2002 Ford Focus Complaint Log

2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON REAR HATCH WIRING HARNESS FRAYED WIRES AND NO BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR

MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS SUDDENLY STALLED IN HEAVY, FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO WRESTLE THE CAR TO THE CURB WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME AVOIDING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST ESTIMATE IS NEARLY $800. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2001 AND 2000 MODELS AND THIS PART IS EVEN COVERED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THOSE YEARS. HOWEVER, THE 2002 IS NOT COVERED. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFELY CONCERN FOR FORD BUT I THINK THEY ARE DOING THE BARE MINIMUM. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. NO WONDER THEY ARE HAVING SUCH DIFFICULT TIMES AT FORD! *TR

2002 FORD FOCUS BOUGHT THE END OF MARCH 2009, NOW SITS IN DRIVEWAY, BECAUSE FORD WILL NOT FIX FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FAILURE, BECAUSE OF VIN# NOT ON LIST AS BEING ONE OF THE 671000 UNITS AFFECTED. THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING AS ALL THE OTHER 671000 THAT WERE AFFECTED, SURGING, LOSS OF POWER, STALLING, HESITATION. WE WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, CHANGED LANES AND IT STARTED DOING THIS, NOW I HAVE HAD 3 MECHANICS WORK ON THIS CAR, NO HELP REPLACED FUEL PUMP, BATTERY, FUEL FILTER ETC, NO LUCK. IT STARTS WHEN IT WANTS WILL RUN THEN IT STARTS LOSING POWER, STALLS. WE DID EXPECT PROBLEMS WITH USED CAR, BUT NOT ONE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND FIXED. IF ACCIDENT HAPPENS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM FORD WILL BE AT FAULT. *TR

THE IGNITION LOCK ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IS DEFECTIVE. IT TAKES A LOT OF JIGGLING OF THE KEY TO GET IT TO TURN. SOMETIMES IT TAKES UP TO 10 MINUTES TO GET THE KEY TURNED. I'M AFRAID AT SOME POINT I WON'T BE ABLE TO TURN IT PERIOD. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT FORD FOCUS BETWEEN 2000 AND 2003 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE AND I HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE STATION THEY LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SAID IT IS A BROKEN SPRING AND IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND I SIMPLY PARKED MY CAR AT THE GROCERY STORE, LOCKED MY CAR, AND WHEN I CAME BACK I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ITS HAPPEN WHERE I COMPLETELY FAILED TO TURN THE KEY. NOW MY CAR IS SITTING AT THE GROCERY STORE AND NOW I'M READING THAT I'M GOING TO POTENTIALLY PAY 200 TO 400 BUCKS TO GET THIS FIXED. THIS IS VERY, VERY UPSETTING. THANKS FORD FOR YOUR LOUSY IGNITION DESIGN. I'LL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *TR

THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. NO AMOUNT OF JIGGLING CAN FIX IT. SO CAR IS UNABLE TO START. (4 TIMES IN A ROW - FINAL TIME, NOT STARTED AFTER HOURS OF TRYING). *TR

I HAD COME BACK TO MY 2002 FORD FOCUS SE, PUT THE IGNITION KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH & THE SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO PAY $45.00 TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE MECHANIC CHARGED ME $400.00 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UPPER PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN & REDO THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT CAME ON IT. *TR

FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK, FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD IT REPLACED 12/15/07 AND IT IS NOW DEFECTIVE AGAIN ON 4/6/09. I HAD IT FIXED LAST TIME FOR $200, BUT IT CAN COST UP TO $400. HOW THIS ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE IS BEYOND ME. THEN AGAIN THE PINTO'S EXPLODING GAS TANK WASN'T DEEMED A "SAFETY ISSUE" BY FORD, EITHER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOOSENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING BEGAN TO WANDER AND FAILED TO RESPOND NORMALLY. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY TIGHTENED THE ADJUSTMENT SCREW AND RE-TIGHTENED THE LOCK NUTS ON THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILURE...TOP 7" OF SPRING SNAPPED OFF MAKING THE CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. INCIDENT OCCURRED 1 BLOCK FROM HOUSE BUT NOT IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATED UNTIL I FOUND BROKEN SPRING PIECE IN THE ROAD AFTER WORK. HIGHWAY TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A BAD CRASH DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. I PURCHASED REPLACEMENT PARTS (FORD SVT SUSPENSION KIT 397-M-3000-ZX3) AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THE REMAINING UNBROKEN SUSPENSION PARTS. CAR HAS ONLY ABOUT 50000 MILES AND IS NOT ABUSED. FAILURE APPEARS TO BE DUE TO EXTENDED FATIGUE CRACK PROPAGATION INSTEAD OF AN ISOLATED CATASTROPHIC EVENT. THERE IS OLD RUST ON THE SPRING BREAK POINT SURFACE ALONG WITH FATIGUE CRACK STYRATIONS INDICATING A LONG FAILURE TIME. POSSIBLE CAUSE WOULD BE SUB-STANDARD MATERIAL OR HEAT TREATMENT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE AND MILEAGE. FORD WOULD HAVE HAD A HUGE LAWSUIT IF THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN MY INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 54000 MILES ON IT AND JUST LAST WEEK HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE CAR ACELERATED TO 30 MPH IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO 3RD GEAR UNTIL YOU OUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE GAS. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY HAD IT FOR 1 1/2 DAYS AND CAME BACK WITH AN " I THINK IT'S A RING IN THE TRANSMISSION, BUT NOT FOR SURE" THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER $400 TO TAKE THE TRANSMISSION OUT TO SEE IF IT'S THIS RING!! AND IF IT'S NOT THIS RING THEY THINK IT IS THEN I'M OUT $400+. I ALSO FOUND A WEBSITE ( CAR COMPLAINTS.COM) AND NOTICED THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY FOCUS OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. OTHER FOCUS OWNERS ON THIS WEBSITE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR TRANSMISSION 2-3 TIMES BETWEEN 60,000-100,000 MILES BECAUSE FORD CONTINUES TO PUT THE SAME TRANSMISSION IN ALL THEIR FOCUS'. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY A RECALL HASN'T BEEN CALL OUT ON THIS CAR WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A VERY BIG ISSUE AND I THINK IT NEEDS ATTENTION BEING THAT SO MANY FOCUS OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

ON 3/12/09, WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON ON MAIN STREET (RI-3) IN ASHAWAY, RHODE ISLAND, AT ABOUT 35 MPH, HIT A SMALL BUMP WITH THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE IMMEDIATELY ENSUED. WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHIN A FEW FEET. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT BOTH MOUNTING STUDS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT FOR THE TRANSVERSELY MOUNTED ENGINE HAD BROKEN OFF ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO DROP DOWN ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE DRIVE AXLE. THE CAR WAS FLATBED TOWED 5 MILES TO MY MECHANIC. HIS INSPECTION SHOWED THAT ONE OF THE STUDS HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR SOME TIME, WHILE THE SECOND SHOWED A FRESH BREAK. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF CORROSION, OR THAT THE STUDS HAD EVER BEEN REMOVED AND REPLACED. I DON'T KNOW HOW OFTEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS, BUT THE TOW OPERATOR AND BOTH MECHANICS AT THE SHOP HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT THE CAR BECOMES INOPERABLE WITHOUT CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE. THE RESULT AT HIGHWAY SPEED COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE BROKEN STUDS WITH NEW FACTORY PARTS. I HAVE THE TWO BROKEN STUDS IN MY POSSESSION. *TR

THE KEY DOES NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SO THE CAR WON'T START. MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURS IN AN REMOTE AREA ESPECIALLY ON A COLD DAY/NIGHT SUCH AS TONIGHT. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR IS IN OUR DRIVEWAY BUT IT WAS PURE LUCK THAT IT HAPPENED THERE INSTEAD OF SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT COULD HAVE LEFT HER STRANDED INDEFINITELY IN SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES OR IN A SECLUDED AREA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BEARINGS SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SIX TIMES. ON ONE OCCASION THE CONTACTS REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BROKE OFF CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM. THE DEALER DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED FREQUENTLY WITH THAT MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

DETAILS: THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED STALLING, HAD IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A TIMING BELT AND TUNE UP. AFTER $1400 LATER AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE CAR WAS ONLY RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS AND WAS RECOMMENDED TO PUT AN ADDITIVE IN THE ENGINE TO TRY TO LOOSEN UP STUCK VALVES... STILL SAME PROBLEM . THEN TEARING THE ENGINE APART FOUND DAMAGE DONE TO # 4 CYLINDER . *TR

