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD A NO START AND STALLING PROBLEM SINCE 9-28-03.I HAVE TAKEN IT TO ELITE FORD IN COVINA CA. THIRTY TIMES OR MORE AND THEY CANT SEEM TO DIAGNOIS THE PROBLEM.I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT END MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND,THEY SAID IT WAS A SWAY BAR THAT WAS LOOSE AND THEY TIGHTENED IT.THAT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS ALSO.*AK

SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE PULLING INTO A LEVEL PARKING STALL AT A SHOPPING MALL. VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A PLANTER HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY *LA *MR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *PH WHEN THE CONSUMER DISENGAGED THE TRANSMISSION, THE ENGINE BEGAN RACING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY OMISSION IN THE LOGIC DESIGN OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. *SC

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A BUILDING HEAD ON. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE BRAKES ARE SHOT ON THIS THING AT ONLY 26000 MILES. CONTACTED FORD ON THE THIS, TO NO AVAIL. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB AFTER MY CONTACT WITH FORD, AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THAT HAVE A FORD FOCUS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS NO WAY A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BAD BRAKES AT 26000 MILES. IN SOME CASES AS LOW AS 15000 MILES. FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE TO MUCH ABOUT THIS, AT LEAST THATS THE IMPRESSION THAT I GOT WHEN I TALKED WITH THEM. THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU PEOPLE CAN DO ABOUT IT. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DEMOLISHED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER. *NM

INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO NEUTRAL THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

WENT TO START CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. WHEN I TURNED THE RADIO ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON, WHEN I TURNED THE WIPERS ON THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OFF. FORD DEALER TRIED TO SAY THAT THE CAUSE WAS RELATED TO A REMOTE STARTER THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND IT WAS FOUND TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING. ALSO HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCK ON THE TRUNK. *JB

AFTER HAVING MY 2002 FORD FOCUS FOR 4 MONTHS THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL WILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE RADIO WOULD CUT OUT, THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING ON AND OFF, AND SOMETIMES THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DROP TO ZERO AND POP BACK UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE PROBLEMS GOT WORSE AFTER AWEEK OR SO. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULDN'T DO IT FOR THEM SO THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. IT WOULD STOP DOING IT FOR A MONTH OR SO AND DO IT AGAIN ONCE OR TWICE THEN STOP AGAIN, BUT EVENTUALLY IT GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN THREE TIMES AND THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT ANYTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE SPOKEN TO AN ATTORNEY AND AM BEGINING LEMON LAW PROCEEDINGS AGAINST FORD.*AK

IN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLY FROM MY CAR, I FOUND THIS TO BE IMPOSSIBLE-APPARENTLY ,THE CAST WHEEL METAL HAD CORRODED TO THE HUB. THIS MADE AN IMPOSSIBLY DIFFICULT AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM OF A NORMALLY ROUTINE ONE. *JB

AT 19,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PADS/ROTORS BECAUSE THE PADS WOE OUT AND HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE ROTORS. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR, IT'S NOT DRIVEN HARD, AND NOW AT 33,000 MILES I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR PADS, HOPEFULLY THAT'S ALL. THIS CAR IS CRAP AND A RIP OFF. *JB

CONSUMER HAD CONCERNS ABOUT HER VEHICLE. *PH THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A FUEL PUMP RECALL LETTER THAT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.*JB

ONE OF THE FRONT BALL JOINTS CAME APART AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A DITCH. FORD IS SENDING A TECHNICIAN TO ASSESS THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

DURING THE RAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE STEERING WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AND UNMANAGEABLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE CURB. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE CAUSED BY THE BRAKES, WHICH WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM REMAINED. *PH *SC *JB

AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON , AND THEN, ENGINE RUMBLED AND STALLED.VEHICLE STALLED TEN TIMES. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE HESITATED AND TOOK A DIP FORWARD AND DOWN TO THE GROUND. THEN, IT ACCELERATED AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING WHILE DRIVING AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH LANDED IN A DITCH. CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. CONSUMER WORE SEAT BELTS. HOWEVER, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FAILED, BLEW EGR LINE AND LOADED UP REAR EXHAUST BEYOND REPAIR. CAR ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT. "TOTAL CARE" WARRANTY WON'T COVER ALL OF THIS. *CB

