2001 Ford Focus Complaint Log

MY TRANSMISSION IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS BLEW UP BEFORE THAT I WENT AND CHECKED MY FLUID IN IT AND THERE WAS NOTHING IN IT ITS A 5 SPEED AND I NEVER TAMPERED WITH IT SO I PUT FLUID IN IT THAT FORD RECOMMENDED AFTER TELLING ME ITS NOT FORDS FAULT THERE WAS NO FLUID IN MY CAR AND AFTER I PUT THE FLUID IN IT IT BLEW UP NO GEARS NOTHIN JUST GRINDING

VEHICLE BUMPED INTO A GARBAGE CAN AT 2-3 MPH CAUSING MINIMAL DAMAGE TO BUMPER. BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT UNKNOWN SPEED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND CAUSING A COLLISION. NO INJURIES, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK

FRONT CRASH AT UNKNOWN SPEED, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

CAR IS SLUGGISH AND SPUTTERS WHEN SPEEDS OF 45 AND ABOVE ARE REACHED. THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO DROP OUT. CAR HAS STALLED ONCE AT A COMPLETE STOP. CAR HAS BEEN SEEN BY DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. CONTACTED FORD COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAS WHAT THEY TERM AS THE V-TECH BLUES. THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE AND THE AC NOT WORKING WELL TOGETHER. CAR HAS TROUBLE BOTH W/ AND WITHOUT AC ON. TOLD THAT THIS WAS JUST HOW THIS CAR RUNS. NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT.*AK

VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE ACCELERATING UP HILLS, AND AT ANY SPEED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE PULLING OFF FROM A YIELD OR STOP VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER. VEHICLE CHEKCED BY DEALER WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR YIELD, THE DEALERN REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND PCV VALVE BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*JB *NLM

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LAST THURSDAY (10 MINUTES ON THE INTERSTATE, 97 DEGREES, FULL AC), WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER FOLLOWED BY TRANSMISSION LURCHING AND ENGINE TRYING TO DIE. PULLED THE REMAINING BLOCK INTO MY APTS AND OPENED HOOD EXPECTING TO FIND OVERHEATED ENGINE, AND ENDED UP SEE A BUNCH OF FLAME AND SIGNING MY THUMB. GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT IT OUT, AND CALLED FIRE DEPT. NO WORK WAS DONE TO ENGINE OTHER THAN A NEW AIR FILTER 4000 MILES AGO. SO FAR THE FORD DEALER WANTS TO WRITE IT OFF AS COMPLETE LOSS AND LEAVE IT TO MY INSURANCE. TOOK OUT MY AIR INTAKE, MELTED BATTERY, MELTED BATTERY WIRES, RUINED HOOD, SCROCHED HEADLIGHT, SMOKED INTERIOR, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT GOT SUCKED INTO ENGINE THROUGH THE INTAKE. DEALER WOULDN'T TOW BECAUSE "WARRANTY TOWS HAVE TO BE CALLED IN THROUGH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE". PHOTOS ARE UP AT HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ARCHANGEL_JJN. CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION. *AK

MY WIFE PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE WASHER TANK IS DEFECTIVE AND LEAKS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THE PROBLEM. (GEORGE COLEMAN FORD TRAVELERS REST, SC). WE THEN CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WERE TOLD THAT THE ENGINEERS HAVE NO REPAIR PROCESS AT THIS TIME. *JB

FORD SAYS THERE IS NOT PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURE OF ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS AT 30000 MILES, AND REFUSES TO WARRANTY REPAIRS UNDER THE 36 MO/36000MILES BUMPER TO BUMPER PLAN. THIS BRAKE JOB WILL COST ME IN EXCESS OF $300. I DRIVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES TO AN EXTENT OF 100 PER DAY. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE THAT NEEDED COMPLETE BRAKE SERVICE AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE I BELIEVE THE FILE FOR RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RE-EXAMINED. *AK

TRAVELING ON I-465 EASTBOUND IN INDIANAPOLIS AT APPROX. 60 MPH. THE CAR MADE A GRINDING SOUND AND THEN THE DRIVER (MY SON) LOST CONTROL AND CROSSED TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND HIT A RETAINING WALL ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS ONE PASSENGER WITH HIM AT THE TIME AND HE WAS FOLLOWING US HOME. WE WERE ABOUT 100 YARDS IN FRONT OF HIM AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ENTIRE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING AND TIRE ASSEMBLY WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED. LEFT REAR TIRE AND SUSPENSION ALSO DAMAGED. SUN ROOF WOULD NOT CLOSE. VERY LITTLE EXTERIOR DAMAGE DONE SCRATCHED PAINT VERY SMALL DENTS, ALMOST ALL OF THE DAMAGE WAS DONE UNDER THE TIRE WELL.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT AT TIMES WILL NOT LOCK AND HOLD CONSUMER IN PLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

