I bought the car in 2001 which was a 2000 Ford Focus, since then let me mention the problems that I have encountered. 1. Since the day that I drove the car off the lot I heard squeaking in the brakes. I took it the an authorized Ford Service center to be told it was normal. After a year of driving the car like this I took it back and they replaced the brakes and rotors for free. Since then the squeaking is slowly coming back. 2. Key wouldn't go in the ignition. I had to have the car towed to the dealer to have it repaired. 3. Car cut off while driving up hill. I was told that the reason was that the weather had warmed up and it shocked the car. 4. Car would shut off if under a half tank of gas. I was told by the servicer, "keep the gas above half tank". 5. Smell something burning when I put on the heat in the car. 6. Tires keep wearing down. 7. Smoke coming out of the A/C when on. 8. Transmission gets stuck in gears. But when taken to repair, they find nothing. 9. Today the check engine light comes on and the car shakes and stalls when at a light. Take to the shop and get this, after explaining the problem to the technician and without even mentioning the make and model of my car he says, " You must have a Focus". These people are very much aware of the problems with these cars and yet they do nothing about it. There should be a way we can get rid of these cars without returning them to the finance companies as I am seriously considering. I no longer have the factory warranty and can't afford to pay for car repairs. So I just might have to get a repossession on my credit just to get out of this car. Also has anyone else tried to trade their car in? Well, I did, and was told that the car was only worth $4,000 and I still owed $10,000 so I would have to come up with the $6,000 difference in order to come out of the car clean. This car was only 2 yrs old when I tried to trade it in!!! It still had the factory warranty and 20 something thousand miles and was already starting to give me trouble. So now I'm stuck with this piece of %!$& car. Or am I? Please help with any info.