Consumer complained about brake failure. While driving on the freeway consumer put foot on the brakes to slow down, but the vehicle did not stop. Consumer lifted foot, then touched the brakes again, and vehicle did not stop. After being able to stop consumer got off the freeway and traveled on a main street, and vehicle was doing the same thing. While on the way to the dealer consumer attempted to stop at a traffic light, but could not stop, vehicle kept going and went through a red light, resulting in a broad side collision. There were no injuries. Consumer received information from insurance saying that there was recall in regards to the power failure of vehicle. Consumer called Ford Motor Company to check vehicle but they refused.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

It was hard to turn the key in the ignition switch, and the consumer was unable to start the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The vehicle also had brake problems.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

Ford Focus 2000. Squeaky brakes, ignition problems - locked up -? can't turn key.

- Alexandria, LA, USA

My 2000 Ford Focus kona edition has been subject of at least five recalls and other numerous problems that have required me to take the car in to be repaired. I was also sold this car way above sticker price and currently this Ford Focus is worth 5000 dollars yet I still owe 11,000. I am now having problems with the brakes and the rear axle, that I will once again have to take my car in to get repaired. All of the incidents have taken place between the years of November 2001 (when I bought the car) and the present date of November 2003... but the problems are still ongoing.

- Tecumseh, MI, USA

Hi, I own a 2000 Ford Focus and it has been nothing but trouble. I purchased the car brand new in 2000 and have had it in the shop so many times. I have had my rear passenger side window mechanism replaced by Ford, then personally replaced the driver front window mechanism and the driver back mechanism due to cable breaks. I have had it in with the radio 3 times and it still does not work correctly. I have had to have the brakes replaced, the ignition block replaced, the struts and shocks. The trunk release has never worked. Now it keeps breaking down on me if I drive for more than 1 hour non stop. This weekend I went to san antonio from corpus, it died on the highway 3 times going to sa and coming home 4 times & how safe is that! Ford said they cannot do anything for me unless it is messing up when I bring it in while it is acting up, however it always happens when I am away from town. They told me that if they hook it up to the machine it will not tell them anything. Also, on several occasions my accelerator has stuck and I cannot brake, I have to put the car in neutral and press on the brake hard while the RPM's are still revving and pull the emergency brake, the first time this happened I was pulling into a parking spot and went over the yellow divider. Is there anything I can do?

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

I have replaced the ignition switch 3 times in least that 2 years and twice in three months. The dealership tells me to call Ford and Ford tells me it a dealership's problem call them the old run around. I also have replace all four brakes and tires with only 25000 miles on the car and they still squeeze and grind when applying the brake. I brought the car used so I do not know if anything was replace before I purchased it lovely vehicle.

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

1st recall,6/2000 shop for A/C problem,9/2000 shop for 7 days for ac problem,1/2002 shop 7days for engine work, recalls X 4 or 5 not sure about dates there has been so many on this car, problems with not starting, gas gauge, tire replacement 3 sets in less then 3 years, hesitation, poor gas milage, brakes squealing, trunk does not close properly,10/2003 has been in shop for 3 weeks for possible engine work. Dealer can not seem to find or repair the problem, I am not happy with this car it has had serious problems from day one there are more to mention can not list them all I need help.

- Shelbyville, TX, USA

Have had my front brakes replaced three times. First time at 11,000 miles, second time (rotors replaced) at 24,000 miles and third time at 36,000 miles. Brakes consistently squeal, so loudly that I can hear them over my radio! I've been told by the dealership that Focus brakes tend to be loud, but it doesn't mean they don't work. Dealer also said they received notice from Ford that Focus brakes just "squeal". I don't believe this is true and that this should not be considered "normal wear and tear".

- Burbank, CA, USA

Vehicle experienced brake problems, it made a loud noise while driving, and oxygen sensor failed. Also, engine problems. Oil was leaking from the oil pan under the motor. Owner was referred to the state attorney general's office to seek protection under the lemon law.

