10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,674 miles

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problem #63

Dec 012010

Focus

  • 112,964 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was having a routine oil change performed when the technician informed the contact that the driver and passenger side coil springs had failed. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who replaced both coil springs at the contacts expense. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer confirmed the dealers advice and would not provide any further assistance. The failure mileage was 112,964.

- Excelsior, MO, USA

problem #62

Jul 162010

Focus 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
I was driving on the highway at about 50 mph and heard a loud pop. At first I believed it to be a tire blow out so I pulled over. On closer inspection, it was the left front coil spring that had broken and was rubbing against the tire. Had I not pulled over, the coil spring would have fully punctured the tire and caused a blow out. Ford issued an extended warranty for this issue but denied my request because my vehicle's extended warranty had expired the previous year. I don't understand why this is not a safety recall, a broken spring can easily cause an accident.

- Hartsdale, NY, USA

problem #61

May 162010

Focus 4-cyl

  • 108,200 miles
Driving down the road in a subdivision at about 20 mph, turned, and heard a cracking sound from left front tire. Stopped and got out to look = left front spring coil was broken. I drive a 2000 Ford Focus. Have also had trouble with the ignition system - key not turning in tumbler - and with the fuel pump module. Last contacted recall from Ford dealership was for "wiper motor in 2001."

- Deforest, WI, USA

problem #60

Jun 032009

Focus

  • 181,730 miles
The right front coil spring on my 2000 Ford Focus has broken. This failure is due to a defect in the manufacture of these springs! Ford has admitted as much in their customer satisfaction program letter dated November 2004. This failure happened while my 18 year old daughter was driving the vehicle. Fortunately it did not result in a crash, but after reading some of the summaries in the other 88 complaints I believe that only by shear luck and the grace of god there have been no fatalities. I do believe that there have been some crashes and injuries, ( see complaints on front suspension in your database. I.e. id no. 886337) as someone who works in the automotive industry I strive to maintain my vehicles to very high standards and this includes keeping them clean including the undercarriage. This is why if you were to inspect my vehicle you would not find any excessive corrosion anywhere on the car except the spring at the failure area. The failure occurred when my daughter was going over a speed bump.

- Linden, VA, USA

problem #59

Feb 022009

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 35 mph on normal road conditions, the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. Suddenly, the front end collapsed without warning. The vehicle exhibited front suspension failure and roadside assistance was called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The failure caused the struts to separate from the axle. The technician replaced both front struts, axle, and both sway bars. The failure mileage was 52,000 and the current mileage is 52279. Updated 04/16/09.

- Killingworth, CT, USA

problem #58

Feb 262009

Focus

  • 102,000 miles
Left front coil spring snapped, vehicle weight of sharp, broken remainder of spring against front tire while vehicle parked.

- Highland Lakes, NJ, USA

problem #57

Sep 062008

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
The right front coil spring broke on my car and punctured my front right tire while it was parked. Luckily we were parked and the vehicle was not moving or it could of been very dangerous.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #56

Jun 132008

Focus

  • 49,000 miles
Car was turned on to return home from work. Hears a loud noise from front of car when put in drive. Car after that was rubbing on right front tire so didn't drive home. Left in work parking lot. Had towed to metcalf's auto clinic in dyer, in. Right front coil spring had broken. Asked why would that happen when miles are low 49K for 2000 Ford Focus SE and garage kept. Attendant said Ford is aware of problem so I called Ford dealership in merriville in. Was told notices went out to inform owners of problem in Nov of 2004 and that an extended warranty was given to fix if problem occurred. Only I never received such notice. So now I am asking for Ford to pay for repair and they refused it saying it wasn't fixed at a Ford dealership. I was also told that you were notified when a notice was sent to me.. but when I called I was told only Ford has that information. So is a catch twenty two. Warranty offered by Ford is suppose to be for 10 years and 150,000 miles. So I fall under warranty but cannot prove I didn't receive notice and is their excuse for not wanting to re-imburse me for repair.

- Dyer, IN, USA

problem #55

Jun 092008

Focus

  • 62,000 miles
Spring broke on front end of car- shredded tire that isn't even a year old. Mechanic informed me he had the same year & model of car with same problem. I asked if a recall was issued he said he could not locate any.

- Blue Island, IL, USA

problem #54

May 262008

Focus 4-cyl

  • 45,450 miles
The front passenger side coil spring of my 2000 Ford Focus zts broke in half and punctured the tire. The car was then towed to a mechanic. I have fewer than 50K miles on the car. The only event that might have led up to the break was traveling at less than 10mph over a speed bump inside a parking garage. The spring, shock absorber, and tire must be replaced. And my mechanic expressed surprise that the tire did not explode. I contacted Ford to determine whether there was a recall on this part since it was such an unusual occurrence. I was informed that some cars of the same make, model, and year were recalled because of corrosion on these springs. However, my VIN number was not included in the recall. A quick search of website set up for Ford Focus owners by owners revealed several people with the same problem.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #53

