Ford Focus Complaints (2001)

1,761 consumer complaints on file.

#10248538November 12, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME MY IGNITION IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUSES. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED WITH OUT RESOURCES AND THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM WITH NO WARNING. THE COST OF TOWING, PARTS, AND LABOR COST AROUND 500.00. I FIND THIS VERY FRUSTRATING THAT FORD WILL NOT RECALL THE IGNITION SWITCH, FULL WELL KNOWING THIS IS A PROBLEM. I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, NOT KNOWING IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. IT IS A FINANCIAL BURDEN AS WELL AS AN INCONVENIENCE, THAT AFTER BEING FIXED ONCE SHOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN WITH IN 2 YEARS, MY CAR ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247661November 4, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN HER CAR JUST DIED, WHILE DRIVING. IT STARTED UP AGAIN IMMEDIATELY, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. I WENT ONLINE TO VIEW RECALLS, AND IT STATED THAT 2001 FORD FOCUS HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I ALSO FOUND 2 OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE HAPPENING TO THIS VEHICLE THAT WERE ALSO RECALLS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THESE RECALLS FIXED, BUT WHEN THEY PULLED UP THE VIN NUMBER, THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR CAR. THE OTHER RECALL I FOUND WAS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND BATTERY FAILURE. I HAVE ALREADY BURNED UP ONE BATTERY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THE RECALL STATES THAT THE CABES OVERHEAT AND MAY MELT. THIS VEHICLE DID THIS AS WELL. THE OTHER RECALL IS WHERE THE LATCH ON THE BACK DOOR BEGINS TO NOT LATCH PROPERLY, CAUSING THE DOOR TO COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE BACK DOOR WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY ON THIS VEHICLE EITHER AND AT TIMES WE HAVE TO OPEN AND CLOSE IT SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO GET IT TO LATCH. THESE 3 RECALLS ARE ALL THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED ON 2001 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES, WHICH OUR VEHICLE IS, BUT BECAUSE OUR VIN # DOESN'T MATCH THE RECALLS, THEY REFUSE TO FIX THEM. THESE ARE TRUE SAFETY ISSUES. MY DAUGHTER COULD BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES. HOW CAN I HAVE MY VEHICLE ADDED TO THESE RECALLS? I AM EXTREMELY UPSET AND CONCERNED THAT THESE ITEMS WILL NOT BE ADDRESSES WHEN FORD KNOWS THAT THEY ARE A PROBLEM ON OTHER 2001 FOCUS VEHICLES. I WILL SUE SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN TO MY DAUGHTER DUE TO THIS ISSUE AND FORDS UNWILLINGNESS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246924October 28, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TO BEST DESCRIBE WHAT IS HAPPENING YOUR WEBSITE HAS A CAMPAIGN FOR MY COMPLAINT HERE: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/DEFECT/RESULTS.CFM?ACTION_NUMBER=EA02014&SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&SUMMARY=TRUE THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS 02V288000. MY WIFE DRIVES A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE. THE BATTERY CABLES AND BATTERY ARE GOING THROUGH EXTREME CORROSION THAT REQUIRES ME TO CLEAN THE CONNECTIONS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 2 WEEKS. THE CORROSION IS ALSO CAUSING HEAT THAT IS MELTING THE CABLES INSULATION. WHEN THE CORROSION GOES UNTREATED, WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO BAD CONNECTION. THE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS THAT THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WAS IN 2002 AND FORD IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER ME TELLING THEM ABOUT THE RECALL INFORMATION I LINKED ABOVE. I HAVE CALLED IN A COMPLAINT ALREADY TO THE NHTSA BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. ANY HELP IN DEALING WITH THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246925October 28, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY VEHICLE, 2001 FORD FOCUS, DISPLAYS ALL THE SYMPTOMS REGARDING A FAULTY FUEL PUMP FUEL DELIVERY MODULE. AT ONE-QUARTER TANK, THE ENGINE WILL STALL ON RIGHT TURNS. DURING EXTENDED DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE AND STUTTER EVENTUALLY STALLING, AND DURING IDLING, THE VEHICLE WILL DROP POWER REQUIRING CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON FEB 7, 2007 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE CAME OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE THREE MONTHS TOO LATE TO HAVE FALLEN UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I AM FURIOUS THAT FORD WOULD PROVIDE A 10YR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT'S VEHICLES - REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, BUT WOULD EXCLUDE MODELS THAT HAVE VIN NUMBERS JUST OUTSIDE THE WINDOW OF "KNOWN OCCURRENCE OF PROBLEM". THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY (US95 IN LAS VEGAS CLARK COUNTY), AND FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT. THE VEHICLE HAD OVER $1300 OF