Ford Focus Complaints (2001)
1,761 consumer complaints on file.
- #10055778January 23, 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM THE ENGINE STALLING RECALL 03V482000 UNLESS THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A FUEL FILTER FOR $42.00. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10054653January 22, 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FAILURE OF FUEL PUMP CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL AND DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE TO BE TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS. FORD PAID TO REPLACE THE PUMP BUT REFUSED TO PAY TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FILTER OR REIMBURSE TOWING EXPENSES. FUEL FILTER PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED ON A SO-CALLED RECALL NOTICE NO. 03N01, BUT FORD IS ADVISING DEALERS TO REPLACE PART ONLY IF IT FAILS AND WILL NOT STAND BY IT'S CONSUMERS FOR FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH DEFECTIVE PART.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10055470January 16, 2004STEERING:COLUMN
THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER IT BROKE. *PH (NAR) THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN AND ENCLOSED IS A COPY OF THE SAFETY RECALL ISSUED IN REGARDS TO THE STEERING COLUMN. *CB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10055233January 16, 2004LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
THE VEHICLE'S TAILGATE UNLATCHED AND OPENED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10055266January 16, 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NHTSA: #03V482000 CONCERNING FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL INDICATING THERE WAS NOT RECALL AT THIS MOMENT. THE CONSUMER WAS ASKED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH WOULD COST $90.00. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10070786January 15, 2004ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WAS DRIVING THE TURNER TURNPIKE BACK FROM FUNERAL, CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 76 MPH. BOOM FROM UNDER THE CAR, OIL LIGHT COMES ON, SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. I PULLED OVER, TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE WHOLE ENGINE COVERED IN OIL. BEHIND IS A TRAIL OF OIL FROM OVER THE HILL TO WHERE I HAD STOPPED. I'M PRETTY SURE THE ENGINE IS GONE. NO KNOCKING, TEMP WAS RIGHT, NO WARNING LIGHT, JUST BOOM! DIDN'T EVEN GET TO 50,000 MILES. WHAT A CROCK!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10071020January 15, 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I BOUGHT MY FOCUS USED, IT HAD 38,000 MILES, ON A TRIP THE ENGINE BEGAN TO ACT UP. IT WAS REVVING ALL THE WAY UP BUT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 40 MPH. AFTER CALLING A TOW TRUCK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE DEALERSHIP THAT I TOOK IT TO HAD IT FOR OVER A WEEK AND HAD DIFFICULTY LOCATING THE PROBLEM. IT STARTED AND DROVE JUST FINE FOR THEM. I HAD THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE FUEL SYSTEM FLUSHED. WHILE IT WAS THERE THEY PERFORMED RECALL WORK ON MY BATTERY CABLE ROUTING, AND MY ONE OF MY ENGINE CONTROL ARM BOLTS. EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR A FEW MONTHS, THEN I HAD A TIRE THROW TREAD, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. 1 WEEK LATER IT WAS BACK TO GET THE OTHER TIRE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD A BUBBLE IN IT, AFTER LEARNING THAT I GOT THE REST OF THE TIRES REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS AGO MY BRAKES STARTED SQUELING, I HAD THE PADS CHECKED THEY WERE FINE, AFTER THEY KEPT MAKING NOISE I INSISTED THAT THEY WERE CHANGED. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 100 MILES I STARTED HEARING A SPINNING THUMP. THAT BECAME VERY LOUD. BACK INTO THE SHOP, THEY REPLACED A BRAKE CALIPER, AND ALSO I HAD TO GET YET ANOTHER FUEL FILTER, IT WAS BEGINING TO BECOME RESTRICTED, AGAIN. THE BRAKE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN DOING IT FOR A WHILE SINCE I DID NOT HAVE A FORD DEALERSHIP DO IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY, AND I AM SURE THAT SOMETHING ELSE WILL GO WRONG. YAY!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10071077January 15, 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE SAME AS EVEYONE ELSE. THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES DUE TO FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM/FUEL PUMP. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. I TALKED TO FORD, THEN I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER. THEY TOLD ME, AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST IT'S A FUEL PUMP ISSUE. THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME 75 BUCKS TO CHECK IT OUT (BECAUSE ACCORDING TO FORD, IT HAS TO BE DONE BY THEM REGARDLESS OF MY QUALIFICATIONS) THEN IF IT'S NOT HAVING THE PERFORMANCE PROBLEM AT THE TIME THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO VERIFY IT'S THE FUEL PUMP. SINCE IT'S INTERMITTENT I CHOSE TO PULL THE TANK AND INVESTIGATE MY SELF. I AGREE "KINDA" THAT IT'S A FUEL PUMP ISSUE. THE REASON I SAY THIS IS BECAUSE I PULLED THE TANK TONIGHT, DISASSEMBLED THE PUMP/SENDING UNIT ASSEMBLY AND FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF SEDIMENT IN THE BASE AND AROUND THE SIDES OF THE BODY