On Sunday the owner's wife made a right hand turn off of mentor onto hart street. The engine shut off like the key had been turned off and the engine burst into flames. The vehicle was towed to classic Ford but has not been looked at by the insurance company yet. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Both the fire and police departments were at the scene. The entire front of the vehicle has complete fire damage. There were no other vehicles involved. Prior to the fire there were no problems with the vehicle. The vehicle owner feels the fire was the result of a faulty electrical system.

- Mentor, OH, USA

The consumer had numerous repairs performed on her 2000 Ford Focus. Recall campaign#02V288000 & 00V411000. Repairs that have taken place within one year: 14 new tires because of a problem with the wheels, engine, transmission jerking, re-wired, battery, overheating and muffler.

- Norcross, GA, USA

Events, just normal driving. Sway bar link disconnected causing sharp rightward pull at highway speed. Continued smelling of electrical burning from dash panel with intermittent instrument failure, and airbag lights flashing. Smoke came from the vent systems a couple times, but no fire noticed as of yet. Nothing has been done to correct failure, costs too much for me to have Ford diagnose the problem, $500+ for dash labour costs to pull it and inspect.

- St. Catharines, 00, USA

While going 65 mph, a vehicle pulled off the ramp in front of the consumer. The consumer applied the brakes and they failed to work. The consumer lost control of the vehicle. All of the lights on the vehicles digital meters where blinking. The vehicle flipped three times and landed on the roof. Prior to the accident the vehicle had electrical and brake problems. All the digital figures on the dash would blink on and off.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

I have had this car since 2003 and it has been nothing but trouble. I have had it into the shop for many of the previously stated repairs- ignition lock, revving/ gas line sticking, broken windshield with no outside cause, cracked side mirrors from cold, etc. This week my rear window fell into the door and would not roll up. The estimate is close to $400. I have had other problems, so many I can't recall them all now. I would advise others to avoid Ford products in the future- I certainly will.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

Car is a lemon. Radio has failed multiple times. Door locks and ignition lock have failed multiple times. Current problem is car stalls at intersections. Emission light is on and stays on. Deal can not fix. I consider the stalling at intersections to be very dangerous. If someone is moving forward assuming the car will move, and it does not because of the stall, a crash may result.

- Lynnwood, WY, USA

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

Coming home from work my engine light came on, I took it to a friend and he check it and said it was as cylinder misfire he reset he code(?) and said that he didn't guarantee that it wouldn't come back on. It work fine the rest of the day, but when I was again coming home from work the next day it came on again, I immediately turn around and took it to the garage where I get repairs done. He also said it was a cylinder misfire and suggests I replace my spark plugs and wires, he also cleaned something else and something iac ( you can tell I don't know squat about cars)I paid $149 for this service. A day and half later I was back in the garage with the same problem (engine light on) this time he says it something with my transmission code and to call the co. And see if there is or was a recall on it. Some thing about flashing the computer. I have only had this car since August 2004 and have trouble with all this and with the key not working but the car was still under a 30 day warranty and the car salesman took care of that problem. I am just wondering what next, how much, money does not grow on trees around here. After reading all the complaints on this here website I wonder why I even bought a Ford Focus. I also have very squeal brakes constantly, and my rear passenger tire has a problem and my son won't even let me drive my car till I get it check out there is more money. My car only has 44,000. Miles on it.

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

The consumer stated the vehicle had electrical problems. The lights were turning on and off. The cause is undetermined.

- Burna, KY, USA

First problem started with vehicle stalling- found out that fuel pump was faulty. Pump was replaced because of recall. Second problem started with no warning- remote for door locks/hatch back/anti-theft stopped working and automatic door locks also stopped working. Even after replacing battery in both remotes still does not work. At the same time keyless entry stopped working I noticed that when I turn on my rear windshield wiper the rear hatch opens. I fear that this could be a safety issue because if driving during rain can't use rear wiper or hatch can open and anything in rear of vehicle could fall out causing an accident. Please notify me if this is a re-occurring problem and what can be done to remedy it.

- Anchorage, AK, 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

1) stalling, stuttering and or slow acceleration 2) gauges and lights inside and outside the vehicle are fluctuating as they wish. He car was taken to the dealer three times so they could diagnosis and work on the problem. 1st time there was a recall performed on the FDM (fuel delivery module). 2nd time they gave it a computer update and then all of the electrical problems began to occur. Third time they sent me away saying there is not a problem. 2 weeks later with all the symptoms giving lots of problems (shuttering and stuttering, car stalled many times while traveling on the interstate etc.). finally it quit all together when electrically it blew up or shorted out somewhere. All the gauges were fluctuating empty to full,0 to 100 mph, air bag illuminated etc. Cabin lamps went crazy. The car smelled like it was burning in the cabin. Found no burnt or melted wires. I called the dealer to get them to pick up the car and they told me the battery went dead. When they test drove it now being the fourth time they said it needed new spark plugs and wires. I just cannot believe what they are telling me so I pulled this vehicle out of their care.

