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.
On 10/23/07 I inserted key into ignition of my Ford Focus and immediatley the lights and gauges went haywire-vehicle failed to start. To make a long story short, after unpluging the battery cables and going back to the stranded car the next evening, it started. 2 days later my wipers came on by themselves and would not stop until I turned the car off and restarted. On 10/31/07 while driving my daughter home, the vehicle began accelerating and deccelertaing uncontrollably. I pulled of the highway and when I opened the drivers door, the seatbelt light began blinking and making a loud ticking noise. This had happened the night prior, but I thought maybe the button was depressed. My dome lights make a screeching noise and blink on and off. This is a serious problem that needs to be looked into. Whenever something like this happens I am driving home late at night and of course the dealer is not open to help me. My car is almost paid off and I will not invest more than what it is worth, which is only about $2,500.too bad I have paid about $18,000 for it. I would also like to know why I have not received recalls for the following problems: 1. 1st month after purchase, electrical system running airbags, mirrors, doors etc. Failed. 2. 37,000 miles- transmission failed 3. 42,000 miles- power door locks failed and soon after passenger doors stuck in the lock position. 4. all window tracks have failed. 5. wheel bearings replaced. 6. trunk latch failed 7. ignition failed and was replaced and is going again. 8. brought in for 1 recall (fuel filter) and still didn't correct problem with vibration and lurching. This is a vehicle that exceeds highway saftey ratings? something will be done about this if I must hire an attorney- I am out a lot of money and no vehicle.
While driving my car to work on 8/20/07 I noticed the car beginning to accelerate on it's own. The car has cruise control but the problem continued even after I turned off the speed control function. Given the excessive rate of speed the car had accelerated to I applied the brakes to slow the car down but once I released the brake it continued to accelerate upwards of 75-80 mph.
Early on I had issues with stalling but just thought it to be weird for the car would turn back on..would power down while driving then I could start it over again. Wasn't until recently it became an issue that worried me when I was on a trip and it did it 3 times in a row and it wouldn't start on the second time but then did on the third try. I had been pulling out into heavy traffic when car just died.. everything went dead. Tonight my engine light came on and I started searching the net looking for reasons why when I came across the stalling issues with the Ford Focus 2000. I have also encountered multiple problems with the car over the years and until recently have stayed under 50,000 miles. I also had the locking of the ignition which was replaced by the dealing but last time I took the car in for the rear bearings they told me my car was not one of the 21 states it had issues with. I see they have now included that to go into all 50 states. At this point I am really scared to drive this car anymore and was just getting ready to do an out of state drive which I am putting on hold. I've had other issues that are nothing compared to the car stalling out in traffic.. it just stops.. steering freezes brakes lock.. its a mess and a danger to my child's life and mine. The latest problem of stalling plus the gas pressure seems to be an issue.. I press on the gas and it seems to sputter as if the car wasn't getting enough gas and almost dies.. I thought maybe my clutch was going out but that doesn't seem to be the case. It has not been a cause of an accident thank goodness but have come very close. This is a danger to other drivers and to myself.
: the contact stated while placing the vehicle in reverse, the vehicle lurched backwards and struck a concrete pillar in a parking lot. The contact was wearing a seat belt, but no injuries were sustained. There was minor damage to the rear of the vehicle. The police was not contacted. Additionally, the engine revved while driving various speeds. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer and the manufacturer was not contacted.
My husband was driving our 2000 Ford Focus zts and the clutch pedal fell completely off. After doing research I see that there was a limited time recall for this item, however we are 2nd owners of this vehicle I am assuming the original owners did not have this fixed. However, we purchased the vehicle from a Ford dealership in 2001 before the recall expired and they also did not have the faulty clutch replaced. Called Ford today and they offered no assistance. Fortunately my husband was not injured and no one else was injured either. However, this could have led to a very serious accident. We are now having to pay to have the pedal assembly replaced as well as the clutch master cylinder. Total $650.
- Newport News, VA, USA
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: the contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward and crashed. The vehicle accelerated through landscaping wood and sustained minimal damage to the bumper. No injuries were incurred and the police were not contacted.
My idle speed control valve I was told was not working properly and the RPM's would shoot up whenever I would have the car in neutral. However this posed as a high danger risk because it would jerk forward because of the car idling and such a high point. This almost caused me several accidents and is seeming to be hurting the engine. However the danger of keeping my car like this is why I am writing. I think this posed as a driving risk B/C of how unsafe it made the car after this started to act up.
The vehicle has a recall for the speed control cable and servo unit (99V346000). The dealer and Ford Motor Co. Service state that the recall doesn't apply to my vehicle even though I have the problem described in the recall which is a faulty servo unit.
