Ford Focus Complaints (2001)

1,761 consumer complaints on file.

#10145329November 29, 2005
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2001 FORD FOCUS WORE THROUGH AN AIR CONDITIONING HOSE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONING HOSE WAS DESIGNED POORLY. IT HANGS DOWN BETWEEN THE FRONT TIRES AND IF THE TIRES COME UP AGAINST A CURB, IT SMASHES THE HOSE INTO THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY. NOT ONLY THAT, IF THE HOSE BREAKS, IT LEAKS OIL AND THEN A BELT HAS TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143139November 18, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION SWITCH; DEALER HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE THE TUMBLERS WERE WORN OUT; THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YRS OLD AND HAS 39K MILES! DEALER REFUSED TO COVER CHARGES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142999November 17, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION LOCKED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142801November 15, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS BROKE. I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK IT UP. UPON RESEARCHING THIS FURTHER, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHAT'S THE DEAL?!? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142641November 14, 2005
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING WRITTEN TO INFORM NHTSA ABOUT A POTENTIAL FAILURE I BELIEVE THAT MY 2001 FORD FOCUS 4 DOOR HAS LINGERING ABOUT IN IT. THE POTENTIAL FAILURE IS THE BACK SEAT BOTTOM (THE PART YOUR REAR END SITS ON) DOES NOT CATCH ON THE THREE LIP EDGES ATTACHED TO THE CAR BODY. THE METAL BASE OF THE BACK SEAT BOTTOM HAS THREE HOLES, ONE ON EACH SIDE AND ONE IN THE MIDDLE. THEY CORRESPOND TO THE LIP EDGES FOR WHICH THEY DO NOT CATCH ON. I SPOKE WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE ISSUE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET IT FIXED THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BACK SEAT ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED CONTAINING ALL THE CHILD SAFETY FEATURES AVAILABLE. WINDOW LOCKS, DOOR LOCKS, INTERIOR TRUNK RELEASE AND THE SAFETY SEAT LATCH SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THE BACK SEAT DOES NOT CATCH ON THE LIP EDGES UNLESS IN AN ACCIDENT, THEN THEY SHOULD SLIDE FORWARD AND CATCH, AND THAT IS ONLY IF SOMEONE IS BUCKLED DOWN TO THE SEAT. WELL, NOW I HAVE AN INFANT DAUGHTER TO TRAVEL AROUND WITH IN MY BACK SEAT. THE GENERAL MANAGER GOT THE SAME ANSWER FROM A FORD CONTACT AS I DID FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HOWEVER, SHOULD MY CAR BE HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE BACK SEAT IS EMPTY AND THE QUESTION IS DOES IT CATCH ON THE LIP EDGES OR NOT. I FEAR THAT IT WILL FLY FORWARD SLAMMING THE BACK OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS AND CRUSH OR PUSH ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL OR THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE MAIN CONCERN I HAVE IS FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD. I BELIEVE THAT THE SEAT SHOULD CATCH ON THE LIP EDGES AT ALL TIMES AND NOT JUST IN AN ACCIDENT. FORD TOLD THE GM THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A REPORT OF IT BEING A PROBLEM NOR DID IT EVER OCCUR IN A CRASH TEST. I TOLD THE GM TO GIVE IT TO ME IN WRITING SHOULD AN ACCIDENT EVER HAPPEN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO FROM THIS POINT. PLEASE ADVISE IF NECESSARY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142431November 10, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WHICH CAUSED MY DAUGHTER TO ABANDON HER CAR IN AN UNAUTHORIZED PARKING LOT AT HER UNIVERSITY CAMPUS FOR WHICH SHE WAS TICKETED. WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR, A 2001 FORD FOCUS, TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INVESTIGATION, WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER, THIS ISSUE IS RAMPANT WITH THIS CAR. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THEREFORE THE CAR IS STUCK IN PARK AND INOPERABLE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY MAY BE ISSUING A RECALL AND THAT WE SHOULD KEEP OUR ORIGINAL RECEIPT. THIS ALONE TELLS ME THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FAILURE IN ENGINEERING DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142441November 10, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WE HAVE READ SEVERAL ARTICLES CONCERNING THE FORD FOCUS 2000 AND AN APPARENT DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF DISGRUNTLED FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE INCONVENIENCE ASSOCIATED WITH IN SOME CASES MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH OFTEN TIMES LEFT THEM STRANDED AND FACING LARGE TOWING AND REPAIR CHARGES. SINCE A FAMILY MEMBER HAD RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET, SPOKE WITH SEVERAL DEALERS AND LOCKSMITHS WHICH LED ME TO CONCLUDE THAT THE FAILED CYLINDERS RESULTED FROM A SUBSTANDARD MANUFACTURED CYLINDER