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 at any speed engine hesitated intermittently. As a result, vehicle was almost rear ended. A recall was issued for the engine stalling, however this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
I purchased a 2001 Ford Focus SE 4-door sedan in November 2002. The car was a manufacturer buy-back from the original owner and had a small warranty left. At the end of November 2002, I brought the car back to the dealership to have the spark plugs, spark plug wires and a faulty belt replaced. At the end of December 2002, the car was making a strange noise and the engine light was on, so I returned the car to the dealership. A day or so before my appointment with the dealership, I received a recall notice from Ford regarding the pinch bolt. Unfortunately, I received that recall notice too late the faulty pinch bolt had already failed and caused so much damage to the rack and pinion that it had to be replaced. I have since replaced the front brakes. I also experienced a faulty valve in the heating system that was allowing water to flow into the car's cabin and soak the carpeting. Getting to the transmission problem, about a week ago, the car refused to accelerate going up a hill and instead the engine revved. No matter what I tried, I could not get the car to accelerate past 30 mph. Since the car is now long past its small manufacturers warranty, I had an independent mechanic look at the car. He recommended that I flush the transmission and see if that would help the problem. I spent $100 on a transmission flush. That didn't work and the problem continues. I called Ford Motor Company to complain about the car and to ask for a buyback, but my request was refused. I then took my car to wiscasset Ford. They diagnosed the problem(s) with the car (at no charge). I need a new transmission. They gave me two options for payment. 1) pay for the new transmission out-of-pocket, estimated cost at $2500 - $3000; 2) buy an extended warranty on the drive train for $500. I am planning on purchasing the extended drive train warranty which will allow wiscasset Ford to replace my transmission and will also give me an extra 15K miles for the drive train.
The same as eveyone else. The vehicle is stalling at unpredictable times due to fuel delivery system/fuel pump. I am a ase certified mechanic. I talked to Ford, then I called the local dealer. They told me, as they have in the past it's a fuel pump issue. They would have to charge me 75 bucks to check it out (because according to Ford, it has to be done by them regardless of my qualifications) then if it's not having the performance problem at the time they would not be able to verify it's the fuel pump. Since it's intermittent I chose to pull the tank and investigate my self. I agree "kinda" that it's a fuel pump issue. The reason I say this is because I pulled the tank tonight, disassembled the pump/sending unit assembly and found a large amount of sediment in the base and around the sides of the body the pump sits in. Additionally the screen/sock on the inlet side of the pump motor was almost completely clogged with the stuff, . the tank itself had a light film of the brown stuff which easily is wiped with a clean rag. Looking at the gunk, it would seem to me to be very bad gas, but why just the Focus. I put the same stuff in both my other two vehicles and no problems. I can't analyze the stuff to determine what it is for sure but can assure you it's only a matter of time before it caused enough cavitation for the pump to heat up burn out. I did not see evidence of any gaskets or anything else internal attached to the tank going bad, but since I use the same fuel else were w/O problems it almost has to be a situation like a seals/sealant deteriorating and producing the nasty stuff. I plan on saving $250 and clean it all and see if things improve. The pump is only available from Ford (interesting). Ford needs to do somthing about this before they allow somone to get killed out there on the hiway. I just purchased this vehicle used a month ago for my 15 year old daughter. I should have done better research first.
I bought my Focus used, it had 38,000 miles, on a trip the engine began to act up. It was revving all the way up but would not go above 40 mph. After calling a tow truck the check engine light came on, the dealership that I took it to had it for over a week and had difficulty locating the problem. It started and drove just fine for them. I had the fuel pump and filter replaced, as well as the fuel system flushed. While it was there they performed recall work on my battery cable routing, and my one of my engine control arm bolts. Everything was fine for a few months, then I had a tire throw tread, the front passenger side. 1 week later it was back to get the other tire replaced because it had a bubble in it, after learning that I got the rest of the tires replaced. A few weeks ago my brakes started squeling, I had the pads checked they were fine, after they kept making noise I insisted that they were changed. After driving about 100 miles I started hearing a spinning thump. That became very loud. Back into the shop, they replaced a brake caliper, and also I had to get yet another fuel filter, it was begining to become restricted, again. The brake problem even though it had been doing it for a while since I did not have a Ford dealership do it was not covered under my warranty, and I am sure that something else will go wrong. Yay!
- Bastrop, TX, USA
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Was driving the turner turnpike back from funeral, cruise control on at 76 mph. Boom from under the car, oil light comes on, smoke billowing out from underneath. I pulled over, turn the engine off. The whole engine covered in oil. Behind is a trail of oil from over the hill to where I had stopped. I'm pretty sure the engine is gone. No knocking, temp was right, no warning light, just boom! didn't even get to 50,000 miles. What a crock!
