Ford Focus Complaints (2001)

1,761 consumer complaints on file.

#10523709July 8, 2013
ENGINE
I WAS AT THE GAS STATION FILLING UP THE CAR WHEN I WAS FINISHED I WENT TO START THE CAR ONLY TO HEAR A SOUND THAT REMINDED ME OF RUNNING OVER COINS WITH A VACUUM AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND MY FATHER-IN-LAW LATER ON HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP. THE MECHANIC THERE SAID THAT THE VALVE SEAT BROKE OFF AND MESSED UP THE HEAD AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH OTHERS AND THEIR FORD FOCUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522201June 28, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY OVER A SPAN OF FOUR YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V482000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), WHICH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED, HOWEVER THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT HE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL IN A REASONABLE TIME FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522045June 27, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY BROKE OFF IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520669June 19, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE EXPLODED WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 197,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520557June 18, 2013
ENGINE
FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNEW AND HAS KNOW FOR YEARS ABOUT BAD VALVE SEATS IN THEIR 2000-2004 FOCUS'S WITH 2.0L SPLIT PORT INJECTION ENGINE. WHERE EVER THESE HEADS WERE MADE , THE QUALITY CONTROL FOR THIS PART WAS NOT EVALUATED PROPERLY. THE ENGINE DROPS A 'PRESSED IN' STEEL VALVE SEAT THAT FALLS INTO THE CYLINDER AND PUTS TOO MUCH STRESS ON THE PISTON, BORE, AND CONNECTING RODS OF THE ENGINE. UNDER THIS STRESS IT GENERALLY WILL CAUSE RODS TO BREAK, WARP OR COME THROUGH THE BLOCK WALL. (WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY ENGINE). IT MAY BE A COOLING PROBLEM, IT MAY BE FAULTY DESIGN OR POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. REGARDLESS, IF THIS CAR WON SO MANY AWARDS OVER IT'S LIFETIME FROM MOTOR TREND OR OTHER INSTITUTIONS....THEN THEY SHOULD BE BACKING THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD TO FORK OUT THOUSANDS IN ENGINE REPAIRS AND PARTS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO SHOW UP AT VARIABLE MILEAGE...WHICH I'M SURE IS DUE TO EACH INDIVIDUALS DRIVING HABITS. AND IT'S OBVIOUS IT'S A DEFECT --DUE TO THE SIMILARITY EACH PERSON HAS EXPERIENCED. IT ALMOST ALWAYS HAPPENS TO THE SAME CYLINDER (NUMBER 4) AND IT'S ALWAYS JUST THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE...THIS IS NOT COINCIDENCE...THIS IS POOR QUALITY CONTROL...AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SUCH. I BELIEVE A RECALL BY FORD IS IN ORDER....WITHOUT QUESTION BY FORD MOTOR....THEY'RE CEO MAKES MILLIONS...HOW ABOUT FIXING THESE CARS....IT MIGHT EXPLAIN WHY SO MANY PEOPLE STOP BUYING FORDS AND GO FOREIGN....AND I CAN HARDLY BLAME THEM WHEN THEY DO! YOU NEED TO COME HALF WAY WITH THE PEOPLE ON THIS MATTER FORD MOTOR---IT'S HURTING YOUR RELIABILITY AND DEPENDABILITY ISSUES. I REPLACED THE ENGINE FOR A WHOPPING $2896.00 AND WILL NEVER BUY A FORD ANYTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10516174June 11, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS LX WITH 199,871 MILES ON IT AND ITS MY FIRST FORD CAR. I HAVE OWNED MANY OF FORD TRUCKS IN MY LIFE AND ALWAYS FIXED PROBLEMS WITH THEM MYSELF. BUT WITH MY FOCUS, EVERY TIME IN THE PAST 4 YEARS WHEN I TURN A CORNER ROUGHLY AROUND 15 MPH OR OVER, IT CUTS OUT AND THE CAR BOGS OUT AND JUMPS LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO JUMP OUT THEN I GET A BAD SMELL ALMOST LIKE SULFUR COMING FROM THE CAR. ALL FLUID LEVELS ARE GOOD WITH A FULL GAS TANK. