2001 Ford Focus Complaint Log

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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).

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

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

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE HOME EARLY IN THE MORNING OF THE 12TH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK, AND THEN THE SOUND OF SOMETHING DRAGGING UNDER MY CAR. I PULLED OVER TO SEE MY GAS TANK HAD FALLEN OUT AND WAS BEING DRAGGED UNDER THE CAR. ANOTHER CAR PULLED UP BEHIND ME BECAUSE HE HAD SEEN SPARKS COMING FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET AS IT WAS BEING DRAGGED ALONG WITH THE TANK. A POLICEMAN ALSO PULLED UP BEHIND ME AND LOOKED AT THE CAR, THEN HELPED ME MOVE IT OUT OF THE STREET. LATER THAT MORNING MY FATHER TEMPORARILY WIRED THE GAS TANK TO THE FRAME SO WE COULD BRING THE CAR HOME. HE PUT IT UP ON RAMPS AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO SEE THAT THE BOLT WHICH HELD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE HAD STRIPPED COMPLETELY OUT. HE SPENT THE NEXT 3 HOURS REMOUNTING THE TANK. IT WAS A BLESSING THAT THE SPARKS FROM THE BROKEN FRAME DID NOT IGNITE THE GAS TANK. IF IT HAD, MY CAR COULD HAVE EITHER CAUGHT ON FIRE OR BLOWN UP AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *NM

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

2001 FORD FOCUS PROBLEMS PROBLEM 1 - IN THE PAST, WHENEVER I WOULD TRANSITION BETWEEN FREEWAYS, MY CAR WOULD BEGIN TO STALL. I PUSH THE GAS PEDAL, AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN FOR AT LEAST 10 - 15 SECONDS. IT HAPPENED MOSTLY ON A CIRCULAR ON RAMP. AND I THINK THIS PROBLEM LEAD TO THE NEXT ISSUE. PROBLEM 2 - I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP (WHICH WAS EXPENSIVE). I THINK THIS ISSUE HAPPENED DUE TO THIS STATEMENT I READ "NHTSA INVESTIGATORS SAID THE ALLEGED ENGINE STALL PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY DEBRIS ACCUMULATING IN THE GAS TANK, BLOCKING FUEL FROM BEING DELIVERED TO THE ENGINE." EVENTUALLY, THIS "DEBRIS" PROBLEM CAUSES STRAIN ON THE FUEL PUMP. AND NOW, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE ISSUE, AND THEY SAID IT'S A GAS VAPOR LEAK OR SOMETHING TO THAT AFFECT. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR A GAS LEAK. THAT ISSUE MAYBE FROM THE MECHANIC WHO FIXED IT, BUT IF FORD WOULD HAVE PUT A RECALL FOR THAT ISSUE, I WOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. PROBLEM 3 - I TOOK MY FOCUS INTO FORD TO GET A "BUZZING" SOUND CHECKED OUT. THEY FIXED THE BEARING PROBLEM BECAUSE MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, 2 YEARS LATER, THE SOUND IS BACK. I READ A STATEMENT "...A REAR-WHEEL BEARING FAILURE THAT COULD LEAD TO A WHEEL FALLING OFF..." I AM AFRAID THAT THIS NOISE I HEAR TODAY IS DUE TO THAT SAME PROBLEM 2 YEARS AGO. I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO COST ME CLOSE TO $400 TO REPAIR IT. FIRST OF ALL, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO ME. SECONDLY, I'M VERY AFRAID FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE. I'M AFRAID SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN WHEN SHE DRIVES THE CAR. THIRD, I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR FOR ME TO HAVE TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT IS "FAULTY" DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

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

(1) AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN GOING OUT A FEW DAYS BEFORE ACCIDENT. (2) IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CAUSE IN TURN CAUSING ME TO RELEASE CLUTCH AND BUMP IN TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ADDITIONALLY AIRBAG CAUSED 2ND DEGREE BURNS ON MY LEFT WRIST AND SPRAINED KNUCKLES ON RIGHT HAND. (3) CAR IS CURRENTLY AT AUTOWAY FORD FOR EVALUATION/REPAIR. *JB

THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING SNAPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR PREVIOUS ISSUE INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE BREAKAGE OF THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT LEADING TO REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE EXACT SAME PART BREAK ON MY FORD WINDSTAR VAN BUT FORD DECLINES RESPONSIBILITY. *JB

THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING SNAPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR PREVIOUS ISSUE INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE BREAKAGE OF THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT LEADING TO REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE EXACT SAME PART BREAK ON MY FORD WINDSTAR VAN BUT FORD DECLINES RESPONSIBILITY.*JB

THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO START. THE SWITCH (XS4Z-11582-AC CVR ASY AUX FL) HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, ONCE AT 41,407 MILES AND AGAIN AT 57,834 MILES. THE DEALER AND AAA PROVIDED A TEMPORARY REMEDY TO THE STRANDED DRIVER, WHICH IS "WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, HIT IT HARD WITH A HAMMER TO ENGAGE THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY." AAA KEEPS SPARE FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCHES IN ITS EMERGENCY SERVICE SUPPORT TRUCKS. *JB

CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED DUE TO FAILED/DEFECTIVE WELD, LEADING TO DAMAGE TO CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. WELD SHOWED INDICATION OF INSUFFICIENT HEAT PENETRATION. DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD HAVE NOT PASSED QUALITY INSPECTION. DEFECTIVE PART AVAILABLE. CAR STRANDED IN GEAR. *NM

LAST 2 YEARS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS PUTTING KEY IN IGNITION AND TURNING IT. I HAVE HAD TO JIGGLE IT AND PUSH IT IN. I GOT STRANDED AT WORK BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT GO IN THE IGNITION AND TURN. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IGNITION CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING ME $392.00 FOR THE PART!!!!!! THEY SAID THAT MY STEERING COLUMN COULD POSSIBLY BREAK DURING INSTALLATION! *JB

THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND BURNED THE DRIVER. THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE IMMEDIATELY. *JB

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

THE IGNITION LOCKS UP DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CYLINDER. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS AND I WAS QUITE SURPRISED BY THIS. I LOOKED ON THE WEB AND IT LOOKS LIKE AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM THAT EVEN THE SERVICE AT FORD ADMITTED TO. I WAS PARTICULARLY SURPRISED WHEN THEY SAID FORD HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED 2 AND 3 TIMES IN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL SUFFER THE SAME FATE. I WOULD LIKE IT IF I DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING FORD KNOWS IS DEFECTIVE AND STILL MAKES THE CUSTOMER PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND MULTIPLE TIMES AS WELL. *NM

2001 FORD FOCUS DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP.*MR THE CONSUMER SON RECEIVED RECALL 03N01 ON THE FUEL PUMP AND HAD IT REPLACED AT THE DEALER. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. ON SEPTEMBER 6TH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLES FORD AND THE CONSUEMR'S SON WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD INDREED FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE. *NM

WHEN ACCELERATING IN VARIOUS INCLINES OR DECLINE MY CAR CHOKES AND HESITATES AS IF IT HAS WATER IN THE GAS LINE OR THE FUEL FILTER IS CLOGGED. IT STARTS TO JERK AND SPUTTER AND REFUSES TO ACCELERATE IF I PUSH ON THE PEDAL INSTEAD IT CHOKES OUT. EITHER THE CAR DIES RIGHT THERE OR I MANAGE TO PULL IT OVER AND LET IT DIE ON ITS OWN AS SOON AS I COME TO A STOP. TROUBLE RESTARTING THE CAR AS IF TO MUCH AIR INTAKE TO CHOKE IT OUT. FINALLY IT STARTS AND IT RUNS AFTER BLOWING THE LINES BEFORE PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE IT'S GOOD FRO MAYBE ANOTHER 10 15 MILES AND THE AGAIN IT STARTS PUTTERING AND WANTED TO DIE NO CHOICE BUT TO LET IT DIE TO RESTART. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES HAVE HAD A COLLAPSED FUEL LINE AND HAS BEEN REPLACE BUT STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AGAIN WHEN IT'S IN THE SHOP IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AND YET THEY DO NOT DRIVE IT AT THE TIME ITS NORMALLY DRIVEN OR AT THE EXTREMES OF THE TRAFFIC WHILE IT HAPPENS SO AS TO SEE WHAT IT DOES. A BEST EXPLANATION YOU CAN FIND FROM A MECHANIC IS NO PROBLEM SEEABLE. AND YET THERE IS ONE FROM US THE PURCHASER. *JB

