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, VIN [xxx], 62000 mi. - both front coil springs are broken, many people have had the same problem and Ford only issued extended warranty number 03M02 for 1999/2003 model years. I have had the car for almost 2 years and never received any info from Ford about the problem. Spring breaks and rubs against tire and causes blow out. Faulty springs. Ford admits defect but said I was past warranty date as of 09/26/2010 they would no longer cover the problem - disgraceful. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2001 Ford Focus, front strut spring broke in 2 places. I just got in the car and it sounded like a rifle shot went off....started to drive off and stopped for the 'clunking' sound. Drove to near by repair shop, said the trouble was the spring. Checked recalls, in case...2000 models had recall for spring breakage, but not the 2001 models. Have written to Ford and am submitting vehicle info tomorrow for consideration.
My daughter was driving 2001 Ford Focus SE wagon approximately 45mph when she described steering locked up in turn then she heard tires squealing and vehicle jerked hard left causing her to go off the road, hit a rock wall and flipped the car end over end. The air bags did not deploy. She landed upside down but was able to exit vehicle through broken window. She received cuts and bruises and was taken to emergency room for X-rays where they said she had no serious injuries and was released. On scene investigation by police and tow truck operated suggested ball joint failure or other steering/suspension failure. Car was totaled.
While my young daughter and I was driving on the freeway 65mph, I smelled rubber burning, looked in my rearview and smoke coming from my car, I turned radio down and heard the loud whining sound as I tried to pull to the right side of road was a loud crunching noise and I felt something hitting under my driver side floor, I had trouble steering the car but did get it pulled over, after my husband inspected the car briefly we now know that the coil spring broke cut into my tire and other damages, my front fenders were actually sitting on my tires. The car has been towed home we do not have the resources to have it repaired at this time. I am the only owner of this car. After looking at other complaints I have discovered that I have had alot of these problem as well. My car has seen the back of a tow truck more than its share.
- Columbus, GA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Defective front coil springs fractured, wedged against tire, causing partial loss of steering control. Right side fractured July, 2005, left side fractured may, 2008. Coil spring & related parts replaced both times.
Sunday morning (4/6/2008) I got in my car and backed down my driveway. While turning the wheel and going down the driveway I heard a very loud metal on metal sound. I put the car up on jack stands and inspected the suspension. I found the drivers side spring was not seated on the strut base. At this time I drove the car to sears auto repair in novi, Michigan. While driving the car to sears the spring moved a couple times, made some noise, and affected the steering of the vehicle. Sears inspected the springs and found the drivers side spring was corroded and fractured in a couple places at the top. I ended up replacing both springs and it cost $436.86. On Monday (4/7/2008) I decided to go on the internet to find out if other people had the same issue with the Ford Focus springs. I found out it was not an uncommon issue. In fact Ford issued a tsb (03M02S2) and extended the warranty on the springs to 150,000 miles or 10 years (only if serviced at a dealership). Unfortunately I found this out after I repaired the car on Sunday. I was never notified by Ford of tsb on the springs. Also, it should be noted that I bought the car used (about 1.5 years ago) from a Ford dealership which should have inspected the vehicle for things like this (spring corrosion). On Monday (4/7/2008) I decided to call the Ford customer service line (800-392-3673) to see what can be done to reimburse my expenses and discuss the safety concern. I was told by the customer service representative that Ford did not view this as a safety concern. I am a mechanical engineer designing safety critical suspension components (not coil springs) and to me this is not an acceptable answer. If the coil spring were to fracture further and cut my tire when driving on the freeway I can imagine that would not be a very safe situation. I don't understand Ford not issuing a recall over a poor quality suspension component which could cause injury. If needed I have the old parts in my possession.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact heard a noise coming from one of the front wheels. When he drives over speed bumps, it sounds as if something is loose under the vehicle. He also stated that when he drives between 50-75 mph, the vehicle vibrates and the steering wheel shakes. He had the tires rotated and balanced and the front end aligned, however, the mechanic stated that those were not the cause of the vibration and noise. The contact found NHTSA recall number 02V289000 (steering: Linkages). The contact stated that his vehicle would not start and he had the battery inspected. The mechanic stated that the battery was fine. The vehicle started when the contact looked under the hood and moved the battery cable. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the cables looked and smelled burnt. He then discovered NHTSA recall number 02V288000 (electrical system:battery:cables). He notified Ford about the two recalls and was informed that his VIN was excluded from both. The contact feels that his vehicle should be included since he is experiencing the same failures. The current mileage was 43,800 and failure mileage was 38,000.
Yesterday morning as I was backing out of my driveway I heard a clunk in the front end of my Ford Focus and when I drove the car pulled to the left. I drove my car to the dealership about 3 miles away. After explaining the problem to the service rep he told me it might be a spring failure that is covered by a recall. I was surprised I had not been notified of this recall and he told me they only do something about it if the consumer complains! this is crazy! what if I had been going 70 mph when the spring broke? this is the second recall I haven't been notified about this year. Earlier is was a fuel pump that failed causing the car to lose acceleration, this time as I was driving 70 miles an hour! the part was replaced free of charge as it was covered by the recall.
While driving at any speed, the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times for inspection. The mechanic can not duplicate the problem.
My 2001 Ford Focus has stalled again. This is about the 4th time. Local mechanic found problem to be fuel injector pump. Dealership claims that is only battery replacement. I have all old parts from recent service at dealership. I would like to see this vehicle recalled. Found internet article that states that this is not an uncommon problem with this make/model. www.theautochannel.com/F/mania/repair/news.html?mania.
While having the brake pads changed service man noticed that the left front steering knuckles wore out, and needed to be replaced. This resulted in loss of steering while driving. Also, front end problem.
While consumer's husband was driving on the freeway and attempting to get over into the next lane, as he accelerated and tried to go over, vehicle suddenly dropped in the front, causing him to lose the ability to steer and hit a retainer wall, flipping over, landing, and facing oncoming traffic. Consumer's husband did not sustain any injury because air bags deployed.
3 major complaints for 2001 Ford Focus zts 1.) front suspension needs a right arm replacement 2.) engine light turned on and was turned off when brought to Ford dealer shop. 3.) on a separate occasion, car stalled while driving.
The engine missed usually mildly, but sometimes violently as to shake vehicle and sometimes stall, also the vehicle experienced a raw gas smell, suspension, brake, transmission and tire problems.. consumer also noted the rear hatch popped open by itself.
Ford Focus 2001. Purchased in August of 2001. Has always had problems with suspention. Has been in shop 6 times to be fixed for the same problem. The problem has been fixed several times but the noise keep on comming back. The car has numbers of other problems. The breaks make noise, the windshiels leaks when it rains, and when I drive on the highway the engine stalls sometimes while driving at high speeds.
Car was turning right while leaving wal-mart parking lot onto 4 lane highway when steering and brakes failed. Front left wheel had turned sideways in wheel and the brake line was broken. Driver was unable to control vehicle and it crossed highway and came to stop on raised concrete median. Damage to the under carriage of vehicle was significant.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Grayslake, IL, USA