2001 FORD FOCUS Electrical System Problems

521 complaints about Electrical System

521
Complaints
5
Crashes
31
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Electrical System Complaints (521)

Apr 12, 2021

KEEPS SHUT OFF N OVER HEATING

Sep 17, 2020 Fire

ON 9/2/2020 AROUND 10 PM IN MICHIGAN I WAS MAKING A PIZZA DELIVERY, I PULLED INTO THE SUBDIVISION WHERE I HAD TO MAKE THE DELIVERY, ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE. I GOT MY CAR FO SAFTEY AWAY FROM THE HOUSES BECAUSE MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS SAFETY. I GRAB MY PHONE TO CALL MY BOSS, I THOUGHT MY CAR JUAT BROKE DOWN. THEN I SAW SMOKE AND SPARKS. I CALLED THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THE CARS SMOKE GOT DARKER AND THE FLAMES GOT BIGGER. I WAS VERY SCARED. ALL MY WINDOWS EXPLODED AND THE CAR MELTED TO GROUND. BY THE LOOKS OF MY PHOTO THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE BATTERY AND CABLES. EVER SINCE THAT NIGHT, I'VE BEEN SCARED OF FIRES, HOT SURFACES, AND WEARY AROUND CARS. I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE BUT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE FLAMES REACHED ABOUT 10 FEET HIGH. LUCKILY IT DID NOT CATCH ANYTHING NEAR BY ON FIRE.

Mileage: 108,000

Aug 6, 2020

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY REAR LIGHTS. MY LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK AT ANYTIME AND SOMETIMES NONE OF THE REAR LIGHTS WORK AT ALL.

Mileage: 68,000

Jun 15, 2020

KEEPS OVER HEATING. *TR

Mileage: 91

May 30, 2018

WAS ON MY WAY TO THE VA HOSPITAL 04/04/2018 STARTED CAR, IT WOULD SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL FUEL LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AND OFF. HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP. GOING TO THE VA HOSPITAL ON 4/16/2018 START CAR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. HAD INNER TIRE RODS REPLACED. GOING TO A VA APPT, ON 05/10/2018 START CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAM ON, CV VALVES REPLACED. 5/30/2018 ON MY WAY AGAIN TO THE VA HOSPITAL, START CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. PLEASE ADVISE, SINCE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MISS AND RESCHEDULE APPTS AT THE VA HOSPITAL. THANK YOU.

Jan 22, 2018

THIS CAR HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES,THE DASH AND TAG LIGHTS FLICKER,THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNING OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING WITH MY SON IN THE CAR OVER 3 TIMES NOW,ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON MAIN STREET,ITS SO SCARY I'VE HAD PANIC ATTACKS AND GOT A STRESS RASH ON MY FACE. IM SO SCARED THAT I CAN'T DRIVE IT,I'VE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED,SPARK PLUGS,MOTOR FILTER.I JUST TRY TO KEEP GETTING IT REPAIRED COSTING ME MY BILLS MONEY BEING A SINGLE PARENT. I'M OVERWHELMED AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

Mileage: 147,725

Mar 16, 2017

NO DASH LIGHT TAIL LIGHTS OR MARKRR LIGHTS

Mileage: 25

Nov 10, 2016

IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT TURN. FORD HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND REIMBURSEMENT.

Mileage: 94,500

May 14, 2015 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE. THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION AS THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED AND STARTED ROLLING FORWARD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

Apr 3, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

Dec 16, 2014

IT START WITH DOOR BUSTING ALL THE TIME ,THEN I SWITCH IT OFF ..NOW IT WANT CRANK ,JUST BUST. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

Aug 6, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE WARNING INDICATORS DID NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS OF TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 162,600.

Mileage: 162,600

Jul 10, 2014

KEY DOES NOT TURN PROPERLY IN IGNITION CYLINDER AND DOOR LOCKS. *TR

Mileage: 138,000

Apr 14, 2014

BOUGHT VEHICLE 2ND HAND, CASH, EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. NOW, I HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS, & MY DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER WORK ON THE REMOTE, OR THE "ALL LOCK/UNLOCK" BUTTON, & NOW MY TRUNK LATCH IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THE DOOR LOCKS ARE SELF LOCKING (MEANING THAT THEY LOCK AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHENEVER THEY PLEASE.) THE BRAKE SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED, ALL BULBS HAVE BEEN CHECKED & REPLACED, FUSES KEEP GETTING BLOWN. CANNOT LOCATE FUSE FOR THE DOOR LOCKS. FORD HAS A CAMPAIGN FOR THE YEAR 2000 FOR A DOOR LATCH ISSUE, CAMPAIGN #05S27 NHTSA ID# 05V-030. ALSO, CAMPAIGN #05S50 NHTSA ID #00V-411 FOR A TAIL LAMP ISSUE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS YET AFTER DOING WEEKS OF RESEARCH I AM FINDING THAT IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS FROM 2000 TO CURRENT. AFTER CALLING SEVERAL DEALERS, NONE OF THEM WOULD TELL ME ANYTHING, & THAT "THEY DIDN'T RECALL ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE FROM ANYONE ELSE". HOW IS IT THAT I CAN FIND THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET BUT THE DEALERS "NEVER HEARD OF IT"? WHY IS THERE NO CHANGE IN THE INDICATED ISSUE OF THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY? WOULDN'T THIS BE A HAZARD? I DIDN'T KNOW THEY WEREN'T WORKING UNTIL I GOT PULLED OVER BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. SO, THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN!!! THEREFORE, A DILIGENT OWNER WHO CHECKS THEIR LIGHTS REGULARLY WILL NOT KNOW IT HAPPENS UNTIL (A) SAID PERSON GETS HIT FROM BEHIND, OR (B) GETS PULLED OVER BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. HERE ARE A FEW LINKS FOR YOUR REFERENCE: LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T574_DS546293. LINK: HTTP://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=2146E9390BE4CC339AE4F6438BAF3812&T=104972. LINK: HTTP://WWW.DIYNOT.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?P=1250643. LINK: HTTP://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=149053. LINK: HTTP://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=268411. LINK: HTTP://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=206427 *JS

Mileage: 130,000

Apr 7, 2014 Fire

2001 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS A LEMON. OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS ALONE, HE HAS SPENT $2,000 IN NON-ROUTINE REPAIRS. EVERY TIME THERE WAS AN ISSUE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS NEVER FULLY FIXED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND THE WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE.. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED ALL NEW WIRING, AFTER THE DASH LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT 3 TIMES. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. *JB

Jan 13, 2014 Fire

SUNDAY 05 JAN 2014 I HAD RECENTLY PARKED MY CAR, TURNED IT OFF, AND WAS OUTSIDE OF MY VEHICLE (2001 FORD FOCUS) WHEN I BEGAN TO NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS CONFUSED AT FIRST, AS THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE ANY PROBLEMS BEGAN. WITHIN A MATTER OF TWO MINUTES THE SMOKE HAD INCREASED, THICKENED, AND BEGAN TO SMELL. MY FRIEND WAS NEARBY AND HAD NOTICED THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT. HE CAME OVER AND WE BOTH TOOK A COUPLE STEPS TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. IMMEDIATELY FLAMES BURST UP FROM THE HOOD. AT THIS POINT WE INSTANTLY RAN FROM THE VEHICLE, DIALING 911. THE FLAMES GOT WORSE AS WE WAITED FROM A DISTANCE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ARRIVE. AT THIS POINT I WAS UNSURE AS TO WHETHER THE CAR WOULD COMPLETELY BLOW UP OR NOT, AS THE FLAMES BECAME WORSE WITH EVERY MINUTE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITHIN APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT IN A FEW MINUTES, BUT HAD TO BREAK THE WINDOW AND THEN PRY THE HOOD OPEN IN ORDER TO DO SO. AFTER THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY OUT AND THE SCENE WAS SAFE I WAS ABLE TO TALK WITH THE FIREMEN. THEY SHOWED ME UNDER THE HOOD AND SAID THE FIRE SEEMED TO BE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL AND LOOKED AS IF IT HAD STARTED NEAR THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD (SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT). THEY ALSO EXPLAINED, AS I HAD ALREADY ASSUMED, THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSALVAGEABLE. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

Jan 3, 2014

IGNITION SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT TURN. MY WIFE IS A DIABETIC AND HAS NUMEROUS HEALTH COMPLICATIONS DUE TO HER DIABETES. IF WE WERE OUT AND BECAME STRANDED IT COULD HAVE COST US HER LIFE. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD FOR NOT FIXING THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

Sep 30, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND IT WAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES.. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000. ...UPDATED 12-24-13 *BF

Mileage: 143,000

Jul 24, 2013

I'VE HAD MY 2001 FORD FOCUS FOR YEARS NOW AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION (GOT THAT REPLACED) AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK WHEN EVER THEY WANT TO AND WILL SOMETIMES TURN ON ITS OWN. ALSO MY TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. I'VE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT PLACES TO GET IT FIXED AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO OPEN IT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE SO THAT I COULD SAVE ON GAS BUT ALL I'M DOING IS WASTING A CRAP LOAD OF MONEY ON JUST REPAIRING EVERYTHING. *TR

Mileage: 155,000

Jun 27, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY BROKE OFF IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000. *TR

Mileage: 186,000

May 20, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT BECAME WET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONDENSER BOX TO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR

May 8, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND HE WOULD OFTEN JUMP START THE VEHICLE, WHICH WOULD TEMPORARILY RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT WERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 80,000