I WAS DRIVING IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS WHEN I HEARD A HUGE BANG AND MY FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A STRANGE NOISE. THE TIRE WAS RUBBING UP AGAINST THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT SPRING COIL HAD SNAPPED IN HALF AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TWO FRONT SPRING COILS WERE REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN A PROX 5 MPH IMPACT. I RECEIVED 2ND DEGREE BURNS TO THE BACK OF MY LEFT HAND.*AK

ATTEMPTING TO ENTER FREEWAY AT APPROX 50 MPH, THE FRONT RIGHT FELT LIKE IT WAS STARTING TO SKID. THE NEXT THING I KNOW, THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED, WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG COVER SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. NO SHEET METAL DAMAGE TO CAR. THE FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED, THE CONTROL ARM BROKE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE PATH OF TRAVEL, TORE UP THE WHEEL AND BROKE THE ROTOR. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE FRONT WHEEL TO THE CAR WAS THE STRUT TOWER. POLICE CAME OUT BUT NO REPORT DONE. FORD WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS LESS THAN 19000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS WRONG AS FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED, AND AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED AS CAR SKIDDED/SLID TO A STOP.*AK

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR SINCE I HAVE HAD IT. THE REAR END MAKES LOUD NOISE, I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, AND THEY ALWAYS TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG. IT MAKES A ROARING NOISE IN THE REAR END, AND SOMETHING IS SCRAPPING ON THE TIRE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. IN JULY, I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 3 KIDS, AND THE TIRE ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE JUST WENT TO PIECES. WE WERE IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. WE WENT OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE WOODS WHERE THE TREES STOPPED OUR ACCELERATION. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT COME OUT. I WAS SO THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE, AND MY KIDS ALSO. WE SUSTAINED ABOUT 8000 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, AND NOW THE SAME TIRE THAT BLEW OUT, AND WAS REPLACED BY THE REPAIRMAN IS WORN AGAIN. I AM AFRAID EVERYTIME I DRIVE. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR, AND NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE IT AS A TRADE-IN BECAUSE OF THE BOTCHED DEAL UPON PURCHASE OF THIS CAR. THIS IS THE CAR FROM "HECK". NOW MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, AND THE ROARING NOISE IN THE REAR IS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. I HAVE HAD THE MOST HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE WITH THIS CAR. IT IS A LEMON ON WHEELS, AND THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER FOCUS OWNER, AND SHE HAS DESCRIBED SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALSO HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH MECHANICS AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SPEAK OF ALL THE FOCUS' THEY SEE AS TROUBLE. PLEASE HELP. *NLM

DEALER INDICATED THAT FRONT ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE, HAVING DEEP RIDGES, CAUSING DIFFERENT THICKNESS THROUGH THE ROTORS. ROTORS COULDN'T BE TURNED DUE TO SUCH BAD SHAPE. BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING EXCESSIVELY PRIOR TO TAKING VEHICE IN. DEALER AWARE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 65MPH ON A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL 2 LANE ROAD, THE CAR SUDDENLY VEERED HARD RIGHT. COUNTER STEERING HAD NO EFFECT ON RECOVERY. THE CAR WAS AT ABOUT 90 DEGREES WHEN IT IMPACTED THE CURB AND WAS LAUNCHED OVER A 10 FOOT CULVERT. THE FORD FOCUS THEN ROLLED 5 TIMES LANDING ON 3 WHEELS. THE 4TH WHEEL AND SUSPENSION (FRONT RIGHT) WAS FOUND APPROX. 30 YARDS FROM THE VEHICLE. EVIDENCE SHOWES THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS LOSE, INDICATED BY EXCESSIVE WEAR AND GROOVING TO THE SPINDLE WHERE THE LOWER BALL JOINT MOUNTED. OTHER EVIDENCE SHOWS THE RIGHT SIDE HALF-SHAFT HAS A CLEAN BREAK AT THE SPLINES (SPLINE WAS STILL INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION WHILE THE HALF SHAFT WAS OTHER WISE NOT DAMAGED AND LAYING IN THE FIELD). THE 2001 ZX3 S2 WAS TOTALED. I HAVE PICTURES WHERE NEEDED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. FUEL PUMP HAD A LEAK AND ALL THE GAS LEAKED OUT.*AK

