10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 3
Average Mileage:
30,367 miles

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problem #38

Jun 132020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 137,000 miles
See complaint 11338120 I wanted to add pictures

- Oxford, IN, USA

problem #37

Mar 122019

Focus

  • 123,961 miles
After driving from work to home, about 4.6 miles, I turned right into my parking space in front of my home when the brakes failed while the car accelerated directly into the rock wall that serves as a barrier between the parking, walkway and building; I immediately pulled up the emergency brake, put it into park and turned the car off. I had it towed into my mechanic and was notified that they found "throttle cable was bound up" and they "re-routed cable properly." I would like to know if anyone has ever had this experience with their vehicle accelerating when brakes are applied on this model. I would like to know how the cables can become bound up. This was a very frightening experience. I have taken very good care of this automobile and have maintenance performed according to manufacturer suggestions in their guide book.

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #36

May 152018

Focus

  • 82,638 miles
My mechanic identified excessive dangers corrosion of the engine cradle and advised that the engine could fall out while driving. I called the Ford dealer who sent me to Ford. The took my information, Ford ref. Rff14807554. They would not commit to examining the car. I am afraid this problem could be widespread and dangerous to others. This deterioration of the steel is not normal. I have a background in working in metals for 30 years. I offered to donate my car for review and Ford was not interested. Many old Focus are on the road. My car has been garaged and has only 82,640 miles. I do not want anyone hurt because of this problem Ford has had recalls in the past for escapes & windstares for subframe corrosion on the engine cradle.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

problem #35

Oct 062017

Focus

  • 92,000 miles
Key won't turn in ignition so car can't move. Vehicle was stationary and parked on the street

- Sylmar, CA, USA

problem #34

May 211999

Focus

  • 160,000 miles
I bought the car drove it off the lot about 3 hours I had to get it towed. The dealer got it back for 6 months an finally I got it back. Now it is doing the same thing. Battery cables have damage. Cranks but won't start.

- Maryville, TN, USA

problem #33

Jul 152015

Focus

  • 126,000 miles
My car will lose speed going up hills and start to act like it's running out of gas. I have had it go dead while going down the road and the steering become hard to move. It surges going at very low speeds of about 10-15 mph and jerks. Sometimes the even going on straight roads where there are no hills the car starts to act like it's running out of gas and die. The only thing that showed when I had it checked was the throttle body position sensor which I replaced and now says out of range and no one knows why.

- Alexander City, AL, USA

problem #32

Nov 072009

Focus

  • 130,000 miles
Failed ignition key lock caused my car to stall and freeze in place. Preventing me from restarting my car in traffic. Additionally, I was unable to unlock the steering wheel to guide the car off the road to a safe place. This has happened once during my ownership of the vehicle, and was repaired using Ford parts, at a non-Ford mechanic. Cost approximately $350.

- S. Deerfield, MA, USA

problem #31

Jun 032008

(reported on)

Focus

  • miles
2001 Ford Focus with various defects. Consumer states that the vehicle has had work done numerous times and has the same problems listed in the recalls but her vehicle is not listed in the recall. She would like Ford to replace the vehicle.

- Texas City, TX, USA

problem #30

Oct 202007

Focus

  • miles
I have a 2001 Ford Focus. Water started leaking into the front passenger floor. I took it to the dealership and they could not find a problem. The leaking continued. After it rained again, the water leaked into the floor all over my new video camera. I took it to the dealership where I live and told them what had happened. They said they could not find a problem, yet the car did not leak again. Recently my husband was doing maintenance on the car and found a "for sale" sign spray painted black lodged over the cabin air filter. He removed the sign and now my car is pouring water again. After doing some research, this is a common problem among Ford vehicles, especially '00 to '04 Ford focuses. There needs to be a recall.

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #29

Sep 282006

Focus

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
I had taken my grand-daughter to the dentist and when we came out the key ignition would not turn and the steering wheel was locked up. I spent the most of the morning trying to get it to turn one more time so that I could take it to Ford town to get it fixed. I knew what had happened because my daughter has a 2004 Ford Focus and hers had just locked up about a month before and she never did get it to turn over, she had to have her car towed and the ignition cylinder drilled out, finally we were able to get it to turn over one more time and the man at Ford town told me to leave the key in the ignition and the next day they would try and work my car in to have it fixed. I took it to Ford town the next day and they fixed it and it cost me $184.37.

- Carlsbad, NM, USA

problem #28

May 192004

Focus

  • miles
Ford of ocala sold me a bio hazard car that has ruined my life, my health, my finances, and possibly my future. They refused to do anything, ever, knowing I was beaten down, sick and forced into debt from the losses this car caused me. They knew I could not afford an attorney, so they, and the attorney general and the Florida governor all just treated my issue as unimportant... blew me off. This includes Ford customer care and Ford board of directors as well. www.donottrustford.ocatch.com (0 before catch iz a zero) tells the story, clearly.

- Troutdale, OR, USA

problem #27

May 012005

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer in may received a recall notice. The letter was for three or four parts. When she contacted the dealership, they didn't have the parts and they had to be ordered. They were not yet in. Consumer did not contact the manufacturer about the problem. The information on the recall, the parts or number were not available.