Mar 9, 2013

THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR LOCK IS JAMMED OR STUCK, I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE,THE OTHER 3 DOOR LOCKS WORK FINE. *TR

Mileage: 67,014

Dec 12, 2012

HEADLIGHT FAILURE. WITH ENGINE RUNNING, WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED ON, THE HEADLIGHTS (BOTH) DO NOT ALWAYS GO ON. ALSO, AFTER BEING ON FOR A WHILE (OFTEN WITHIN 10 MINUTES, ALMOST ALWAYS WITHIN 20 MINUTES), BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL SUDDENLY TURN OFF ON THEIR OWN. WHEN HEADLIGHTS GO OFF, DASHBOARD LIGHTS, AND OTHER OUTSIDE LIGHTS, REMAIN ON. WHEN THE SWITCH IS ON, BUT HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OFF, IF THE HIGH BEAMS ARE TOGGLED ON AND THEN OFF, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO ON (FOR A WHILE). THIS SEQUENCE OCCURS REPEATEDLY. UNLESS IT IS DARK (E.G. IF IN TWILIGHT OR IN DAYTIME RAIN), OR UNLESS I CAN SEE THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTIONS, I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING THE STATUS OF MY HEADLIGHTS. DEALERSHIP INITIALLY REPLACED A RELAY, WITHOUT SOLVING PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP THEN REPLACED THE "MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH" CONTROLLING TURN SIGNALS AND HIGH BEAMS, WITH SEEMING SUCCESS. I AM IN POSSESSION OF THE FAILED ORIGINAL-EQUIPMENT "MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH". DEALERSHIP WAS UNDERSTANDING AND HELPFUL, BUT WOULD NOT TREAT THIS INTERMITTENT, SUDDEN, REPEATED HEADLIGHT FAILURE AS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO GAS PUMP FAILURE, AND TO FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE, WHICH WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. [NOTE ALSO THAT CAR DESIGN DOES NOT ALLOW HEADLIGHTS TO TURN ON OR STAY ON WHEN ENGINE IS OFF - THIS MAY SAVE ACCIDENTAL BATTERY DRAIN, BUT DEPRIVES OPERATOR OF ILLUMINATION OR SIGNALING ABILITY THAT MAY BE NEEDED IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.]

Mileage: 65,850

Dec 3, 2012 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND SMELLED A BURNING ODOR JUST AS ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES REDUCED TO ZERO ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

Nov 29, 2012

ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR. INSERTED KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND A WARNING CHIME BEGAN. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND I CANNOT MOVE IT. IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. CANNOT DRIVE AT THIS TIME. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

Aug 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT RELEASE THE KEY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAD NO PROBLEMS AFTER THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

Mileage: 148,000

Jul 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYS BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND COULD NOT BE USED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP OR TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCKSMITH WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND ISSUED A NEW KEY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO A DEFECTIVE SIDE BAR IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. ...UPDATED 08-10-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS 177.00. UPDATED 08/13/2012 *JS

Mileage: 130,000

May 28, 2012

THE KEY FOR MY FORD FOCUS WILL GO INTO THE IGNITION BUT NOT TURN. I HAVE TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT STILL WON'T GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I AM FINDING THAT THIS IS A MAJOR AND VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH FORD FOCUS OWNERS AND FORD WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND IN ORDER TO GET IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WE WILL HAVE TO TOW IT WHICH WILL BE ANOTHER EXPENSE. IF FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO RECALL IT, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

Apr 27, 2012

WENT TO START MY CAR THIS MORNING AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER DOING SOME GOOGLE RESEARCH, FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FOCUS, AND HAS TO DO WITH PARTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH BECOMING STUCK. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN EVENTUALLY BY BANGING ON IT, AND HAVE NOW LEFT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO AVOID THE PROBLEM OCCURRING AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 148,218

Jan 27, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND OTHER GAUGES FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE ALSO WOULD NOT DISPLAY AN ACCURATE READING. IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION FOR A BRIEF PERIOD AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WAS REPLACED. THE SIMILAR FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 03/14/12*LJ UPDATED 03/19/12

Mileage: 89,000

Jan 27, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND OTHER GAUGES FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE ALSO WOULD NOT DISPLAY AN ACCURATE READING. IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION FOR A BRIEF PERIOD AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WAS REPLACED. THE SIMILAR FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 03/14/12*LJ UPDATED 03/19/12

Mileage: 89,000

Sep 15, 2011

THIS VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY DIED DOZENS OF TIMES SINCE APRIL OF 2011. IT DIES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON THE INTERSTATE, IT DIES WHEN BRAKING IN A PARKING AREA. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURS. THE VEHICLE STARTS BACK UP AFTER TWO OR THREE TIMES WHILE GIVING IT GAS. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL OR LOW AND OUR VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC CAN FIND NO CAUSE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS AND I HAVE SEEN WHERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED ONLINE AND I HOPE REPORTING THIS WILL SHOW A PATTERN WITH THESE VEHICLES. *KB

Mileage: 140,000

Aug 16, 2011

I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I SPOKE A FRIEND ABOUT IT AND SHE STATED SHE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM SHE HAS A FORD FOCUS PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO IF IT WAS AN EMERGENCY I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE OR PULL OFF IN THE EVENT OF SOMETHING HAPPENING. *KB

Aug 8, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE BATTERY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE HOT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TOUCH THEM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

May 10, 2011

THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. ON MAY 09, 2011, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT COME OUT. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO RECALL. *TR

Apr 12, 2011

THE EVENTS LEADING UP WERE INTERMITTENTLY SPACED THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER IN 2004. WHEN I WOULD PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND FEEL LOCKED I WOULD SIT FOR 10-20 MINUTES AND WORK ON IT BY PUSHING THE KEY IN HARD AND TURNING THE WHEEL AS HARD IT WOULD COME LOOSE AND THE IGNITION WOULD TURN. THIS IMPACTED MY LIFE AS A NUISANCE. RECENTLY IN DEC OF 2010 THE OCCURRENCES BECAME MORE FREQUENT TWO TO FOUR TIMES A WEEK CONSTANTLY BEING STRANDED UNTIL I COULD GET THE IGNITION AND WHEEL TO TURN. HAPPENING FREQUENTLY WHILE AT THE STORE, WORK OR SOMEWHERE AWAY FROM HOME AND AGAIN CAUSING A GREAT NUISANCE AND FRUSTRATION AS IT HAS MADE ME LATE FOR WORK SEVERAL TIMES, ALLOWED ME TO BE VULNERABLE IN SITUATIONS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WITH PROPER RECALL. THEN AROUND DEC 20TH 2010 THE IGNITION STOPPED WORKING. I WAS AT WORK LEAVING FOR THE DAY AND I SAT THERE FOR OVER AN HOUR, NOT KNOWING ANY OF THIS WAS A NORMAL RECURRENCE WITH OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS. AFTER WORKING ON THIS MYSELF I HAD TO CONTACT MY SPOUSE TO COME AND TRY AND HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AS WELL. I HAVE KEPT UP THE MAINTENANCE ON MY FOCUS AND IT IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION FOR THE YEAR. CURRENTLY IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED ONLY TOWED TO MY HOME RESIDENCE. THE COST IS SO HIGH FOR THE IGNITION REPLACED I HAVE BEEN GIVEN ESTIMATES OF $500 PLUS EXTRA FOR TOWING. THIS COST COMES AFTER MONTHS PREVIOUS I HAD REPLACED THE RADIATOR TANK AT A $400 COST. THIS CAR SEEMS TO HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF RECALLS AND SERVICE BULLETINS AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE MAIN POWER TO THE CAR, THE IGNITION, IS NOT SEEN AS A HAZARD TO THE PUBLIC WHO PURCHASED THESE VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

Feb 14, 2011

THE IGNITION ON THIS CAR HAS BEEN REPLACED ALREADY BY THE FIRST OWNER. WELL, THE KEY CANNOT NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. NOW THE KEY HAS BROKEN OFF IN THE IGNITION. THE KEY STUB CAN BE REMOVED AND THE ENGINE WILL STILL RUN. THIS MORNING I MOVED THE 01 FOCUS AND I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TOOK THE KEY OUT BUT THE SHIFTER WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I LOCKED THE DOOR, WALKED BEHIND THE CAR AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO ME. LUCKY MY NEIGHBOR WAS THERE TO HELP ME STOP THE CAR. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FOCUS OWNERS REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCHES AND FORD WILL NOT RECALL THE CAR AND FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THANKS FOR ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER.

Mileage: 54,044

Feb 6, 2011

INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT, ALSO NOTICED EXTRIOR REAR LIGHTS WENT OUT. REPLACED FUSES, BLEW NEW FUSES IMMEDIATELY SO SOME SORT OF SHORT IN THE ELECTRICS. WIRING ON HATCH LID APPEARS TO BE FRAYED. WE HAVE FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS FOR THE 2000 VERSION OF THIS CAR BUT NOT THE 2001.

