2003 Ford Focus complaints

THE VEHICLE'S DRIVERSIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *MR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO JERK. AS A RESULTED THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VAN AND HIT A TREE. THE VAN WAS TOTALED. *NM *SC

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED TWICE, BUT ALWAYS STARTED BACK UP AFTER A FEW MINUTES. ON ONE OCCASION, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER AND ON THE ANOTHER OCCASION, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *AK THE STARTER WAS FOUND FAULTY, THE TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERATIVE AND THERE WAS A VIBRATION WHILE GOING 40 MPH DUE TO SHIFTING, THE CLOCK DISPLAY WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE ENGNE LIGHT STAYED ON. *SC *JB

MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT OUR FORD FOCUS IN MAY OF 2003. IN SEPT. OF 2003 WE PAID IT OFF. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AN ODOR COMING OUT OF THE COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM. IT SMELLS LIKE MOLD/MILDEW. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO BOB BELL FORD IN GLEN BURNIE, MARYLAND ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY ONLY PUT SOME KIND OF DEODERIZER IN THE SYSTEM THAT LASTS A FEW DAYS, AND THEN THE ODOR COMES BACK AGAIN. THE LAST TIME WE TOOK IT THERE, MY HUSBAND WAS INSULTED BY ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS. THEY STILL HAVEN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM. WE GOT OUR CAR BACK ON SATURDAY, 5 DAYS AFTER TAKING IT TO THEM, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE 'SERVICE MANAGER' HAD IT DETAILED, AND SUGGESTED THAT THE ODOR WAS DUE TO THE CAR BEING DIRTY. GRANTED, THE CAR NEEDED A GOOD WASHING ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT COME ON NOW, PLEASE, THAT WON'T CAUSE AN ODOR ON THE INSIDE. IT IS EITHER A CONDENSATION PROBLEM OR AN IMPROPER WATER DRAINING PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING AND THEY WON'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM PROPERLY. FOR SOME REASON, AFTER IT RAINS, WE SMELL THIS HORRIBLE ODOR WHEN WE USE OUR COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY DEODORIZE THE SYSTEM THE ODOR COMES BACK. IT IS A "HEALTH HAZARD" BREATHING THIS HORRIBLE ODOR. HOPEFULLY FILING THIS COMPLAINT MAY HELP OUR SITUATION BEFORE WE ARE FORCED TO GO ANY FURTHER. IF THEY DON'T SOON CORRECT THE PROBLEM , WE WILL BE CALLING THE BBB AND CONTACTING OUR LAWYER. *JB

MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT OUR FORD FOCUS IN MAY OF 2003. IN SEPT. OF 2003 WE PAID IT OFF. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AN ODOR COMING OUT OF THE COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM. IT SMELLS LIKE MOLD/MILDEW. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO BOB BELL FORD IN GLEN BURNIE, MARYLAND ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY ONLY PUT SOME KIND OF DEODORIZER IN THE SYSTEM THAT LASTS A FEW DAYS, AND THEN THE ODOR COMES BACK AGAIN. THE LAST TIME WE TOOK IT THERE, MY HUSBAND WAS INSULTED BY ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS. THEY STILL HAVEN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM. WE GOT OUR CAR BACK ON SATURDAY, 5 DAYS AFTER TAKING IT TO THEM, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE 'SERVICE MANAGER' HAD IT DETAILED, AND SUGGESTED THAT THE ODOR WAS DUE TO THE CAR BEING DIRTY. GRANTED, THE CAR NEEDED A GOOD WASHING ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT COME ON NOW, PLEASE, THAT WON'T CAUSE AN ODOR ON THE INSIDE. IT IS EITHER A CONDENSATION PROBLEM OR AN IMPROPER WATER DRAINING PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING AND THEY WON'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM PROPERLY. FOR SOME REASON, AFTER IT RAINS, WE SMELL THIS HORRIBLE ODOR WHEN WE USE OUR COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY DEODORIZE THE SYSTEM THE ODOR COMES BACK. IT IS A "HEALTH HAZARD" BREATHING THIS HORRIBLE ODOR. HOPEFULLY FILING THIS COMPLAINT MAY HELP OUR SITUATION BEFORE WE ARE FORCED TO GO ANY FURTHER. IF THEY DON'T SOON CORRECT THE PROBLEM , WE WILL BE CALLING THE BBB AND CONTACTING OUR LAWYER. *JB

WHEN DRIVING 20 MPH ENGINE REVVED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CASE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE ADD ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

