2003 Ford Focus Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER HAD THE BATTERY AND THE ALTENATOR CHANGED, AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG AFTER A TRACTOR TRAILER PASSED ON THE LEFT SIDE. VEHICLE BEGAN TO FILL WITH SMOKE, AND THE CONSUMER FELT A SHARP PAIN IN THE SHOULDER. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEVER MADE CONTACT WITH THE TRACTOR TRAILER. *AK

AT ABOUT 13,000 MILES MY 2003 FORD FOCUS BEGAN TO VIBRATE IN THE FRONT (STEERING WHEEL AND GEAR SHIFT). I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD A TIRE OUT OF BALANCE. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL TIRE CENTER AND HAD THE TIRES BALANCED. I THEN WENT ON VACATION IN MY CAR. THE CAR CONTINUED TO VIBRATE THROUGH THE TRIP. WHEN I RETURNED I TOOK MY CAR TO A SECOND DEALERSHIP. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT MY GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES HAVE PREMATURE WEAR CAUSING THE VIBRATION. MY TIRES ALSO HAVE SCALLOPING, BUT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE ALIGMENT WAS WITHIN FORD SPECIFICATIONS. I NOW HAVE A CAR LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND JUST OVER 16,000 MILES IN NEED OF NEW TIRES. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE RAPID WEAR OF THE TIRES AND THAT THIS MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS WITH OTHER DRIVERS OF THE 2003 FORD FOCUS. MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 FORD FOCUS BECAUSE THE GOODYEAR TIRES HAD A VERY SOFT RUBBER COMPOUND. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, BUT PREMATURE WEAR AND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE TIRES AT MY EXPENSE. I AM NOW PLANNING ON GOING TO MY LOCAL TIRE DEALER AND REPLACING THE TIRES. *AK

WHILE PUMPING GASOLINE AT THE GAS STATION THE GASOLINE SPLASHED ON THE CONSUMER. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL NECK HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT AFTER SHIFTING VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE STALLED. DEALERSHIP WASN'T ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *LA

CONSUMER NOTICED AFTER DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO MERGE ON TO FREEWAY VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AND SHIFTED INTO FULL THROTTLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *LA

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. GLASS FILLED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK

OIL FILTER MOUNTED AT LOWEST POINT ON UNDERCARRIAGE IN FRONT OF CAR,I RAN OVER SOMETHING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ONLY PART OF CAR HIT WAS OIL FILTER WHICH LOST OIL AND DAMAGED ENGINE. *AK

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

AFTER A MONTH OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I WAS GETTING WATER IN MY TRUNK. BROUGHT IT TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTING DEVISE AND REPAIRED THE RUST. A MONTH LATER SAME PROBLEM. BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY DID THE SAME THING. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN BUT WARRANTY IS UP.*AK

MUSTY MOLD SMELL COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONER AND HEAT. *AK

WHILE COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND COMING TO A STOP CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND HEARD A GRINDING SOUND. VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, AND IT SIDE SWIPED A SIGN POST NEAR A SCHOOL ZONE. THE POLICE DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT NOR WERE THERE ANY INJURIES. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SOME DENTS , AND THE LOSS OF THE EXTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR. *AK

TRANSAXLE DISENGAGES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. TRANSAXLE RE-ENGAGES BELOW 30 MPH. *NM

I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS, WHICH IN GENERAL HAS BEEN A PRETTY GOOD CAR TO ME, IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE WORRIES I'VE HAD ABOUT STOPPING! THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED SINCE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE (BRAND NEW) AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THE PADS AND THE ROTORS WERE GONE. NOT SURPRISED SINCE I HAD GRINDING AND SQUEAKING, BUT YET AMAZED THAT THE CAR WAS SO NEW WITH SO LITTLE MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE ALREADY HAVING AN ISSUE. WHEN THE CAR WAS FINISHED, IT DIDN'T SQUEAK OR GRIND FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS - BUT THEN WENT RIGHT BACK TO GRINDING AND SQUEAKING. I TALKED TO ANOTHER GIRL WITH AN 03 FOCUS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. WHY CAN'T ALL OF US WITH THE 2003 FORD FOCUS GET TOGETHER AND COMPLAIN TOGETHER? I AM STILL WORRIED EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT THAT ONE DAY IT WON'T STOP OR SOMETHING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE, FOR I PAY FOR THIS VEHICLE EVERY MONTH AND IT SHOULD BE SERVICED CORRECTLY. I ALSO ENCOUNTER MANY FORD ENGINEERS IN DEARBORN MICHIGAN THAT SAY THEY HAVE HEARD MANY REPORTS SUCH AS THIS. CAN I ASK WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT? THEY SAY THAT THE NEWER MODELS HAVE BETTER BREAK SYSTEMS... HOW DOES THAT HELP THE 2003 MODEL OWNERS?????? SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *JB

