Hydroplaines at certain speeds even with new tires and alignment! (originally submitted December 17, 2002)

- Macon, GA, USA

On Feb 28, 2004, driving on I-10 from Louisiana to houston, first heard a pop noise, then immediately felt loosing control of wheel, tried to hit breaks to slow down the car, and then my 3 years old Ford Focus flipped over, and thanks god nobody got injured, and everyone was wearing a seat belt. Checked the car, the tread on the right rear tire(good year) looked ripped off, assume this tire blew or exploded during the drive on highway, which is very serious situation. Insurance is still investigating the case. But more ridiculously the la police gave a ticket for 'can't maintain the car". we got 4 new tires for only about 2 months, everything is in good maintenance, and there was no driving fault or other accident associated with my accident, plus we were the victims of this tire explosion, we almost lost of life during the deadly flip over. The insurance is doing the investigating about tires, we don't have much to complain, but it may take a while to deal with Goodyear then. Now for this 170$ ticket, 5 hours drive from my home in Mississippi, what we should do to deal with the la police" I feel like they should ticket Goodyear instead of innocent victims like us, but 5 hours driving to court is really annoying especially we are still driving a rent car during this moment. Is there anywhere we can discuss this police manner except 5 hours driving to la court" frustrated car owner lingyun jin sun.

- Clinton, MS, USA

Rear and front tires showed signs of excessive wear. The tires were rotated, but the excessive wear still persisted. Dealer and the tire manufacturer were notified. Vehicle hydroplaned and almost caused a accident. Dealer replaced tires with second set of dunlop sport AZ tires.

- Jackson, MO, USA

Firestone firehwak gta 02 tires that came with Ford Focus. After reading reviews on this tire, I feel I'm not alone, I would like Ford to replace all my tires with new tires, hell I just got 2 new front tires and if I read reviews before hand I would have chose a different company, wow. Please is there anything Ford can do to replace these tires, they have no traction at all it seems. I slide off the road last month going 2- mph with 100 feet braking distance and into some construction on a slightly wet road, I know I'm a careful driver, and all these bad reviews god.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

The vehicles brakes squeaked frequently. The dealer stated that the front pads needed to be replaced at 37000 miles. The consumer stated it is to early to change pads. Both tires also need to be replaced.

- Antioch, TN, USA

Consumer noticed that there are two bubbles on the front two tires. Consumer is starting to notice that when the vehicle hits a pothole a bubble forms.

- Houston, TX, USA

The car starting having problems at 7000 miles. Front end jumping. I had a tire go bad and replaced it. Had the tire rotated and the front end lined up. Then, the noise and the car still did not feel right. I took it back to Ford and the rim is bent. Replaced that. So far I am out $250 for the tire and $298 for the rim/. the problem continued, but by 15000 miles the car was jumping, front end problems. Had the tires rotated and the car lined up again. I have the problems still. ( I was told(way I drive, curves, the way I take the corners, ) well, # one I am 43 yrs old and this is not my first car. I have had mustangs before and never rotated the tires or changed my driving habits. ( what ever). At 15000 the brakes started to squeak all the time (wet, cold, moisture, dry). Per the manual this will happened. I was told that it is common with Focus. I had a escort for over 4 yrs and they never did what this car has. With the front and back the recall 02S42/01B85 was done finally in March. This recall stated pinch bolt that retains the steering knuckle to the lower ball joint on your vehicle may not have the proper torque. ****** ( this condition exists, your vehicle may experience vibration or noise... this could eventually lead to ball joint separation with a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash, ) this is what I was told Ford dealership was wrong with the car since August. I feel that the recall came to late and now my tires are destroyed. One tire is worst than the others. Remember that one tire is brand new ( 7000 less miles).... the brake pedal is still making a noise when I release it at the park mode or stop turn around stop at light or whenever. They have adjusted it 3-4 times. And with in mins. Of them adjusting it, it is back to the same thing. This is a on going problem, wasted time and troubles. I do not want everybody to notice when I have my daughter in the car or I get hurt in an accident. This is important your reply help debra.w.

- Tega Cay, SC, USA

All four tires lost air. The consumer had to constantly put air in the tires, which also caused premature wear.

