2000 Ford Focus Complaint Log

DAUGHTER'S FORD FOCUS STARTED SPEWING SMOKE VIA THE HEATING VENTS. THEN SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HOOD WAS OPENED AND SMOKE AND FIRE WAS COMING OUT FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE BEHIND BATTERY. I CAN SAY THAT FORD NOR THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HERE IN CLARKSVILLE, TN HAVE DONE A [XXX] THING TO HELP. STATE FARM INSURANCE SENT A SUBROGATION CLAIM TO FORD SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING. I BEGGED JENKINS AND WYNN (DEALERSHIP) TO ALLOW US TO TRADE THE CAR BACK IN FOR A DECENT CAR....THEY REFUSED. THEY KNOW WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP THE CAR IS. I ACTUALLY LEFT THE CAR ON THEIR DOORSTEP WITH THE KEY AND TOLD THEM I DID NOT WANT THE CAR...FOR ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS. NO HELP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

BAD BRAKES, LEAKING TRANSMISSION X 2 REPAIRS, NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBS, ONE "ACCIDENT", DAMAGE REPAIRED AT FORD EXPENSE, BAD TIRE, NOISE FROM FRONT RT SIDE, "SURGE" PROB, CAR SEEMED TO "STICK" IN A GEAR. I DON'T HAVE MY FILE WITH ME BUT I KNOW THERE IS MORE.

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL THEN BACK INTO GEAR WHEN BACKING UP THE CAR IT GRINDS THE NON-DRIVERS SIDE FLOODS EVERYTIME IT RAINS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NO GOOD BOTH BACK DOORS MAKE LOUD NOISES WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THERE ARE DENTS ON THE NON-DRIVERS SIDE BELOW THE DOORS ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN DRIVING CAR SOMETIMES JUMPS INTO GEAR.. (SCARY) AND OTHERS I ASKED THE CAR DEALER BEFORE BUYING THE CAR IF THIS CAR HAD BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS.. HE SAID.. MICHELE, WE DO NOT SELL CARS THAT HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENT. AFTER SOME OF THESE PROBLEM HAD OCCURED I CHECKED THE VIN# AND IT SAID THAT THIS CAR HAD ATLEAST 12 PROBLEMS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT

MY FOCUS (MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 1999) HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH RUSTING PAINT. THE FIRST, REPORTED IN JULY WAS COVERED UNDER THE 36K BUMPER-2-BUMPER WARRANTY. THE LATEST (REPORTED JANUARY '03), WILL NOT BE. MY ZTS SEDAN IS RUSTING ON THE REAR TWO DOORS ON THE INSIDE ABOUT 1 1/2 INCHES UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR (WHERE THE METAL IS CRIMPED). WITH LESS THAN 3-4LBS OF FORCE, I CAN TAKE OFF PORTIONS OF METAL. THIS IS NOT GOOD BUSINESS OR ENGINEERING! IN TWO YEARS, I WILL HAVE A HOLE IN MY DOOR AND I WILL BE SENDING FORD THE REPAIR BILL AND IT WILL BE PAID FOR BY FORD.

IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, MY POWER LOCKS STOPED WORKING SO I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE FORD SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE LATCH ASSEMBLY, HANDLE, CABLE, AND FUSE IN THE BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR. $350 ALL TOGETHER. THE LOCKS WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS WHEN THEY SUDDENLY WENT OUT AGAIN. AT THAT TIME I COULDN'T OPEN THE BACK DOOR AT ALL. NOT EVEN MANUALLY. I LIVED WITH IT FOR A WHILE BUT THEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DID THE SAME THING SO WITH ONLY TWO DOORS OPENING, I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE FORD SHOP. THEY FIXED THE BACK DOOR AGAIN FOR FREE SINCE THE PREVIOUS WORK WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE FRONT DOOR HOWEVER NEEDED THE SAME AS THE BACK AND THE TRUNK BUTTON ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE QUOTE WAS FOR $475. I COULDN'T AFFORD THAT AT THE TIME AND DECIDED TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER. IN THE MEANTIME, THE WINDOW ON THE SAME BACK DOOR SUDDENLY FELL INTO THE DOOR AND HAD TO BE HELD UP WITH SOME FOLDED PAPER UNTIL I COULD BRING IT IN. THE QUOTE FOR THE FRONT DOOR AS WELL AS THE WINDOW WAS OVER $700.00! THEY SAID THE REGULATOR BROKE SO THE WINDOW WOULDN'T STAY UP. APPARENTLY THAT IS IN SOME OTHER PART OF THE DOOR BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING THEY DID EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD TAKEN THAT DOOR APART 2 PREVIOUS TIMES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I GOT THE FRONT DOOR FIXED AND THE WINDOW IS STILL BEING HELD UP WITH PAPER! I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY FOCUS AND AM ANXIOUS TO TRADE IT IN. I AM WORRIED HOWEVER, THAT SOMETHING ELSE WILL HAPPEN BEFORE I GET THE CHANCE! THE DEALERSHIP EVEN OFFERED TO LET ME TRADE IN THE CAR WITHOUT FIXING IT- NOT FOR THE PAYOFF AMOUNT- IF I GOT ANOTHER FORD. AT THIS POINT I AM HESSITANT ABOUT PURCHASING ANOTHER CAR FROM FORD. IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR FORD FOCUS, I ENCOURAGE THEM TO WRITE A COMPLAINT.

I STARTED TO REPLACE TIRES AS EARLY AS 5,000 MILES JUST ABOUT 7 TIMES BY NOW. REPLACED IGNITION 5/03 FOR $667.00 THE KEY WOULD GO IN AND WOULDN'T TURN. SPRING COIL DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE WHILE IN TRAFFIC REPLACED 4/03 FOR $158.50. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETLY GONE THE CAR WOULD NOT BACK UP. PLEASE HELP ME, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT PAUL CLARK IS SO POOR THAT I WOULD NOT GO THERE ANYMORE.

I AM THE ORIGINAL AND CURRENT OWNER OF A 2000 FORD FOCUS SE. WHENEVER I EXIT THE FREEWAY AND THE EXIT IS A CURVE, MY ENGINE FAILS. SOMETIMES, WHEN I AM ON THE FREEWAY PROCEEDING IN A LINEAR FASHION, MY ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FAIL.*AK

THE FRONT AND BACK FLOORS WERE FLOODED, THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH 86,500 MI. AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS SHOT. HOW CAN THIS BE ON A 2000 CAR?

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

FORD FOCUS SE YEAR 2000; PURCHASED NOV 1999; SINCE 1999 I'VE HAD 10 OR 11 RECALLS; A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED; NOW MY CAR PERIODLY WILL NOT START, I HAVE PUT THE CAR IN THE SHOP FROM JAN 2003 TO OCT 2003 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM; DEARLER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM THEY GIVE ME A NEW BATTERY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM; HOWEVER I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM; I JUST RECENTLY GOT THE CAR OUT OCT 24 THEN ON OCT 26 STRANDED AGAIN 30 MILES FROM MY HOUSE WITH A 11 MONTH OLD BABY; CAR WOULD NOT START. ITS BACK IN THE SHOP AGAIN ON OCT 27. MILAGE ON THE CAR IS A LITTLE OVER 73,000 MILES MY WARRENTY EXPIRES 75000. IS THEIR A LEMON LAW THIS WOULD FALL UNDER. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH MY BABY. I STILL OWE ON THE CAR. WHAT CAN I DO TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM?*AK

CONSUMER WAS HIT AT 35MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS CAUSE CONSUMER TO SUBSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH

CAR CONTINUES TO SHAKE NOT ABLE TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY

LOSS OF POWER. OCCURS AFTER THE FOLLOWING COMBINATION OF CONDITIONS: 1. FUEL LEVEL BELOW 1/4 TANK 2. ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY WITH CIRCULAR APPROACH (RAMP) GOING CLOCKWISE. 3. VEHICLE SPEED ON CIRCULAR RAMP ABOVE 30 MPH. VEHICLE LOSES POWER UPON ENTERING HIGHWAY. PRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL GIVES ERRATIC RESULTS. VEHICLE WILL RESET AND OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN PULLED OFF ON SHOULDER AND VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN.