MY CAR WHEN FIRST BOUGHT ALWAYS MOANED AND GROANED UPON BRAKING. I BOUGHT MY CAR 9/14/2003. THE NEXT YEAR IN 5/22/04 THE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 3,500 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER DID PAY FOR AFTER A RUN AROUND. I HAD TO WAIT A WEEK BEFORE BEING ABLE TO TAKE MY CAR IN AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR TO NOT DRIVE MY CAR. HERE I AM IN DECEMBER NOISE IS BACK AND ROTORS ARE ALL BUMPY AGAIN WITH ONLY 8,100 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP IS WORKING ON TAKING CARE OF IT BUT I AM GOING TO FILE A DISPUTE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY .*AK

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REGULAR CHECK UP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN OUT. CONSUMER WILL NOTIFY MANUFACTURER.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STARTER FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE FLYWHEEL AND THE STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THIRTY TIMES FOR THE FOLLOWING FAILURES: BRAKES ROTORS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES; BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED; THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IT. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER THE DASHBOARD HAD TO BE REWIRED. THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE VALVES; THE REAR DOOR LATCHES WERE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL # 05V300000. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT CORRECTED THE NOISES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO COOPERATED IN FINDING A SUITABLE RESOLUTION. THE LAST PROBLEM FOUND BY THE DEALERSHIP WAS THE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE HEADS. THE ENGINE HEADS WERE ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FRAME.

1) PRIOR TO INCIDENT, CAR HAD BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER WITH CLUNKING NOISE COMPLAINT, SOUNDING LIKE FROM LEFT FRONT. DEALER REFERENCED TSB 03-20-02, REPLACED SWAY BAR END LINKS (TWICE), TIGHTENED LOOSE STRUT MOUNT BODY BOLTS. OWNER STILL HEARD POPPING NOISE. 2) DAY OF FAILURE, DRIVER HAD JUST EXITED CURVE TO LEFT AND DRIVING IN STRAIGHT SECTION. CAR LURCHED TO LEFT, ACROSS CENTERLINE. DRIVER (OVER)CORRECTED, VEERING OFF ROAD TO RIGHT, STRIKING TREE WITH LEFT REAR. DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL ASKEW DUE TO BROKEN LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BROKEN SWAY BAR LINK, WHICH RESULTED IN DISCONNECTED CV SHAFT. DAMAGE PATTERNS INDICATE FAILURE PRECEEDED OFF-ROAD EXCURSION. 3) CAR PROBABLE TOTAL LOSS. *LA

CONTINUOUS FRONT END VIBRATION. 1 TIRE BLOWOUT AT 5,000 MILES, ANOTHER BLEW A BELT AT 14,000 MILES. FIRESTONE FIREHAWK 205, 50 R16. *AK

BOUGHT 2003 FORD FOCUS AUGUST 2003; MARCH-APRIL 2004 HEARD THUMPING NOISE OFF REAR TIRES. (PLEASE NOTE: I PUT ON 3,000 MILES MONTHLY AND CHANGE MY OIL MONTHLY AS WELL AS ROTATE MY TIRES EVERY OTHER OIL CHANGE.) TREADS ARE WEARING IN COASTER SIZE SPOTS, BUT UNDER 25%. GOODYEAR IS REPLACING ONLY ONE TIRE UNDER THE "WARRANTY" "NUISANCE" CLAUSE. WILL MONITOR ALL TIRES. THE OLD TIRE IS WAVY, UNLIKE THE OTHERS, WHICH ARE FINE THUS FAR. GY SUGGESTED POSSIBLE SUSPENSION, BUT DOUBTED DUE TO THE YOUTH OF THE CAR AND TIRES AND ALSO SUGGESTED ALIGNMENT. HAD THE NEW TIRE PUT ON...FREE..AND HAD A "FREE" ALIGNMENT ANALYSIS PERFORMED. *AK