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS HOT OR COLD. USUALLY I CAN JUST PUNCH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT WILL EVENTUALLY GAIN RPM'S AGAIN AND GO WITH NO PROBLEMS UNTIL I TURN SHARP AGAIN. I HAVE RECENTLY REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND CABLES, ALTERNATOR, TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH PLATE, FUEL PUMP AND VARIOUS PCV VALVES AND HOSES. HAD THE FUEL PRESSURE TESTED AND IT WAS FINE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSISTENT LIKE THIS FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS WITH NO OTHER PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FORD GURU BUT THIS CAR IS MAKING ME THINK TWICE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN THAT GO WITH ME ALMOST EVERYWHERE WITH ME AND JUST TODAY AS I TURNED A CORNER GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY RAMP, IT BOGGED OUT WORSE THEN EVER WITH MANY ANGRY DRIVERS ON MY TAIL. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CRASH THE CAR INTO THE GUARD RAIL. I HIT THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR LIKE I USUALLY DO AND IT STARTED GOING AGAIN, BUT IN FIFTH GEAR IT KEPT JUMPING AND CUTTING OUT. I TURNED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AND IT RAN FINE ALL THE WAY HOME. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON MY MAKE AND MODEL AND TRIED MANY SOLUTIONS WITH NO LUCK. WITH YOUR EXPERTISE, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I SEE THIS PROBLEM ALLOT WITH FOCUS BUT NEVER ANY WORKING SOLUTIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512897May 20, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT BECAME WET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONDENSER BOX TO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512206May 15, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
BEFORE I FINALIZED THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR, IT WAS EXAMINED THOROUGHLY BY A MECHANIC. THE 2001 FORD FOCUS' TITLE WAS TRANSFERRED TO ME A WEEK AND A HALF PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ON THE DAY OF THE CRASH, IT WAS A MISTY DAY AND THERE WAS A FAIR AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC. I SLOWED DOWN WHEN I SAW AN ACCIDENT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKES FAILED AND I CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT HAD COME TO A SUDDEN STOP. THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH SPACE FOR ME TO STOP SAFELY, BUT I SLID. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED, WHICH SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE PERSON FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HAD MENTIONED SHE HADN'T LIKED THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BRAKES, EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10511152May 8, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND HE WOULD OFTEN JUMP START THE VEHICLE, WHICH WOULD TEMPORARILY RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT WERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510960May 7, 2013
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
SATURDAY MAY 04/2013 MY CAR KILLED OVER 30 TIMES DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES. THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR DOING 60MPH ON THE FREEWAY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RESTART A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AT THIS SPEED. IN THIS CASE, I DROVE INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FORD OF BELLEVUE AND IT CONTINUED TO KILL WHILE THERE TRYING TO MOVE IT. THE SERVICE PERSON BLEW ME OFF WOULDN'T EVEN TAKE THE TIME CHECK IT OUT OR EVEN LISTEN. AS I WAS DRIVING OUT IT KILLED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. THE SALES MANAGER SAID TO BRING IT IN MONDAY. SUNDAY IT STOPPED KILLING. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN MONDAY, I ASKED FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE SERVICE EMPLOYEE WENT TO FIND HIM & IT TOOK ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THAT WAS CURIOS AS THE PLACE WAS DESERTED. WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED, HE REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE MATTER ONLY SAYING WE WERE BUSY. I HAD CONTACTED FORD AS WELL AS THE FRANCHISE HOLDER AUTO NATIONS PREVIOUSLY BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. LAST WEEK I SENT A LETTER TO THE CHIEF ENGINEER AT FORD BUT I SUSPECT NOTHING WILL BE DONE AT THAT LEVEL AGAIN. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TODAY THAT WAS POSTED BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL " 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..." THERE IS MORE TO THIS POSTING BUT THE BOTTOM LINE FORD KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM ALL ALONG AND CHOSE TO IGNORE IT. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN & IT COULD BE A KILLER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509242April 23, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE WIRES FAILED. THERE WAS ALSO A CRACK IN THE SEAM OF THE LIFTGATE WINDOW AND RAIN WATER WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE VEIHCLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE WIRES TO SHORT AND MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502216March 9, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR LOCK IS JAMMED OR STUCK, I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE,THE OTHER 3 DOOR LOCKS WORK FINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500177February 26, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. SHE WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V482000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496150February 2, 2013
AIR BAGS
STOPPED IN TRAFFIC FOR REDLIGHT, TRAFFIC STARTED TO MOVE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED AND I REAR ENDED HIM CAUSING AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AND SMASH WINDSHIELD. WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS NO FRONT END DAMAGE ONLY A SCUFF MARK ON FRONT BUMPER WHERE MY CAR WENT UNDER THE 1991 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS THAT I HIT. RECEIVED A POWDER BURN TO MY LEFT HAND FROM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. CAR THAT I HIT HAD NO DAMAGE. INSURANCE COMPANY THINKS THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE TO BE TOTALED BECAUSE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AT HE TIME OF IMPACT I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 5 AND 10MPH. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494804January 26, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND I TURNED ON MY CRUISE CONTROL, I HAD TO BARELY BRAKE FOR A CAUTION WHEN A CAR WAS COMING IN MY LANE, ONCE I WENT AROUND THEM...I LEFT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF....BUT THE CAR SPED UP ON ITS OWN...APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MILES AN HOUR. MY BRAKES WERE WORKING JUST FINE. I CALLED MY DAD TO SEE WHAT HE WANTED ME TO DO....I DROVE ON TO WORK (APPROX 20 MORE MILES) AND DIDN'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL THE WHOLE TIME....THE CRUISE WAS OFF...THE PEDAL WAS STUCK AND THE CAR CONTINUED GOING 60 MILES PER HOUR....ONCE I CAME TO MY EXIT, I TOOK IT OUT OF 5TH GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AND THE CAR REVVED UP HORRIBLY...I PULLED INTO WORK AND SHUT IT OFF. RESTARTED IT AND IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. THESE CARS NEED RECALLED!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490498December 30, 2012
SUSPENSION
FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALLED JOINT SEPARATED AND BROKE THE CONTROL ARM ALMOST SEPARATED THE WHEEL FROM THE CAR. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489761December 19, 2012
ENGINE
2001 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS AND INVESTIGATION FOR POSSIBLE RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE COMMON PROBLEM OF VALVE SEAT BREAKAGE IN FORDS OLDER ENGINES. THE BREAKAGE WAS DUE TO INTAKE VALVE SEATS THAT WERE MADE OF A POWERED METAL THAT SHATTERED EASILY. THE CONSUMER WROTE TO FORD REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DAMAGE CAUSED TO HER ENGINE. ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2012, ROUGHLY TWO MILES AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, SHE ENGAGED THE GAS PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN UNUSUAL NOISE AND JERKED LOUDLY AND VIOLENTLY. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ABUT TWO MORE FEET, BEFORE THE STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL AND IT DIED COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO A PARKING LOT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED, ONE OF THE PISTONS, CYLINDER #1 WAS EXTREMELY DAMAGED, DUE TO THE VALVE SEAT FAILURE WHICH SHATTERED THE PISTON AND BROKE OFF PIECES OF THE PISTON SKIRT AND BENT THE CONNECTING ROD. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER WALL, AS PIECES OF THE PISTON SKIRT WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN AND PIECES OF THE PISTON CROWN WERE FOUND IN THE BOTTOM OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489042December 17, 2012