Mileage: 120,000

Jan 27, 2011

I HAVE HAD MY FOCUS NOW FOR ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS, & HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS THAN I HAVE HAD WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED BEFORE, COMBINED. FORD FOCUSES FROM THE YEARS 2000-2003 HAVE AN APPARENT IGNITION PROBLEM, AND I AM ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATE OWNERS TO BE LEFT STRANDED BY THIS ISSUE. I AM COMPLETELY ASTONISHED THAT PRACTICALLY EVERY SINGLE FOCUS OWNER HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM & YET THE IGNITION HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED! I HAVE HAD 2 OTHER RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE, BOTH VERY STUPID TRIVIAL ITEMS WHICH HAS NEVER AFFECTED ME IN THE SLIGHTEST. I AM VERY CLOSE TO JUST SCRAPPING THIS VEHICLE, & I AM POSITIVE I WILL NEVER BE PURCHASING ANOTHER FORD EVER AGAIN. IT DISGUSTS ME THAT SOMETHING THAT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS MADE TO BREAK... SOMETHING THAT LEFT ME STRANDED & WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER 2 WEEKS NOW... IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT EVERY OTHER FOCUS OWNER HAS HAD TO REPLACE OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET. HOW HAS THIS ISSUE NOT BEEN RESOLVED BY FORD YET?!?!? *TR

Mileage: 75,000

Dec 31, 2010

THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN WITHOUT LARGE AMOUNTS OF SPRAY LUBRICANT AND PUMMELING THE KEY WHILE IN THE IGNITION TO CAUSE THE TUMBLERS IN THE CYLINDER TO FALL INTO PLACE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING, AND RIGHT NOW, DURING THESE EPIC BLIZZARDS WE ARE EXPERIENCING, IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BE IN DANGER. THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AMONG OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE DEVELOPED WAYS TO TEMPORARILY FIX IT SINCE THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY AVAILABLE FIX THIS UNEXPECTED SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH IS NOT PART OF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE OF AN AUTOMOBILE.... WHILE OTHERS HAVE OPTED TO JUST GET THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHICH REPLACES THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY WITH THE SAME FAULTY PARTS, AND THEN CHARGES UP TO $500. THIS IGNITION NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY FORD, AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH A RELIABLE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. THIS MORNING, AFTER HAVING TO FIND OTHER TRANSPORTATION TO WORK FOR TWO DAYS, I FINALLY DEDICATED THREE HOURS TO GETTING THE IGNITION TO TURN. I HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE MY JOB BY BEING ABSENT OR TARDY. I AM IN AN INITIAL PROBATIONARY PERIOD AT MY JOB, AND I THINK IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT IF I HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO FIX FORD'S MISTAKES, I WOULD PROBABLY JUST GO AND BUY A DIFFERENT CAR ALTOGETHER. *TR

Mileage: 89,900

Dec 15, 2010

FORD FOCUS 2001. IGNITION LOCKS UP REQUIRING NEW TUMBLER. KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR WON'T START NOR CAN YOU GET IT IN NEUTRAL TO PUSH IT OFF THE ROAD. IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT BUT NOT REMEDIED BY FORD. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

Dec 3, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE IGNITION ON BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

Sep 9, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TAILGATE HAD MALFUNCTIONED. ALL OTHER BRAKE LIGHTS WERE WORKING FINE BUT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HAS FAILED DUE TO THE WIRES MELTING. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHT AND REFERENCED THE RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING (00V411000) FOR THE 2000 MODEL FORD FOCUS. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND HE CAN NOT RECEIVE A REMEDY REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE WHICH IS STATED IN THE RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

Aug 15, 2010

MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS' 2001 FORD FOCUS HAD HER STRANDED AFTER WORK AUGUST 13 WHEN SHE PUT HER KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN. WE CALLED AAA, AND THEY COULDN'T 'FIX' IT, SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THE REPAIR WILL COST BETWEEN $450.00 AND 1000.00!!! I'M A SINGLE MOM AND MY DAUGHTERS' STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GOSH SAKE. I THOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WOULD BE A SAFE AND DEPENDABLE ONE. I SPENT A LOT OF MY SAVINGS ON THIS CAR AND INSURANCE FOR HER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW, I'VE GOT A VEHICLE WE CAN'T START. *TR

Jul 9, 2010

MY CARS BATTERY WAS NOT WORKING, AS TOLD BY A TRIPLE A MECHANIC. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO GET IT REPLACED AND THEY SAID THAT THE BATTERY WAS WORKING FINE, THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD. THEY SAID THE CAR WOULDN'T GO OUT OF THE SHOP IF IT WASN'T FIXED. SO I PAID THEM $416 TO GET THE ALTERNATOR FIXED. AFTER I GOT THE CAR BACK WITHIN A DAY, IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START, WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME THEY MESSED UP MY METERS, THE LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN ON AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START, NOT ONLY DID THEY CHARGE ME WRONGFULLY THERE WAS NO ALTERNATOR PROBLEM, THE BATTERY WAS BAD. I CALLED THEM AND THEY WOULDN'T ANSWER ME PROPERLY, THEY SAID THAT IT WASN'T THEIR FAULT AND I SHOULD REPLACE THE BATTERY MYSELF. THEY HUNG UP THE PHONE. THIS COMPANY IS A FRAUD, THEY LIE AND WONT ANSWER MY CALLS. MY CAR IS MESSED UP, THEY CHANGED ALL THE WIRES THE LIGHTS WONT WORK, THE GAUGES DON'T WORK. I CALLED THE SHERIFF AND THEY SAID I SHOULD TAKE THEM TO COURT, THEY ALSO REPLACED MY TIRED AND THEY USED DIFFERENT TIRES. IM EXTREMELY MAD AND I NEED HELP. *TR

Apr 13, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHEN SHE TRIED TO TURN ON THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHO 'SLAMMED' THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE; THE KEY HAD TO BE 'SLAMMED' EVERYTIME TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

Mar 14, 2010

MY2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3( MANUAL TRANSMISSION )WITH OVER 105,000 MILES ON IT HAS HAD A ELECTRONIC THROTTLE PROBLEM SINCE IT HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT. INTERMITTENTLY THE ENGINE SPEED WOULD NOT DECREASE WHEN YOUR FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CAR WOULD ACT LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. THE CAR COULD BE CONTROLLED BY HEAVY BRAKING OR DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH. IT WAS TAKEN INTO THREE DIFFERENT FORD DEALER AT LEAST SEVEN DIFFERENT TIMES ONLY ONCE DID THEY CLAIM TO SEE THE PROBLEM. THAT TIME THE MECHANIC SHOW ME DISCONNECTING A ELECTRICAL PLUG UNDER THE HOOD CAUSED THE THROTTLE CONTROLS TO GO TO A FAIL SAFE MODE MAKING THE PROBLEM DISAPPEAR FOR PERIOD OF TIME(DAYS).I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK IN WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I DID THAT, MECHANIC WAS KNOW LONGER WITH THE DEALERSHIP. SEVERAL PARTS WERE CHANGED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES BUT DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM IS PRESENT THE ENGINE SPEED WILL DECREASE TO A FAST IDLE ONCE THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY SOMETIMES AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING BUT NOT ALWAYS. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

Mar 8, 2010

HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION (2001 FORD FOCUS). MY STEERING WHEEL GETS LOCKED OR SOMETHING. I WOULD GET THIS PROBLEM EVERY SO OFTEN NO I'VE HAD IT SINCE FRIDAY. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING!!! *TR

Mileage: 120,000

Mar 4, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED 4 TO 5 TIMES WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE KEY OR START THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. HE WAS PREVIOUSLY ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS. AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP OR SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.

Mileage: 58,000

Mar 3, 2010

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS STALLING CONDITION WHILE DRIVING THAT HAVE BEEN FRIGHTENING. SEVERAL FUEL MODULES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS HARNESS REPAIRS. THE DEALER HAS FINALLY REPLACED THE HARNESS GOING TO THE FUEL PUMP STATING IT HAD BEEN RUBBING AGAINST THE BODY AND GROUNDING OUT. I AM NOT SURE THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE IT IS INTERMITTENT. IT APPEARS THE DEALER HAS DONE SEVERAL WIRING HARNESS REPAIRS LEADING TO THE FUEL PUMP.

Feb 17, 2010

I PARKED MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND TURNED IT OFF. WHEN I CAME BACK TO IT ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN FORWARD OR BACKWARD AT ALL. I TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH TO TRY AND GET THE KEY TO MOVE BUT THEN MY STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AS WELL. I WAS THEN UNABLE TO MOVE ANYTHING ON MY CAR AND IT WAS STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A METERED PARKING SPACE. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK WHICH COST $69. I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK WHICH COST ME $530.73. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY IGNITION HAS BEEN LOCKED UP. *TR

Mileage: 136,000

Feb 15, 2010

I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION, THEREFORE I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. IT HAS ONLY OCCURRED THIS ONE TIME, I AM HAVING THE IGNITION REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 181,000

Jan 24, 2010

KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER A WEEK AND NOW WON'T TURN AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

Jan 20, 2010

2001 FORD FOCUS. KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION, WON'T BUDGE. I TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL, TRIED USING THE OTHER KEY, TRIED PRESSING THE KEY IN HARDER- NOTHING. IGNITION HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS BEFORE: IT WOULD TAKE TWO OR THREE TRIES BEFORE IT WOULD TURN, BUT IT'S NEVER REFUSED TO MOVE LIKE THIS. ALSO, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN IT DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE THE KEY BACK; I WOULD HAVE TO JIGGLE AND TURN IT, BUT IT ALWAYS CAME OUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF STRUGGLING. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

Jan 17, 2010

KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION OF MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE KEY WILL TURN THE CAR ON, BUT WILL NOT COME BACK OUT OF THE IGNITION. I FEAR THAT AT SOME POINT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE ENGINE OVER, LEAVING ME STRANDED DURING WINTER WEATHER. AT THIS POINT I CANNOT GET IT FIXED DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF HAVING IT REPLACED. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHICH TELLS ME FORD HAS A FAULTY MECHANISM. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN MADE? *TR

