Numerous problems with Focus. Bought car in 2001. Since the day that I drove off the lot I had squeaky brakes. Took to servicer and was told dust on brakes & it was normal. After three attempts, they changed pads & rotors. Now I hear the squeak again. Car cut off while going up a hill. Was told by the servicer that it happened because the weather had recently gotten hot and it "shocked" the car. Key wouldn't enter the ignition. Had to have the car towed to servicer. Car shuts off if under half a tank. Servicer told me " keep the gas over half a tank". sometimes I smell something burning while heat on in car. On 2 occassions saw smoke coming from the vents while A/C on ( didn't take to servicer for these problems because they never occured again). Today 11/10/03 the check engine light came on and the car started shaking and stalling eventually cutting off. Took to the servicer and explained the problem, without even mentioning the make and model of my car the technician said, " you must have a Focus". no longer under factory warranty and can't afford to pay for these defects that Ford is very much aware of. Also, the car no longer has value. Tried to trade it in before factory warranty ran out last year, and was told car only worth $4,000 while I still owed $10,000, which means I would have had to come up with the $6,000 difference to be free from the car. The car was only 2 yrs old when I tried to trade it in! so, I feel I got ripped off with a lemon that I can't even get rid of. I am seriously considering calling the finance company and voluntarily giving the car back, but then my credit will show a repossession, which is not fair being that the consumers were never told about the history of problems with the Focus before we bought them.

- Paterson, NJ, USA

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

Ignition failed, had to be replaced, tires wear incredibly fast (4 sets of tires at 45000 miles), radio cut out, had to be replaced twice, brakes failed at least three times causing two accidents, dealership said they replaced them, but lied and never did, was forced to spend $500 having them replaced, trunk doesn't close, bad suspension, spun out on an exit ramp

- Columbia, MD, USA

Vehicle stalled for 3-5 seconds in a right hand curve. No check engine lights or other indicators. Called dealership and they have not heard of any other complaints and want to charge me to check the computer in the car. Car has also stalled and died when approaching stop lights but restarted first try. Brakes also make a loud high pitch squeal at all times. I am contacting Ford for assistance. We will see how far I get.

- Boyd, TX, USA

1 week after purchase took in for brakes and rotors, 3 months later same thing, two months following ignition locked along with A/C not working need another lining, right now ignition is trying to lock again needs calipers brakes rotors car is stalling mechanic just made me aware that the two tires on the right has four lug wheels two tires on the left has five lug wheels. The car sounds horrible no money to repair all these problems fell like I have to pay for something that's not even drivable Ford will not do anything or dealer still covered under factory warranty I believe deep in my heart they sold me a lemon I know there's no way a car should have four, five lugs it means that they salvage the car threw it back together and had it sitting waiting for the first sucker! me but I'm going to try to fight this all the way no matter what it takes.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Consumer states that when driving the ABS light comes on and stays on. Had vehicle serviced. They cleaned the wheel senor twice, and problem still reoccurs. Consumer afraid that ABS will not work when needed.

- Orlando, FL, USA

When brakes are applied, they make a very loud continuous squealing noise until the car comes to a complete stop. Every single time the brakes are applied they make this noise. At first it started out as an occasional low squeaking noise during August 2000. Then it continued to get worse. I took the car to bob davidson Ford in baltimore Maryland and they told me that a lot of Ford Focus owners were complaining about the brakes. They said nothing could be done and that the engineers at Ford were looking into the problem. Then I took the car to tysons Ford in vienna Virginia. They said that it was the brake dust causing the problem with the brakes. They charged me $37 to clean the brakes. As I drove out of the parking lot, I applied the brakes and they still made the noise. So, I called tysons Ford back and they told me that nothing could be done about the brakes but if I wanted them to take another look at the car they would have to charge me again. In the meantime, the brakes are getting worse. Then I took the car back to the dealer where I purchased the car (stokes-craven Ford/raceway Ford in darlington South Carolina). They checked the brakes and told me that they turned the rotors. So I picked the car up. The brakes still made the noise. So, I called this dealer back and they said to bring it back. So, the brakes are getting worse and no one can't seem to solve the problem.

- Darlington, SC, USA