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.
While driving the dash light began to flicker then the vehicle shut down suddenly while in gear. Campaign id number : 00V411000. The consumer was told that the power cable to the battery was the result of the problem. Campaign id number : 02V288000. The consumer was told by the service department that this is a problem because the vehicle could explode. The warranty company turned the consumer down stating that the problem was not part of the warranty. The key gets stuck in the vehicles ignition and would not come out. The doors would not close properly and remained open while the vehicle was in gear. When the tire was removed the consumer noticed that the wheel was missing a lug nut. Campaign id number : 00V303000 the air vent did not stay open when the A/C was on high. The brakes howled like a wounded dog from the time of purchase. Pads and rotors needed to be replaced.
Defective front brake rotor. During the inspection the consumer was told that the defect was not covered under the vehicle's warranty. Other vehicle components also malfunctioned. The vehicle's trunk latch broke, the check engine light illuminated twice, the cd player became inoperative and the steering wheel locked up.
To whom it may concern, own a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3, I have had this car in for more repairs & recalls then I can count. The most recent visit to the dealer (colley Ford, glendora, ca.) for a recall (program) and to have the brakes serviced was on 10/02/2004, I was told after 3 days that the clutch had a burnt smell, the battery had to be replaced, as well as the spark plug wires, some hose, and that the brake rotors would have to be turned (this is the second set of rotors on this car that has 37000 miles). Please help me I am at the end of my rope with this car and don't know where to turn. I cant win with the dealer or Ford Motor Company..... what should I do, what can I do? the fealer will not help & Ford will not help. I still have not been able to have the car fit yet, im waiting to hear from the dealer. Please help thank you for your time regards jeri williams 24/7 (626) 272-9518.
Front brakes are not compatible with the vehicle, once the vehicle hits 10, 000 miles the brakes become defective, the rotors and the pads wore out to the metal.
While applying the brake pedal consumer heard a loud squeaking noise, and the vehicle failed to stop completely. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that brake rotors and pads needed to be replaced, and replaced them three times. However, the problem recurred.
- Monroe, NY, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
This is a crap car, I can only hope for the best of the next few years as I have paid off the [xxx] thing. 2000 Ford Focus. Fuel pump failed and replaced at dealership who in return refused to give back the full tank of gas I thought I had (I filled up that morning and brought it straight there) another malfunction"?? they say I brought it in at 1/4 tank???" the car still sputters!!!! what the [xxx]. also>>>>>paint is horribly peeling off trunk. My car will be green in no time. Again dealer wont even answer phone calls because I am off warranty (as if driving miles would actually have anything to do with the peeling of paint) moisture in the front headlight never goes away. And quite frankly I don't feel like replacing the rotors and pads every 15000 miles!!!! Chevy here I come! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Consistent and costly brake problems on my 2000 Ford Focus - VIN [xxx]. recently, on Feb 26, 2004, bob baker Ford, san diego serviced/replaced my front rotors & pads - costing $483. My rear brakes were previously serviced due to loud squeal (deglazed, dr sanded) on March 21, 2003; October 25, 2002; and August 23, 2002. Are rotors normally replaced at 18625 miles? I emailed Ford Motor Company [xxx] on 2/26/04, and they phoned me the next day. Ford motor stated my problem was due to the previous owner's excessive use of the brakes, and they would forward my complaint to their engineer department. Updated 07/27/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When depressing the brake pedal consumer heard a grinding noise, causing the vehicle to have extended stopping distance. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer to be inspected, and mechanic determined that front rotors were wearing out.
I bought my Focus in 2000. Since then I have suffered 2 blowouts that neither Ford or Firestone would fix. I've had brake pads replaced once and now have to have brakepads and rotor replaced. Sometimes the key won't turn the ignition. And of course this morning (one of the coldest days we've had) something has gone wrong with the heater.
After getting the state inspection on the car done, the service technician told us that the car had failed due to the rotors and pads needing replaced. Upon contacting the dealership, the service manager told us that this was normal wear and would cost us 695 to replace. The vehicle has less than 36000 miles, this should not be normal.
