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
KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION-2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 I'M HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAYJUNE 2, 2008 TO FIND SOMEONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM/REPAIR 2 DAY WAIT WITHOUT A CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. SPORADICALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THEN RESTART MOMENTS LATER. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY CABLES. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES); THEREFORE, SHE WAS NOT ENTITLED TO ANY REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB
THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS PREMATURELY, WHICH CAUSES OIL TO DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE BURNING OIL CREATES FUMES. THE POORLY DESIGNED SEALS AROUND INTAKE AIR BOX ALLOW FUMES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THESE TWO DESIGN FAILURES COMBINE WITH EACH OTHER TO EXPOSE PASSENGERS TO BURNING OIL FUMES. NOW, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE VALVE COVER GASKET TO AVOID EXPOSING MYSELF TO BURNING OIL FUMES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THEN SHUT OFF A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE (03N01) IN JANUARY OF 2004 AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THEY WOULD NOT CHANGE THAT PART UNTIL THE FAILURE OCCURS. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY RECEIVING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,781 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,800.
THE IGNITION IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS WON'T TURN, LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, EACH ONE LEAVING ME STRANDED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE. *TR
DEFECTIVE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED, WEDGED AGAINST TIRE, CAUSING PARTIAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. RIGHT SIDE FRACTURED JULY, 2005, LEFT SIDE FRACTURED MAY, 2008. COIL SPRING & RELATED PARTS REPLACED BOTH TIMES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SITTING STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PREVENT THE STALLING IF KEEPING SLIGHT PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT ONCE THE PRESSURE WAS RELEASED, THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE AND THEN STALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT HAD NOT CONFIRMED IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS OF YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE MADE A STRANGE NOISE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO STALL AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL AND THEN REGAIN POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
MY KEY WILL GO INTO THE IGNITION OF MY FORD FOCUS, HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINS LOCKED AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. EVEN AFTER "JIGGLING" THE STEERING WHEEL, I CAN'T TURN THE KEY AT ALL. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR SOME REASON THE KEY CAN TURN. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT "TESTS" TO SEE IF PERHAPS PARKING STRAIGHT ON,ETC WILL ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR HOWEVER THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT. THIS PROBLEM LEAVES ME QUITE FRUSTRATED, POSSIBLY STRANDED, AND POSSIBLY IN DANGER AS I CAN'T START THE CAR WHEN I NEED TO. IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE DAYS AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING CRAZY SO I HAVE NOT DONE ANY REPAIRS YET. BUT AFTER READING THAT THIS IS A PROMINENT PROBLEM, LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO FIX IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYWHERE FOR FEAR THAT MY CAR WILL NOT LET ME TURN THE KEY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE ENGINE LOSS POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER TRAVELING AT THE SPEED RATE OF 65 MPH. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
SUNDAY MORNING (4/6/2008) I GOT IN MY CAR AND BACKED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL AND GOING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD A VERY LOUD METAL ON METAL SOUND. I PUT THE CAR UP ON JACK STANDS AND INSPECTED THE SUSPENSION. I FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING WAS NOT SEATED ON THE STRUT BASE. AT THIS TIME I DROVE THE CAR TO SEARS AUTO REPAIR IN NOVI, MICHIGAN. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO SEARS THE SPRING MOVED A COUPLE TIMES, MADE SOME NOISE, AND AFFECTED THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. SEARS INSPECTED THE SPRINGS AND FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED IN A COUPLE PLACES AT THE TOP. I ENDED UP REPLACING BOTH SPRINGS AND IT COST $436.86. ON MONDAY (4/7/2008) I DECIDED TO GO ON THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT IF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS SPRINGS. I FOUND OUT IT WAS NOT AN UNCOMMON ISSUE. IN FACT FORD ISSUED A TSB (03M02S2) AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SPRINGS TO 150,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS (ONLY IF SERVICED AT A DEALERSHIP). UNFORTUNATELY I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER I REPAIRED THE CAR ON SUNDAY. