Initially the problem seemed to be hesitation in the transmission at high speed on the highway. However, it gradually worsened and resulted in surging and loss of power. The throttle because totally unresponsive and I had to coast to a stop on the side of a busy highway. The car is in the shop presently. Given the amount of data out there to show this is a common defect for the 2001 Focus, I expect Ford to cover the repair.

- Hillsboro, MO, USA

I am the owner of a 2001 Ford Focus. I have had a problem with lugging and sputtering upon acceleration. 1/24/05 my vehicle would not start. I contacted braeger Ford milwaukee wi, the car went there for service. They told me that the problem was a defective fuel pump. I received a safety program notification that stated a dealer will replace the fuel pump at no charge to you program 03N01. Braeger charged me $511 saying that the pump replacement was not part of the program even though it was clearly stated on the information sent to me by the motor company.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

When fuel tank registers 1/4 of a tank or less, car loses acceleration when going up a hill that curves to the right. Car stalls but will start again after a few minutes. Later that same day the car stalled and would not start again had to have vehicle towed. Mechanic registered no problem and could not find anything wrong with car after driving it and checking on computer. Car drove fine for two months then started hesitating when trying to accelerate. Car stalled and would not accelerate, even with a full tank of gas, car had to be towed to a mechanic who checked fuel pressure, said was fine and car drove with no problems. They could not pin point problem and computer registered no problems. Why hasn't this problem been fixed when so many people are experiencing the same problem?

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

Fuel pump in my 2001 Ford Focus failed and had to be replaced. Ford offered me no reasonable solution for this problem. My car has only 26,000 miles, and is 1 month outside the warranty. Ford apparently has a recall for just this problem, but claimed that my car is not affected.

- Gahanna, OH, USA

My car has been stalling now for about a year. I had it fixed at around 27,000 miles and I still had a factory warranty and I went to joe machens Ford in columbia, mo (where I bought the car in 10/01) and they said it was a wire on the transmission that was corroded. About 3 weeks ago, this happened again and again I took it to joe machens and they told me there was nothing wrong with it. I had asked them to check again because this had happened about a year ago and it was transmission problems. They replaced some seals. Repair work took about a week. On June 4, 2004, I was going down I 270 in St. Louis, mo and I was in the fast lane going 75mph when my car stalled. It would not go and I am glad that I was going to the speed I was because as it was dying I was able to maneuver over to the side of the road. Joe machens again fixed it and said that it was the fuel pump. They replaced my fuel pump and my fuel filter on June 8, 2004. On my way home from columbia, mo on June 11, 2004 it stalled again. As of now I have not sent it any where to get it looked at because this happened last night on my way home from college. This will now be the fourth time this has happened with no results.

- Bowling Green, MO, USA

Thrilled w/Ford's semi-sort-of recall on their Focus fuel pumps due to "progressive contamination." Had mine replaced at 17,500 miles, and not covered under warranty because of supposed comtaminated gas. The dealership is telling me I am not elegible for reimbursement because of contaminated gas. Ford tells me that poor design is causing filter/pump to become clogged. Can someone tell me what is clogging the latter if not for "alleged" contaminants in the gas?

- Attica, NY, USA

Car would lose power, buck and surge, stall on highway and side streets. When taken to dealership, tech couldn't give explanation for what particles were that clogged fuel pump. Charged for over $900. Tech said warranty didn't cover vandalism. However, my insurance company ruled out vandalism upon investigation to the parts and fuel sample. Bottom line, I had to pay $900 for someting that at the time wasn't ruled a "model" problem. Now I think I should be reimbursed. Fuel pump had to be replaced, lines flushed, and "contaminated" fuel to be exposed of.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

While driving down a freeway off-ramp, my 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 started to buck and hesitate, eventually stalling and causing a dangerous condition due to sudden decceleration and loss of power steering and brakes. Luckily the vehicle had enough inertia to coast down the ramp and eventually I was able to pull it into an emergency lane using the remaining assist left in the brake booster. There, I attempted multiple times to restart the vehicle and it finally started. It had a half tank of fuel so low fuel level was not the cause and I had only driven 163 miles since the last fill-up so I knew the fuel guage was operational. I attempted to drive to the nearest gas station to fill up just in case and as I as about to turn in the car died again. It restarted after multiple attempts and I waited a long time for traffic to get as clear as it would on this busy road. Then, as I attempted to turn in, creeping forward and fearing the worst, the car died again, but luckily I had not yet begun to impede oncoming traffic. If I had been, an accident would likely have resulted. After multiple attempts, the vehicle did start and I pulled in, filled up, and drove home uneventfully to do some research. On the message board at focaljet.com I read about other Focus consumers encountering a similar problem with a defective fuel pump and some sort of degradation of a material lining the fuel tank causing the condition I experienced. I feel it is a safety concern of high priority and should be brought to Ford's attention immediately. I am angry that my life was put in danger running the most mundane of errands and I will let them know about it tommorrow.

- Oxford, GA, USA

I am writing to you in regard to a host of problems I am currently experiencing with my 2001 Ford Focus ZX3.these problems include, but are not limited to: (1) gears not shifting properly and signs of locking up during driving -- and brake grinding sounds; (2) continuous "flickering" of headlights and dashboard panel lights; (3) air conditioning and heating systems not functioning properly; (4) large pond of water (during heavy rains) in floor on front passenger side; (5) problems with fuel module and fuel monitor; and (6) transmission failure in progress. transmission failure in progress -- ECM codes erased by dealership -- fuel monitor and bad running condition very evident. he further stated the fluid is burnt very badly, he cannot service the transmission at this point and that this vehicle is going to go downhill from here. In other words, the 2001 Focus that I purchased from Town & Country Ford, Inc. Only nine months ago is not drivable and it will cost at least $2,000 to replace the transmission. This is clearly a defect. It has to be! I cannot afford to repair this vehicle and make payments on it at the same time.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

Fuel pump failure. Total loss of power. Created a very dangerous situation as it failed while driver was attempting to merge onto a busy highway.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

2001 and up Ford Focus fuel pump & gas tank recall request. The fuel tank is made from a material that frequently flakes off and clogs the fuel pump very often. I have had 3 fuel pumps replaced already, and my car has less than 21,000 miles. Due to the inferior design of the tank and fuel pump, the pump clogs too easily, then burns out leaving the car stranded. The design of the pump has a fine mesh screen before the larger screen so the large mesh screen is simply useless! the small screen clogs up from large flakes that would have been caught by the large screen if the pump had not been designed by retards.

- Memphis, TN, USA

I was taking the South I-75 exit ramp to East M-59 and experienced a stall out at the bottom of the ramp - where you merge with traffic going 65 mph. This is a wide, sweeping right hand turn. I drive the route often, and had experienced hesititation on previous occasions, but this was the first time the car stalled. The tank was 1/4 full. After rolling to a stop under the I-75 overpass bridge, I placed the car in neutral and it started. I proceeded without further incidence - counting my blessings I had not been rear-ended. I took the car to my regular mechanic, and he replaced the fuel pump which is located in the tank. He showed me how the filter was designed and became easily clogged. He also said that Ford had other complaints on this situation, but there was no recall. I believe this to be a design defect that must be corrected, or I will be relacing the fuel pump in another 30K or so miles. It's not only the $300, but the thought of being rear-ended that should concern Ford Motor Company, as well as the authorities.

- Roseville, MI, USA