NHTSA campaign 03V482000; Ford issued a stalling recall. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN although it was experiencing the same problem. Brake lights do not operate well. The bulb and switch were changed, but still there was no change.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

While driving 70 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.. consumer claims intermittent stalling which started five months after purchasing vehicle.

- Goochland, VA, USA

The vehicle stalled while driving. This failure is possible related to recall 03N01. Recall number number (03V482000) the consumers vehicle experienced engine problems (engine hesitation, loss of power, and surging)as a result of a faulty fuel pump. The consumer was able to minimize the problems by keeping the fuel tank 3/4 to full as set forth in the notice.

- Charleston, SC, USA

At 77,230 the rack and pinion needed to be replaced because it was worn and about to break. Also a week or two later at 77,300 miles the engine seized while driving. The dealership thinks that a housing ring came loose and welded on the cylinder. The engine was installed, but did resolve the problem. The vehicle has been shipped to the factory for further service.

- Fairfax, CA, USA

When driving more than 20 mph the whole front end shook violently. Please provide additional information. Altenator replaced still having problems. Engine will only allow the vehicle to drive 20 mph.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

After receiving a recall letter vehicle was taken to dealer for service, and was told the service could not be performed because of a branded title. Previous recall service has been performed.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

While driving vehicle stalled. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Cambria Heights, NY, USA

While driving my 2000 Ford Focus one day I noticed a ratcheting sound in the engine compartment and antifreeze smell inside the car. All of which resulted in a complete replacement of the water ump, bulley and gasket. My car only had 38,000 miles.

- Lorain, OH, USA

Problems with the vehicle motor going fast then slowing down. When the vehicle was in motion, there was thump in the rear under the seat as if it were stopping and or losing power, the emission light had come on the dash board and would go off and on again, the floor would vibrate and rattle, the engine would cut off when at stop lights, the key would not turn in the ignition/stuck in cylinder. The stalling would occur especially when the fuel tank was below 1/2.

- West Berlin, NJ, USA

While driving 75 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. But on one occasion was able to restart the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Parkland, FL, USA

While driving at any speed vehicle stalled intermittently, resulting once in a crash.

- Placerville, CA, USA

2000 Ford Focus SE, car was pulling. Felt like a jerking. Car seemed to idle out. If I was to sit at a light for more than 30 secs it cut off. Maybe 2-3 times in one day.I thought it was my transmission again. But my engine was failing. The head gasket was blown. The mechanic said it's from the car over heating. I don't know how that is possible when I literally fill the coolant to max every week to maybe two weeks. I have been doing this for I don't know how long. Seems like since I bought it. Now my car is the stop for and will be there for a week. Cost over $900! I think everyone on this site needs to start a class action suite againts Ford. This car was not ready for release at all. They are playing games with our lives like we are test dummies!

- Lithonia, GA, USA

Recall 03 V 482 000 concerning stalling. Vehicle stalled and hesitated while in motion. Vehicle was repaired for this recall by the dealer, and problem recurred.

- Brandon, MS, USA

I purchased my 2000 Ford Focus SE from merlin motors in saskatoon. Production date - May 2/2000, stock no. PP24941, R.O. no. 155631. I believe this car was previously owned by someone in british columbia. Here is a chronological breakdown of repairs. April 17/01 - took car in because driver mirror vibrated badly when driving - so badly that I could not look into it, it was shaking that much. Also, the trunk would not open from the release inside the car. Parts were ordered at this time. Vehicle kilometers- 32854. June 19/01 - they checked for driver mirror vibrating when driving and replaced driver side exterior mirror. The also checked for trunk not opening from the release inside the car, they replaced the trunk stop and adjusted. Vehicle kilometers- 35222 June 20/01 - they checked for power steering leak and replaced steering rack and set toe. Vehicle kilometers- 37782?? (this is obviously an error - I know I did not drive 2, 560 km in one day!) I also did not complain about the power steering and don't recall why my car was in there at the time. Sept 21/01 - they repaired rattle in right front going over bumps, tightened all assemble bolts in front end, removed right caliper and rotor, lubed all bushing, adjusted front splash shields, found tie rod bolt loose and tightened. They also fixed molding on window belt, which was loose and checked inside rear view mirror and found it flawed - part on order. Vehicle kilometers- 43170. Nov 3/01 - we were driving in saskatoon when engine started to boil. We knew this because of steam coming from the hood, all gauges in the car read normal! we took car to merlin - they could find nothing wrong with the car after their checks, and told us to bring it back if it happened again! work order for this date states: Customer saw steam coming from under hood, antifreeze pooled on engine, gauge read normal, steam coming from overflow tank - fill with A/freeze, pressure test for leaks, no leaks found.