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS 2001 AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION TUMBLER FOR A SECOND TIME IN ONE WEEK NOW. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND IT WOULD NOT GET UNLOCKED BY THE IGNITION KEY. THE WHOLE PART WAS REPLACED IN THE SERVICE SHOP A WEEK AGO AND YESTERDAY I HAD TO BRING IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE THE OLD PART IN MY TRUNK AND THEY WILL HAVE ANOTHER ONE ORDERED TODAY. *JB

DT: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED AND OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED. WENT BACK AND FORTH EVENTUALLY ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO DIE. THIS HAPPENED AT ALL SPEEDS. THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT RESTART EASILY. IT MAY TAKE 20-30 MINUTES TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALER. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONSUMER HAS NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL, NHTSA 03V482000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, AND FORD STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

FIRST MY GAS PEDAL STUCK WHILE DRIVING. THEN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER IT JUST BROKE. IT WAS LIKE I HAD NO GAS PEDAL. WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT SOMEONE DID NOT REAR END ME. HAD I BEEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY I WOULD PROBABLY BE DEAD BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT GO. *NM

THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT START. I TRIED TO JIGGLE THE WHEEL, BUT CAR REFUSED TO START. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATED THE DPFE SENSOR WENT OUT. SHE SAID IT WENT OUT 2 YEARS AGO AND SHE HAD IT REPLACED. SHE SAID IT CUT OUT WHILE SHE WAS GOING 40-60 MPH. SHE DESCRIBED IT AS JERKING. SHE NOTICED THIS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD HER THAT IT WAS A WEAK SENSOR, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD TO GET IT REPLACED. *AK

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TRAFFIC WAS TRYING TO MERGE, AND SHE WAS BLOCKED IN ON THE LEFT. SHE ACCELERATED A LITTLE TO GET AHEAD OF THE MERGING TRAFFIC. AT THAT TIME THE THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. SHE STATED THAT WHEN SHE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE BRAKES, IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS PUSHING AS HARD AS SHE COULD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. SHE CAME TO A STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. THE RPMS WERE AT 7000 BEFORE SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. UPON RESTART, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE TO 7000 RPM. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE THROTTLE UN-STUCK BY PUSHING THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND RELEASING. SHE DROVE THE CAR TO A SEARS AUTO CENTER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE THROTTLE LINKAGE MALFUNCTIONING. HE COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. WE ELECTED TO LEAVE THE CAR THERE, AND HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING. IT WAS A VERY SCARY AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS EVENT. *NM

MY CAR HAS 29,500 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT IT USED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: 1 - CAR STUMBLES/HESITATES/LOSES POWER AT AROUND 2-3K RPM...REGARDLESS OF SPEED...BUT STUMBLING/HESITATION IS BEST FELT ON THE FREEWAY. 2 - CAR HAS HAD SOME TYPE OF RECALL WORK AND DPFE SENSOR REPLACED AT: 17500 MILES. NOT SURE IF FUEL PUMP RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED...FORD DEALERS HAVE BEEN VERY RELUCTANT TO TELL ME WITHOUT MAKING ME SPEND $150+ ON A STUPID DIAGNOSIS...THAT'S CALLED GOOD BUSINESS. 3 - DPFE SENSOR REPLACED PRIOR TO ME PICKING UP THE CAR AT: 28440 MILES. 4 - 1000 MILES LATER...I HAVE THE STUMBLING. 5 - THINGS I'VE DONE TO THE CAR: A - REPLACED AIR FILTER B - REPLACED FUEL FILTER C - REPLACED PCV VALVE D - REPLACED PLUGS (USING BOSCH PLATINUM 2) SO FAR I'VE DONE ALL CHANGES MYSELF BECAUSE NO FORD DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO CARE TO OFFER ADVICE OR A HELPING HAND. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT I'VE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM THE REAR DUE TO STUMBLING/HESITATION. *JB

