This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Defective front brake rotor. During the inspection the consumer was told that the defect was not covered under the vehicle's warranty. Other vehicle components also malfunctioned. The vehicle's trunk latch broke, the check engine light illuminated twice, the cd player became inoperative and the steering wheel locked up.
Headlights/radio and electrical parts would come on and off on their own. Consumer drove vehicle to dealer for inspection, but mechanic could not duplicated the problem
I have several defects in my 2000 Ford Focus 4 door. First one is my left passinger door does not latch closed, 2nd is my cylinder lock in the ignition failed and I had to have it replaced, 3rd when it rains the front passinger floor fills to top with water, 4th the cd player turns off and blinks buy itself, 5th my check engine light stays on after repetedly taking it to machinic to see why and having it reset even though there is no reason it should be on and last the only way I have heat or ac is on level 4 -1, 2 and 3 do not work.
From date of purchase, cdplayer/radio would work/not work, same with main inside light. Front passenger fllorboard filled with water regularly. On date in question car was driven approx 15 miles and parked. While parking, car stalled. Car restarted and was able to be parked. 15-20 minutes after parking, lot attendent noticed smoke from under hood. Lot supervisor checked and flames shot out from under car and hood. Fire dept was called and put out fire, but fire had spread quickly and consumed engine. Fire marshall said fire was electrical in nature. Car is unsalvagable and I had only owned it 5 1/2 months.
Consumer was on 7th set of tires at 60,000, an alignment with each set. Radio had been replaced twice/ brakes had been completely replaced twice/ wheel bearings had been replaced, and ignition was replaced once after vehicle had been towed. Low and behold, consumer's Focus was sitting in driveway needed to be towed for the same problem again. Car was getting horrible gas mileage, sometimes had brake failure which caused 2 accidents. Also, lugs:nuts had been replaced. The car would sometimes stall for no apparent reason, and was in need of an alternator.
- Columbia, MD, USA
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Constant squeaking noise when the brakes are applied. I've already replaced the rotors, brakes, brake pads, and drums on several occasions since buying this Focus about 3 years ago. Also my steering wheel locked on me one day in April of 2002 the key would not fit into the ignition to start the car I have no idea why this would happen from one day to another. I had my vehicle towed to the Ford dealership and they didn't know what the problem was caused by. They said that they needed to update the lock cylinder. Luckily I purchased the api extended warranty that cover the car for 100,000 miles. So the cost of the work done for this was $427.20. All but $50 of which was my deductible was cover by this warranty. The problems didn't stop here. I also have had to get the cd systems that came installed in the car replaced. The was a constant clicking noise with the cd player and 90% of the time the cd's wouldn't even play. I called the dealership and they said that they could replace it for me but that it wouldn't be coverer by the warranty so I would have to pay for it out of my pocket. I ended up having a new system installed but not from the Ford dealership, I took it to circuit city. Recently this month July 2003, my car has been staling and shutting off at stop signals and stop light also just shut completely off on the freeway thank god no accident occurred. I called the dealership to report this problem also my check engine light would come on and off several times and they said to bring it in and they would check the engine light but that I would have to pay $165. 00 just for them to check the light and it would be more $$$ to repair what ever problem it was. I was fed up by then.
Had to have rear wheel assembly fixed. Radio and air conditioner worked sometimes and sometimes not. There were numerous other recalls on the car, which made the car fall under the description of a lemon. Ford would not respond to complaints. Car was returned and papers were filed under the lemon law and no answer has ever been received. Loan still goes against my credit. How can I get a response from them? what do I do from here. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**768026
Consumer received poor service from Ford Motor Company, as well as from following local Ford dealers morande Ford of berlin, ct and ray seraphin Ford of vernon ct, and different opinions from Ford employees concerning multiple recalls on A-frame/stereo/windshield wiper motor/rear wheel bearings, electrical system, and sudden acceleration/lurching.
