Fatality vehicle fire, Dec. 8 2004. My husband is the original owner of a 2000 Ford Focus, subject to numerous service visits to bill brown Ford, livonia mi for: Ignition, steering column, wheel bearing, brake, rear window control, seat belt &trunk latches, overhead light and engine light. The vacuum line & fuel pump & valve assembly were replaced 2/03, followed by stalling. In 6/03, A/C compressor & manifold line replaced. Fuel line & pump failure in 8/03, resulted in gasoline spill on residential street minutes after parking. Bogging followed repairs, PCM reprogrammed & leaking pvc tube replaced 1/04. Fuel pump again replaced. In 8/04, our 24 year old son took ownership of this problematic car. We are uncertain as to whether vehicle malfunction caused a 35 mph collision with a fire hydrant. An immediate engine explosion and fuel fed fire trapped my son and his passenger. Described by police as a relatively minor crash which would not be expected to claim lives, the subsequent unexplained engine fire claimed two young lives. A malfunctioning driver's airbag was also detected. This incident was originally reported to NHTSA by my husband (#10104088). I am supplying these additional facts for your clarification. Please correct your posting of "0" injuries as there were 2 fatalities. Please take effective action to save lives, as these trouble plagued vehicles seem to become more lethal as they age. Confirmation of receipt of this information is requested.

- Redford, MI, USA

Nar 04/07/2003 Mr. While driving, the rear tire disconnected from the vehicle due to a failed wheel bearing.. the air condition repeatedly leaked water in the vehicle. The brakes were worn which required new rotors.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

While driving the dash light began to flicker then the vehicle shut down suddenly while in gear. Campaign id number : 00V411000. The consumer was told that the power cable to the battery was the result of the problem. Campaign id number : 02V288000. The consumer was told by the service department that this is a problem because the vehicle could explode. The warranty company turned the consumer down stating that the problem was not part of the warranty. The key gets stuck in the vehicles ignition and would not come out. The doors would not close properly and remained open while the vehicle was in gear. When the tire was removed the consumer noticed that the wheel was missing a lug nut. Campaign id number : 00V303000 the air vent did not stay open when the A/C was on high. The brakes howled like a wounded dog from the time of purchase. Pads and rotors needed to be replaced.

- Woodbridge, Ontario, DC, USA

Many problems, the radio started shorting out almost immediately. I have to replace my tires at least once a year (10,000 miles.) at 37000 miles after the bumper to bumper ran out, my air conditioner and heater fan only worked on 4, 1, 2, and 3 did not. I took it to Ford, the diagnosis was an open circuit which cost me $409. ( I think I was ripped off) last month I took a road trip and whenever I would climb steep inclines the car sputtered and eventually died. There was no indication of my car overheating. After about 5 minutes or so the car would start and continue to sputter up the hill. This made it extremely unsafe for me and my family resulting in a near collision with a truck. This week, my car wouldn't start at all, there was some corrosion on the battery terminals so I cleaned them w/a wire brush. I also noticed that the cables looked burned. The car started after we jumped it, but died after removing the cables. I have spent more money on this car than any other car I have ever owned. My last car was a Ford escort, I still have it, it is 10 years old and has well over 100000 miles on it with no problems. I have 9 payments left on my Focus and will be selling it after that.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

I have several defects in my 2000 Ford Focus 4 door. First one is my left passinger door does not latch closed, 2nd is my cylinder lock in the ignition failed and I had to have it replaced, 3rd when it rains the front passinger floor fills to top with water, 4th the cd player turns off and blinks buy itself, 5th my check engine light stays on after repetedly taking it to machinic to see why and having it reset even though there is no reason it should be on and last the only way I have heat or ac is on level 4 -1, 2 and 3 do not work.

