At 77,230 the rack and pinion needed to be replaced because it was worn and about to break. Also a week or two later at 77,300 miles the engine seized while driving. The dealership thinks that a housing ring came loose and welded on the cylinder. The engine was installed, but did resolve the problem. The vehicle has been shipped to the factory for further service.

- Fairfax, CA, USA

I own a 2000 Ford Focus with 86,500 mi. And was told that the front rack and pinion steering was shot. How can this be on a 2000 car?

- Euclid, OH, USA

I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle just last month the cable and motor in the rear passenger side door window burned up and now will cost over $600. To fix I can not get the front rack & pinion fixed because it will cost $1800. The transmission is going out now it slips out of gear sometimes not at all. I just got the brakes repaired for the third time in may and they are again squeaking. I have all of my receipts for work done to this car. I am now having to put power steering fluid in once or twice a week. The automatic locks on the doors lock and unlock all the time, and the electric instruments turn off by themselves. (radio) the driving lights go out at times and will not come back on. Please help me, I am a single mother and have complained to courtesy Ford they want to charge me diagnostic $90 for each item I am complaining about and then the amount it will take to fix all of the things wrong. This vehicle I just recently found out has had six different owners before me and one was rental car company. I do not know who the rest of them were. Courtesy Ford had said there was only one owner. They will not listen to me and now the Focus' have a front suspension recall that may have been the problem the whole time with the brakes and the tire replacements and the power steering problems.!!! please help me.

- Littleton, CO, USA

I purchsed this car new and have had nothing but problems. I kept telling the service people that the tires were wearing funny and they treated me like I was stupid. Eventually, when the rack and pinion steering went out they realized that there was a problem. Both headlights have had the rubber replaced. The wiper motor has been replaced. The car started hesitating and I found the pvc hose was melted and they couldnt seem to find a replacement part until I got really angry. The car kept hesitating and it got worse. I tried everything.. replaced the plugs, fuel filter. After the check engine light came on I took it to another dealer and he put it on the machine and 2 cylinders were stuck. After checking further, he discoverd the plug wires were melted! the transmission hesitates at times but the service people say they cant duplicate the problem, it must just be the way I drive. The Ford Focus is a lemon and Ford needs to make it right with all the consumers. Nlm

- Cramerton, NC, USA

I purchsed this car new and have had nothing but problems. I kept telling the service people that the tires were wearing funny and they treated me like I was stupid. Eventually, when the rack and pinion steering went out they realized that there was a problem. Both headlights have had the rubber replaced. The wiper motor has been replaced. The car started hesitating and I found the pvc hose was melted and they couldnt seem to find a replacement part until I got really angry. The car kept hesitating and it got worse. I tried everything.. replaced the plugs, fuel filter. After the check engine light came on I took it to another dealer and he put it on the machine and 2 cylinders were stuck. After checking further, he discoverd the plug wires were melted! the transmission hesitates at times but the service people say they cant duplicate the problem, it must just be the way I drive. The Ford Focus is a lemon and Ford needs to make it right with all the consumers. Nlm

- Cramerton, NC, USA

Power steering fluid leaked into rack and pinion, making it difficult to steer. Took vehicle to dealer, and and replaced rack and pinion steering.

- Ofallon, MO, USA

Tried to put key into the ignition, key wouldn't go it. Had car towed to dealer and it took a week to get fixed. Had to argue to get a loaner car in the meantime and no one at Ford was helpful at all and insisted that this was not a big problem. Shortly before this happened, the steering and rack and pinion had to be replaced because of a fluid leak. Last week, when attempting to start the car (it had not been started all weekend), the engine wouldn't turn over and the dealer had to replace the fuel pump. Today while driving to work, the steering wheel became very loose and pulled away from the steering column. Took the car immediately to the dealer and they put it back on. Have had nothing but problems with this car. Lots of recall work and all these other issues too. Car is at dealer for service on average every four months. This was my first new car, but now I will never buy another Ford and am getting rid of this one asap.

- Williamsport, PA, USA

This car has giving me nothing but trouble. This is the second one I have owned, the first one Ford bought me out of because it was a lemon, and this one is worse than the first one. The Ford Focus is nothing but a lemon. I will never own another Ford for as long as I live. Ford needs to stand by their product and take this car back. It is obviously not fixable. I have this car in the shop at least every other week, I only have 5,955 miles on this thing. I hate this car!!!!!

- Lawreceville, GA, USA

Nationwide insurance has ruled a manufacturing defect, auto body shop invovled also agreed, Ford Motor Company has yet to review or acknowlege any error.

- Pottstown, PA, USA