LOUD SNAP FROM UNDER HOOD , FOLLOWED BY RUMBLING SOUND WHEN TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT. CAR WILL PULL IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS , RELATING TO THE LAST DIRECTION STEERED. THE CAR DOES SET LOWER NOW BUT IS NOT RUBBING . THE CAUSE IS A BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING , AND POSSIBLY OTHER DAMAGE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND SMELL OF BURNING FLUID. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT BEYOND 2ND GEAR. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE 3RD AND 4TH GEARS WERE BURNT UP. REQ'D REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION AT COST OF $4,000. VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 78K AND WELL MAINTAINED. *TR

FORD FOCUS 2002 WOULD NOT START THE IGNITION. *TR

UPON INSERTION OF THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS TO ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT UNLOCK, IF IT IS LOCKED. "TAPPING" THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. CURSORY INTERNET SEARCHES REVEAL THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. SOME OWNERS REPORT HAVING HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED 4 TO 5 TIMES AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THIS INDICATES THAT FORD HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, EVEN AT THE COST OF THE OWNER. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND MY IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP AND I HAVE TO LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION OR IT WILL LOCK UP. I AM PRESENTLY SEARCHING FOR A MECHANIC OR LOCKSMITH WHO CAN HELP IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

SINCE 2003 I'VE HAD TO REPLACE NUMEROUS TIRES (5) AND ONE WHEEL HUB DUE TO GOING OVER ROUGH, BUT NOT USUALLY HAZARDOUS ROAD PROBLEMS, SUCH AS A SMALL/MEDIUM POTHOLE. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP, YET AGAIN, HAVING A TIRE FIXED. *TR

NO HINT THE IGNITION WAS GOING TO LOCK UP. STRANDED MY WIFE IN FREEZING WEATHER UNTIL I GET THERE. THANK GOD FOR CELL PHONES. THIS IGNITION ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH FORD FOCUS VEHICLES 2000 TO 2003. *TR

THE KEY IGNITION LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT TURN. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A MANUFACTURED PROBLEM. THE LOCK WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY AND TURN. I AM STUCK. *TR

MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION IS LOCKING UP WITH THE KEY INSIDE. CONSTANTLY OCCURING. I'M GOING TO RESEARCH REPAIR COSTS BUT HAVE HEARD ITS VERY EXPENSIVE AND I THOUGHT SINCE THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THIS, MAYBE THERE WOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY, WITH NO PRIOR WARNING OF IMPENDING PROBLEMS. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS. I REPLACED THE IGNITION ON 1/16/07 WHEN I HAD 51,910 MILES. I NOW HAVE $80,000 MILES AND THE IGNITION IS LOCKING UP AGAIN. I WAS STRANDED AT WORK AND MY 18 YEAR OLD SON IS NOW USING THE CAR AND I DON'T WANT HIM GETTING STRANDED IN FLINT MICHIGAN. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAD TO HIT THE SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN THEN TRY AND TURN THE KEY AGAIN. THIS NO LONGER WORKS AND I HAVE TO HIT THE KEY IN TO THE IGNITION FURTHER FOR IT TO TURN. I AM GOING TO FORD THIS WEEK TO GET IT FIXED IF IT DOES NOT COST A FORTUNE, BUT HAD TO WAIT TO GET IT FIXED UNTIL MY BREAK FROM SCHOOL. *TR

FORD FOCUS 2002 - IGNITION FAILURE. HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE THIRD TIME WAS STRANDED IN THE COLD WEATHER WITH 9 MONTH OLD BABY UNTIL I COULD GET HELP. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. IT COST 350 TO GET FIXED. I DON'T FEEL AN IGNITION SHOULD BREAK AND THEN BE REPLACED WITH A POORLY MANUFACTURED IGNITION. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AT ALL. A LOCKSMITH WAS CALLED OUT TO SEE IF HE COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY FORD FOCUSES. *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND THE FAILURE OF THE IGNITION MODULE FROM ALLOWING MY KEY TO TURN. FORTUNATELY ENOUGH WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED I WAS NOT IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD OR STUCK OUT ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE DESERT. IT HAS OCCURRED EACH TIME I'VE TRIED TO TURN THE KEY, AND IT'S ONLY AFTER SIGNIFICANT EFFORT AND NEAR INJURY TO MY WRIST AND INDEX FINGER WAS I ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND NOTED MANY DISCUSSION BOARDS STATING THE OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS A PETITION CIRCULATING THAT CURRENTLY HAS OVER 2800 ONLINE SIGNATURES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IT COULD OCCUR IN THE WRONG NEIGHBORHOOD OR IN THE MOST ISOLATED PLACES AND ISN'T SAFE FOR THE CONSUMER WHEN THEY GET STRANDED BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY PART THAT FORD DOES NOT TRY TO FIX WITH PROPER MATERIALS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SENDER AND FUEL PUMP FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $540. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO CURRENT RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP; THEREFORE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE MADE. UPDATED 01-26-09 *BFTHE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,700. UPDATED 01/26/09. *JB

WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED, THE IGNITION WILL NOT ALLOW IT TO TURN FORWARD TO START THE CAR. ALTHOUGH THIS JUST STARTED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN ON MY CAR, I HAVE HEARD OF IT HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER CARS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD RESULT IN MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS BEING STRANDED IN AN UNSAFE AREA. *TR

BLACK ICE WAS HIT AND THE CAR SLID OVER A THIRTY-FOOT EMBANKMENT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED. THE SECOND ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE WITH THE SAME CAR, WHICH HAD BEEN SALVAGED AFTER THE FIRST ACCIDENT. HIT BLACK ICE AGAIN, FLIPPED ON ITS SIDE, AND ROLLED. AGAIN, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ENTIRE SIDE AND ROOF WERE DEMOLISHED AND THE CAR WAS NOT SALVAGEABLE THIS TIME. THIS IS THE SECOND 2002 FORD FOCUS WE HAVE HAD--BOTH WERE IN ACCIDENTS, AND IN ALL THREE ACCIDENTS, BOTH CARS WERE TOTALED AND NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. WONDERING IF THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED? AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON FORD FOCUSES, I FOUND THAT THE 2001 FORD FOCUSES HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS. THEY WOULD DEPLOY AT THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT. CAN'T HELP IF FORD DIDN'T OVERCOMPENSATE FOR THE PROBLEM IN THE NEXT YEAR'S MODEL? *TR

LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES (3 OUT OF 4 SO FAR) DUE TO FAULTY VALVE STEMS. *TR

THE IGNITION KEY CONTINUED TO GET STUCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND REFUSING TO TURN UNTIL I'D CONTINUE TO FIDDLE WITH IT, SOMETIMES FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. VERY FRUSTRATING. THE KEY HAS FINALLY QUIT TURNING AT ALL. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT HOWARD'S TOWING BEING REPAIRED. THE ENTIRE COLUMN IS BEING REPLACED. VERY EXPENSIVE. VERY UNHAPPY. *TR

REAR DOOR WONT LATCH RIGHT AND DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WONT WORK. *TR

MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SHREDDED. I HAD TO REPLACE IT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND PURCHASE A NEW ONE FROM FORD. MY AUTO MECHANIC INSTALLED THE NEW SEAT BELT FOR ME. THE BELT NEEDED REPLACING, AS IT WAS CONTINUING TO SHRED (IN STRANDS) AND ONLY HAD ABOUT ONE-THIRD TO HALF OF ITS WIDTH REMAINING. THE LENGTH OF THE SHREDDING WAS APPROXIMATELY 12 TO 14 INCHES LONG. IT DEFINITELY POSED A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM LIKE THIS BEFORE, EVEN IN VERY OLD AUTOMOBILES THAT I OWNED. SEAT BELT MATERIAL FADING FROM SUNLIGHT, YES, SHREDDING, NEVER. MY AUTO MECHANIC AT MY REPAIR SHOP HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE EITHER. *TR