2000 FORD FOCUS, RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE

SEVERE HESITATION PROBLEMS ON SEVERAL OCCATIONS AS I WAS ACCELERATING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SAME PROBLEM. JANUARY 2003 THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP $440. MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 48,000. I WAS HAVING THE HESTIATION DIFFICULTIES DURING THE WARRENTY PERIOD.

NHTSA#11813-00-V-303-000 REAR WHEEL HUB RETAINING NUTS CAN LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AND BRAKE DRUM ASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE: CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

CONSUMER STATED THAT DURING INSPECTION, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ABOUT RELATED RECALL 00V303000. MFR ADVISED CONSUMER'S V.I.N. DOES NOT FALL WITHIN MANUFACTURING DATE RANGE OF 3/5/99-5/5/00. CONSUMER ADVISED THAT CERTIFICATION LABEL STATES VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 09/99. TS

THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE.*JB

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ENGINE SOMETIMES STALLS OR HESITATES DURING ACCELERATION WHEN MY FUEL TANK IS ABOUT ONE-QUARTER FULL. IT BEHAVES LIKE IT'S OUT OF GAS, BUT I KNOW IT'S NOT. IT HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 20 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. TO THE POINT WHERE I NEVER ALLOW MY TANK TO GET NEAR THE 1/4 FULL MARK. *LA

I'M LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING, WORSE WHILE MAKING TURNS. IT OCCASIONALLY STALLS OUT, MOSTLY WHILE MAKING HARD RIGHT TURNS. I TALKED WITH SOMEONE IN THE SERVICE DEPT. OF A FORD DEALERSHIP AND SHE SAYS IT'S THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WILL COST $480. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THEM. I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY FOCUS OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD IS AWARE OF IT, BUT STILL THEY HAVE MADE NO RECALLS. *JB

LOSS OF POWER, STALLING WHEN FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN ONE QUARTER FULL. ACCORDING TO FORD SERVICE EMPLOYEE THIS RESULTS FROM PROBLEMS WITH EITHER FUEL PUMP OR FUEL FILTER(DUE TO BUILD UP OF SLUDGE AND/OR DEBRIS IN FUEL TANK. *JB

PROBLEM EQUAL TO: INVESTIGATION: EA02-022, PE02-040 MODEL YEAR: 2000-02 SUBJECT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM -ENGINE STALLS ON MY FORD FOCUS 2000.

THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED IN PLACE IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, IN FACT, THEY TOLD ME WHAT KIND OF CAR I HAD BEFORE I TOLD THEM, AND THEY SAID THEY NO LONGER COME OUT ON THAT DEFECT. THEY SAID THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS AND THEY HAD MANY CALLS ON THE FORD FOCUS . I AM JUST OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD WHICH IS 36000. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS MY FAULT. I FEEL IT IS A DEFECT WITH THE PRODUCT. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS FOR WHICH FORD REFUSES TO OWN UP TO, AND I FEEL THE PUBLIC IS BEING SHAMMED WITH THEIR CLAIMS THAT THIS IS THE #1 CAR THEY SELL. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND I AM STUCK WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO MOVE MY CAR. HOW COULD I EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN, I FEEL THIS IS A FORD PROBLEM, I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY (NOTE: THIS HAPPENED JAN 6, 2003, BUT YOUR SITE ONLY GOES TO 2002, THEREFORE, I HAD TO USE DEC 31, OTHERWISE I COULD NOT CONTINUE).

THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY CAR IS NOT WORKING. IF IT HAS TO BE REPLACED, IT WILL BE THE THIRD TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. WHICH WAS IN FEBUARY OF 2002. IF A LOCKSMITH SHOP CAN REPAIR THE PROBLEM, WHY IS IT THAT A FORD DEALERSHIP CAN'T?