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY FORD OF TSB ON THE SPRINGS. ALSO, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR USED (ABOUT 1.5 YEARS AGO) FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH SHOULD HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR THINGS LIKE THIS (SPRING CORROSION). ON MONDAY (4/7/2008) I DECIDED TO CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE (800-392-3673) TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REIMBURSE MY EXPENSES AND DISCUSS THE SAFETY CONCERN. I WAS TOLD BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT FORD DID NOT VIEW THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERN. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER DESIGNING SAFETY CRITICAL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS (NOT COIL SPRINGS) AND TO ME THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER. IF THE COIL SPRING WERE TO FRACTURE FURTHER AND CUT MY TIRE WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I CAN IMAGINE THAT WOULD NOT BE A VERY SAFE SITUATION. I DON'T UNDERSTAND FORD NOT ISSUING A RECALL OVER A POOR QUALITY SUSPENSION COMPONENT WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY. IF NEEDED I HAVE THE OLD PARTS IN MY POSSESSION. *TR
LOCK CYLINDER LOCKED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND THEN FLAMES APPEARED. SHE STOPPED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE WHEN IT BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,899. UPDATED 04/11/08 *BF THE DEALER STATED CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE IN A PINCH BOLT TORQUED AND A ZETEC ENGINE CABLE ROUTING. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS. UPDATED 04/11/08 *TR
COIL SPRINGS. LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WITH OUT REASON. THANKFULLY THE SPRING DID NOT BLOW OFF OF RETAINING AREA. IF IT HAD WHILE I WS DRIVING THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED MY STEERING TO LOCK UP BLOW A TIRE OR WHO ELSE KNOW WHAT. AND THE OUTCOME FROM ANY OF THESE COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. *TR
I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER IN JANUARY 2004 FROM MR. FRANK M. LIGON, DIRECTOR OF SERVICE ENGINEERING OPERATIONS OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE LETTER STATED THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROGRAM 03N01 (ENGINE STALLING IN 2000-01 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES) CUSTOMER'S VEHICLES "MAY EXPERIENCE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS ULTIMATELY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL COMPLETELY...AS A RESULT OF CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL PUMP FILTERS."..."FORD IS OFFERING TO REPLACE YOUR VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP (PARTS AND LABOR), AT NO COST, IF YOUR VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS...VALID FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY START DATE, WITH NO LIMIT ON MILEAGE." ...I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE ABOVE FOREMENTIONED SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2001 FOCUS, AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, ORIGINALLY STATING THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER THIS PROGRAM, BUT CALLED BACK LATER AND ULTIMATELY CHANGED THEIR MIND. THE EXPLANATION GIVEN WAS THAT THIS PROGRAM WAS NO LONGER "OPEN." SINCE THE COMPANY HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PARTICULAR SAFETY CONCERN, CONFIRMED THE LETTER BEING SENT AND MY VEHICLE FITTING THE PROGRAM 03N01 GUIDELINES OF MAKE, MODEL, YEAR, AND TIMELINE (10 YEARS UNLIMITED MILEAGE), AND HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT FREE OF CHARGE, AS STATED IN THEIR LETTER, ...I WOULD LIKE TO FILE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE ...AND I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING THIS RUNAROUND THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS GIVEN ME. I GOT THE LETTER, HAD THE PROBLEMS AND SAFETY ISSUES AS STATED IN THAT LETTER, IT HASN'T BEEN 10YRS, SO WHY DID I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR DEFECT? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ASSISTANCE! *TR
