2001 Ford Focus

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN WITHOUT LARGE AMOUNTS OF SPRAY LUBRICANT AND PUMMELING THE KEY WHILE IN THE IGNITION TO CAUSE THE TUMBLERS IN THE CYLINDER TO FALL INTO PLACE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING, AND RIGHT NOW, DURING THESE EPIC BLIZZARDS WE ARE EXPERIENCING, IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BE IN DANGER. THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AMONG OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE DEVELOPED WAYS TO TEMPORARILY FIX IT SINCE THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY AVAILABLE FIX THIS UNEXPECTED SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH IS NOT PART OF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE OF AN AUTOMOBILE.... WHILE OTHERS HAVE OPTED TO JUST GET THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHICH REPLACES THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY WITH THE SAME FAULTY PARTS, AND THEN CHARGES UP TO $500. THIS IGNITION NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY FORD, AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH A RELIABLE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. THIS MORNING, AFTER HAVING TO FIND OTHER TRANSPORTATION TO WORK FOR TWO DAYS, I FINALLY DEDICATED THREE HOURS TO GETTING THE IGNITION TO TURN. I HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE MY JOB BY BEING ABSENT OR TARDY. I AM IN AN INITIAL PROBATIONARY PERIOD AT MY JOB, AND I THINK IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT IF I HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO FIX FORD'S MISTAKES, I WOULD PROBABLY JUST GO AND BUY A DIFFERENT CAR ALTOGETHER. *TR

• 12/31/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  MY SECOND 2001 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON(# ) HAS JUST STARTED TO LOSE FUEL PRESSURE SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING. SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS CAUSED A LOSS IN BREAK-ABILITY, SINCE THE ENGINE ISN'T RUNNING SMOOTHLY WHEN THE PRESSURE DROPS. IT DEFINATELY CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL AND NOT RUN AS WELL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A WRECK. MY FIRST 2001 FORD FOCUS WAGON (#) HAD THE SAME ISSUE, AND IT WAS REPAIRED BY FORD UNDER THE NHTSA 03V482000 RECALL, YET FORD IS DENYING THE SECOND WAGON FOR A RECALL REPAIR. I HOPE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE QUICKLY, AS IT MAY CAUSE HARM TO SOMEONE IF I LEAVE THIS INTERMITTENTLY-BAD PUMP IN THE CAR. THIS FUEL PUMP PRESSURE FAILURE OCCURS ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY NOW, WHICH MAKES THE CAR UNRELIABLE TO DRIVE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO CONSIDER THIS CAR AS THEY DO MY OTHER CAR, AND FIX THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM THAT IS DEFINATELY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM ALREADY. I WILL SEE WHAT I CAN DO TO FIX IT; AND I WILL KEEP THE OLD PART FOR REFERENCE AND POSSIBLY REFUND IF YOU ARE ABLE TO RESEARCH THIS AND HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR FUEL PUMPS THAT DON'T PRODUCE ADEQUATE FUEL PRESSURE CONSISTENTLY. *TR

• 12/30/2012· SUSPENSIONCrash

  FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALLED JOINT SEPARATED AND BROKE THE CONTROL ARM ALMOST SEPARATED THE WHEEL FROM THE CAR. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *TR

• 12/30/2010· SUSPENSION

  2001 FORD FOCUS SE, VIN [XXX], 62000 MI. - BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD ONLY ISSUED EXTENDED WARRANTY NUMBER 03M02 FOR 1999/2003 MODEL YEARS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFO FROM FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM. SPRING BREAKS AND RUBS AGAINST TIRE AND CAUSES BLOW OUT. FAULTY SPRINGS. FORD ADMITS DEFECT BUT SAID I WAS PAST WARRANTY DATE AS OF 09/26/2010 THEY WOULD NO LONGER COVER THE PROBLEM - DISGRACEFUL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/30/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  I INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION OF MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. *TR