I BOUGHT MY FORD FOCUS 2000, BRAND NEW IN JULY OF 2000. SINCE THEN, I'VE HAD THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED TWICE, THE REAR DOOR STOPPED LATCHING AND I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER WITH MY SON HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT, MY ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND STILL THE LIGHTS GET DIM WHEN I TURN ON THE HEATER, THE PLASTIC AND RUBBER DOOR MOLDING STARTED COMING LOOSE AND FALLING OFF RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE BRAKES HAVE NEVER STOPPED SQUEALING, AND NOW MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND IT WON'T COME OUT. EVERY TIME I TAKE MY CAR TO A DEALER, THEY ALWAYS SAY THE SAME THING "OH, THAT IS COMMON WITH THE FORD FOCUS". AFTER READING ALL OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY THESE PROBLEMS ARE COMMON WITH THE FORD FOCUS. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE MANY MORE BECAUSE SO FAR THE TRACK RECORD FOR THE FORD FOCUS IS EXTREMELY POOR. AFTER READING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, I HOPE FORD IS FORCED INTO RECALLING THE IGNITION CYNLINDER OR SWITCH WHICHEVER IS TO BLAME FOR THE KEY TO BECOMING STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE WHEEL NOT LOCKING WHILE THE CAR IS IN PARK. TS

WENT TO NE FROM MN FOR XMAS. PARKED FOCUS IN PARKING GARAGE. CAME OUT ON XMAS EVE; PUT KEY IN IGNITION, WOULD NOT TURN. WHEN TRYING TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN; LOCKED UP. CALLED FORD MOTOR AND NONE OF THEIR SUGGESTIONS WORKED. HAD TO HAVE FOCUS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER TO REPAIR AND REKEY IGNITION CYLINDER. TOTAL COST $260+ (WHICH IS LOW FROM WHAT I HEAR). TOW DRIVER MENTIONED SOMETHING VERY FISHY,"I'VE TOWED MORE THAN 12 FOCUS'S AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAD THIS SAME IGNITION/KEY PROBLEM... ...FORD WONT RECALL UNTIL THIS IGNITION/KEY PROBLEM BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN SOMEONE FREEZES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE THEY CANNOT START THEIR CAR." INTERESTING. FORD MUST BE REQUIRED TO RECAL FOR THIS PROBLEM. ITS A TRAP FOR DEALERS TO MAKE MONEY OFF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FOLLOW UP!

ON WINDING TURNS AND HILLS CAR WOULD ACT AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS, ESPECIALLY IF TANK FELL BELOW HALF. CAR STALL ON ONE OCCASSIONS BUT ON OTHERS I TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND MANAGED TO RECOVER POWER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER AND PUMP (WITH THE EXPLANATION THAT IT WAS FAILING UNDER HEAVY LOAD). WHILE THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REPEATED ITSELF, THE CAR FEELS MORE SLUGGISH THAN IT USED TO. I ALSO TRY TO KEEP THE TANK ABOVE HALF FULL, AS SEVERAL SITES HAVE RECOMMENDED.

CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR BRAKE CYLINDER IS LEAKING FLUID. THE BRAKE PADS HAVE LARGE METAL DEPOSITS IN THEM AND THE FRONT ROTORS ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY AND NOT ABLE TO BE TURNED BECAUSE THE ARE UNDER SPECIFICATIONS. TS

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED FOR $300. I'VE SEEN THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT NUMBER WITH THE HOPE THAT FORD WILL RECALL AND REIMBURSE ME.

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 15MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A ACCIDENT. TS

VEHICLE STALLED FOR 3-5 SECONDS IN A RIGHT HAND CURVE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR OTHER INDICATORS. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS AND WANT TO CHARGE ME TO CHECK THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR. CAR HAS ALSO STALLED AND DIED WHEN APPROACHING STOP LIGHTS BUT RESTARTED FIRST TRY. BRAKES ALSO MAKE A LOUD HIGH PITCH SQUEAL AT ALL TIMES. I AM CONTACTING FORD FOR ASSISTANCE. WE WILL SEE HOW FAR I GET. TS

PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION SWITCH. HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION CYLINDER. 8NLM

CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH FORD 200 FOCUS ZTS. BEARINGS, ELECTIRCAL SYSTEM, BRAKE AND PAINT ISSUES AMONG OTHERS.

