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.
Trunk latch fails to catch 95% of the time. Trunk key fails to turn lock most of the time. This problem has existed since the car was purchased in 2000. There was no event leading to this failure. I believe the trunk lock materials are corroding just like the rear passenger doors which were recalled. The trunk lock should be recalled. This problem is clearly the result of faulty manufacturing materials. I requested dealerships perform repairs and they told me that Ford headquarters has failed to issue a recall. Why? NHTSA should make this happen. The consequence of a failed trunk lock/latch is that the trunk door will pop open -- allowing things to fly out of the trunk and fly into on coming traffic endangering others as well as block rear window vision. This could cause fatalities to both the vehicle driver and near by vehicles.. the hubcaps have cracked and broken off in pieces during cold weather while parked (ie., the hubcaps were not struck by exogenous rocks or anything else). This is clearly the fault of substandard manufacturing materials. Ford Motor Company employees at headquarters have stated this to me. Ford Motor Company should replace the hubcaps at no charge to the customer. Exogenous materials can hit the unprotected tires, cause a blow out. It is not right to make the customer pay for substandard materials. I could take a wild guess that the wheel wells -- on my car -- replaced directly by the vice president of engineering from the Warren plant -- did not look at the stress and hair line cracks he faulty wheel wells placed on the original hub cabs. It's time to finish the job! Ford Motor Company's employees have stated to me that the 2000 year model (the first year this vehicle was transitioned from european manufacturers) manufactured in the Warren plant did not perform the necessary quality control to ensure that these materials functioned in cold weather climates.
A "grinding" noise was heard when brakes were applied. Inspected brakes - found no problem. Within a few days the grinding noise turned into a constant "growling"/ "rumbling" noise. Re-inspected wheels/ brakes and found drivers side rear wheel to be loose / wobble (lug nuts were properly torqued). Closer inspection revealed that the hub/ wheel bearing assembly had "significant play". while the car was jacked up the drivers side rear wheel would go from "easily spun to nearly locked up". the "rear bearing retaining cap recall" was performed on this car years ago - we are the original owner of this car.
I sent this letter to Ford in may of 2000 I purchased a Ford Focus, thinking it would be a safe, low maintenance car, considering it had been in europe since 1997. I would think this would be plenty of time to work out any bugs you may have. Or, should I call them recalls. I think a car that has 16 recalls, most of them which I would consider safety issues, should be recalled entirely. I have had other issues with this car as well. My key would not turn, seat belts locking for no reason, door handles not opening the door (this is all happening again). And one that has not been addressed, brakes. I am now on my third set of front rotors since I have purchased the car. The same thing has happened every time. The driver side rotor and pad will wear completely down yet the passenger side will be just fine. I have talked to other Focus owners and the same thing is happening. I still have my last set of rotors just to prove it. I got smart this time and bought replacements that were not made by you. Stop tech cross drilled rotors and ebc greenstuff kevlar pads. I also replaced the driver side caliper with a non-Ford replacement. I want out of this car because I feel it is unsafe. I also would like to warn other Focus owners that this car is unsafe. You also had better not send me to the dealership again. What does the dealership have to do with the production of an unsafe car? nothing, except that they sell it. I am not putting up with Ford pushing me around or giving me the run around either. This car is extremely unsafe and should not be on the road. I did not do this before but this time you leave me no choice. This letter will be sent to as many bad product websites as I can find. It will also be sent to NHTSA, consumer reports and the better business bureau. You did not do anything with my previous complaint and now there are more issues with this product that not only concern safety, but the life of the car. Something will be done.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Southfield, MI, USA