- Bronx, NY, USA

Brakes squeak, excessive break dust on the front wheels. The consumer was informed by the dealer, that the brake dust was normal. The rear shoes pad assemblies and rotors were replaced at least four times. The last time the dealer told the consumer the left right ebrake cable spring retainer had popped out the backing plate which caused the shoes to not retract all the way. The dealer put the retainer back and reset the hebraic. Also the rear wheel cylinders was leaking and had to be replaced.

- Auburn, WA, USA

Automatic transmission slips gears while driving causing the vehicle to jerk. Also, a squeaking noise is heard when applying pressure to the brake pedal. Dealer attempted to fix the transmission and the brakes but has not remedied the problems.

- Washington, DC, USA

I own a 2000 Ford Focus. Currently I am experiencing several problems. The first is the air conditioning A/C. the A/C works on the #4 setting but doesn't work on #1, #2, or #3. no air comes from the air vents when the fan is set to 1, 2, or 3 whether the A/C is on or not. The second problem is the brakes. I have less than 46,000 miles on the car, and the brakes feel like they are going out. I've never had to replace the brakes on a car before 70,000 miles. The third problem is comprised of the gauges. When I start my car, all the gauges go immediately to the right. After a few moments they return to their proper position, but I'm not sure what is going on. I feel that if I put the car in gear during this period, that I will lose control of the vehicle and it may surge forward. The fourth problem is that I have already had to replace all of the tires on this vehicle. The fifth problem is the transmission/engine. Many times, especially in the idle position (at a stop sign, etc.), I feel that the engine is going to stall. It almost feels like the engine is not running on all cylinders. The sixth problem, and probably not the last, is that I've already had to deal with all of the recalls on this vehicle, and yet this car is still unsafe and Ford has done nothing to correct this except offer a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty to new Ford Focus buyers.

- Lakeside, CA, USA

I have a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3. Ever since I bought the car, I have had problems. The day I bought it, I noticed transmission problems, two months after that, I had brake problems. Since I have had the car I have gotten my brakes done twice. I have had the car about 15 months now. I also had my ignition cylinder replaced, a fuel filter replaced, and now my car dies when I slow down. I have had nothing but problems with this car.

- The Colony, TX, USA

Constant squeaking noise when the brakes are applied. I've already replaced the rotors, brakes, brake pads, and drums on several occasions since buying this Focus about 3 years ago. Also my steering wheel locked on me one day in April of 2002 the key would not fit into the ignition to start the car I have no idea why this would happen from one day to another. I had my vehicle towed to the Ford dealership and they didn't know what the problem was caused by. They said that they needed to update the lock cylinder. Luckily I purchased the api extended warranty that cover the car for 100,000 miles. So the cost of the work done for this was $427.20. All but $50 of which was my deductible was cover by this warranty. The problems didn't stop here. I also have had to get the cd systems that came installed in the car replaced. The was a constant clicking noise with the cd player and 90% of the time the cd's wouldn't even play. I called the dealership and they said that they could replace it for me but that it wouldn't be coverer by the warranty so I would have to pay for it out of my pocket. I ended up having a new system installed but not from the Ford dealership, I took it to circuit city. Recently this month July 2003, my car has been staling and shutting off at stop signals and stop light also just shut completely off on the freeway thank god no accident occurred. I called the dealership to report this problem also my check engine light would come on and off several times and they said to bring it in and they would check the engine light but that I would have to pay $165. 00 just for them to check the light and it would be more $$$ to repair what ever problem it was. I was fed up by then.

- San Jose, CA, USA

The dealer replaced the brake rotors and pads twice in one year and once again they need to be replaced.

- Midland, TX, USA

My brakes have squeaked and chirped ever since I have owned the car. I had pads and rotors replaced for the first time at 28,000 miles, and am facing having the same work done again at 48,000 miles. My automatic transmission failed at 35,000 miles, and the recalls have kept me at the service department more hours than I can count.

- Florence, AL, USA

The brakes made a loud noise.

- Columbia, SC, USA

While driving and without warning the brakes failed resulting in an accident. Dealer notified.

- Grove City, OH, USA

When the brakes were applied, the pedal traveled to the floor.

- San Pedro, CA, USA

Intermittent stalling. Also, the brakes, power locks and windows failed.

- New London, CT, USA