SERVICE COMPLETED DURING THIS INCIDENT, BUT THE ISSUE HAS NOW RE-OCCURRED. SYMPTOMS BEGAN IN LATE SEPTEMBER, AND HAVE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, AS THE VEHICLE HAS BEGUN STALLING AROUND CORNERS AND DURING IDLING. I CURRENTLY CAN NOT AFFORD PAYMENTS ON A NEW VEHICLE, AND WANT FORD TO HONOR ITS PLEDGE FOR SAFETY BY ADMITTING MORE VEHICLES UNDER ITS EXTENDED SERVICE WARRANTY. FORD'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS DEFECT IS 03N01 AND FORD CLAIMS THAT OVER 671, 000 VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED. I SUSPECT VERY FEW 2001 FOCUSES ARE STILL ON THE ROAD, AND FEWER EVER RECEIVED NOTICE REGARDING THIS "RECALL". I FIND IT HARD TO DEFEND THEIR PATRONIZING POSITION THAT "(THEY'RE) SORRY, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE". I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO KEEP THIS VEHICLE ROAD WORTHY, I AND I REFUSE TO SPEND ONE PENNY MORE. FOR A VEHICLE MODEL THAT HAS HAD SO MANY FLAWS, I AM APPALLED AT THE LACK OF SUPPORT ACTUALLY PROVIDED. I WILL NOTE, THAT FORD WAS VERY HELPFUL IN REPLACING THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY-THREE TIMES. THANKS RECALL ID FROM NHTSA: 03V482000 FORD TSB 03N01. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245330October 14, 2008
STEERING
WHILE IN CURVE DRIVING 50 MPH STEERING LOCKED UP, NOT SURE IF CAR CUT OFF BUT I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN OUT WHEEL RESULTING IN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT TELEPHONE CRUSHING PELVIS, AND BREAKING MY LEFT ARM.. I SPENT 37 DAYS IN HOSPITAL AND NOW HAVE PLATES AND SCREWS IN MY PELVIS AND ARM. IT HAS BEEN A MONTH SINCE THE ACCIDENT AND I AM NOW IN A WHEEL CHAIR FOR 2 MONTHS HEALING TIME BEFORE I CAN START THERAPY TO BEGIN WALKING, AND DOCTORS SAY I WILL HAVE TO HAVE A HIP REPLACEMENT IN THE NEXT 2 TO 5 YEARS. HELP ME PLEASE FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS I AM 24 YEARS OLD.. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10245041October 10, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE WORK TO GO HOME. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION, A COST OF $500. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244993October 9, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING ONTO PAVEMENT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. FOR FEAR OF OVERHEATING TOOK IT INTO A PEP BOYS AS WAS CLOSEST REPAIR FACILITY. THEY FOUND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING (PLASTIC I MIGHT ADD) WAS FAULTY AND WITH PARTS AND LABOR IT CAME TO $455 FOR THE JOB. THE NEAREST FORD DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NEED 2 DAYS TO EVEN LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244768October 8, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
ON 10/3/08 I WAS CHANGING OIL ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS WITH 60000 MILES AND NOTICED RUST HOLES THROUGH THE FRONT SUBFRAME, WHICH HOLDS THE MOTOR, LOWER WHEEL CONTROL ARMS TO THE CAR BODY. IT IS A VERY CRUCIAL PART THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE FRAME WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT IF I HIT A LARGE BUMP THAT THE FRAME MAY BREAK IN HALF AND THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. THIS REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED BY THE DEALER TO BE AROUND $900.00. THE CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AS I WRITE THIS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART FORD HAS USED AND THEY SHOULD INSPECT AND REPLACE THE PART ON THIS MODEL BEFORE ONE DOES BREAK AND SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244563October 6, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION SWITCH WONT TURNED ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243630September 27, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2001 FORD FOCUS CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, IT STARTED NEAR BATTERY, CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243522September 26, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-80 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK MOMENTARILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS BEING REDESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR THIS FAILURE, AND WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2008. THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND AWAITING THE REPLACEMENT PART IN ORDER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243466September 25, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