• 12/30/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS NOW I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY DISCHARGING. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE AND THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY, MY CAR DID NOT START 12/22 AND AGAIN ON 12/26, 12/27 AND NOW TODAY, 12/30/07. I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE JUMPSTART MY CAR EACH TIME EXCEPT THIS MORNING. NO ONE IS AVAILABLE THIS EARLY IN THE MORNING. I AM TIRED OF FORD SAYING THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WE NEED FORD TO COME FORWARD AND ADMIT OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND EITHER FIX OUR CARS AT NO CHARGE OR ISSUE A BLANKET RECALL OR SOMETHING. I CANNOT AFFORD THE TOWING CHARGES, THE DAYS OFF WORK WHILE THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP ETC. THIS WILL GO ON FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN I CAN GO 3 MONTHS, MAYBE 6 MONTHS WITH NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE TRIED NOT USING MY DOME LIGHT AND KEEPING IT IN THE OFF POSITION. I MANUALLY TURN OFF MY RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS BEFORE LEAVING THE CAR IN CASE THAT WAS WHAT WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. I DO NOTICE THAT A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THE BATTERY GOES DEAD THE CAR WILL START LUNGING A COUPLE OF DAYS IN ADVANCE BUT ONLY ABOUT ONE TIME PER DAY. *TR

• 12/30/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS THAT I PURCHASED IN NOV. OF 2001. I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR STARTING ABOUT 2 YRS AGO. I HAVE REPLACED FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS ETC ASSUMING THESE WERE THE CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING ON I-90 IN NEW YORK STATE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD FROM THE PASSING LANE WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY, THAT DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID ME. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP OFF THE ROAD AT AN EXIT ABOUT 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD. I FILLED THE CAR WITH GAS AND THE SYMPTOMS WENT AWAY. THE CAR WAS BELOW 1/4 TANK OF GAS AT THE TIME. I HAVE HAD ONE MORE EPISODE OF THIS PROBLEM A FEW MONTHS AGO ON ANOTHER TRIP (ALSO BELOW 1/4 TANK OF GAS). I FILLED THE CAR WITH GAS AND CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AT THAT TIME. HOWEVER, THAT SITUATION DID NOT INVOLVE A NEAR MISS OF AN ACCIDENT. IN MY RESEARCH OF THE PROBLEM, I DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. MY CAR WAS MADE IN THE "INTERIM PERIOD" MENTIONED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I CONTACTED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, BUT WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN ALTHOUGH MY SYMPTOMS SEEM TO BE IDENTICAL. I TYPICALLY KEEP MY TANK FILLED EXCEPT ON LONGER TRIPS WHICH PROBABLY HID THE SYMPTOMS UP TO THIS TIME. AT THIS POINT, IT APPEARS THAT THE FUEL PUMP WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

• 12/30/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE STEERING IS LOCKED IN PLACE.*AK

• 12/30/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  UNSURE OF EXACT DATE- IGNITION SWITCH HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES CAR HAS TO BEEN TOWED AWAY ALL THREE TIMES. PRESTIGE FORD MECHANIC SAYS IT IS HOW THE PART IS MADE WONT COVER AFTER 36,000 MILES BECAUSE IT IS ELECTRICAL. DEALERSHIP ADMITS IS RECURRING AFTER WARRANTY DEFECT BUT FORD COMPANY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR BAD PART. *AK

• 12/30/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  REAR DOORS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET TO STAY CLOSED. WHEN SLAMMED,THEY DO NOT LATCH SHUT. ON ONE OCCASION, IT TOOK OVER 30 MINUTES SLAMMING THE DOORS BEFORE THEY FINALLY STAYED SHUT. *AK

• 12/30/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHEN AT A STOP THE FUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORM THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PERTAINING TO THE FUEL LINE. THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *NM

• 12/30/2002· PARKING BRAKE

  THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL STAY UP WILL NOT GO DOWN. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEARLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

• 12/29/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2001 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER STATES FAULTY FUEL PUMP *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SURGING TO THE POINT WHERE SHE HAD TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL BARELY MAINTAINING POWER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED AND SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. AS SHE BEGAN TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE AGAIN AND FINALLY THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT USING A FAULTY FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. NHTSA REQUIRED FORD TO ISSUE A CSP 03N01 WHICH REPLACED THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE. THE CONSUMER STATED HER VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED, BUT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT TWO MONTHS AFTER THE END OF THE CSP PRODUCTION DATE RANGE FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. *JB

