2000 Ford Focus Complaint Log

2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3

THE VEHICLE DID NOT START, WHEN CONSUMER INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE. *JB

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE REGARDING RECALL #02V289000 PINCH BOLTS.*JB

FORD FOCUS BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR PROBLEMS SINCE 11,500 MILES ON VEHICLE, INSPECTED AND TOLD NOTHING WRONG, NORMAL SQUEEKING AND GRINDING. MY DAUGHTER FEELS THAT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING AND GIVING UNDER HER. WE TAKE IT IN FOR THE 15K SERVICE AND THEY TELL US THE BRAKES ARE FINE AT 15,600 MILES INSPECTED AND TOLD NOTHING WRONG, NORMAL WITH CHANGE OF WEATHER. YESTERDAY MY DAUGHTER SAID THE BRAKES WERE NOT HOLDING AND WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A WHEEL BEARING RECALL FOR THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM AND AT 18,000 MILES, DEALERSHIP SAYS BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY GONE! I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER AND FORD WHO SAY THEY WILL "COVER" THIS $400 REPAIR. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER OCCURRED AND COULD HAVE COST MY DAUGHTER, MY SON WHO RIDES IN THE CAR OR ME OUR LIVES. I FEEL THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND CHOSE TO OVERLOOK THEIR RESPONSIBILITY THAT COULD HAVE COST MY FAMILY OUR LIVES. SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE INCLUDING THE DEALERSHIP WHO "INSPECTED" THE BRAKES AND CHOSE TO LIE TO US ON 2 OTHER OCCASSIONS. IF FORD HAS A PROBLEM THEN THE DEALERSHIPS ARE ONLY COMPOUNDING THE PROBLEM WITH THE POSSIBLITY OF LOSS OF LIFE.

THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED TWICE, IT TOOK NUMEROUS TRIES BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED.*JB

I HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOP ABOUT 7 TIMES DURING THE LAST 3 YEARS DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH MY NEW FOCUS. THE CLUTCH FAILED AT 6700 MILES, ALONG WITH THE BRAKES, AND THINGS GOT WORSE FROM THERE. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD LEAKED WATER INTO THE ROOF, THE FUSE ON THE FAN/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM MELTED, AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, THE FABRIC ON THE SEATS CAUSED ME TO GET SHOCKED EVERY TIME I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. FORD'S LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS PAINFULLY OBVIOUS AS WELL DURING THESE REPAIRS. I ULTIMATELY TRADED IN MY CAR FOR A COMPETITOR'S CAR AND I'M FEELING MUCH BETTER NOW.

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. *AK CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 25 MPH WHEN SMOKE WAS NOTICED. *LA

KEY GETS JAMMED IN THE IGNITION. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *NLM

FRONT BRAKES GRINDING. AFTER TAKING FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDS FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AND NEW CYLINDERS ON THE BACK AS IT IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. PH

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPROX. 45 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL SEIZED AFTER WOBBLING HARSHLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/3 MILE. THE LEAD UP EVENTS TO THIS FAILURE WAS TWO DAYS OF INCREASING VIBRATION AND CLANGING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IN MOTION.

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE REAR WHEEL HUB RETAINING NUTS WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LOOSEN, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO TENNESSEE RESIDENTS.*JB

THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE ON A HILL, THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM.*JB

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS STALLED ON THREE SEPERATE OCCASSIONS. TWO TIMES OCCURING ON 2/13/03. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED THAT DAY. SAME EXACT PROBLEM OCCURED NEXT DAYON WAY TO WORK.(ONLY DROVE CAR HOME FROM DEALERSHIP DAY BEFORE) DROVE STRAIGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD SAME PROBLEM OCCURED.(7AM IN MORNING) THEY CALLED AT 5:30PM TO TELL ME THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND WANTED TO KEEP CAR OVER WEEKEND. ON MONDAY THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, HAD TEST DROVE IT 83 MILES, AND RETURNED VEHICLE WITH NO REPAIR MADE.(OTHER THAN UPCOMING RECALL I HADN'T BEEN NOTIFIED OF YET)

IGNITION CYLINDER PIN DEFECT. HAD TO REPLACE THIS ITEM 5 TIMES UNDERWARRANTY. *AK

ON BOTH FEBRUARY 11, 2003 AND APRIL 21, 2003, MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER IN MY FORD FOCUS 2000. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE IGNITION DESIGN MADE THE IGNITION CYLINDERS PRONE TO BREAKING, I BELIEVE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE KEY TO BE INSERTED FULLY. I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS WITH THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED BOTH REPAIRS AT NO CHANGE, BUT FROM THE MECHANICS COMMENTS, IT APPEARS THAT A DESIGN DEFECT COULD EXIST. *NLM

WHILE ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY, ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON; ENGINE BEGAN MAKING KNOCKING NOISE. PULLED CAR OVER. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO INPROPER MAINTENANCE. OIL CHANGED ACCORDING TO MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE -- DO NOT HAVE EVIDENCE BECAUSE IT WAS DONE BY HUSBAND. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 60K MILES.

