This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving her vehicle at approximately 35 MPH, the ball joint snapped on the vehicle's passengers side. The contact stated there were no warning lights illuminated nor any indication of a failure prior to the ball joint snapping. The contact stated that when the failure happened to her vehicle it caused her to crash into a ditch. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained and the vehicle was towed to the residence where it remains currently. The contact stated that she did contact the dealer as well as the manufacturer who advised her to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 190,000.
While I find rust recalls for 2001 Focus Fusion and Windstar Ford claims there is no recall for frame collaps from excessive rust problems. We pulled out of our drive headed up a blind hill and the front end totally collapsed leaving us as an easy target. Several good folks jumped into action to help us get the mess safely off of the state highway by blocking traffic and helping us drag it back into our driveway. We are in our 70's and only drive the car 7-8 thousand miles a year. It has been babied and maintained by the book it entire lifetime. Conversations with Ford have gotten us no where! where do we turn ?
2001 Ford Focus with 146K miles. Adult driven one owner and well cared since new. Noticed clunking sound so took it in for brakes to the Ford dealer. Was told by dealer they can't fix as entire subframe is rotted and "I was one pothole from the engine falling out". it appears that dealers use this line as I found other complaints with the exact same wording. How can you recall the escape and Windstar for the same problem and not the Focus" because Focus owners don't have the same money that those other higher end cars have" I was driving my new baby around in this car and thank god I didn't hit that one more pothole or both our lives could have been ended! all it takes is an internet search to realize that this is a common problem. The subframe is a very important component to a car that should not just rust away in 14 years! clearly the design or materials used were at fault for this. Ford needs to recall these cars before more people are killed or injured!
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. While driving, the vehicle pulled to the right independently and the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm, ball joint assembly, and axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact did not know if the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 02V289000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,611.
Right front coil spring broke as I was driving to the mechanic to have a ball joint on my left front tire replaced. Heard a clanging noise while driving. I thought it was from the bad ball joint, when mechanic checked he said the coil spring had snapped. Called Ford about safety recall which came up when I put my VIN number into their website. I was informed that the warranty period was over and my car was not covered. It cost me $600 to have both repairs done by a mechanic. I filed a complaint with Ford while on the phone with them and their advice was to save my receipt and if a recall goes into effect for this problem, I will get reimbursed. I have seen hundreds of complaints about this problem, yet Ford just ignores the issue as it is still happening. Now today my back window made a noise and the window fell down and won't go back up. I've already had a new battery, alternator, plugs and coil pack replaced because of surging and stalling. I am also getting poor gas mileage. I was told by Ford that there are no open recalls on my car yet I have and am having the same problems that many of the recalls in effect are listing. Very poor customer service by Ford.
- Liverpool, NY, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Checked your site for recalls. Found field service action number:03M02 re: Coil springs. Previously checked for recalls two year ago. This notice was not on your site then. As the original owner, I have made it a point to keep abreast of all recalls. I was never notified of this notice by Ford. Used the same dealer for repairs for the last 5 years. Called Ford today. Ford said the dealer had a copy of this notice. Never informed of this by the dealer (auto nation, bellevue dealership). Your site posting of the notice said it expired after 10 year or 150,000 miles. Ford said I was out of luck as "what ever came first, years or mileage". I suspect that Ford never notified NHTSA of this problem & I also suspect Ford is doing a cya.
Right front coil spring broke while driving on the road. The broken spring penetrated the right front tire and immediately disabled the vehicle. It has been documented that this is a common problem for this vehicle, and it was determined that the springs were manufactured improperly and do not resist corrosion. Ford has recognized the probelm through several tsbs and even had a customer satisfaction program 03M02 with at least 2 supplements concerning the issue and replacement of the faulty parts. I spoke with a local Ford dealer (hondru) and they told me the program expired and the car is no longer covered. I then spoke with a Ford representative through direct customer service and they confirmed this was the case. They confirmed the conversation with number cas4271469-Z6W0F2. The representative's name was kendra. I am deeply concerned about this because it is a significant safety risk to me an my family. The coil spring is a significant component of the suspension, and when it brakes the driver's ability to control the car is extremely compromised. To make things worse, the broken spring destroys the tire immediately, further reducing the ability to control the car. Since it was documented that there was a fault in the manufacturing process, and Ford and NHTSA knew about the problem, these parts should have been replaced under a recall due to the safety concerns.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 5mph there was a clunking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the front coil springs fractured. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 122,000.