Mileage: 135,000

Jan 15, 2010

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. UP UNTIL NOW, I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. I CURRENTLY WOKE UP TODAY 1-15-10 AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN MY KEY IN MY CAR. MY CAR WAS IN PARK AND I HAD TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING KEY BUT STILL DID NOT TURN. I LATER SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND RESULTS INSTANTLY ON THE FORD FOCUS DEFECT FOR 2000-2003 MODELS ABOUT THE KEY BEING UNABLE TO TURN. MY CAR CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF MY SECOND OF FIVE INTERNSHIPS FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM. THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE HIGHLY CONSIDERED FOR RECALL! THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR MANY DRIVERS. PLEASE HELP US OUT. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *TR DUSTIN R. BROWN IOWA

Mileage: 90,000

Dec 30, 2009

I INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION OF MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. *TR

Mileage: 90,245

Dec 26, 2009

IGNITION STICKS AND MOVES AROUND, HORN FELL COMPLETELY OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR AND HIT SOMEONE'S CAR, THE FAN BOX AND ALL FELL COMPLETELY OFF AND DOWN, BACKFIRING STALLING RATTLING VIBRATES FRONT RIGHT SIDE AROUND TIRE AREA RATTLES HORRIBLY, CHECK ENG. LIGHT STAYS ON MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR IS BAD TRANSMISSION SENSOR IS BAD LIGHTER STOPPED WORKING CAR COMPLETELY GOES DEAD SPITS SPUTTERS, MANIFOLD PIPE BROKE SO NOW ITS LOUD. ITS ALL DAY LONG NON STOP PERIOD WE HAVE REPLACE SEVERAL SENSORS AND TUBES AND WIRES FOR IT DOESN'T WORK NOT GETTING THE GAS MILEAGE I SHOULD AND I HAVE HAD IT 11 MONTHS BUT HARDLY DOVE IT 3 TOTAL ALL TOGETHER I CANT AFFORD ANY THING ELSE TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS 3 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT ITS BEEN PURE ?!@#$%. *TR

Dec 26, 2009

IGNITION STICKS AND MOVES AROUND, HORN FELL COMPLETELY OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR AND HIT SOMEONE'S CAR, THE FAN BOX AND ALL FELL COMPLETELY OFF AND DOWN, BACKFIRING STALLING RATTLING VIBRATES FRONT RIGHT SIDE AROUND TIRE AREA RATTLES HORRIBLY, CHECK ENG. LIGHT STAYS ON MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR IS BAD TRANSMISSION SENSOR IS BAD LIGHTER STOPPED WORKING CAR COMPLETELY GOES DEAD SPITS SPUTTERS, MANIFOLD PIPE BROKE SO NOW ITS LOUD. ITS ALL DAY LONG NON STOP PERIOD WE HAVE REPLACE SEVERAL SENSORS AND TUBES AND WIRES FOR IT DOESN'T WORK NOT GETTING THE GAS MILEAGE I SHOULD AND I HAVE HAD IT 11 MONTHS BUT HARDLY DOVE IT 3 TOTAL ALL TOGETHER I CANT AFFORD ANY THING ELSE TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS 3 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT ITS BEEN PURE ?!@#$%. *TR

Dec 22, 2009

NO EVENTS TO INDICATE FAILURE. WENT TO VEHICLE AFTER WORKING TO AFTER DARK. PUT KEY INTO IGNITION AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN. SIMPLY WOULD NOT TURN! SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE OVER A 20 MINUTE PERIOD. I, FORTUNATELY, WAS LEAVING MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, IT WAS STILL COLD OUTSIDE, DARK AND NOT A SAFE ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT STRANDED. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

Nov 4, 2009 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. SHE HAD HER VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL# 03V482000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). AFTER THE REPAIR WHILE AT A LOCAL GAS STATION SHE SAW A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE FROM UNDER THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE COMPONENT WAS INSTALLED. YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER-SIDE HEAD LIGHT FAILED. SHE PULLED OVER TO A LOCAL STORE AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. MINUTES LATER SMOKE ENGULFED THE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE, AND THEN FLAMES ERUPTED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND CUT THE BATTERY CABLES. A FIRE FIGHTER SPECULATED THAT THE BATTERY CAUSED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO RECALL #: 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). UPON CONTACT SHE WAS ADVISED THAT HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE VIN RANGE. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SENDING CORRESPONDENCE TO THE MANUFACTURER THAT EXEMPLIFIES THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS . THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

Oct 29, 2009

KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION OF 2001 FORD FOCUS. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN FOR A WHILE AND NOW SIMPLY WON'T AT ALL. MY BABY AND I WERE STRANDED OUT SHOPPING. CALLED A LOCKSMITH AND HAD THE IGNITION LOCK REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 950,000

Oct 25, 2009

IGNITION SWITCH WONT TURN. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

Oct 25, 2009

THE IGNITION ON OUR 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 73,248

Oct 16, 2009

ISSUE: KEYS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. VEHICLE: 2001 FORD FOCUS SE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, CAR WILL START IF YOU JIGGLE THE KEYS HOWEVER KEYS REMAIN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE TRIED MOVING THE TILT STEERING, ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY IN EVERY GEAR, ENSURED THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK BY PARKING ON A HILL WITH THE WHEELS STRAIGHT, NOTHING WILL ALLOW ME TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU COULD BE STRANDED ANYWHERE IF JIGGLING THE KEY DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY WORK TO START THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY I AM FORCED TO LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND USE THE SPARE TO REENTER THE VEHICLE WHICH LEAVES ME AT A HIGH RISK FOR VEHICULAR THEFT. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TUMBLER IN MY IGNITION REPLACED WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY RESOLVE THE ISSUE. COSTS: $105 LABOR/HR PLUS $115 PLUS TAXES IN PARTS (PRICES IN CAD). NO AFTERMARKET PARTS AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 250,000

Oct 10, 2009

ON 10/7/2009 MY 2001 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON ILC (IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER) WOULD NOT BREAK TO START CAR. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING AND STILL WILL NOT BUDGE. I JUST FOUND OUT ON MANY WEB FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY THE FORD MANUFACTURING DEALERSHIPS. NOW MY CAR IS STUCK UP AT THE BILLINGS AIRPORT AT WOK AND I DON'T HAVE THE TIME OR MONEY TO GET THIS FIXED. I FEEL AND ALL FORD FOCUS OWNERS FROM YEAR 2000 TO 2003. NEED THIS REPAIRED FAST. IT IS TOTALLY '!@#$%!! *TR

Mileage: 116,000

Sep 17, 2009

THE IGNITION IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I FIRST HAD IT REPLACED IN SEPT OF 2004 WITH ONLY 36000 MILES ON IT. NOW WITH 93,000 MILES IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

Sep 8, 2009

MY KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND WON'T TURN ON THE CAR. ALREADY GOT STUCK AND HAD TO KEEP MESSING WITH IT FOR AN HOUR UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO JIGGLE IT AND UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL TO START THE CAR. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. I DON'T WANT TO END UP STRANDED SOMEWHERE AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY CAR STARTED DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 73,100

Aug 6, 2009

WE HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE. MY BROTHER STOPPED TO PUT IN GAS. WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION(CAR WOULDN'T START). HE HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND GET THE CAR TOWED HOME. HE THAN HAD FORD DEALERSHIP PICK UP THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT. THE IGNITION LOCKED UP, NEEDS A NEW KEY CYLINDER...CHARGE FOR THE TOW $80. CHARGE FOR THE FIX $1451.84. *TR

Mileage: 215,000

Jul 30, 2009

I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY ON A 45 MPH ROAD AND PUSHED IN MY CLUTCH TO COAST UP TO THE STOP LIGHT THAT WAS ABOUT TO TURN GREEN AGAIN, WHEN MY CAR JUST DIED UNEXPECTEDLY. MY CLUTCH WAS STILL IN SO I STARTED MY CAR BACK UP AND KEPT DRIVING, BUT THIS IS ABOUT THE 10TH TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME THIS MONTH, AND MY CAR SHOULD NOT BE RANDOMLY DYING WHILE I AM DRIVING, THUS FAR THERE HAVE BEEN NO CONSEQUENCES, HOWEVER IT IS SLIGHTLY WORRISOME. SO FAR I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

Jul 24, 2009

IGNITION LOCK WON'T TURN, KEY GOES IN BUT DOES NOT TURN THE IGNITION, COUPLE OF DAYS OF JIGGLING THE KEY TO GET IT TO TURN AND NOW IT WON'T TURN AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

Jul 14, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE KEY WOULD OCCASIONALY BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION, BUT COULD BE REMOVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

Jul 13, 2009

MY FORD FOCUS IGNITION JUST STOPPED WORKING! NO PROBLEMS BEFORE, THE KEY WOULD ONLY GO IN HALF WAY, THEN I GOT IT TO GO IN WITH A SLIGHT TAP OF A HAMMER! THEN THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER! THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM!! GOT IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON! A COMMON PROBLEM THAT COST ME $426.27! *TR

Jun 22, 2009

IGNITION LOCK BROKE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THIS LEFT ME STRANDED IN A PRETTY ROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD. AFTER GETTING A LIFT HOME, I SEE THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2001 FORD FOCUS, LEAVING PEOPLE STRANDED IN SOME PRETTY DANGEROUS PLACES. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