• 12/29/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EQUIPMENT

  I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 FORD FOCUS PURCHASED IN MOORESVILLE NC THE VIN IS #[XXX]. THE FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PUMP IS THE SAME ONE DESCRIBED IN THE FORD EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM03N01 DATED 2003 AND SUPPLEMENTS 1 & 2 DATED JANUARY 2004. FORD SAID MY WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE PROGRAM BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT IN AUG. 2001 AFTER JUNE 13, 2001 CUT OFF. THE CAR WAS BUILT IN THE WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANT, THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL PUMPS THAT FAIL. AFTER MORE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET , MY HUSBAND FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ARTICLE #04-5-6 DESCRIBING THE PROCEDURE FOR INSTALLING A NEW DESIGN FUEL DELIVERY MODULE IN THE 2001-2002 FORD FOCUS. UNDER THE ISSUE IT STATES: THERE IS A NEW DESIGN FUELED DELIVERY MODULE AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE ON 2000-2002 FOCUS BUILT BEFORE 12/31/2001 AT WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANT AND BUILT BEFORE 2/13/2001 AT HERMOSILLO PLANT. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAID THAT MY DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM AS IT WAS BUILT IN AUG. 2001. WE THINK THAT BECAUSE THE CAR THIS THE PUMP DESCRIBED IN THE BULLETIN, WAS BUILT AT THE WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANT WITHIN 2 MOS. OF THE JUNE 13, 2001 THAT FORD COULD HAVE COVE THE REPAIR BUT THE COMPANY WILL NOT. THIS IS AN $800 REPAIR. THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKING KEY CYLINDER IS ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AGAIN. I NEED TO TURN THE KEY MANUALLY BACK TO A NEUTRAL POSITION FOR THE ENGINE TO RUN AFTER STARTING THE CAR. THIS IS THE THIRD LOCKING CYLINDER THAT I HAVE HAD INSTALLED IN MY CAR. I THINK FOUR CYLINDER IS A LITTLE MUCH FOR A 9 YEAR OLD CAR! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/29/2008· TIRES,WHEELS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE MERGING OFF THE HIGHWAY AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE ROLLING BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. SHE RECOVERED THE TIRE AND NOTICED THAT THE BOLTS, LUGS, NUTS, AND WHEEL BEARING WERE STILL ATTACHED TO THE TIRE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I017000 (WHEELS LUGS, NUTS, BOLTS); HOWEVER, THE DEALER COULD PROVIDE A WARRANTY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

• 12/29/2007· SUSPENSION

  NOTICED A CREAKY SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. WHEN MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT, THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. CAR HAS 72,000 MILES. REPLACES BOTH FRONT SPRINGS. HAVE NEVER KNOWN COIL SPRINGS TO JUST BREAK ON A CAR. AND JUDGING FROM THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED HERE AND ELSEWHERE ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS YEAR CAR, IT IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. SHAME ON FORD FOR NOT FOLLOWING UP ON THIS. *TR

• 12/28/2007· VISIBILITY

  I AM HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN EA0515. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SAID IT HAS SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE. MY LEAK HAS RUINED THE GEM MODULE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TOTAL DAMAGE $980.00. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS THE BELIEF THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE EITHER. *TR

• 12/27/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 12/27/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH BUMPERS CRACKED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT NO OTHER MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY DETERMINE WHAT OCCURRED. *AK

• 12/27/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW AND ONLY HAVE ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON IT (I LIVE IN THE CITY AND I DON'T DRIVE THAT MUCH). OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS, THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2001 FOCUS IS STARTING TO FAIL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND AFTER READING ALL THE PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET AM WONDERING WHY NO ONE HAS FILED A LAWSUIT OR WHY FORD ISN'T ISSUING A RECALL. I'M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO SHELLING OUT $300+ TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. I GOT THE SPARE KEY IN THE IGNITION, SO I JUST LEAVE IT IN ALL THE TIME AND LOCK THE DOORS, AND I TRY TO DRIVE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. I GUESS I'LL BE USING MY TAX RETURN TO FIX FORD'S PROBLEM IT'S TOO BAD, MY FAMILY & I HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL FORD CUSTOMERS FOR SEVERAL GENERATIONS, BUT I'LL PROBABLY BUY HONDA NEXT TIME OUT. *JB