CAR INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING. SO FAR, ALL INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND WHILE BRAKE WAS BEING USED. HAVE BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM (HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN NOVEMBER 2003). THE FIRST TIME, TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. BATTERY, BATTERY CABLES, ALTERNATOR AND CONTROL MODULE WERE ALL REPLACED. ENGINE STALLED TWICE IN ONE DAY A FEW WEEKS AFTER THIS REPAIR. SECOND SERVICE VISIT, TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM, SO CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME. NOW I'M JUST WAITING AND WONDERING WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME THE NEXT TIME THE CAR STALLS, SINCE I LOSE 90% OF MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHEN IT HAPPENS. I FEEL LIKE A SHOULD PUT A GIANT SIGN ON THE BACK OF MY CAR, WARNING DRIVERS TO KEEP THEIR DISTANCE AS THIS CAR CAN SUDDENLY STALL AT ANY TIME. *AK

ON SATURDAY MORNING I BOUGHT THE CAR - A BRAND NEW 2003 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON. ON SUNDAY MORNING, I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE DUE TO THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS OF THE MOMENT. INSTANTLY, THE BACK END OF THE CAR SWERVED TO THE RIGHT IN A JACK-KNIFE MANNER. THE CAR SPUN AROUND AND THREW ITSELF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE FRONT END WOUND UP POINTED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY THE CAR LANDED IN A SANDY SPOT WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR TO ME. IT WAS AS IF I HAD HIT BLACK ICE, EXCEPT THAT DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT DAY WERE PERFECT - 50 DEGREES, SUNNY AND DRY WITH GOOD ROAD SURFACE. IN MY OPINION, THIS INCIDENT MAY BE THE RESULT OF POOR DESIGN: THAT IS THE REAR END OF THE FOCUS SE WAGON IS TOO LIGHT TO HOLD THE ROAD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR THE BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN. IN ANY EVENT, THIS WAS A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE FOR ME. I THINK THAT THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP FOR ME AND A HAZARD FOR EVERYONE ELSE NEAR IT ON THE ROAD. *AK

FRONT END SHIMMIES AND PULLS TO THE LEFT AT SPEED OF 70 MPH AND FASTER. IF VEHICLE ISN'T SERVICED IMMEDIATELY THE PROBLEM WILL PROGRESS AND OCCUR AT LOWER SPEEDS. DEALERSHIP BALANCED AND ROTATED THE TIRES SEVERAL TIMES, AND REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES TWICE. THIS ONLY PROVIDES A TEMPORARY SOLUTION BECAUSE THE PROBLEM RECURS. *AK

I BOUGHT MY 2003 FORD FOCUS AROUND OCT 2003, SINCE DAY 1 THE DRIVER'S SIDE AREA OF THE TRUNK GETS SOAKED WHEN IT RAINS. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE IT IS COMING FROM OR HOW THE MOISTURE GETS IN. ALSO, CAR HAD RUST ON THE MUFFLER AND UNDERCARRIAGE WHEN I DROVE IT OFF OF THE LOT THE DAY I BOUGHT IT.*AK

FRONT WHEEL ALOY RIM IS BENT DUE TO FAULTY FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA 02 205/50R16 TIRES WITH WEAK SIDEWALLS. TIRE HAS BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL DEALER STATED FIRESTONE PROBLEM NOT FORD PROBLEM. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACED THE TIRE AND RIM UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED THE DENTED RIM CAME FROM THE VEHICLE HITTING A ROCK OR POTHOLE. THE BENT RIM CAUSED THE TIRE TO HAVE BUBBLE ON IT. THE DEALER ULTIMATELY REPLACED THE TIRE BUT NOT THE RIM. THE NEW TIRE WAS GOOD FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IT PUNCTURED AND DESTROYED. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE FIREHAWK TIRES HAVE DESIGN FLAWS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.*AK

WHEN COMING TO A STOP, TRANSMISSION OPERATED POORLY. IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT GEARS OR GEARS DID NOT SHIFT AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK *NM

