2001 Ford Focus Complaint Log

IT HAD BECOME HARDER AND HARDER OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO TURN THE KEY IN MY IGNITION. THEN ONE NIGHT AFTER WORK, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. I CONTACTED AAA, AND THEY SENT OUT A LOCKSMITH THE NEXT DAY. THE LOCKSMITH HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE IGNITION BECAUSE, ACCORDING TO HIM, CERTAIN PIECES WERE BROKEN. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ,AND TWO WEEKS LATER THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND THEY DID AN INCOMPLETE REPAIR JOB. THE DEALER GOT THE HEAT TO WORK BUT IT ONLY WORKED WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE HEAT ON HIGH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON A REALLY BAD SNOW DAY SHE SMELLED RUBBER BURNING AND TURNED THE HEAT OFF AND OPENED THE WINDOW. SHE HAD TO SHUT THE WINDOW AND TURN THE HEAT BACK ON, AND WHEN SHE DID FUMES BEGAN TO GATHER IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE ENTIRE VEHICL WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME WHEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN ENTIRELY. FORD AND TOYOTA GAVE HER THE RUN AROUND CONCERNING REPLACING THE VEHICLE AND A TRADE IN. THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONTINUE USING THE VEHICLE WHILE A TRADE IN WAS BEING NEGOTIATED. WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO SIGN NEGOTIATION PAPERS SHE WAS DECLINED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED. THE SALESMAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND IT CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STEET. UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

VEHICLE IGNITION LOCK FROZE WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION. IGNITION KEY WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE LOCK. DRIVER WAS LEFT STRANDED AND LOCK SMITH HAD TO BE CALLED TO DRILL OUT THE IGNITION AS A TEMPORARY FIX AND THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. VEHICLE MAKE: FORD VEHICLE MODEL: FOCUS SE YEAR: 2001 *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE AUTOMATIC: MY IGNITION LOCK AND THE STEERING WHEEL ARE JAMMED. IT IS A VERY RECENT DEVELOPMENT AND I AM FINDING OUT THAT I MAY HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT, WHICH I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT SINCE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY A RECALL OF THE VEHICLE. I STILL HAVE NO IDEA HOW I AM GOING TO FIX IT AND I MIGHT HAVE TO END UP TOWING THE CAR WHICH WILL COST EVEN MORE AND I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO DO THAT, BUT IF I LEAVE IT ON MY STREET THEN I WILL GET A PARKING TICKET. SHAME ON YOU FORD FOR NOT ISSUING A RECALL, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH MY FOCUS IS THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BROKE IN 2005. THE MOTOR GOT JAMMED AND BROKE OR SOMETHING, BUT NOW MY WINDOW WON'T ROLL UP AND MY CAR IS GETTING RAINED INSIDE OF, AGAIN THANKS FORD FOR NOT ISSUING A RECALL ON THAT PROBLEM, WHICH IS A PROBLEM THAT EVERY FORD FOCUS OWNER THAT I KNOW HAS. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN, AND I WILL TELL EVERYONE THAT FORD'S SUCK!!!!! *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, AND TWO DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HE LIFTED THE HOOD, AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE BATTERY CABLE. THE CABLES MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE BATTERY CABLE AND THE HARNESS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 102,000. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE BATTERY CABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. *AK

AT SEEMINGLY RANDOM TIME MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 STALLS. SO FAR THE STALL HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN AT A STOP, BUT SPUTTERING AND LOSS OF POWER RANDOMLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS HAS ME WORRIED ABOUT AN EMINENT STALL. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL FILTER CHANGED AS WELL AS THE EGR VALVE AND EGR PRESSURE FLOW SENSOR AND NOTHING HAS SOLVED THIS PROBLEM. *MN

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

I WAS OUT SHOPPING AT NIGHT IN A DARK PARKING LOT AND WHEN I WENT TO MY CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN I WAS LEFT STRANDED FOR HOURS UNTIL A TOW COULD COME GET MY CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IT WAS LOCKED. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS. WHEN HE DRIVES OVER SPEED BUMPS, IT SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING IS LOOSE UNDER THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO STATED THAT WHEN HE DRIVES BETWEEN 50-75 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. HE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED AND THE FRONT END ALIGNED, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THOSE WERE NOT THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION AND NOISE. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 02V289000 (STEERING: LINKAGES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND HE HAD THE BATTERY INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE STARTED WHEN THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND MOVED THE BATTERY CABLE. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, HE REALIZED THAT THE CABLES LOOKED AND SMELLED BURNT. HE THEN DISCOVERED NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). HE NOTIFIED FORD ABOUT THE TWO RECALLS AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM BOTH. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED SINCE HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 140,000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ON A HOT DAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPUTTER AND LOSE ACCELERATION , THEN LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD STALL, BUT THE CAR WOULD STILL BE DRIVING UNTIL THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT HAD THE MECHANIC CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, AND FUEL FILTER, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HIM TO TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALER TO GET IT DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS A FAILURE IN THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, BUT THE PARTS WERE ON NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF ICE, SLID INTO A CURB, AND CAUSED THE SUSPENSION FRONT CONTROL ARM TO BEND. A NEW SUSPENSION FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. ON MARCH 14, 2008, WHILE MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING NOISE, THE STEERING FAILED, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE CURB AND THE SUSPENSION FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS BENT AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87587.

