2.1
hardly worth mentioning- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 75,468 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The right front door lock is jammed or stuck, I cannot open the door from the inside or outside, the other 3 door locks work fine.
- Canoga Park, CA, USA
Rear door will not stay latched and swings wide open.
- Gouldsboro, PA, USA
The latches on three of the doors either do not latch which makes the door fly open or it latches and doesn't open, after inspection the latches are so corroded with rust that they do not work at all. Before I realized that the door wasn't latching I had a propane tank for a grill in the back seat when I made a right hand turn and it hit the door and the door flew open and the tank went flying down the street and almost hit a pedestrian. There have been recalls on this but my VIN # isn't on the recall but should be! I was quoted over $800 to fix the doors. This is a safety issue and I shouldn't have to pay for it.
- Hartland, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus SE. The contact stated that the driver side rear door would not latch. The dealer was contacted who advised that there was a recall for the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 05V030000 (latches/locks/linkages: Doors: Latch) but the vehicle was not included and the recall had since expired. The manufacturer was contacted who stated offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000.
- Chagrin Falls, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the latch on the rear driver and passenger side doors would not close properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number 05V030000(latches/locks/linkages: Doors:latch). The failure recurred seven years later. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that they previously repaired the vehicle under the recall and would not provide any further assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Grand Island, NY, USA
Driving down the highway our children rolled down the back power windows and they would not go back up - swerved into other lane trying to contain the situation because of the noise from the traffic has to exit the highway immediately to note that the windows would no longer go up - had to manually push them up to keep them up - although while driving they will go back down - which cause a jump in reflexes. To temporarily fix the problem we have applied duct tape. Also when it rains there is now water accumulating on the passenger floor board and spreads to the back seat floor board - has door seals checked and will replace although this is a real health concern because of rust and mold.
- Clearwater, FL, USA
Ford Focus 2001. Ignition locks up requiring new tumbler. Key won't turn in the ignition. The car won't start nor can you get it in neutral to push it off the road. It is a known defect but not remedied by Ford.
- Midland, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The passenger side doors would not open. There was a recall for the unlatched doors that was repaired by the dealer; however, the failure has occurred again. The drive side and rear right passenger windows have failed. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who informed her that the plastic clip that holds the windows together was broken and to contact the manufacturer regarding the repairs. The driver seat would not move back and forth because the seat handle was stripped. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 180,000.
- Chillicothe, OH, USA
My 17 year old daughters' 2001 Ford Focus had her stranded after work August 13 when she put her key in the ignition, but it wouldn't turn. We called aaa, and they couldn't 'fix' it, so we had it towed to the nearest Ford dealer only to be told the repair will cost between $450 and 1000.00!!! I'm a single mom and my daughters' still in high school for gosh sake. I thought this vehicle would be a safe and dependable one. I spent a lot of my savings on this car and insurance for her. I don't know what to do now, I've got a vehicle we can't start.
- Manitowoc, WI, USA
I have had my Ford Focus wagon for three years now. I had to repair a alot of things on this car! tranny, alternator, fuel pump, timing belt, and the only door that opens from the outside is the passenger right front, which my kids have to climb through to get to the back because both back doors broke not even four months from the day I bought it. Also the driver door only opens from the inside because of the companies defected car door handles. My friend has the same car, and its the same way. Not mentioning how everytime I stop it dies out and I have to try and keep starting it. It seems there is always something wrong with it.
- Saint Joseph, MO, USA
2001 Ford Focus ZX3. The key will go in the ignition but it wont turn, and I googled it and this is a very commen occurance with the Focus. In this situation I was lucky cause the car was at my house and not somewhere else with my fiance or my 5 year old daughter and 5 month old son that could have been very unsafe.
- Kettlersville, OH, USA
I parked my car on the side of the street and turned it off. When I came back to it about 20 minutes later I put the key in the ignition but it would not turn. The key would not turn forward or backward at all. I tried moving the steering wheel back and forth to try and get the key to move but then my steering wheel completely locked up as well. I was then unable to move anything on my car and it was stuck on the side of the road in a metered parking space. I had to call a tow truck which cost $69. I had it taken to the nearest Ford dealership and they replaced the ignition lock which cost me $530.73. This is the second time my ignition has been locked up.
- Chicago, IL, USA
Turned off my 2001 Ford Focus (with only 36,320 miles on it) as usual and when I returned to car and attempted to start it up, the key would not turn in the ignition. Had to have it towed to the dealership where they had to drilled out the tab, and build and install new key cylinder for a total of $427.84. They did not offer the old part to me and I didn't think to ask for it. Thankfully, it happened during the day while I was at my dentist's, and not at night after work. Have since found out that a class action law suit has been filed in California. There should be a recall of these cars.
- Roswell, GA, USA
Key won't turn in the ignition. Has gotten progressively worse over a week and now won't turn at all.
- Plano, TX, USA
2001 Ford Focus. Key won't turn in ignition, won't budge. I tried moving the steering wheel, tried using the other key, tried pressing the key in harder- nothing. Ignition has given me problems before: It would take two or three tries before it would turn, but it's never refused to move like this. Also, there were times when it didn't want to give the key back; I would have to jiggle and turn it, but it always came out after a few seconds of struggling.
- Natrona Heights, PA, USA
I inserted the key into the ignition of my 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 and the steering wheel locked up and the ignition would not turn.
- Yucca Valley, CA, USA
On 10/7/2009 my 2001 Ford Focus SE wagon ilc (ignition lock cylinder) would not break to start car. I have tried everything and still will not budge. I just found out on many web forums that this is a common problem and needs to be recalled by the Ford manufacturing dealerships. Now my car is stuck up at the billings airport at wok and I don't have the time or money to get this fixed. I feel and all Ford Focus owners from year 2000 to 2003. Need this repaired fast. It is totally '!@#$%!!
- Billings, MT, USA
2001 Ford Focus ignition lock up.
- Miami, FL, USA
Driver's side door on 2001 Ford Focus hatchback will not unlock and open. Stays in locked position and driver has to exit through passenger's side.
- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
- Attica, NY, USA