Rear tires traction failed. As a result, vehicle became uncontrollable. The consumer stated when the roads were wet, the vehicle was hard to control. The vehicle was taken to the dealer at least 6 times for the same problem, three of the six times the dealer replaced the tires, however that did not resolve the problem.

- Three Forks, MT, USA

2002 Ford Focus SE wagon noticed rain water leaking into passenger compartment via heating/cooling cowling on passenger side wetting floor mat significantly till the point it was completely soggy. Checked grill between hood and windshield and noted no leaves blocking drains. Noted rubber dam not continuous, and water appeared to be leaking into engine compartment via one of these gaps and then into the heating/cooling cowling along top surface of rear of engine compartment. The fit between the cowling and the 'firewall' at the back of the engine compartment is not good, and there are gaps along the entire top surface allowing water to drain in.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

At least twice a week my car takes 2-5 tries to start. After it starts, it runs very rough and feels like it's going to stall...sometimes it does if I'm at a light. I have a stick shift and there's no indication on the idle that it's running low. My car has been in the shop more than I've had it for the last six months. Ford tells me they haven't received any complaints like this and the dealership has told Ford they can't replicate the problem...even though they've told me on a couple of occasions that they have. Usually they don't replace anything but so far they've replaced my egr valve, fuel pump, and gas tank. The dealership has been inconsistent on how they document the time my car's been in the shop and with a one year old and a four year old...I can no longer take time to go to the shop...not to mention lossed time at work. I actually like my car but I need it to start and they obviously can't fix it. This has been a frustrating experience and we will no longer purchase Ford vehicles because of the lack of cooperation from both the dealership and Ford. We've bought an F-150, Explorer, and the Focus from the same dealership...I guess our money was just a drop in the bucket for them and in the long run customer don't really matter. I don't know what to do about the car except to try for the lemon law...but since the dealership has chosen to lie and say they can't replicate the problem, who knows how that will turn out.

- Vadnais Heights, MN, USA

Ford Focus ZX5 2002 - dramatically poor handling on slippery road surface. " faulty braking sensor / ? poor suspension / ?" caused loss of control numerous times on flat even highway surface. On patches of ice - back end of car veers badly to left (sideways not front end). In snow covered sections back end fishtails excessively even at low speeds (20 mph). Ford service department stated that there was no cause for this problem. They were unable to reproduce the behaviour on dry clear road surface.

- Highland, NY, USA

Key does not want to come out of the steering column when cold. You have to wriggle the steering wheel and the key. It has been into the dealer and they have noted the problem 4 times but can not figure it out.

- Allyn, WA, USA

Consumer requested information regarding the Ford Focus.

- Ukn, 00, USA

At approx three hours after purchasing our new Focus, we where driving on the freeway. The vehicle began to jerk, and the speedometer went from 60 to 140, and returned to zero. The vehicle then came to a stall. We then noticed that the check engine light came on, the fuel cap, and the engine services soon. We were able to restart the vehicle, but approx 5 minutes later, the engine shut off. We then return the vehicle to the dealer for repairs. The services department stated that the causes was a loose grounds, and incomplete cir. The services department corrections were diag. Led to loose ground connections near battery. A few days later the vehicle did not want to start, and it took 2 attempt's to start the vehicle.

- La Puente, CA, USA