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JUL07. IN DEC07 STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR SURGING/JOLTING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY (55-65 MPH) THEN CAR WOULD JUST STALL, COMPLETELY DIE. ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, NO POWER STEERING NO LIGHTS. I WOULD MANAGE TO GET IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NARROWLY AVOIDING ACCIDENT AND CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER SAT FOR ABOUT 10 MINS IT WOULD START. IT WOULD DRIVE OK FOR ABOUT 10-20 MILES AND THEN SURGE AND DIE. IT HAPPENS PERIODICALLY AND IN BETWEEN THE CAR MAY DRIVE FINE FOR WEEKS. SERVICE CENTER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN 3-18-08 WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 65MPH, JOLTED TWICE AND COMPLETELY DIED. I WAS NEARLY KILLED AS A SEMI WAS BEHIND ME AND ANOTHER BESIDE ME. I HAD TO FIGHT THE CAR TO GET IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NARROWLY MISSED THE SEMI RUNNING UP OVER THE TOP OF ME. AFTER SITTING FOR 10 MIN IT STARTED AGAIN BUT WOULD NOT REACH FULL POWER. I COULD ONLY GET IT UP TO ABOUT 50 MPH, THEN STARTED JOLTING AND DIED AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 6 MILES THIS CONTINUED FOR 30 MILES. ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I HAD THAT READ BY ADV AUTO LATER AND IT WAS TWO CODES ONE FOR MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. IT HAS BEEN IN SERVICE GARAGE SINCE THEN. THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I DID NOTICE THAT THIS SEEMS TO ONLY BE HAPPENING WHEN IT RAINS. THEY SPRAYED WATER TODAY ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS RUNNING AND IT DIED IN THEIR SHOP. THEY STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. IT ALSO HAS A LOUD VIBRATION/NOISE IN FRONT END. MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED, NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW BATTERY, NEW BELT REPLACED DEC 27,07. THE VEHICLE DIED AGAIN FEB 5, 2008 6 TIMES. IT DIES AT ALL SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES STALLS AT STOP LIGHTS/SIGNS. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED WITH IT AND NEED A RELIABLE CAR TO GET TO WORK AND AM MAKING CAR PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 36 DAYS IN THE LAST 90. ALSO VERY CONCERNED ABOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR KILLING MYSELF, MY KIDS OR SOMEONE ELSE. *TR
2001 FORD FOCUS ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK FAILED, CAUSING THE DOOR NOT TO BE OPENED WITH A KEY OR KEYLESS ENTRY. *KB THE DEALER STATED DRIVER DOOR LATCH AND RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WERE FROZEN, WHICH CAUSED THE CENTRAL SECURITY MODULE TO SHORT OUT. *JB
THE DEVICE IN THE STEERING WHEEL HOUSING THAT CANCELS THE TURN SIGNAL HAS FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE PART IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTING IN DESIGN. THIS FAILURE RESULTS IN MY RELUCTANCE TO USE THE TURN SIGNALS SINCE I MUST TURN THEM OFF MANUALLY AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN. AND NOT USING TURN SIGNALS COMPROMISES DRIVING SAFETY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING AND JERKING. SHE PULLED OVER AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS SIDEWAYS. NO ONE HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE YET, BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AXLE SPLIT IN HALF. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,050.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CV-JOINT MAKES A NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CV-JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40100 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40000.
2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START CAR. ELDERLY WIFE WAS FORCED TO WAIT IN CAR IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPS. UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. WE HAVE SCHEDULED THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF APPROX. $400. THIS PRESENTS A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD. *TR
THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN TO THE "ON" POSITION, REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS TRIED. THE CYLINDER APPARENTLY IS STUCK, AND THE CAR WILL THEREFORE NOT START. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND LIKE OTHER COMPLAINTS MY IGNITION ALSO JAMMED UP, AND LEFT ME DOWN AND HAD TO FIND A WAY GET HOME FROM MY JOB ,AND COST ME $ 240.00 FOR A LOCKSMITH THE NEXT DAY. I THINK FORD SHOULD TAKE ACTION AND RECALL THIS VEHICLE, AND REPAY ALL THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. GC *TR
MY HEADLIGHT FELL OUT OF THE HOUSING AND MELTED THE HOUSING AROUND IT. IT NO LONGER WORKS AS A RESULT OF THIS.... THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF THIS PART. I WOULD NOT KNOW WHY THE LAMP IT'S SELF WOULD JUST FALL OUT OF THE HOUSING. I HAVE ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT WAS TOLD NO BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BUT YOU CAN'T TRUST WHAT THEY SAY BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME YEARS AGO THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY FUEL PUMP AND THERE WAS, THEY ARE JUST RUDE THERE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,750.