MY 2002 FORD FOCUS STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER 5000 MILES. IT STARTED WITH A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL AREA. FROM THERE THE STEERING SEEMED SHAKEY AT TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ONCE, THE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT SUDDENLY ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT BEARING, AND KNUCKLE, ON THE CAR IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS. THE CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE MOST NOTICEABLE PROBLEM IS THE HOWLING GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. IT CAN BE HEARD MOSTLY AROUND 50 TO 60 MPH. IT IS STILL UNKNOWN WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR.

KEY DOES NOT WANT TO COME OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. YOU HAVE TO WRIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KEY. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT HAS HAPPENED FROM DAY 1. IT HAS BEEN INTO PARR FORD IN BREMERTON WASHINGTON 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, THEY CAN NOT FIND IT. THEY HAVE VERIFIED THAT IT STICKS.

OTHER - LOSE FENDER WHEELSHIELD/TOLD PART ON RECALL AS DEFECTIVE BODY - DINGS IN FENDER PANEL/TOLD PART DEFECTIVE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY

THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE FAILURE AT 55 MPH WITH NO WARNING SIGN. IT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. SUNROOF WAS STUCK IN OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY UNLESS MANIPULATED BY HAND. DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THE TREAD ON THE TIRES HAS ALREADY WORN DOWN AND THE METAL IS VISIABLE ON BOTH REAR TIRES. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY AND RETURNED HOME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER SAYING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS JUST THE TIRES, THERE IS NO KNOWN CAUSE TO CAUSE WEAR.

FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED TWICE FROM JANUARY TO JUNE STERRING WHEEL AND CAR SHAKE WHILE STOPPING AND DRIVING AT 50 MPH OR ABOVE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED 3 TIMES FINALLY HAD REPLACED AND ROTORS, NO CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE

INVOLVED IN A CRASH FRIDAY WHERE CAR SEEM TO DIVE TO THE RIGHT AND IN TO A PARKED CAR. DRIVER HAS A GOOD DRIVING RECORD AND WAS NOT DISTRACTED WHILE DRIVING.

1)EARLIER THIS YEAR WE TOOK OUR FOCUS IN TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE POWER STEERING. THEY SAID IT JUST NEEDED POWER STEERING FLUID. I HAVE BEEN PUTTING PS FLUID IN EVERY TWO TO THREE WEEKS. 2)WE HAVE HAD DIFFICULTIES WITH OUR BRAKES, THE LIGHTS STAYING ON AND THEN THE FUSES BURNING OUT. 3)THEN TODAY(8-5-03) THE GEAR SHIFT INTERLOCK GOT STUCK AND IT ONLY WORKS IF IT IS PUSHED IN TO RELEASE.

HEATING/VENT PRODUCES A DISGUSTING SMELL. REPAIRS INDICATED OIL LEAK NEAR HEATER - UNKNOWN ORIGIN. SMELL ABATED BUT STILL IT PRODUCES ANNOYING SMELLS THAT REQUIRES WINDOWS TO BE KEPT OPEN. WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO SELLING DEALERSHIP 4TH TIME FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. IS THERE A BETTER WAY AND ANOTHER SHOP IN CLEVELAND, OH THAT CAN MAKE AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM? THANKS.