FROZEN IGNITION LOCK. *NM

ADDITIONAL STATEMENT FOR CLAIM # 10131720 ALONG WITH FRONT WHEEL BEARING BEING REPLACED, THE FRONT AXEL BEARING IT ALSO BEING REPLACED. *NM

PROBLEM WITH SUSPENSION. CAR SHAKES WHEN TURNING AT ANY SPEEDS ALONG WITH NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE DRIVING WITH A FLAT TIRE. TIRE WAS NOT FLAT. TOOK IN TO DEALERSHIP FOR A DIFFERENT SAFETY RECALL AND WAS TOLD THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DETERIORATED. PART IS BEING REPLACED. *NM

2001 FORD FOCUS SEDAN, 21,000 MILES. IGNITION SWITCH COMPLETELY FAILED AROUND 1.5 YEARS AGO AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW HAS COMPLETELY FAILED AGAIN AND WILL REQUIRE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. DANGEROUS!!! THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S CAR, PURCHASED NEW TO PROVIDE HER SAFE TRANSPORTATION, AND CANNOT COUNT ON IT EVEN TO START RELIABLY FOR HER. *NM

I WENT OUT TO MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND TRIED TO START IT UP AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN. THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT UNLOCK. IN CALLING PEFFLEY FORD DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD COST OVER THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS FOR YEARS AND NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM, BUT ON LOOKING ON THE INTERNET IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND MOST FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUSES. COULD YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND TELL ME IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM? THANK-YOU SO VERY MUCH! *NM

DT: THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN WITH THE KEY IN. CALLER SAID IT WAS STICKING BUT TO IT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. UP UNTIL HOWEVER, SHE COULD FORCE IT AND IT WOULD WORK, THIS TIME SHE COULD NOT GET THE KEY TO TURN. SHE HAD THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH. IT STARTED WITHOUT WARNING AND KEPT GETTING WORSE UNTIL 08/26/2005. WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT TURN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK

I HAVE HAD MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 FOR ABOUT 3 AND HALF YEARS. RECENTLY, THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS ALREADY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IGNITION CYLINDERS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST FOR A LONG TIME. THE REASON WHY I BOUGHT THIS CAR WAS BECAUSE IT WAS DEPENDABLE. IF PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ARE OCCURRING WHEN AM I GOING TO EXPECT NEXT. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 60 MPH. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HER THE EGR VALVE WAS BAD. SHE HAD NOT HAD THE VALVE REPLACED YET. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM ON 7-23-05. SHE HAS BEEN ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND LOTS OF FUEL RELATED PROBLEMS; BUT NOTHING SPECIFIC TO THE EGR VALVE.*AK

THE IGNITION HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. I WOULD NORMALLY JUST REPLACE IT AND MOVE ON BUT WHEN SEARCHING FOR A NEW PART ON THE INTERNET I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING. IN ALL CASES PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY FORD AND THEY CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT. I AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR ONE IT IS FIXED IN CASE I ENCOUNTER MORE PROBLEMS.

2001 FORD FOCUS, IGNITION AND STERRING WHEEL LOCK UP

TWO NIGHTS AGO, AT A PARKING GARAGE IN A LOCAL MALL, WHEN TRYING TO LEAVE, I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. I COULD INSERT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY KEY WAS WORN DOWN A BIT, SO I FIGURED MAYBE THE KEY WAS NOT "CLICKING" PROPERLY WITH THE IGNITION. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MY APARTMENT BUILDING AND ATTEMPTED TO USE MY SPARE KEY TO SEE IF THE KEY MADE A DIFFERENCE. IT DID NOT. THE NEXT DAY I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DELEARSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION CYCLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND MY KEYS NEEDED TO BE RECODED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER ANY OF THIS. SO I PAID $650 TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE. ADDITIONALLY, I WAS TOLD THAT TWO RECALLS NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED AT NO COST TO ME. BOTH WERE ADDRESSED, HOWEVER, THEY CHARGED ME $36.08 FOR "MECHANICAL LABOR." I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR ANY WORK DONE ON RECALLS. THIS EVENING I LOGGED ONTO A WEBSITE CALLED "AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET." I WAS AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. SOME OF THE POSTINGS DATED BACK TO 2003. I DON'T SEE HOW A PROBLEM LIKE THIS IS CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, OR WHY THE OWNER (ME) WOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF THESE OUTRAGEOUS SERVICE CHARGES.

