2001 Ford Focus Complaint Log

I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2001 FORD FOCUS AND HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES AND I THINK THAT A PART THIS EXPENSIVE SHOULD LAST LONGER. I SEARCHED FOR OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOUND MANY FRUSTRATED FOCUS OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS PART SHOULD HAVE A LONGER WARRANTY. *AK

FRONT INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION IS RUSTING ONLY AFTER HAVING VEHICLE FOR TWO MONTHS. CONTACTED DEALER , AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE SUSPENSION IS TOTALLY RUSTY US IF IT HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO A SALT OR CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT. *YH

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND VEHICLE HITS A BUMP STEERING IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN. VEHICLE WANDERS UNEXPECTEDLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. SHOCKS AND TIRES WERE CHANGED TWICE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK

A CLUNKING WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM A STOP POSITION AND A GRINDING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

SERVERE BUCKING/JOLTING A STEADY SPEEDS, WHEN A/C IS TURNED ON, WHEN SLOWING DOWN, WHEN STOPPING, AND WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. RADIO TURNS OFF BY ITSELF, GETS LOUD BY ITSELF, AND SOMETIMES, YOU CAN'T TURN IT OFF. POPPING NOISES WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR.GRINDING NOISES AND KNOCKING NOISES WHEN DRIVING. CAR VIBRATE UNCONTROLABLY AT TIMES. WHEN INCREASING SPEEDS, CAR WANTS TO STALL OUT AND NOT SHIFT GEARS. ALMOST LOST CONTROL SERVAL TIMES BECAUSE OF JOLTING PROBLEM. FORD DOESN'T CARE, DOESN'T WANT TO FIX AND HAS REFUSED TO CONTACT US AFTER 2 CERTIFIED LETTERS WERE SENT.

A/C TENDS TO HAVE SMOKE AND VERY BAD SMELL COMING FROM VENTS, BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAL AND GRIND, VEHICLE DOESN'T ALWAYS WANT TO START, NO PICKUP OR STALLING WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHTS, ETC. ENGINE MAKES LOUD GRINDING NOICES, ENGINE ALSO MAKES LOUD REVING NOISES LIKE IT CAN'T GET INTO GEAR. FRONT PASSANGER SEATBELT TIGHTENS AND LOCKS FOR NO REASON. FORD MANUFACTOR NOTIFIED VIA CERTIFIED LETTER TWICE, NO CONTACT TO DATE. WALDORF FORD REFUSES TO FIX SAYING, "IF WE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, WE CAN'T FIX IT." BOTH REFUSE TO FIX ANYMORE. IN LAST YEAR IN SHOP 10 TIMES, FOR OVER 45 DAYS, AND NO RESOLUTION.*AK

THE FOCUS HAS A DANGEROUS AND ERRATIC HANDLING CHARACTERISTIC IN RAINY AND SNOWY WEATHER. THE CAR HAS A TENDANCY TO MAKE ABRUPT AND SUDDEN SIDEWAYS SLIDING MOTIONS, WHICH ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS HAVE NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED REAR END ALIGNMENT IS OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DRIFT.*AK

ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE HAD CUT OFF WHILE PARKED AND IDLING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS DUE TO ENGINE BEING BROKEN IN. *AK *SLC

CONSUMER STATES FUEL FILL DOOR SNAPPED OFF IN HIS HAND, DEALER STATES IT IS NOT A COVERED ITEM, AND TO REPLACE IT WILL COST OVER $100.00. *JB

AIC VALVE REPLACED 2 TIMES CAR SAME: THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED 1 INTERMTTENT PROBLEMS, STILL. THEY TOLD ME "THIS IS THE WAY IT IS" ITS DANGEROUS?