MY SON & I GOT DONE EATING I LEFT THE RESTAURANT PARKING LOT & THOUGHT I WOULD STOP BY THE NEXT PLACE WHEN MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED UP OUT INTO TRAFFIC. LUCKY NO ONE WAS RIDING IN THE BACK. AND NO ACCIDENT HAPPEN. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF PLAYING WITH THE LOCK I GOT IT TO CLOSE & HAVEN'T USED THAT DOOR SINCE. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IN CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY AND ALL I GOT WAS A SURVEY FORM WHICH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MY PROBLEM. BACK IN 2005 WHEN THEY RECALLED MY CAR FOR FAILURE ON DOOR LOCKS I HAD TAKEN IT TO VALLEY VIEW FORD AND HAD IT SERVICED. NOW THREE YEARS LATER THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND NOBODY WANTS TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MAYBE IT TAKES SOMEONE TO DIE AND SUE THEM. VERY UNHAPPY WITH FORD, I NOW WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242026September 12, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VISIBILITY, STEERING, SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE MAIN FAILURES WERE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM, BENT TIE ROD, SHAKING AND VIBRATING, REAR WINDOW MECHANISMS, AND FLOODING AFTER IT RAINS. THE LEAK OCCURS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE WATER RISES 2 TO 3 INCHES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER DUE TO THE INSPECTION COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,473.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241613September 9, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY IGNITION LOCKED UP. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO FIND REPAIR METHODS AND FOUND TONS OF COMPLAINTS FROM FELLOW FOCUS OWNERS. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY COMMON AND CANNOT BE FIXED, IT HAS TO BE REPLACED ADDING UP TO A TOTAL OF $500.00. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. MY WIFE ALSO OWNS A FOCUS AND I'M JUST WAITING FOR THAT PHONE CALL. HOPEFULLY SHE'S NOT STRANDED IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. SEARCH FOCALJET.COM AND FOCUSFANATICS.COM FOR COMPLAINTS. THERES ALSO AN ONLINE PETITION FOR FORD THAT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY OVER 2,000 FOCUS OWNERS TO DATE. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241631September 9, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO START THE CAR TO GO TO SCHOOL AND COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS AT HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED, UNLIKE THE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT A REPAIR COST OF OVER $300, AND THE NUMBER OF BAD IGNITIONS THAT ARE IN THE FORD FOCUS CARS, IT SHOULD BE FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE IGNITIONS. WE HAVE HAD MANY CARS THAT WERE OLDER THAN OUR FOCUS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241656September 9, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY HEADLIGHT FELL OUT OF THE HOUSING AND MELTED THE HOUSING AROUND IT. IT NO LONGER WORKS AS A RESULT OF THIS.... THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF THIS PART. I WOULD NOT KNOW WHY THE LAMP IT'S SELF WOULD JUST FALL OUT OF THE HOUSING. I HAVE ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT WAS TOLD NO BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BUT YOU CAN'T TRUST WHAT THEY SAY BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME YEARS AGO THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY FUEL PUMP AND THERE WAS, THEY ARE JUST RUDE THERE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241319September 8, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON HOT DAYS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND IS RESTARTED IT GOES INTO A MODE WHERE IT CONSISTENTLY STALLS AT IDLE AND LOW RPM. IT HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND ONLY OCCURS SOME OF THE TIME. NETHER FORD OR INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED STALLING IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241402September 8, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 LOCKED UP, LEFT ME STRANDED. UNABLE TO START THE CAR. IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED TO ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS 2000 -2003 MODELS. FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT TO A PROBLEM. I HAVE THE OLD PART IF NEEDED. REPAIR COST $333. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241142September 6, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I OWN 2 SEPARATE FORD FOCUSES - BOTH 2001 MODELS. ONE IS A ZTS AND THE OTHER AN SX. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE SX IGNITION LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WE HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. NOW, BARELY A YEAR LATER, THE ZTS MODEL IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. SEARCHING ONLINE FOR A CHEAPER SOLUTION (THE DEALER CHARGES UPWARDS OF $300 TO FIX THE ISSUE), I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND WIDELY KNOWN BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. I'VE BEEN STRANDED TWICE ALONE WITH THIS CAR AND NOW THE IGNITION WON'T TURN AT ALL NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRY TO JIGGLE THE KEY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND COULD LEAD TO VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY FORD AND REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240127August 28, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SIDESWIPED A PARKED VEHICLE. THE MIRROR WAS DAMAGED. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL ARM DISENGAGED, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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