The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. She had her vehicle repaired according to recall# 03V482000 ( fuel system, gasoline). After the repair while at a local gas station she saw a puddle of gasoline from under the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer and an updated version of the component was installed. Years later, while driving the driver-side head light failed. She pulled over to a local store and turned the vehicle off. Minutes later smoke engulfed the front-end of the vehicle, and then flames erupted. The fire department extinguished the flames and cut the battery cables. A fire fighter speculated that the battery caused the fire. The manufacturer was contacted in reference to recall #: 02V288000 (electrical system:battery:cables). Upon contact she was advised that her vehicle identification number was excluded from the VIN range. She was in the process of sending correspondence to the manufacturer that exemplifies the failure. The failure mileage was. The current and failure mileages were 115,000.

- Denver, CO, USA

To best describe what is happening your website has a campaign for my complaint here: www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm?action_number=EA02014&searchtype=quicksearch&summary=true the NHTSA campaign id number is 02V288000. My wife drives a 2001 Ford Focus SE. The battery cables and battery are going through extreme corrosion that requires me to clean the connections at least once every 2 weeks. The corrosion is also causing heat that is melting the cables insulation. When the corrosion goes untreated, within 2 weeks the car will not start due to bad connection. The problem right now is that the original complaint was in 2002 and Ford is not recognizing the problem even after me telling them about the recall information I linked above. I have called in a complaint already to the NHTSA but have not heard back. Any help in dealing with this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

- Denver, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. Sporadically, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall and then restart moments later. Prior to the failure, the engine and ABS warning lights would illuminate on the instrument control panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and they replaced the battery cables. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 02V288000 (electrical system:battery:cables); therefore, she was not entitled to any reimbursement. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 68,000. Updated 09/10/08 updated 09/17/08.

- Springfield, MO, USA

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.

- Yuma, AZ, USA

2001 Ford Focus totally destroyed by a engine fire customer states that he has been waiting for 2 years to get a decision from Ford* the consumer stated that his vehicle was totally destroyed by an engine fire and further stated that there was a recall issued for this vehicle for the same defect. The consumer provided pictures of defect, copy of a recall issued by alldata online, and the description of the damage.

- Comstock, MI, USA

- the contact called regarding the 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated the vehicle would not start. The contact had the battery replaced, and two days later the vehicle would not start. He lifted the hood, and saw smoke coming from the battery cable. The cables melted. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The battery cable and the harness were replaced. The failure mileage 102,000. The contact was told there was a recall for the battery cable. The contact called the manufacturer, and was told the vehicle was not a part of the recall.

- Homosassa, FL, USA

My Focus is exhibiting the problems associated with this recall - NHTSA campaign #02V288000 electrical system:battery:cables I took my vehicle down to the dealership and they told me even though my car is having the same exact problems it is not covered under the warranty. I got the same response when I called the Ford customer service number. I have replaced the alternator twice and the battery 3 times. The cables are all chewed and burnt near the terminal ends. I've had numerous terminal ends so hot that they start melting off and into my battery. Right now my car will not start and my battery cables are burnt.

- Orlando, FL, USA

My 2001 Ford Focus wagon drove fine on Saturday night, but on Sunday morning the electrical system had gone haywire. When I turned on the ignition, no sound came from the ignition, but the lights on the dash flickered on an off, I heard a clicking sound, the "door open" bell came on, and I smelled electrical smoke. The Ford dealer said that I needed to replace the battery, the battery cables, and the starter. This sounded a lot like the NHTSA recall campaign 02V288000, but my VIN was not covered under this recall.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

While my son was driving our 2001 Ford Focus the battery caught on fire. Luckily, he pulled over and someone stopped with a fire extinguisher. The car had already been recalled for faulty battery cables. These were already replaced by bell Ford in phoenix. The car has been towed and is still waiting repairs.

