I was South bond on Warren and observed, and smelled smoke. I went to pull over and found out I had lost brakes. I applied the emergency brake and came to a stop,

- Hemet, CA, USA

Had my oil changed. Drove to wal-mart. I smelled somthing burning, stoped and looked under the hood didnt see anything, thought maybe some spilt oil was burning. Went inside wal-mart and returned to car and started it and began to drive home. Car stalled and some guys yelled at me to get out of the car. I got out saw flames comming out of the wheel wells opened the hood and put out fire and pushed my car off the road.

- Mt. Clare , WV, USA

After having the vehicle serviced on two different recalls vehicle performed poorly. The first recall was for battery wiring corrosion. Currently, the battery failed. The second was for the pin bolt controls. Steering wheel shook, and the two left front tires were replaced for extensive wear, and a blow out. The tires were replaced, and the vehicle aligned. However, vehicle continued to wear out, the tires and the steering wheel shook. Manufacturer offered no solution. No recalls found......also, was experiencing problems with decreased power. Consumer objected to paying for repairs.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

Bad brakes, leaking transmission X 2 repairs, numerous electrical probs, one "accident", damage repaired at Ford expense, bad tire, noise from front rt side, "'surge" prob, car seemed to "'stick" in a gear. I don't have my file with me but I know there is more.

- Auburndale, FL, USA

My complaint is all the problems we have had with the Focus. We have had numerous recalls and work done from the drivers seat collapsing, wiring harness replaced, bearings in front, and rear, brake assembly, sway bar, and have had to replace 3 sets of tires, and line up 3 times because they will not make good and the car eats tires. Now we have 52,000 miles on the car, and a pin has come loose and gone through the transmission, and case. Altough the dealer has been very good, we bought a new car so we would not have this hassle, and that is all we have had.

- Smyrna Mills, ME, USA

I purchased my vehicle in February of 2002. Just 2 weeks after purchasing, car shut down and locked up. Had towed to dealership and found out that there were several recalls to be fixed. There was no cost for that work. Then in about April of 2002 the button that turns the air on and off messed up and the air would not work. We went to Ford and since I had no warranty, I was going to have to pay for the repairs, they quoted me at $170 to repair this so I order the part for $12 and fixed it myself. Then 11-4-02 I went to get into my car and start it, and once again it would not start. We had it towed again, causing us to pay for a rental and towing fees. The car was in the shop for 2 days and they said that the ground wires were shorting out"??"and they said it needed several other things also, but they are yet to get fixed due to financial reasons. I cannot stand this car!!!

- Hiram, GA, USA

We have had several problems with the car since we purchased it.our battery died at 25000 miles, had to be replaced no explanation given. The ignition tumbler had to be replaced be cause it broke, when I took it to the dealership they gave no explanation for it. *akalso we have had our brakes replaced twice within 1 year and need to have them done again(last done in July 2003).and we have been having a problem with the car stalling while driving at various speeds.

- Portland, OR, USA

ZX3; after shutting off the engine, the driver noticed the steering wheel locked. When the driver tried to start the vehicle the key could not be inserted into the ignition, the steering wheel stayed locked. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. The ignition cylinder and battery were replaced.

- Miami, FL, USA

While working on the vehicle, the mechanic discovered a seal leak in the engine, and a leak in transmission cooler lines. Later, while on the road, the vehicle started to fishtail in the back due to a bolt which held the rear suspension had loosened. In addition, the vehicle had stalling problems, and severe corrosion buildup on the battery.

- Chino, CA, USA

Battery / alternator light came on and stayed on while driving. This occurred three times : first on 4/26/00 at 4332 miles, second on 4/24/01 at 16674 miles and last on 7/5/01 at 20427 miles. Each time the car was repaired by a Ford dealer at no cost under warranty.**** dims 11 IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/01 cut-over to artemis****748178.

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

2000 Ford Focus zts, 4-dr sedan. The engine caught on fire on 3/19/02. Car was totaled as a result of the fire. Fire/police suspected fire originated around the battery.

- Shalimar , FL, USA

Have had very discerning trouble with 2000 Ford Focus. Things previously fixed are still not working properly. I have had the car since late 2000, and it has been in the service dept. More than I have been able to enjoy it.

- Dallas, TX, USA

The battery cable (part #14301) shorted out, causing the car not to start as well as other minor electrical issues. I found the part was recalled for my vehicle(NHTSA campaign id number: 02V288000), and contacted Ford. They had said that the car/part was not covered by the recall since my car was made in Nov 99, and the recall only covers cars made after Jan 2000. I just wanted to make it know that I experienced (and paid for) the failure and suggest that earlier made cars may be having the same issue.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Consumer stated there was excessive corrosion on the positive terminal of battery. Consumer had to clean terminal monthly.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

Consumer stated there was excessive corrosion on the positive terminal of battery. Consumer hads to clean terminal monthly. Consumer also stated the insulation on positive terminal was starting to melt at the point where it connects to battery.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

On 2 occasions in last week vehicle completely stopped without any warning while driving in heavy rush hour traffic. All electric systems failed. There were no warning lights prior to engine shutting down. First failure, battery replaced; charging system checked but seemed ok. Five days later same thing happened alternator and battery replaced. Afraid to drive the car on highway now, for fear it will shut down without warning at high speed. I was very lucky not to have caused a major accident.

- Miami, FL, USA

Consumer states that the some wires melted on the battery causing the car to start.

- Burlington, NJ, USA

Vehicle stalled twice, then engine caught fire in battery area. Please note that I live in Canada, and site does not permit Canadian address. Actual zip is M4K 1M6 in toronto Ontario, Canada. Vehicle is total writeoff. Ford dealership denied knowledge of fire or stalling problems with Focus.

- Toronto, NY, USA

Many, many problems and defects with this car...all problems have been replaced more than twice and still faulty. No safety defect listed.

- Wimauma, FL, USA

After parking vehicleovernight next morning it would not start. After getting vehicle started consumertook it to dealer, and was told that wiring had melted, causing battery not to charge. Consumer heard something on tv that NHTSA was investigating such problem.

- Harvey, LA, USA