MY COMPLAINT DEALS WITH THE 2000 FORD FOCUS . I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2001 WITH 100 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO BRING MY CAR BACK FOR A FEW RECALS. ONE OF THE RECALS WAS THE REAR SUSPENSION WHERE MY CAR LOST CONTROL AND I VEERED OFF THE ROAD....LUCKILY NOONE WAS HURT. THE REASON WHY I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A INVESTIGATION ON THE FOCUS FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS. I WANTED TO ADD TO THE INVESTIGATION BY SAYING THAT I JUST SPENT 340 BUCKS ON MY IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T TURN WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE THRUWAY. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER! I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AND MY CAR STILL IDOLS VERY ROUGH AND OCCASIONALY STALLS OUT WHEN I AM STOPPED. FORD SHOULD BE EMBARRASED BY THIS AND SHOULD TAKE ALL FOCUS'S OFF THE ROAD! I READ THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF FORD FOCUS' WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT NO RECAL WAS ISSUED

PROBLEMS WITH FORD FOCUS BRAKES. IT STARTED SQUEAKING AFTER 10,000 MILES. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL AND TO CHECK BACK AROUND 36,000 MILES. WELL, IT'S ALREADY AT 36,000 AND IT IS ALREADY GRINDING AND SQEAKING ALL THE TIME, EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT RAINING. I TOOK IT IN TO A PROFESSIONAL BRAKE SPECIALIST AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ALMOST $ 500 TO REPLACE THE ROTARS, BRAKE PADS AND SHOES. THEY SAID IT VERY UNUSUAL FOR A CAR WITH LOW MILES TO HAVE THE ROTARS REPLACED. I WAS NOT ABOUT TO DISH OUT THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPLACE THEM WHEN THEY SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY.

FORD IGNITION CYLINDER DEFECT. KEY WILL NOT INSERT ALL THE WAY, IT TAKES NUMEROUS TRIES, ONCE INSERTED WILL NOT ROTATE TO START POSITION. *JB

THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED WHILE DRIVING.*JB

THE FRONT SWAY BARS WERE LOOSE. *JB

THE CONSUMER'S CLIENT WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF STEERING CONTROL. *PH AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER IN REGARDS TO RECALL#02V289000. THE CONSUMER'S INSURANCE COMPANY REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC (LAWYER ON BEHALF ELIZABETH ARREOLA ON BEHALF OF CLIENT LORNA WADDINGTON) *JB

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S STEERING DUE TO BALL JOINT SEPARATION. *MR THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY AN IMPROPER TORQUE ON THE PINCH BOLT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE SEVERAL DAYS LATER. *SCC *JB *CB

AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS OF BUYING MY 2000 FORD FOCUS THE PROBLEM. STARTED AND ONE YEAR LATER THE PROBLEMS ARE STILL COMING LIKE CLOCK WORK. FIRST MY BREAKS WERE SQUEALING I CALLED THE DEALER, HE SAID NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT UNTIL I HAD TIME TO COME IN. 1 TO 2 MONTHS LATER, AFTER SEVERAL CALLS ASKING IF IT WAS STILL OKAY TO DRIVE, I TOOK MY CAR IN AND THE ROUTERS AND BREAKS WERE BAD, THEY SD I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR IN SOONER. WELL PER THERE REQUEST I TOOK MY TIME. I HAD TO PAY THE GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF. IT DIDN'T STOP THERE, MY TIRES KEPT GETTING FLATS SO I HAS TO ONCE AGAIN REPLACE AT MY OWN EXPENSES. NOW THE REAL PROBLEMS START, MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS JUST OUT OF CONTROL, MY CAR WOULD ACCELERATE EVERY TIME I WOULD PUT IN ON CRUISE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK AND MY RADIO KEPT TURNING OFF BY ITSELF. I HAD ONCE AGAIN AT MY OWN EXPENSES REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS CALLING THE MAINTENANCE. DEPT. AT MERIDIAN FORD. THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WAS WORKING FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS IT IS NOW HAPPENING AGAIN! NOW I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY GETTING STUCK AND WILL NOT TURN, THE TRUNK WILL NOT SHUT, AND MY CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR IS IN IDLE. IT TURNS OFF IF IN PARK OR DRIVE AFTER ABOUT ONE MIN. IDLE. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING. AND HAS CAUSED SO MANY FINANCIAL AND STRESS PROBLEMS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AND I FEEL CHEATED! I WAS SOLD A LEMON! A LIST OF WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY NEW CAR..BAD BREAKS, BAD ROUTERS, BAD WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BAD CRUISE CONTROL, BAD TRUNK, BAD TIRES, THE KEY GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT TURN, AND NOW IT TURNS OFF WHILE IN IDLE. ALL THESE THINGS ARE STILL WRONG WITH IT AND ITS COSTING ME MONEY, STRESS,TIME AND IT IS COSTING ME TO BE LATE ON MY CAR PAYMENTS AND OTHER BILLS BECAUSE I HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL THIS CRAP TO BE FIXED! WHY IS THIS HAPPENING! DO I NEED TO GET A LAWYER OR DO YOU NEED TO REPLACE OR FIX MY CAR AT YOUR EXPENSIVE. I HAVE LOST SO MUCH AND FEEL HELPLESS. I HOPE THIS DOES NOT FALL ON DEAF EARS. *NLM