I DROVE MY CAR TO DOWNTOWN AS I NORMALLY DO EXCEPT THIS TIME I HAS THE COMPANY OF MY 3 SONS. IT WAS 4 AM IN THE MORNING. I PARKED THE CAR TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND EXITED. AT ABOUT 5:15 I TRIED TO START THE CAR BY PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TRYING TO TURN IT. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I TRIED AGAIN BUT AGAIN THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I CALLED AAA AND THE REP ASKED ME TO TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL A LITTLE AND THEN THE KEY, THIS STILL DID NOT WORK. HE CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO COME OUT TO HELP. MEANWHILE MY CHILDREN AND I WERE LEFT TO SIT IN THE COLD AND WAIT FOR THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER. WHILE WAITING I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE REALLY HARD AND PULLED ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND TRIED THE KEY AGAIN, LUCKILY IT WORKED. SPOKE TO THE AAA REP AGAIN AND CANCELLED THE TOW. I WOKE UP THIS MORNING TO TRY THE IGNITION AGAIN AND IT STUCK AGAIN SO I DID THE SAME THING THAT SEEMED TO WORK YESTERDAY, BUT IT DID NOT. FORTUNATELY I WAS AT HOME THIS TIME AND NOT ON A MOUNTAIN SOMEWHERE WITH MY CHILDREN. THIS IS A SCARY THING TO HAPPEN ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE WITH YOUR CHILDREN IN A STRANGE PLACE. WHAT IF I WERE SOMEWHERE WITHOUT A CELL PHONE SIGNAL? WOULD WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE HAPPENS BY OR WALK IN THE COLD TO GET A SIGNAL. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE. *TR

IGNITION KEY LOCK. THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE CAR LOCKS UP AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE CAR ON. JIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AND TURNING THE KEY AT THE SAME TIME DOES NOT WORK. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND MY IGNITION WON'T TURN. IT JUST FROZE. IT WAS OK. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HAD AN INTERVIEW TO GET TO AND GOT IN MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE KEY JUST WOULDN'T TURN. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I WAS AT HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED. I THINK IT IS A DISGRACE THAT FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WON'T DO A RECALL. A RECALL SHOULD NOT BE COMPLETELY ABOUT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT ABOUT PROVIDING THE PUBLIC WITH QUALITY IN THE CARS. OBVIOUSLY, THE CONSUMER IS OF NO IMPORTANCE TO FORD. I THINK THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE HAS MADE ME DECIDE TO NEVER TRUST A FORD AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO TWO MECHANICS WHICH TOLD ME IT WOULD BE A FEW DAYS TO GET THE DEALER PARTS AND THE REPAIR WILL COST OVER $400.00. IT IS A DISGRACE THAT FORD KNOWS THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT. *TR

I WAS STRANDED WHEN MY KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. THIS WAS A SERIOUS INCIDENT BECAUSE I NEEDED TO BE HOME TO GET MY 6 YEAR OLD OFF THE BUS AND LET HIM IN THE HOUSE. I WAS UNABLE TO DO SO AND MY SON WAS EXTREMELY DISTRAUGHT. AND THEN I FIND OUT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT THIS VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF THIS. VERY DISAPPOINTING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE TIRES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO A ROLLOVER CRASH. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE ON THE TIRE WAS 700. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 75 MPH, THE DRIVER FELT A SHIFT IN THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING. THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SEPARATED IN TWO LOCATIONS. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY ROLLED OVER WHILE MAKING THE LEFT TURN. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURED DATE OF THE TIRE WAS TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT AND VERIFIED THAT THE DRIVER WAS NOT SPEEDING AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN, TIRE SIZE, AND TIRE LINE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 92,000.

THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER TO START THE CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION APPEARED TO BE LOCKED, BUT THERE WAS POWER. HE ATTEMPTED APPROXIMATELY 25 MORE TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE AND ALSO DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE STEERING, TRANSMISSION, AND IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND THE KEYS SOMETIMES GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND OR THE KEYS ARE NOT ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION. I FEEL THAT THIS IS UNSAFE. *TR

ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT WHEN THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING GASKET AGAINST THE ENGINE BLOCK FAILED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON VARIOUS YEARS OF THE FOCUS AS VERIFIED BY THE COMMENTS OF THE FORD MOTOR CO. PARTS SALES PEOPLE IN SAYING THAT THEY SELL MANY OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSINGS, AND ALSO BY BLOGS ON INTERNET CHAT LINES. THE RUBBER GASKET SWELLS WHEN IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH OIL AND BREAKS OFF THE INNER GASKET-SUPPORT RING, ALLOWING THE LEAK TO HAPPEN. IT IS A POOR DESIGN THAT CAN LEAD TO MAJOR PROBLEMS SUCH AS ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND ENGINE FAILURE. I WOULD BE GLAD TO MAIL THE AFFECTED PART TO YOU FOR YOUR EXAMINATION. IT IS AMAZING HOW COMPLETELY THE SUPPORT RING FAILED, AND THE CONDITION OF THE GASKET THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH OIL WHICH LEAKS FROM THE VALVE COVER ABOVE. THE PART COULD EASILY BE REDESIGNED TO USE A STANDARD O-RING FOR THE SEAL, WHICH IS RESISTANT TO OIL, AND SEALS BETTER. THE CURRENT GASKET IS MORE LIKE A RUBBER BAND THAT IS HELD IN PLACE BY THE INSIDE RIM WHICH BREAKS OFF. *TR

I PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS IN FL. WHILE DRIVING IT TO MY HOME IN TN, I EXPERIENCED STALLING AT HWY SPEEDS. I CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER AND CONTINUED ON MY TRIP. IT STALLED AGAIN AND WOULDN'T RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER THAT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. I REPLACED THEM BOTH. THE CAR STARTED AND I BEGAN MY TRAVEL BACK HOME. UPON MY RETURN HOME, WHEN I WOULD UTILIZE THE CAR, I WOULD EXPERIENCE STALLING UNDER VARYING CONDITIONS. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT FIND THAT PROBLEM, BUT DID REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT. TYPICALLY THE CAR WOULD RUN FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THE STALLING WOULD BEGIN. I COULD USUALLY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO COOL FOR APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MINUTES AND THE CAR WOULD START. I COULD DRIVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD STALL AGAIN. MY LATEST EXPERIENCE HAPPENED AT HWY SPEEDS. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF TRAVEL THE CAR STALLED AND HAS NOT RESTARTED SINCE. I CONTACTED FORD WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THEIR "RECALL (S)" DUE TO WHERE IT WAS ASSEMBLED. I FIND IT VERY "COINCIDENTAL" THAT MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEMS THAT THE "RECALLED" CARS EXPERIENCED. IS THERE A COURSE ON ACTION THAT I SHOULD TAKE? *TR

WE BOUGHT THIS TWO YRS AGO FROM FORD DEALERSHIP AND UP TO THE DATE IT BROKE DOWN NOT ONE PROBLEM . WE DO ALL THE MAINTENANCE PLUS SOME ALL BUY CERTIFIED MECHANICS . THIS WAS OUR ONLY CAR . THE ENGINE BLEW AT UNDER 200XXXKM . THESE ARE ALL HIGHWAY KM AS WE ARE COMMUTERS . THERE IS NO WAY THIS ENGINE SHOULD HAVE BLOWN AT THAT MANY KM WITHOUT SOME KIND OF WARNING SIGN . BEFORE THE DAY IT BLEW THERE WERE NO KNOCKS NOTHING RAN LIKE A TOP . WE HAVE NEVER TAKEN THIS CAR OVER 100KM ON THE HIGHWAY AS ITS OUR ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION . WE STILL OWE 140000 ON THIS HUNK OF CRAP . IM JUST WONDERING IF THIS IS THE NORM FOR THE FOCUS ENGINES . IM JUST BAFFLED BECAUSE LIKE I SAID THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING SIGNS UP TILL THE MORNING IT HAPPENED IT STARTED TO SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER . THE MISSES DROPPED ME OFF AT WORK MADE IT TO THE SHOP BARELY AND ITS NEVER STARTED SINCE . THE MECHANIC SAYS THERE IS NO COMPRESSION IN NUMBER 4 CYLINDER AND IT WAS JUST IN THE SHOP FOR A TUNE UP MAYBE A MONTH TOPS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED . ANY HELP OR INFO WOULD HELP . THERE AREN'T THAT MANY OUT THERE THAT CARE ABOUT THE LITTLE MAN SO I'LL TAKE ANY HELP OR ADVISE I CAN GET . THX TANIA AND DERREK EBERLIE *TR

WITH NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS, KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION. I WAS UNABLE TO GET TO WORK AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOST $96 IN WAGES, MINUS TAXES. I CANNOT AFFORD $200-$500 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME FAULTY PART, THUS HAVING TO FIX IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF REFERENCES TO THIS PROBLEM, WHICH MAKES ME WONDER WHY THERE IS NO RECALL. IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, WOULDN'T THAT INDICATE A FAULTY PART, INSTALLED BY FORD ITSELF. SOME PEOPLE REPORT HAVING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION NUMEROUS TIMES, AND THAT FORD HAS NOT REDESIGNED THIS PART, NOR HAVE THEY ADMITTED IT IS FAULTY OR OFFERED A RECALL. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT TO THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS, WHICH SURELY WILL AFFECT FUTURE FORD SALES. WHEN WILL FORD OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM???*TR