THE PUMP SITS IN. ADDITIONALLY THE SCREEN/SOCK ON THE INLET SIDE OF THE PUMP MOTOR WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY CLOGGED WITH THE STUFF,. THE TANK ITSELF HAD A LIGHT FILM OF THE BROWN STUFF WHICH EASILY IS WIPED WITH A CLEAN RAG. LOOKING AT THE GUNK, IT WOULD SEEM TO ME TO BE VERY BAD GAS, BUT WHY JUST THE FOCUS. I PUT THE SAME STUFF IN BOTH MY OTHER TWO VEHICLES AND NO PROBLEMS. I CAN'T ANALYZE THE STUFF TO DETERMINE WHAT IT IS FOR SURE BUT CAN ASSURE YOU IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT CAUSED ENOUGH CAVITATION FOR THE PUMP TO HEAT UP BURN OUT. I DID NOT SEE EVIDENCE OF ANY GASKETS OR ANYTHING ELSE INTERNAL ATTACHED TO THE TANK GOING BAD, BUT SINCE I USE THE SAME FUEL ELSE WERE W/O PROBLEMS IT ALMOST HAS TO BE A SITUATION LIKE A SEALS/SEALANT DETERIORATING AND PRODUCING THE NASTY STUFF. I PLAN ON SAVING $250 AND CLEAN IT ALL AND SEE IF THINGS IMPROVE. THE PUMP IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM FORD (INTERESTING). FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMTHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE THEY ALLOW SOMONE TO GET KILLED OUT THERE ON THE HIWAY. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED A MONTH AGO FOR MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER RESEARCH FIRST.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10071078January 15, 2004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STEERING
FUEL SYSTEM-STALL OUT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS-AND AT ANY LONG RIGHT HAND TURNS-CONTACTED DEALER/OUT OF WARRANTY,TO MANY MILES TO CONSIDER. BRAKES-ROTORS AND PADS WORN OUT AT 24,000MILES-DEALER STATED MAINTENANCE ISSUE,NORMAL FOR THE FORD FOCUS- THEY DIRECTED ME TO CALL FORD MOTOR CO.TO COMPLAIN...
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10071122January 15, 2004STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE 4-DOOR SEDAN IN NOVEMBER 2002. THE CAR WAS A MANUFACTURER BUY-BACK FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAD A SMALL WARRANTY LEFT. AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 2002, I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND A FAULTY BELT REPLACED. AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2002, THE CAR WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, SO I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. A DAY OR SO BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD REGARDING THE PINCH BOLT. UNFORTUNATELY, I RECEIVED THAT RECALL NOTICE TOO LATE THE FAULTY PINCH BOLT HAD ALREADY FAILED AND CAUSED SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE RACK AND PINION THAT IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES. I ALSO EXPERIENCED A FAULTY VALVE IN THE HEATING SYSTEM THAT WAS ALLOWING WATER TO FLOW INTO THE CAR'S CABIN AND SOAK THE CARPETING. GETTING TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THE CAR REFUSED TO ACCELERATE GOING UP A HILL AND INSTEAD THE ENGINE REVVED. NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED, I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. SINCE THE CAR IS NOW LONG PAST ITS SMALL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY, I HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR. HE RECOMMENDED THAT I FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION AND SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP THE PROBLEM. I SPENT $100 ON A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THAT DIDN'T WORK AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CAR AND TO ASK FOR A BUYBACK, BUT MY REQUEST WAS REFUSED. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO WISCASSET FORD. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM(S) WITH THE CAR (AT NO CHARGE). I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY GAVE ME TWO OPTIONS FOR PAYMENT. 1) PAY FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION OUT-OF-POCKET, ESTIMATED COST AT $2500 - $3000; 2) BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE DRIVE TRAIN FOR $500. I AM PLANNING ON PURCHASING THE EXTENDED DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY WHICH WILL ALLOW WISCASSET FORD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AND WILL ALSO GIVE ME AN EXTRA 15K MILES FOR THE DRIVE TRAIN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10069214January 15, 2004SUSPENSION
RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM/REAR TRAILER ARM BROKE IN HALF, NEAR THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL, OF MY FORD FOCUS 2001 AFTER DRIVING ON SANDY ROAD DURING A RAIN SHOWER.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10069222January 15, 2004AIR BAGS, WHEELS, TIRES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE TIRE AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND THE CAR STATED SLIDING. AFTER THE CRASH THERE WERE BOLTS THAT WERE FOUND ON THE GRASS WHERE THE CRASH HAPPENED
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10069251January 15, 2004POWER TRAIN, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO 3RD GEAR IT FREEWHEELS AND OR WILL NOT PULL