I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK CAR FROM SERAMONTE FORD ON 7-4-2003. IT HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE UNTIL FRIDAY, 2-6-2004. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THE CAR STALLED AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN ON THE WAY COMING HOME FROM STONESTOWN SHOPPING CENTER. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT IT STALLED AGAIN AND AGAIN. NEARLY GOT HIT FROM THE BACK ONCE. IT WAS REALLY SCARY. MY WIFE WAS REALLY SHAKEN UP. . I WAS AFRAID TO USE THE CAR UNTIL TUESDAY, 2-10-2004. I STARTED DRIVING TO THE DEALER THAT MORNING AT 8:30 AM AND WHEN I ALMOST GOT INTO THEIR PARKING LOT THE CAR STALLED AT ABOUT 30 FT FROM THE ENTRANCE TO THEIR LOT. I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. I WALKED OVER TO THE FORD DEALER AND ASKED THE SERVICE MAN NAMED CARL TO GO OVER TO THE INFINITY LOT TO SEE IF HE COULD CHECK ON THE CAR. IT WAS ABOUT 9:15 AM AT THAT TIME. CARL TOLD ME THAT HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME AND THAT I HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY REGULAR SERVICE MAN -KEVIN- WHO WILL BE IN AT 10 AM THAT MORNING. I WAITED 45 MINUTES AT THEIR LOT FOR KEVIN. KEVIN WALKED WITH ME OVER TO THE INFINITY DEALER'S LOT AND TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT IT WOULD NOT START. MY CAR WAS TOWED INTO THE FORD DEALER'S SHOP AT ABOUT 11:30 AM. I WAITED THERE UNTIL 1:30 PM AND WAS TOLD THE CAR WILL HAVE TO BE LEFT AT THEIR SHOP OVER NIGHT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT FOUND OUT WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS AT THEIR SHOP SINCE 2-10-2004. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER RAY WERTZ THE NEXT DAY TO ASK IF HE HAS I

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION.UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES, BUT WAS QUITE SORE. *AK

PURCHASED 2003 FORD FOCUS IN SEPTEMBER, 2003. THERE WAS NOT EVEN 3,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. MY HUSBAND DROVE IT 2 BLOCKS TO THE STORE ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2004, WENT INTO THE STORE TO GET ONE ITEM AND ONLY IN THE STORE 5 MINUTES, CAME OUT AND MY CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR.*AK

2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 PZEV ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. ALL THE INSTRUMENTS ON THE DASH (SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TACHOMETER, OIL PRESSURE, ETC.) BECOME INOPERATIVE. MUST BRING THE CAR TO A STOP, PUT IT IN PARK, AND TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION BEFORE CAR CAN BE RESTARTED. PROBLEM BEGAN WITH LESS THAN 500 MILES ON THE CAR. IN THE THREE MONTHS I'VE OWNED THE CAR IT HAS STALLED AT LEAST 20 TIMES. HAVE HAD IT TO TWO DIFFERENT FORD SERVICE CENTERS A COMBINED TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP WHILE THEY WAIT FOR A SPECIAL FORD TECHNICIAN TO COME AND TRY AND DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

AFTER LEAVING MY AUTO, I RETURNED TO FIND THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED, BUT IN TACT/IN PLACE. THERE NO SIGNS OF ANY IMPACT OR ATTEMPTED ENTRY. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING STRIKING THE WINDOW AND APPEARED IT MIGHT BE A FAULTY WINDOW. UPON BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER'S SEVICE SHOP, THE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD NOTIFY HIS FORD REP OF THIS PROBLEM. HE SAID NORMALLY THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING BUT SINCE THE AUTO WAS SO NEW, HE WOULD TRY TO SEE WHAT HE COULD DO. UPON INVESTIGATING IF THERE WAS A FORD RECALL OR SIMILAR REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, I CAME ACCROSS AT LEAST ONE OTHER OCCASSION WHERE THE WINDOW JUST SHATTERED AND WAS REPLACED BY FORD UNDER WARRANTY. THE INDIVIDUAL SAID FORD CLAIMED IT WAS DUE TO WELDING IRREGULARITIES AND SUCH. WHEN I WAS SPEAKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FORD, HE CLAIMED THAT THE 2003 FORD FOCUS REAR DEFROSTER WAS CHANGED AND THEY HAD GIVEN IT A HIGHER AMP TO MAKE IT HOTTER. SINCE IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 6 DGREES OUTSIDE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN HOT AND SHATTERED WHEN COOLING QUICKLY - HE DID NOT KNOW AND WAS JUST SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS. REGARDLESS, THE AUTO HAD 440 MILES ON IT AND WAS ONLY ABOUT 10 DAYS OLD WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IF THIS WINDOWED SHATTERED AND BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING, POSSIBLY CAUSING HARM TO ANY PASSENGERS IN THE BACK - OR ANYWHERE FOR THAT MATTER. I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBLE HARM TO ANYONE. THE AUTO IS A 2003 FORD FOCUS SE SEDAN. THANK YOU, [XXX]