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH GAS PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OVER ACCELERATOR, THERE WAS A SOUND LIKE AN EXPLOSION IN GAS LINE. DEALER STATED EGR VALVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ALSO, NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 30 - 40 MPH ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ACCELERATING, BUT SPEED STAYED THE SAME. TO DEALER 5 TIMES, COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

ENGINE FLOODS AND STALLS AT IDLE OR IN MOTION. EMISSIONS LIGHT COMES ON WEN IT STALLS. OWNERS MANUAL STATES IF EMISSION LIGHT COMES ON, IT INDICATES THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS HOT AND CAN CAUSE A FIRE. VEHICLE DOESN'T START BACK UP ONCE IT STALLS, IT HAS TO BE TOWED. THERE IS A GASOLINE SMELL BEFORE IT STALLS. DEALER HAS TRIED TO REMEDY PROBLEM 6 TIMES. DEALER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED OF OTHER VEHICLES WITH SAME PROBLEM. DEALER REMOVED FUEL PUMP DRAINED IT AND CLEANED IT. DEALER HOOKED A COMPUTER TO VEHICLE SO CODE WOULD SHOW HOW TO REPAIR IT.*AK

WHEN PARKED IFO A HOUSE, WAS LISTENING TO STEREO, SHUT OFF STEREO AND LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED GAS PEDAL ON THE FLOOR. WENT DOWN TO LOOK AND THE CABLE HAD GONE THRU THE EYELET, INDICATING TO ME THAT THERE WAS A BREAK IN THE PEDAL CABLE. THE SHEATHING WAS PULLED BACK AND CABLE PULLED OUT FREELY AND WAS FRAYED AT THE END OF APPX. 18" FROM THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONFIG ON THIS DESIGN IS VERY POOR; THE CABLE HAS TWO 90 DEGREE TURNS IN IT ABOVE THE RADIATOR AND THE 90 DEGREE TURN CLOSEST TO THE THROTTLE BODY IS WHERE THE CABLE IS FRAYED AND SNAPPED APART.

THROTTLE CABLE APPEARS TO BE TOO LONG - CABLE HAS KINKED AND CAUSES CAR TO HESITATE ACCELERATION. WHEN THE CAR DOES ACCELERATE IT IS SUDDEN AND COULD BE DANGEROUS UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS (HEAVY TRAFFIC, ICE ON ROADWAY). IT APPEARS MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY CAR IN FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM - THE PART HAD TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEFT FRONT WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN SPEED DROPPED DOWN TO 30 MPH. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

VEHICLE SLIDES SIDEWAYS IN RAIN OR SNOW. RIMS ARE TOO WIDE FOR FACTORY SUPPLIED TIRES. PLEASE ADD FURTHER COMMENTS. GOODYEAR, EAGLE RS ,P195/60R15. *AK

MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS LOUD AND COARSE. GEAR CLATTER PROMINANT AT ALL SPEEDS. OCCASIONALLY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. *AK

NOISE IN LEFT FRONT. PEDAL PULSATION. DEALER TURNED ROTORS. NOISE DIDN'T LEAVE, PULSATION DID. 3K MILES NOISE STILL THERE, PEDAL PULSATION AGAIN. REPLACED ROTORS. NOISE DIDN'T STOP, PULSATION DID. 4.9K MILES NOISE AND PULSATION, DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND LEFT CALIPER. BOTH STOPPED. ADD'L 200 MILES, NOISE BEGAN. 6.7K MILES PULSATION IS BACK. DEALER SAYS PROBLEM NOT WITH CAR BUT WILL INVESTIGATE.*AK

INTOLERABLE WIND NOISE BEGINNING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH (WINDOWS ARE CLOSED). *AK

THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE ARE WARPED AND TREAD SEPARATION PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE TIRE. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

