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.
My car stalled three times in a one hour period - twice accelerating out of a toll booth, once exiting and off the highway onto a sharp right hand curve. Cars speeding out of the tollbooth came close to hitting me from behind. When my car stalled out during the right hand exit, the power steering went out, almost causing me to go straight into an embankment.
While driving 55 mph on the highway vehicle stalled without warning. Driver was able to pull off the highway. Then, vehicle was towed to the dealer for analysis.
Vehicle experienced brake problems, it made a loud noise while driving, and oxygen sensor failed. Also, engine problems. Oil was leaking from the oil pan under the motor. Owner was referred to the state attorney general's office to seek protection under the lemon law.
Own a 2000 Ford Focus SE wagon. Car runs rough at low idle and is stalling out. We see this listed as a possible investigation under investigation number EA02-022.
While driving at any speed the engine stalled without warning. As a result the consumer had to pull over. The dealer inspected the vehicle several times but could not duplicate or correct the problem.
- Plantation, FL, USA
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Engine idles at 3,000 - 4,000rpm's when clutch is pressed in. It does this at a stopping position and while driving. Ford dealer spoke with Ford engineers and were told that it is "a characteristc of the car and is normal!"
Car lost power and stalled out on highway 6 times beginning in May 2003, including 1 time needing tow. Fuel filter replaced. Island Ford of staten island will not check car without fee as it was "3 days past warranty." Serviced 3 times by 2 different independent repair shops with electronic diagnostic certification without finding problem. Vehicle passed nys emissions recently.
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and without warning vehicle will stall, and it will be hard for consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified.
While traveling on the highway without prior warning, the vehicle would shut down. Please fill in any additional information. Dealer was made aware of the problem.
My car stalls for no reason!!!!!!! how irritating it is to have a car ( not even 5 years old) stall during traffic and when driving for long periods of time (30 min or more)" very!!!!!! :( my 2000 Ford Focus stalls no matter if I'm going 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or even 60 miles an hour. It's scary especially when your driving on the highway at 60mph and for no reason your car loses power. Can you imagine how scary it is to see the vehicle behind you still traveling at 60 while you start to slow down? this is extremely dangerous!!!!! I have had the same problem since June of 2002. The dealership acts like I don't know what I'm talking about. And I end up paying to have all kinds of diagnostics test done and no source of the problem. Everyone diagnoses it differential. When is Ford going to finally look into this? when someone is hurt"
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.
Engine stalls for no reason. The first time it happened in rush hour traffic. We had to hurriedly try to change lanes and exit. It has happened 11 times since then. We have had a mechanic look at it several times and they can't find anything wrong with the car.
Consumer states that while driving and with no warning vehicle will stall, and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified.
2000 Ford Focus LX 4-door sedan - numerous complaints: 1) currently have 75,200 miles on car and have gone through 5 (yes five!) complete sets of tires.2) engine stalls at any speed with no warning lights or indications, car bucks and gas pedal can be depressed to floorboard and car will not move - barely avoided three accidents (two of which would have involved my two small children) 3) all four doors will stick - really need to pull to open - and once open, they will not close again (you need to try to close the doors repeatedly before they finally latch). They also popped opened while driving. Afraid one day one of my children or a passenger or myself may be injured. They are manual door locks and latches. 4) same with trunk - often needs repeated tries to close and latch 5) leak in front passenger footwell - when it rains, or when going through carwash 6) front brakes have been replaced twice at my cost - horrendous, irritating, embarassing squealing is incessant - brake dust accumulates every day! in some instances, brakes need to be applied very firmly to stop vehicle (again, I do not feel safe with my children in car). 7) extremely foul smell when air conditioning use is attempted. 8) stereo was replaced - original factory installed would not work after 2 months of ownership. 9) paint is flaking off of skirts - I was informed by Ford that this is "sandblasting" and that I must drive on dirt roads all of the time - I live on an asphalt street, drive on asphalt roads and asphalt highways - not dirt! 10) fuel pump was replaced once already - was told I must be buying "dirty" gas - if it is dirty gas, is that my fault? I don't exactly run the gas stations, and I don't buy fro one specific station - I fuel up when I'm low, wherever it is convenient. 11) I have had three alignments to try to stop the horrible shaking of the car - the steering wheel vibrates so badly that my arms are sore by the time I get to my destination.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ardmore, PA, USA