Purchased 2000 Ford Focus, VIN [xxx] from croft Ford on Dec. 19, 2001; mileage was 12,163 (car was still under warranty); have been unable to walk since March of 2002 (mileage on car is now just over 13,000; last 200 plus miles has been put on by Ford dealerships attempting to fix car). Have had this car in to several Ford dealerships; none of which can solve problem of engine surges; dash lights sweeping; transmission bolting; etc., etc., etc. This car is not safe to drive; I have notified Ford Motor Company; the dealerships, etc., and feel that it should be covered under "manufacturer warranty".. instead latest was that Ford dealership wanted $500 to replace alternator and could not guaranty that would fix problem; I already paid $105; plus $110 and the same problems are happening. The car has been at the Ford dealership in woodbridge, va, for over 2 weeks, which leaves my family without a car to Transport me. This is not right. I told todd croft of croft Ford that I needed a good, dependable, safe car because this would be the last car I ever purchased. He knew that I did not drive much at all and I feel that he sold the car (with an existing problem) to me thinking that I would never know. My daughter was the one who realized this car had a serious defect and took it to croft Ford to be fixed several months ago; to date, it still is not fixed; is a danger to drive, not only to the person/occupants of the car, but to any vehicles near when the power surges occur and the transmission bolts. Updated 07/18/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The consumer complained about a vehicle speed control problem. This problem has been occurring since the consumer purchased the vehicle on March 1, 2000. The consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they told her there was no problem. There is NHTSA recall 99V346000 on this issue for the 2000 Ford.Focus ZX3. The consumer owns a zts 2000 Ford Focus, which is not included in the recall. Also, there is a fuel system problem. Vehicle experiences hesitation, loss of power, surging, and dyeing this problem first started on June 1, 2004. When the consumer took vehicle to a dealership for repairs they told her they thought it was the filter in the fuel tank. There is NHTSA recall campaign 03V482000. The dealership told her that this vehicle is not included in the recall because it is a zts.
The turn signal do not cancel after a turn. The spring broke three times. The trunk does not latch properly. Dealership has taken care of both issues, but the problem recurred. In cold weather the idle speed was too high. When put into reverse it backed out like a rocket. This caused an accident on April 9, 2000. The consumer was backing out with the back door open. It happened so fast he did not have a chance to put on the brakes. The car door hit the garage post. There was no police report. Consumer stated he had mental injuries and lost his job. Vehicle was still idling high in cold weather.
After releasing accelerator the engine rpms remain at the original level as if it was pressed in netrual or the clutch is engagged. Accelerator is not sticking. Then RPM's are normal for a time while driving. It seems to happen above 3000 rpms.
On 01-15-05 at approximately 10:00 hours, my fiancee, myself, and my son were riding in our 2000 Ford Focus SE 2.0 liter DOHC. When trying to pass a truck the accelerator broke off completely and the throttle cable snapped. We were then stuck next to the truck with no where to go could not accelerate. If it was not for the evasive actions of my fiancee I may not be talking to you right now. We had to pull onto the opposite side of the road onto incoming traffic. I have taken pictures of the accelerator and the throttle cable and will be keeping the old part. This to me is a serious violation and could result in death or serious injury to someone in the future. I along with my family hope that this does not happen to anyone in the future and it was one of the most fearful experiences I have ever had. I have contacted Ford and I am seeking legal assistance with this matter, due to Ford's lack of assistance.
While stopping at stop sign at an intersection consumer applied the brakes and vehicle suddenly accelerated. Then, vehicle stopped. But this incident happened more than once. Consumer drove drive vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem.. idle speed shoots way up for a few seconds. Consumer have to stand on brake to keep car from moving into intersection.
Recall 00V302000, when coming to a stop engine revved at a high rate. Consumer pulled over, and restarted the vehicle. Dealership would not repair the problem because VIN was not included.
Problems with the vehicle motor going fast then slowing down. When the vehicle was in motion, there was thump in the rear under the seat as if it were stopping and or losing power, the emission light had come on the dash board and would go off and on again, the floor would vibrate and rattle, the engine would cut off when at stop lights, the key would not turn in the ignition/stuck in cylinder. The stalling would occur especially when the fuel tank was below 1/2.
While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Consumer tried to restart vehicle and was able to start it. However, vehicle suddenly surged. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic was not able to duplicate the problem.
While driving at moderate speed vehicle experienced unwanted acceleration, took the vehicle to a repair shop, and they replaced the idle speed control sensor. The vehicle was still experiencing unwanted acceleration. The consumer received a recall notice for the fuel pump that a dealership declined to repair unless the problem recurred.
Battery cable shorted out. Also, there were some broken wires in the electrical system. Recalls were issued for both of these failures. The manufacturer indicated tht the consumer's vehicle was not included in the recalls due to VIN. The throttle body cable malfuntioned.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Deleon Springs, FL, USA