2002 Ford Focus Brakes Problems

Break lights won't work and was almost hit by another car, changed break lights changed light break switch checked fuses and wiring everything is good

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR INTO THE PARK POSITION TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 103,800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,900. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TO A FORD DEALER THE PREVIOUS OWNER INSTALLED DECORATIVE OVERLAYS TO GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS. UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON WITH A CURRENT ODOMETER READING OF 57,5000 MILES. ON MARCH 13, WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON DRY PAVEMENT THE CONTACT TRIED TO DECELERATE BY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WAS PUSHED TWO TO THREE TIMES UNTIL COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, NARROWLY AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. ALSO, ON MARCH 19, 2007 WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE MORNING THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, THE CONTACT MADE A HARD RIGHT HAND TURN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE'S REAR END TO SWING TO THE LEFT, WHILE THE FRONT END CONTINUED TO SWING RIGHT TOWARD THE GUARD RAIL. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD, BUT REQUIRED NO ADDITIONAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57000. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, POOR BRAKING ACTION WAS NOTICED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TO ALERT THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PRESENCE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE DRIVER SIDE CARPET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED A LEAK FROM THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD A COMMON RESERVOIR. THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AFFECTED THE FLUID LEVEL OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED. UPDATED 02/06/07. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5 THAT IS WELL MAINTAINED. WITHIN THE FIRST 2-3 YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. IN 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. IN 2005 I HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW MOTOR. PRESENTLY THE LEFT REAR WINDOW MOTOR ISN'T WORKING; THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP. THE REAR FRONT WINDOW IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED AND STAYS ON. THE CD PLAYER HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2005. IN 2006 ALL FOUR TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF FACTORY DRY ROT. I REGULARLY SERVICE AND MAINTAIN THE CAR, AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES ON IT. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND FEEL THIS CAR IS NOT MADE WITH QUALITY PARTS AND THAT IT IS NOT SAFE. ALTHOUGH I DRIVE AT NORMAL SPEEDS, IT DOES NOT GET THE MILEAGE STATED ON THE STICKER. *JB

ALWAYS KEEP MY CAR CHECKED REGULARLY, CHANGED MY BRAKES IN MARCH,BUT MY ABS JUST WENT DOWN; EVEN IF IT IS A DIFFERENT PART, I AM WONDERING IF IT IS NORMAL TO HAVE TO CHANGE THE ABS SO SOON, MY CAR HAS ONLY 46000 MILES. *NM

AT AROUND 35,000 MILES MY FATHER NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE ON THE FRONT OF HIS FOCUS. THINKING THAT IT WAS THE SCREECH OF A WARNING INDICATOR HE PARKED THE VEHICLE UNTIL HE COULD HAVE ME LOOK AT IT. BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE SEVERELY GROUND DOWN WITH THE LEFT INSIDE PAD BEING TOTALLY DOWN FLUSH WITH THE METAL. THIS SHOULDN'T BE NORMAL WEAR. BACK BRAKES SHOWED SIGNS OF NORMAL IF NOT LESS THAN NORMAL WEAR. THIS SHOULD NOT BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A VEHICLE WITH THIS FEW MILES ON IT. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH ROTORS PREMATURELY. WE WILL KEEP THE OLD PARTS FOR THIRTY DAYS IN CASE THEY ARE NEEDED. *JB

AFTER 2 COMPLAINTS TO DEALER ABOUT REAR BRAKE VIBRATION/NOISE, THEY FOUND NOTING WRONG. ON OUR TRIP GOING DOWN INTERSTATE 40 AT 70 MPH THE BACK WHEEL COMES OFF MY CAR. THE WHEEL AND HUB ARE BROKEN,CUTS THE BRAKE LINE AND I LOSE MY BRAKE FLUID. NO BRAKES AND TRYING TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE DITCH. IF THERE WOULD OF BEEN A CAR ON THE SIDE OF ME. I AM POSITIVE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURY/DEATH. HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY. FORD PAID 0. SAID I HIT SOMETHING IN ROAD. NOW AT THE REPAIR SHOP AGAIN. THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE REAR ARE FROZEN . I HAVE TO BUY NEW DRUMS FOR BOTH SIDE AGAIN. *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES, THE RADIO, AND WATER LEAKING IN THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE BRAKES SQUEAK EVERYTIME I APPLY THEM. THE RADIO ONLY WORKS FOR ONE MINUTE AND THEN IT FADES OUT, ALL YOU CAN HEAR IS STATIC. THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE PROBLEMS IS THE LEAK. IT HAS RAINED REALLY HARD THREE TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH, AND ALL THOSE TIMES I HAVE FOUND THE CARPET IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SOAKING WET. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I BOUGHT IT, BUT THEY SAY THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 90 DAY WARRANTY. I HAVE REASERCHED ON THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE. THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD BE MADE RESPONSIBLE SINCE THEY ARE THE MANUFACTURERS OF THE CAR. *NM