May 24, 2009

2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK UP. *TR

Apr 30, 2009

1. I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. 2. THE IGNITION LOCKED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS GOING WRONG. AS A RESULT, I COULD NOT GO TO WORK, AS I WORK AN HOUR AWAY. 3. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO EXTEND A "GOODWILL REPAIR OR WARRANTY" ON MY BEHALF, AND SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. RESEARCH HAS PROVEN THAT IN SOME CASES, THE REPLACEMENT WILL RESULT IN THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM IN FORD FOCUS MODELS FROM 2000-2003 AND YET FORD HAS NOT TAKEN OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM. I WILL ULTIMATELY HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED AT MY OWN EXPENSE AND THE IGNITION REPAIRED AT MY OWN EXPENSE, FOR A MANUFACTURED PROBLEM. THE TOTAL OF BOTH WILL LIKELY BE MORE THAN HALF OF THE CURRENT BLUE-BOOK VALUE OF MY CAR. *TR

Mileage: 139,000

Apr 26, 2009

THE FORD FOCUS 2001 KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, I HAVE SPENT MANY HOURS, AND A LARGE SUM OF MONEY TRYING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE GOTTEN STRANDED AT NIGHT ALONE, MANY HOURS FROM HOME ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. IT IS FRIGHTENING TO DRIVE MY CAR ANY LONG DISTANCE FOR FEAR OF BEING STRANDED. *TR

Apr 8, 2009

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO HERTRICH IN MILFORD DE AND IGNITION REPLACED AND KEY PROGRAMMED TO NEW IGNITION. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED AT APPROX 30,000 MILES AND THE SECOND TIME AT 87,000 MILES. SERVICE TECH SAID CYLINDERS WERE JAMMED AND IT TOOK BEATING IT WITH A HAMMER TO RELEASE THEM TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. MY DAUGHTER HAD DRIVEN TO WALMART TO HAVE HER OIL CHANGED. THEY CALLED HER BACK TO TELL HER THEY COULD NOT START HER CAR TO DRIVE IT INTO THE SERVICE BAY. CALLED FORD TO REPORT THEIR PROBLEM AS MY DAUGHTERS FRIEND ALSO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER FORD FOCUS. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

Mar 16, 2009

I OWN A FORD FOCUS AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN ON. IT JUST LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON. HAD TO HAVE IGNITION REPLACED AT 85,000. MILES. *TR

Mileage: 84,885

Mar 11, 2009

2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH NOT TURNING WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE. MY STARTED EARLY MORNING AFTER WORK -20 OUTSIDE. LUCKY I WAS HOME. GOOGLED AND SOMEBODY SAID HIT IT WITH HAMMER AND IT WILL TURN OR REPLACE NEW IGNITION SWITCH. HIT IT MANY TIMES AND NOW IT GOT WORSE. FIX IS NOT CHEAP AND IT IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINTS FROM MANY PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO IT COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OR IN SEVERE WEATHER CONDITION OR SAFETY EVACUATION THAT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE IF YOU CAN'T START YOUR VEHICLE. CAN SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE FORD IS GETTING AWAY WITH NEGLIGENCE OR I SUPPOSE WILL JUST BAIL THEM OUT SO THEY CAN KEEP RIPPING PEOPLE OFF WITH EXPENSIVE VEHICLES AND FAULTY EQUIPMENTS. IS THAT HOW THIS WORKS. SCREW THE TAX PAYERS AND CONSUMERS WHO KEEP THIS COUNTRY PRODUCTIVE. FORD NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCTS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. PLEASE RECALL THIS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 102,200

Feb 28, 2009

THE IGNITION SWITCH SO CALLED 'SAFETY' LOCK ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS WAGON REFUSED TO RELEASE, AFTER REPEATED TRIES, SO I COULDN'T START MY CAR, THE WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN, AND I WAS LEFT STRANDED AWAY FROM HOME. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FORD MADE TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE THAT THEY PUMPED OUT INTO THE MARKET. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND APPARENTLY A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH FOCUS OWNERS. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

Feb 20, 2009

JUST PAID 401.00 AT THE DEALERSHIP TO CREATE A NEW TUMBER ON A KEY IGNITION. *TR

Mileage: 57,000

Feb 19, 2009

KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION, HAVING TO LEAVE KEY IN CAR. HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE DAY AND DURING THE WEEK. WILL HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED. *TR

Feb 17, 2009

BATTERY POSITIVE TERMINAL CORROSION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS HAVE REPLACED BATTERY TWICE AND ALTERNATOR ONCE BECAUSE OF NO START, DEAD BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. BATTERY CABLE SHOWS BATTERY CORROSION. *TR

Mileage: 963,000

Feb 7, 2009

OUT OF NOWHERE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN MY IGNITION. I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM, I STOPPED TO BUY XMAS GIFTS AT THE MALL, AND WHEN I RETURNED, I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY IN MY IGNITION. AND NOW EVERY DAY I SPEND 20 MINUTES OR MORE JUST TRYING TO START MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN LATE FOR WORK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE THIS HAPPENED. AND THE WORST THING IS NEVER KNOWING WHEN IT WILL BE REALLY BAD, OR IF I WILL END UP STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE! BEING THAT THIS COULD END UP IN BEING STRANDED, I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THE 2001 FORD FOCUS. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

Feb 2, 2009

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 FORD FOCUS BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2008', I EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER ALONG WITH THE DASHLIGHTS GOING HAYWIRE. I THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY AUTO REPAIR FACILITY. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND COULD NOT DO WHAT I DESCRIBED TO THEM. APPROX. 1 WEEK LATER IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN, THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO RECEIVE SOME DIAGNOSTIC CODES. THEY CLEANED SOME GROUND WIRES BUT STATED THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD FIND, THE SAME THING HAPPENED A FEW DAYS LATER, I CALLED MY MECHANIC, AND WE BOTH AGREED THAT I SHOULD SEND IT TO THE FORD DEALER. I HAD IT TOWED AGAIN, THIS TIME TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE I STATED THAT THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN. AFTER APPROX. 1 WEEK, THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE ALTERNATOR DROPPED TO 11.5 VOLTS. I ADVISED THEM TO REPLACE WITH A NEW ALTERNATOR. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY WERE SURE THAT IS WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. ON OR ABOUT 1/2/09, I EXPERIENCED THEY SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS. I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AND ADVISE THEM I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS NOT THE $ 550.00 ALTERNATOR THAT I PAID FOR. I AGAIN REITERATED TO THEM THAT IT HAS TO BE DRIVEN, TO HAVE THE SYMPTOMS OCCUR. SINCE I HAD THE NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED I ONLY PUT ON 325 MILES. MY SERVICE MANAGER KORY FOSTER WITH GOSCH FORD IN HEMET, CA HAS ONLY CALLED ME TWICE SINCE 1/2/09. WHEN HE CALLS HE HAS ALWAYS STATED THAT HE CANNOT FIND ANYTHING AND HE DOES NOT NO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS HE HAS NOT HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. I HAVE TOLD HIM EVERYTIME I HAVE SEEN HIM AND WHEN HE CALLS TO DRIVE IT ! IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO STALL OUT. THE LAST TIME HE CALLED ME WHICH WAS LAST WEEK SOMETIME, THAT I COULD COME GET MY CAR IF I NEEDED IT. I ADVISED HIM TO KEEP IT UNTIL IT IS FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

Jan 9, 2009

THIS CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. ONE DAY THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER. IT WAS AS IF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED. WE GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT IT IS VERY COMMON IN FORD FOCUS'S BUILT BETWEEN 2000-2003. THE QUICK FIX WAS TO CARRY A HAMMER AROUND AND GIVE IT A HIT WHEN THE KEY GETS STUCK. THIS HAS WORKED PRETTY WELL UNTIL THIS MORNING. IT TOOK ME 15 MINUTES TO START THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 168,300

Dec 20, 2008

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND AS I WAS LEAVING WORK ONE DAY, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULDN'T FIT IN THE IGNITION. AFTER I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PUT MY KEY IN IT WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO CALL FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH FORD FOCUS' AND TOLD ME TO HAMMER IN MY KEY BECAUSE A BARREL WAS DEFECTIVE IN THE IGNITION. I HAMMERED IN MY KEY AND WAS ABLE TO START MY CAR; HOWEVER, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.

