On Saturday 5/14/2005 the engine compartment of my well maintained Ford Focus SE, 2001, (equipped with a zentec engine), got fire in a fashion similar to that described by numerous owners in the following web sites: www.geocities.com/archangel_jjn/ www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_focus_fires.html the damages occurred to my Focus are close to those graphically described in the pictures of the second web site. The fact that this occurred on a parking lot a block away from a fire station prevented further damage to the passenger compartment. But had this occurred on my house's covered garage, the whole house had burned. What happened to my car is similar to the situation described in the NHTSA 02V288000 campaign. But my vehicle was manufactured on August 2003, and therefore does not qualify to the voluntary Ford recall to deal with this situation. As you can see in the referred web sites, this is he same situation reported by other owners. I have reported this case to my insurance company, allstate, claim number 179019215. The adjuster is Mr. Ruben romero @ 800 733-8910 X4385. As allstate suggested, I also contacted Ford. Yesterday, I was informed by allstate that my accident resulted in a total lost. On Monday 5/16/2005, I contacted Mr. Mccluster, from the tipton Ford dealership, who photographed my pictures from the fire. He assured me that he was going to log the incident into the systema and ask me to contact Ford at 866 436-7332. When I called that number, the same day, I talked to andrew, employer number 3176. He gave the claim number 0422761365 and indicated that Ford was going to contact on two days. I am still waiting for the call. In my opinion Ford did not fully fixed the causes of the NHTSA 02V288000 campaign and that was the reason for my car's fire. Thus, Ford should solve the problem in all Focus vehicles suffering from this problem and it also must be held accountable for all property damage.

- Brownsville, TX, USA

Consumer took the vehicle in to the dealership for a replacement of a valve cover. After picking up vehicle and driving, consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Contacted mechanic, and informed consumer that solvent used in repair of valve cover caused smoke, and will disappear. Consumer parked vehicle, and a passer by noticed smoke and flames coming from under the hood. Local fire department was contacted, and flames were extinguished. Consumer contacted the insurance company.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Vehicle fire sustained on 2001 Ford Focus after replacement of a valve gasket cover at hollingsworth richard Ford in baton rouge Louisiana. Following replacement of gasket, smoke was noted from the hood. Dealer service representative stated that smoke was due to a cleaning solvent used after servicing the vehicle and should stop in about two days. The following day (after service), the vehicle caught on fire where the fire had to be extinguished by the local fire department. My son and I were in the vehicle and bearly escaped before the front of vehicle was engulfed in flames. Report has been filed with dealer who told me that this was a matter that should be handled by the insurance. Ford dealer showed nor indicated their acceptance of any liability regarding this issue. Research has indicated many customer complaints of vehicles fires centered around this year of Focus.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

2001 Ford Focus learches under normal driving. Electriclal issues lights dimming dach lights same under normal driving. 5 trips to the dealer no identifiable cause. Remedy was to replace battery cables @ $487.10.

- Lutz, FL, USA

While driving, vehicle caught on fire under the hood, eliminating visibility, and causing consumer to collide into side of mountain. Related recall 02V288000, consumer's vehicle not included due to VIN.

- Towanda, PA, USA

While driving T at normal speed, vehicle caught on fire, causing brakes and steering to fail, resulting in a front collision. Dealer notified.

- Towanda, PA, USA

The vehicle was parked for about fifteen minutes in front of a residence and it caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The problem was not determined. Vehicle cannot be used.

- Wittmann, AZ, USA

While driving vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Consumer received recall letter 02V288000 the very next day.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

No summary.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

Consumer states that while vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. After inspection for the cause of fire was told that the fire originated from the wire harness. It was brittle.

- Ponce De Leon, FL, USA

The date listed is the first failure date. The sensor went out and the car kept running. On 7/1/02, the sensor failed again and this time a fuse blew and the car stopped running. I was driving 70 mph with 3 passengers in my car. The car was towed to the nearest dealer, who "repaired" the car and I arrived on 7/3/02 to pick it up. I drove approximately 3 miles away from the dealership and the part failed again. I was driving approximately 30 mph in heavy traffic. The car was towed back to the same dealer, who told me the part failed another two times while they were attempting to determine what was wrong. Finally, they replaced the wiring harness and the car has run since then. I finally picked up the repaired car on 7/10/02. I contacted Ford (the corporation), who told me they were not aware of any problem with the part and their engineering department would do something about it if there were enough complaints. I was told by a service technician at the dealership that repaired my car, who told me it was "a bad Ford part" and that there was nothing they could do about it until Ford came out with a new part. I told Ford what I was told by the dealership, they contacted the technician who denied saying that. I would just like to put some pressure on Ford to assure that this vehicle runs properly and prevent this problem from happening again. I was lucky enough to avoid an accident in previous incidents, but may not be as lucky the next time.

- Dekalb, IL, USA

Was driving home from work last Thursday (10 minutes on the interstate, 97 degrees, full ac), when the car started to lose power followed by transmission lurching and engine trying to die. Pulled the remaining block into my apts and opened hood expecting to find overheated engine, and ended up see a bunch of flame and signing my thumb. Got fire extinguisher and put it out, and called fire dept. No work was done to engine other than a new air filter 4000 miles ago. So far the Ford dealer wants to write it off as complete loss and leave it to my insurance. Took out my air intake, melted battery, melted battery wires, ruined hood, scroched headlight, smoked interior, and who knows what got sucked into engine through the intake. Dealer wouldn't tow because "warranty tows have to be called in through Ford customer service". photos are up at www.geocities.com/archangel_jjn. contact me for more information.

- Omaha, NE, USA

Avance trac control doesn't engage and/or mulfunctions-disabling it total. Many elect problems. Twice it has shut down on interstate I40 at rate of speed of 50 and 60 and once at maybe 5 mph in the driveway. When it shuts down there is no warning. Other problems w/this car have been radio had to be replaced, fuel pump module, key gets stuck and key willn't turn.

- Waynesville, NC, USA

After I started the car I turned on the ac unit. Minutes later as I turned a corner I noticed smoke coming from under the hood, near the defroster area. I pulled the car to the side of the road got out and called the police. The smoke got thicker and then a fire started under the hood. I first noticed it as it entered the vehicle via the passenger side A/C vent. Fire department spent about 25 min to put out fire. Car was total loss, notified insur and dealer. Insur to pay lease balance. Little to no response from Ford.

- New Brunswick, NJ, USA