2002 Ford Focus complaints

THE CAR LEAKS UNDER THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER LEFT CORNER. THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES IN THREE WEEKS AND IS CURRENTLY THERE NOW. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE CASING AND SEALED IT TWICE. AWAITING NEWS ON WHAT WILL BE DONE THIS TIME. DT

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35MPH AND RAN OVER A POTHOLE. THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THE LEFT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. TS

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE RADIATOR FUN. ALSO STATED THAT THIS HAPPEND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FUN ON THE RADIATOR FELL OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHCLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED TO THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT THERE INSURANCE TO FIND OUT IF IT WAS CONSUMER S FALL OR THE MANUFACTURES DIFFECT. TS

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLETING ABOUT A REALLY BAD VIBRATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL EVERYTIME HE APPLY'S THE BRAKE PEDAL HE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS STALL ON DIFFERENT OCCASION WHILE HE WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS BUT LATER NOTHING WAS FOUND. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY CAN HEAR A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS REPAIR VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

THE VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL WHERE IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT SIDE, ESPECIALLY FROM THE REAR WHEN DRIVING OVER A ROUGH ROAD OR ON A SMOOTH ROAD UPON DRIVING OVER A SLIGHTLY RECESSED MANHOLE COVER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 2 TIMES FOR 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCE AND REPLACEMENT OF REAR SHOCKS. NO IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDITION AFTER BOTH VISITS. ALIGNMENT DATA SHOWS THE REAR WHEELS ARE AT HIGHER LEVELS OF NEGATIVE CAMBER, WHICH IS NOT ADJUSTABLE, AND TOE. DRIVING VEHICLE IN ICY, RAINY WEATHER IS UNSAFE IF CURRENT HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS ARE NOT, OR CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. DT

FINGERS BENT AND TWISTED INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERS ARE BENT AND TWISTED TOWARDS THE BABY FINGERS OF BOTH HANDS. SHOULDER PAIN IS PRESENT AND WRIST AND ELBOW. THUMBS ARE BENT AWAY FROM THE HANDS. INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY MIKE TOMICH ON BEHALF OF MRS. GREEN 989-665-2311. DT

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A SUDDEN STOP. THE STEERING COLUMN "LOCKED UP" SO NO EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT COULD BE TAKEN. (THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE WAS LOST) DT

WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING, AS A RESULT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HIS BODY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *TS *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A SUDDEN STOP VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR AIRBAG SYSTEM. WE HAVE HAD COMPONETS REPLACED ON 4 OCCASIONS. AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. THIS PROBLEMS IS CAUSING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO BE NON FUCTIONAL. WE FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE IF A COLLISION OCCURED THEY WOULD NOT WORK. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS LIMITED TO OUR MODEL OF CAR AND ONLY THOSE THAT IS A 4 DOOR AND 5 SPEED. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND CANNOT COME UP WITH A FIX. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE A RECALL CAN BE ISSUED SO THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED. MR

DAUGHTER DROVE HOME FROM HI SCHOOL. HEARD IT SUDDENLY RELEASE PRESSURE AT LOW SPEED. DROVE HOME ANOTHER HALF MILE. FORD HAD ROAD SERVICE PUT THE DONUT ON. TIRE IS WITH US UNTIL SATURDAY WHEN WE'LL GO GET A NEW ONE. LONG GASH THRU SIDEWALL AS WELL AS DRIVE TREAD. SECOND SMALL CRACK IN SIDEWALL THAT WHY OFF OF MAIN GASH. MR

PULLEY BOLTS ON WATER PUMP LOOSENED, TWO FELL OUT. BELT PULLEY TWISTED, BELT FRAYED AND WATER PUMP FROZE. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP HOUSING, PULLEY, BOLTS, BELT AND ANTI / FZ. MR

DASH BOARD STICKS OUT SO FAR THAT I HIT MY LEG ON IT WHEN ENTERING THE CAR. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE IS WATER LEAKING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THIS IS CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER'S VIEW. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE TRANMISSION WILL SHIFT INTERMITTENLEY WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CONSUMER SWERVED TO AVOID BEING HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK THAT WAS CHANGING LANES. CONSUMER STATES IN THE PROCESS OF AVOIDING TRUCK, CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR AND WENT INTO A SPIN AND HIT THE CAR AGAIN. CONSUMER STATES NONE OF THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER STATES THE FRAME THAT PROTECTS ENGINE WAS BENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

