NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford Focus. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT GEARS DOWN VERY HARD AND JERKS. THE POWER SHUTS DOWN AND THE ILLUMINATION OF THE DASH BOARD GETS VERY DIM. TOOK TO DEALER, PROBLEM STILL EXIST. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING. *NLM
THE ENGINE MISSED USUALLY MILDLY, BUT SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY AS TO SHAKE VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES STALL, ALSO THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RAW GAS SMELL, SUSPENSION, BRAKE,TRANSMISSION AND TIRE PROBLEMS.*AK. CONSUMER ALSO NOTED THE REAR HATCH POPPED OPEN BY ITSELF.*JB
THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A LOW MILEAGE. *JB
THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *JB
THE REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO CAVE IN. *NLM
ALL FUNCTIONS ON THE DASH BOARD FAILED, AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE A GROUND WIRE. *JB
THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BUCK/HESITATE. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE OVER AND DECIDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB
THE BATTERY CABLES MAY BE MISROUTED/ DEFECTIVE PINCH BOLT. MR. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE BATTERY CABLE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO FIND TRANSPORTATION BACK AND FOURTH TO THE DEALER. SCC *JB
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FOUND WORN ON THE INSIDE ALONG WITH AN EXPOSED WIRE. (THESE TWO TIRES WERE NOT OF THE SAME MANUFACTURER) OTHER PROBLEM WERE AS FOLLOWED: THE BUTTON ON THE CASSETTE PLAYER HAD BROKEN, THE ADJUSTER BUTTON FOR THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD POPPED OFF, WHILE DRIVING THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED IN/OUT OF OVER DRIVE (TRANSMISSION PROBLEM-PER MECHANIC), THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, THERE WERE NO FUSES IN THE WIRES UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, TRUNK LOCK POPPED OFF, A/C BUTTON LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON WHEN THE HEAT WAS ON, THE BRAKES SQUEALED(SINCE PURCHASE), THERE WAS A BLIND SPOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR, AND WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE OTHER VEHICLE'S DUE TO THE SEATS BEING TOO HIGH. MR SCC *JB
THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A VERY LOW SPEED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM
THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT IN THE ARM CONTROL. *NLM.
THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
THE FRONT SUSPENSION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE COLLASPED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A PARK CAR. *NLM
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE # 02V289000 FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN FEBRUARY 2003. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND WOULD CALL THE CONSUMER WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER. *NLM
VEHICLE VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, AND REAR TIRES ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY IN A STRANGE PATTERN. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES BUT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING.*AK
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THERE ARE TWO BUBBLES ON THE FRONT TWO TIRES. CONSUMER IS STARTING TO NOTICE THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A POTHOLE A BUBBLE FORMS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LEAK GAS. OWNER WOULD SMELL GAS FUMES INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN TURNING IT ON. NOTICED ON REARVIEW MIRROR A TRAIL OF GASOLINE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 3 OR MORE TIMES FOR GAS LEAKS. MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF THE LEAKAGE, WHICH STILL LEAKED AFTER REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED.*AK
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH DOOR HANDLE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE.*AK
THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS SHUT OFF AS WELL. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS HAPPENED NINE TIMES. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM THREE TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *NLM *SCC *JB
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THIS RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. *PH
2001 FORD FOCUS DISPLAYING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION DUE TO SEVERAL LEAKS, CRUISE CONTROL, AND TRUNK OF VEHICLE. *MR WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FLOORBOARD OF THE TRUNK WHICH WAS ONLY ADJUSTED(PROBLEM REPEATED), THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY(NEW SWITCH WAS ORDERED, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SQUEAKED AND WAS FIXED, THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED AND WAS REPLACED BUT THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE, WATER LEAKED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE (PROBLEM REPEATED) THEN THE R & L COWL GRID WAS REPLACED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T, COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE UPPER RADIATOR AND THE HOSE CLAMP WAS REPLACED, THE TRUNK DID NOT SHUT PROPERLY AND THE LATCH WAS REPLACED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN DUE TO THE PARTS BEING RECALLED, THE REAL WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED, THE SECOND RECALLED PART WAS THE PINCH BOLT TORQUE AND BATTERY CABLE ROUTING WHICH WAS REPLACED, AND THE MECHANICS FOUND THAT THE BRAKES HAD WORN OUT IN THE FRONT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS ON 10 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND SIX ATTEMPT FOR THE LEAKS, THE PROBLEM IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SEVERAL LEAKS, SEVERAL CIRCUIT AND SWITCHES HAVE BROKEN DOWN ON THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE GAS MILEAGE WHICH HAD CONSISTENTLY FALLEN AND DID NOT ACT AS THE PROMOTED DEALERS STICKER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FULL REFUND FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE. *SCC *JB
BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT 35 MPH, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO DOWN SHIFT TO FIRST GEAR TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, AND COME TO A STOP. *AK
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE HEAD INJURIES. *JB
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED.*AK THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER BEING TOWED. ALL THREE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS 1/4 FULL OR LESS. ALL THREE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE SAT OVERNIGHT AND WAS STARTED IN THE MORNING. *PH *JB
REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE WEARING OUT ON VEHICLE.*MR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE WRONG TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THE REAR SEAT LATCH, THE SEAT FABRIC AND THE KEY IGNITION FAILED.*TS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORE OUT, WHICH WERE ONLY USED ABOUT SEVEN TIMES AND THE REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL# 02V289000 REPAIRS CONCERNING STEERING PINCH BOLTS. THE REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL IS INADEQUATE BECAUSE THE CONTROL ARM CONTINUES TO LOOSEN FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE, CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN STEERING THE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE STALLED. TECHNICIAN SERVICE D VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK WHILE STOPPED AT A GAS STATION CONSUMERS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND GAS LIGHT CAME ON CONSUMER TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON GAS NEEDLE FELL TO EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PART FAILED PREMATURELY. *TS *NLM
VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN MAKING TURNS OR REVERSING. VEHICLE WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN IT STALLED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE AND ACCELERATE AT A HIGH SPEED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO DISENGAGE THE EXCESS SPEED. THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
AT ANY SPEED WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED A GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, CAUSE OF FAILURE UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME.*AK
WHILE DRIVING A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN ,AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES TO START AGAIN. *AK
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK
DUE TO A BRAKE BOOSTER DEFECT CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE DID ARRIVE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS ISSUED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. ALSO, VEHICLE FAILED TO START. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN KEY IN IGNITION, IT WAS STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION. *AK
WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY DID NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN FOUR TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT OFF. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT COMPUTER FAILED.*AK
VEHICLE HESITATED/LOST POWER. WHEN TURNING THERE WAS A LOUD CLUMPING SOUND.*AK
SUN RAYS WERE REFLECTED FROM THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD AND ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. *MR MODEL ZXE. *SCC *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. DEALERSHIP HAD DONE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. *AK *PH
UPON ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. FUEL LEAKED OUT THE FUEL TANK. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE, AND SERVICED THE VEHICLE. THE LEAK RECURRED WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF THE REPAIR.*AK
UPON ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. FUEL HAD LEAKED OUT THE FUEL TANK. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE, AND SERVICED THE VEHICLE. THE LEAK RECURRED WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF THE REPAIR.*AK
VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUTTERED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF. *AK
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED, STALLED, AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON IT'S THIRD FUEL PUMP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM THE ENGINE STALLING RECALL 03V482000 UNLESS THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A FUEL FILTER FOR $42.00. *JB
THE TRUNK COLLAPSED ON THE CONSUMERS HEAD DUE TO THE HYDRAULIC LIFTS FAILING. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED AND HAD TO GET STITCHES. *JB THE CONSUMER HAD THE LIFTS REPLACED TWICE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. *NM
CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER CONCERNING FUEL PUMP FILTERS. *PH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED LEAVING THE CONSUMER STRANDED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PART BUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. *TT *JB
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM BY 2 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS. YET, THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK
CONSUMER STATED DEALERSHIP WAS HAVING A PROBLEM GETTING THE CORRECT MOTOR MOUNTS FOR VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THAT THE MOTOR WILL FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK