Tire came off in driveway with little warning - this car has should not have needed bearing replacement this soon. A new design needs development instead of replacement of bearings for 2 years as Ford has announced. A recall was sent to owners in a colorful flier like advertisement. This is inappropriate due to the fact it looked like an ad not like a recall previously issued by Ford inside a brown envelope correctly labeled, addressed and sent to owners. This car is a lemon.

- Pulaski, NY, USA

Recall 00 V 303 000/rear wheel bearings. Dealer metro Ford, schenectady, NY; phone# 382-1010 unable to honor recall because no parts were available. Seeking NHTSA help in this matter. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.

- Scotia, NY, USA

First failure(18,925 miles)- loud moan coming from rear of vehicle while driving. Took vehicle to dealer where right rear wheel bearing was replaced. Second failure(28,218miles)- loud grinding and clunking sound from rear of vehicle. Right rear wheel locked up. Dealer replaced right rear wheel bearing again.

- Grosse Ile, MI, USA

Tires on vehicle is wearing down. Rear wheel bearing went bad and had to replace them. Tires had been replaced twice. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated never heard of problem before.

- Saco, ME, USA

Right rear wheel bearing caused car to swerve violently at 55mph, driver slowed to 20mph to avoid being pulled off road. Driver tried to slowly drive to repair station but car kept wobbling on road so stopped and had car towed into garage..ignition /lock system failed in January and left driver stranded. Car could not be started. In another problem that occured in October 2000 the fuel assembly recall was not properly repaired and caused car accelerator to not function. The car would only go 1-3mph at full acelleration. This was very dangerous in traffic. I do not have paperwork on this incident but problem was corrected at bergstrom Ford, neenah, wi 54956

- Elyria, OH, USA

Driver's side rear wheel bearings went out while diving 60 mph. Consumer heard a noise from wheel, and vehicle was hard to control. On 6 May 2001, this happened again with passenger side rear wheel bearings. There was a recall on wheel bearings, but this vehicle was not affected due to VIN.

- Rockwood, MI, USA

Consumer heard noise, vehicle was vibrating. Took it to dealer, and dealer said vehicle neeeded wheel balance. Consumer got it back, noise got louder. They couldn't find anything else wrong. Third time when vehicle was taken in a service person went out with consumer, and before they could leave the lot consumer turned around. They had been telling consumer it was safe to drive before consumer went on long distance trip. Dealer determined it to be rear wheel bearing.

- Salinas, CA, USA

While driving on I275 nth I heard what sounded like the noise a flat tire would make.got off motorway to investigate, could find nothing wrong. Got back on only to find the car starting to pull toward the passenger side. Luckily I was near a rest area, pulled off. Only to find smoke pouring from the rear wheel. It had siezed solid. It was taken to a dealer, who fixed the following, drum&bearing cup, spindle, retainer asy wheel, rotor brake sk, cap rear wheel and the ABS sensor. Refused to check other side as that had already(much early been fixed under a recall) while their they did find the cause for the fuel smell inside the vehicle, in circuit 15rl3(gn.rd) @ C-87 terminal was not seated in connector, fuel consumption has improved from 28mpg to 31mpg. Local dealer and Ford customer service both told me my concerns with the other rear wheel and the engine due to it's consumption of unburned fuel(not to mention mine)were area's they will not check, even if I feel they are potentially dangerous to myself and any passengers I may have.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

While driving vehicle started making grinding noises in the rear end, as the consumer lowered the speed the noise seemed to get worse, the rear of the vehicle began vibrating and bouncing all over the road, upon inspection by the dealer if was found that the right rear wheel retainer bearing failed and destroying the spindle and drum, this component was recalled prior to this incident. Nlm

- Racina, WI, USA

Whiel driving 55 mph vehicle started swaying from side to side. Consumer went to dealer who found that rear wheel bearings had locked up.

- Coffeyville, AL, USA

Was driving vehicle approximately 50mph, and after having it inspected by mechanic at dealership left rear bearings failed on highway.

- White Bear Lake, MN, USA

Consumer was traveling about 70mph on highway and heard a streaking noise. Was able to pull over, and vehicle was wobbling. Noticed that left rear driver's side wheel was very loose. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership. At dealership mechanic told consumer that rear wheel bearings went out.

- Rochester, MN, USA

The consumers right wheel drum assembly began to make grinding and clunking noises and the vehicle is beginning to vibrate, Ford recalled the left rear wheel but not the right. Nlm

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

Rear wheel bearing disintegrated, causing car to jerk side to side while driving. This has happened to other Focus owners too!

- Bradner, OH, USA

There was a grinding noise coming from brakes. Dealer replaced front brake pads. Also had increased braking distance. While driving about 10 mph, driver's rear wheel came off with drum still in it.

- Harvey, LA, USA

Rear wheel bearing disintegrated while driving, causing rear to feel like it was on two flats. Dealer has been contacted.

- Eastport, NY, USA

Axle wheel bearing will disintegrate on highway, it went into a rearend curve. Replaced at no charge. Second wheel bearing was discovered during a routine service.

- Craftsbury Common, VT, USA