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. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance and was informed that the rear control arms and cradles were severely rusted and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while having maintenance performed, the contact was made aware that the coil springs had fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician verified the failure and determined that both coil springs needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 112,604.
Vehicle was accelerating from a traffic stop on a four lane city street. At approximately 200 feet beyond stop the vehicle went out of control and began swerving into oncoming lanes. Breaks and steering were ineffectual. Because of slow speed, vehicle stopped withing twenty to forty feet. Initial inspection on site indicated the right front wheel separated from the lower suspension arm and drive shaft. Inspection by a qualified mechanic and insurance adjuster stated that rust had weakened suspension arm causing it to break approximately 5.5 inches inward from the ball-joint attachment point. Because of the slow speed and light traffic there were no casualties or property damage. This vehicle while being fifteen years old has only seventy-six thousand mile and is garage kept.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the suspension dropped to the ground. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was stated that the ball joint had become detached from the control arm. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
- Spencer, IN, USA
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Got my daughter her first used car from a dealer, which I should had gone with her to check it out first since an 18 year old would most likely not know anything much of a car besides driving it. You would think buying from a used dealer is safer than buying out in the street. So when we took it out of the lot noticed engine tremble and suspension noise, (too bad no lemon law on used dealer selling this type of cars). After diagnose the engine produced a catalytic convert malfunction code. Also after inspection the Focus needs all four suspension struts. A month later that other suspension noise resulting almost in a accident from a back wheel shaking which came from a back wheel bearing which hub nut was just about off, which would had caused the wheel to come off. I did a search and this are all common problems with the Focus and I believe there was a recall for a back wheel issue. The bad news is that after a while of the recall being issued it is voided or only specific VIN numbers are considered effected "??". the latest encounter is the steering column locking and the key not being able to unlock it. The worst part is that the ignition cylinder would have to be drilled out to be replaced (very interesting since is the first time I seen that). I'm noticing from my experience with Ford vehicles that although in my opinion there engine and transmission are a bit better than most vehicle, is the little parts that one have issues with that ends up costing the most, just saying. So why is it that with many complaints and known issues from previews model years Ford has not attempt to resolve the issues. I bet there would be many other people out there complaining if only they new they can complaint, the question is, is anyone going to do something about it!!!
The vehicle went in for an inspection because there was a clunking noise from the passenger rear of the car. It turns out that the rear subframe and right rear sway bar has rusted completely off. The amount of rust by the technician has been found to be exorbitant in comparison to the amount of miles it was driven. The tech suggested that the car was submerged, but there was no record of it being so. I am the third owner of the car. I would like to file a complaint, for there seems to be a lot of this issue online, from Ford focuses from 2000 to 2005.
The accident occurred on a hill at 10:30 P.M. I suddenly lost all power and control of the car near the crest of this hill. The car drifted back almost in a straight line. The brakes and engine weren't working as the car picked up speed in reverse under its own power I.e., from the slope of the hill. It continued backward until coming to a sudden stop with severe impact. The car was stopped by a storm sewer culvert (ditch) to the side of the road. The left rear of the car and undercarriage were severely damaged I.e., catalytic converter, muffler, rear axle, etc. The car was in excellent condition, was well maintained and had recently been inspected. The car was deemed a complete loss by the insurance company. I can provide more detailed information including a police report if requested.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, she heard a loud clunking noise and smoke emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that both front coil springs and struts were fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who verified the failure and stated that the front coil springs, struts, and tires needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 80,000.
Had to replace transmission, cost close to $2,800. After that was replaced I has a coil spring break over the tire which broke off into my tire and I went careening over a railroad track and I went into a ditch. Ford Motor Company replaced that after much protesting on my behalf. I paid out of pocket to have it towed to a dealership. I was never reimbursed for that. The issue I have had since then is that the car stalls for no apparent reason. I have replaced an O2 censor and battery, but this problem persists. It does not matter what speed I am going. The car acts as if it isn't getting fuel to the motor. Now, mechanics are saying I may need to replace the fuel pump which is expensive. I will finally be paying this car off next month. It feels like a disposable adventure. I read up on the recalls and feel this has to be a recall with the fuel system. I am afraid to go very far in this car because I don't know when or where it will stall. It has no real pattern. I tried going with a higher grade of fuel, used additives and it just keeps doing the same thing, please consider my complaint.
Every time I would take my car to the dealer for repairs. They would tell me there were none. In June I took my Focus to the dealer for a loud noise coming from the left rear wheel. They told me there were no ball bearings on the left side and the right side needed to be done also, they only had one in stock that day.
I was driving NY car about 25-30 mph when I heard a noise. Low and behold my right wheel was wobbling back and forth. Then it stopped for a moment so I decided to take car to shop. On my way to the shop my barring went completely out. My ABS light came on the everything locked up, got to shop right rear wheel was smoking bad. Shop told me everything burned up coast me $1,200 to get back on road. Just one of the many things fixed.
No special events took place to cause damage. I am at 75K miles. Both right wheel bearings have gone bad (both front and rear) and requires the entire hub to be replaced at $350 each. Rear hub almost caused tire to fall off while driving, caused brake failure and ABS failure. Also required rear brakes and ABS chip to be replaced.
In April 2002 the local Ford dealer performed the 2000 Ford Focus wheel bearing safety upgrade at 19,000 miles. In Oct 2005 the right front wheel bearing was replaced at 59,000 miles and now we need to replace the right rear wheel bearing at 79,000. It appears that Ford has not fixed the problem with their safety upgrade.
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.
A "grinding" noise was heard when brakes were applied. Inspected brakes - found no problem. Within a few days the grinding noise turned into a constant "growling"/ "rumbling" noise. Re-inspected wheels/ brakes and found drivers side rear wheel to be loose / wobble (lug nuts were properly torqued). Closer inspection revealed that the hub/ wheel bearing assembly had "significant play". while the car was jacked up the drivers side rear wheel would go from "easily spun to nearly locked up". the "rear bearing retaining cap recall" was performed on this car years ago - we are the original owner of this car.
: the contact stated while driving 55 mph on dry asphalt, the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted after 15 minutes, and was taken to a service dealer who determined that the fuel pump had stopped functioning. The dealer replaced the pump on two separate occasions, however the problems persisted. The fron stabilizer bar and fuel filter were replaced. Updated 11/16/06.
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.
Problems with brake equipment. The vehicle has been to the dealer at least 4 times for a crunching sound when driving over bumps.. the brakes squealed when they were applied, the consumer was told they were fixed, however the problem resurfaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Amber, NJ, USA