WHEN RUNNING THE AC ON THE CAR, THERE IS AN EXTREMELY BAD ODOR WHICH CAN BE SMELLED BOTH INSIDE THE CAR AND OUT. IT APPEARS TO BE SOME KIND OF BURNING OR CHEMICAL ODOR. IT WILL ACTUALLY AFFECT THE BODY BY MAKING YOUR EYES BURN AND MAKING YOU FEEL SICK. IT CAN NOT BE DRIVEN. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES WITH THE PROBLEM UNRESOLVED. THE THIRD TIME, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS FIXED; HOWEVER, UPON TESTING AT THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNRESOLVED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD'S ENGINEERS ARE COMING IN TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM, AS THE SERVICE MANAGER PULLED THREE NEW CARS OFF THE LOT AND FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM.

METAL PEICE ON THE BACK OF THE CAR LIKE TIE ROD ENDS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IT IS BROKE AND CAUSE THE CAR TO GO OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND RUIN ALL TIRES. HAVE TO REPLACE THE METAL PIECE WITH ONE THAT IS ADJUSTABLE. HAVE TAKE THE CAR TO THREE DIFFERENT PLACES TO GET THE JOB DONE. WE LIVE IN WYOMING SO THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO TRAVEL A WAYS TO GET TO THESE PLACES. SHEIDAN AND GILLETTE. THUNDER BASIN FORD IS CURRENTLY ORDERING THE PART SO THAT WE CAN GET THE REAR ALLIGNED PROPERLY. THEY STATED THAT THE PEICE WAS PROBABLY BENT FROM THE MANUFACTURE.

HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT ANY SPEED A SQUEAKING SOUND WAS HEARD. DEALER REPLACED FRONT PADS, THEN ON SECOND OCCURRENCE, FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

ENGINE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASONS AND WITH NO WARNING. *AK

THE REAR WINDOW IN MY 2003 FORD FOCUS SEDAN ZTS SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED OVERNIGHT WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS FOUND COMPLETELY INTACT WITH NO SIGN OF IMPACT OR FORCED ENTRY. FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR STATING THAT I SHOULD CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND HAVE THEM SUE FORD.*AK

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. SHE STATED SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE VEHICLE, SO NO ONE WAS INJURED. SHE STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING. *JB

REAR DRIVE WHEEL RIM IS BENT AND DAMAGED THE TIRE. DEALER STATED PROBABLY CONSUMER HIT A POTHOLE OR A CURB AND BENT THE WHEEL.*AK THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACED THE RIM UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED THE DENTED RIM CAME FROM THE VEHICLE HITTING A ROCK OR POTHOLE. THE BENT RIM CAUSED THE TIRE TO HAVE BUMPS ON IT. *PH *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, HEAVY BLACK SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE THERE WAS ANY KIND OF PROBLEM. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INVESTIGATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE LEFT FRONT TIRE ON MY CAR SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR INTEGRITY SIZE P185/65/R-14. THE SUDDEN BLOWOUT CAUSED 900 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE DEALER AND TIRE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PAY. *LA

APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO, I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC, AND MY 2003 FORD FOCUS QUIT ACCELERATING. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING.*AK I BEGAN PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL, THINKING A FUEL LINE MIGHT BE CLOGGED, BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP. FINALLY, ALTHOUGH SOMEWHAT CHUGGING, I GOT ENOUGH ACCELERATION TO WEAVE OUT OF TRAFFIC AND EXIT AT AN OFFRAMP. I PULLED INTO THE FIRST PARKING LOT, PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND LET IT IDLE. THE ENGINE SOUNDED SMOOTH. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE AND ALL WAS FINE. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SAN DIEGO FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM COULD BE DETECTED. I WAS ADVISED TO LET THE GAS TANK GO TO EMPTY, ADD STP, AND SEE IF THE PROBLEM CEASED. I DID SO. NOW, SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH DOWN A DANGEROUS WINDING GRADE NEAR MY HOME IN MORONGO VALLEY. AGAIN, MY CAR LOST ACCELERATION. I BEGAN PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THE MOTOR JUST REVVED. IT WAS AS THOUGH MY CAR HAD SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. I GLANCED DOWN AT THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER, TO SEE IF I HAD ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED IT OUT OF GEAR. IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I BEGAN LOSING SPEED AND HAD TO COAST DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GRADE, WHERE THERE WAS PARKING ACCESSIBILITY. THE SAME AS BEFORE, I PLACED MY CAR IN PARK, LET IT IDLE FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, PUT IT IN DRIVE, AND IT WAS FINE. I TOOK IT TO PALM SPRINGS FORD, WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW. I RECEIVED A PHONE MESSAGE FRIDAY EVENING, AFTER WORK, AND I WAS TOLD THE CAR HAS CHECKED OUT FINE. I HAD ASSUMED THIS WOULD HAP