Brakes/rotors/pad have worn and/or malfunctioned more than three times in the two years I have had this car. The first time was within two months of ownership, dealer repaired, but only after pressing the point. Had to replace the above twice already. One time brakes failed as my wife drove my children and nearly resulted in a serious accident. Brake problems happening yet again. Why is this not a recalled issue? I am out hundreds of dollars for this.
We had to place the 6th set of tires on our car. We haven't had a single set of tires last longer than 20,000 miles. We have our tires rotated and balanced and front-end aligned regularly. We have replaced the front brake pads 5 times. We have had all 5 recalls repaired on the car. When I had the rear bearing replaced under warranty the technician told me that they had to order emergency bearings overnight because it was not safe to drive. When I inquired about a rental car, he offered to reassemble my car and let me drive it home (even though it was unsafe)! this has always been a loud car, but a week ago there was a loud roaring, grinding noise up front that gets especially loud when I turn to the right. After having a technician look at it, he says the front bearings are gone and the front rotors and brake pads also need to be replaced again. I am in the same situation as everyone else: Because this car has had so many problems and complaints it is only valuing at $3000 after 3 years. Ford should be forced to do something to satisfy all of these dissatisfied customers.
Consumer was having problems with rotors rusting. Dealer was contacted, and stated that rotors needed to be replaced, but did not explain as why this happened.
2000 Ford Focus bought new have had brake problums since day one, front brakes wear out prematurly once at 24000 miles now at 48000 miles and now even the front rotors are worn out, it has been the inboard pads that go bad. Also the rear brakes squeal very badly and have since new rear brakes have been replaced three times with no cure, my Ford dealer has told me all cars do this and nothing can be done to solve the problem, I have since asked other Focus drives about this problem and most say thet don't have a brake problem and have heard no othe car of any kind squeeling as mine does it's embaressing to drive and every one looks at us when ever we apply the brakes it's very bad, the car is now out of warrenty but Ford will not admit to haveing a problem and has done nothing to solve the problem, I feel that it should be taken care of reguardless because they do have a problem, I feel it is bad rotors-sticking calipers on the front and possibly a bad proporshing valve as for the rear, the valve could be also the problem along with the shoes also, something needs done I am afraid to drive it at times not knowing what will go wrong with the brakes next or when, but this squeel has got to stop!!!
Brake pads and rotors replaced at 27,000 miles on my 2000 Focus. The Ford dealership I take my car to for service said that replacing the rotors on this car is 'normal'. they said that the rotors are soft and tend to wear-out fast and that is was not covered under the warranty. They said the Ford escape had this issue also. I took my car to les schwab for the repair because they provide a 2 year 36,000 mile warranty on the brakes.
Constant squeaking noise when the brakes are applied. I've already replaced the rotors, brakes, brake pads, and drums on several occasions since buying this Focus about 3 years ago. Also my steering wheel locked on me one day in April of 2002 the key would not fit into the ignition to start the car I have no idea why this would happen from one day to another. I had my vehicle towed to the Ford dealership and they didn't know what the problem was caused by. They said that they needed to update the lock cylinder. Luckily I purchased the api extended warranty that cover the car for 100,000 miles. So the cost of the work done for this was $427.20. All but $50 of which was my deductible was cover by this warranty. The problems didn't stop here. I also have had to get the cd systems that came installed in the car replaced. The was a constant clicking noise with the cd player and 90% of the time the cd's wouldn't even play. I called the dealership and they said that they could replace it for me but that it wouldn't be coverer by the warranty so I would have to pay for it out of my pocket. I ended up having a new system installed but not from the Ford dealership, I took it to circuit city. Recently this month July 2003, my car has been staling and shutting off at stop signals and stop light also just shut completely off on the freeway thank god no accident occurred. I called the dealership to report this problem also my check engine light would come on and off several times and they said to bring it in and they would check the engine light but that I would have to pay $165. 00 just for them to check the light and it would be more $$$ to repair what ever problem it was. I was fed up by then.
The rotors and brakes have had to be replaced before 35,000. This car is not safe. We took the car in because it was making noise for brake pads. The called and told use the rotors were damaged. This is took soon to have this part replaced.
Consumer states that vehicle only has 1700 miles on it, but hearing a metal to metal "grinding" noise when brakes were applied. Dealer diagnosed that brake pads, rotors and front discs, all needed to be replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Woodbridge, Ontario, DC, USA