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10069255January 15, 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, WHEELS, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ALSO NOV/20/01 MY ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING ONCE AGAIN.....WARRENTY COVERED THAT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10069381January 15, 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VEHICLE SLUGGISH WHEN GAS PEDAL PUSHED, FINALLY STALLED OUT AND WOULDN'T START FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN STARTED ONLY RAN FOR A MOMENT THEN STALLED AGAIN. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WHERE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WERE REPLACED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10069458January 15, 2004AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE LIGHT ON. JERKY GEAR ENGAGING. CHOPPY ACCELERATION. 8/02 REPLACED ALTERNATOR 8/02 REPLACED V BELT 10/02 BLINKERS OUT & ELECTRIC WINDOWS BROKE 10/02 BATTERY LIGHT ON "CORROSION ON WIRES" 1/03 WOULDN'T START, BATTERY LIGHT ON, "WIRE FELL OFF ALTERNATOR" AIRBAG LIGHT ON THEN OFF
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10069568January 15, 2004ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY 2001 FOCUS ZX3 WILL SPUTTER, LOSE POWER, AND THREATEN TO STALL. THIS OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. IT HAS STALLED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ONCE. WHEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, NOTHING COULD BE FOUND WRONG WITH IT AND SO I WAS CHARGED NOTHING. IT STARTED UP AGAIN JUST FINE, BUT PERIODICALLY THREATENS TO STALL AGAIN. ALSO, THE PAINT OVER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL IS BUBBLING UP AND COMING OFF.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10069681January 15, 2004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, POWER TRAIN, TIRES, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE REASON SOME OF THESE ARE NOT DATED IS BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS KEEP ON PERSISTING THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MY CAR DIES ON ME AND THE CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE. IT MAKES A WINDING SOUND WHEN I TAKE OFF AND STILL THEY CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE. MY GEARS ALWAYS WIND AND AS SOON AS I GET IT OUT OF THE SHOP ABOUT ONE TO TWO WEEKS LATER IT IS DOING IT AGAIN, WHEN I AM DRIVING IT JERKS LIKE IT WANTS TO DIE OR GO OUT OF GEAR(KEEP IN MIND I HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT). I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES TWO TIMES I AM ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES AND THEY ARE MESSED UP NOW. I AM NOT A BAD DRIVER I KNOW IT IS NOT ME I HAVE A CHILD THAT IS CONSTANTLY WITH ME I DO NOT DRIVE CRAZY TO MAKE ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAPPEN. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE REPLACED ONCE ALREADY AND NOW THEY ARE SQEEKING AGAIN. MY CAR CIGARETTE LIGHTER KEEPS ON BURNING OUT. I JUST GET SO FRUSTRATED THAT I AM SPENDING ALL OF THIS MONEY FOR THEM TO WORK ON MY CAR WITH THE WARRANTY AND THEN TELL ME THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND NOW THE WARRANTY IS OUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS PEICE OF JUNK. I HAVE HAD 2 OTHER CARS AND THEY NEVER GAVE ME ANY PROBLEMS AND KNOW I AM STUCK UNHAPPY EVERYDAY WITH THIS CAR I CAN NOT STAND TO DRIVE, I FEEL UNSAFE IN IT EVERYDAY.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10069772January 15, 2004AIR BAGS
SINCE THE CRASH JUST HAPPENED YESTERDAY (12/22/02), I DO NOT HAVE AN ESTIMATED REPAIR COST YET, BUT MY FEELING IS THAT EITHER THE BILL WILL BE VERY HIGH OR THE CAR WILL BE TOTALED. MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. SHE WAS DOING ABOUT 30 MPH ON THE DIRT ROAD NEAR OUR HOUSE. A DOG RAN OUT IN FRONT OF HER. SHE TRIED TO STOP QUICKLY; THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND SHE HIT AN EMBANKMENT/DITCH. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND SHE RECEIVED 2ND DEGREE BURNS ON HER LEFT ARM FROM THE AIRBAG, AS WELL AS A BURN ON HER CHEST FROM THE SEATBELT. SHE ALSO RECEIVED A BLOODY NOSE FROM THE IMPACT OF THE AIRBAG. WE WERE ABLE TO BRING HER HOME FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM, SO WE ARE GRATEFUL, BUT WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW SHE COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED MORE SERIOUSLY.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10069792January 15, 2004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
MY DAUGHTER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AT 40MPH AND THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND SHE FELT A DROP IN THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR, THE CAR STARTED SLIDING AND HIT A CURB. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WAS BROKE OFF. A TOW TRUCK TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT NEEDED A CONTROL ARM; HUB ASSEMBLY; TIE ROD END; TIRE & WHEEL; AXLE; BRAKE LINE; BRAKE PADS & ROTOR; TRANS PAN AND INNER TIE ROD. THEY CONCLUDED IT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT WAS HER FAULT AND THE COST WOULD BE $2,387.77 JUST FOR THE MECHANICAL ONLY. SHE PURCHASED THE CAR SEPTEMBER OF 2002, PUTTING OVER $8,000.00 DOWN ON THE DAY OF PURCHASE WITH A REMAINING BALANCE OF $6,000.00. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT SHE HAD NO INSURANCE. I BELEIVE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH CAR TO CAUSE IT TO GO OUT OF CONTROL, AND FEEL FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0