Vehicle stalled on highway amidst heavy traffic. Dealership said nothing was wrong and charged $80 for checking.

- Farmington, MI, USA

Six weeks previously, engine stalled on freeway. Dealer said couldn't find a problem and let them know if it happened again. 5/31/02 could not get car to go; had towed to dealer. After several days they finally thought it was the air intake valve causing the problem. Today I hear about the Focus stalling problem possibly being caused by debris in gas tank. I am afraid to drive this car for fear it will stall again on the freeway. I was lucky the last time that I was able to coast to the shoulder and did not get into a crash. I was able to re-start the car and get it off the freeway. Other continuing problems that I have had the dealer fix over 3 times each: Squeaking brakes and molding around the doors falling off.

- Alhambra, CA, USA

Vehicle stalls without warning at various speeds. Losing all power and steering wheel locks up. Dealer notified 4 times. First 3 times they did nothing, fourth time they said they replaced air intake valve. The morning after we got the car out of the shop it stalled again while driving 55mph. We are tired of getting the run around and are hesitant to contact dealer again concerning this problem. 2nd problem- put key into ignition and key wouldn't turn. Car had to be towed to dealer where they kept it for a week. I was told it had to do with the ignition cylinder and key had to be coded. These are only 2 of the many problems we have had with our vehicle, but it is ridiculous for a new car to have so many malfunctions and problems.

- Oak Grove, KY, USA

Install an after-market oil rechargable air filter (improves air filtration and traps more dirt than oe filters). Tried to start car this morning and engine would not maintain rev's... and would eventually die. Had vehicle towed to dealer. They stated that the mass air flow (maf) sensor was not defective, but was made inoperable by oil deposition resulting from the oiled air filter that I had installed (and that all service would not be covered by warranty). Service rep also said that they had a tech service bulletin stating that oil rechargable filters should not be used in the Focus (even though after market products designed for the Focus are available). Excess oil is usually 'burned off' when running the car. In the Focus case, the maf is in such a place that it collects the oil or any other product coming through the intake and could be rendered defective by the mere fact that the electronics are exposed. Oil charge filters have been used for many years. Oe manufacturers are aware of them... and if they are a problem, they should be warning consumers in the owners manual not to use them. Result of this attempt to improve on air filtration will be over $300 since the addition of this component 'ruined' a Ford component. Service tech said that if this had been a map sensor rather than a maf sensor, there would have been no problem. Ford needs to notify owners of this 'potential problem' as oil charge filters are available in any after-market store (auto zone, pep boys. Etc)... and are actively being sold.

- Uniontown, OH, USA