MY MOTHER HAS A FORD FOCUS ZTS 2001 AND SHE COMPLAINED ABOUT GOING AROUND TURNS THE CAR WOULD STOP WORKING EVEN GETTING ON THE ON RAMP OF A HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE DOESN'T WORK...I CAN SAY THAT I DRIVE SPIRITED BUT THIS IS MY MOTHERS VEHICLE AND I VALUE HER A LOT. I ALSO HAVE A FORD FOCUS ZX3 2002 NO SUCH PROBLEMS. I JUST WANT FORD TO FIX IT BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENS TO A FAMILY MEMBER OR EVEN SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE IS MORE VALUABLE THAN A PART PLEASE I PLEAD WITH YOU THAT YOU HAVE FORD DO A RECALL... *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON STEPPING ON THE BRAKES FRONT WHEELS MOVED BACK THREE TO FOUR INCHES. THE BUSHINGS WERE TOO SMALL. UPON TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT ONE COULD SEE THE FRONT WHEELS MOVING BACK. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FIFTEEN TIMES. DEALER PUT REPLACEMENT PARTS FIVE TIMES. TIRES HAD TO BE CHANGED BETWEEN TEN TO THIRTEEN THOUSAND MILES, AND TIRES WERE UNDER WARRANTY FOR 30000 MILES. ALSO, IGNITION SWITCH HAD BEEN CHANGED TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A ROARING AND GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS, DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL CAP WAS LOOSE AND NOT FULLY INSTALLED WHICH CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT TO COME ON, FRONT AND REAR BRAKES ARE NOISY UPON APPLICATION AND THERE IS A VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. *YD

THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON EXACTLY 1 WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT WAS RETURNED TO ME 2 DAYS LATER AND 1 WEEK AFTER THAT THE LIGHT CAME ON. BOTH TIMES THE CAR STOPPED CUT OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THE MAIN COMPUTER. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2001 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND I RETURNED AGAIN IN ANOTHER WEEK SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS A LEAK AROUND THE SEAL ON THE GAS TANK. THEY RETURNED IT TO ME. IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH, I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN (THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR CUTS OFF). AGAIN THEY SAID IT WAS THE MAIN COMPUTER AND THEY REPLACED IT AND RETURNED IT TO ME. I HAVE TALKED TO A FORD REP AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND EVEN OFFERED TO SELL ME ANOTHER ONE! THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST FORD!

BRAKES & SWITCH DONE - 2 VIN'S- MANY REPORTS TO NHTSA - NO FORMS/RESPONSE OR ACTION. INOPERABLE.IMPOUNDED. *AK

WHEN ACCELLERATING FAST EITHER FROM STOP OR WHILE SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR...ENGINE MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID TO BE A MOTOR MOUNT. HE SAID IT WASNT STIFF ENOUGH, BUT THAT NEW ONES WOULD ELICIT SAME OCCCURRANCE. CAR DOES NOT HAVE TO BE DRIVEN HARD TO GET CLUNKING SOUND. DISSATISFIED WITH REACTION AND LACK OF ACTION.*AK

WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY SAID THEY PROGRAMMED THE AUT. DOOR LOCKS. THERE WERE NONE. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE OR LEAVE IT. THE DOOR CLIP IS BROKEN, TAPES ARE CHEWED, BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED ON HWY.,COMPLAINED OF BRAKES @5K MILES - DOWN TO ROTOR -THEY SAID IT WILL BE EVERY 15K MILES. "NOT OUR PROLEM." THIS CAR IS A DANGEROUS LEMON. I DON'T WANT TO DIE! FAN BELT IS LOOSE/NEEDS REEPLACEMENT. MY WARRANTY IS UP SOON. I WANTED WHAT I PAID FOR -SAFETY, AND HAVE A "DEATH TRAP". FORD SAYS "WE CANNOT LOSE ANY MONEY" TO ME. I INFORMEDD MY INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE I AM AFRAID, AND DO NOT WISH TO BE BLAMED FOR FORD'S POOR QUALITY WORKMANSHIP. EXACT DATES CAN BE FOUND. *AK (TIRESIZE: 185/65R14) (TIRESIZE: 185/65R14)

BACK WINDOW APPARENTLY SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE PARKED IN THE SUN.*AK

DASH LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES THEN QUIT

PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBELT WILL GO INSIDE OF RETRACTOR, AND SEAT BELT WILL NOT COME BACK OUT.*AK

TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO PARK.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

I BOUGHT THE CAR DROVE IT OFF THE LOT ABOUT 3 HOURS I HAD TO GET IT TOWED. THE DEALER GOT IT BACK FOR 6 MONTHS AN FINALLY I GOT IT BACK. NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING. BATTERY CABLES HAVE DAMAGE. CRANKS BUT WON'T START.

