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.
Traveling on I-465 eastbound in indianapolis at approx. 60 mph. The car made a grinding sound and then the driver (my son) lost control and crossed two lanes of traffic and hit a retaining wall on the left-hand side of the road. There was one passenger with him at the time and he was following us home. We were about 100 yards in front of him at the time of the accident. The entire left front suspension, steering and tire assembly was heavily damaged. Left rear tire and suspension also damaged. Sun roof would not close. Very little exterior damage done scratched paint very small dents, almost all of the damage was done under the tire well.
While driving at approx 65mph on a straight and level 2 lane road, the car suddenly veered hard right. Counter steering had no effect on recovery. The car was at about 90 degrees when it impacted the curb and was launched over a 10 foot culvert. The Ford Focus then rolled 5 times landing on 3 wheels. The 4th wheel and suspension (front right) was found approx. 30 yards from the vehicle. Evidence showes that the lower ball joint was lose, indicated by excessive wear and grooving to the spindle where the lower ball joint mounted. Other evidence shows the right side half-shaft has a clean break at the splines (spline was still inside the transmission while the half shaft was other wise not damaged and laying in the field). The 2001 ZX3 S2 was totaled. I have pictures where needed.
Vehicle delivered on 6/1/01. Soon after I started experiencing problems with the steering gear not being stable. The car and steering wheel would shake once I would begin picking up speed at approximately 60 mph. The vehicle was taken into the dealership for repairs on two occasions for front end repairs on 8/16/01 & 2/14/02. On 5/26/02 I loss control of the vehicle and had an accident on the expressway, hit the median and totaled the vehicle. Prior to the accident I noticed a great deal of vibration on the steering wheel/column and the car was shaking.
At no particular speed, vehicle jerks hard and stalls. Consumer had vehicle checked and repaired by dealer with no resolution.*akthe dealer is having consumer to monitor the vehicle when it starts failing, by pushing a button. This is supposed to pinpoint where the problem is occuring. The vehicle was downshifting while in motion, the sending unit was replaced. Also the jerking and stalling were caused by an erratic fuel pump driver module. This module has also been replaced. The ignition lock was replaced, there was a clunking noise present in the door assembly which was repaired, the wheel was out of alignment so dealer adjusted the upper ball joint, and the sun visor was broken which was also replaced.
While traveling approx. 65mph, no obstructions in hiway, left front suspension appeared to buckle, as described by witness. Causing tire to blow and vehicle falling to ashpalt causing massive damage to left under neath parts..not reported as no injuries..contacted dealership to pursue warranty..to no avail..insurance said they would pay..dealership claimed there was no defects, I strongly disagree..fortunatley the driver was able to keep vehicle under control avoiding any further incidents.
While driving 25 mph vehicle jolted to the right and front rear tire deflated. Both airbags deployed without warning, and windshield shattered. Dealer contacted.
While traveling approximately 40 mph vehicle pulled to right unexpectedly. When consumer attempted to correct direction in which vehicle was traveling she crashed into a jersey wall, no injuries. Vehicle has not been examined by dealership to determine a cause for this problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
A clunking when applying accelerator pedal from a stop position and a grinding when applying brakes at highway speed. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
Dripping from pass. Side heat vent during A/C use or rain, severe rattling from transmission during acceleration or at idle with clutch out, when clutch is pressed the noise goes away, front end out of alignment, pulls to the right.
Front independent suspension is rusting only after having vehicle for two months. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything. The suspension is totally rusty us if it had been exposed to a salt or corrosive environment.
Purchased 4-30-2001. Upon driving vehicle home, noticed oil/gasoline burning odor from air conditioning vents and loud thump and groaning noises from front suspension/brake areas.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Indianapolis, IN, USA