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER SWITCH HAS SEIZED. HE COULD NOT PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CONTACT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS 40,000 MILES. THE CONTACT HAS NOT CONTACTED A REPAIR SHOP. HE WAS GOING TO CONTACT A LOCKSMITH. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERABLE ON 1/3/06. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS. *AK

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, 45 MPH...5:30 AM MST...NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM. VEHICLE DRIVING SMOOTHLY, NO SPUTTERS AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS. DROVE MY SON TO HIS WORKPLACE APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES AND ON THE WAY HOME, VEHICLE SIMPLY STALLED, JERKED AND AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS....NOTHING. CARS SWERVED AROUND ME AS I STRUGGLED TO PULL OFF TO THE RIGHT. I WAS NEARLY HIT BY THREE DIFFERENT VEHICLES. IT WAS VERY DARK AND I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR. I MANAGED TO WALK TO A GAS STATION/STORE AND CALLED MY DAUGHTER. HER HUSBAND HELPED ME TOW THE VEHICLE TO KEARNS AUTO CENTER NEAR WHERE THE CAR HAD STALLED. THE FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. MANAGER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SHIELD WAS A 2002 ADDITION, EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE WAS SOLD AND MANUALS DISTRIBUTED WAS FOR A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE SHIELD HAD ALLOWED GAS TO LEAK UNTIL IT TOTALLY DESTROYED THE FUEL PUMP ITSELF. THERE WAS NO DISCLOSURE, VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW WITH 8 MILES SHOWING. MANUAL AND CARE SCHEDULE WAS FOR THAT OF A 2001. VEHICLE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT WAS 47,312 MILES...FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND TWO DEALERS IN THE SALT LAKE CITY AREA WERE NOTIFIED OF THE SITUATION, NONE HAVE RESPONDED. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT IGNITION WILL NOT TURN WITH THE KEY. THIS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES , AND SHETOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 1-3-07. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR, AND SHE WILL HAVE THE REPAIR ORDER FROM THE WORK DONE. *AK

BOUGHT A 2001 FORD FOCUS (USED) FROM A ORIVATE PARTY. THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT FROM HAD THE IGNITION CHANGED TWICE AND IT HAS LOCKED UP ON ME IN LESS THAN A YEAR. I BOUGHT A CYLINDER AND KEY SET FROM AUTO ZONE AND CHANGED IT OUT MYSELF, $90 LATER THE CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF THE ANTI-THEFT IN CAR AND I REFUSE TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER (ARCENEAUX FORD). FORD SHOULD REPLACE THESE IGNITION CYLINDERS BECAUSE THEY ARE JUNK AND SEEM TO OCCUR OFTEN. *NM

THE IGNITION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 HAS LOCKED UP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, RENDERING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR, AS THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE LOCK. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN THE PAST, I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO START THE CAR BY JIGGLING THE KEY IN THE LOCK FOR UP TO TEN MINUTES. THIS TIME, HOWEVER, AFTER JIGGLING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR A FULL FORTY-FIVE MINUTES, THERE WAS STILL NO GIVE IN THE IGNITION. I TRIED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER SIDE AS HARD AS I COULD WHILE TURNING THE KEY, AND IT DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER FINALLY GIVING UP, I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOME ADVICE ONLINE, AND I SAW RIGHT AWAY THAT HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS. EACH TIME, IT TAKES THEM HAVING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION FOR A COST OF BETWEEN 200 AND 700 DOLLARS, ALL COSTS INCLUDED. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT I WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE SAME COURSE OF ACTION, AS I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I CAN POSSIBLY DO. I CAN'T EVEN HAVE A FRIEND PULL MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER IT IN ITS PRESENT STATE. I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE COST OF A PROFESSIONAL TOW-TRUCK AND THEN PAY THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE IGNITION ON TOP OF IT ALL. I UNDERSTAND THROUGH MY RESEARCH ONLINE THAT THE REASON THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN DEALT WITH THROUGH A RECALL BY FORD IS THAT IT DOES NOT POSE "AN IMMEDIATE AND IMMINENT HEALTH RISK." THAT MAY BE SO, BUT IT CAUSES FORD FOCUS OWNERS, LIKE MYSELF, COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF FRUSTRATION AND ANGER TO NOT BE ABLE TO USE OUR CARS. MY CAR IS NOW SITTING ON THE CURB OUTSIDE MY HOUSE, IN PERFECTLY DRIVABLE CONDITION IN EVERY WAY, AND I CAN'T EVEN TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. IF YOU HAVE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, PLEASE LOBBY WITH ALL OF YOUR INFLUENCE TO HAVE FORD ADDRESS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *JB