WHEN BRAKES GET WET, THEY MAKE A WHISTLING SOUND; THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED BEFORE WHEN TURNING; THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN CUT AND THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED; THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 4,000 MILES ON IT. *AK

2003 SVT FORD FOCUS: FLYWHEEL, PRESSURE PLATE, CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILURE. MULTIPLE CASES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO DEALERS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR 15 BUSINESS DAYS WITH NO END IN SIGHT. I HAVE ALSO HEARD OF BELLHOUSING CRACKING HOWEVER I'M NOT SURE IF THIS WAS A CASE WITH MY CAR, NO INFORMATION ABOUT THAT FROM DEALER.*AK

CLUTCH BEGAN SLIPPING, CAUSING THE FLYWHEEL TO BREAK. THE CLUTCH CAME APART AND HIT THE BELL HOUSING. THEN, BELL HOUSING SEPARATED AND BROKE INTO THE RADIATOR. *AK

DRIVER'S SEAT HAD A PIECE OF METAL WHICH WAS EXPOSED, AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER CUT HER LEG. *AK (SEVERAL OTHERS HAD BEEN HURT AS WELL) THE METAL WAS ONLY EXPOSED WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS PUSHED FORWARD TO ALLOW THE PASSENGER IN THE BACK TO EXIT. IF THE SEAT WAS BACKED FOR A TALL DRIVER, IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE PASSENGER TO BECOME INJURED. *SCC *JB

"CHECK BATTERY" LIGHT COMES ON WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY OR STOPPED. WHEN DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 45 MINUTES SPEEDOMETER JUMPS WILDLY AND DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. ELECTRICAL BUZZING NOISE FROM DASHBOARD. DEALER REPORTS THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *LA

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL EXCEEDED TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL. CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO THE PARK POSITION TO STOP IT. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH A DOG RAN INTO THE STREET AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT THE DOG. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE BAGS DEPLOYED, AND CONSUMER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED, IT LOCKED THE DRIVER IN AFTER THE IMPACT. HOWEVER, PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT AND REAR SEAT BELTS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.*AK

THE BRAKES ARE SQUEEKING AND MAKING THUMPING NOISES AT ONLY 6000 MILES. *LA

MY WIFE BARBARA PURCHASED A NEW 2003 FORD FOCUS. SHE BROUGHT IT HOME ON FRI. OCT.10TH. 2003, SHE PUT ON ABOUT 100 MILES. SHE PARKED IT IN OUR DRIVEWAY. ON MONDAY OCT. 13, 2003 WHEN I WENT OUT TO THE CAR I NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS CRAZED. WITH A CLOSER INSPECTION I SAW THAT THE WINDOW WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED. THE WINDOW WAS INTACT WITH NO SIGN OF IMPACT. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY ASKED ME TO BRING IT IN TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER. I DID AND THEY ARE REPAIRING IT. WE LIVE IN A REMOTE AREA WITH NO TRAFIC. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY WITH THE REAR WINDOW FACING AWAY FROM THE ROAD. THE TEMPERTURE WAS 38 DEG. F.AT NIGHT AND 70 DEG. F DAYTIME. WE LIVE IN ALPINE, AZ ELLEVATION 8050 FT. *LA

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 25/30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER PASSENGER'S SIDE NOR DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH ABRUPTLY VEHICLE STARTED SWERVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, AND IMPACTED A GUARD RAIL. AS A RESULT, DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND HEAD INJURIES.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FORD. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH WATER IN VEHICLE'S ENGINE.*MR CONSUMER DROVE OVER A PUDDLE AND VEHICLE WAS SPLASHED ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. APPROX. 50 FEET FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE NEXT MORNING SOMEONE FROM THE SERVICE DEPT. STATED THE ENGINE WAS FLOODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT $5000. THIS WASN'T COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER WOULDN'T OFFER A RENTAL VEHICLE SO THE CONSUMER FELT HE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. AN INDEPENDENT COURT CERTIFIED AUTO EXPERT STATED IN HIS OPINION THERE WAS A DESIGN DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS INCAPABLE OF BEING DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES DUE TO LOW AIR INTAKE. *PH *JB THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD FOCUS LX ON 7/23/03. IT BROKE DOWN ON 8/18/03 IN SPRINGGOLD, GA. WITH A BROKEN AXLE AND A BROKEN TRANSMISSION. SALE FORD REPLACED THE AXLE AND TRANSMISSION AND WAS PICKED UP ON 8/26/03. IT HAD EXACTLY 725 MILES. ON 9/5/03 IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN WITH THE TRANSMISSION GETTING STUCK IN A FORWARD GEAR. IT HAD EXACTLY 1024 MILES. REMAINS IN THE SHOP TO THIS DAY. 9/12/03. *PH