AFTER ONLY 15000 MILES BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING, AND THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AT ANYTIME WITHOUT ANY WARNING.*AK *YH

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT. ENGINE CYLINDER BLEW OUT. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

THE CAR HAS COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 25+MPH... THE CAR STARTED TO STALL AND I HIT THE CURB (RIGHT TIRE/WHEEL HIT THE CURB), BOTH AIRBAGS WENT OFF (WHY????) AND BURNED MY ARM (REALLY BAD) AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. I DID NOT REPORT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I FOUND OUT THAT GEICO (INSURANCE COMPANY) HAD LOST (OR NOT RECEIVED) MY ONLINE APPLICATION SO I HAD NO COVERAGE AND THEREFORE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL THE REPAIRS MYSELF. NEW WINDSHIELD, AIRBAG, WHEEL... COST $3000+ I'M STILL PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WHEN I STOPPED ON RED LIGHT (I JUST THOGHT I WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS...), THEN; YESTERDAY 06/28/02 I WAS DRIVING HOME ON HWY 192 AT APPROX. 45MPH AND THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER (NO WARNING) , I GOT SCARED AND HIT THE BRAKES AND PULLED OVER ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IN THE INTERSECTION. IT'S BEEN RAINING HERE IN FL ALMOST EVERYDAY, I AM GLAD THE ROAD WAS NOT WET WHEN IT HAPPENED... IT COULD'VE BEEN MUCH WORSE. MY CAR IS A 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH ONLY 7500 MILES, SO IT'S NOT AN OLD CAR. AFTER SOME QUICK RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE NOW... AND MANY OF MY FOCALJET.COM (ONLINE FORD FOCUS CLUB) FRIENDS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SO, I HAVE TO RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE READING THIS; WHEN WILL YOU (AND/OR FORD) DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? I'VE JUST FOUND OUT THAT I AM PAYING ($3000+, AND I ONLY MAKE MIN. WAGE) FOR AND SMALL ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED... SORRY, I AM REALLY UPSET, I ALMOST CAUSED A HIGH-SPEED/MULTIPLE-CAR ACCIDENT IN THE MIDDLE OF HWY 192 AND I AS WELL AS OTHER PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT. PLEASE HELP ! ! !*AK

AT 40MPH WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE SHUT OFF, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. CAUSE DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

VEHICLE HESITATES AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, FINALLY STALLED WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH IN THE LEFT LANE OF A THREE LANE HIGHWAY. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY AT 45 MPH OR MORE . VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER,AND PROBLEM WAS REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FUTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AT START UP VEHICLE WILL DIE.DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE PARKING IGNITION SWITCH WILL LOCK UP BECAUSE KEY WILL NOT TURN VEHICLE ON, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, A MINOR ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHERE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BUMPED INTO INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PREMATURELY CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. CONSUMER RECEIVED BURNS TO HANDS AND EYES. *TT *TS

A UHAUL TRUCK SMASHED INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR, SANDWICHING MY FOCUS WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CRASH WAS SO STRONG MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I'VE CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUT THEY DID NOT GIVE ME ANY ATTENTION.*AK

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3. IT HAS THE ZETEC ENGINE AND THE MTX75 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE FUEL PUMP FOR THIS VEHICLE IS IN THE FUEL TANK (I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR FUEL GAUGE REPAIR A COUPLE OF TIMES). THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHENEVER THERE IS HALF A TANK OR LESS SHOWING ON THE FUEL GAUGE. WHEN TAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN - I.E. EXPRESSWAY ON/OFF RAMP - THE CAR ENGINE WILL STUTTER AND DIE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS TURNING TO THE RIGHT. THE LOWER THE FUEL GAUGE READING, THE MORE SEVERE THE PROBLEM BECOMES. TURNING LEFT HAS NO ILL EFFECT ON DRIVE ABILITY. IT SEEMS THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT AT FAULT. ONLY UNDER THE RIGHT TURN CONDITIONS DO I EXPERIENCE ANY LOSS OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. COULD THIS BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE FUEL PICK-UP SYSTEM? I HAVE HEARD OF MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS VERY ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. TIM RUITER - MICHIGAN CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC # M140125 *JB

ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY, AND HAS A ROUGH IDLE. REPLACED SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP.*AK

THIS CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR BRAKE SQUEAL. SOUNDS LIKE METAL TO METAL. THIS IS A MAJOR SQUEAL NOT JUST A SQUEAK. DEALERSHIPS REPEATEDLY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SAY IT'S A "NORMAL NOISE". I'VE DRIVEN CARS FOR 20+ YEARS AND NEVER HAS A BRAKE SQUEAL BEEN NORMAL. IT'S BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 7,000, 15,000 AND 16,500 MILES. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING APPLIED BRAKES, THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DIDN'T HOLD.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT 40 MPH, AND WAS ABLE TO RECOVER, NOT INVOLVING ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER STATED BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK CONSUMER ALSO HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW FRAME DUE TO INCIDENT AND HAS RECIEPTS TO PROVE. *SCC

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHILE SLOWING FOR A STOP RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE LOOSING ALL POWER, THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART BUT WILL CONTINUE TO STALL, FORD WAS CONTACTED AND REPLACED FUEL PUMP, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *NLM

CAR STALLS AT SPEEDS FROM 45-55. *AK

CAR HESITATES WHILE AT STEADY THROTTLE AND STALLS WHILE IDLE UNLESS I TURN OFF AIR CONDITIONER AND STEREO (SOMETIMES STALLS ANYWAY). DEALER HAS BEEN NON RESPONSIVE TO THE PROBLEM, STATING IT NEEDS ROUTINE MAIN TENANCE FLUSHES,WHICH HAVE COST HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS WITH LESS THAN 25, 000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE PROBLEM ONLY CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. THE STALLING MAKES ME FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. ALSO, THE DEALER CANNOT SERVICE MY VEHICLE IN LESS THAN TWO. *AK WEEKS WHEN I CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT. I HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT TODAY BY ANOT HER MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME IN HIS OPINION, THESE FLUSHES HAD NOT EVER BEEN DONE AND THAT THE CAR WAS BADLY IN NEED OF SUCH. I HAVE THE INVOICE FROM THE DEALER STATING THAT THEY PERFORMED THE FUEL INJECTOR CLEANING AND THE THROTTLEBODY COMBUSTION CHAMBER CLEANING (AT MY EXPENSE) AT 25,482MILES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CAR HAS NOT STARTED IMMEDIATELY IN THE MORNING AS WELL.

VEHICLE WILL EITHER STALL OR COME CLOSE, FLUCTUATING BETWEEN 700RPM AND 230RPM. HAS HAPPENED IN THIS MANNER SINCE PURCHASE AND HAVE HAD IT TO DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONCERN OR FIX IT. MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANS AND INSTALLING AFTERMARKET INTAKE AND PCM PROGRAMING HAVE HAD NO EFFECT ON MY CONCERN. I AM A MEMBER OF AN ORGANIZATION CALLED FOCALJET AND HAVE HEARD CONCERN FROM APPROXIMATELY 80-90 PERCENT OF OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE MOST WERE EQUIPED WITH MANUALS BUT NOT ALL.*AK

BOUGHT THE CAR FROM KARLSON MOTORS IN KETCHIKAN AK WHERE WE RESIDE AT. ON JUNE 7, 2002 NEEDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A WATER LEAK ON THE FRONT FLOORBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ON JULY 8, 2002 HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANOTHER WATER LEAK IN THE TRUNK. ON AUGUS 9, 2002 HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANOTHER WATER LEAK ON THE FRONT FLOORBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ON AUGUST 22, 2002 CALLED THE DEALERSHIP FOR YET ANOTHER WATER LEAK ON THE FRONT FLOORBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO THE REPAIR SHOP UNTIL AUGUST 27, 2002. WE HAVE HAD RAIN NOW FOR 5 CONSECTIVE DAYS. THE WATER IS THICK AND SMELLS REALLY BAD INSIDE THE CAR. NOW I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE WATER DAMAGE TO MY CARPET AND UNDER THE CARPET. I HAVE REQUESTED FOR A DIFFERENT VEHICLE PREFERBLY ONE THAT DOESNT LEAK WATER. I LIVE IN KETCHIKAN AK WHERE IT IS A RAIN FOREST. IT RAINS OVER 200 INCHES A YEAR. I ALSO HAVE ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES, MOLD AND MILDEW ARE NOT KIND TO MY BODY. I NEEDED TO DO A BREATHING TREATMENT TO ASSIT WITH MY ASTHMA SO THAT I CAN BREATHE MORE EASLIY. I HAVE CALLED AND TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO EXCEPT KEEP FIXING MY CAR. I CALLED THE HEADQUARTERS OF FORD AND THAT WAS THE SAME COMMENT. I DONT FEEL THAT THEY ARE TREATING THIS PROPERLY. THE CAR WAS CLOSE TO $16,000. I DONT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO KEEP TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO KEEP GETTING IT FIXED. FOR THE PRICE OF THE CAR IT SHOULDNT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST PLACE. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BOUGHT A LEMON AND NO ONE IN THE FORD COMPANY WANTS TO LISTEN. I AM HOPING THAT THIS GOES IN THE CORRECT HANDS AND SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS.

