10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 5
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 49,956 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The engine light would illuminate and the vehicle would stall, stutter, skip, and not run when the tank reached a quarter tank. Initially, the contact was informed that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. Then she was informed that the timing belt, gear, pulley, and tensioner needed to be replaced. The components were replaced. Finally, the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Ford stated that the vehicle was manufactured too late to be included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V482000 (fuel system, gasoline). The purchase date and speed were unknown. The current mileage was 88,000 and failure mileage was 83,073. Updated 03-04-08\the fuel pump was replaced.
- Seneca, SC, USA
I am the second owner of this vehicle the day after I purchased the 2001 Ford Focus the engine light came on and I had loss of power. I took it back to the dealership and they replaced some parts and also had replaced a few recalled parts. The engine at that time had 78,000 miles on it. I have owned the car for a year and a half it currently has 128,000 miles on it now and had to replace serveral parts which are oxygen sensors catalyc converter, struts, shocks and idle pulley. I get my oil changes and tune ups on a regular basis. One morning went to start my car to go to work and it would not start. It was acting as if it had run out of gas but I had over a half of tank of gas in it. After trying to start it it finally started and was making a horrible rattling noise in the engine. It ran for about 15 seconds then died. I left it alone then called a tow truck to take it to an autorepair shop and had a diagnostic test done on it. I was told that a bearing had broke off and hit my third cylinder and smashed my spark plug. It also hit the piston and the piston was cracked. There were no warning signs and I would not have had a clue that there was anything wrong with my car. The auto repair place said the I was lucky that it happened at home and not while I was driving because it could have been very dangerous. I am now having to get a remanufactured engine costing me $3,300. Which I have to have financed. Is there any thing that I can do?
- Louisville, KY, USA
2001 Ford Focus. Original owner. Maintained. Spark plug blew out of cylinder. Dealer suggested most expensive fix - new cylinder head and spark plugs. Not covered by warranty. Will instead just get spark plugs rethreaded and trade in car asap before any other major issues. Car lost power. Was at a stop light and then made a right turn. Lost power and loud explosive noises resulted on freeway access road. Police had to come out until tow. Dangerous situation.
- Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Bought new in '01 Ford Focus. Noticed right off brakes would make a grinding noise and squeak. Tires were worn real bad on inside on one front size since we bought it. Repeated alignments with no improvement. Still experience this problem. Started experiencing problems with it missing during acceleration. Check engine light came on in February 2005 and took it to the dealership. They replaced sensors that had recall, was recall code P0401. Engine light stayed on. They said that we were using gas that was dirty and waiting too late to put gas into the car and that was why it was stalling. We paid $272.98 for them to replace this whole section that had to do with the fuel being filtered. Car loses power and stutters going around curves with even over a half a tank of gas. Stalling to the point we must pull over into the emergency lane afraid of accident! I own car I bought brand new and it jerks and sputters like some piece of crap from jd byrider! everytime we start the car you smell oil burning for15 minutes afterwards. Had it checked no leaks or anything could be found. April of 2005 noticed when the car idled at a traffic light the thermostat would show shoot up showing it was running hot! took it in to the dealership and they found anti-freeze leaking. Was told the thermostat housing and thermostat had to be replaced. Retested it and was told problem solved. Our bill was $375. This was first brand new car and was taken well care of, it only has around 78,000 miles on the odometer. I was told there was a silent recall on these for the engine problems and they were being fixed for no cost to the owner. We were not notified of a recall and paid for all of this out of pocket.car is paid off now and cannot enjoy having a paid off car with low mileage because we are scared to drive it and bought a new car that was safe to drive around with our kids! time goes on and it is getting worse. Sometimes not wanting to start at all! engine still stalls despite all these repairs.
- Louisville, KY, USA
- the contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus with a current and failure mileage of 140,000. The contact stated that she was driving 55 mph on a hot day and the vehicle would sputter and lose acceleration, then lost power. The contact stated that the engine would stall, but the car would still be driving until the contact applied the brakes. The contact had the mechanic changed the spark plugs, wires, and fuel filter, but the problem persisted. The contact called the manufacturer, and they told him to take it to the Ford dealer to get it diagnosed. The mechanic stated that it was a failure in the fuel distribution system, but the parts were on nationwide back order.