Mileage: 101,225

Dec 19, 2008

2001 FORD FOCUS IGINITION KEY DOES NOT TURN TO START VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 156,000

Nov 13, 2008

THE PROBLEM I'M HAVE WITH MY 2001 IS MY KEY WILL NOT TURNING MY IGNITION. AFTER REVIEW THE COMPLAINTS I SEE SEVERAL PEOPLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. CAN YOU REVIEW THE COMPLAINTS WITH THE IGNITIONS. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

Nov 12, 2008

THIS IS THE 2ND TIME MY IGNITION IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUSES. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED WITH OUT RESOURCES AND THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM WITH NO WARNING. THE COST OF TOWING, PARTS, AND LABOR COST AROUND 500.00. I FIND THIS VERY FRUSTRATING THAT FORD WILL NOT RECALL THE IGNITION SWITCH, FULL WELL KNOWING THIS IS A PROBLEM. I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, NOT KNOWING IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. IT IS A FINANCIAL BURDEN AS WELL AS AN INCONVENIENCE, THAT AFTER BEING FIXED ONCE SHOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN WITH IN 2 YEARS, MY CAR ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

Nov 4, 2008

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN HER CAR JUST DIED, WHILE DRIVING. IT STARTED UP AGAIN IMMEDIATELY, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. I WENT ONLINE TO VIEW RECALLS, AND IT STATED THAT 2001 FORD FOCUS HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I ALSO FOUND 2 OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE HAPPENING TO THIS VEHICLE THAT WERE ALSO RECALLS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THESE RECALLS FIXED, BUT WHEN THEY PULLED UP THE VIN NUMBER, THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR CAR. THE OTHER RECALL I FOUND WAS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND BATTERY FAILURE. I HAVE ALREADY BURNED UP ONE BATTERY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THE RECALL STATES THAT THE CABES OVERHEAT AND MAY MELT. THIS VEHICLE DID THIS AS WELL. THE OTHER RECALL IS WHERE THE LATCH ON THE BACK DOOR BEGINS TO NOT LATCH PROPERLY, CAUSING THE DOOR TO COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE BACK DOOR WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY ON THIS VEHICLE EITHER AND AT TIMES WE HAVE TO OPEN AND CLOSE IT SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO GET IT TO LATCH. THESE 3 RECALLS ARE ALL THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED ON 2001 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES, WHICH OUR VEHICLE IS, BUT BECAUSE OUR VIN # DOESN'T MATCH THE RECALLS, THEY REFUSE TO FIX THEM. THESE ARE TRUE SAFETY ISSUES. MY DAUGHTER COULD BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES. HOW CAN I HAVE MY VEHICLE ADDED TO THESE RECALLS? I AM EXTREMELY UPSET AND CONCERNED THAT THESE ITEMS WILL NOT BE ADDRESSES WHEN FORD KNOWS THAT THEY ARE A PROBLEM ON OTHER 2001 FOCUS VEHICLES. I WILL SUE SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN TO MY DAUGHTER DUE TO THIS ISSUE AND FORDS UNWILLINGNESS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 116,200

Oct 28, 2008

TO BEST DESCRIBE WHAT IS HAPPENING YOUR WEBSITE HAS A CAMPAIGN FOR MY COMPLAINT HERE: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/DEFECT/RESULTS.CFM?ACTION_NUMBER=EA02014&SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&SUMMARY=TRUE THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS 02V288000. MY WIFE DRIVES A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE. THE BATTERY CABLES AND BATTERY ARE GOING THROUGH EXTREME CORROSION THAT REQUIRES ME TO CLEAN THE CONNECTIONS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 2 WEEKS. THE CORROSION IS ALSO CAUSING HEAT THAT IS MELTING THE CABLES INSULATION. WHEN THE CORROSION GOES UNTREATED, WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO BAD CONNECTION. THE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS THAT THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WAS IN 2002 AND FORD IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER ME TELLING THEM ABOUT THE RECALL INFORMATION I LINKED ABOVE. I HAVE CALLED IN A COMPLAINT ALREADY TO THE NHTSA BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. ANY HELP IN DEALING WITH THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

Oct 28, 2008

TO BEST DESCRIBE WHAT IS HAPPENING YOUR WEBSITE HAS A CAMPAIGN FOR MY COMPLAINT HERE: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/DEFECT/RESULTS.CFM?ACTION_NUMBER=EA02014&SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&SUMMARY=TRUE THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS 02V288000. MY WIFE DRIVES A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE. THE BATTERY CABLES AND BATTERY ARE GOING THROUGH EXTREME CORROSION THAT REQUIRES ME TO CLEAN THE CONNECTIONS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 2 WEEKS. THE CORROSION IS ALSO CAUSING HEAT THAT IS MELTING THE CABLES INSULATION. WHEN THE CORROSION GOES UNTREATED, WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO BAD CONNECTION. THE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS THAT THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WAS IN 2002 AND FORD IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER ME TELLING THEM ABOUT THE RECALL INFORMATION I LINKED ABOVE. I HAVE CALLED IN A COMPLAINT ALREADY TO THE NHTSA BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. ANY HELP IN DEALING WITH THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

Oct 10, 2008

I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE WORK TO GO HOME. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION, A COST OF $500. *TR

Oct 6, 2008

IGNITION SWITCH WONT TURNED ON. *TR

Mileage: 113,500

Sep 27, 2008 Fire

2001 FORD FOCUS CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, IT STARTED NEAR BATTERY, CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

Sep 12, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE MAIN FAILURES WERE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM, BENT TIE ROD, SHAKING AND VIBRATING, REAR WINDOW MECHANISMS, AND FLOODING AFTER IT RAINS. THE LEAK OCCURS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE WATER RISES 2 TO 3 INCHES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER DUE TO THE INSPECTION COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,473.

Mileage: 130,473

Sep 9, 2008

MY IGNITION LOCKED UP. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO FIND REPAIR METHODS AND FOUND TONS OF COMPLAINTS FROM FELLOW FOCUS OWNERS. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY COMMON AND CANNOT BE FIXED, IT HAS TO BE REPLACED ADDING UP TO A TOTAL OF $500.00. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. MY WIFE ALSO OWNS A FOCUS AND I'M JUST WAITING FOR THAT PHONE CALL. HOPEFULLY SHE'S NOT STRANDED IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. SEARCH FOCALJET.COM AND FOCUSFANATICS.COM FOR COMPLAINTS. THERES ALSO AN ONLINE PETITION FOR FORD THAT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY OVER 2,000 FOCUS OWNERS TO DATE. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

Sep 9, 2008

MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO START THE CAR TO GO TO SCHOOL AND COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS AT HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED, UNLIKE THE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT A REPAIR COST OF OVER $300, AND THE NUMBER OF BAD IGNITIONS THAT ARE IN THE FORD FOCUS CARS, IT SHOULD BE FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE IGNITIONS. WE HAVE HAD MANY CARS THAT WERE OLDER THAN OUR FOCUS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

Sep 8, 2008

THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 LOCKED UP, LEFT ME STRANDED. UNABLE TO START THE CAR. IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED TO ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS 2000 -2003 MODELS. FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT TO A PROBLEM. I HAVE THE OLD PART IF NEEDED. REPAIR COST $333. *TR

Sep 6, 2008

I OWN 2 SEPARATE FORD FOCUSES - BOTH 2001 MODELS. ONE IS A ZTS AND THE OTHER AN SX. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE SX IGNITION LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WE HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. NOW, BARELY A YEAR LATER, THE ZTS MODEL IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. SEARCHING ONLINE FOR A CHEAPER SOLUTION (THE DEALER CHARGES UPWARDS OF $300 TO FIX THE ISSUE), I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND WIDELY KNOWN BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. I'VE BEEN STRANDED TWICE ALONE WITH THIS CAR AND NOW THE IGNITION WON'T TURN AT ALL NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRY TO JIGGLE THE KEY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND COULD LEAD TO VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY FORD AND REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

Aug 25, 2008

I WILL START WITH THE FACT THE CAR IS ON IT'S FOURTH BATTERY. IT HAS HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED ALONG WITH EVERY SENSOR IN THE CAR SOME TWICE. THERE WAS A STEERING COLUMN RECALL DONE ON IT. THE TWO BACK WINDOWS TRACKS HAVE BEEN BROKE A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES. THE DOOR HANDLES BRAKE THREE SO FAR. THE STEREO IS BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAVE HAD TO DO THE BRAKES TWICE SO FAR AND ALL THIS AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 63,498.8 MILES . *TR

Aug 25, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SLIPPED. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT DRIVE THE SAME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT IN STOCK AND THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF ENTIRELY. THE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER WHENEVER THE SIGNAL LIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS, OR AIR CONDITIONING WERE ACTIVATED. THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUED TO SHORT AND, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAMS HAD TO BE ACTIVATED. THE SEAT BELT IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SEAT WAS INOPERABLE AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTINUED TO MOVE BACKWARDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND WHILE THE IGNITION IS ON. FINALLY, NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE FUNCTIONAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Mileage: 23,000

Aug 23, 2008

THE IGNITION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL OR START THE CAR. THE KEY WILL GO IN BUT NOT TURN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON THE SAME CAR. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION 22 MONTHS AGO. THIS IS FRUSTRATING AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED IN BOTH INSTANCES. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ANYONE BUT ME? THE CAR IS A 2001 FORD FOCUS LX. *TR

Mileage: 84,000

Aug 19, 2008

KEY WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO IGNITION CYLINDER ON 2001 FORD FOCUS, SO THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED. IT APPEARS THAT MANY FOR FORD FOCUS OWNERS, BUT FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A RECALL IS NEEDED. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

Aug 2, 2008

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR AFTER WORK, LATE AND NIGHT, IN A DARK, EMPTY PARKING LOT, AND TRY AND START MY CAR. MY IGNITION WILL NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. I TRIED FOR 30 MIN TO GET IT WORKING BEFORE I GAVE UP. IT JUST HAPPENED, NO WARNING OF AN ISSUE. I DO NOT SEE THIS TO JUST BE WEAR. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

Jul 30, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. SPORADICALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THEN RESTART MOMENTS LATER. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY CABLES. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES); THEREFORE, SHE WAS NOT ENTITLED TO ANY REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

Jun 24, 2008

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE BEHAVES AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

Jun 18, 2008

WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS WITH 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION LOCKUP. THOUSANDS OF CASES, YET NO RECALL FROM FORD. KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. COULD ENDANGER SAFETY. *TR