COULD NOT PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. NEEDED TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALERSHIP HAD A BRAND NEW REPLACMENT PART THEY TOLD ME WAS "DEFECTIVE" AND THEY HAD TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALER TO GET PART. IGNITION SWITCH WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED AT A COST OF $260 +/-. 40,000 MILES ON CAR AND IS A 2000 WAGON MODEL.

THE ENGINE FALL OUT (ENGINE BOLTS BROKE). PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

THE LEFT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE OFF THE VEHICLE. *AK *SC *JB

REAR DOORS DO NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND POWER LOCKS DO NOT WORK.*AK

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH ALL THE RECALLS - I HAVE HAD MY BRAKES REDONE AND HERE UNDER A YEAR THEY ARE NEEDING DONE AGAIN - NOT ENOUGH MILEAGE - WINDOW MECHANISM NOT WORKING ON TWO WINDOWS - ENGINE AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON - CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH A CAR THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME THINGS. *AK

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS RECENTLY BEGUN STALLING UNEXPECTEDLY, ESPECIALLY I'VE NOTICED THIS WHEN MAKING A TURN, AND WHEN MY GAS TANK IS BETWEEN 1/2 AND A 1/4 TANK OF GAS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY. I'VE READ SOME FORUM WITH OTHER FOCUS OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, RELATED TO THE FUEL PUMP. THIS HAPPENS FAIRLY FREQUENTLY IF I LET MY GAS TANK GET BETWEEN 1/2 AND 1/4 TANK. *AK

THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THEN RESTARTED.*JB

THE DRIVER'S DOOR DID NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE.*JB *TS

THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRES, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF VIBRATION OR EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIRES.*JB

THE BRAKES SCREECHED VERY LOUD WHEN APPLIED, PADS WERE REPLACED AT 12000 MILES, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS WAS NOT REDUCED. DEALER ADVISED THE SCREECHING NOISE WAS NORMAL DUE TO BRAKE PADS BEING SEMI-METALLIC.*JB

THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM.*JB

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING.*JB

PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE FALLING OUT OF THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT HOW EVER THEY WILL INVESTIGATE WHY THAT HAPPENS. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO MORE WARRANTY SO IF CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED HE NEEDED TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSIS. TS

WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL ROOD AT APPROX. 6:00 AM THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING AND LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS OCCURRED DURING A RAIN/SLEET STORM AND PUT ME IN EXTREAM DANGER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FAIRFIELD FORD, FAIRFIELD, OH AND REPAIRED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN WIRE IN THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE FUEL PUMP. ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE IS 3 YEARS OLD IT ONLY HAS ABOUT 7,000 MILES ON IT.

THE CONSUMER REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 12 MPH. THE COLLISION WAS VERY MINOR. HOWEVER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED OVER $4000 IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *JB

I WENT TO WARM UP MY FORD FOCUS ZX3 AS USUAL ON TUESDAY MORNING, BUT WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEATER/DEFOROSTER NOTHING HAPPENED. I THEN GOT IT SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEATER/DEFROSTER SWITCH HAD MELTED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE COULD OF BEEN/ STILL CAN BE A FIRE IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAULTY ENOUGH TO MELT THE SWITCH.