CONTINUALLY STALLING OF THE ENGINE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, HARD TO START AS IT WILL STALL DURING STARTUP. IT BEGAN JUST STALLING FOR A SECOND ABOUT ONCE A WEEK AT THE MOST. NOW WHEN I DRIVE IT, IT DOES IT ABOUT EVERY 10 SECONDS. IT HAS LEAD TO MY CAR FAILING TO SPEED UP, THE ENGINE KICKING AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR ALTOGETHER FAILING TO DRIVE WHILE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. IT IS NOW NEARLY UNDRIVABLE. THE CAR WILL BE LOOKED AT IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK BUT FORD SAYS THAT WHILE THEY HAVE RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM ON THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF VEHICLE, IT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE MANUFACTURED DATE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE ALSO DECELERATED WITHOUT THE CONTACT REMOVING HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. SHE DID NOT HEAR ANY NOISES OR NOTICE ANY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP AND THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

WHEN I TRIED TO START MY 2001 FORD FOCUS THIS MORNING TO RETURN HOME, THE IGNITION LOCKED. I HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED 2CE BEFORE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN I WENT ON THE WEB FOR INFO I SPENT HRS READING OF ALL THE OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO SOLVE THIS. IT WAS SUGGESTED I WRITE TO THIS SITE. *NM

2001 FORD FOCUS: IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN AFTER INSERTION, SO THE CAR WON'T START. JAMMING KEY HARD INTO COLUMN AND MAYBE ROCKING THE STEERING WHEEL EVENTUALLY ENABLES THE KEY TO TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. INTERMITTENT, BUT NOW BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. LAST TIME IT TOOK 40 MINUTES TO START CAR - COULD BE PERSONAL DANGER. *JB

COOPER COBRA GT RADIAL - MODEL: 87TP195/60R15 M + S PROBLEM: (2) TIRE SEPARATIONS AND (1) SEPARATION WITH BUBBLE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT NEW TIRES SHOULD BE INSTALLED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THE PRESSURE WAS 44 PSI. 20,000 MILES LATER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE TIRES WERE CUPPED AND THE BELT BROKE. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS REGULARLY CHECKED WERE ROTATED REGULARLY. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO ADMITTED THAT FORD HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO ALSO ADMITTED TO THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT OFFER TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. MAKE TIRE: DAYTON/MODEL: UNKNOWN/SIZE: F15/MANUFACTURED: DAYTON.*AK

WENT TO LEAVE WORK ONE EVENING, PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL MY HUSBAND TO PICK ME UP. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY INSTALLED NEW IGNITION TUMBLER. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH, THE DEALERSHIP PAID HALF OF THE BILL. *JB

AUTOMATIC TURN SIGNAL CANCELLATION INOPERATIVE; IT HAS NOT WORKED FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS; HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT REPAIRED, BUT PLAN TO FIX IT SOON. *M

I HAVE HAD MY FORD FOCUS WAGON FOR THREE YEARS NOW. I HAD TO REPAIR A ALOT OF THINGS ON THIS CAR! TRANNY, ALTERNATOR, FUEL PUMP, TIMING BELT, AND THE ONLY DOOR THAT OPENS FROM THE OUTSIDE IS THE PASSENGER RIGHT FRONT, WHICH MY KIDS HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH TO GET TO THE BACK BECAUSE BOTH BACK DOORS BROKE NOT EVEN FOUR MONTHS FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. ALSO THE DRIVER DOOR ONLY OPENS FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE OF THE COMPANIES DEFECTED CAR DOOR HANDLES. MY FRIEND HAS THE SAME CAR, AND ITS THE SAME WAY. NOT MENTIONING HOW EVERYTIME I STOP IT DIES OUT AND I HAVE TO TRY AND KEEP STARTING IT. IT SEEMS THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS. NOW I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH STEERING WHEEL LOCK-UP. MY SEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR OUT OF THE BLUE AND NOW I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THAT IT ISN'T JUST MY KEY. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS LOCK DESIGN. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS. *NM