I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN SEPTEMBER. THE FIRST PROBLEM THE CAR HAD WAS THAT THE POLLEN FILTER BECAME BLOCKED AND IT HAD BEEN RAINING OUT SO ALL THE WATER FROM OUTSIDE CAME RIGHT INTO MY CAR AND I GOT ABOUT AN INCH OF WATER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR ALL OVER THE FLOOR. THE ENXT THING THAT HAPPENED WAS MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD, THERE WERE NO POTHOLES AND NO CURBS THAT I COULD HAVE HIT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THIS I NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC HAD STARTED BUBBLING UP AND PEELING ON THE LOWER B PILLAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, ALSO THE CARPET HAD COME UNGLUED (FROM WHEN MY CAR FLOODED) AND HAD NOW PULLED AWAY FROM THE SILL. ALSO, THE WETHERSTRIPPING HAD COME UNGLUED FROM THE WINDSHIEL AND YOU CAN NOW SEE THE SHARP EDGE OF THE WINDSHEILD. MY CAR IS IN SERVICE TODAY GETTING THAT FIXED. THERE IS ALSO, STILL A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER IS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAS NOT STOPPED. HOWEVER, EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT DOES NOT MAKE THIS NOISE, SO THEY CANNOT FIX IT.

ON NOVEMBER 9, 2002 WHILE DOING ERRANDS I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA OF 2002 FORD FOCUS (5 MONTHS OLD). IT WAS A WET AND RAINY DAY AND THE WINDOWS WERE FOGGING-UP. I HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO DEFROST THE LIGHT MIST ON THE WINDOWS, AS THE DEFROST BUTTON WOULD NOT WORK. THE SMOKE BECAME SO THICK I DECIDED TO PULLED OVER AND CALL FOR FORD ROAD SERVICE. BY THE TIME I WAS GIVING THE REP. MY LOCATION PEOPLE WERE RUNNING FROM THIER HOMES TO MOVE THIER CARS. I TOLD THE REP. THE CAR IS ON FIRE. I HUNG-UP AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED IN LESS THAN A MINUTE. I RAN BACK TO MY NEW CAR AND WATCHED AS IT BURNED. THE FIRE DEPARTEMENT SAID THE ENGINE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT I PULLED OVER JUST IN TIME. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL. FORD ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING. I AM WAITING FOR FORD MOTOR TO TAKE CAR OF EVERYTHING. I TOLD THEM IN A FAX I SENT LAST WEEK THAT I WANT THAT "BLUE OVAL" SERVICE THEY CONSTANTLY TALK ABOUT - MAYBE SOMEDAY. THANKS, DENISE KEYES

THIS PROBLEM JUST HAPPENED YESTERDAY. MY DAUGHTER WAS MAKING A TURN, AND THE CVC JOINT COMPLETELY FELL APART. SHE LOST ALL STEERING CAUSING HER TO HIT A CURB. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT IT ONLY A MONTH AGO. THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE CAR SAYING THAT SHE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING THE JOINT TO FALL APART. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, AND NEED HELP. THIS IS A TERRIBLE DEFECT, AND IF SHE HADN'T HAVE BEEN GOING SLOW, SHE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN HELP US, AS WERE NOT SURE WHAT STEPS TO TAKE TO GET THE PUBLIC ATTENTION ABOUT A POSSIBLE KILLER.

ON NOVEMBER 23 2002 I WAS IN A ACCIDENT WHERE I BROKE MY NOSE AND HAD NUMEROUS BURISES. THE REASON I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WAS BECAUSE MY WHEEL AND SUSPENSION BROKE & SEEM TO COME APART. I HAD COMPLAINED TO FORD THAT MY WHEEL HAD BEEN SHAKING AND THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAD TAKEN IT BACK 4 TIMES TO GET FIXED BUT EVERYTIME I GOT IT BACK AND IT WOULD SHAKE JUST AS BAD. ALSO WHEN I GOT INTO THE ACCIDENT MY AIRBAGS DIDNT DEPLOY AT ALL I RECEIVED A BROKEN NOSE FROM HITTING MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WAS SHAKING REALLY BAD AND IT SEEM TO PULL ME OFF THE ROAD THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS LIKE A SNAP AND IT WENT THE OTHER DIRECTION. I FLEW SIDEWAYS UP IN THE AIR AND HIT TWO OAK TREES LUCKLY I DIDN'T DIE FROM THIS ACCIDENT IF YOU WOULD SEE THE PICTURES YOU WOULD THINK HOW DID SHE SURVIVE. IF THE CAR WOULD HAVE HIT THE OAK TREES TWO FEET CLOSER TO MY DOOR I WOULDN'T BE HERE TO TELL YOU THIS. THE CAR SPLIT IN HALF & WAS TOTALED.

I HAVE HAD THE CAR. FOR ONLY 4 MONTHS. I HAD PROBLEM WITH IT IN OCTOBER IT WAS THE CAR MOVING WHEN I AM DRIVING IT MOVES LIKE A SWERVING MOTION AND THEN IN DECEMBER 13, 2002. I TOOK IT BACK IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE BACK SWAYS WHEN HITTING BUMPS AND THE TIRE ROD WAS LOOSE. THE REPAIR WAS 1,140 ON A NEW CAR. I HAD WATER COMING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. ON DEC 31, 2002 IT RAINED AND MY WHOLE FLOOR IS WET. I AM VERY DISCUSSED WITH THIS CAR. BECAUSE IT IS A BRAND NEW CAR. AND I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OUT OF IT GOING ON TWO TIMES WITH THE WATER, TWO TIMES WITH THE HITTING OF BUMPS AND THE CAR MOVING SIDE WAYS ALMOST INTO ANOTHER LANE ,AND ONE MORE THING I TOOK THE CAR IN TO FORD ON 12/26/02 TO TALK TO THE SALES PERSON ABOUT MY PROBLEMS I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH AND HOW VERY DISSATISFIED I AM THE CAR HAS BEEN STILL SWAYING WHEN I AM DRIVING AND COMING ACROSS BUMPS RAILROAD TRACKS AND ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PUT MONEY DOWN FOR ANOTHER CAR, WHICH IS SO UNFAIR BECAUSE IT IS A NEW CAR AND THEY SHOULD PUT ME IN ANOTHER CAR IF THEY SEE THE PROBLEMS. I WILL NEVER SEND ANY ONE TO BUT A CAR FROM THEM BECAUSE THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THERE PROMISE WHEN THEY EXPRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF CUSTOMER SATIATION WHEN THEY SEE THAT THE CAR IS A PROBLEM

THE CAR IS A 2002 SVT FOCUS. THE ENGINE HAS A SEVERE MISS/SURGE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE LAST TICKET ON THE VEHICLE STATES THAT THERE IS NO FIX AT THIS TIME. OCTOBER 27, 2003 UPDATE: THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP ON THIS MATTER. FORD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK, REFUNDED ALL OF THE PAYMENTS MADE, AND COMPENSATED ME FOR ANY AFTERMARKET PARTS I HAD THE RECEIPT FOR. FORD WENT OUT OF ITS WAY TO MAKE ME HAPPY. THANK YOU.

AT THIS EARLY MILEAGE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THE SEE OFTEN BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF BRAKE PADS AND TYPE OF ROTORS. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT FORD IS HIDING THIS PROBLEM. WE BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM.

EXCESSIVE GEAR CHATTERING HAS NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FINAL DRIVE GEAR. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT FINAL DRIVE GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND A REDESIGN WAS PLACED IN VEHICLE. BECAUSE OF REDESIGN I NEEDED NEW DRIVE AXLES. TORQUE CONVERTER WAS ALSO SHOT AND A NEW DIFFERENTIAL WAS PUT INTO VEHICLE. NEW BEARINGS HAD TO BE ORDERED BUT WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THEY ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER UNTILL DECEMBER OF 2004. YES IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT, 20 MONTHS FROM NOW. DEALERSHIP IS ORDERING BEARINGS THAT ARE CLOSE TO THE BACKORDERED PARTS, AND MEASURING FOR FIT. TOTAL TIME IN SHOP: 32 DAYS AND COUNTING. COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CAR BEING ON LIFT FOR 21 DAYS IS $13,860 EXCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR OF THE MASTER MECHANIC.