- Tappahannock , VA, USA
- the contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3. The contact purchased the vehicle, and two weeks later the heat stopped working. The contact stated that she took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs, and they did an incomplete repair job. The dealer got the heat to work but it only worked when the contact turned the heat on high. The contact stated that on a really bad snow day she smelled rubber burning and turned the heat off and opened the window. She had to shut the window and turn the heat back on, and when she did fumes began to gather in the vehicle, and the entire vehicl was filled with smoke. The contact continued to drive home when the car shut down entirely. Ford and Toyota gave her the run around concerning replacing the vehicle and a trade in. The contact was instructed to continue using the vehicle while a trade in was being negotiated. When the contact went to sign negotiation papers she was declined. The consumer stated after picking up the vehicle, all the lights illuminated, the consumer was told it was fixed. The salesman test drove the vehicle and it cut off in the middle of the steet. Updated 03/30/07.
- Cleveland Heights, OH, USA
The contact stated while driving 35 - 40 mph, the check engine light and battery light illuminated. While pulling the vehicle into a parking lot all the dashboard lights darkened and the vehicle hesitated as if it was going to stall. It was parked for about 3 minutes and the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was observed by an independent mechanic who determined that a barren came out of one of the pulleys however that would not cause the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was left at the scene of the incident. Two days later the contact returned to the vehicle and the vehicle was burned. The insurance investigator observed a security video which identified the vehicle smoking and a window had fallen.
- Springfield, OH, USA
Events leading up to the failure: Check engine light came on has never gone off since, highly increased running noise, engine hesitation that at highway speed it causes the whole car to jerk failure: I took the car in and they told me I needed a new head that Ford had redesigned a new one and it would cost $1000. The one I currently have deposits carbon and will keep doing so until it eventually gives out. The thing that irks me is Ford obviously knew there was a design flaw if they designed a new one, therefore I feel they should be covering this. Corrections: None, cannot afford. Will have to drive it until the car gives out.
- Shawano, WI, USA
2001 Ford Focus ignition cylinder broke, problems with the tire equipment, engine light illuminated and the sway bar bushing needs to be replaced. The ignition cylinder had been replaced three times. The steel belts were showing through the front tires at 54000 miles. The sensor which caused the engine light to illuminated was replaced three times. The front brakes were replaced twice. The battery, radiator, thermostat and fuel pump also failed.
- Verona, NJ, USA
The driver heard a humming noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The noise escalated while the vehicle accelerated. Check engine light appeared on the dashboard, and remained on. Then, vehicle stalled. Driver was unable to restart vehicle, and had it towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that driver's side wheel bearing needed to be replaced due to corrosion. Also, the engine needed a sensor.
- Kingston, NY, USA
The vehicle tends to stall unexpectedly at various speeds. Taken to dealer for check up, and the computer was reset. The stalling still persists, and the dealer has not determined a cause.
- Akron, OH, USA
My 2001 Ford Focus has stalled again. This is about the 4th time. Local mechanic found problem to be fuel injector pump. Dealership claims that is only battery replacement. I have all old parts from recent service at dealership. I would like to see this vehicle recalled. Found internet article that states that this is not an uncommon problem with this make/model. www.theautochannel.com/F/mania/repair/news.html?mania.
- Spring Grove, IL, USA
Dirve the car for 30 minutes or longer (engine is hot). Stop, and restart it from 15 to 30 minutes later, and the car will continually stall so long as the clutch is completely depressed. This will happen very predictably under these conditions. It is clearly temperature related, as restarting the car just 5 minutes later when still very hot, or an hour later when cooled down, and there is no stalling. Dealer (athol Ford) believes it is related to the idle air control valve, but refuses to fix it, even though it was taken in while still under warranty. Dealer also claims to have no knowledge of any tsb related to this issue.
- New Salem, MA, USA
Check engine light appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle stalled. Consumer was unable to restart vehicle, and had it towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced.
- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA
Consumer complained about an ongoing hesitation problem. Vehicle had been to dealer on several occasions, but problem recurred.
- Portland, OR, USA
While driving vehicle stalled intermittently. Consumer pulled over and restarted the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
- Maurepas, LA, USA
The vehicle stalled on two separate occasions. The speedometer in the vehicle always reads zero. The milage erase on their own and pop up again days later then disappear again. The consumer stated that he has to turn the vehicle off and turn it on again to read the gas gauge. Automatic locks engage 20 minutes after the consumer has started driving. The vehicle steering wheel became hard to move as the vehicle loss power and shut down on several occasions.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
Vehicle was taken to the dealership for a routine general maintenance, and mechanic determine that engine was leaking oil. Service manager indicated to the consumer they will fix the problem for $100. But he had to sign an agreement if the job was not satisfactory dealership was not responsible. The settlement had to be resolved by a local arbitrator. Vehicle was still leaking oil.
- Euclid, OH, USA
While at a stop sign or driving vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
- Antioch, TN, USA
- Jaffrey , NH, USA