• 12/27/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE REAR DRIVERSIDE DOOR OF MY 2001 FORD FOCUS SE BEGAN TO NOT WORK. I NOTICED THE DOOR WAS AJAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER TO CLOSE IT AND IT WOUDL NOT CLOSE. IT CONTINUED TO BOUNCE OPEN.*AK I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE LATCH WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $204.00. I USED THE DOOR MAYBE TWO TIMES A WEEK. THE MECHANIC THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THE LATCHES ON THE FOCUS ARE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. HE SAID THEY RUST OUT TO THE POINT OF NOT WORKING. OF COURSE I'M A LITTLE PEEVED. I BOUGHT MY FIRST BRAND NEW CAR AND THE DOOR LOCK RUSTS OUT AFTER THREE YEARS! I'VE OWNED 10 YEAR-OLD CARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. I THINK IT'S A DEFECT OF FORD AND THEY SHOULD COVER THE COST. I'M JUST THANKFUL, NO ONE HAD TO RIDE IN MY BACK SEAT AND HAVE THE LOCK FAIL.

• 12/27/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I PURCHASED MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IN OCTOBER OF 2002, IT ONLY HAD 113 MILES ON IT FROM BEING TEST DRIVEN SO ESSENTIALLY IT WAS BRAND NEW WHEN PURCHASED THAT DAY. THIS IS MY ***3RD*** TIME OF HAVING TO HAVE IT SERVICED BY FORD BECAUSE THE IGNITION LOCKED UP AND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD WAS AWARE THAT THERE WERE A COUPLE MAKE/MODELS OF THE FOCUS THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SENSORS IN THE INGITION AND THE KEYS BEING WORN DOWN SO MUCH THAT IT WON'T RECOGNIZE THE KEY/SENSOR TO START THE CAR. VERY FRUSTRATING. NOW I AM DEALING WITH IT AGAIN, FORD HAS UNFORTUNATLY NOT PUT A RECALL OUT ON THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. I AM GETTING CLOSE TO THE END OF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND STILL I HAVE TO PAY A 50.00 DEDUCTIBLE EVERYTIME TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND IT'S FAULTY EQUIPMENT THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT. I HOPE THERE ARE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THAT FORD ACKNOWLEDGES THIS PROBLEM AND AT THE VERY LEAST, REPLACES THIS CERTAIN IGNITION WITH ANOTHER YEAR SO US CUSTOMERS DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR ENGINEERING MISTAKES. I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH 7 WK OLD TWINS AND THIS IS NOT IN MY BUDGET, LET ALONE ONCE I AM OUT OF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD, IT WILL BE AROUND 300.00 A POP TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. PLEASE HELP!!!*AK

• 12/27/2001· SUSPENSION

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. 8AK

• 12/26/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT

  IGNITION STICKS AND MOVES AROUND, HORN FELL COMPLETELY OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR AND HIT SOMEONE'S CAR, THE FAN BOX AND ALL FELL COMPLETELY OFF AND DOWN, BACKFIRING STALLING RATTLING VIBRATES FRONT RIGHT SIDE AROUND TIRE AREA RATTLES HORRIBLY, CHECK ENG. LIGHT STAYS ON MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR IS BAD TRANSMISSION SENSOR IS BAD LIGHTER STOPPED WORKING CAR COMPLETELY GOES DEAD SPITS SPUTTERS, MANIFOLD PIPE BROKE SO NOW ITS LOUD. ITS ALL DAY LONG NON STOP PERIOD WE HAVE REPLACE SEVERAL SENSORS AND TUBES AND WIRES FOR IT DOESN'T WORK NOT GETTING THE GAS MILEAGE I SHOULD AND I HAVE HAD IT 11 MONTHS BUT HARDLY DOVE IT 3 TOTAL ALL TOGETHER I CANT AFFORD ANY THING ELSE TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS 3 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT ITS BEEN PURE ?!@#$%. *TR

• 12/26/2002· STEERING

  WHILE DRIVING 15MPH POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/26/2001· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK

• 12/24/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I WENT TO PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND I STRUGGLED FOR AN HOUR OR MORE TO GET IT TO TURN. VERY FRUSTRATED AT THAT POINT THAT I FINALLY HAVE RESIDED TO KEEPING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, WHICH IS NOT A GOOD IDEA,BUT AFRAID OF BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE. *TR

