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.
This car has more recalls than I ever seen. The air bags deployed and gave me second degree burns. The brakes are shot and I have to pay for repairs even though I only have 29,940 miles. The keyless entry does not work even though its been fixed 2 times the ignition locked up and they change it the air conditioner leaks but they say its fine.
Consumer brakes do not function properly if applied at speeds of 40 mph or over. Vehicle will not slow down or stop unless brakes are applied with extreme force. Consumer has had to replace pads every 3 months.
The vehicle needed new brake shoes, pads and rotors. The rear brake shoes were cracked in two. Consumer is seeking reimbursement for monies paid out of pocket.
Since purchased. On four separate occasions my car has stopped while driving. Here is a brief rundown of additional physical problems Ive had with the car, which include but are not limited to:3 months: The emergency brake went out. The brakes had to be replaced (2 times). The gas gauge stuck on empty (twice). I felt a constant pulsating on the clutch. The dealer told me that all new cars have that for up to 3 months while they get used to new chemicals running through their system. Nearly 2 years later, the pulsating is still there. The car exploded. I parked my car on a hill, with the emergency brake up. Then I heard some clicking and a large boom. I turned around to see sparks and smoke pouring out of my hood, a horrible smell engulfed the neighborhood, and my car (with the emergency brake up) was rolling down a hill towards an intersection. The oil pressure united had to be replaced. There was a problem with the clutch. The car trunk would not open. 6 months: The brakes had to be replaced again. They still squeaked excessively. They still sounded like they were scrapping. I took it back in to a dealership and they told me the 2000 Ford Focus had a brake problem and there was nothing that could be done about it. Even after replaced, the brakes would take much pressure before coming to a stop and would squeak. The trunk would sometimes not shut. The emergency brake would not always work. The front tire kept going flat. Ford said it was my driving. I paid to have it replaced and the new tire kept going flat. They said the new tire was defective and replaced it and the stem. W/in the first 2 years: On at least 11 occasions the car would not start until turned over a couple of times. The car has low pick up. The check engine light was stuck on. Engine light was stuck on. The gas tank needed a new part. The stick will not always go into reverse. When the heat is on for over 15 or so minutes a heavy burning smell in car. Bearings/shock problem.
Six weeks previously, engine stalled on freeway. Dealer said couldn't find a problem and let them know if it happened again. 5/31/02 could not get car to go; had towed to dealer. After several days they finally thought it was the air intake valve causing the problem. Today I hear about the Focus stalling problem possibly being caused by debris in gas tank. I am afraid to drive this car for fear it will stall again on the freeway. I was lucky the last time that I was able to coast to the shoulder and did not get into a crash. I was able to re-start the car and get it off the freeway. Other continuing problems that I have had the dealer fix over 3 times each: Squeaking brakes and molding around the doors falling off.
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)
While driving the 2000 Ford Focus down a 35 mph road I proceeded to brake to a stop when front driver's side wheel assembly collapsed, causing car to skid out of control. It came to a stop after hitting a parked car.
Vehicle has been given consumer trouble since purchasing it. 2nd day after purchase vehicle was in dealer's shop for 2 weeks. When putting on brakes vehicle shakes. Also, driver cannot see to make turns because truck is very high. While driving, the consumer and his daughter were hurt due to brakes and wipers failed in the rain. The rear window is very high and the driver was unable to see vehicles from behind. Brakes failed more than three times, however the dealer refused to fix it after the first repair there were 2 injuries, consumer also states the airbags failed.
At any speed there's a roaring noise coming from driver side. Took vehicle to Ford, and they stated that brakes needed to be cleaned. Consumer feels it is the wheel bearing.
There is a very bad squeaking noise when braking, and when consumer lets off the brake there is a grinding noise. Driver states more than twice brake pedal was applied, and pedal went to the floor. Ford has been contacted..also consumer was complaining of the transmission slipping, the cigarette lighter was not working, cup holder bubbling, serpentine belt was replaced due to a squeal coming from under the hood, gas light was coming on when the tank was full of gas, door ajar light was coming on, starter and battery were replaced, driver sider mirror knob fell off, RPM runs high, headlamp molding was replaced, sunvisor was broke, rear child seat latch cover was broke, air conditioner and heater were replaced, passenger door trim, driver seat metal bar, rewind button for am/fm cassette was inoperative, carpet loose, pillar trim was coming off, ticking noise was coming from the front of vehicle, the egr valve ws replaced, rear tail light was out, the bulb was replaced, deck lid wire harness, a new fuel tank was installed due to the engine light illuminating, the front and rear brakes have been replaced due to warpage, also the speedometer stopped working.
Brakes squeak when applied. After 4th trip into dealership, service advisor said this is a common problem for the Ford Focus but that Ford is not doing anything about it. Engine has failed on me 4 times in the 18months that I have had it. The dealership just replaced the fuel sending unit and said that it "should take care of the problem." I doubt it! if this happens again, I will be checking with California lemon law. This was my first Ford and definitely my last!
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Robertsdale, AL, USA