THIS IS A COPY OF THE LETTER I SENT TO FORD PRESTIGE FORD GARLAND TX ATTN: [XXX] DEAR [XXX] RE: FORD FOCUS 2000 VEHICLE ID# [XXX] I BECAME A CUSTOMER OF PRESTIGE FORD 5 YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT MY 98 ESCORT. I WAS PLEASED WITH THE CAR, NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITHIN THE 2 YEARS I HAD IT ONLY THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. FEB 28TH 2000 I MADE THE STUPIDEST DECISION IN MY LIFE TO TRADE IT FOR A BRAND NEW FOCUS 2000 -I WAS IMPRESSED OF THE REVIEWS OF BEING THE EUROPEAN CAR OF THE YEAR IN 1999. WELL DURING THIS 3 YEARS I HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE AND I JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL. I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER HOW MANY TIMES I'VE TAKEN MY CAR BACK TO FORD FOR SAFETY RECALLS DURING THE LAST 3 YEARS. IN 3 YEARS I HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES 3 TIMES (THAT'S ACTUALLY ONCE A YEAR) REPLACE ROTORS TWICE SOMETHING GOT MESSED UP LAST AUGUST WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE STARTER I HAD TO HAVE THAT FIXED. THERE'S ALWAYS NOISE WITH THE BRAKES, I ASKED SEVERAL TIMES AND ALL YOUR STAFF OR THE ONE ON 75 CAN TELL ME IS A "KNOWN PROBLEM" FIRST IT WAS "METAL BRAKES" NO PROBLEM THAT'S NORMAL AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS YOU CHANGED IT TO A "KNOWN PROBLEM"??? I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW MY DISAPPOINTMENT ABOUT THIS STUPID CAR, I SURE DID MADE A BIG MISTAKE WHEN I DECIDED TO BUY IT. ALSO I BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THAT REALLY SEEMS NOT TO BE A BIG BENEFIT SINCE IT HASN'T HELPED A BIT, I STILL HAD TO PAY FOR ALL THIS REPAIRS. AS FAR AS I KNOW THIS ARE THE KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, SO TELL ME AM I SUPPOSED TO BE A HAPPY CAMPER?? I'M A SINGLE MOTHER, I MAKE MY PAYMENTS ON TIME, I DON'T HAVE THE TIME AND THE MONEY TO KEEP SPENDING IN A CAR THAT WILL BE PAID OFF IN A COUPLE OF YEARS AND THEN I WILL BE LEFT WITH A BIG PEACE OF JUNK. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN I CAN TAKE MY CAR TO GET FIXED AGAIN. VERY UNHAPPY CUSTOMER [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE MAIN CONCERN I HAVE IS THAT I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN 4 TIMES NOW FOR REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. MY OTHER ISSUE IS THAT WHEN THE ACTUATOR IN THE REAR DRIVERS DOOR WENT OUT THAT ALL THE LOCKS AND WINDOWS FREEZE UP IN THE LOCKED POSITION IT THAT IS WHERE THEY WERE AT WHEN IT DIES. NOT THE KEY, MANUALLY OR REMOTE WILL WOR. THIS TO ME IS A SAFTEY ISSUE, YOU COULD POTENTIALLY BE LOCKED INTO YOUR VEHICLE WITH NO WAY OUT.

I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR; THE BACK TIRES WERE UNCONTROLLABLE, I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL BECAUSE OF THIS GREAT SHAKING/SWAYING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND ASKEW. BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE, MY CAR ROLLED TWICE DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND I RECEIVED A QUITE SUBSTANTIAL BURN ON MY LEFT WRIST.

I LEASED A 2000 FORD FOCUS FEBRUARY 16, 2002 THINKING THAT THIS WAS A GOOD INVESTMENT. I WAS WRONG. I HAVE HAD 3 RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND YES FORD FIXED THEM FOR FREE. NOW MY KEY IS STUCK IN MY IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT NOR TURN TO START THE CAR. I DO NOT HAVE $500 TO FIX THE VEHICLE AS I AM A SINGLE PARENT BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET. I WAS TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED, THEREFORE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE EXPENSE. I DO NOT HAVE A CAR AND BECAUSE OF THIS, I WAS FORCED TO LEAVE MY JOB. I ALSO HAVE TO FIND A RIDE FOR MY 4 YEAR OLD SON TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY. BAD INVESTMENT, I THINK SO.