- Anthem, AZ, USA

Dt consumer states there is a recall for the battery cables and the recall repairs was done on May 21, 2003, the vehicle completely stalled and it caused another vehicle to rear end consumer's vehicle on October 12, 2005. Consumer stated that her husband checked the vehicle and the battery cables burned out and melted again, and that is the same thing happened as stated in the recall. Contacted Ford, they said to bring vehicle in for inspection, but than likely it was something else.

- Dallas, TX, USA

The consumer's daughter drove to austin Texas, when she entered the vehicle the ignition would not turn. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the consumer's house due to the dealer being closed. The consumer heard of a recall on Ford Focus ZX3, which was having what consumer believed to be the same problem. The consumer contacted Ford who said that this vehicle was not part of the recall. The consumer stated that one week after he bought the vehicle the service engine light came on. The consumer had the erg valve replaced. The consumer believed that this may have been a false reading. The NHTSA recall campaign 02V288000 was directed towards the electrical system; battery/cables.

- Killeen, TX, USA

On Saturday 5/14/2005 the engine compartment of my well maintained Ford Focus SE, 2001, (equipped with a zentec engine), got fire in a fashion similar to that described by numerous owners in the following web sites: www.geocities.com/archangel_jjn/ www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_focus_fires.html the damages occurred to my Focus are close to those graphically described in the pictures of the second web site. The fact that this occurred on a parking lot a block away from a fire station prevented further damage to the passenger compartment. But had this occurred on my house's covered garage, the whole house had burned. What happened to my car is similar to the situation described in the NHTSA 02V288000 campaign. But my vehicle was manufactured on August 2003, and therefore does not qualify to the voluntary Ford recall to deal with this situation. As you can see in the referred web sites, this is he same situation reported by other owners. I have reported this case to my insurance company, allstate, claim number 179019215. The adjuster is Mr. Ruben romero @ 800 733-8910 X4385. As allstate suggested, I also contacted Ford. Yesterday, I was informed by allstate that my accident resulted in a total lost. On Monday 5/16/2005, I contacted Mr. Mccluster, from the tipton Ford dealership, who photographed my pictures from the fire. He assured me that he was going to log the incident into the systema and ask me to contact Ford at 866 436-7332. When I called that number, the same day, I talked to andrew, employer number 3176. He gave the claim number 0422761365 and indicated that Ford was going to contact on two days. I am still waiting for the call. In my opinion Ford did not fully fixed the causes of the NHTSA 02V288000 campaign and that was the reason for my car's fire. Thus, Ford should solve the problem in all Focus vehicles suffering from this problem and it also must be held accountable for all property damage.

- Brownsville, TX, USA

Recall 02V288001 concerning battery cables. Consumer said that the battery cables were routed too close to the engine which resulted in an under hood fire. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was told that this vehicle was not eligible for recall due to VIN even though the vehicle experienced the same defects as described in the recall.

- Tampa, FL, USA

2001 Ford Focus learches under normal driving. Electriclal issues lights dimming dach lights same under normal driving. 5 trips to the dealer no identifiable cause. Remedy was to replace battery cables @ $487.10.

- Lutz, FL, USA

The vehicle was experiencing the same failure as described in the battery cable recall 02V288000. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

The vehicle was parked, when all of a sudden, it caught fire, due to a battery cable wire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for analysis.

- Stephens City, VA, USA

While exiting the highway, the vehicle stalled and caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined the fire started in the engine. The inspector determined that the cause of the fire was related to a faulty cable/battery connector. This was a known problem in the 200-2001 Ford Focus model.

- Oak Harbor, WA, USA

In the last past five months while driving at any speed and with no warning vehicle stalled due to corroded battery cables, causing consumer to pull off the road. Dealer notified.

- Indio, CA, USA

While driving about 65 mph on the highway vehicle stalled and shut down due to battery cable wire melting. Consumer was able to steer onto the side of the shoulder.

- Escondido, CA, USA

Consumer's vehicle has the same problem as mentioned in recall#02V288000 concerning battery cable. Dealer will not repair because this vehicle was not covered under recall due to VIN.

- Snellville, GA, USA