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.
When I hit the brakes the whole car jolts when you go over 40 miles per hour of the steering shakes I've already replaced the safety neutral switch on a transmission now my car will not start it just makes a clicking noise and when it does turn over it immediately stalls out my cigarette lighter also lit a spark in the back of it go off and the brakes sometimes have grate brakes other tines I have to slam the brakes down to get any brakes.
2000 Ford Focus LX sedan - well maintained and cared for. At approximately 58,000 miles and without warning went to start up and heard a loud bang under the hood followed by a lot of metallic sound and then stalled. Attempted to restart and heard more metallic sound. Turned off engine had towed to mechanic. Mechanic diagnosis is #4 valve seat drop failure causing extensive shrapnel damage. Engine would need to be replaced. After internet research see that this is an issue that Ford knows about the Focus SOHC 2L engine valve seat defect and they wont do anything about it.
We purchased a vehicle on 09/03/2016 from grass valley auto wholesale brokers, grass valley, ca. The vehicle was making a ticking noise and seemed to have a power issue, it kept losing it. The next day I called the lot and told them. They said they had it checked out and not to worry. I did. It kept happening sporadically. I had a 3 month/3K miles warranty. After calling the lot again, I relayed the same symptoms the car was having. I wanted to know did they think if it could be a transmission issue, could be, was the answer I got.. in November I took the vehicle into jr's transmission, came recommended. They serviced the transmission, it was good. It was still happening. Two days ago, coming off a stoplight, I put the gas down and it made a loud knock. I hobbled to the corner, approx 100 yards. It was towed to the auto lot suggested mechanic, who probably worked on the vehicle in the beginning. He told me it needs a new engine. When I called grass valley wholesale auto brokers, the owners son, who is also a salesman there, told me we will work something out. Maybe my dad could take care of half of (referring to the anticipated cost of repairs). Today, the owner would not talk to me, nor answer the phone. I left a message with the owners son. I haven't heard back. I sought out help to remedy this issue straight away from the dealer and repair but the dealer brushed me off. That was when my warranty was in effect. Now im two weeks out of warranty. They should had checked the vehicle when I had originally wanted answers about what was causing it. As according to the owner, his mechanic knows his cars inside and out.
- Grass Valley, CA, USA
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The contact owned a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the vehicle stalled. After restarting, the contact noticed there was an abnormal burning odor and smoke came from the side of the engine where the battery was connected. Afterwards the vehicle ignited into flames. Prior to the failure, the vehicle had its battery replaced. The fire department had to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed totaled. The fire investigator informed the contact that the fire started from the battery cable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. There were no injuries reported. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While driving at approximately 30 mph, the vehicle caught fire and heavy smoke appeared. The contact stopped the vehicle and jumped out. There were flames under the bottom of the vehicle near the engine. A police report was filed and the fire department extinguished the fire. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owned a 2000 Ford Focus. While driving 65 mph, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood and the engine stalled. The contact stepped out of the vehicle as it filled with smoke and then caught fire. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 81,450.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, smoke emitted through the vents and the engine caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and stated that the fire initiated at the engine compartment. A police and a fire report were not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000. Updated 2/24/15 updated 9/11/2017
While driving the vehicle the electric dash cluster quit working and the vehicle cut off in the middle of traffic. The alternator was replaced then the vehicle did the same thing a few months later. The battery cables were replaced and the battery and the alternator were replaced as a precaution. The vehicle after 4 days and no driving longer that 35 miles a day the same thing happened again while traveling down the interstate.
Upon starting motor, noise as rocks in a blender and engine would not run. I have learned this a common problem with this motor. Valve seat is defective and valve falls into piston, ruining engine. Ford knows of this defect, but ignores it.
Got my daughter her first used car from a dealer, which I should had gone with her to check it out first since an 18 year old would most likely not know anything much of a car besides driving it. You would think buying from a used dealer is safer than buying out in the street. So when we took it out of the lot noticed engine tremble and suspension noise, (too bad no lemon law on used dealer selling this type of cars). After diagnose the engine produced a catalytic convert malfunction code. Also after inspection the Focus needs all four suspension struts. A month later that other suspension noise resulting almost in a accident from a back wheel shaking which came from a back wheel bearing which hub nut was just about off, which would had caused the wheel to come off. I did a search and this are all common problems with the Focus and I believe there was a recall for a back wheel issue. The bad news is that after a while of the recall being issued it is voided or only specific VIN numbers are considered effected "??". the latest encounter is the steering column locking and the key not being able to unlock it. The worst part is that the ignition cylinder would have to be drilled out to be replaced (very interesting since is the first time I seen that). I'm noticing from my experience with Ford vehicles that although in my opinion there engine and transmission are a bit better than most vehicle, is the little parts that one have issues with that ends up costing the most, just saying. So why is it that with many complaints and known issues from previews model years Ford has not attempt to resolve the issues. I bet there would be many other people out there complaining if only they new they can complaint, the question is, is anyone going to do something about it!!!
We were driving the car and it started stalling/sputtering. We just purchased the car from a dealer and less then one month prior to the incident we passed with excellent emissions. We took the car to a mechanic and he said that the cylinders weren't working properly and caused one of them to crack. 2 of the park plugs weren't properly working. It happened suddenly and we only drove the car to and from work.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Minco, OK, USA