• 12/24/2003· UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  CONSUMER STRUCK GUARDRAIL WHEN SHE TRIED TO AVOID ANOTHER COLLISION. (NAR) *PH

• 12/24/2003· STRUCTURE

  THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HAD TWO INCHES OF WATER ON THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE WATER WAS COMING IN THROUGH THE COWLING. *AK *PH *NM

• 12/24/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THIS CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK FOR BRAKE FAILUES MULTIPLE TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALER INFORMS ME THAT A SWITCH HAS FAILED AND MY BRAKES ARE JUST FINE. I HAVE BLOWN THROUGH LIGHTS GOING 45+ MILES AN HOUR. THE DEALER HAS FAILED TO EVEN INSPECT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FOR ANY FAILURES.

• 12/22/2009· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  NO EVENTS TO INDICATE FAILURE. WENT TO VEHICLE AFTER WORKING TO AFTER DARK. PUT KEY INTO IGNITION AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN. SIMPLY WOULD NOT TURN! SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE OVER A 20 MINUTE PERIOD. I, FORTUNATELY, WAS LEAVING MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, IT WAS STILL COLD OUTSIDE, DARK AND NOT A SAFE ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT STRANDED. *TR

• 12/22/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIR. HE DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT INFORM HIM OF THE RECALL. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

• 12/22/2004· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS STALLED AGAIN. THIS IS ABOUT THE 4TH TIME. LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND PROBLEM TO BE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT IS ONLY BATTERY REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ALL OLD PARTS FROM RECENT SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS VEHICLE RECALLED. FOUND INTERNET ARTICLE THAT STATES THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. HTTP://WWW.THEAUTOCHANNEL.COM/F/MANIA/REPAIR/NEWS.HTML?MANIA. *JB

• 12/22/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY IGNITION LOCKED UP ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS, CAN'T START THE CAR. *JB

• 12/22/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I HAVE HAD 3 FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED IN 5 WEEKS. THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A RECALL PROBLEM - THIS IS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. HOW DO I DOCUMENT THIS FOR THE LEMON LAW IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. *AK

• 12/21/2021· SUSPENSION,WHEELSCrash

  The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving her vehicle at approximately 35 MPH, the ball joint snapped on the vehicle's passengers side. The contact stated there were no warning lights illuminated nor any indication of a failure prior to the ball joint snapping. The contact stated that when the failure happened to her vehicle it caused her to crash into a ditch. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained and the vehicle was towed to the residence where it remains currently. The contact stated that she did contact the dealer as well as the manufacturer who advised her to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 190,000.

• 12/21/2006· VISIBILITY

  THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW OPERATING CABLE MECHANISM BROKE. THIS WAS SHORTLY FOLLOWED (WITHIN A MONTH OR SO) BY THE FAILURE OF THE SAME MECHANISM IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. BOTH WINDOWS FAIL TO RISE AND ANY ATTEMPTS TO USE THE WINDOW SWITCHES ARE ANSWERED WITH GRINDING CRACKING SOUNDS. THE WINDOWS ARE CURRENTLY HELD UP USING COAT HANGERS. *NM

• 12/21/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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

• 12/20/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND AS I WAS LEAVING WORK ONE DAY, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULDN'T FIT IN THE IGNITION. AFTER I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PUT MY KEY IN IT WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO CALL FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH FORD FOCUS' AND TOLD ME TO HAMMER IN MY KEY BECAUSE A BARREL WAS DEFECTIVE IN THE IGNITION. I HAMMERED IN MY KEY AND WAS ABLE TO START MY CAR; HOWEVER, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.

• 12/20/2001· VISIBILITY

  WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES CAUSE A FILM ON THE WINDSHIED AND WITH ONCOMING LIGHT OF OTHER CARS/TRUCKS IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER AS WELL AS FORD HAS TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURE AND THAT I SHOULD USE MY DEFROSTER AND THIS WILL CLEAR IT UP. I TRIED THIS AND IT DID NOT CLEAR IT UP. I CALLED THE FORD NUMBER AND I WAS TOLD TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER AND TELL THEM TO PROVE IT IS NORMAL. THEIR SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO FOR ME SINCE FORD HAS TO APPROVE ANYTHING HE DOES. I BASICALLY HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO. PLEASE HELP ME.*AK

