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.
I have had my Ford Focus wagon for three years now. I had to repair a alot of things on this car! tranny, alternator, fuel pump, timing belt, and the only door that opens from the outside is the passenger right front, which my kids have to climb through to get to the back because both back doors broke not even four months from the day I bought it. Also the driver door only opens from the inside because of the companies defected car door handles. My friend has the same car, and its the same way. Not mentioning how everytime I stop it dies out and I have to try and keep starting it. It seems there is always something wrong with it.
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 ?!@#$%.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the side view mirror on the vehicle was repaired and the transmission also slipped. After the repairs were complete, the vehicle did not drive the same. The dealer stated that the parts needed were not in stock and they kept the vehicle for one month. In addition, whenever the left turn signal was activated, the vehicle would shut off entirely. The lights were replaced; however, the vehicle continued to lose power whenever the signal lights, hazard lights, or air conditioning were activated. The headlights continued to short and, while driving at night, the high beams had to be activated. The seat belt in the rear driver's seat was inoperable and the driver's seat continued to move backwards from the steering wheel. She also stated that the key can be removed from the ignition while the vehicle is in motion and while the ignition is on. Finally, none of the warning lights on the instrument panel are functional. The failure mileage was 23,000 and current mileage was 95,000.
When accelerating in various inclines or decline my car chokes and hesitates as if it has water in the gas line or the fuel filter is clogged. It starts to jerk and sputter and refuses to accelerate if I push on the pedal instead it chokes out. Either the car dies right there or I manage to pull it over and let it die on its own as soon as I come to a stop. Trouble restarting the car as if to much air intake to choke it out. Finally it starts and it runs after blowing the lines before putting it into drive it's good fro maybe another 10 15 miles and the again it starts puttering and wanted to die no choice but to let it die to restart. Car has been in the shop numerous times have had a collapsed fuel line and has been replace but still the problem persists again when it's in the shop it does not happen and yet they do not drive it at the time its normally driven or at the extremes of the traffic while it happens so as to see what it does. A best explanation you can find from a mechanic is no problem seeable. And yet there is one from us the purchaser.
Contact stated the dpfe sensor went out. She said it went out 2 years ago and she had it replaced. She said it cut out while she was going 40-60 mph. She described it as jerking. She noticed this a couple of weeks ago. The service department told her that it was a weak sensor, and a lot of people had to get it replaced.
- Orleans, IN, USA
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My car has 29,500 miles on it. I bought it used about 3 weeks ago. Following symptoms: 1 - car stumbles/hesitates/loses power at around 2-3K RPM...regardless of speed...but stumbling/hesitation is best felt on the freeway. 2 - car has had some type of recall work and dpfe sensor replaced at: 17500 miles. Not sure if fuel pump recall has been performed...Ford dealers have been very reluctant to tell me without making me spend $150+ on a stupid diagnosis...that's called good business. 3 - dpfe sensor replaced prior to me picking up the car at: 28440 miles. 4 - 1000 miles later...I have the stumbling. 5 - things I've done to the car: A - replaced air filter B - replaced fuel filter C - replaced PCV valve D - replaced plugs (using Bosch platinum 2) so far I've done all changes myself because no Ford dealership seems to care to offer advice or a helping hand. The consequences are that I've almost been hit from the rear due to stumbling/hesitation.
When driving a certain speed the vehicle will jerk, usually between 35-45 mph, . it is worse when trying to go up hill. The consumer contacted the dealer that replaced parts 2 different times, there was a recall on the fuel pump, and they replace it. The dealer thought that may solve fproblem, but it did not.
Consumer was shifting gears and transmission failed on its own. Transmission was unable to shift properly, and was unable to move. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced. The consumer stated that the vehicle would go backwards in reverse after a lot of jerking. After several attempts the vehicle would not go back at all.
There was nothing in particular that led to the failure. Car is driven under both highway and in-town conditions, and temparatures range from below freezing up to 100 F. the vehicle when shifting on the highway often shifts into neutral, revs up, and may finally shift into a higher gear. Sometimes you have to take foot off gas and re-push in order for it to shift. Then when it shifts into gear, it jerks into gear. Secondly, when car is driving in town and is given a small amount of gas to accelerate, the vehicle shakes and shudders until you let off or give it more gas. It has not led to any particular injuries or consequences, other than being unable to accelerate on the highway causing slowdown.
While driving, the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart it, but was unable to do so. The check engine light appeared on the vehicle and remained on. The consumer also noticed a loud clicking and banging noise was heard coming from the front. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the shift solenoid switch needed to be replaced. Please fill in additional information.
My car has been stalling now for about a year. I had it fixed at around 27,000 miles and I still had a factory warranty and I went to joe machens Ford in columbia, mo (where I bought the car in 10/01) and they said it was a wire on the transmission that was corroded. About 3 weeks ago, this happened again and again I took it to joe machens and they told me there was nothing wrong with it. I had asked them to check again because this had happened about a year ago and it was transmission problems. They replaced some seals. Repair work took about a week. On June 4, 2004, I was going down I 270 in St. Louis, mo and I was in the fast lane going 75mph when my car stalled. It would not go and I am glad that I was going to the speed I was because as it was dying I was able to maneuver over to the side of the road. Joe machens again fixed it and said that it was the fuel pump. They replaced my fuel pump and my fuel filter on June 8, 2004. On my way home from columbia, mo on June 11, 2004 it stalled again. As of now I have not sent it any where to get it looked at because this happened last night on my way home from college. This will now be the fourth time this has happened with no results.
The transmission on my 2001 Ford Focus failed after my owning it for less than 2 1/2 years and it's around 58,000 miles. I bought it new. The dealership is surprised and said they've never seen this before; it's only partially being covered by warranty.
Consumer received a letter concerning fuel pump filters. On several occasions the transmission failed leaving the consumer stranded. The dealership replaced the part but the transmission failed again.
Rear wheel bearings are wearing out on vehicle. The automatic transmission does not shift properly, the consumer discovered the wrong transmission fluid was in the vehicle. The front windshield cracked due to excessive heat. The rear seat latch, the seat fabric and the key ignition failed. The windshield wipers wore out, which were only used about seven times and the rear brakes had to be replaced.
I purchased a 2001 Ford Focus in August 2001. In Sept. 2001 with only 2240 miles on the car transmission seemed to be slipping and the car failed to accelerate properly. Had it towed to the dealership and they said there was a leak in transmission line. This was repaired. In Oct. 2002 at 16416 miles headlights would not come on when I turned the switch. Switch was replaced. About this same time new brake pads were required. Nov. 2002 at 17871 miles the ignition cylinder locked up. Car was towed and ignition cylinder replaced. August 2003 at 26757 miles ignition cylinder locked up again. Once again the car was towed to the dealer and ignition cylinder was replaced. Now I have a bubble in one tire and my brakes are squealing. What's next" not once have I picked my car up from the dealer and it been washed or vacuumed out. I bought a new car because I needed reliable transportation. Now I feel like taking it back to the dealer and letting them keep it. I wonder how many Ford employees would buy a Focus".
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Saint Joseph, MO, USA