CONSUMER STATE AFTER PARKING VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER SERVICE VEHICLE AND NOTICE WIRE HARNESS NEED TO BE REPLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS HAVE GONE OUT AT 8,000 MILES, IN MAY THE CONSUMER HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED THEN IN JULY THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURED AND FINALLY ON THE 21-SEP-2002 THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN TO HAVE THE ROTORS REPLACED. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *NLM

LUMBAR CABLE/PARTS BREAK WHEN YOU ADJUST SEAT BACK. NLM

THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SEVERE WHEEL/TIRE THUMP, WHICH CAUSES A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AND A LOUD AUDIBLE NOISE IN THE CABIN, THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OG THE PROBLE BUT A SOLUTION WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SOME MONTHS, THE FACT THAT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD HIGH MILEAGE THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 12 WEEKS OLD. *SCC

PREMATURE TREAD SEPARATION AFTER ONLY 11,700 MILES.*AK

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID DISAPPEARS WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR. I PUT IN OVER 3 GALLONS, EVEN THOUGH WE DID NOT USE THE WASHER. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE HOW MUCH FLUID IS IN THE CONTAINER AS IT IS HIDDEN IN THE WHEEL WELL. WE VISITED THE DEALER 4 TIMES. ALTHOUGH HE SAYS HE REPLACED THE SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. IN THE NORTHEAST, WE HAVE SEVERE SNOW AND ICE STORMS. FAILURE OF THE WASHER SYSTEM DURING AN ICE STORM WOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. IT WOULD REQUIRE STOPPING THE CAR AT FREQUENT INTERVALS ON A DANGEROUS INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TO CLEAD THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALERS SOLUTION: "CARRY A GALLON OF WIPER FLUID IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES." HE CAN'T FIX IT. SAYS IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. CAN YOU FORCE FORD TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS? NOTE: THIS FORM SAYS THE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. IT WAS NOT.*AK

THE REMOTELY CONTROLLED DOOR LOCKS SPONTANEOUSLY LOCK WHILE THE DRIVER IS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IF THERE WERE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR, OR AN ELDERLY DISABLED PERSON, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO GET BACK IN. IF THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF WHILE A LONE DRIVER WAS IN A DANGEROUS DESOLATE AREA, THIS TOO WOULD BE A HAZARD. I KNOW OF ANOTHER WOMAN WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER FORD. HER DEALER SAID THAT SINCE HER CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT COULD BE FIXED FOR $75.00. MY DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND CANNOT BE FIXED. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND LOOSENED WHICH CAUSED FAN TO HIT IT CONTINUOUSLY. NOISE IN BRAKE PEDAL, REPORTED 3 TIMES, DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. IT HAS GOTTEN LOUDER. THEY HEAR IT BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS

JUST COMPLETED 3 HOUR TRIP IN HEAVY RAIN. HAD DRIVEN THROUGH AREA OF ROAD WITH SEVERAL INCHES OF WATER. WHILE VEHICLE APPROACHED FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTION THE RESULTING SPLASH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. TOWED CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO TOO MUCH WATER IN THE ENGINE. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE AIR INTAKE VALVE IS LOCATED NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT BUMPER. THIS HAS CAUSED US TO NEED A NEW ENGINE ON A CAR THAT WE HAVEN'T EVEN HAD FOR THREE MONTHS. FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE AND INSISTS IT ISN'T A DESIGN FLAW. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED THAT IT IS ODD THAT THE ENGINE WOULD FAIL DUE TO WATER INTAKE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 35MPH TIRE SEPARATED FROM AXLE, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES. *AK

INSIDE CORNER OF REAR TIRE, APPROXIMATELY THREE INCH STRIP ON EACH TIRE, WEARS EXCESSIVELY. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT 9,000, AND AT 20,000. STILL BELT TREAD IS SHOWING. CONSUMER MAINTAINS PROBLEM IS VEHICLE AND NOT TIRE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK *SLC

