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.
Rotors and pads wear excessively. Vehicle has no problem stopping, but squeals when brakes are applied. Vehicle was taken in for front brake problem. Dealer was notified.
Every 12000 miles consumer had the brake pads and rotors replaced. Brakes were making noise, and there was extended stopping distance. Contacted dealer.
Brakes squealing - took to local Ford dealership- nothing wrong with my brakes this was on Jan. 18, 2002- had to have front pads and rotors replaced on 5/31/2002. Throttle stuck in Jan 2002.
Premature failure of front disk rotors. This appears to be a frequent and well documented problem with Ford Focus. Ford customer service claims the failure of the rotors is "normal wear and tear" yet owners are reporting frequent failures. There is even an internet site devoted solely to this defect, which Ford has not acknowledged.
Front brakes began to squeel. Upon inspection at brake shop it was found that although the front pads were in good shape, both front rotors were warped and needed replacement. Vehicle was purchased from the Ford dealer approximately 10,000 miles ago. The right rear brake drum also needed replacement because of excessive wear. The vehicle had been into Ford for a recall on the rear bearings at 23,757 miles at which time the rear drums were removed but apparently the drums were not warped or the mechanic did not inspect prior to replacement. These problems are apparently common to the Focus as documented at www.fordfocusbrakeproblems.com, which includes reports of total brake failure at very low mileage. Nlm
- Baltimore, MD, USA
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While driving would step on brake pedal and brakes would malfunction at time of operation, had taken vehicle to dealer and they replaced rotors five times the brakes squeak often, both the rotors and brake pads had to be replaced due to warping, the vehicle has 31,800 miles.
After 6 months of purchase, the brake system specifically rotors failed. While applying brakes there was a constant grinding noise, resulting in extended stopping distance before vehicle came to a complete stop. Mechanic stated Ford Focus had these common problems, also experiencing other problems such as erratic speedometer failure, an the interior light fell out from roof of vehicle, and 2 inches of water entering from side of door.
Tires/ shocks/ wheel bearings/ transmission struts, and rotors all bad and worn out. Dealer unresponsive and so is Ford long file on this car. Dealer refuses to lemon the car out. Totally frustrated by lack of communication with dealer and Ford am considering law suit against both (tiresize: 195R7015)
Rotors are prematurely wearing and have been replaced three times. When brakes are applied at any speed a loud noise occurs, cause unknown. Dealer has been contacted.
Defective brake rotors. Dealer has yet to be contacted. Consumer also states the windhsiled wipers are inoperative, the striping on the driver side door has always been loose, also radio buttons were stuck, drivers doorlock does not unlock all the time with remote key.
Consumer traveled on highway alot and vehicle started making grinding noise. Brake rotors and drums on the left were crumbling. Manufacturer's recalls 00S20 and 00S31 did not affect consumer's vehicle due to VIN.
Consumer states on several occasions when vehicle was taken in for maintenance she would tell mechanic that she could hear brakes making noise and each time mechanic would inspect vehicle, nothing was wrong, mechanic made a statement to consumer that the noise she was hearing was from the tires and they needed to be rotated and the noise would cease, consumer stated the noise became worse and when she returned, the mechanic informed her that new rotors were needed which were replaced, as of 4/30/01 consumer continues to hear the brakes.
Consumer was in an automobile accident, car was towed into dealership where she was advised that tires did not cause accident and there was nothing wrong with the brakes, two weeks later consumer went to another mechanic and was told that tires were bald and there was metal coming out of them, also rotors were cracked and had pieces missing out of them, so rotors and all brake pads had to be replaced.
While driving on I275 nth I heard what sounded like the noise a flat tire would make.got off motorway to investigate, could find nothing wrong. Got back on only to find the car starting to pull toward the passenger side. Luckily I was near a rest area, pulled off. Only to find smoke pouring from the rear wheel. It had siezed solid. It was taken to a dealer, who fixed the following, drum&bearing cup, spindle, retainer asy wheel, rotor brake sk, cap rear wheel and the ABS sensor. Refused to check other side as that had already(much early been fixed under a recall) while their they did find the cause for the fuel smell inside the vehicle, in circuit 15rl3(gn.rd) @ C-87 terminal was not seated in connector, fuel consumption has improved from 28mpg to 31mpg. Local dealer and Ford customer service both told me my concerns with the other rear wheel and the engine due to it's consumption of unburned fuel(not to mention mine)were area's they will not check, even if I feel they are potentially dangerous to myself and any passengers I may have.
After driving for 20 miles or more vehicle experienced a problem with brake squealing and vibration when brakes were applied due to brake pads and shoes failure. Vehicle been in dealer shop on five occasions, and problem canont be corrected. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter. Console assembly failed. Brake rotors failed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Klamath Falls, OR, USA