- Albany , GA, USA

problem #26

Oct 102002

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles
I own a 2001 Ford Focus. Problems started one month after purchase. Window wiper motor blew but was under warrenty. Then after warrenty expired everything started to go wrong. Trunk hood would not latch closed, then door latches started to stick, then had to climb into passenger seat to open drivers side door because it would not unlock and door handle plays games and opens door when it wants to. Fuel pump had a recall, thank god because I kept stalling on highway. Then while driving home from work the back passenger side door flew open on highway, almost caused accident. Then engine blew with only 123,000 miles on it. I have all oil change records to prove engine oil was changed every 3,000 miles give or take 20. Engine had to be replaced and that left me without a car for a week. Paid $1900 for an engine from a totaled Focus. Called Ford Motor Company and they told me to hold my engine receipt so that when and if they get any complaints maybe in 2 years or so I'll get a refund. Total money that I have put in car is over $4,000 and it's still not paid off yet. Now I need a new front axle because that is going bad. Why can't Ford help me when I have questions and why is it when I go to a dealer and they can't help and then I call company itself they go and call dealer I went to and they go by what dealer mechanic says and not customer. I will never buy another Ford again. And now the dealer I bought it from went of of business.

- Hawley, PA, USA

problem #25

Jul 172003

Focus

  • miles
Consumer struck guardrail when she tried to avoid another collision. (nar)

- Shafter, CA, USA

problem #24

Nov 092004

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Water leaks from somewhere inside the car onto the passenger side floor board. The first time was in 2002. It was "corrected" by a Ford authorized dealer service department and still leaks. When ever it rains the floor board fills with water and when the water dries it smells of mildew. Loss of hundreds of dollars to remove smell. I'm not sure if I should contact a lawyer about the lemon law.

- Live Oak, TX, USA

problem #23

Feb 202003

Focus

  • miles
Nar 03/05/2003 enclosed is a copy of a invoice billed to the consumer for parts that were not installed by service dealer.

- Anacortes, WA, USA

problem #22

Mar 152003

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles
My warranty was 36,000 which is up. Fixing the brakes was no problem but I dont feel my wheel bearings need replaced this quickly without having some kind if default in them from the start. My car is making this loud, roaring sound, which is driving me crazy. I'm writing to see if there's anything the headquarters of Ford can do. There are recalls on 2001 Ford focuses but just so happen not on my car and why is that when im having complications with it. It sounds like a tractor and ive only had the car for 16 months. I was a student in dallas and that was the only traveling I did. I'm not hard on vehicles at all. The wheel bearing are gone bad on my car and I hope there's something someone can do. Its the front ones. By the way it doesn't seem as if my transmission is changing the correct # of gears.

- Ferriday, LA, USA

problem #21

Mar 152003

Focus

  • Manual transmission
  • 18,530 miles
In November of 2002, I noticed a squeal under the hood of my 2001 Focus. The first time I took it in, they claimed they heard no sound. I then told the mechanic you must actually step out of the car to hear the noise.; he did hear the noise and Ford had to replace the belt tensioner and serpentine belt. I began noticing that my windshield wipers would function at will. The left headlamp and turn signal was also malfunctioning. I could not get the wipers to turn off at times. I would turn the headlights off and back on again, and the wipers would turn off. This would also work at times when the wipers would not turn on, but not always. I never noticed an absolute consistency as to what would get the wipers to function properly. They also would not function at the correct speed. They would go fast when I wanted them to go slow and vice-versa. I had taken the car in twice to have this problem fixed. They replaced the multi function switch both times. A week following the second visit, I noticed they would not work again. I scheduled an appointment for the third time. In between the time I scheduled the appointment and the actual day of the appointment, I noticed the gas light had come on when I still had about 36 miles worth of gas left in my car. I noticed the light was on for a bit and then it went off. So, I told them about that problem as well when I took the car in. They replaced the fuel pump and sending unit assembly. Also they replaced whatever wires were causing the multi function switch to go out again and again. I left the dealership and made a stop at a convenience store. When I tried to start my car, it would not start. Not a sound or anything. The car was totally dead. I called Ford to have them tow the car. This time, they claimed they needed to replace the clutch safety start switch, which they did. My breaks also squeak constantly. They adjusted the breaks and clean them up. They claim the squeaking breaks are normal. Do not buy a Ford.

- Blue Bell, PA, USA

problem #20

Jan 152003

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Has not been repaired yet. The ignition locked up and the key was unable to be placed into the ignition fully, nothing moved, nothing worked. Upon repeated attempts the car was finally towed and nothing has come out of it. I have heard of this happening to other 2001 Focus', but still I hear nothing of this from Ford dealerships. I also have heard rumors of numerous recalls for the 2001 Focus', but still I only find 2 released. I'm just feeling like a used consumer that has been taken advantage of.

- Westminster, MA, USA

problem #19

Dec 152002

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
There is just to much paperwork to copy out, but would like to mail copies. I am going to pick up car this afternoon just had second fuel pump fitted and new gas tank. To date no recall info received by post. However I have been drenched with gas on more than one occassion while filling car. I have nearly been killed when car cut out at 55mph on highway narrowly missed by two other motorists. Vehicle has 38,000 miles & has had the following repairs. 1/countless engine sensors 2/four new tyres 3/new front brake pads 4/new front brake rotas 5/new front wheel bearings 6/two fuel pumps 7/one fuel tank 8/waiting for third set of a frame plastic covers 9/three stereo players 10/tracklink reset three times 11/still have realy noisy brakes 12/engine sounds like 10 year old car 13/rear passenger window works when feels like it 14/right hand door speaker sounds as if broken 15/new tires fitted showing signs of odd wear 16/tail gate leakes water 17/ thought Lincoln/Mercury dealer might give better results no just longer wait.

- Longwood, FL, USA

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