PROBLEM I'M STILL HAVING AND WAS REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP IS CAR PULLS TO LEFT, ( NOT CORRECTED) BACK END OF CAR OR TIRES BOUNCE ON ROAD AND ESPECIALLY WHEN HITTING A BUMP, CANNOT STAY ON ROAD IN SLUSH OR SNOW, BACK END IS ALL OVER ROAD, ( NOTHING DONE) TIRES ARE COMPLETELY GROVED IN MANY SPOTS ON THE TIRES, CAUSED BY REAR END BOUNCING ON ROAD, FIRESTONE WON'T REPLACE THEY SAY IT IS FOCAS'S REAR END AND IT WEARS OUT THE TIRES, DEALER OR FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT REAR END OR TIRES, CAR VIBRATES BADLY, REAR DOORS BARLEY OPEN ARE SO STIFF, LOOKS LIKE DOOR LOCKS ARE COROADED NOTHING WAS DONE BY DEALERSHIP EVEN THOUGH THEY SAID THEY LUBRICATED, NOTHING IS ON THE LOCKS TO SHOW LUBRICATION OF LOCKS.

FORD FOCUS 2002 ZX5 WITH 16" ALLOY WHEELS AND FIRESTONE TIRES SEEMS TO BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE MORE THAN OTHER CARS I HAVE HAD. ONE BUBBLED TIRE, AND ANOTHER PUNCTURED TIRE WITHIN WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. THE FOCUS ALLOY WHEELS ARE THE WORSE PROBLEMS. AT LEAST TWO HAVE BEEN BENT TO THE POINT OF CAUSING STEERING AND VIBRATION PROBLEMS ON CAR. ONE WHEEL HAS TWO VISIBLE BUMPS, AND ONE WHEEL HAS A MASSIVE BUMP FROM SOME SURPRISE ROAD HOLES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT HAD SUCH WEAK RIMS. I AM NOT REPLACING THE WHEELS UNTIL I TALK TO EITHER FORD OR A LAWYER.

I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING MY 2002 SVT FOCUS. RANDOM STALLS, LEAKS, AND NOISES. SHIFT LINKAGE FAILURE, WHEEL BEARING FAILURE, POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS. INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE, WRONG IDLE SPEED, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. 35 DAYS IN THE SHOP SO FAR AND COUNTING, ALL WITHIN 11MO OF PURCHASE. DON'T BUY A FORD CAR, YOU'LL REGRET IT.

THERE IS A LINE THAT WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE ENGINE'S INTAKE THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING FLUID SINCE 2,000 MILES AND WAS INSPECTED BY DELER WHO TOLD TO ME THAT IT WAS NOTHING. BUT THE ENGINE CASE SHOULD NOT HAVE A LARGE LEAK OF FLUID THAT SOON. FINALLY NOW, THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING ON THIS AND REPLACED THE HOSE, AS IT WAS SEEN ONCE MORE AND KNOWS OF ALL THE TIMES REPORTED. I HOPE THIS IS JUST NOT A EASY FIX OR THIS NOW HASN'T CAUSED ANY DAMANGE TO THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE ITSELF, AS THE ENGINE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR RIDING ROUGH. THEY TOLD ME LAST TIME THAT THE PART OF THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS FIXED WOULD FIX THIS. I THINK IT IS DUE TO THE OIL LEAK ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE CASE SINCE IT WAS NEW. A NEW CAR SHOULD NEVER HAVE A OIL LEAK ON A ENGINE CASE.

THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL BEARING AND HUB WENT OUT AT ABOUT 7,000. THE CAR MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE. FORD REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM. CAR HAD TO HAVE BRAKE PADS AT 28,000 MILES. THE WEAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WAS MUCH WORST THAN THE OTHERS. REPAIR PERSON SAID THAT THE CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. COST 100. DOLLARS. THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING AND HUB WENT OUT AT 29,000. I PAID FOR REPAIR OF WHEEL $150. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS GOING OUT AGAIN. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THIS CAR. I AM NOW FACED WITH REPAIRS OF THE OTHER SIDE FOR A SECOND TIME AND THE CAR IS ONLY 18 MONTHS OLD. I AM WORRIED THAT THE WHEELS WILL COME OFF.