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 TO 40 MPH AND WHEN SHE HIT OR TAP THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE AND TRY TO CUT OFF. THE CAR DID CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START . I TOWED THE CAR TO A SHOP AND FOUND THAT THE VALVE SEAT CAME LOOSE AND FELL ON THE PINIONS, THEREFORE, DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THE VALVE SEAT WAS TOTALLY GONE AND WENT THROUGH THE EXHAUST. FORD MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING WITH NEW MOTOR AND MANIFOLD PLENUM SINCE THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET ALL THE METAL FROM THE VALVE SEAT OUT OF THE PLENUM. I COULD GET A USED MOTOR BUT FOUND OTHER ON THE INTERNET THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THEREFORE THE PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
MY CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF...I ENCOUNTERED MY FIRST INCIDENT JUST RECENTLY, ABOUT A WEEK AGO. MY CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT HAPPENED RIGHT AS I WAS CHANGING LANES. I THOUGHT I NEEDED A JUMP BUT WHEN THAT DID NOT WORK I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY FUEL SYSTEM WAS CLOGGED/BLOCKED, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT STATEMENT, BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A FUEL SYSTEM FLUSH, A FUEL FILTER, AND A NEW FUEL PUMP. I CHECKED THE RECALL LIST AND SAW THAT MY CARD MAKE AND MODEL WERE ON THE RECALL LIST FOR FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE AND WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME THAT MY CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY. I TELL ME THAT MY ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELSE...THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR AND NOW FORD IS TRYING TO SAY MY CAR WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL AND ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
KEY WILL NOT TURN...CAN'T START CAR..KEY TUMBLER DEFECTIVE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DUE TO A CRASH. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,871. UPDATED 3/11/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 03/11/08 *TR
ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING NORMAL CAR MOVEMENT. NO ANY ACCIDENTS HAPPENED BEFORE, NO VEHICLES OR CURBS INVOLVED, JUST DURING MOVEMENT, FORTUNATELY ON VERY LOW SPEED. BOTH BUMPERS HAS NO ANY TRACKS OF CONTACT WITH SOMETHING. (SIMILAR, LIKE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE02026). *TR
KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE OFF AND CAN'T BE REMOVED. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS, ORIGINALLY THERE HAS ONLY BEEN ONE OWNER TO THIS VEHICLE. VERY RECENTLY, I EXPERIENCED A VERY LOUD NOISE IN MY LEFT REAR TIRE WHICH AS DAYS PAST, I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. MY TIRE HAD BEGUN TO WOBBLE TO THE POINT I THOUGHT THAT IT MAY COME OFF MY CAR. THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS IN THE TIRE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STRUCK A CURB WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE INSURANCE CLAIM ADJUSTER ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE INSURANCE AGENCY LABELED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL IF ONE WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000. UPDATED 02/12/08. *LJ
IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3, THERE IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. SEVERAL THINGS DO NOT WORK OR HAVE SHORTS, OR THE SWITCHES OPERATE OTHER THINGS. RIGHT NOW, THE DEALER IS INSTALLING A NEW WIRING HARNESS FOR $500 AT LEAST. I JUST FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 200 FOCUS ON THIS ISSUE. THIS IS THE SAME CAR AS MINE. MINE SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED. THE PROBLEMS BEGAN JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS MINOR AND I COULD LEAVE IT ALONE. THE DEALER IS ALL-AMERICAN FORD IN HACKENSACK, NJ. CAN YOU HELP ME?*CN
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE REAR LATCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE THAT THE DOOR WAS AJAR. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CLOSING THE REAR LATCH. WITHIN THE LAST SIXTY DAYS, THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWENTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN 2005 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,143 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,800.
