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.
2001 Ford Focus SE 4 door sedan. 67,140 miles. Turn signal will not turn off automatically once turn is completed either turning left or right. Have to now turn off the signal manually. Happened on my way home from work on 7-19-2011. Nothing yet has been done to correct the failure other than an internet search to determine what might be wrong.
The ignition will not turn without large amounts of spray lubricant and pummeling the key while in the ignition to cause the tumblers in the cylinder to fall into place. This is a major safety issue, because it happens without warning, and right now, during these epic blizzards we are experiencing, it has caused me to be in danger. This problem is common among owners of this vehicle. Many people have developed ways to temporarily fix it since they don't have money available fix this unexpected safety issue, which is not part of preventative maintenance of an automobile.... while others have opted to just get the car towed to a dealership, which replaces the ignition assembly with the same faulty parts, and then charges up to $500. This ignition needs to be recalled by Ford, and it needs to be replaced free of charge with a reliable ignition assembly. This morning, after having to find other transportation to work for two days, I finally dedicated three hours to getting the ignition to turn. I had to leave the key in the ignition, because I cannot afford to lose my job by being absent or tardy. I am in an initial probationary period at my job, and I think it goes without saying that if I had enough money to fix Ford's mistakes, I would probably just go and buy a different car altogether.
2001 Ford Focus has failed twice during long trips. Vehicle stutters, struggles and will maintain a speed of only 35-40 mph during these episodes. Stopping, restarting will reset and allow another 5-10 miles of proper operation and then in happens again. During both instances it was hot and humid. Was able to continue trip both times, but this is a scary situation on the interstate!!!!! suspecting fuel control module, but everything tests fine at the shop and unable to recreate symptoms for mechanic. Online Ford database says this vehicle is not included on the recall for fuel system malfunction, but the sysmptoms are exactly as described in the complaint.
I tried to start my car and the key wouldn't turn in the ignition, therefore I was unable to start my car. It has only occurred this one time, I am having the ignition replaced.
- Merriam, KS, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Turned off my 2001 Ford Focus (with only 36,320 miles on it) as usual and when I returned to car and attempted to start it up, the key would not turn in the ignition. Had to have it towed to the dealership where they had to drilled out the tab, and build and install new key cylinder for a total of $427.84. They did not offer the old part to me and I didn't think to ask for it. Thankfully, it happened during the day while I was at my dentist's, and not at night after work. Have since found out that a class action law suit has been filed in California. There should be a recall of these cars.
Ignition sticks and moves around, horn fell completely out from under the car and hit someone's car, the fan box and all fell completely off and down, backfiring stalling rattling vibrates front right side around tire area rattles horribly, check eng. Light stays on mass air flow sensor is bad transmission sensor is bad lighter stopped working car completely goes dead spits sputters, manifold pipe broke so now its loud. Its all day long non stop period we have replace several sensors and tubes and wires for it doesn't work not getting the gas mileage I should and I have had it 11 months but hardly dove it 3 total all together I cant afford any thing else to fix these problems 3 days after I bought it its been pure ?!@#$%.
This came out of nowhere. One day the key would not turn over. It was as if the steering column was locked. We googled the problem and found that it is very common in Ford Focus's built between 2000-2003. The quick fix was to carry a hammer around and give it a hit when the key gets stuck. This has worked pretty well until this morning. It took me 15 minutes to start the car.
I will start with the fact the car is on it's fourth battery. It has had the wiring harness replaced along with every sensor in the car some twice. There was a steering column recall done on it. The two back windows tracks have been broke a total of six times. The door handles brake three so far. The stereo is broke for the second time. I have had to do the brakes twice so far and all this and the car only has 63,498.8 miles.
Bought new in '01 Ford Focus. Noticed right off brakes would make a grinding noise and squeak. Tires were worn real bad on inside on one front size since we bought it. Repeated alignments with no improvement. Still experience this problem. Started experiencing problems with it missing during acceleration. Check engine light came on in February 2005 and took it to the dealership. They replaced sensors that had recall, was recall code P0401. Engine light stayed on. They said that we were using gas that was dirty and waiting too late to put gas into the car and that was why it was stalling. We paid $272.98 for them to replace this whole section that had to do with the fuel being filtered. Car loses power and stutters going around curves with even over a half a tank of gas. Stalling to the point we must pull over into the emergency lane afraid of accident! I own car I bought brand new and it jerks and sputters like some piece of crap from jd byrider! everytime we start the car you smell oil burning for15 minutes afterwards. Had it checked no leaks or anything could be found. April of 2005 noticed when the car idled at a traffic light the thermostat would show shoot up showing it was running hot! took it in to the dealership and they found anti-freeze leaking. Was told the thermostat housing and thermostat had to be replaced. Retested it and was told problem solved. Our bill was $375. This was first brand new car and was taken well care of, it only has around 78,000 miles on the odometer. I was told there was a silent recall on these for the engine problems and they were being fixed for no cost to the owner. We were not notified of a recall and paid for all of this out of pocket.car is paid off now and cannot enjoy having a paid off car with low mileage because we are scared to drive it and bought a new car that was safe to drive around with our kids! time goes on and it is getting worse. Sometimes not wanting to start at all! engine still stalls despite all these repairs.