My last oil change I was inform the front subframe is badly rusted, to the point the mechanic could push a screw driver through it in spots. He informed me that driving it was a major safety risk, as the frame could fail, causing an accident. He said Ford has not issued a recall. They must be waiting for a higher body count when the front end of the car fails while going down the interstate.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact was driving 40 mph when the steering wheel became loose and a clunking noise emitted from the front of the vehicle. The power steering also failed, causing the vehicle to steer to the left abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the private mechanic confirmed that the front spring from the struts had detached and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 44,099.
On May 9, 2011 my car went for emergency repairs to bill wilcox's charlon Ford Agency of ridgecrest, ca. After $1725 repairs, I experienced a reduction in mileage, dropping from 30-31mpg to 25-26 mpg, a 17 to 18 % drop. That began immediately, with the initial purchase of gas - in visalia; and, it was later confirmed was caused by the improper use of a torch on a suspension cross member. The car was taken to rob holbrook's auto crew in clearfield, Utah, checked for undercarriage damage and evidence that charlon Ford's repairs caused the problems. He is a licensed safety inspector for the state of Utah. Widespread damage to that main cross member, where the attachment for the rear motor mount is affixed to that portion of the sub frame, was confirmed. The sub frame was quite distorted, bowed in and out, and exhibited evidence that the mount had been removed by use of a torch so the rear dog bone motor mount could be replaced. Deformation of that cross member and resultant changes to the suspension were the reasons for low mpg and tire wear because of improper camber. Bill wilcox, stated to California bar that toe-in was only adjusted while the camber was overlooked or could not be adjusted. But, the use of a torch to this unit is not called for - unless it is to replace that unit. Leaving the suspension cross member in that condition, leads to a stress point that could lead to cracking and tearing, and could prematurely cause rusting which weaken those attachments to the suspension. If repairs are made it is imperative that it and surrounding structures be returned to proper dimensions. But problems arise when improper heat affects strength and creates permanent softness and increasing brittleness. The cross member had to be replaced and a new alignment performed - at a cost of $851.74.
I've had numerous problems with my Ford Focus and despite regular maintenance I've been stranded on the side of a highway countless times.thus far I've replaced the engine twice. Twice I've had to replace the alternator. My throttle does not return to idle and has unexpected moments of acceleration and I've had to replace the engine throttle sensor. Both of my front coil springs have broken and were very close to puncturing my tires. After taking my vehicle to numerous mechanics none of them have been able to diagnose why my car shakes so badly. I have very poor visibility at night with the exterior lighting which is significantly less compared to other vehicles. My fan has had to be replaced since it was malfunctioning and my car was having problems overheating as well. During the course of all of these car malfunctions, I've been in dangerous situations on the side of the highway and in risky neighborhoods at night. This car has proven to be very unreliable and unsafe.
Coil spring on front passenger side broke while driving on the highway. Unable to move the vehicle because a metal object from broken spring jammed into the front tire. The car is old, but has been kept inside a garage and has low mileage.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that she experienced numerous issues with the vehicle which included the passenger side struts which had to be replaced twice. The vehicle would sit sideways when parked. The back of the front passenger seat would not lock into place, so it slid forward while the vehicle was in motion. The headlights were too dim and did not provide adequate lighting on the road. The front driver's side seat belt alarm would ring although the seat belt was engaged and the latch would also pop open suddenly at times. The vehicle stalled while the contact was driving and would accelerate suddenly. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the repairs would have to be performed at the contact's expense. The current and failure mileages were approximately 107,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing numerous failures. The main failures were the electrical system, brake system, bent tie rod, shaking and vibrating, rear window mechanisms, and flooding after it rains. The leak occurs on the passenger side and the water rises 2 to 3 inches. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer due to the inspection costs. The failure mileage was 130,473.
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.
My 2001 ZX3 Focus would eat tires.. got it used but with only 30,000 miles put new Firestone tires on and had it rotated every 3000 miles to keep it from shaking.. did that 4 times and sold the P.O.S. the people at Firestone told me it was bad engineering on Ford part. Brakes would make nose that the dealer had no clue what it was... now I date someone I with a 2002 Ford Focus. At 30,000 new brakes and rotors. New PCM. And the list is still adding up. If the Focus isn't a lemon... then there is no point of the lemon law. Time to change it and make it harder to sell cars that are made so cheap!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Woodville, AL, USA