CAR WOULD REPEATEDLY CHUG AND ALL GUAGES WOULD DROP TO 0, RADIO/CD WOULD TURN OFF. FINALLY, CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY CAR BEHIND US WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AND GO AROUND. *AK

VEHICLE FIRST STARTED TO "CHUG" FOR SEVERAL DAYS OF DRIVING AND FINALLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ABOUT A WEEK LATER.*AK

WHILE PLACING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH THE VEHICLE FROZE UP THERE WERE NO STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

CAR SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY, NO WARNING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, THE CAR TOOK A WHILE TO RESTART, RADIO WOULDNT COME BACK ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED RADIO. AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE DEALERSHIP, SERVICE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP, AS REQUESTED BY FORD MOTOR CO, ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AS TO HELP ISOLATE WHY IT WAS HAPPENING. I WAS ASKED IF I NOTICE THE LIGHTS DIM PRIOR TO CAR SHUTTING DOWN. I REPLIED, I DONT RECALL IF THE LIGHTS DIMMED BECAUSE I WAS MORE THINKING ABOUT IT IS DARK, I HAVE A BLACK CAR, NO LIGHTS, NO POWER & A SEMI COMING UP BEHIND ME, ON I40. MY THOUGHTS WERE OF NOT GETTING KILLED AT THAT MOMENT. THE CAR STARTED BACK UP, HOWEVER THE RADIO AGAIN DIDNT COME ON INCLUDING THE CLOCK. THE LAST TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN AFTER IT SHUT DOWN, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE RADIO AND CLOCK NOT WORKING. IT WAS KEPT FOR ONE WEEK AND I WAS ADVISED THE RADIO WORKS, IT MERELY HAS A LOOSE FACE PLATEON THE RADIO & YOU HAVE TO KEEP" HITTING THE CONTROL TO GET IT ON. I KNOW FIRST HAND THE RADIO SHUTTING DOWN IS A RESULTING OF COMPLETE POWER LOSE (INCLUDING THE CLOCK). I DONT THINK A LOSE FACE PLATE ON THE RADIO WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. FROM WHAT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS, AFTER CONSULTING FORD , THEY HAVE REPLACED ANYTHING THE CAN BE REPLACED. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS CAR MANY TIMES. THE DEALER HAS LESS REPAIR INVOICES BECAUSE THEY HAVE COMBINED MULTIPLE REPORTS INTO ONE. IF YOU COUNT THE DEALERSHIP RECORDS OF HOW MANY TIMES, IT IS ALARMING. I PURCHASED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SAFE CAR. 99%OF MY DRIVING IN ON THE INTERSTATE. I FEAR DRIVING THIS CAR AND DONT WANT TO PROVE IT IS UNSAFE BY MY DEATH. OTHER PROBLEMS W/CAR: TRACTION CONTROL FUEL GAUGE. ENGINE SURGES AT IDLE KEY SOMETIMES WILL NOT GO IN AND TURN, SOMETIMES THE KEY WILL BE STUCK AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP TRYING IT TO GET IT OUT. CAR LOCKS ITSELF AFTER YOU EXIT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY CAUSE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED OUT AT 50 MPH, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE POWER. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BRAKES MAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT SPEED BUMPS THERE IS A LOUD NOISE THAT COMES FROM FRONT OF VEHIICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS TO TIRES ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR REPAIR DUE TO NAILS. THERE ALSO APPEARED TO BE BELT DAMAGE AND A BULGE ON THE OUTER SIDE OF TIRE WALL (LEFT FRONT). *JG (FIRESTONE P205/50R16 FIREHAWK GTA TIRES) *NM