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.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While the contact was driving approximately 25 mph, there was a loud noise and suddenly the front driver side collapsed. The contact was able to continue driving with caution to an independent mechanic. The failure was contributed to the front driver side coil spring and strut. The technician also replaced both of the front strut assemblies. Recently, the front passenger side coil spring detached from the vehicle which caused the tire to blow out. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where both front strut assemblies were replaced twice. The rear coil spring was also defective. The coil spring and control arm were replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the engine stalled sporadically. A technician inspected the vehicle and stated that the fuel pump was the cause of the failure; however, the repair shop would not assume responsibility because the vehicle was titled salvaged. The failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 65,000. Updated 07/01/09 the front coil springs failed as well. Updated 07/06/09.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for an alignment. At that time, the contact was informed that the two front coil springs failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the two front springs, the two rear wheel cylinders, and a brake line. The contact learned of NHTSA campaign id number 01I017000 (wheels:lugs/nuts and bolts), but it did not apply to her VIN. She called the dealer and was informed that the recall had expired. The current and failure mileages were 136,000. Updated 06/16/08
Went to back out of driveway and heard loud scraping noise. Found front coil spring broken and protruding into top of tire. Also, found a lot of rust under car by front tire. Severely gouged tire in just short distance in driveway. Car is at dealership for repair at this time. Presently car has only approximately 20,000 miles. If this had occurred at highway speeds, we would probably be dead!
Front coil spring broke and could have caused bad accident and injury. Coil spring where it broke was rubbing on front tire. Front end had been noisy and would sound like something bumping or not connected when on rough pavement or speed bumps. Had to have front coil springs and struts replaced, re-aligned.
2000 Ford Focus tire blew out. Customer states she was informed after the repair of the vehicle that there was a silent recall on the coil spring. She stated that the coil spring broke causing the tire to blow out. The consumer stated she was notified by Ford that they were not going to be reimbursed for the repairs. The consumer provided a copy of the silent recall issued by Ford pertaining to the vehicle.
We were driving our car (a 2000 Ford Focus) and had just pulled into our driveway, as we shut off the engine we heard a popping sound, but neither my wife nor I could decide if it was the car. About 30 minutes later my wife was going someplace with the car and when she had backed up we heard a scraping sound coming from the front end. Upon investigation we found that the driver's side coil spring had broken and a sharp pointed end of what was left was poked out into the tire, the tire did not blow, but could have if we were traveling at any significant speed. The coil spring should have been restrained by a clamp and a cup shaped plate, but the plate was not cup shaped at all. This seems like a defect and an unsafe thing that could result in injury or death to the occupants of the car. Ford has a known bad track record with springs, and there is a technical service bulletin that should be upgraded to a recall. Further, other models of Ford should be inspected to see if they also have this engineering design flaw with the spring base plate.
Own a 2000 Ford Focus, was backing out of a parking space, when I heard a loud noise from the front drivers side. Stopped the vehicle, got out to see if I hit anything, nothing was there, just smooth asphalt. Was very nervous about driving the vehicle after that. On my hour commute home I notice the vehicle drove differently, something didn't feel right. Also noticed a rubbing noise when turning the steering wheel. Drove as slowly as possible. Called my mechanic next morning, took it in to be looked at, two mechanics took a quick look and drove it. Both came to the conclusion the front drivers side spring coil had broke! mechanic informed me the vehicle was very unsafe to drive.
Was driving slowly (luckily), when the spring of the suspension broke on our Ford Focus SE 2000 station wagon. This lead to shredding of the front tire. Ford replaced the 2 front springs for free indicating that they knew about this defect and chose not to fix it in advance despite the risk. Nevertheless, the same incident would have happened at 75 mph it is very likely that this would have lead to an accident with possible injuries/deaths.
Up to this time, the vehicle was running fine with no sings of any problems. I had just merged on the highway. Suddenly, I heard a loud bang. I thought a rock had kicked up and struck the bottom of the car. After exiting the highway and making a turn, I heard a "clunking" noise. After getting the car to the shop to check the problem, it was found that the front driver side coil spring had snapped. To repair properly, both front coil springs and struts will be replaced and the front end aligned. Only new replacement parts used for repair. I never heard of, or experienced this.