REPLACED THE AXLE AND TRANSMISSION AND WAS PICKED UP ON 8/26/03. IT HAD EXACTLY 725 MILES. ON 9/5/03 IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN WITH THE TRANSMISSION GETTING STUCK IN A FORWARD GEAR. IT HAD EXACTLY 1024 MILES. REMAINS IN THE SHOP TO THIS DAY. 9/12/03. *PH

WHILE DRIVING BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH. *AK

I BOUGHT MY FIRST BRAND NEW CAR, 2003 FORD FOCUS! SINCE IT'S A BRAND NEW CAR, I EXPECTED IT TO BE FLAWLESS. HOWEVER, I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WHEN WE FOUND RUST ON THE MUFFLER, THEN ON THE METAL FRAME IN THE DASHBOARD AREA. WE TALKED TO THE ASST. MGR (JAY PARKER) ON 8/24. I ASKED FOR THE GM, BUT HE SAID TO CALL MONDAY, 8/25 TO SEE IF HE'S IN. HE WAS IN ON MONDAY, BUT THEY HAD ME TALK TO ANOTHER PERSON, EDDIE SUZUI. HE SAID TO BRING THE CAR IN AND ASK FOR HIM. AS SOON AS WE GOT THERE, WE WERE TOLD TO BRING THE CAR TO THE SERVICE AREA, AND ROBERT ENRIQUES, THE SERVICE ADVISOR EXAMINED THE CAR, AND WENT THROUGH THE LIST OF PROBLEMS ABOUT THE CAR. HE DID SAY THE RUST ON THE MUFFLER IS JUST "SURFACE" RUST, BUT THE OTHER RUST IS "MORE THAN SURFACE RUST". I ASKED HIM WHY FORD SELLS CARS WITH RUST IN IT. HE JUST SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS AND SAID NOTHING. I TOLD HIM THAT I DIDN'T WANT THE CAR ANYMORE, SO I ASKED TO SEE THE GM. ROBERT SAID HE'LL GET THE GM, BUT A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE ASST. MGR CAME TO TALK TO US. BASICALLY, JAY CONFIRMED WHAT ROBERT ALREADY TOLD US, AND TRULY EMPHASIZED THAT THE CAR DOES HAVE SERIOUS RUST ON THE FRAME, AND THAT WE'RE NOT JUST IMAGINING IT! IT IS NOT JUST SURFACE RUST!ROBERT ENRIQUES TOOK PICTURES OF THE RUST AND SENT THEM TO DIGITAL IMAGING. ROBERT TOLD ME THAT MANUFACTURER WON'T TAKE THE CAR BACK. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE FORD SERVICE REP WILL BE HERE IN HAWAII ON 9/8, AND HE'LL SHOW THE PICTURES TO HIM THEN AND DECISION WILL BE MADE. I FINALLY GOT TO TALK

WHEN IT RAINED WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT. *AK

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE THREE TIMES AND VIBRATION PROBLEMS HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPECTS FORD TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE APPLICABLE LEMON LAW IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, BECAUSE OF CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE TIE ROD BUSHING, BEARING ASSEMBLY, AXLE SHAFT AND JOINT, FRONT END ALIGNMENTS AND NUMEROUS WHEEL AND TIRE ADJUSTMENTS *JB

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH 70080 MILES SUFFERED ENGINE FAILUE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ENGINE WILL NOT REMAIN RUNNING UNLESS THE ACCELLERATOR PEDAL IS HELD OFF OF IDLE. THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK AND STAY AT IDLE WITHOUT OPERATOR INTERVENTION. *AK THE UNIT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM SERVICE PENDING REPAIR. THERE IS A RUMBLING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES (+-0.5" AT 3 HERTZ) WHEN AT 55MPH AND ABOVE.