MY FOCUS IS EXHIBITING THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL - NHTSA CAMPAIGN #02V288000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES I TOOK MY VEHICLE DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I GOT THE SAME RESPONSE WHEN I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER. I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE AND THE BATTERY 3 TIMES. THE CABLES ARE ALL CHEWED AND BURNT NEAR THE TERMINAL ENDS. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS TERMINAL ENDS SO HOT THAT THEY START MELTING OFF AND INTO MY BATTERY. RIGHT NOW MY CAR WILL NOT START AND MY BATTERY CABLES ARE BURNT. *NM

AS IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 03V482000, MY 2001 FORD FOCUS STALLS WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/3 FULL, THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING, AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT. FORD WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CLAIM TO HAVE REACHED A SOLUTION ON VEHICLES ASSEMBLED AFTER JUNE 13, 2001. MY VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED JUNE 19, 2001. SINCE IT EXHIBITS THE SAME SYMPTOMS, THEY HAD NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BY JUNE 13, 2001. ACCORDING TO NHTSA DOCUMENTS FORD DIDN'T START INSTALLING REDESIGNED FUEL PUMPS UNTIL SOMETIME IN 2004. NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE FORD TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM TO ALL FOCUS VEHICLES THAT USED THE POORLY DESIGNED FUEL PUMP AND DISPLAY FAILURE SYMPTOMS. *NM

I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY SEEMED "STUCK". I TRIED EVERYTHING TO TURN IT TO NO AVAIL. CALLED A LOCKSMITH AND HE SAID IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS, AND THAT HE RESPONDS TO CALLS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALL THE TIME. THE KEY IGNITION CYLINDER JUST BREAKS ON THESE CARS. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THIS AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE PART FROM FORD IS SUBSTANDARD AND THAT IS WHY IT BREAKS ALL THE TIME. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED! WHAT IS THE POINT OF A CAR IF YOU CANNOT START IT DUE TO A MECHANISM CONSTANTLY BREAKING? WHAT IF I WERE IN A BAD AREA OF TOWN, WHAT IF I REALLY REALLY NEEDED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY BUT COULDN'T DUE TO A FAULTY PART THAT IS A KNOWN ISSUE!? *NM

2001 FORD FOCUS. KEY WILL NOT TURN TRIED BOTH KEYS W/O HELP HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE AND NOW WILL NOT WORK. THIS IS THE CAR MY DAUGHTER TAKES TO COLLEGE AND LUCKY IT WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY NOT WITH HER ON A DARK CAMPUS ALL ALONE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATES, STALLS, AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD AT LEAST 12 TIMES; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

CRACKED THERMOSTAT HOUSING. I RECENTLY NEEDED TO HAVE THE PLASTIC THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACED ON MY FOCUS, AS IT WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE WEB AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER ENTRIES REGARDING THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT SEEN A RECALL OR ANY INFO REGARDING IF THERE IS A SYSTEMATIC FAILURE OF THE PART. I HAVE THE PART IF NEEDED FOR RESEARCH. *NM

IGNITION LOCK FAILURE. KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. *NM

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. EVENTUALLY AFTER A HALF HOUR OF TRYING, THE CAR TURNED OVER AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I TOLD THEM I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION, AND THEY ASKED ME IF MY CAR WAS A FOCUS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE FORD FOCUS. THE TUMBLER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO REPLACE AN IGNITION IN A 5 YEAR OLD CAR? I HAD A 10 YEAR OLD CAR WITHOUT ANY IGNITION PROBLEMS EVER. *NM

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND IN 2005 I HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION CYLINDER. THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. I BOUGHT THE CYLINDER FROM FORD AND REPLACED IT MYSELF. NOW, A YEAR LATER, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. MY KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION. I HAVE TRIED TROUBLESHOOTING BUT NOTHING HAS IMPROVED. I HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER CYLINDER AGAIN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. A LOCKSMITH WAS CALLED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT ALERTED.