Jun 17, 2008

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION WAS LOCKED UP AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START MY CAR. I WAS STRANDED IN AN UNSAFE PART OF CITY WHILE WAITING FOR AAA TO SHOW UP AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

Jun 10, 2008

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP LEAVING US STRANDED. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY CLAIM THEY COULD DO NOTHING AND TOLD ME TO CALL A DEALER AND HAVE IT FIXED. THIS CALL WAS MADE AT AROUND 9PM SO THERE WERE NO DEALERSHIPS OPEN. MY FIANCE HIT THE KEY WHILE IN THE IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN AND UNLOCK THE IGNITION. I AM UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION FOR FEAR IT MIGHT DO THIS AGAIN WHEN I AM ALONE. *TR

Mileage: 84,000

Jun 2, 2008

2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION DOES NOT TURN. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER TOLD HER IT WOULD COST AROUND $350 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEN THE PROBLEM MIGHT RETURN. SHE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF NHTSA HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS. *KB

Jun 2, 2008

THE WIRING IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 THAT CONNECTS THE REAR HATCH TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR DETERIORATES SIGNIFICANTLY. THE WIRING ON MY CAR HAS STRIPPED THROUGH THE INSULATION, AND HAS BROKEN 4 OF THE 8 WIRES COMPLETELY IN HALF. THIS DISABLES THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT, THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER, AND THE TRUNK LID CAUSING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 21,000

May 31, 2008

KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION-2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 I'M HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAYJUNE 2, 2008 TO FIND SOMEONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM/REPAIR 2 DAY WAIT WITHOUT A CAR. *TR

Mileage: 49,000

May 31, 2008

THE KEY ONCE INSERTED IN THE IGNITION WILL NOT START MY CAR (2001 FORD FOCUS). *TR

May 20, 2008

THE IGNITION IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS WON'T TURN, LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, EACH ONE LEAVING ME STRANDED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

Apr 21, 2008

MY KEY WILL GO INTO THE IGNITION OF MY FORD FOCUS, HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINS LOCKED AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. EVEN AFTER "JIGGLING" THE STEERING WHEEL, I CAN'T TURN THE KEY AT ALL. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR SOME REASON THE KEY CAN TURN. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT "TESTS" TO SEE IF PERHAPS PARKING STRAIGHT ON,ETC WILL ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR HOWEVER THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT. THIS PROBLEM LEAVES ME QUITE FRUSTRATED, POSSIBLY STRANDED, AND POSSIBLY IN DANGER AS I CAN'T START THE CAR WHEN I NEED TO. IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE DAYS AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING CRAZY SO I HAVE NOT DONE ANY REPAIRS YET. BUT AFTER READING THAT THIS IS A PROMINENT PROBLEM, LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO FIX IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYWHERE FOR FEAR THAT MY CAR WILL NOT LET ME TURN THE KEY. *TR

Mileage: 107,000

Mar 31, 2008

LOCK CYLINDER LOCKED. *TR

Mileage: 51,925

Mar 28, 2008

I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JUL07. IN DEC07 STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR SURGING/JOLTING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY (55-65 MPH) THEN CAR WOULD JUST STALL, COMPLETELY DIE. ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, NO POWER STEERING NO LIGHTS. I WOULD MANAGE TO GET IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NARROWLY AVOIDING ACCIDENT AND CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER SAT FOR ABOUT 10 MINS IT WOULD START. IT WOULD DRIVE OK FOR ABOUT 10-20 MILES AND THEN SURGE AND DIE. IT HAPPENS PERIODICALLY AND IN BETWEEN THE CAR MAY DRIVE FINE FOR WEEKS. SERVICE CENTER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN 3-18-08 WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 65MPH, JOLTED TWICE AND COMPLETELY DIED. I WAS NEARLY KILLED AS A SEMI WAS BEHIND ME AND ANOTHER BESIDE ME. I HAD TO FIGHT THE CAR TO GET IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NARROWLY MISSED THE SEMI RUNNING UP OVER THE TOP OF ME. AFTER SITTING FOR 10 MIN IT STARTED AGAIN BUT WOULD NOT REACH FULL POWER. I COULD ONLY GET IT UP TO ABOUT 50 MPH, THEN STARTED JOLTING AND DIED AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 6 MILES THIS CONTINUED FOR 30 MILES. ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I HAD THAT READ BY ADV AUTO LATER AND IT WAS TWO CODES ONE FOR MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. IT HAS BEEN IN SERVICE GARAGE SINCE THEN. THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I DID NOTICE THAT THIS SEEMS TO ONLY BE HAPPENING WHEN IT RAINS. THEY SPRAYED WATER TODAY ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS RUNNING AND IT DIED IN THEIR SHOP. THEY STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. IT ALSO HAS A LOUD VIBRATION/NOISE IN FRONT END. MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED, NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW BATTERY, NEW BELT REPLACED DEC 27,07. THE VEHICLE DIED AGAIN FEB 5, 2008 6 TIMES. IT DIES AT ALL SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES STALLS AT STOP LIGHTS/SIGNS. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED WITH IT AND NEED A RELIABLE CAR TO GET TO WORK AND AM MAKING CAR PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 36 DAYS IN THE LAST 90. ALSO VERY CONCERNED ABOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR KILLING MYSELF, MY KIDS OR SOMEONE ELSE. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

Mar 24, 2008 Fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND THEN FLAMES APPEARED. SHE STOPPED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE WHEN IT BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,899. UPDATED 04/11/08 *BF THE DEALER STATED CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE IN A PINCH BOLT TORQUED AND A ZETEC ENGINE CABLE ROUTING. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS. UPDATED 04/11/08 *TR

Mileage: 52,899

Mar 6, 2008

2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START CAR. ELDERLY WIFE WAS FORCED TO WAIT IN CAR IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPS. UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. WE HAVE SCHEDULED THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF APPROX. $400. THIS PRESENTS A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD. *TR

Mileage: 84,748

Feb 26, 2008

THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN TO THE "ON" POSITION, REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS TRIED. THE CYLINDER APPARENTLY IS STUCK, AND THE CAR WILL THEREFORE NOT START. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

Feb 23, 2008

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND LIKE OTHER COMPLAINTS MY IGNITION ALSO JAMMED UP, AND LEFT ME DOWN AND HAD TO FIND A WAY GET HOME FROM MY JOB ,AND COST ME $ 240.00 FOR A LOCKSMITH THE NEXT DAY. I THINK FORD SHOULD TAKE ACTION AND RECALL THIS VEHICLE, AND REPAY ALL THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. GC *TR

Feb 21, 2008

IGNITION SWITCH SEIZING, UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. 2001 FORD FOCUS WAGON. HAS HAPPENED, AND BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF FORD OWNERS, YET FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS THEY DO NOT SEE IT AS A 'SAFETY ISSUE'. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME, IT WAS AROUND 11PM ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, ON A SMALL SIDE ROAD NEAR MACK AND WOODWARD, DOWNTOWN DETROIT. THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL ANYONE CAN CONVINCE ME MY SAFETY WAS NOT IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY PART! *TR

Mileage: 170,000

Feb 3, 2008

KEY WILL NOT TURN...CAN'T START CAR..KEY TUMBLER DEFECTIVE. *TR

Mileage: 130,007

Jan 13, 2008

KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE OFF AND CAN'T BE REMOVED. *TR

Jan 3, 2008

IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3, THERE IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. SEVERAL THINGS DO NOT WORK OR HAVE SHORTS, OR THE SWITCHES OPERATE OTHER THINGS. RIGHT NOW, THE DEALER IS INSTALLING A NEW WIRING HARNESS FOR $500 AT LEAST. I JUST FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 200 FOCUS ON THIS ISSUE. THIS IS THE SAME CAR AS MINE. MINE SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED. THE PROBLEMS BEGAN JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS MINOR AND I COULD LEAVE IT ALONE. THE DEALER IS ALL-AMERICAN FORD IN HACKENSACK, NJ. CAN YOU HELP ME?*CN

Dec 30, 2007

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS NOW I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY DISCHARGING. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE AND THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY, MY CAR DID NOT START 12/22 AND AGAIN ON 12/26, 12/27 AND NOW TODAY, 12/30/07. I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE JUMPSTART MY CAR EACH TIME EXCEPT THIS MORNING. NO ONE IS AVAILABLE THIS EARLY IN THE MORNING. I AM TIRED OF FORD SAYING THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WE NEED FORD TO COME FORWARD AND ADMIT OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND EITHER FIX OUR CARS AT NO CHARGE OR ISSUE A BLANKET RECALL OR SOMETHING. I CANNOT AFFORD THE TOWING CHARGES, THE DAYS OFF WORK WHILE THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP ETC. THIS WILL GO ON FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN I CAN GO 3 MONTHS, MAYBE 6 MONTHS WITH NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE TRIED NOT USING MY DOME LIGHT AND KEEPING IT IN THE OFF POSITION. I MANUALLY TURN OFF MY RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS BEFORE LEAVING THE CAR IN CASE THAT WAS WHAT WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. I DO NOTICE THAT A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THE BATTERY GOES DEAD THE CAR WILL START LUNGING A COUPLE OF DAYS IN ADVANCE BUT ONLY ABOUT ONE TIME PER DAY. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