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR THE DOORS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR NOT TO OPEN.*JB *TS

HERE'S A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2000 FOCUS ZTS (WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON IT) IT HAS HAD ALL THE RECALL SERVICES DONE (SIX, IF I RECALL CORRECTLY) AND TWO WINDSHIELDS REPLACED TOO (DUE TO EDGE CRACKS DEVELOPING). THIS WEEK A SERIOUS NEW PROBLEM SURFACED: A WIRE SHEARED OFF WITHIN A CONNECTOR THAT GOES TO THE IGNITION COIL, PART OF THE MAIN ENGINE HARNESS. I WAS TRAVELING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE SIMPLY DIED. IF THIS HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE HIGHWAY, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE RESULTED. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A QUIET STREET. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT FORD SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE AND CORRECT AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. TO MAKE THE MATTER WORSE, THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE CONNECTOR THAT FAILED IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM FORD AS A REPLACEMENT PART -- THE WHOLE MAIN ENGINE HARNESS HAS TO BE REPLACED, WITH MORE THAN EIGHT HOURS OF LABOR REQUIRED, PLUS THE COST OF THE HARNESS. IT WILL END UP COSTING CLOSE TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS. IF THE CONNECTOR WERE AVAILABLE IT WOULD COST UNDER THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR.

THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A KNOCKING SOUND. *JB THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BATTERY CABLE, AND THE PINCH BOLT HAS CAUSED A LOT OF PROBLEMS. (THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS) THE VEHICLE WILL KNOCK WHEN TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE FRONT AXLE BEARINGS WERE DAMAGED ALONG WITH THE SEAL. THE BATTERY CABLES HAD A SHORT CIRCUIT AND THE CABLES STILL HAVE A CORROSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, IT WON'T START, YOU MUST ALLOW TO COOL DOWN. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD/RECALL #02V288000 SCC

CONSUMER STATES THE IGNITION SWITCH IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, KEY GO ONLY HALF WAY AND IT TAKES LONGER TIME TO PUT IT INSIDE THE SWITCH. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND WONT FIX. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

THE VEHICLE WAS PARK WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK UP AND WILL NOT UN LOCK THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

ATTEMPTED TO INSERT KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WOULDN'T GO IN ALL THE WAY. EVEN WIGGLING THE KEY DOESN'T WORK. SAW ON THE NEWSGROUPS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. HOW COME FORD HASN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM? THIS IS THE MOST TROUBLESOME CAR I'VE EVER OWNED!!! I USED TO BE A ROYAL FORD CUSTOMER. * CB

SINCE 2002 I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION, KEY WILL NOT TURN WHEN INSERTED IN IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE REPLACED THAT PART TWICE, $500 DOLLARS EACH TIME. IT'S BEEN ONLY ONE YEAR SINCE THE LAST TIME THAT I GOT IT FIXED AND AGAIN I'M HAVING PROBLEMS EVERYTIME THAT I TRY TO START THE IGNITION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ONE DAY I NOTICED A RATCHETING SOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ANTIFREEZE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. ALL OF WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE WATER UMP, BULLEY AND GASKET. MY CAR ONLY HAD 38,000 MILES.*AK

WE PURCHASED THIS 2000 FORD FOCUS ON 11/13/00. WE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN JANUARY 2001 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 1/25/01 FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS 4 ADDITIONAL TIMES FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON 8/01/01, 1/11/02,7/09/02, AND 2/13/03. THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, GRINDING WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR. ONE OF THE TIMES IT WAS TAKEN IN WE HAD COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO SHIFT INTO 2ND OR 4TH GEAR. EACH TIME THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM ONLY TO HAVE MORE PROBLEMS OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 1/30/03 FOR ROAD NOISE AND WOBBLING IN THE WHEEL. THE TIRE ALMOST FELL OFF ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT THAT TIME WE WERE ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WHEEL BEARINGS. WE HAD NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THIS AND IN FACT THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT HE WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL UNTIL HE LOOKED UP OUR VEHICLE IN THE COMPUTER. THEY SUBSEQUENTLY PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: FOUND RELATED DAMAGE BECAUSE OF RECALL AS FOLLOWS, LEFT DRUM, SPINDLE AND BEARINGS REFACED RIGHT DRUM R & R RIGHT SPINDLE. REAR SHOES REPLACED PARTS FOR RELATED DAMAGE. THIS IS THE INFORMATION STATED ON THE INVOICE. AT THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ALSO BEEN ON SO WE ASKED THEM TO ALSO FIND OUT WHAT THAT PROBLEM WAS. THEY FOUND GROSS LEAK FOUND AT EVAP MANIFOLD LINE. REPLACED LINE. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SEVERAL RECALLS INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF A BATTERY CABLE ON 1/30/03 AND ANOTHER UNSPECIFIED RECALL ON 10/02/01. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES FOR A TOTAL OF 67 DAYS IN THE 27 MONTHS THAT WE HAVE OWNED IT. IT NOW HAS 35,800 MILES AND THE WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE. WE HAVE MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY HAVE OFFERED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE DRIVE TRAIN AND CHARGE US A $50 DEDUCTIBLE EACH TIME THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRES SERVICE ON THIS SYSTEM.