- Langham, UN, USA

Stalling, coughing, sputtering

- Osoyoos,Bc, UN, USA

My vehicle has a stalling problem. It gives no indication that this will occur. It can happen at high or low speed. I have contacted my local dealership and they do not have any indication of what may be causing the problem. What is strange to me is that if the engine sits then it will start up again with no problem. This first occured in April 2003 and now it occuring more often. All I want to know is what to fix or what can be done. I really love my car but getting stranded is no fun.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

When driving car after so long the engine gets hot and speed reduces. When pushing on accelerator to try to pick up speed, it continues to lose more speed and starts jerking. After it continues to keep jerking and speed keeps going down engine shuts off, leaving me sit in the middle of town with two children under the age of two. When car stalls and you try to restart, it turns over but will not start. Once it does start it shuts back down until it sits for a couple hours. Had this problem for a long period of time. Ford refuses to fix even when under warranty. It supposed to be such a reliable car but is very unsafe to drive when it acts up. Could cause serious accident. I don't feel safe driving a car that I'm paying so much money for to keep breaking down. I find this to be a seriuos problem. I don't believe anyone that has children would want this happening to them and Ford not doing anything about it, telling me there's nothing wrong with it.

- Emmitsburg, MD, USA

On October 10th 2003 I was driving in the Ford Focus 2000 wagon from New York city to cleveland, oh, about 500 miles. It drove well for about 300 miles, but started to choke and sputter on hills, like it was about to stall. I was hoping I would make it to cleveland for repairs, but it stalled out on me going 65 miles an hour 60 miles outside of cleveland. I was able to restart, and limped into the nearest town and found a Ford dealer in ashtabula oh. He said it was the fuel filter and repaired it. It drove fine for the rest of journey into cleveland. But I then headed to New York city a few days later, and again after 200 miles, it started sputtering on hills. Then outside of binghamton, NY it stalled again. I again restarted, and terrified of a fatal accident, I called for road side assistance from verizon wireless. They got a tow truck to get me to a garage, but they were closed. The next morning, I waited for them to diagnose the problem and repair the car, but they were unable to replicate the stalling problem. I drove the rest of the way into New York city terrified, and almost stalled out at the foot fo the george Washington bridge. It was after 5:00 pm so the dealership was closed that I bought the car from. So I am planning to have them look at it. But they said that unless they can see the problem, they can't fix it. I also called Ford and they said they never heard of this problem. Which I later found out is a major problem with this car, and there is an active investigation underway at NHTSA. I am hoping to get by under the lemon law in NY, but fear that the dealership will claim there are no problems with my car. Thank you for listening to my complaint.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

At 148 miles told Ford there was a problem with trans, did not believe road tested fro 2 miles and had car for day and a half. Said they designed trans to slip. I continued to drive it in that condition and repeatedly called customer service back and questioned dealers about slip and they said it was designed that way. To say the least trans replaced. Trim and other items falling off car and frod would not replace. More brake jobs than you can shake a stick at. Just got done putting $600 into it when engine threw rod and now has to be replaced for a cost of $3,700. Ford made a bad car nd they know it, but will leave us Focus owners out to hang.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Started experiencing problems with the vehicle after purchase. Suddenly in August, all power systems/computer type items began to fail -- power locks, trunk release. Then, car began (and still does) to sputter and shake when stopped/idle until it would shutdown. Also, the radio/cd player would shut off. Checked for tsbs for the vehicle model & year and found at least 15. When I took the car to the dealer (world Ford sandy springs) we were told that they are technical service bulletins and that we would have to pay to have the car repaired. Only official Ford recall notices, not even ntsa recall notices, would be honored. On top of this, we would be expected to pay $90 per complaint batch (the tsb list was batched in to 3 main areas)for diagnostic purposes and if any of the complaints were related to a recall, the $90 would be refunded as applicable. I expressed that if Ford issued a tsb and the ntsa issued a recall notice, then I should not have to pay to have the car worked on.

- Atlanta, GA, USA