Poorly designed ignition cylinders. This causes the tumblers to fail resulting in a lock-up of the ignition. The owner cannot turn the key to start the car and as a result, has to be towed. I was told that the ignition cylinders in the 2000 and 2001 Focus were the european design. I have had to replace my cylinder twice. Once it was covered under warranty, the second time it was not and I had to pay $200. There are other Focus owners who have this problem. See the websites below. www.autowhiz.com/messageboards/message.php?id=1784 consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_focus_ignition.htmltownhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.eea6dd2/286 among many others I was told that they put an engineer in the position to specifically re-design the ignition cylinder. So while Ford continually claims to not know about the problem, it is apparent that they did. While there were no deaths nor injuries, it is not up to the people to pay for Ford's poor quality.
My steering column locks up and will not allow me to turn the car on. I drove my car to work no problem when I came out I could not get the key to turn in the ignition. The steering wheel is locked and will not move thereby not allowing me to turn the car
I have replaced my rotors and brakes 3 times already and now they are starting to make that sound again where it starts to drag. I just replaced my brakes in may of 2004 and I have only driven it 8,000 miles. I still have 4,000 miles left on the warranty. I took it in to bill pierre Ford and they told me it was normal to have this niose and that there is plenty of brake left. I am thinking that they are wanting me to drive it until the warranty is up so I will have to replace the rotors and brake pads and pay out of my pocket instead of just replaceing them now! I am very irritated now cause I can not get any help and it is going to cost me another $600 dollars!! I have already replaced them 3 times out of my pocket. What the hell is going on with Ford how can they get away with this!
The car starting having problems at 7000 miles. Front end jumping. I had a tire go bad and replaced it. Had the tire rotated and the front end lined up. Then, the noise and the car still did not feel right. I took it back to Ford and the rim is bent. Replaced that. So far I am out $250 for the tire and $298 for the rim/. the problem continued, but by 15000 miles the car was jumping, front end problems. Had the tires rotated and the car lined up again. I have the problems still. ( I was told(way I drive, curves, the way I take the corners, ) well, # one I am 43 yrs old and this is not my first car. I have had mustangs before and never rotated the tires or changed my driving habits. ( what ever). At 15000 the brakes started to squeak all the time (wet, cold, moisture, dry). Per the manual this will happened. I was told that it is common with Focus. I had a escort for over 4 yrs and they never did what this car has. With the front and back the recall 02S42/01B85 was done finally in March. This recall stated pinch bolt that retains the steering knuckle to the lower ball joint on your vehicle may not have the proper torque. ****** ( this condition exists, your vehicle may experience vibration or noise... this could eventually lead to ball joint separation with a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash, ) this is what I was told Ford dealership was wrong with the car since August. I feel that the recall came to late and now my tires are destroyed. One tire is worst than the others. Remember that one tire is brand new ( 7000 less miles).... the brake pedal is still making a noise when I release it at the park mode or stop turn around stop at light or whenever. They have adjusted it 3-4 times. And with in mins. Of them adjusting it, it is back to the same thing. This is a on going problem, wasted time and troubles. I do not want everybody to notice when I have my daughter in the car or I get hurt in an accident. This is important your reply help debra.w.
I purchased a new Ford Focus in July of 2001. My wife uses the car to drive on the highway to and from work. We have had the car for 18 months and took the car to the laird noller dealership in lawrence for the 30,000 check up with 33,000 miles on the car. After spending $300 for the check up, we were told that the brake pads and rotors need to be replaced. I have spoken with two mechanics and have been told that the rotors should not need to be replaced on a car that is driven primarily on the highway since there is not a lot of stop and go driving. There a dozens of listings on the intert and the NHTSA website of the same complaint on their Ford Focus vehicles. I was told by the dealership that Ford puts thin rotors on the Focus to begin with so they have to be replaced very early. I was also learned from an employee at the dealership that the person that performed the service on our Focus has had trouble meeting his quota of upselling repairs on cars that come in for their check up. After picking up the car, the entire dashboard was shaking and the front tires were making noises. When we brought the car in it was fine, after we picked it up it sounded horrible. We called back up to the dealership and were told to drive it for a few days and it should be fine. After waiting the two days, the brake pads began to grind into the rotors and the car did not drive well at all. I have spoken with Ford and with the dealership and they have told me that there is nothing they can do for me and that I am responsible for the repairs. Ford knows that there is a problem with the rotars they are using on the Focus, but is not willing to do anything about it. I am worried that are not other problems with the car that may make it unsafe. I have two small children and am worried about driving them around in the car. I believe that with the number of complaints I have seen, Ford should be told to initiate a recall on the rotars.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Troy, MI, USA