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE WERE REPLACED IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS MAKING A NOISE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PROBLE WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THAT IT WAS A NORMAL THING. THIS FAILURE MADE IT HARDER TO STOP THE CAR. MANUFACTURER SAID TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WOULD MAKE THIS FAILURE WORSE. ALSO, SAID THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUES. MANUFACTURER SAID DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THIS. FIRST HAPPENED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. NOW IT HAPPENES EVERYTIME THE CAR IS USED. *AK *NM

MULTIPLE FAILURES; CONTINUAL ISSUES WITH BRAKES. CORRECT WATER LEAK AND PATCH TIRE. *BF THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

FRONT BRAKES WEAR DOWN TO NOTHING WITHIN 15,000 MILES. *AK

1. SPINDLE HOLDING BRAKES WAS STRIPPED. 2. REPORTED BY COVINGTON FORD THIRD AUTO THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED 3. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY SPINDLE FAILED. *JB

YEARLY INSPECTION RESULTED IN A FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE ROTOR WEAR ON BOTH FRON ROTORS. ALTHOUGH I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WOULD HAVE LASTED ANOTHER 5 TO 6 THOUSAND MILES. NO FAULTY OR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS TYPE OF WEAR. PREVIOUS INSPECTION LAST YEAR AT ANOTHER FORD DEALER SHOWED NO ISSUES. ALSO INFORMED OF THIS TYPE OF WEAR BEING CONSIDERED NORMAL BY THE DEALERS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE ORIGINAL ROTORS BEING CHANGED TO INTICE OWNERS TO REPLACE RATHER THAN TURN THE ROTORS WHEN NEEDED. FOUND THAT THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION IN CALIFORNIA OF THE SAME INCIDENT. ALSO LOCATED TWO TECHNICAL BULLITENS FROM FORD SHOWING CONCERN OVER THE ISSUE. CALLED THE FORD CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO DUE TO THE FACTORY WARRENT COVERING ONLY 12K MILES AND I WAS AT 34K MILES. CALLED THE DEALER BACK, TOLD THEM OF MY FINDINGS AND MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN DISCOVERING THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AFTER ALL. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME BACK TO INFORM ME THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THEY HAD OVERLOOKED THE ISSUE.*AK

1)NORMAL DRIVING PATTERN; 2)BRAKES STARTED TO CRUNCH AT 31,000, THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT FOR BRAKES. 3)TOOK TO FORD DEALER ON 10/15 THEY WANTED $550.00 PLUS TO FIX, MY SALESMAN TOLD ME HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. CALLED FORD CORPORATE, GOT NO HELP WITH SERVICE REP, REQUESTED A CALL FROM SUPERVISOR, STILL HAVEN'T RECIEVED A CALL BACK. TOOK TO MIDAS TO FIX, WAS REPAIRED THIS MORNING.*AK

2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5. BRAKES GRIND AND SQUEAL. AT 10,777 MILES (10,000-MILE SERVICE), FORD DEALERSHIP SAID FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $500. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT REPLACING BRAKES.*AK

MY 2002 FORD FUCUS ZX3 NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AFTER A MERE 22,000 MILES!! THIS SERVICE COST ME $280 AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER FORD'S WARRANTY. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM IF A CAR NEEDS NEW ROTORS BEFORE THE FIRST SET OF TIRES WEAR OUT.*AK

2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 23,600 MILES REQUIRED ALL NEW PADS AND ROTORS-- DEALERSHIP HAS SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL...FOR THE FOCUS... AND SUCH WORK IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. TOOK THE CAR TO MIDAS AND HAD FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED (ROTORS COULDN'T EVEN BE TURNED!), MECHANIC AT MIDAS STATED THAT REPLACING PADS AND ROTORS ON A VEHICLE BEFORE THE WARRANTY HAS EVEN EXPIRED IS NOT NORMAL, TYPICAL, OR TO BE EXPECTED. BEFORE REPLACING THE BRAKES, THERE WAS CHRONICALLY A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST ON THE FRONT WHEELS.*AK

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 14,000 MILES. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM!*AK

HAVE ONLY 23,000 MILES ON MY FORD FOCUS 2002 WAGON AND IT NEEDS FRONT PADS AND ROTORS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT NEEDED ROTORS AT 23,000 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY AND DESIGN DEFECT. *LA