10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,165 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2001 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #53

Nov 172004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,392 miles
Oct. 13-14, 2004: Engine would crank and crank and not start after sitting overnight or for several hours. After much cranking, engine finally would start. Oct. 14 - personal mechanic identified that fuel pressure was bleeding off - fuel was not remaining in fuel rail. Directed me to take it to Ford dealer for fuel pump recall 03V482000. Oct. 18 - to solve the problem, related to Ford's recall program #03N01, Ford dealership replaced fuel pump. In conjunction with the fuel pump replacement, dealer recommended fuel filter also be replaced, at a cost to me of $62.95 plus tax. I approved this. Dealer (suntrup Ford) also recommended fuel cleaning induction service, done for $127.88. Oct. 28 - returned to dealer for repair. Car had sputtered at stop light twice, and idle when stopped had changed from what was normal. Dealer could not duplicate concern, and reprogrammed the car's computer for $119.90. Nov. 16 - on two occasions car sputtered after starting when engine was warm. On second occasion, car was extremely difficult to start. After it finally started, I drove about a block, and it stalled without warning and without sputtering. Car was towed to private repair shop nearby, where on Nov. 17 mechanic indicated he could not duplicate the condition. Mechanic promised to look at car again on Nov. 18. consequences of failure - inconvenience, potential dangerous condition, out several hundred dollars for recommended repairs (related to recall) and for towing. Car still not diagnosed because condition has not been duplicated.

- Hazelwood, MO, USA

problem #52

Oct 182004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 69,000 miles
My 2001 Ford Focus has stalled numerous times and died once while I was getting on the highway. It usually dies when it has a quarter tank of gas or less but still not on empty. I have replaced the fuel filter and had the injectors cleaned. I also took it in and had the recalled bolt fixed.none of these things have fixed the problem.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #51

Aug 252004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles
I had experienced a loss in acceleration and my car stalled. I started the vehicle again, it ran for about one mile and then it stalled again, this time there was a clicking noise from the engine. I could not get it started again and I called for a tow to the dealership. After they ran some tests and took apart the engine, they found that a valve had broken in the cylinder and damaged the piston and the head/head gasket. The car is a 2001 Ford Focus that I had purchased new and I donT understand how this could have happened to the engine since it is less than 3 and years old.

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #50

Feb 122004

(reported on)

Focus

  • miles
Since the warranty on the vehicle expired, consumer would have to pay a service fee to get the engine stalling recall performed. (nar)

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #49

Jan 252003

Focus

  • miles
Nar 03/05/2003 the vehicle engine sped out of control by itself with a hugh burst of speed, and the car ran into the shrubbery at the edge of the parking lot.

- Deerfield, FL, USA

problem #48

Jan 172004

Focus

  • miles
When trying to start the vehicle, consumer noticed a bit of hesitation on the engine. As driver started to back-out of the garage and headed on to the neighboring street, vehicle stalled and died. (nar)

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #47

May 262004

Focus

  • miles
While drivingthe vehicle stalled. The driver was able to drive it to dealer for inspection. The mechanic could not duplicated the problem. The driver informed the mechanic that this problem still occurs, and has not been resolved. Please provide any additional information.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #46

Apr 012004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 63,000 miles
Vehicle shakes and dies erratically. Took to dealer for fuel pump assembly recall. Repair has not fixed. Driving on highway, step on gas all the way and car decelerates and loses speed. Intermittently dies when this happens. Also shakes violently while stopped leading to stalling. All of the above have happened on several occasions in the past couple of months. I thought the recall for fuel pump assembly would fix it, but it has not. Getting progressively worse.

- Revere, MA, USA

problem #45

Mar 182004

(reported on)

Focus

  • miles
When driving there is a hesitation. Consumer feels that engine may shut off.

- Groveland, FL, USA

problem #44

Feb 082004

Focus

  • miles
While driving at an undetermined speed vehicle stalled. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and mechanic determined that engine and transmission failed.

- Clifton Heights, PA, USA

problem #43

Feb 122004

(reported on)

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
While driving vehicle stalled, and the engine check light illuminated. Vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the mechanic did an inspection and found no problem.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #42

Jan 302004

(reported on)

Focus

  • 34,000 miles
Consumer stated dealership was having a problem getting the correct motor mounts for vehicle. Consumer was afraid that the motor will fall out of the vehicle.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #41

Jan 302004

(reported on)

Focus

  • 75,000 miles
Dealership tested the fuel pump and indicated that it was defective, but didn't replace it. 120 miles later engine misfired. Dealership replaced the fuel pump, and determined that it was not the cause of engine misfiring, consumer indicated engine wasn't misfiring or showing any other sign of problems until dealership started working on it.

- Brookville, IN, USA

problem #40

Jan 062004

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
While driving 65 mph the vehicle stalled. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. The dealerships mechanic has been notified but did not resolve the problem. The same incident occurred when the consumer's son was driving the vehicle. (the vehicle died while in heavy traffic)

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #39

Dec 022003

(reported on)

Focus

  • miles
Vehicle hesitated/lost power. When turning there was a loud clumping sound.

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

problem #38

Oct 302003

Focus

  • 44,200 miles
While driving, the vehicle would intermittently stall. The consumer would have to depress the gas pedal in order for the vehicle not to stall. Cause has yet to be determined. The dealership was notified, and the problem was resolved.

- Saint Helens, OR, USA

problem #37

Nov 012003

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,954 miles
When I driving more than 40 miles continually the engine stalls, I have to wait and make several tries to restart it again, some times while I in the highway its make me lose the control of the vehicle due to the lost of acceleration.

- Baytown, TX, USA

problem #36

Oct 292003

(reported on)

Focus

  • Manual transmission
  • 6,000 miles
Vehicle stalls when turning in either direction. Dealer has replaced the fuel filter twice, but the problem still occurs.

- Huntley, IL, USA

problem #35

Aug 072003

Focus

  • miles
Vehicle was rear ended on highway after engine died. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer twice prior to the accident. Both times the dealer couldn't duplicate nor correct the problem. (attorney on behalf of client Mr. Munroe)

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #34

Oct 212003

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,500 miles
I just purchased a 2001 Ford Focus for my daughter a month ago and have had a problem with it stalling at unpredictable time. I did a little searching and found this is a problem that others are having and the nnhtsa is currently investigating. This is a very serious issue especially for a young, new driver. It can be deadly. Please give me an update on this investigation and add my complain to the data. I hope you pursue this issue before Ford allows someone to die from it. Ms.

- Mtn Home , ID, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »