No actual crash. Took car in to service a recall notice for the wiper gear cover, mechanic discovers that the brake pads are worn down to 1 millimeter and the car is too dangerous to drive. He also says they have worn down bc the car is not being driven properly. The vehicle is only a year and a half old and only has 14500 miles on it, its not possible that its not driven properly since it doesn't get driven enough. I've researched this on a site called www.fordfocusbrakeproblems.com and there are a number of people having the same problems at about the same mileage. Ford must be installing shoddy brake systes for this to be happening.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

Brakes squeaking. Had to replace at my expense front pads. Told it was B/C of my driving habits, but read other consumer complaints about same thing.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

Only left front brake pad worn out. Right side still has approximately 30% pad left. Had to replace rotor and pads. Dealer stating not a problem, called Ford consumer relations, referred me back to dealer. Want to have documented if brakes fail and accident occurs.

- Hedgesville, WV, USA

My daughter was so excited to buy her first car. I'm not sure why but she chose a Ford Focus and qualified for a first time buyer program. After a few months she started having brake problems. It got so bad she the car to the dealer for repair. They said the noise was normal. Later she took it in and they told her the brake pads were warped because she drove through water and that the warranty would not cover it. Next time she went in for warranty service she complained about the brakes and they said there was nothing they could do about it. Shortly thereafter she had a one-vehicle wreck. She was not hurt but the car was badly damaged. After three estimates we took it to a local body shop with a good reputation for quality work. The accident was due to the lack of adaquate brakes at a stop sign. At a little over 20,000 miles she began having more serious brake problems. Again she took it to the dealer who told her the brake pads were bad and the rotors needed replacing. (at 20,000 miles) they offered to do the $400+ job for a 12% discount since the job was not covered under warranty. She took it to a brake specialist who did the job for about $200. Add all the brake problems and the problems with the passenger door that leaked (they "fixed it" several times. It still leaks. Actually, this cute little blue Ford Focus should have been painted "lemon yellow". another thing - when she took the car in she took a friend with her to drive her to work. During the conversation with the service manager about the problems he, and I quote, "told them to shut up - he would not be double teamed. They do not teach that in customer relation school, do they" do you think this same dealer would take it in for a trade in"

- Mobile, AL, USA

Brakes make a loud noise due to worn out brake pads. Vehicle only has 13000 miles.

- South Gate, CA, USA

Front brake pads are prematurely wearing, cause unknown. Dealer cannot identify the problem.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

While driving under normal operating conditions heard an abnormal noise coming from vehicle while braking. Dealer examined vehicle and discovered that left front brake pad was loose. Since that time, consumer has experienced problems with brake pads needed to be replaced or examined because left side pad support knuckle: Spindle arm was bent, and causing brake pad to wear. Dealership was unwilling to assist in repairs of because vehicle was no longer under warranty. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Cranberry Township, PA, USA

7 new stereos, 2 ignition cylinders, a few trunk latches, transmission trouble(dealer cannot duplicate), 20,000 miles I have to replace 4 tires and 4 brake pads, horrible grinding noise when stopping, shakes on the freeway when braking, misassembled interior rails, and many others. I am completely dissatisfied with this vehicle, I will never, ever buy another Ford vehicle and I will certainly never reccomend a Ford to anyone.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

Brakes seem soft and there is squeaking. Took to dealer and they replaced brake shoes. Problem returned 1 day later and is worse then when I took in for service. I called dealer again and they told me to bring it back in. Service manager said that he had 3 cars in there for the same problem. He said that "Ford was aware of the problem, they were working on why this was happening and it was only a short term problem."

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

While driving would step on brake pedal, and the brakes will make noise. Pads had worn out and were replaced.

- Windale, NC, USA

Brake system has had shoes/bearings/ drums replaced due to overheating of wheel. Rear drive's side tire is becoming too hot to touch after normal operation of vehicle. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Princeton, MN, USA

Took vehicle to dealer 7 times for brake problems since Jan 2001, brakes squeak loudly. Dealer replaced pads and rear drums. Did not remedy situation. The brake problem reoccured, and the consumer states the problem appears to be not fixable. The vehicle was lemon.

- Sevierville, TN, USA

There was a grinding noise coming from brakes. Dealer replaced front brake pads. Also had increased braking distance. While driving about 10 mph, driver's rear wheel came off with drum still in it.

- Harvey, LA, USA

Brakes continually emit high-frequency squeal. Returned to dealer on 4 occasions. Only resolution provided was to lube caliper pads; this did not eliminate problem. Contacting Ford Motor Co. To no satisfaction. Was told by dealer that the sound occurs due to hardness of brake pads. If softer pads were used, wear life would be decreased. Review other complaints on this website and found approximately 15 others of a similar nature. Would like to know if this could be potential hazard (beisdes going deaf from decible level). Why Ford won't repair this problem? car is satisfactory otherwise, except I feel it should get better gas mileage for a 4 cylinder vehicle.

- Wilmerding, PA, USA

After driving for 20 miles or more vehicle experienced a problem with brake squealing and vibration when brakes were applied due to brake pads and shoes failure. Vehicle been in dealer shop on five occasions, and problem canont be corrected. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter. Console assembly failed. Brake rotors failed.

- Shawee Mission, KS, USA

The car was taken in on 07/17/00 for making a load squeaking noise everytime you come to a complete stop. The car was returned the same evening but upon inspection the squeaking noise had not been fixed. The mechanic explained that they had been seeing allot of Focus's with squeaky brakes and he had deglazed the rear drums and chamfered the brake pads for a corrective action. He said that if I drive the car for a couple of days the noise may go away after what he had done. And if the noise did not go away come back in and they would replace the brake pads. The noise did not go away and I returned the car to the dealership on 07/20/00 and was informed that it would be approximately a week before I would get my car back. The dealership representatives also tried to tell me that what they were doing was basically costumer P.R. and that if the noise doesn't go away I may just have to put up with it. As this issue is a direct result of the brake pads being made of new metal alloys instead of asbestos. My response was:" Than why aren't all of your cars on the lot squeaking when they stop and why don't I hear other new cars making the same noise."? I got no real response to my inquiry other than the same statement that there may not be anything they can do. I am conerned that they do not know what is wrong and I could experience some type of brake failure later on if they don't fix this problem.

- Troy, MI, USA