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I ENGAGED THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR BEGAN TO CLANK AND JERK LOUDLY AND VIOLENTLY. I DROVE' THE CAR ABOUT TWO FEET BEFORE THE STEERING SEIZED UP, THE CAR COULD NOT BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL, DIED COMPLETELY, AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONE OF THE PISTONS, CYLINDER # 1, WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED, DUE TO THE VALVE SEAT FAILURE WHICH SHATTERED THE PISTON, BROKE OFF PIECES OF THE PISTON SKIRT, AND BENT THE CONNECTING ROD. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CYLINDER WALL, BUT PIECES OF THE PISTON SKIRT WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN, AND PIECES OF THE PISTON CROWN WERE FOUND IN THE BOTTOM OF INTAKE MANIFOLD. VALVE SEAT BREAKAGE IN THE OLDER MODEL FOCUS, IS SO COMMON THAT AERA ENGINE REBUILDERS ASSOCIATION ISSUED TWO BULLETINS (TB 1725 & TB 1939) TO ALERT THE INDUSTRY TO THIS ISSUE. THESE BULLETINS STATE THAT THE 'INTAKE VALVE SEATS ARE MADE OF A POWDERED METAL THAT SHATTERS EASILY'. ON OCTOBER 29, 2012, AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED, I PHONED FORD TO REQUEST A REFUND FOR THE COST OF THE PARTS AND WAS INFORMED, THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL NO REFUND COULD BE ISSUED. THE VALVE SEATS HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN MODIFIED FROM THE FAULTY POWDERED METAL TYPE, THIS SHOWS THAT FORD IS AND WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. INTERNET ENTRIES THAT OUTLINE THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2001 MODEL CAN BE FOUND AT NUMEROUS WEBSITES, INCLUDING: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/FOCUS/2001/. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489621December 12, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHT FAILURE. WITH ENGINE RUNNING, WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED ON, THE HEADLIGHTS (BOTH) DO NOT ALWAYS GO ON. ALSO, AFTER BEING ON FOR A WHILE (OFTEN WITHIN 10 MINUTES, ALMOST ALWAYS WITHIN 20 MINUTES), BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL SUDDENLY TURN OFF ON THEIR OWN. WHEN HEADLIGHTS GO OFF, DASHBOARD LIGHTS, AND OTHER OUTSIDE LIGHTS, REMAIN ON. WHEN THE SWITCH IS ON, BUT HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OFF, IF THE HIGH BEAMS ARE TOGGLED ON AND THEN OFF, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO ON (FOR A WHILE). THIS SEQUENCE OCCURS REPEATEDLY. UNLESS IT IS DARK (E.G. IF IN TWILIGHT OR IN DAYTIME RAIN), OR UNLESS I CAN SEE THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTIONS, I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING THE STATUS OF MY HEADLIGHTS. DEALERSHIP INITIALLY REPLACED A RELAY, WITHOUT SOLVING PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP THEN REPLACED THE "MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH" CONTROLLING TURN SIGNALS AND HIGH BEAMS, WITH SEEMING SUCCESS. I AM IN POSSESSION OF THE FAILED ORIGINAL-EQUIPMENT "MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH". DEALERSHIP WAS UNDERSTANDING AND HELPFUL, BUT WOULD NOT TREAT THIS INTERMITTENT, SUDDEN, REPEATED HEADLIGHT FAILURE AS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO GAS PUMP FAILURE, AND TO FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE, WHICH WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. [NOTE ALSO THAT CAR DESIGN DOES NOT ALLOW HEADLIGHTS TO TURN ON OR STAY ON WHEN ENGINE IS OFF - THIS MAY SAVE ACCIDENTAL BATTERY DRAIN, BUT DEPRIVES OPERATOR OF ILLUMINATION OR SIGNALING ABILITY THAT MAY BE NEEDED IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.]
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487148December 3, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND SMELLED A BURNING ODOR JUST AS ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES REDUCED TO ZERO ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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