I BOUGHT MY 2001 FORD FOCUS 4 MONTHS AGO AND I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER BECAUSE THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. AFTER RESEARCH, I AM SEEING THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY CAR. MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS COMPONENT 3 OR 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. I DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUOUSLY HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEPENDABLE. *NM

WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC 2001 FORD FOCUS STALLED.*MR (NAR) DEFECTIVE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE. *CB

THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER IT BROKE. *PH (NAR) THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN AND ENCLOSED IS A COPY OF THE SAFETY RECALL ISSUED IN REGARDS TO THE STEERING COLUMN. *CB

SINCE THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE EXPIRED, CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY A SERVICE FEE TO GET THE ENGINE STALLING RECALL PERFORMED. (NAR) *PH *CB

BOTH SPRINGS FAILED IN THE CONSUEMR'S 2001 FORD FOCUS. *BF

2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER BROKE, PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE EQUIPMENT, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SWAY BAR BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*MR THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE STEEL BELTS WERE SHOWING THROUGH THE FRONT TIRES AT 54000 MILES. THE SENSOR WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATED WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE BATTERY, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND FUEL PUMP ALSO FAILED. *NM

2001 FORD FOCUS WORE THROUGH AN AIR CONDITIONING HOSE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONING HOSE WAS DESIGNED POORLY. IT HANGS DOWN BETWEEN THE FRONT TIRES AND IF THE TIRES COME UP AGAINST A CURB, IT SMASHES THE HOSE INTO THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY. NOT ONLY THAT, IF THE HOSE BREAKS, IT LEAKS OIL AND THEN A BELT HAS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

2001 FOCUS FAULTY FDM WAS REPLACED. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO HESITATE, SURGE, STUTTER, AND LOSE POWER DURING ACCELERATION. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, BUT WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED HIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE EXACT PLANT THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

2001 FORD FOCUS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER ARE BAD AN NEEDS TO BE RECALLED**CC AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE IN LATE SUMMER OF 2004, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS IN MARCH 2007 THE PUMP WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED TO THE PROBLEM AS A SAFETY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ISSUE NOT A RECALL.*JB UPDATED 06/26/07. *JB

2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION DOES NOT TURN. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER TOLD HER IT WOULD COST AROUND $350 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEN THE PROBLEM MIGHT RETURN. SHE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF NHTSA HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS. *KB

2001 FORD FOCUS WITH VARIOUS DEFECTS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD WORK DONE NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS LISTED IN THE RECALLS BUT HER VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL. SHE WOULD LIKE FORD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE.*KB

2001 FORD FOCUS RECALL FOR FAULTY FUEL PUMP. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL, BUT THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE 95.00 JUST TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE TEST WOULD ONLY DETECT A FAULTY FUEL PUMP WHEN IT WAS IN FAILURE MODE. THE TEST WOULD NOT REVEAL A PROBLEM SINCE THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ON THE ROAD AND ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. *JB UPDATED 04/20/10 THE CONSUMER STATED FOR YEARS HIS DAUGHTER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING. UPDATED 05/07/10.*JB

ENGINE EXPERIENCING SEVERAL PROBLEMS, VEHICLE IS STALLING AND THEN NOT STARTING, OIL IS LEAKING, THE ENGINE RACES, AND VEHICLE RUNS HARD. *SLC

STABILIZER BAR BROKE, AND THE DEALER BOLTED IT BACK. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE RODE ROUGH, AND VEERED FROM SIDE TO SIDE.*AK

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 2001, FORD FOCUS. P195/60R15 SIZE. TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES HAS STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM BASE OF TIRES. FORD DEALER HAS INSPECTED TIRES. *AK CONSUMER HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED. *SLC

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL OUT FOR NO REASON IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. PROBLEM OF STALLING COULD HAPPEN WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN. WHENEVER TRYING TO RESTART VEHCLE, IT WOULD BE FLOODED. NOT ABLE TO RESTART AFTER 24 HRS. LATER, PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED 7 TIMES AFTER STALLING. AT DEALERSHIP MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF STALLING. WAS EVEN TEST DRIVEN, BUT STALLING DID NOT OCCUR.*AK