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. IT'S BEEN IN 6 TIMES FOR EXCESSIVE BRAKE NOISE AND OR SQUEALING. THE DOOR HINGES WERE SQUEEKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MISALIGNMENT..IT TOOK 5 TIMES TO DETERMINE THIS. WEATHER STRIP MOLDING HAS BEEN REPLACED DUE TO FALLING APART AROUND THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CD PLAYER/STEREO WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW FACTORY MODEL WHEN CD PLAYER WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE "NEW" MODEL WAS REPLACED YET AGAIN DUE TO CODING SEEN AND NO NUMBERS IN THE WINDOW DIGITAL AREA. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AFTER STALLING MORE THAN 50 MILES FROM HOME...STILL DOES NOT RUN UP TO PERFORMANCE. FUEL AREA REWORKED AGAIN. WOULD NOT START DUE TO BATTERY CABLE. FORD NEEDS TO DISCONTINUE THIS MODEL UNTIL THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEMS IT HAS WITH IT. THEY ALSO NEED TO GET ALL FOCUS MODELS OFF THE ROAD, THEY ARE SAFETY HAZZARDS.

THE IGNITION SWITCH BROKE. THE KEY WOULD ONLY GO IN HALF WAY. THIS HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN, NO WARNING. WE DROVE THE CAR TO MY WIFES APARTMENT AT SCHOOL TO CHANGE FOR OUR DAUGHTERS PRE-GRADUATION DINNER AND WHEN WE WENT BACK OUT TO LEAVE THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION. THIS WAS ON A FRIDAY NIGHT AND GRADUATION WAS THE NEXT DAY AT 10:30. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL MARQUETTE, FORD DEALER CROWN MOTORS AND THEY HAD TO TOW THE CAR IN. THE CAR WAS LOCKED IN PARK AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. WE WERE NOT THERE WHEN THEY TOWED IT AWAY BUT MY WIFE WAS STUCK IN MARQUETTE UNTIL THE FOLLOWING THURSDAY WAITING TO GET THE IGNITION REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID THEY HAD TO DRILL OUT THE OLD SWITCH TO REMOVE IT. THE NEW SWITCH WAS CODED TO OUR OLD KEY SO THAT WAS GOOD AND THE CROWN FORD DEALER WAS VERY NICE AND ACCOMODATING TO MY WIFE. WE WERE TOLD WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM BESSEMER AUTO THAT THIS WAS A "PROGRAM CAR" BUT FOUND OUT THROUGH THE INTERNET THAT IT WAS A RENTAL CAR. I DON\\'T THINK A RENTAL CAR IS THE SAME AS A PROGRAM CAR. I AM 67 YEARS OLD AND HAVE OWNED MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD AN IGNITION SWITCH BREAK TO THE POINT THE KEY WOULD NOT GO IN. AT 37000 MILES NOT GOOD DEPENDABILITY. MY JEEP HAS 143,000 AND THE IGNITION WORKS FINE AND I STOP AND START A LOT. I AM ALMOST AFRAID TO KNOW ANY MORE ABOUT THE FOCUS PROBLEMS. MY WIFE REALLY LOVES THIS CAR BUT IS NOW VERY UNSURE OF ITS DEPENDABILITY. SHE DRIVES HOME FROM SCHOOL AT NIGHT SOMETIMES AND STOPS AT A VERY REMOTE STATION FOR A BREAK AND TEA. HAD THIS HAPPENED THERE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A REAL FIX SINCE THE CLOSEST DEALER EITHER WAY IS 80 MILES.

CURRENT MALFUNCTION IS HESITATION AND ENGINE STALL AND BRAKE FAILURE. MY CAR IS ALMOST 2 YEARS OLD AND WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING MALFUNCTIONS: WINDSHIELD WIPER, AIR CONDITION, ELECTRIC WINDOW, BRAKES, STRUTS, RUSTED ROTOR, IGNITION SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SHORTS(FLASHING DASH), ENGINE HESITATION/STALL, BLOWN FUSES WHERE CAR WOULD NOT START.

