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.
Driver's seat belt broke and did not secure the consumer. Also, the air bags deployed, breaking the windshield after consumer's vehicle was rear ended.
Consumer was driving less than 10 mph and suddenly there was a soft bumper to bumper collision. Consumer's vehicle hit the vehicle that was idle in front. Upon impact, the air bags deployed, shattering the winshield. No injuries were reported, but was driver was taken to hospital for evaluation since being seven months pregnant.
I was driving my 2001 Ford Focus when my air bag light came on. I wasn't in an accident nor had my car been bumped hard. I took it in and they said my drivers seat belt pretensioner needs to be replace and that Ford only replaces them for free up to 50000 miles. I just bought this car pre-owned 4 months ago and they say my warranty is no good. This part is going to cost about $200 plus labor. If I don't get this fix my air bag could go off just from me putting my seat belt on.
I was driving in stop-and-go traffic on the highway and the car in front of me braked hard. I saw it too late and hit my brakes, locking them up. I hit the car and the air bags deployed, burning my left arm (though not severely) and breaking the wind shield. The car I hit sustain virtually no damage, except two marks on its rear bumper from the bolts that hold my license plate. My car sustained minimal front end damage. It is likely I was traveling under 10 mph when my car impacted the other car. Overall, it is my opinion that the air bag deployment was completely unnecessary. It burnt my arm and caused thousands of dollars of unnecessary damage: Both air bag replacements, dash, windshield, seat belts and towing costs.
Time/place: 11pm, Friday Jul 16 2004, 25 miles before midway service exit pa turnpike events leading to failure: None failure and consequences: With no provocation, drivers side airbag inflated. Seat was torn apart, pillar near seat belt was cracked, driver was violently jolted forcing car to swerve slightly. Luckily no accident, but driver sprained neck. Dealership has agreed to replace airbag and resulting damage B/C still under warranty.
- West Haven, CT, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Since the crash just happened yesterday (12/22/02), I do not have an estimated repair cost yet, but my feeling is that either the bill will be very high or the car will be totaled. My 16 year old daughter was driving. She was doing about 30 mph on the dirt road near our house. A dog ran out in front of her. She tried to stop quickly; the car spun out of control and she hit an embankment/ditch. The airbags deployed, and she received 2nd degree burns on her left arm from the airbag, as well as a burn on her chest from the seatbelt. She also received a bloody nose from the impact of the airbag. We were able to bring her home from the emergency room, so we are grateful, but we are very concerned about how she could have been burned more seriously.
Engine light on. Jerky gear engaging. Choppy acceleration. 8/02 replaced alternator 8/02 replaced V belt 10/02 blinkers out & electric windows broke 10/02 battery light on "corrosion on wires" 1/03 wouldn't start, battery light on, "wire fell off alternator" airbag light on then off
Leaking from windshield to dash to passenger cabin: In heavy rains and car washes water would come in though the windshield seal and run down into the dash near air bag and come out near fuel shut off valve. Ford wanted $1,000 to fix this. The problem happened on other Ford Focus models. I was told there was a service advisor and that nothing would be covered under warranty. After discussing this matter, I got price down to $150.
Airbags deployed at minor fender-bender, so minor that there was no damage to either car, the only damage was from the airbags-caused the winshield to break and a second degree burn on driver's right arm.
The dealer changed the front and rear brake 3 times, the rotors. Twice, however the problem continued. Consumer indicated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. Multiple problems with vehicle.. the hub cap was loose and fell off, the clock spring was replaced, the turn and brake lights were inoperative, the exhaust system made a loud noise, the dealer replaced the pipe and gasket, the seat belt buckle was replaced, because the seat belt light failed to go out.
I have had nothing but trouble with this car since I have had it. The rear end makes loud noise, I have brought it back to the dealership numerous times, and they always tell me nothing is wrong. It makes a roaring noise in the rear end, and something is scrapping on the tire on the rear driver side. In July, I was traveling on the highway with my 3 kids, and the tire on the rear driver's side just went to pieces. We were in a terrible accident. We went off the highway into the woods where the trees stopped our acceleration. The airbags did not come out. I was so thankful to be alive, and my kids also. We sustained about 8000 dollars worth of damage. The car was repaired, and now the same tire that blew out, and was replaced by the repairman is worn again. I am afraid everytime I drive. I can't afford another car, and no one wants to take it as a trade-in because of the botched deal upon purchase of this car. This is the car from "heck". now my warranty has expired, and the roaring noise in the rear is getting louder and louder. I have had the most horrible experience in my life with this car. It is a lemon on wheels, and the dealership always says nothing is wrong. I have had a conversation with another Focus owner, and she has described some of the same problems. I have also had conversations with mechanics at the dealership, and they speak of all the Focus' they see as trouble. Please help.
On Sunday December 8, 2002 I was driving my 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 and I was trying to turn onto the freeway and my car wouldn't turn all the way and went out of control and I crashed into a curb and when the airbags deployed my left forearm was burnt.
When coming to a light both airbags deployed with the bumper cracked slightly. The front windshield was smashed upon deployment with driver receiving burns and choking from chemicals.
Consumer states the air bag on the driver side deployed upon impact. The toxic chemical inside gave the consumer 2nd degree burns on the right arm. The dealer was informed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- San Francisco, CA, USA