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 2001 Ford Focus. The contact was traveling 30 mph when the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted shortly thereafter. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN failed to qualify under NHTSA campaign id number:03V482000 ( fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 157,000...updated 01/30/13 the consumer stated the dealership found PCV hose at the back of the engine collapsed (repaired), performed fuel induction sytem flush, aaa replaced entire cooling system. The vehicle has been repaired as a whole. Updated 2/5/2013
Bought new in '01 Ford Focus. Noticed right off brakes would make a grinding noise and squeak. Tires were worn real bad on inside on one front size since we bought it. Repeated alignments with no improvement. Still experience this problem. Started experiencing problems with it missing during acceleration. Check engine light came on in February 2005 and took it to the dealership. They replaced sensors that had recall, was recall code P0401. Engine light stayed on. They said that we were using gas that was dirty and waiting too late to put gas into the car and that was why it was stalling. We paid $272.98 for them to replace this whole section that had to do with the fuel being filtered. Car loses power and stutters going around curves with even over a half a tank of gas. Stalling to the point we must pull over into the emergency lane afraid of accident! I own car I bought brand new and it jerks and sputters like some piece of crap from jd byrider! everytime we start the car you smell oil burning for15 minutes afterwards. Had it checked no leaks or anything could be found. April of 2005 noticed when the car idled at a traffic light the thermostat would show shoot up showing it was running hot! took it in to the dealership and they found anti-freeze leaking. Was told the thermostat housing and thermostat had to be replaced. Retested it and was told problem solved. Our bill was $375. This was first brand new car and was taken well care of, it only has around 78,000 miles on the odometer. I was told there was a silent recall on these for the engine problems and they were being fixed for no cost to the owner. We were not notified of a recall and paid for all of this out of pocket.car is paid off now and cannot enjoy having a paid off car with low mileage because we are scared to drive it and bought a new car that was safe to drive around with our kids! time goes on and it is getting worse. Sometimes not wanting to start at all! engine still stalls despite all these repairs.
When accelerating in various inclines or decline my car chokes and hesitates as if it has water in the gas line or the fuel filter is clogged. It starts to jerk and sputter and refuses to accelerate if I push on the pedal instead it chokes out. Either the car dies right there or I manage to pull it over and let it die on its own as soon as I come to a stop. Trouble restarting the car as if to much air intake to choke it out. Finally it starts and it runs after blowing the lines before putting it into drive it's good fro maybe another 10 15 miles and the again it starts puttering and wanted to die no choice but to let it die to restart. Car has been in the shop numerous times have had a collapsed fuel line and has been replace but still the problem persists again when it's in the shop it does not happen and yet they do not drive it at the time its normally driven or at the extremes of the traffic while it happens so as to see what it does. A best explanation you can find from a mechanic is no problem seeable. And yet there is one from us the purchaser.
First my gas pedal stuck while driving. Then a couple of days later it just broke. It was like I had no gas pedal. Was very fortunate that someone did not rear end me. Had I been on the expressway I would probably be dead because car would not go.
1. without crash or other damage, fuel began to leak out of the top of the gas tank and down the tank onto the undercarriage. Occurs only when ignition is on and vehicle is driven. 2. failure appears to be a seal on siphon/fuel line going into top of tank. Consequences are potential serious fire/explosion hazard, unpredictable loss of power when driving. Awaiting service on the vehicle.
- Woodstock, IL, USA
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Started car and drove 1/4 mile, smelled gas, continued for another 1/4 mile and noted gas smell stronger. Pulled over and noted wet trail behind vehicle and gasoline pouring out underneath vehicle. In less than 5 minutes, half a tank of gas (almost 10 gallons) was discharged from the vehicle. Gas leaked only when ignition was on. Had vehicle towed to dealership. Tow truck driver commented this happens all the time with these vehicles and that it was a seal on top of the fuel tank that failed. Dealer commented much the same. Had fuel pump replaced by dealer after premature failure 8 months earlier.
Consumer was complaining of a problem with the fuel line. Vehicle was turned off and there was a strong smell of fuel. Also, there was fuel under the front of the vehicle.
While driving consumer's wife made a left turn and front wheels locked. Then, vehicle drifted and hit the curb and a pole. Both, consumer and wife had their seat belts on, but sustained back and leg injuries. Also, a recall was issued on the fuel lines. Insurance company had the vehicle towed, and was told by the insurance company that vehicle was totaled.
When at a stop the fuel tank started to leak. The consumer was unable to accelerate and had to pull to the shoulder and have the vehicle towed. The dealership inform the consumer that the problem was pertaining to the fuel line. The dealerships mechanic was unable to resolve the problem.
Upon accelerating from a complete stop vehicle wouldn't accelerate. Fuel leaked out the fuel tank. Dealership indicated that it was caused by a leak in the fuel line, and serviced the vehicle. The leak recurred within 3 weeks of the repair.
Upon accelerating from a complete stop vehicle wouldn't accelerate. Fuel had leaked out the fuel tank. Dealership indicated that it was caused by a leak in the fuel line, and serviced the vehicle. The leak recurred within 3 weeks of the repair.
While parked vehicle caught on fire. Mechanic indicated fire was caused by malfunction on inertia switch. Consumer further states that after the front end impact accident, the inertia switch failed to shut off the fuel injection system, causing the car to burst into flames.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Charleston, SC, USA