Apr 012008

Focus 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
2000 Ford Focus #1 car has been owned by me since 2001 (bought from a dealer with 13K miles on it), it gets used lightly and never goes on long trips. I use it just for local driving, to and from work. (about 5 miles a day, car has 80K miles on it) this car is a lemon! I have had some of the strangest problems and gone through more recalls then anyone should have to. #2 problems I'm having currently: Suspension car's front passenger side spring has broken, makes very loud crunching noises when turning, needs repair. Electrical car has smelled of burning rubber, and electrical system has started smoking on more then one occasion, have come very close to going up in flames. Turning the car off then disconnecting the battery terminal cures the problem temporarily. Was also told by local mechanic front axles are bad, and need to be replaced soon but do not know much more about it. Problems I've had: Fuel pump recall, door latch recall, and battery cable recall. Have also had problems with the rear bearings of the car, paid out of pocket to fix those, because dealer told me there was no recall on them. After reading NHTSA campaign #01I017000 I have since learned otherwise. #3 all the problems I'm having with the car currently are not fixed. All the other ones were repaired by the dealer with the exception of the rear wheel bearings. The front spring is still available as is still on the car, and he electrical system is still intact. I will have to replace the spring soon but I'll hold on to it. The same goes for the front axle's.

- Cushing, ME, USA

problem #52

May 092008

Focus 4-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
While the car was parked I heard a pop come from the car. Then part of the front passenger side coil spring fell out.

- New Lebanon, OH, USA

problem #51

Mar 232008

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,982 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While driving 30 mph, the contact heard a grinding noise. Minutes later, the front end of the vehicle collapsed. She pulled over and noticed metal hanging from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the garage and the mechanic stated that the front passenger side spring struts failed. The mechanic replaced the sway bar links, the inner tie rod, the cb boot, the driver side axle, and the front passenger side hub bearing. The current mileage was 90,982 updated 5/19/08

- West Alexandria, OH, USA

problem #50

Feb 272007

Focus

  • miles
The strut and spring of my 2000 Ford Focus broke and needed to be replaced. I was lucky that I was just in a parking lot because I would have lost control of the car at higher speeds.

- Plainsboro, NJ, USA

problem #49

Apr 012002

Focus

  • miles
Both daughter and myself own 2000 and a 2001 Ford Focus both have front end noise and vibration very loud and shaky were told it is the bearings im concerned and outraged Ford dealer service says there is nothing wrong and there are no recalls on our vehicles helpppppppppppp im scared we are going to have a wreck.

- Norco, CA, USA

problem #48

Apr 072006

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles
My car a 2000 Ford Focus had a front spring break in (2) places causing damage to the strut and the car was not safe to drive. I took it to a local Goodyear store and had both springs and struts replaced along with a front end alignment. The cost was $800 for all. I have saved the springs to return for examination. Both springs have a sleeve on them about (6)inches at the top and bottom. The area around the sleeve has collected dirt and caused corrosion (rust) to eat through the spring to the point it breaks. This could very well be a safety issue depending on how fast you were driving when it occurs. I was going 25 in a residential area when it broke. I would log to log this complaint as I am sure from looking at the defective parts that others will also be experiencing the same damage. I have owned the car for about 6 years. Please let me know how I should proceed. I can provide pictures if desired. Regards gary young

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #47

Aug 242005

Focus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2000 Ford Focus. The consumer complained about the rear tires wearing out on February 12, 2003. Bought two new tires for the rear. The next day I had a four wheel tire alignment. March 31, 2003 two more new tires blew out, and on September 23, 2003 was having problem with alignment, two tires were replaced. The tire company said rear end was out alignment and then went to the dealership and had a four wheel alignment again. In November or December 2003 a new set of four new tires were bought. Then, in June 2004 two new tires were bought. The consumer went to a new tire company and it took them four times of driving consumer's car to get it aligned. Was looking on the internet about recalls and I found information on silent vehicle recall. Called the manufacturer about this silent recall, they said they could not assist consumer on this silent recall. Then, called Ford world headquarters, they were still not telling anything on this silent recall. Consume R found tsb 03135 on a Canadian website but could not pull up any information.

- Durant, MS, USA

problem #46

Aug 132004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles
Events, just normal driving. Sway bar link disconnected causing sharp rightward pull at highway speed. Continued smelling of electrical burning from dash panel with intermittent instrument failure, and airbag lights flashing. Smoke came from the vent systems a couple times, but no fire noticed as of yet. Nothing has been done to correct failure, costs too much for me to have Ford diagnose the problem, $500+ for dash labour costs to pull it and inspect.

- St. Catharines, 00, USA

problem #45

Oct 112004

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
After having the vehicle serviced on two different recalls vehicle performed poorly. The first recall was for battery wiring corrosion. Currently, the battery failed. The second was for the pin bolt controls. Steering wheel shook, and the two left front tires were replaced for extensive wear, and a blow out. The tires were replaced, and the vehicle aligned. However, vehicle continued to wear out, the tires and the steering wheel shook. Manufacturer offered no solution. No recalls found......also, was experiencing problems with decreased power. Consumer objected to paying for repairs.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

problem #44

Apr 012004

Focus

  • miles
Spring on front passenger side broke. Could have popped tire causing loss of control of vehicle.

- South Bend, IN, USA

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