- Lakemont, GA, USA

Everything was great with the car until recently. Can insert key into the ignition, but cannot turn the key. I pull the key in and out until something catches and it will finally turn. Sometimes it takes 2 minutes, sometimes 30 minutes.

- Columbia , SC, USA

Headlights/radio and electrical parts would come on and off on their own. Consumer drove vehicle to dealer for inspection, but mechanic could not duplicated the problem

- Shreveport, LA, USA

We have a 2000 Ford Focus and it has been in and out of the shop for the same problem. The car stalls at times and the lights of the car go off and on as well as the radio and the speedometer go crazy from on side to the other. I can be driving and have the radio off and it will turn on. The car stalled for the first time on Oct. 22 2001 and it didn't restart so we took it to Ford and they replaced the fuel pump. The car drove good for a while and then it started all over again. So we took it to Ford on Sept. 30 2002 and they told us that it was altenator. So we had it replaced. The car did good for a while and then on July 16 2003 the engine would stall. Ford said that this time it was vacuum leak and they replaced the tube assembly. The car still had the same problem and we took it in on July 18 2003 the engine would stall. Ford said that it was the fuel pump once again. So we had it replaced. The car still had the same problem so we took it back to Ford and they said it was the altenator. We couldn't afford to have it fixed by Ford so we had the altenator fixed with someone else. On Sept. 17 2003 we could not start the car and we had to have it towed. Ford said that it was the ignition cylinder and we had it replaced. After all of this the car did ok for a little while but on Jan. 28 2004 the engine begain to stall once again. Ford said that it was the fuel pump once again so we had it replaced. On Feb. 4 2004 the gas would leak when you filled the tank. Ford said it was the pump retaining nut not seated properly. The car still did not act good it started out slow with the car stalling every now and then and then it just would stall and turn off while you are driving. And sometimes the car would not ever start again untill 15 min would pass and then it would start. On Aug. 20 2004 we took it to Ford and they said that the alternator. So we had it replaced for the 3rd time.

- Surfside Beach, SC, USA

While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. Consumer informed the mechanic that the problem recurred, and had not been resolved.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

Rear passenger door on the left side locked and will not open, either from the inside or the outside. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the locks were not covered under the warranty, and it will cost in excess of $500 for repairs. The consumer's wife was working with the left rear door. The switch had come loose and the left door was currently working. The right door was still failing. No electrical power switches were working on the doors. Six fuses were replaced. The electrical problems were still not repaired. The door problem occurred two days after purchase.

- Louisville, KY, USA

I purchased a 2000 Ford Focus from carmax in miami fl during the last weefk of January. Immediately after the purchase I experienced many problems. I have been in and out of the dealership and have been given the run-around. I lost 12 hours of work, been late and been left stranded by the Ford twice. I have had about a dozen loaners and am currently still in one (4months later). I am paying for a car that I do not have and as a result I do not want it anymore. I want something else.I no longer wish to do business with carmax and want them to purchase the car back from me. However I am not upside down and do not feel that is fair since I have only had the car about 14 days since I bought it. I need help!

- Miami Springs, FL, USA

My 2000 Ford Focus wagon that I purchased in Nov of 2003 burned in my work parking lot with only 30,000 miles on it with no warning, no suspicious noises or problems. I drove to work, parked in the lot, walked in, and as soon as I logged on to my computer security was calling to inform me that my car was on fire. The car burned the engine compartment and the front passenger area completely within 15 minutes. The fire department told me that it started in the engine compartment. Security said from their video that it also showed to have started in the engine. The flames shot up over 10 feet within minutes of the fire being noticed. When the car was purchased I refused to buy it without a warranty so the dealership gave us a 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty (and we purchased the extended) but now they are saying they have no record of anything but the easycare extended warranty that we purchased. We find this strange since we have had 2 "warranty" repairs at no charge since the purchase and there was never any question before. The insurance compnay has asked that we go talk to the dealership this evening one more time to try to straighten this out before they pay it and we loose money as well as having our premiums go up. One of my other big concerns is that our other vehicle is also a Ford and it has depreciated by some 10,000 dollars since we purchased it in June of 03 new so we cannot trade it in anywhere or sell it without being so upside down as to hurt ourselves. I personally have absolutely no confidence in Ford and will never purchase from them again. If anyone can help me with this or give advice please do so by E-mailing me at julie.ledbetter@hillwood.com. Thank you.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

The consumer is unable to open the vehicle doors with the remote. The consumer would have to manually use the key to enter the vehicle. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Baltimore, MD, USA