THE PLASTIC SOCKETS IN THE REAR TAILLIGHT LENS ASSEMBLY MELTED. (THESE SOCKETS HOLD THE TAILLIGHT BULBS IN PLACE.) THE TAILLIGHT LENS ASSEMBLY WAS OBVIOUSLY MADE FROM INFERIOR PLASTIC MATERIAL, BECAUSE EVEN THE BACK-UP LIGHT SOCKET; WHICH ISN'T USED VERY OFTEN; WAS ALSO MELTED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE $89.00 JUST TO LOOK AT THE TAILLIGHTS, AND JUST AUTOMATICALLY STATED THAT THEY WEREN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT IT WOULD BE AROUND $250 FOR NEW LENS ASSEMBLIES, AND ANOTHER $45 TO INSTALL THEM. *NM

2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKS UP 10/10/2006 CAR IS STRANDED OVERNIGHT IN A PARKING LOT IN AN UNSAFE NEIGHBORHOOD LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $300 PLUS TOW FEES. *JB

KEY CAN NOT TURN IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS IS THE ISSUE EVERY TIME I TRY TO START THE CAR. *TR

IGNITION SWITCH DETERIORATED RESULTING IN A FAILURE; THERE WERE NO PRIOR INDICATIONS OF THE IMMINENCY OF THIS FAILURE. IGNITION SUBSEQUENTLY COMPLETELY FAILED TO TURN. ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM REPLACED. THE KEYS WILL BE THE NEXT TO FAIL, AS THEY ARE WEARING DOWN IN A MUCH MORE SUBSTANTIAL MANNER THAN I HAVE EVER SEEN AN AUTOMOBILE KEY DETERIORATE. *NM

CONCERN: 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 (IGNITION SWITCH STUCK) THIS CAR HAS ONLY 35000 MILES. AS I HAVE SEARCHED FOR REPAIR INSTRUCTION FOR THIS PROBLEM I KNOW IT IS WIDE SPREAD. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR EVERYDAY TO COLLEGE AND THE IGNITION SWITCH STUCK AND LEFT HER STRANDED. THE KEY WOULD GO INTO THE CYLINDER BUT WOULD NOT TURN. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF SHE WERE ALONE AND STUCK IN A PARKING LOT IN THE DARK!!! I BELIEVE THE SCENARIOS ARE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT FORD NEEDS TO REMEDY THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WINTER IS SETTING IN AND PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE GOING TO BE GETTING STRANDED IN THEIR FORD FOCUS'. THIS WON'T GET ATTENTION UNTIL SOMEONE DIES! FORD IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! *NM

I HAD TAKEN MY GRAND-DAUGHTER TO THE DENTIST AND WHEN WE CAME OUT THE KEY IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. I SPENT THE MOST OF THE MORNING TRYING TO GET IT TO TURN ONE MORE TIME SO THAT I COULD TAKE IT TO FORD TOWN TO GET IT FIXED. I KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPENED BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2004 FORD FOCUS AND HERS HAD JUST LOCKED UP ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE AND SHE NEVER DID GET IT TO TURN OVER, SHE HAD TO HAVE HER CAR TOWED AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER DRILLED OUT, FINALLY WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT TO TURN OVER ONE MORE TIME AND THE MAN AT FORD TOWN TOLD ME TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE NEXT DAY THEY WOULD TRY AND WORK MY CAR IN TO HAVE IT FIXED. I TOOK IT TO FORD TOWN THE NEXT DAY AND THEY FIXED IT AND IT COST ME $184.37. *NM

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT AND AS I WAS DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS, INSIDE AND OUT, EXCEPT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR PLACE AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I COULD'VE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE SEARCHED FOR RECALLS ON 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND HAVE NOT FOUND ANY. I ALSO LOOKED UP HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE IT ($359). THIS IS NOT A SMALL PROBLEM. PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ARE VERY DANGEROUS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING AND SHAKING AND SHUT COMPLETELY OFF WHEN TURNING. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000. UPDATED 12/12/07

FOR A WEEK I WAS HAVING TROUBLE TURNING MY KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. THEN ONE MORNING I COULD NOT TURN MY KEY AT ALL. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE FORD FOCUS. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER AT MY COST. I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, FORD WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS, ACCORDING TO THEM, NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I WANT TO KNOW HOW THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THIS PROBLEM CAN LEAVE SOMEONE STRANDED ANYWHERE WITH NO WARNING.*JB

CAR WON'T START. KEY WILL NOT ENTER IGNITION. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *NM

IGNITION LOCK, COULD NOT TURN KEY. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DOORS WERE INOPERABLE FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. TO GET INTO OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE DOOR MUST BE LEFT AJAR. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE DOOR LATCHES MUST BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN AN ACCIDENT AND CAUSED BURNS TO THE CONTACT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - *NM

MY IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING. I GUESS THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NM