I have a 2002 Ford Focus ZX5 that is well maintained. Within the first 2-3 years, I have had to replace the front brakes and rotors. In 2004 I had to replace the battery. In 2005 I had to replace the right rear window motor. Presently the left rear window motor isn't working; the window will not go up. The rear front window is not working properly and the air bag light comes on each time the car is started and stays on. The cd player had to be replaced in 2005. In 2006 all four tires had to be replaced because of factory dry rot. I regularly service and maintain the car, and have approximately 28,000 miles on it. I take excellent care of my vehicle and feel this car is not made with quality parts and that it is not safe. Although I drive at normal speeds, it does not get the mileage stated on the sticker.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

There is a line that went straight into the engine's intake that has been leaking fluid since 2,000 miles and was inspected by deler who told to me that it was nothing. But the engine case should not have a large leak of fluid that soon. Finally now, they have done something on this and replaced the hose, as it was seen once more and knows of all the times reported. I hope this is just not a easy fix or this now hasn't caused any damange to the inside of the engine itself, as the engine has been in the shop for riding rough. They told me last time that the part of the transmission that was fixed would fix this. I think it is due to the oil leak on the top of the engine case since it was new. A new car should never have a oil leak on a engine case.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

2002 Ford Focus ZX5 hatchback model was purchased new from lafres Ford. The check engine light keeps coming on and stays on. Various electrical problems have occurred and various parts have been replaced (documented on all service reports) the check engine light has been a problem from day one and I have experienced other parts burned and replaced in the past, ie cooling fan harness and resistor burnt, burn smell when A/C is in use or the heator, replacement of battery. (car is still under warranty) I continually take the car back and forth to the dealer to have the check engine light corrected. (no reimbursement of toll/bridges and days off from work to have this car properly serviced, no reimbursement of rental cars) when I get the car back the check engine light is off and two days later it is back on again. I periodically call my service advisor at the service department telling him that I just picked up the car and within 24 hours the check engine light came on again. My service advisor tells me that the check engine light does not mean anything and I could drive around with the light onindefinetly althought the light is a nuisance. On 12/11/03 while driving, the check engine light which was already on, the battery light indicator came on, I immediately called the dealer service department and explained to my service advisor of the problem, it was late Friday afternoon, he stated that was not a good sign and advised me to seek service at a Ford service station. Took car to universal Ford. The car began to emit a burning smell I arrived at the dealer service stations and was told that my alternator was no good and that the harness hand burned and all the wires had melted. That is truly an unsafe car, this problem could have caused the car catch on fire and I could have been seriously injured, or become a fatality or others could have gotten hurt. The car is currently at the universal Ford dealer service station.

- Bronx, NY, USA

Engine stalled after I had driven two miles with no warning. I had just down-shifted into 2nd gear as I was slowing to make a turn and the car stalled across two traffic lanes and would not restart. The oil light, battery light, and one other light came on (alternator I think). The car was manually pushed out of traffic lanes in neutral gear by two motorists who stopped to help. They were also unable to restart the vehicle. After approximately 10 minutes the engine started. I had the car towed and after 5 days the dealership still cannot find anything wrong. Apparently the onboard computer did not capture the problem. I am extremely concerned because the car stalled without warning at approximately 25 miles an hour. Had I been on the interstate as scheduled (I was running late and had to drop my daughter off before going home to pick up my laptop) I would almost certainly have been involved in an accident because I had no time to maneuver out of traffic after the engine stalled. It was 75 degree day (Monday 11/3/03) so outside temperature could not have been a factor.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

It all started on christmas day of 2002. My car was only 6 months old and the starter went out. About four months later I began to have problems with the automatic locks. Sometimes the doors would lock all by themselves and at other times they would not lock at all. I reported this problem to the dealership and the service rep informed me that they could do nothing about it unless it was acting up at the time I brought it in. Well, by the time I would get to the dealership everything was ok again. On the 7th of July I took my car to have the oil changed. When I left the dealership all the gauges on my dash were flipping all the way to the right and coming back again. And my battery light was on. I went right back to service dept. They drove the car and (surprise!) it would not do it again. They said they may have spilled some coolant on the belt and it was just losing voltage. As soon as the coolant wore off it should not do it again. On july17 I was driving my car and I looked at my gages and none of them were working. It was just like the car was not even started. I made a U-turn and went to the service dept. They told me to bring in the next day and they would give me a rental car until they could find the problem. The same afternoon they call me and tell my car is ready. I ask if they have fixed the problem and the rep informs me that they could find nothing wrong with the car (after only one day with it!). well they must think I'm some kind of hypochondriac for my car! I told her that I was not coming to get that car until they found the problem and fixed it. I can not tell how fast I am going and I'm sure they wouldn't like to pay for any speeding tickets.

- Colfax, LA, USA