While driving, the right rear wheel fell off. After the vehicle was serviced it was discovered the suspension was defective. The wheel bearing had failed.

- Odessa, TX, USA

Vehicle failed after being repaired. Ph the vehicle was side swiped in Chicago where the sales dealer claimed to have made repairs. The vehicle was transported to Florida where it failed. The vehicle was barely driven, and had only 10 miles on it when it was purchased. The consumer was unable to turn the ignition. The cylinder was replaced. The left front strut and sway bar link was replaced.

- Hypoluxo, FL, 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

I have nothing but grief with my 2000 Focus. 1) most recently I had was traveling at 50 km/H when my front right coil spring dropped out of the front end. I phoned Ford repeatedly and even though I discovered a program covering my the coil springs on I was given the run around saying that I was outside the program recall date by a few months even though the car was made at the wayne assembly plant; where other program recalls were coming from. I ended up in a field when the coil spring broke, narrowing missing the car next to me. I was thankful that I had escaped with my life but not to be covered by Ford was a slap to the face. I am very upset about the way they handled this situation and I am determined to let everyone know about this situation. My alignment is also out because of the accident but can't afford to fix it right now. 2) four times since I've owned the car, the car has stalled. Twice rounding a corner going onto a highway and 2 twice on a straight away highway. It always happened when the gas gauge was below 1/8 of a tank and so I thought it was my fault because I was running out of gas. Of course I blamed myself. But four times ? I began to become suspicious when the car began chugging uphill on a recent long distance trip. I barely made it to my destination. When I took into a Ford dealership in sudbury Ontario the serviceman told me that knows of the problem though most of them came in under warranty. Of course the problem at first only presented itself when the tank was near empty and so I always or nearly always made sure to have at least half a tank full of gas when driving. Today the problem is present regardless of how much gas is in the car. Very convenient for Ford seeing as though I am outside the 60,000 km warranty plan. Again I do not feel comfortable driving on the highways anymore. I am hoping that Ford will hear me out a pay for the repair.

- Toronto, UN, USA

Purchased Ford Focus SE in may of 2002 with 13,260 miles. We did not buy the extended warranty because we could not afford. Soon after bringing the car home, we noticed the tire was very wobbly, and the brakes were squeaking--took it to the Ford dealer and they told us these cars are notorious for brake noise, as for the tire nothing is wrong-the service dept. Test drove and didn't notice a thing. Have taken it in several other times after that for wobbly tire-still same answer nothing is wrong. Have taken the car in for several recalls. Key was stuck in ignition and had to be towed to dealership-but the next time my teenaged daughter drove the car the steering wheel was stuck when she was turning at an intersection-had it towed again, there was a piece of material (from them fixing the ignition problem) that was stuck in the steering column. Our latest episode with this car is our trip from wa-Virginia. The car was fine on the way there, except for the wobble in the tire in which we had the tires rotated yet again. But on our way back we started experiencing sputtering and surging of the car, we would pull off the side of the road every 20 miles (thinking it was from the hot weather), we would get another 20 miles in and same thing until finally we drove through Chicago, il and it was worse, so we pulled off the highway and on to an on ramp--walked across the highway to use a business's telephone to call for a tow truck. They found us a tow truck but unfortunately it wasn't a king cab, so our insurance co., called us a cab. The tow truck took us to the nearest Ford dealer--the car however seemed to running fine, so we decided to drive some more. We got about 15 miles down the road and sputtering again, so we called for another tow--and in the meantime we called Firestone, we drove it there, the serviceman drove the car and felt what it was doing and said he didn't need to hook it up to engine diagnostic that it was the transmission.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

I now have a problem with the transmission. The mechanic thinks it is a filter or switch that keeps the oil level in the transmission when turning right. My car shuts off when I make right turns. I have spent way too much money and still owe on this car..frankly I would like to turn it in! has lot of repair needs too much money. I had all of the recall work done also

- Miami, FL, USA

I drive 25000 miles a year to and from work approximtly 115 miles a day and 70% of that is on open interstate hiway. Stop and go is less than 20 miles a day. Tires completely wore out at 41000 miles. Tires started humming at 10 to 15000 miles. I constly complained about front end and tire noise. I put a set of Goodyear aquatred tires on at 41476 miles. They also started humming, so the front end was lined up. This did not stop the tires from humming. Now car has 80000 miles, tires are scarming go down the road fast or slow. Frontend suspension has been making clanking or thud type noise. Just recently turing left geting off interstate it felles like the right front is changing geomitry. Car turns left vilently - must corect stering. This will happens without notice. This car is extmly dangeras. When driven on ice and snow, it will brake lose when going staright for no reason and start to spin out. Brakes wore out at 45000 miles. $400 to fix front brakes only. I have never had to put brakes and tires on a car at less than 50000 miles. More like 65 to 75000 miles.

- Kankakee, IL, USA

Car is only 2yrs,8mo. Have currently expended over $4000 on repairs. Problem with seals allowing fumes in car from other vehicles running beside mine. The noise and wind shear level is very unsatisfactory. Squeal noise and thumping feeling from pressing on brake pedal. Hesitation on accelerating into traffic flow. Poor quality on parts and workmanship from manufacturer

- Killeen, TX, 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

Takes off real hard like it wants to die but won't, then stops. When car is ran for a while it starts doing. We are not the only Focus with this problem. There are others along with their reverse going out or first gear. Every one who takes it in doesn't get it fixed

- Witchita, KS, USA

The brake system is horrible. They make noises all the time. I have replaced the cylinders and the shoes and it still does not sound right. The suspension is bad and needs replacing, but I can not afford it. I am a teacher. Cruise control has gone bad, because of a faulty wire.

- Deland, FL, USA

Brakes replaced but continue to squeal front suspension collapsed causing crash.

- Gold River, CA, USA

I started to replace tires as early as 5,000 miles just about 7 times by now. Replaced ignition 5/03 for $667 the key would go in and wouldn't turn. Spring coil driver's side broke while in traffic replaced 4/03 for $158.50. Now the transmission is completly gone the car would not back up. Please help me, I just don't know what else to do. The customer service at paul clark is so poor that I would not go there anymore.

- Brockton, MA, USA

Car stalls, hesitates, getting worse very dangerous!! fuel system seems bad

- Miami, FL, USA

Loud rumbling sounds comming from underneath rubbing noise when brakes were applied, the rear brakes, had the drums cut and cleaned and the brakes still are rubbing and it sounds like the brakes will fail soon if they don't fix them I took my car back three times with the same problem, and the insist they fixed it and the same thing is still wrong I hope somebody can help I don't know where to go to get the proper help. I need my car.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

The car veered to the left while I was driving down an interstate highway causing me to loose control. Injuries were relatively minor, fortunately. Car was deemed a total loss by insurance company after assessment of damage. No mechanical inspection took place but on visual inspection the front left tire was disconnected from the car.

- New Milford, CT, USA

The ignition housing locked up and as a result the vehicle could not be moved. The front axles on the right side fell off. The dealer refused to repair them. The front brake calipers fell off. The rear end slid while driving on a wet surface.

- Victorville, CA, USA

Squeaking brake, extreme wear and tear of front tires, back tires with wear and tear issues, alignment issues on front tires and cruise control issues.

- Spring, TX, USA

The consumer suspects there is a problem with the suspension. The tires wear out very fast. Vehicle has been taken to the dealer for repairs.

- Oak Island, NC, USA