WATER INTRUSION NOTICED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASHBOARD. APPROXIMATELY 1" OF WATER COLLECTED IN BOTTOM LEFT CORNER OF FOOTWELL.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 TO 50 MPH VEHICLE JERKS BACK AND FORTH. TOOK TO DEALER ,AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AT FIRST I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE HIT THE HATCH RELEASE WHEN I UNLOCKED THE VEHICLE USING THE KEY FOB. AS I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PULLED AWAY, THE DOORS LOCKED AND I HAD TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND NOTICED THE REAR HATCH WAS UP. THE SECOND TIME WAS WHEN MY DOG STARTED BARKING AND THERE WAS THE HATCH UP. I HAD TO PULL OVER, I'M LUCKEY I DID NOT LOSE THE DOG. I STARTED USING THE KEY AFTER THAT. AS SOON AS I PULL AWAY, AND AFTER THE DOORS LOCK A WHILE LATER THE HATCH IS OPEN. THIS ONLY HAPPENS NOW AND THEN. EVERY OTHER MONTH OR SO. I HAVE CHECKED THE REAR HATCH PRIOR TO DRIVING. THIS HATCH CAN ONLY BE RELEASED BY THE BUTTON ON DASH OR BY USING THE KEY FOB. NO KEY. THE THIRD TIME I HAD GROCERY'S ALL OVER THE PLACE. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE REAR HATCH. SIDE DOORS ONLY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.*AK

SESSLER DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR DECISION TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. MY FAITH IS SHAKEN IN THE FOCUS COMPLETELY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE SUSPENSION BROKE. NLM

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH IN THE CENTER LANE, THE CONSUMER BLACKED OUT AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THEN A FIRE BEGAN UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY BURNT IN 10 MINUTES. *AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE FORD FOCUS SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF OF THE MARKET, STATING THAT FOR THE 48 YEARS SHE HAD BEEN DRIVING, SHE HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED A SITUATION OF THIS TYPE AND FEELS THAT SOMETHING WAS SMOLDERING OR BURNING IN THE VEHICLE AS SHE WAS DRIVING. *SCC

FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *JB

MY FATHER OWNS THIS VEHICLE, BUT HE BOUGHT IT FOR ME FOR SAFETY REASONS, I AM A 16 YEAR OLD FEMALE. TRAVELING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED ON A DRY, TWO LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT MY 2002 FORD FOCUS LOST CONTROL DUE TO THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FRACTURING. MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE ENDED UP TOTALLY UNATTACHED TO THE CONTROL ARM AND ONLY STAYING ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BY THE HOLD OF THE TIE ROD. MY VEHICLE SWERVED INTO THE MEDIAN AND INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC (THANKFULLY NO TRAFFIC WAS AROUND). BEING BY MYSELF WITH NO CELL PHONE I WAITED UNTIL SOMEONE STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. A POLICE MAN, OFFICER STROM FROM THE TITUSVILLE POLICE DEP'T STOPPED AND NOTICED THE SKID MARKS AND VERIFIED THE FRONT WHEEL HAD IN FACT COME LOOSE OF THE CONTROL ARM AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR, HERB DANIEL'S ALSO VERIFIED THE FRACTURE IN THE CONTROL ARM. I WAS NOT PHYSICALLY INJURED, BUT IT WAS PRETTY EMOTIONALLY TRAUMATIZING. MY DAD LOOKED UP INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND FOUND THAT ACCIDENTS SIMILAR TO MINE HAD BEEN REPORTED BEFORE AND NO RECALLS HAD BEEN MADE. WE HAVE VIDEO FOOTAGE TO SHOW THE SKID MARKS AND SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. AT THIS POINT OUR MAIN CONCERN IS TO KEEP THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN AND TO MAKE SURE THE NEW PART THAT WILL BE ADDED TO THE CAR WILL NOT BE DEFECTIVE.*AK

THIS IS THE THIRD OCCASION THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. NEITHER THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY OR MY FORD DEALER ARE ABLE TO EXPLAIN OR OFFER ANY RECTIFICATION OF THIS PARTICULARY DANGEROUS PROBLEM.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT VEHICLE SHOULD GET 26 GALLONS IN CITY AND 32 ON HIGHWAY. HOWEVER,VEHICLE GETS 18 GALLONS IN CITY. CONSUMER FEELS THE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT IN OWNERS MANUAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. *AK AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF REPAIRING THE AIR BAG/AIR BAG SENSORS, THE PROBLEM WAS STILL OCCURING AS OF AUGUST 15TH 2002 AND AT THAT TIME THEY WERE WAITING ON PARTS. (REPAIRS MADE AT THE DEALER) *SCC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, THERE WAS A CRASH IN WHICH ONE PERSON WAS INJURED, CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THIS VEHICLE. *SLC