NO EVENT LED TO THIS FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE. LUCKILY, I WAS IN A LANE THAT ALLOWED ME TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER; HOWEVER, A DEFECT SUCH AS THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO GET INTO A CAR ACCIDENT.

THE CAR BEGAN CHUGGING AS IF HAVING BAD GAS. WHILE ON RTE 40W IN TEXAS, THE CAR DIED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN THE CAR DIED. I WAS TRAVELING AT APX. 75 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURED. I WAS TOWED INTO NM AND HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. FORD WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL OF MY FUEL PUMP AND THEY INSIST THAT THE RECALL ONLY EXTENDS UP TO 2000 MODELS. I HAVE A 2001 FOCUS ZX3.

I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER OF 2003 FOR THE SO CALLED "RECALL" OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE LISTED SYMPTOMS AMONG OTHER ISSUES. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT MY CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND DROVE IT LESS THAN A MILE AND DETERMINED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM AND CHARGED ME FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER REPAIRS DUE TO EXHAUST PROBLEMS AND FUEL PROBLEMS. NOW MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHEN I REQUESTED IT TO BE DONE. NOW I HAVE TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BENEFIT FROM THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY THAT THEY PUT ON THE FUEL SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES HAVE SMALL SURGES. ON JULY 15, 2005 IT SURGED WHILE AT A RED LIGHT AND CAUSED ME TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. NOW MY INSURANCE MAY INCREASE. I AM A TEACHER AND WE DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY. I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN $1600 IN REPAIRS NOT COVERED IN MY WARRANTY SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2001. *NM

MY 2001 ZX3 FOCUS WOULD EAT TIRES .. GOT IT USED BUT WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES PUT NEW FIRESTONE TIRES ON AND HAD IT ROTATED EVERY 3000 MILES TO KEEP IT FROM SHAKING .. DID THAT 4 TIMES AND SOLD THE P.O.S. THE PEOPLE AT FIRESTONE TOLD ME IT WAS BAD ENGINEERING ON FORDS PART . BRAKES WOULD MAKE NOSE THAT THE DEALER HAD NO CLUE WHAT IT WAS . .. NOW I DATE SOMEONE I WITH A 2002 FORD FOCUS. AT 30,000 NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS . NEW PCM . AND THE LIST IS STILL ADDING UP. IF THE FOCUS ISN'T A LEMON ... THEN THERE IS NO POINT OF THE LEMON LAW. TIME TO CHANGE IT AND MAKE IT HARDER TO SELL CARS THAT ARE MADE SO CHEAP!!! *JB

YET ANOTHER FORD FOCUS OWNER WHO HAD THE IGNITION COMPLETELY LOCK-UP. THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER TURN, RENDERING THE CAR DEAD, AND IN NEED OF TOWING TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A REPLACEMENT IGNITION.

OVER TIME I WAS HAVING MORE DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. EVENTUALLY IT TOOK UP 10-15 MINUTES OF TOGGLING THE KEY AND GEAR SHIFTER TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS FIXED THREE TIMES UNDER WARRANTY (WHICH HAS SINCE EXPIRED). THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE OLD PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE.

DT: CONTACT STATED IN 3-03 WINDSHIELD CRACKED. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD WINDSHIELD REPLACED. IT WAS STILL LEAKING, AND HE TOOK IT BACK AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED IT AGAIN. BUT, IT WAS STILL LEAKING. THE DEALER REPLACED IT A THIRD TIME. IT CONTINUED TO LEAK. IN 4-03 THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, SAID HE WOULD SEAL THE WINDSHIELD. A MONTH AGO, IT CRACKED AGAIN. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND HE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE DEALER SEALED IT TWICE. IT WAS STILL LEAKING. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THERE WAS DEFECT IN THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE WATER LEAKED INTO THE DOME LIGHT, AND THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID THERE MIGHT BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AGAIN ON 9/18/2005 BUT ON 9/23/2005 THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT IS WAS STILL LEAKING. *NM