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED THE 2001 FORD FOCUS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS AND ALSO HAD REPLACED A FEW RECALLED PARTS. THE ENGINE AT THAT TIME HAD 78,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF IT CURRENTLY HAS 128,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND HAD TO REPLACE SERVERAL PARTS WHICH ARE OXYGEN SENSORS CATALYC CONVERTER, STRUTS, SHOCKS AND IDLE PULLEY. I GET MY OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS ON A REGULAR BASIS. ONE MORNING WENT TO START MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND IT WOULD NOT START. IT WAS ACTING AS IF IT HAD RUN OUT OF GAS BUT I HAD OVER A HALF OF TANK OF GAS IN IT. AFTER TRYING TO START IT IT FINALLY STARTED AND WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. IT RAN FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS THEN DIED. I LEFT IT ALONE THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO AN AUTOREPAIR SHOP AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT A BEARING HAD BROKE OFF AND HIT MY THIRD CYLINDER AND SMASHED MY SPARK PLUG. IT ALSO HIT THE PISTON AND THE PISTON WAS CRACKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS AND I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A CLUE THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THE AUTO REPAIR PLACE SAID THE I WAS LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED AT HOME AND NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. I AM NOW HAVING TO GET A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE COSTING ME $3,300. WHICH I HAVE TO HAVE FINANCED. IS THERE ANY THING THAT I CAN DO?*CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. PRIOR TO THE CONTACT OWNING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED IN 2004 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
RECENTLY THE IGNITION LOCK ON MY FORD FOCUS JAMS UP. I PLACE THE KEY IN THE LOCK, WHICH IS A BIT STICKY, AND THEN THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. AFTER 15-30 MINUTES OF TRYING TO TURN IT, IT WILL START, OTHER TIMES NO. WE ARE STILL RESEARCHING ON THE WEB HOW TO REPLACE THIS PART. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE THEN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE CRASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIRE HOWEVER; HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE NUMBER OF CYLINDERS AND TIRE INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR
2001 FORD FOCUS ZTS - IGNITION WOULDN'T START DURING SUMMER MONTHS (NOT PREDICTABLE); HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD A FEW TIMES UNTIL ENGINE COOLED DOWN (30 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR) BEFORE WOULD START AGAIN. LAST WEEK, WHEN KEY INSERTED INTO CAR, STEERING WHEEL WOULD BE LOCKED UP AND KEY WOULDN'T TURN. FINALLY FAILED ON ME TWO DAYS AGO; LUCKILY I WAS AT HOME AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 2-YEAR-OLD IN ZERO-DEGREE WEATHER! DEALER SAID IT WAS FAULTY SOLENOID SWITCH IN STARTER. HAVE READ THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT REPEATS ITSELF! I HOPE TO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND MAKES A THUMPING SOUND. ALL OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN THEY ARE ACTIVATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,003 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE KEY WOULD OCCASIONALY BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION, BUT COULD BE REMOVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
AS THE OWNER OF A FORD FOCUS 2001 - I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT - HAD TO BE TOWED. THE PROBLEM IS CHRONIC IN FORD FOCUS - YET FORD IS NOT RECALLING OR ATTEMPTING TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS IN ANY WAY TO REMEDY THE FLAW. *TR
KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION, HAVING TO LEAVE KEY IN CAR. HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE DAY AND DURING THE WEEK. WILL HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED. *TR
BROUGHT 2001 FORD FOCUS IN FOR RECALL ON REAR DOOR LATCH, CAMPAIGN ID: 05V030000. DEALER AT ENFEILD, CT FORD WOULD NOT HONOR RECALL FOR THE REAR LATCH DOOR WHICH HAD THE SAME FAILURE AND FAILED OPEN WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THEY CLAIMED THE RECALL ONLY COVERED THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS AND NOT THE REAR HATCH OF A WAGON. *TR
THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS LEAKING. FOUND INTERNAL SEAL WALL CRACKED/WASHED OUT ALLOWING LEAKAGE PAST SEAL RING. STEADY DRIP OF COOLANT FROM THERMOSTAT HOUSING EVEN AFTER REPLACING SEAL RING. FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM IN DISCUSSION THREADS ON INTERNET. COOLANT PUDDLED UNDER CAR WHERE PETS CAN DRINK IT AND LOSS OF COOLANT CAUSING OVERHEATING. *TR
IGNITION SWITCH SEIZING, UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. 2001 FORD FOCUS WAGON. HAS HAPPENED, AND BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF FORD OWNERS, YET FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS THEY DO NOT SEE IT AS A 'SAFETY ISSUE'. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME, IT WAS AROUND 11PM ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, ON A SMALL SIDE ROAD NEAR MACK AND WOODWARD, DOWNTOWN DETROIT. THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL ANYONE CAN CONVINCE ME MY SAFETY WAS NOT IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY PART! *TR