I have had numerous problems with my Focus. About 3mo after I bought it, the transmission began to feel like it was slipping, and making a noise. I took it to the purchasing dealership, and a mechanic told me it was the torque converter. They didn't have a loaner car for me, so I made an an appointment for the following week. The next day on my way home from work, the car shut down. I called a tow truck, they took it to the closest dealership. When I called the dealership the next day, they said the fuel pump went out. They told me that the stutter I was feeling in my car was probably that. A few days later, the same problem. Took it back to the selling dealership, and the shop supervisor went out with me. He said I was driving the car out of context. What he meant by that, he wouldn't elaborate, but said there is nothing wrong with my car. I have been driving it since, and the computer will fade in and out, but I won't lose engine power. My car has to have new brake pads every couple of months, new tires, and other maintenance things. At less than 40000 miles, it needed new spark plugs, and wires, which I happily bought. The dealership wanted $300, because the plugs were in the back of the motor. I went to my car, popped the hood, four spark plugs lined the top of the head cover. There was no further explanation of the attempted over charge. My car has several other problems. The positive cable on the battery, has melted back, there is a loud roar in the cab of the car, and three of the four lug nuts on the right rear tire has snapped off. The explanation for the lug nuts, was that the tire was loose, not fastened properly. But this problem occurred 3-4 mo after I bought it. The tires had not been taken off. I am to the point where I hate Ford for selling me this car. I will ever buy Ford again, but I love the concept of the car
There is just to much paperwork to copy out, but would like to mail copies. I am going to pick up car this afternoon just had second fuel pump fitted and new gas tank. To date no recall info received by post. However I have been drenched with gas on more than one occassion while filling car. I have nearly been killed when car cut out at 55mph on highway narrowly missed by two other motorists. Vehicle has 38,000 miles & has had the following repairs. 1/countless engine sensors 2/four new tyres 3/new front brake pads 4/new front brake rotas 5/new front wheel bearings 6/two fuel pumps 7/one fuel tank 8/waiting for third set of a frame plastic covers 9/three stereo players 10/tracklink reset three times 11/still have realy noisy brakes 12/engine sounds like 10 year old car 13/rear passenger window works when feels like it 14/right hand door speaker sounds as if broken 15/new tires fitted showing signs of odd wear 16/tail gate leakes water 17/ thought Lincoln/Mercury dealer might give better results no just longer wait.
The reason some of these are not dated is because the problems keep on persisting they say they can not find out what the problem is. My car dies on me and the can not find the cause. It makes a winding sound when I take off and still they can not find the cause. My gears always wind and as soon as I get it out of the shop about one to two weeks later it is doing it again, when I am driving it jerks like it wants to die or go out of gear(keep in mind I have had these problems a couple of months after I bought it). I have had to replace the tires two times I am on my third set of tires and they are messed up now. I am not a bad driver I know it is not me I have a child that is constantly with me I do not drive crazy to make all of these problems happen. I have had the brake replaced once already and now they are sqeeking again. My car cigarette lighter keeps on burning out. I just get so frustrated that I am spending all of this money for them to work on my car with the warranty and then tell me they don't know what the problem is and now the warranty is out I have to pay for this peice of junk. I have had 2 other cars and they never gave me any problems and know I am stuck unhappy everyday with this car I can not stand to drive, I feel unsafe in it everyday.
My 2001 Focus ZX3 will sputter, lose power, and threaten to stall. This occurs at any speed. It has stalled and left me stranded once. When towed to the dealership, nothing could be found wrong with it and so I was charged nothing. It started up again just fine, but periodically threatens to stall again. Also, the paint over the driver side rear wheel is bubbling up and coming off.
Engine light on. Jerky gear engaging. Choppy acceleration. 8/02 replaced alternator 8/02 replaced V belt 10/02 blinkers out & electric windows broke 10/02 battery light on "corrosion on wires" 1/03 wouldn't start, battery light on, "wire fell off alternator" airbag light on then off
We sued Ford via the magnuson moss warranty act. The Focus had been sold prior to the filing of the law suit. We reached an out of court settlement of $3500. The problem with the car was intermittent stalling. The local Ford dealer was unable to determine the cause of the problem.
After three unseccessful attempts to have my Ford Focus repaired for engine stalls(while on the highway with the kids in the back seat, with 18-wheeler behind me).iionce again took my car to Ford for warranty work.they found that the fuel pump was not suppling enough pressure and fixed it I thought, when at work with the car running and the exhaust at running temperature, all the fuel leaked out and could of very easily caused a fire which could of caused a great lose of life not only for myself but also for my wife and kids who always drive the car
While driving at 35 mph consumer heard a pinging sound coming from the engine compartment. Several moments later consumer heard a loud popping sound and the engine died. Consumer found out that the engine had thrown a rod through the engine block.
Consumer had a front collision and neither of the air bags deployed. Dealer notified. Vehicle's engine stalled causing steering and brake failure causing a collision into the side of a mountain. Air bag equipment failed to deploy on impact.
I am experiencing problems consistent with EA02-022 concerning vehicle stalling at any speed. Although the car has not yet completely stalled out while driving, it has felt as though it may do so at any time. Numerous repair attempts including replacement of the oxygen sensor and fuel pump have not remedied the problem. As Ford recognizes that this is a progressive problem, I have to worry every time that I drive the vehicle that this will be the time when I completely lose power.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Elizabethton, TN, USA