WE BOUGHT A NEW FORD FOCUS IN DECEMBER OF 2002. IN MARCH 2004, WITH ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON IT, THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO ACT UP. WHEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION THE KEY GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT TURN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AFTER SPENDING ABOUT 20 TO 40 MINUTES OF WIGGLING THE KEY AND KNOCKING ON THE STEERING COLUMN IT WOULD FINALLY TURN. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN APRIL AFTER BEING STUCK AT NIGHT FOR ALMOST 2 HOURS ON A DESERTED PARKING LOT. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE MECHANIC HIMSELF WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. YESTERDAY, ON 25 FEB 2005, THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED UP AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED IT OUT BUT WE ARE OFF WARRANTY, SO WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OURSELVES. IT IS A VERY FRUSTRATING THOUGHT THAT AFTER SPENDING ALL THAT MONEY, IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN IN SEVERAL MONTH. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER FOCUS OWNERS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE, WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD DOES NOT MAKE ANY ALLOWANCES TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED PERMANENTLY. WE HAVE OWNED OUR CARS USUALLY UP TO 10 YEARS OR SO AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN IGNITION CYLINDER BEFORE ON ANY OF THEM. *JB

I HAVE HAD BULGES DEVELOP IN THE SIDEWALL OF TWO FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA 02 TIRES THAT CAME AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 2003 FOCUS ZX3 HATCHBACK. THE FIRST TIRE BULGED AT 3800 MILES AND THE DEALER RELUCTANTLY REPLACED THAT TIRE. NOW AT 11,500 MILES A SECOND TIRE HAS A BULGE IN THE SIDEWALL. THE FIRST BULGE I ATTRIBUTED TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NOW THAT THE SECOND TIRE HAS BULGED, AND MANY OTHERS REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS, I THINK FIRESTONE HAS ANOTHER BIG PROBLEM DEVELOPING. FORD/FIRESTONE SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE ALL OF THESE TIRES AT NO COST.

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE VEHICLE'S DRIVERSIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *MR

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE/BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THEN, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEARS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

BALL JOINT (SUSPENSION) BROKE, VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. FORTUNATELY, INCIDENT OCCURRED IN A MULTI-STORY PARKING GARAGE, AT LOW SPEED. *AK THE CONSUMER'S INSURANCE REQUESTED STATUS UPDATE. *SC

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE WHEEL BRACKET AND BEARING ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NOW THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN ON THE EXACT SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A STOP SIGN THE ENGINE WILL REV UP SEVERELY, EVEN WHEN THE CONSUMER'S FOOT IS ON THE BRAKES. *NM

MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT OUR FORD FOCUS IN MAY OF 2003. IN SEPT. OF 2003 WE PAID IT OFF. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AN ODOR COMING OUT OF THE COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM. IT SMELLS LIKE MOLD/MILDEW. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO BOB BELL FORD IN GLEN BURNIE, MARYLAND ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY ONLY PUT SOME KIND OF DEODORIZER IN THE SYSTEM THAT LASTS A FEW DAYS, AND THEN THE ODOR COMES BACK AGAIN. THE LAST TIME WE TOOK IT THERE, MY HUSBAND WAS INSULTED BY ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS. THEY STILL HAVEN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM. WE GOT OUR CAR BACK ON SATURDAY, 5 DAYS AFTER TAKING IT TO THEM, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE 'SERVICE MANAGER' HAD IT DETAILED, AND SUGGESTED THAT THE ODOR WAS DUE TO THE CAR BEING DIRTY. GRANTED, THE CAR NEEDED A GOOD WASHING ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT COME ON NOW, PLEASE, THAT WON'T CAUSE AN ODOR ON THE INSIDE. IT IS EITHER A CONDENSATION PROBLEM OR AN IMPROPER WATER DRAINING PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING AND THEY WON'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM PROPERLY. FOR SOME REASON, AFTER IT RAINS, WE SMELL THIS HORRIBLE ODOR WHEN WE USE OUR COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY DEODORIZE THE SYSTEM THE ODOR COMES BACK. IT IS A "HEALTH HAZARD" BREATHING THIS HORRIBLE ODOR. HOPEFULLY FILING THIS COMPLAINT MAY HELP OUR SITUATION BEFORE WE ARE FORCED TO GO ANY FURTHER. IF THEY DON'T SOON CORRECT THE PROBLEM , WE WILL BE CALLING THE BBB AND CONTACTING OUR LAWYER. *JB

MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT OUR FORD FOCUS IN MAY OF 2003. IN SEPT. OF 2003 WE PAID IT OFF. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AN ODOR COMING OUT OF THE COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM. IT SMELLS LIKE MOLD/MILDEW. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO BOB BELL FORD IN GLEN BURNIE, MARYLAND ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY ONLY PUT SOME KIND OF DEODERIZER IN THE SYSTEM THAT LASTS A FEW DAYS, AND THEN THE ODOR COMES BACK AGAIN. THE LAST TIME WE TOOK IT THERE, MY HUSBAND WAS INSULTED BY ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS. THEY STILL HAVEN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM. WE GOT OUR CAR BACK ON SATURDAY, 5 DAYS AFTER TAKING IT TO THEM, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE 'SERVICE MANAGER' HAD IT DETAILED, AND SUGGESTED THAT THE ODOR WAS DUE TO THE CAR BEING DIRTY. GRANTED, THE CAR NEEDED A GOOD WASHING ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT COME ON NOW, PLEASE, THAT WON'T CAUSE AN ODOR ON THE INSIDE. IT IS EITHER A CONDENSATION PROBLEM OR AN IMPROPER WATER DRAINING PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING AND THEY WON'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM PROPERLY. FOR SOME REASON, AFTER IT RAINS, WE SMELL THIS HORRIBLE ODOR WHEN WE USE OUR COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY DEODORIZE THE SYSTEM THE ODOR COMES BACK. IT IS A "HEALTH HAZARD" BREATHING THIS HORRIBLE ODOR. HOPEFULLY FILING THIS COMPLAINT MAY HELP OUR SITUATION BEFORE WE ARE FORCED TO GO ANY FURTHER. IF THEY DON'T SOON CORRECT THE PROBLEM , WE WILL BE CALLING THE BBB AND CONTACTING OUR LAWYER. *JB

ON SATURDAY MORNING I BOUGHT THE CAR - A BRAND NEW 2003 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON. ON SUNDAY MORNING, I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE DUE TO THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS OF THE MOMENT. INSTANTLY, THE BACK END OF THE CAR SWERVED TO THE RIGHT IN A JACK-KNIFE MANNER. THE CAR SPUN AROUND AND THREW ITSELF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE FRONT END WOUND UP POINTED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY THE CAR LANDED IN A SANDY SPOT WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR TO ME. IT WAS AS IF I HAD HIT BLACK ICE, EXCEPT THAT DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT DAY WERE PERFECT - 50 DEGREES, SUNNY AND DRY WITH GOOD ROAD SURFACE. IN MY OPINION, THIS INCIDENT MAY BE THE RESULT OF POOR DESIGN: THAT IS THE REAR END OF THE FOCUS SE WAGON IS TOO LIGHT TO HOLD THE ROAD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR THE BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN. IN ANY EVENT, THIS WAS A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE FOR ME. I THINK THAT THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP FOR ME AND A HAZARD FOR EVERYONE ELSE NEAR IT ON THE ROAD. *AK

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS AGAINST THE PASSENGER AND DOES NOT ALLOW SLOW GENTLE MOVEMENT IN A NON-CRASH ENVIRONMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT WORKS FINE AND LIKE NORMAL. HAVE BEEN TO ORIGINATING DEALER TWICE TO CORRECT - NO CHANGE IN OPERATION. SAFETY DEFECT AS CRUSHING LOAD CAUSES PASSENGER TO HOLD BELT PHYSICALLY OUT WHEN SEATED OR OTHERWISE DEFEATING BELTING ARRANGEMENT. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CYLINDER AND KEY DESIGN IS NO GOOD. LOTS OF FOCUS OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THEY (FORD) SAY ITS BECAUSE THE KEYS WERE TO HEAVY OR SOMETHING BUT I ONLY HAVE MY CAR AND HOSUE KEY ON MY RING. NOW IN ORDER TO START THE CAR I NEED TO PLAY WITH THE KEY FOR 1 TO 15 MINUTES JUST TO GET THE CAR STARTED. IT WOULD COST ME AROUND $275 TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FORD. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 15 MONTHS. (13 AT TIME OF FAILURE). *AK