- the contact stated that while driving the 2000 Ford Focus with 98,000 failure mileage at 30 mph she heard a dragging sound and the vehicle began to smoke from the front passenger and driver sides. The smoke and dragging got worse, therefore, the contact returned home. The vehicle was raised, and the contact noticed that both driver and passenger coil springs were broken. The vehicle has been repaired. The consumer stated original coil springs were sent back to Ford to assist in possible reimbursement, however the Ford Focus was not listed in the recall notice provided. Update 05/04/07
Front passenger spring broke, separated from the mounting bracket, embedded the end of the spring into the tire which punctured it. Vehicle required towing for repair. I was notified of an "extended warranty" on the problem and submitted a claim to the local dealership for reimbursement. After 5 months of follow-up, I finally received a check for the repairs.
Driving on rt 80 at 65 mph the passenger front coil spring failed causing the coil spring to rub on the tire and damage it. However, the bf goodrich sidewall was strong enough to allow the car to be driven slowly to a Ford dealer about 1.5 miles away. Both front coil springs were then replaced per the earlier NHTSA agreement with Ford. The coil springs were left with dealer. As the coil failure could have caused a high speed blow out, in my opinion, Ford should replace all 2000 to 2003 Focus front coil spring in stead of free replacement when they fail per Ford's 03M02 customer satisfaction program.
While leaving a parking lot, crossed a speed bump, at 5 mph, heard a loud clunk and the car would not easily move. Car was taken to a repair facility on a flatbed. Garage determined that the left front coil spring broke and bound up on the left front tire. The left front coil spring was replaced, as well as the left front sway link, which was also damaged by the broken spring. The broken spring is available for inspection.
While having the car serviced at a 'big-box' service department on July 16,2006, it was lowered to the floor, with a loud bang...the right front coil spring had snapped, with a part wedging the "new" front tire against the inner panel..the other part of the spring damaged the strut assembly..the service manager told me to contact a towing company --because the car could not be driven.. when my tow truck driver saw the car and dragged it off the lift..he replied to me that I was lucky it did not happen at 65 mph or I would have been history.. now, even with all--all new parts I don't know if I will ever feel safe driving it..
The front left coil spring on my car snapped and lodged in the front left wheel, causing it to seize while driving at highway speeds. The car came to a rapid halt, and if I wasn't in the right lane when the incident occurred, an accident might have resulted. A few days before, I had heard a snapping sound from the left side of my car, but I noticed no immediate symptoms. Ford has determined that the coil spring was improperly manufactured, but no recall was performed. Ford's response (campaign 03M02, in response to investigation ea 02-023) was not adequate for the following reasons: 1. Ford's response states that the spring failure will cause "suspension noise, possibly accompanied by sagging of one side of the vehicle." Clearly, the failure that I experienced was not considered when determining if the situation warranted a recall. 2. Ford did not notify me that it knew that the front coil springs were defective. This left me without the information that I needed to recognize the failure and prevent further problems. 3. the spring was inspected by the dealer 7 months before the accident, but the corrosion was not spotted. This indicates that the dealers were not monitoring the spring, despite the fact that I live in a high-corrosion area.
I was driving my Ford Focus & the front coil spring broke while I was driving the front end of the car collapsed on the front tire. I was driving 65 miles and hour seconds before I fortunately slowed down to a stop...noticed a noise like a flat tire, something did not feel right just before it collapsed on the road, I again thank god, I decided to turn around to go back home & immediately upon that turn around the car collapsed. These recalls safety campaigns are risking my life, but terrifies me for my newly driving son behind the wheel. As if that is not bad enough, I now have to file this complaint also. Electrical system ignition---unable to remove key....car was unable to be towed car locked up..steering everything. Cost of repair was quoted from $382 from Ford service dealer...meanwhile the huge inconvenience car parking fees..for being in a public parking lot.
I was going about 15 mph when I hit a small pot hole in the road. Soon after I began to hear a clicking noise when I would take turns. After bringing the car to a mechanic I was told that both front coil springs had shattered. After having these fixed as they were under extended warranty by the manufacturer I am told that coincidently I have new front suspension and ABS issues which though most likely were caused by the coil string malfunction will not be covered as subsequent damage and I am on my own. Had the damage to the coil spring not occurred there would have been no issues with the ABS or front suspension.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rhinelander, WI, USA