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY HEARD A BUMP. VISUALLY INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DID NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE. CONSUMER THAN BEGAN DRIVING AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. CONSUMER AGAIN INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND SAW THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY HAD BUCKLED, AND THE REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST FIREWALL.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING GASOLINE FROM GAS TANK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND REAR WHEEL BUCKLED. NOW RUBBING ON FRONT OF FIREWALL. *AK

WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND WENT INTO A STALL. I THOUGH I DID SOMETHING WRONG AND DIDN'T REPORT IT. AT 1800 MILES I DROVE HOME FROM WORK MADE A BRIEF STOP AND WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR NOTHING WORKED. THE DASHBOARD WHEN BLANK. VEH HAD TO BE TOWED & WAS KEPT FOR 5 DAYS A FUEL PUMP WAS PUT IN. AT 2874 MILES A MONTH LATER I STOPPED FOR GAS AND VEHICLE AGAIN WOULDN'T START DASH BOARD WENT BLANK. VEH TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP & KEPT 3 DAYS. A NEW STARTER WAS PUT IN. JULY 15 ENGINE LIGHT & GAS LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OFF (WAS TOLD NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT KEEP ON DIRIVNG) TOOK VEH FOR REPAIR LIGHT WENT OFF. 8/2/02 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, RUSH HOUR ON INTERSTATE 295 AT 60 MPH. DASH BOARD WENT DEAD ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & VEH LOST ALL POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT AND FEW MINUTES. HAD NO CELL PHONE & WAS IN A DANGEROUS ON RAMP I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEH MOVING. AGAIN AFTER A SHORT DISTANCE EVERYTHING WHEN DEAD. I WAITED AND AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT HOME. I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND CALL DEALERSHIP. I ATTEMPED TO GET VEH TO DEALERSHIP, BUT VEHICLE AGAIN DIED IN THE ROAD. ALL LIGHTS CAME ON THE VEH WOULD START. AFTER WAITING I WAS EVENUTALLY ABLE TO GET CAR TO DEALERS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I FEEL I AM PUTTING MY LIFE AND OTHERS AT RISK WITH THIS CAR ON THE ROAD. I AM HANDYCAPPED AND PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR SAFETY REASONS. IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. HOW CAN I GET RID OF THIS VEHICLE AND GET IT REPLACED? I

AT 65 MPH VEHICLE HIT A RETAINING WALL, THEN ROLLED A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK

VEHICLE HIT A RETAINING WALL AT 65 MPH, THEN ROLLED A FEW TIMES. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER, AND DRIVER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING FROM 35 OR MORE MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER FEELS EXCESSIVE HEAT ON HIS FEET WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ALL SHIELDS ARE IN PLACE, SUNROOF BUTTON IS IONPERATIVE. *NLM

ON 7/11/2002 MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A NEAR HEAD-ON ACCIDENT. SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ANOTHER CAR SUDDENLY TURNED LEFT IN TO HER PATH. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS CITED FOR FAILURE TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY. MY WIFE HIT THE OTHER CAR IN THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE FORD FOCUS ZX5 SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE AND WITH A COST OF OVER $12,000 TO REPAIR IT WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A FRONTAL COLLISION AND THE BUMPER WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. TODAY AT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER (1-866-693-6738) I WAS INFORMED BY STEVE THAT IF I WANTED TO FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY THAT I COULD PAY TO HAVE THEM TESTED. WHEN I QUESTIONED AS TO WHY I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE FORD TO POSSIBLY FIX A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS HE SAID THAT THAT IS WHAT THE COMPUTER POP UP STATED. FORD SHOULD BE MORE RECEPTIVE TO WANTING TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A PROBLEM. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM THEN FORD SHOULD COMPENSATE ME AND MY WIFE.*AK

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING AND MAKING A TURN. THEN, ANOTHER EXPLOSIVE NOISE OCCURRED INVOLVING THE REAR TIRE. *YH *SCC

WHILE BACKING UP CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM FRONT END, THEN, LOST STEERING ABILITY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION HAD BROKEN.*AK