10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,018 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.

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problem #14

Oct 252021

Focus

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving her vehicle at approximately 35 MPH, the ball joint snapped on the vehicle's passengers side. The contact stated there were no warning lights illuminated nor any indication of a failure prior to the ball joint snapping. The contact stated that when the failure happened to her vehicle it caused her to crash into a ditch. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained and the vehicle was towed to the residence where it remains currently. The contact stated that she did contact the dealer as well as the manufacturer who advised her to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 190,000.

- Woodville, AL, USA

problem #13

Apr 242015

Focus 4-cyl

  • 204,500 miles
As I was coming from dr's appt. With daughter and mom a roaring sound started in the rear. It kept getting louder and louder, car's rear would sway to the right side a little. But as I was driving down the street trying to at least get us all home safe. The rear driver side wheel came off and just rolled down the street about a half-A-block. A man came out noticing the tire roll pass him, helped me retrieve it and get it back to my car. Looked at the wheel and car axle I guess that's what you call it, and told me my wheel bearings were gone.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #12

Apr 272010

Focus 6-cyl

  • 136,000 miles
First, I heard a noise in my rear wheel well. A few days later, the noise got worse and I could feel light shimmying in the car. I brought it immediately to a mechanic who diagnosed a broken rear wheel bearing that my wheel to wobble and lose stability. Replacement requires a whole new drum, at the cost of $300.

- S.Deerfield, MA, USA

problem #11

Dec 282008

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. While merging off the highway at 10 mph, the contact heard a loud noise and noticed the rear driver's side tire rolling back onto the highway. She recovered the tire and noticed that the bolts, lugs, nuts, and wheel bearing were still attached to the tire. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01I017000 (wheels lugs, nuts, bolts); however, the dealer could provide a warranty for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

- Park Forest , IL, USA

problem #10

Apr 132005

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,297 miles
While driving at 65, the left rear wheel came off. The consumer pulled off the road. The vehicle sustained some damage. The vehicle was towed. The dealer stated the wheel bearings were defective.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #9

Jan 012001

Focus

  • 696 miles
While driving and upon stepping on the brakes front wheels moved back three to four inches. The bushings were too small. Upon turning the steering wheel left one could see the front wheels moving back. Consumer stated vehicle had been to the dealer fifteen times. Dealer put replacement parts five times. Tires had to be changed between ten to thirteen thousand miles, and tires were under warranty for 30000 miles. Also, ignition switch had been changed twice, but problem recurred.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #8

May 152001

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
I have had numerous problems with my Focus. About 3mo after I bought it, the transmission began to feel like it was slipping, and making a noise. I took it to the purchasing dealership, and a mechanic told me it was the torque converter. They didn't have a loaner car for me, so I made an an appointment for the following week. The next day on my way home from work, the car shut down. I called a tow truck, they took it to the closest dealership. When I called the dealership the next day, they said the fuel pump went out. They told me that the stutter I was feeling in my car was probably that. A few days later, the same problem. Took it back to the selling dealership, and the shop supervisor went out with me. He said I was driving the car out of context. What he meant by that, he wouldn't elaborate, but said there is nothing wrong with my car. I have been driving it since, and the computer will fade in and out, but I won't lose engine power. My car has to have new brake pads every couple of months, new tires, and other maintenance things. At less than 40000 miles, it needed new spark plugs, and wires, which I happily bought. The dealership wanted $300, because the plugs were in the back of the motor. I went to my car, popped the hood, four spark plugs lined the top of the head cover. There was no further explanation of the attempted over charge. My car has several other problems. The positive cable on the battery, has melted back, there is a loud roar in the cab of the car, and three of the four lug nuts on the right rear tire has snapped off. The explanation for the lug nuts, was that the tire was loose, not fastened properly. But this problem occurred 3-4 mo after I bought it. The tires had not been taken off. I am to the point where I hate Ford for selling me this car. I will ever buy Ford again, but I love the concept of the car

- Weavervlle, NC, USA

problem #7

Feb 152003

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles
I have had several repairs for this car. In regards to steering, wheel, tire as well the suspension. As the car was under 18000 mile I had so much problem with mentioned above problems. I could not control my car when it rained or when ever the road was not in perfect shape.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #6

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

problem #5

Dec 152003

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
My daughter slammed on the brakes at 40mph and the vehicle steering wheel jerked to the right and she felt a drop in the left front side of the car, the car started sliding and hit a curb. When the car came to a stop the front left wheel was broke off. A tow truck took it to the Ford dealership. They said it needed a control arm; hub assembly; tie rod end; tire & wheel; axle; brake line; brake pads & rotor; trans pan and inner tie rod. They concluded it was in an accident and it was her fault and the cost would be $2,387.77 just for the mechanical only. She purchased the car September of 2002, putting over $8,000 down on the day of purchase with a remaining balance of $6,000. At the time of the accident she had no insurance. I beleive there was a problem with car to cause it to go out of control, and feel Ford needs to address it.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #4

Sep 152003

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,756 miles
Also Nov/20/01 my electric windows stopped working once again.....warrenty covered that.

- Nampa, ID, USA

problem #3

Jul 152003

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
The tire and the brakes went out and the car stated sliding. After the crash there were bolts that were found on the grass where the crash happened

- Darrow, LA, USA

problem #2

Feb 152003

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I took my car to the dealer for a problem which is now a recall. How do I know if I receive all recalls. Is it my responsibility or Ford to keep me informed.

- Sanford, NC, USA

problem #1

Jun 012002

Focus

  • miles
# of the orginal wheels bent. Warranty replaced 2 out of 3, now all 4 are bent again. Ford is finding this problem at there proving grounds in romeo mi. I feel it is unsafe to drive the car like this! the wheel has been changed for the 2003 Focus.

- Dryden, MI, USA