- East Stroudsburg , PA, USA

Ignition doesn't work, steering wheel locks and ignition cylinder occasionally comes out. Also while driving, the steering wheel fell off. The vehicle overheated when the air condition was turned on, the dealer replaced a pinched wire behind the dash, the air condition was not cool enough, the evaporator core had a leak.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

The air conditioner unit failed, water drained in the cabin from underneath the dashboard. When this occurred, mold started to develop on the carpet, which made the occupants sick. The dealership had blown out the pipes, but the problem remained.

- Longwood, FL, USA

I own a 2000 Ford Focus. Currently I am experiencing several problems. The first is the air conditioning A/C. the A/C works on the #4 setting but doesn't work on #1, #2, or #3. no air comes from the air vents when the fan is set to 1, 2, or 3 whether the A/C is on or not. The second problem is the brakes. I have less than 46,000 miles on the car, and the brakes feel like they are going out. I've never had to replace the brakes on a car before 70,000 miles. The third problem is comprised of the gauges. When I start my car, all the gauges go immediately to the right. After a few moments they return to their proper position, but I'm not sure what is going on. I feel that if I put the car in gear during this period, that I will lose control of the vehicle and it may surge forward. The fourth problem is that I have already had to replace all of the tires on this vehicle. The fifth problem is the transmission/engine. Many times, especially in the idle position (at a stop sign, etc.), I feel that the engine is going to stall. It almost feels like the engine is not running on all cylinders. The sixth problem, and probably not the last, is that I've already had to deal with all of the recalls on this vehicle, and yet this car is still unsafe and Ford has done nothing to correct this except offer a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty to new Ford Focus buyers.

- Lakeside, CA, USA

Consumer states when air conditioning is on and vehicle is idling T motor starts missing. Cause is unknown.

- Highland, CA, USA

Had to have rear wheel assembly fixed. Radio and air conditioner worked sometimes and sometimes not. There were numerous other recalls on the car, which made the car fall under the description of a lemon. Ford would not respond to complaints. Car was returned and papers were filed under the lemon law and no answer has ever been received. Loan still goes against my credit. How can I get a response from them? what do I do from here. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**768026

- Hoboken, GA, USA

My 2000 Ford Focus has major problems for a car that has only 57,000 miles. The engine will stall and die about every 10 seconds. The gauges and all of the front and rear exterior lights will go dead and the car will jump out of gear. The air compressor for the air conditioner is also shot.

- Geneva, AL, USA

The main concern is the engine overheating. The dashboard indicator does not show when the engine overheats. Currently we are taking it back into the shop because of the smoke that come through the hood. We feel the car could catch fire at any moment and that is is undependable. It has been towed twice. We do not feel we can sell it because of all the on going defects and yet we still owe $9,000 plus to the bank on it. We feel trapped in an unsafe, undependable vehicle. The problems continue. We don't know what to do.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

Vehicle was going 50mph on highway in rush hour traffic and stalled. Air conditioner/ radio cut off, and rpms went to zero. Vehicle had no power, and gave no warning. Dealer was notified.

- Belleville, MI, USA

Air conditioning wiring continues to short out. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.

- Bicknell, IN, USA

While air condition is being used vehicle would stall while driving. Vehicle been to dealer on three occasions, and problem reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Carsonville, MI, USA

With the air conditioner running, water collects on the front passenger-side floor. Aside from a foul odor developing in the compartment of the car, I would suspect that standing water in the compartment would have long-term negative effects on the cars performance

- Franklin, MA, USA

Vehicle died. Piston rings stick in valve and the shuts down. Consumer has five recalls on her car. Also, she had to replace head gasket. Consumer states that the transmission and air conditioner leaked, an O-ring was replaced in the air conditioner, however it still does not work.

- South Gate, MI, USA

At once speedometer/ A/C motors boggles down, and headlight flicker dim and bright.

- Rock Springs, GA, USA

Reason unknown as to why at once speedometer, A/C motor boggles down, headlights flicker dim and bright.

- Rock Springs, GA, USA

Consumer had found an air condioning leakage which had caused a vehicle flood. Dealer was contacted.

- Herndon, VA, USA