WHEN DRIVING 20 MPH ENGINE REVVED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CASE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE ADD ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN DRIVER BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. DRIVER HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES. DRIVER HAS TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED WENT THE CONSUMER REACHED SPEEDS OF 55 MPH AND HIGHER. *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION.UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES, BUT WAS QUITE SORE. *AK

THIS VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LEMON.AT 4,900 MILES 5 DISC CD PLAYER HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT 15,000 MILES THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT AND HAD TO HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED, LUCKILY IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. AT 22,000 THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT CRANK. AT 24,000 MILES THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT EVEN TURN OVER SO THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. 26,000 THE CENTER CONSOLE BROKE OF HINGES. 27,356 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER THE STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED.32,000 MILES THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT. 36,000 MILES ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.38,000 MILES COMPLICATIONS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER AGAIN. HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL 54,000 THEN EVERYTHING SPIRALED OUT OF CONTROL. THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT, THE PUMP HOUSING WAS LEAKING. THE STARTER COIL WAS BAD A FEW FUSES HAD BLOWN THAT I HADN'T KNOW ABOUT. I HAD A FULL TUNE UP, SPARKPLUGS AND NEW WIRES AND ALSO PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY. 61,000 THE WINDOW LEVER TO ROLL WINDOWS UP ON PASSENGER SIDE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF, THE DOOR HANDLE ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE BECAME VERY STIFF AND HAD TO BE AGGRESSIVELY OPENED UNTIL THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT. 68,000 MILES WATERPUMP ADAPTER CRACKED AND SPRAYED ANTIFREEZE EVERYWHERE. 72,000 LIGHT OIL LEAK FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE SPARK PLUG COMPARTMENT AND ONLY DAYS LATER THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT. SO THIS LITTLE PROBLEMATIC BABY IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE WITH ONLY 73,263 MILES ON IT BECAUSE I CUT HER OFF AT NEARLY $4K IN REPAIRS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT BESIDES SEND IT TO THE JUNK YARD BECAUSE I WOULD HATE TO SALE IT AND PAWN THIS MONEY CONSUMING VEHICLE OFF ON SOMEONE ELSE. FORD SHOULD JUST BUY IT BACK FROM ME. *TR

PURCHASED 2003 FORD FOCUS IN SEPTEMBER, 2003. THERE WAS NOT EVEN 3,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. MY HUSBAND DROVE IT 2 BLOCKS TO THE STORE ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2004, WENT INTO THE STORE TO GET ONE ITEM AND ONLY IN THE STORE 5 MINUTES, CAME OUT AND MY CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO JERK. AS A RESULTED THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VAN AND HIT A TREE. THE VAN WAS TOTALED. *NM *SC

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED TWICE, BUT ALWAYS STARTED BACK UP AFTER A FEW MINUTES. ON ONE OCCASION, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER AND ON THE ANOTHER OCCASION, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *AK THE STARTER WAS FOUND FAULTY, THE TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERATIVE AND THERE WAS A VIBRATION WHILE GOING 40 MPH DUE TO SHIFTING, THE CLOCK DISPLAY WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE ENGNE LIGHT STAYED ON. *SC *JB

CAR STALLS OUT IN COLD WEATHER ONLY. CAR WAS PURCHASED ON OCT. '03 FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN JAN. OF '04. WENT THROUGH THE DISPUTE BOARD AND THEY WOULD NOT GRANT NEW VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP AND FORD ENGINEER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN ON 6/6/05 WITH THE FORD FIELD ENGINEER PRESENT WHO WANTED TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. TOLD HIM IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE SINCE IT WAS NOT COLD OUTSIDE. PROBLEM STILL UNRESOLVED!

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

BOUGHT A 2003 USED FORD FOCUS IN JULY 04 AND ON TUESDAY, JAN. 4 WENT TO START VEHICLE AND KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO IGNITION. NOTHING WORKED WHEELS WERE LOCKED. HAD TO BE TOWED AND TECH HAD TROUBLE DUE TO WHEELS LOCKED. FOUND MANY MORE COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET ABOUT THIS TROUBLE IN FOCUSES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND HE REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES. *AK *NM

WHEN COMING TO A STOP, TRANSMISSION OPERATED POORLY. IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT GEARS OR GEARS DID NOT SHIFT AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK *NM

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. SHE STATED SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE VEHICLE, SO NO ONE WAS INJURED. SHE STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING. *JB