WHICH RAPIDLY DETERIORATES WITH USE AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURES AND JAMS. FORD IS WELL AWARE THAT THESE FRAGILE CYLINDERS ARE MADE OF SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS AND ARE BREAKING AND JAMMING AT AN ALARMING RATE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142199November 8, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION ON THE FORD FOCUS 2001 LX KEEPS "STICKING". THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. THE IGNITION WILL NOT MOVE GIVING THE APPEARANCE OF THE STEERING WHEEL BEING LOCKED BUT THE STEERING WHEEL STILL MOVES, ITS THE IGNITION THAT WON'T ELIMINATE IT BEING LOCKING PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED TWICE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO THIS PROBLEM.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141561November 2, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. ON OCTOBER 31, 2005, I NOTICED THAT MY CAR KEY WOULD NOT FIT INTO MY IGNITION ALL THE WAY AND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN. MY STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO LOCKED IN PLACE. THERE WERE NO PRECEDING SYMPTOMS TO WARN ME OF THIS FAILURE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD COMPANY, WHICH EXPECTS ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND TOWING. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH FOCUS OWNERS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE, ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS, IF YOU CAN. IT IS A SERIOUS INCONVENIENCE, TIME WISE AND FINANCIALLY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141279October 31, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HER HEAD, AND WHEN SHE DID SO, THE AIR BAGS THEN DEPLOYED. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES SINCE SHE WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS. A POLICE AND INSURANCE REPORTS WERE TAKEN. *AK.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10141330October 31, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION IS LOCKED UP IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOR POSSIBLE REMEDIES, I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCHES ON MY MODEL CAR DATING BACK FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THE STANDARD RATE FOR THESE REPAIRS SEEMS TO BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $350 WHICH TO SOMEONE DRIVING A LOW COST VEHICLE LIKE THE FOCUS IS A LOT OF MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS ADMITTED PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL AND INSTEAD IS CREATING A BOON INDUSTRY FOR THE DEALERS HAVING TO REPLACE THESE PARTS? HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE TO GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS? I HAVE OWNED FORD CARS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I CANNOT SEE A REASON TO CONTINUE TO BUY THEM IF THIS IS THE TYPE OF PRODUCT AND SUPPORT THEY ARE GOING TO START TO PRODUCE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141340October 31, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, EQUIPMENT
POORLY DESIGNED IGNITION CYLINDERS. THIS CAUSES THE TUMBLERS TO FAIL RESULTING IN A LOCK-UP OF THE IGNITION. THE OWNER CANNOT TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND AS A RESULT, HAS TO BE TOWED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDERS IN THE 2000 AND 2001 FOCUS WERE THE EUROPEAN DESIGN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY CYLINDER TWICE. ONCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THE SECOND TIME IT WAS NOT AND I HAD TO PAY $200. THERE ARE OTHER FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. SEE THE WEBSITES BELOW. HTTP://WWW.AUTOWHIZ.COM/MESSAGEBOARDS/MESSAGE.PHP?ID=1784 HTTP://CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_IGNITION.HTML HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EEA6DD2/286 AMONG MANY OTHERS I WAS TOLD THAT THEY PUT AN ENGINEER IN THE POSITION TO SPECIFICALLY RE-DESIGN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. SO WHILE FORD CONTINUALLY CLAIMS TO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, IT IS APPARENT THAT THEY DID. WHILE THERE WERE NO DEATHS NOR INJURIES, IT IS NOT UP TO THE PEOPLE TO PAY FOR FORD'S POOR QUALITY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140513October 22, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