The consumer has experienced the following: The replacement of the left dash board cluster (temperature gauge inop from the time of purchase), reattachment of rubber seal around driver door window, reattachment of fuel pump, reattachment of headliner in rear of vehicle, uncrimping of fuel line, lubrication driver door handle(sticking), lubrication of catch on rear passenger side door(had come open while vehicle was in motion), replacement the turn signal switch in steering column-had to be turned off manually, persistent noises/vibrations in the front end of vehicle starting at 36K miles and was told that the tires had tread that was too narrow/were high performance which wasn't needed/was also told that the vibration was caused by improper tire care and tire cupping, the left rear shock needed replacement, and the radio goes out-sometimes goes out when the heat is turned up high. Scc
7/00- tape was stuck in stereo, had to replace stereo. 3/01- had to replace front brack pads at 11000 miles. 11/01- ignition locked on vehicle. Had to replace ignition. 3/02- transmission was neutralizing when driving. Had to replace transmission. 5/02- car was stalling. Ford unable to detect problem. 9/02- car was not accelerating and stalling suddenly- had to replace fuel pump. 9/02- had to replace front brake pads and back brake shoes at 34000 miles.
Multiple problems: Replaced cd player once, three brake jobs, multiple trunk latch repairs, replaced transmission at 40000, 3 recalls, ignition switch locked up. The 2000 Focus is clearly a lemon!
Vehicle was going 50mph on highway in rush hour traffic and stalled. Air conditioner/ radio cut off, and rpms went to zero. Vehicle had no power, and gave no warning. Dealer was notified.
When slippery out, the brakes will not grasp properly. Therefore, the vehicle will slide. Dealer can not duplicate problem. Consumer also experienced these difficulties as followed, power steering system (exploded, w/3-4 week repairs), trunk lock was broken, keyless entry system works improperly, the trunk lock has been replaced twice, the radio has been replaced 3 times & still occurs, the winshield arm recently broke, and concludes that the vehicle also slides in dry weather. Consumer adds that she had filed a complaint w/ board of Ford, the case was lost after recieving a loaner car (due to taking vehicle in for repairs) and says that she cannot afford to buy out the lease (will have to wait until Oct 2002)
When applying brake pedal it would go to the floor, also brakes will grind. Rotors had to be turned, and brakes were replaced 7 times, but the problem reoccurred. Transmission slips and jerks and rpms jump. No problem found. Consumer hears loose gravel sound from right front wheel area. Dealer found wheel well loose. Dealer found serpentine belt failed causing whistle squeal under hood. Gas light on with full tank and door ajar light is on. Dealer replaced battery. Evaporative hose loose. Dealer removed and installed fuel tank. Cigarette lighter not working. R-cup hold bubbling. Driver side mirror knob falls off. Rear child seat latch cover in broke. Front driver seat metal fell out. Both headlamps moulding fall out. Sunvisor mirror/bracket moulding on passenger side between door / dash loose. Broken. Right outer ac vent broken. Loose carpet on right front floor. Pillar trim coming off. Deck lid wire harness had tp be replaced. Clicking noise from L/H front of vehicle. Egr valve replaced. Left rear tail lamp is out. Engine light is on. Problems with rewind button for am/fm cassette.
Defective brake rotors. Dealer has yet to be contacted. Consumer also states the windhsiled wipers are inoperative, the striping on the driver side door has always been loose, also radio buttons were stuck, drivers doorlock does not unlock all the time with remote key.
The amplifier keep's going out with the sony system that was installed in the Ford Focus sony addition car and I had it change twice but the problem is still there Ford sent me a letter about to have the system replace and the same thing happen again with the new amperifer.
7 new stereos, 2 ignition cylinders, a few trunk latches, transmission trouble(dealer cannot duplicate), 20,000 miles I have to replace 4 tires and 4 brake pads, horrible grinding noise when stopping, shakes on the freeway when braking, misassembled interior rails, and many others. I am completely dissatisfied with this vehicle, I will never, ever buy another Ford vehicle and I will certainly never reccomend a Ford to anyone.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Washington, DC, USA