CAR HAS HAD THE BRAKES SERVICED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES AND THE CAR IS STALLING DURING ACCELERATION. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOPS FOR SEVERAL RECALLS AS WELL AS TWICE FOR IGNITION LOCK FAILURE. ONE OF OUR CHILDREN WAS TRAPPED IN REAR SEAT BY DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT & HAD TO BE CUT OUT WITH A KNIFE. CAR STALLS AFTER IT WARMS UP. DEALER SAYS IT'S FUEL PUMP BUT IF THAT WERE SO, WOULDN'T IT STALL WAARM OR COLD. I SPOKE TO AN EMPLOYEE AT ANOTHER DEALER WHO SAID FORD WAS FINDING PROBLEMS WITH SENSOR CONNECTED WITH COOLING SYSTEM. WHO DO I BELIEVE? THEY WANT TO CHARGE US $700 TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP THAT PROBABLY WORKS FINE.

MY COMPLAINT IS ALL THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD WITH THE FOCUS. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS AND WORK DONE FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT COLLAPSING, WIRING HARNESS REPLACED, BEARINGS IN FRONT, AND REAR, BRAKE ASSEMBLY, SWAY BAR, AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 SETS OF TIRES, AND LINE UP 3 TIMES BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT MAKE GOOD AND THE CAR EATS TIRES. NOW WE HAVE 52,000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND A PIN HAS COME LOOSE AND GONE THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION, AND CASE. ALTOUGH THE DEALER HAS BEEN VERY GOOD, WE BOUGHT A NEW CAR SO WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS HASSLE, AND THAT IS ALL WE HAVE HAD.

THE IGNITION SWITCH FROZE UP. MECHANIC COULD NOT REMOVE THE CYLINDER TO REPLACE. HE HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. IT WAS 17 DEGREES OUTSIDE AT THE TIME AND HAD TO WAIT 2 HOURS FOR HELP. LUCKILY I HAD A CELL PHONE. KNOCK ON WOOD, I HAVE BEEN VERY SATISFIED THE THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS HORRIBLE. THEY MAKE NOISES ALL THE TIME. I HAVE REPLACED THE CYLINDERS AND THE SHOES AND IT STILL DOES NOT SOUND RIGHT. THE SUSPENSION IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACING, BUT I CAN NOT AFFORD IT. I AM A TEACHER. CRUISE CONTROL HAS GONE BAD, BECAUSE OF A FAULTY WIRE.

I TRIED TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. IT WOULD NOT GO IN. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MARSHALL FORD IN MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OHIO FROM CLEVELAND HEIGHTS AT A COST OF $60.00. MARSHALL FORD SAID THE PLACE THE KEY SHOULD GO IN WAS CRACKED. THEY DRILLED OUT THE IGNITION AND INSTALLED A NEW CYLINDER. CLEANED UP CHIPS. AT A COST OF $267.00? I FEEL THIS WAS A DEFINITE DEFECT IN THIS CAR AND AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP IN HAVING FORD COVER THIS COST.

MY RADIO HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE AS IT WENT ON OR STAYED OFF DESPITE WHAT I DID. THE FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT ALSO MALFUNCTIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME IT MALFUNCTIONS THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. COUNT ME IN AS ANOTHER PERSON WHO WILL NEVER AGAIN RISKY BUYING AN AMERICAN CAR AND CERTAINLY NOT A FORD.

LOUD NOISE COMING FROM REAR WHEELS, DEALER SERVICE CENTER DIAGNOSED AS BAD REAR BEARINGS. NOT COVERED BY WARANTEE OR RECALL, SIMILAR TO: INVESTIGATION: PE02-016 MODEL YEAR: 2000 SUBJECT: REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE -REAR WHEEL BEARINGS MAY FAIL, CAUSING REAR WHEEL TO LOOSEN AND SEPARATE FROM VEHICLE.

FUEL PUMP