KEY STARTED GETTING HARD TO INSERT INTO IGNITION SWITCH. KEY WOULDN'T TURN OVER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, BUT ALWAYS MANAGED TO WIGGLE IT TO GET IT STARTED. IT FINALLY FAILED COMPLETELY RESULTING IN A MISSED DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT FOR MY 69 YEAR OLD MOTHER. MATTHEWS FORD IN ASHEVILLE, NC SAYS THAT THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND THEY REPLACE THEM ALL THE TIME. WILL COST AT LEAST $250 TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AND MORE FOR A TOW. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140345October 20, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THERE IS A RECALL PROGRAM ON THE 2001 FORD FOCUS THAT I OWN WHICH I WAS NOTIFIED OF IN WRITING BY LETTER. (03N01) THE LETTER STATES THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IF THE CAR IS EXHIBITING STALLING, SPUTTERING, CUTTING OFF, ETC. MY CAR DID ALL OF THOSE THINGS. THE LETTER ALSO STATES THAT THE REPAIR SHOULD TAKE 1/2 DAY. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND REPAIRED SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT AT MY EXPENSE DESPITE THE FACT THAT I HAVE A LETTER. THE REPAIR THEY DID ALSO TOOK 4 DAYS. I WAS OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. THE CAR IS NOW STALLING AND CUTTING OFF CONSTANTLY PUTTING MY FAMILY AND MYSELF IN A GREAT DEAL OF DANGER. I CALLED THE NUMBER ON THE LETTER I RECEIVED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE REPRESENTATIVE NAMED MOHAMMED WAS OF NO ASSISTANCE TELLING ME THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I DID ALREADY TAKE THE CAR AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED WITH THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ON THE LETTER PAID FOR THE REPAIR THAT WAS DONE THOUGH THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. I AM AFRAID THAT IF THE CAR IS NOT REPAIRED SOON, AT FORD'S EXPENSE THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF DANGER TO MY FAMILY OR MYSELF. LYNDON, MOHAMMED'S SUPERVISOR ALSO SPOKE WITH ME AND REPEATED THE SAME THINGS I TOLD HIM OVER AND OVER OFFERING NO ASSISTANCE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140257October 19, 2005
SUSPENSION:REAR
DT: THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A NOISE FROM THE REAR END. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER OVER THE PAST WEEK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER, WHO NOTED THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN IN 2003 ON A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM. THE NETS, 01I017. THIS WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL OR ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY THE SECOND TIME AROUND. THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE CRACKED AND THE BEARINGS WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THIS AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FORD DEALER MANAGER, AND FORD MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THIS REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140142October 18, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 FORD FOCUS WAGON ON 10/14/05 WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HE SUSTAINED 2ND DEGREE BURNS ON HIS LEFT ARM, FROM WRIST TO ELBOW, DUE TO THE AIRBAG CHEMICALS VENTING IN AN IMPROPER WAY. HE IS BEING TREATED BY A PHYSICIAN FOR HIS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN AT PRESENT. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10140166October 18, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY 2001 FORD FOCUS' IGNITION CYLINDER STRIPPED AND BROKE. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FOCUS'. I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS BE MADE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139843October 17, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 03V482000 REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. . HE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE STALLED FOUR TIMES. THERE WAS HESITATION AND A VIBRATION WITH BEFORE IT LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE STALLED APPROXIMATELY 50 TIMES BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD ACTUALLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PARKED. THIS USUALLY HAPPENED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT. BUT IT DOES HAPPEN SOMETIMES AT RANDOM. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. . THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND CAN NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT HAD A DIFFERENT FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. THEY REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT HIS OWN COST. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139684October 14, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER IN 2001 FORD FOCUS IS COMPLETELY FROZEN. THE CAR IS UNABLE TO BE STARTED WITH ANY KEYS. THIS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED. I HAVE NOTED MANY INSTANCES, VIA RESEARCH, OF THIS HAPPENING WITH FOCUS', AND AM DEEPLY DISTURBED THAT FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139748October 14, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2001 FORD FOCUS STUCK IGNITION. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET I FIND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS AND SOME PEOPLE IT HAPPEDED TO SEVERAL TIMES. MY COMPLAINT - WHY HASN'T FORD BEEN FORCED TO RECAL AND FIX THE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE 2000-2001 FOCUS ( THEY FIXED PROBLEM FOR LATER YEARS).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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