• 12/19/2012· ENGINE

  2001 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS AND INVESTIGATION FOR POSSIBLE RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE COMMON PROBLEM OF VALVE SEAT BREAKAGE IN FORDS OLDER ENGINES. THE BREAKAGE WAS DUE TO INTAKE VALVE SEATS THAT WERE MADE OF A POWERED METAL THAT SHATTERED EASILY. THE CONSUMER WROTE TO FORD REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DAMAGE CAUSED TO HER ENGINE. ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2012, ROUGHLY TWO MILES AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, SHE ENGAGED THE GAS PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN UNUSUAL NOISE AND JERKED LOUDLY AND VIOLENTLY. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ABUT TWO MORE FEET, BEFORE THE STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL AND IT DIED COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO A PARKING LOT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED, ONE OF THE PISTONS, CYLINDER #1 WAS EXTREMELY DAMAGED, DUE TO THE VALVE SEAT FAILURE WHICH SHATTERED THE PISTON AND BROKE OFF PIECES OF THE PISTON SKIRT AND BENT THE CONNECTING ROD. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER WALL, AS PIECES OF THE PISTON SKIRT WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN AND PIECES OF THE PISTON CROWN WERE FOUND IN THE BOTTOM OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB

• 12/19/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2001 FORD FOCUS IGINITION KEY DOES NOT TURN TO START VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/19/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS STARTS TO FLICKER, WITHOUT WARNING. THEN THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE SEVERAL PARTS, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

• 12/19/2002· STEERING

  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

• 12/18/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKING UP. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED, HOWEVER, IT IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH A LITTLE COAXING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $300 AND THAT HE HAS AT LEAST 2 OF THE SAME CAR COME IN A WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOLD HIM THANK YOU AND WENT HOME AND CALLED FORD, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT I WOULD NEED TO GET IT CORRECTED ON MY OWN. I AM NOT SURE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT DATE. *JB

• 12/17/2012· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I ENGAGED THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR BEGAN TO CLANK AND JERK LOUDLY AND VIOLENTLY. I DROVE' THE CAR ABOUT TWO FEET BEFORE THE STEERING SEIZED UP, THE CAR COULD NOT BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL, DIED COMPLETELY, AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONE OF THE PISTONS, CYLINDER # 1, WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED, DUE TO THE VALVE SEAT FAILURE WHICH SHATTERED THE PISTON, BROKE OFF PIECES OF THE PISTON SKIRT, AND BENT THE CONNECTING ROD. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CYLINDER WALL, BUT PIECES OF THE PISTON SKIRT WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN, AND PIECES OF THE PISTON CROWN WERE FOUND IN THE BOTTOM OF INTAKE MANIFOLD. VALVE SEAT BREAKAGE IN THE OLDER MODEL FOCUS, IS SO COMMON THAT AERA ENGINE REBUILDERS ASSOCIATION ISSUED TWO BULLETINS (TB 1725 & TB 1939) TO ALERT THE INDUSTRY TO THIS ISSUE. THESE BULLETINS STATE THAT THE 'INTAKE VALVE SEATS ARE MADE OF A POWDERED METAL THAT SHATTERS EASILY'. ON OCTOBER 29, 2012, AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED, I PHONED FORD TO REQUEST A REFUND FOR THE COST OF THE PARTS AND WAS INFORMED, THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL NO REFUND COULD BE ISSUED. THE VALVE SEATS HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN MODIFIED FROM THE FAULTY POWDERED METAL TYPE, THIS SHOWS THAT FORD IS AND WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. INTERNET ENTRIES THAT OUTLINE THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2001 MODEL CAN BE FOUND AT NUMEROUS WEBSITES, INCLUDING: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/FOCUS/2001/. *TR

• 12/17/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 35MPH WAS INVOLVED ON SIDE COLLISION AT THE DRIVER SIDE AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

• 12/17/2001· SUSPENSION

  VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH OR MORE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/16/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  IT START WITH DOOR BUSTING ALL THE TIME ,THEN I SWITCH IT OFF ..NOW IT WANT CRANK ,JUST BUST. *TR

• 12/16/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT CAUGHT FIRE, DUE TO A BATTERY CABLE WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. *JB