- East Taunton, MA, USA

I have had nothing but trouble with this car since I have had it. The rear end makes loud noise, I have brought it back to the dealership numerous times, and they always tell me nothing is wrong. It makes a roaring noise in the rear end, and something is scrapping on the tire on the rear driver side. In July, I was traveling on the highway with my 3 kids, and the tire on the rear driver's side just went to pieces. We were in a terrible accident. We went off the highway into the woods where the trees stopped our acceleration. The airbags did not come out. I was so thankful to be alive, and my kids also. We sustained about 8000 dollars worth of damage. The car was repaired, and now the same tire that blew out, and was replaced by the repairman is worn again. I am afraid everytime I drive. I can't afford another car, and no one wants to take it as a trade-in because of the botched deal upon purchase of this car. This is the car from "heck". now my warranty has expired, and the roaring noise in the rear is getting louder and louder. I have had the most horrible experience in my life with this car. It is a lemon on wheels, and the dealership always says nothing is wrong. I have had a conversation with another Focus owner, and she has described some of the same problems. I have also had conversations with mechanics at the dealership, and they speak of all the Focus' they see as trouble. Please help.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

The driver side front tire had blown out. The passenger side tire was found worn on the inside along with an exposed wire. (these two tires were not of the same manufacturer) other problem were as followed: The button on the cassette player had broken, the adjuster button for the side view mirror on the passenger side had popped off, while driving the over drive light flashed and the vehicle jumped in/out of over drive (transmission problem-per mechanic), the battery light came on, there were no fuses in the wires under the passenger seat, trunk lock popped off, A/C button light on the dash came on when the heat was on, the brakes squealed(since purchase), there was a blind spot on the passenger side mirror, and when the headlights were on, the driver was unable to see other vehicle's due to the seats being too high. Mr scc

- Uknown, DC, USA

Rear tires bald at 20,000. I have replaced 4 tires and need to replace 2 more. I have 42,000 miles on my car. I have rotated the tires all along, but they always end up wearing quick in the rear. For example one set of tires had great tread when they were rotated to the back with about 15,000, then at 20,000 they were bald!!! (like something in the rear chewed them up) car jumps side to side when hitting minor bumps in road and on highway, it feels like car doesn't have good control because of this. Dealership and Ford rep. Say tires are not covered under warranty of course and claim not to find any other problems. They blame it on the driver style. Funny this has never ever happened to me before, including my first Focus lemon I had for 25,000 miles (they replaced my first Focus for us for fuel problems they couldn't fix) I kick myself for agreeing to exchange for a new Focus. Nevertheless, it really seems like an engineering/design flaw or something else in the rear of the vehicle that is making these tires wear so fast.

- Park Hills, MO, USA

The engine missed usually mildly, but sometimes violently as to shake vehicle and sometimes stall, also the vehicle experienced a raw gas smell, suspension, brake, transmission and tire problems.. consumer also noted the rear hatch popped open by itself.

- Leesburg, FL, USA

I took my car to the dealer for a problem which is now a recall. How do I know if I receive all recalls. Is it my responsibility or Ford to keep me informed.

- Sanford, NC, USA

The Firestone firehawk tires, has had terrible road noise for the past 6,000 miles. Even though I had the tires rotated every 6,000 miles. Last night after the dealership put a new set of tires on from a new car, to prove to me that it was the tires. I am not happy! also, the informed me that I would need new brakes...okay, that is possible. However, they also told me that I would need new rotors. Nothing that they could be turned...just that I need new ones. When I still have brake pads. How can that be" are they made of soft metal that they don't last? that Ford counts that as a wearing problem, so the cost is on me"

- Fredericktown, OH, USA

The driver side rear tire are warped and tread separation please fill in additional information on the tire. Dealer is aware of the problem.

- Champagne, IL, USA

While driving vehicle would bounce to side when hitting a bump in the road, took to dealer, the dealer alligned vehicle, tightened up stablizer link. Consumer states' tires were replaced 20000, mechanic states all tires were couped.

- Rodchester, NY, USA

The right rear tire has a bubble on the sidewall. Firestone does not have available size to replace it and sent me home with it that way, which I thought rather careless. Furthermore, I have replace 2 tires, and nassar Ford replaced one tire. In the short amount of time I have owned the car, I have had 5 flats. Needless to say I have no confidence driving and Firestone has offered no viable solution.

- Amesbury, MA, USA

Consumer states: Every 11 thousands miles has to change the rear tires. At this moment has changed twice. Dealer has been notified.

- Gowanda, NY, USA

At about 14,000 miles I noticed the left rear tire was cupping and making noise. Ford charged to revise alignment and then recommended four new Goodyear tires.

- Irving, IL, USA

Vehicle was taking to dealer for a recall repairs on wheel bearings. Upon receiving vehicle back theres was a noise in the rear. Took vehicle back to dealer and they stated that tires were cupping and wearing irregularly.

- Kansas City, MO, USA