ENGINE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASONS AND WITH NO WARNING. *AK

THERE IS SERIOUS PROBLEMS W/ THE FRONT END OF THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS PURCHASED APPROX. 17 MONTHS AGO. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD 3 MAJOR BRAKE JOBS. TWICE, THE PADS WERE REPLACED AND ONCE BOTH THE PADS AND THE ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO RESONATES AT HIGH SPEEDS. EVERYTHING SHAKES INCLUDING THE STERRING WHEEL AND THE STATES. IT APPEARS MY TWO FRONT TIRES ARE OUT OF ROUND. FORD ORIGINALLY SAID IT WAS DEFECT IN THE TIRE, WHICH I REPLACED, HOWEVER THE NEW TIRE IS OUT OF ROUND AS WELL. AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE SAYS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT STRUTS. FORD HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM ME REGUARDING BOTH THE BRAKES AND THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. ALSO THE VEHICLE IS VERY LOUD AND IT APPEARS TO BE AIR COMING IN WHEN. FORD INITIALLY RESEALED THE WINDSHIELD, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED.*AK

2003 FORD FOCUS ZX3 PZEV ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. ALL THE INSTRUMENTS ON THE DASH (SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TACHOMETER, OIL PRESSURE, ETC.) BECOME INOPERATIVE. MUST BRING THE CAR TO A STOP, PUT IT IN PARK, AND TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION BEFORE CAR CAN BE RESTARTED. PROBLEM BEGAN WITH LESS THAN 500 MILES ON THE CAR. IN THE THREE MONTHS I'VE OWNED THE CAR IT HAS STALLED AT LEAST 20 TIMES. HAVE HAD IT TO TWO DIFFERENT FORD SERVICE CENTERS A COMBINED TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP WHILE THEY WAIT FOR A SPECIAL FORD TECHNICIAN TO COME AND TRY AND DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG. *AK

HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. ON OCTOBER 31 OF 2003, I PURCHASED FORD FOCUS SE, BRAND NEW.. FOR FIVE MONTH I OWN THIS VEHICLE, I WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ALL KIND DIFFERENT PROBLEMS 9 TIMES. IT WAS: CONSTANT VERY STRONG VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, CONSTANT GROUNDING NOISE COMES FROM ENGINE SITE AND TRANSFORMED TO AN ULTRASOUND NOISE AT HIRE SPEED, THE SQUEALING HAS INTENSIFIED AND SOUNDS HORRIBLE! TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE I DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, HAD TO USE TOW TRACK.( DEALER SAD THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM) ,BUT TRANSMISSION STILL LOCKS AND JERKING CONSTANTLY, SQUEAL NOISE FROM BREAKS, (DEALER REPLACED FRONT PADS AND RESURFACE DRUM, BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR REAR BREAKS AND NOISE AND PULSATION IS STILL THERE., DEALER FOUND DEFECTIVE RIMS, DEFECTIVE TIRES, THROTTLE PROBLEMS, BRAKES PROBLEMS. PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR INTENSIFIED. I GOT MY CRUSE CONTROL ACCELERATED BY IT SELF IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP AND JERKING INTERMITTENTLY, BRAKES SQUEALING AND PULSATE THE FORD DEALER SALES AND SERVICE PEOPLE SAID THAT I SHOULD NOT RETURN FOR SERVICE AND WAIST ANY BODYS TIME, HE SAID THAT WHAT I HEAR AND FILL IN MY FORD FOCUS IS NORMAL. FORD WARRANTY IS NOT WORTH A PAPER IT IS WRITTEN ON. SO, FORD WONT FIX MY CAR AND I CANNOT DO IT OTHER WISE. AS A RESULT OF STRONG VIBRATION AND SQUEALING NOISE I AM LOOSING BALANCE, HAVE SEVERE HEADACHE, ALL BODY EKING, I HAVE PAIN IN BOOTH OF MY ARMS, AND I HAVE DIFFICULTY TO WALK AND MY RIGHT LEG BECOME NUM. I HAVE TO USE WALKING CANE AND KNEE AND ANKLE SUPPORT. I SCARED TO EVEN DRIVE IT ANYMORE. I AM PLEADING TO YOU, TO HELP .ME TO GET A FULL REFUND FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR ITS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, PLUS A COMPENSATION FOR ALL EXPENSES INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THIS ORDEAL.