Dec 30, 2007

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS NOW I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY DISCHARGING. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE AND THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY, MY CAR DID NOT START 12/22 AND AGAIN ON 12/26, 12/27 AND NOW TODAY, 12/30/07. I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE JUMPSTART MY CAR EACH TIME EXCEPT THIS MORNING. NO ONE IS AVAILABLE THIS EARLY IN THE MORNING. I AM TIRED OF FORD SAYING THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WE NEED FORD TO COME FORWARD AND ADMIT OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND EITHER FIX OUR CARS AT NO CHARGE OR ISSUE A BLANKET RECALL OR SOMETHING. I CANNOT AFFORD THE TOWING CHARGES, THE DAYS OFF WORK WHILE THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP ETC. THIS WILL GO ON FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN I CAN GO 3 MONTHS, MAYBE 6 MONTHS WITH NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE TRIED NOT USING MY DOME LIGHT AND KEEPING IT IN THE OFF POSITION. I MANUALLY TURN OFF MY RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS BEFORE LEAVING THE CAR IN CASE THAT WAS WHAT WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. I DO NOTICE THAT A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THE BATTERY GOES DEAD THE CAR WILL START LUNGING A COUPLE OF DAYS IN ADVANCE BUT ONLY ABOUT ONE TIME PER DAY. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

Dec 24, 2007

ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I WENT TO PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND I STRUGGLED FOR AN HOUR OR MORE TO GET IT TO TURN. VERY FRUSTRATED AT THAT POINT THAT I FINALLY HAVE RESIDED TO KEEPING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, WHICH IS NOT A GOOD IDEA,BUT AFRAID OF BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

Dec 14, 2007

RECENTLY THE IGNITION LOCK ON MY FORD FOCUS JAMS UP. I PLACE THE KEY IN THE LOCK, WHICH IS A BIT STICKY, AND THEN THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. AFTER 15-30 MINUTES OF TRYING TO TURN IT, IT WILL START, OTHER TIMES NO. WE ARE STILL RESEARCHING ON THE WEB HOW TO REPLACE THIS PART. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

Dec 10, 2007

2001 FORD FOCUS ZTS - IGNITION WOULDN'T START DURING SUMMER MONTHS (NOT PREDICTABLE); HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD A FEW TIMES UNTIL ENGINE COOLED DOWN (30 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR) BEFORE WOULD START AGAIN. LAST WEEK, WHEN KEY INSERTED INTO CAR, STEERING WHEEL WOULD BE LOCKED UP AND KEY WOULDN'T TURN. FINALLY FAILED ON ME TWO DAYS AGO; LUCKILY I WAS AT HOME AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 2-YEAR-OLD IN ZERO-DEGREE WEATHER! DEALER SAID IT WAS FAULTY SOLENOID SWITCH IN STARTER. HAVE READ THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT REPEATS ITSELF! I HOPE TO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

Dec 6, 2007

AS THE OWNER OF A FORD FOCUS 2001 - I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT - HAD TO BE TOWED. THE PROBLEM IS CHRONIC IN FORD FOCUS - YET FORD IS NOT RECALLING OR ATTEMPTING TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS IN ANY WAY TO REMEDY THE FLAW. *TR

Nov 30, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER ADDING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 15, 2003 AND RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AGO. THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $433 AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE; HOWEVER, THE FIRST REPAIR WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE IGNITION SWITCH SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER THREE YEARS. THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,474 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,732.

Mileage: 52,474

Nov 15, 2007

VEHICLE IGNITION LOCK FROZE WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION. IGNITION KEY WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE LOCK. DRIVER WAS LEFT STRANDED AND LOCK SMITH HAD TO BE CALLED TO DRILL OUT THE IGNITION AS A TEMPORARY FIX AND THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. VEHICLE MAKE: FORD VEHICLE MODEL: FOCUS SE YEAR: 2001 *TR

Mileage: 61,000

Nov 12, 2007

I BOUGHT MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IN APRIL 2007 FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. ONE DAY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I WENT INTO A STORE AND WHEN I CAME OUT MY KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. FORTUNATELY I GRABBED A PASSERBY TO HELP ME AND HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THEN A FEW DAYS AGO I GOT HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT, PARKED MY CAR, AND WENT INSIDE. NEXT MORNING WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE FOR WORK THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION AND THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED AGAIN. AFTER AN HOUR OF TRYING TO GET THE KEY IN, I HAD TO CALL A MECHANIC TO TOW THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND GET IT REPAIRED. IT COST ME $400. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

Nov 12, 2007

I BOUGHT MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IN APRIL 2007 FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. ONE DAY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I WENT INTO A STORE AND WHEN I CAME OUT MY KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. FORTUNATELY I GRABBED A PASSERBY TO HELP ME AND HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THEN A FEW DAYS AGO I GOT HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT, PARKED MY CAR, AND WENT INSIDE. NEXT MORNING WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE FOR WORK THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION AND THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED AGAIN. AFTER AN HOUR OF TRYING TO GET THE KEY IN, I HAD TO CALL A MECHANIC TO TOW THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND GET IT REPAIRED. IT COST ME $400. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

Nov 10, 2007

IGNITION SWITCH- MY KEY WON'T ENTER THE IGNITION. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE PART. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS FAULTY PART. *TR

Oct 23, 2007

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP BEYOND A MERE STEERING LOCKUP AND COULD NOT BE STARTED. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAS 84K MILES. I HOPE I WON'T BE PAYING FOR A REPAIR THAT IS LIKELY TO BREAK AGAIN SOON. *JB

Mileage: 84,000

Oct 15, 2007

2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION FAILURE THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND DOES NOT TURN AND THE CAR I GUESS IS KNOWN FOR IT AND THE COMPANY DOES NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM THE CUSTOMER HAS TO PAY FOR THE NEW IGNITION EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS AND THE CAR IS KNOWN FOR DOING THIS. *JB

Mileage: 90,000

Sep 24, 2007

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND WITHIN THE LAST MONTH IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS DUE TO A SUBSTANDARD/DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER. I ALSO FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM, QUITE THE CONTRARY; THERE ARE SEVERAL CAR FORUMS THAT HAVE COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE. FOR EXAMPLE, HERE IS ONE AT CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_IGNITION.HTML I ACCEPT THE FACT THAT CAR OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN MAINTENANCE BUT AN IGNITION CYLINDER SHOULD NOT BE GOING BAD IN A 6 YEAR OLD CAR. FURTHERMORE, I HAVE READ SEVERAL FORD FOCUS OWNERS SAY THAT THEY HAVE HAD THIS REPAIR DONE MORE THAN ONCE. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT; I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING OUT $500 TO GET THIS FIXED. PLEASE DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND RECALL THIS PART AND REPLACE IT WITH ONE THAT WORKS. DON'T MAKE ME REGRET BUYING A FORD IN THE FUTURE. HTTPS://SECURE.FORD.COM/SERVLET/SATELLITE/FOOTER/CONTACT-FORD/CONTACT-US-EMAIL?CONTACTMAINTOPIC=VEHICLESERVICEISSUES *JB

Mileage: 83,000

Aug 28, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO STRIKE THE TIP OF THE KEY WHILE IT WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE STARTED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2006, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,834 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

Mileage: 56,000

Aug 22, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS. WHEN HE DRIVES OVER SPEED BUMPS, IT SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING IS LOOSE UNDER THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO STATED THAT WHEN HE DRIVES BETWEEN 50-75 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. HE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED AND THE FRONT END ALIGNED, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THOSE WERE NOT THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION AND NOISE. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 02V289000 (STEERING: LINKAGES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND HE HAD THE BATTERY INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE STARTED WHEN THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND MOVED THE BATTERY CABLE. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, HE REALIZED THAT THE CABLES LOOKED AND SMELLED BURNT. HE THEN DISCOVERED NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). HE NOTIFIED FORD ABOUT THE TWO RECALLS AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM BOTH. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED SINCE HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Mileage: 38,000

Aug 10, 2007

THE CAR ALMOST STALLS THEN SURGES LIKE A KICK. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY AT AROUND 30MPH. ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE GO ALL THE WAY UP AND THEN BACK DOWN TO ZERO THEN EVERYTHING GOES BACK TO NORMAL. I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED BUT NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK AFTER ONLY 2 WEEKS WITH A NEW BATTERY. I TOOK TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 113,000

Jul 25, 2007

I HAD TO HAVE MY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2001 FOCUS. *JB

Mileage: 73,290

Jul 24, 2007 Fire

2001 FORD FOCUS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY A ENGINE FIRE CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR 2 YEARS TO GET A DECISION FROM FORD**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY AN ENGINE FIRE AND FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PICTURES OF DEFECT, COPY OF A RECALL ISSUED BY ALLDATA ONLINE, AND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 56,143

Jul 19, 2007

COULD NOT INSERT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION. IT WOULD ONLY GO HALFWAY IN. I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT AND HAD TO CALL A FRIEND TO PICK ME UP. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THEY DRILLED THE LOCK OUT AND REPLACED WITH NEW CYLINDER. THE OLD PART WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THE DRILLING. *JB

Mileage: 73,486

Jul 16, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS OF JULY 16, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,000. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

Mileage: 53,000

Jul 9, 2007

MY WIFE OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS LX,WE HAVE BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT IGNITION PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR FOR MONTHS WHERE THE KEY DID NOT TURN THE IGNITION. I CALLED FORD SERVICE , AND THEY ADVISED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION WHICH WILL COST BETWEEN $380 AND $480. I COULD NOT AFFORD THIS,, AND LOST TIME AT WORK TO GO AND MESS WITH THE IGNITION. I HAD TO WIGGLE IT BACK AND FORTH ,SOMETIMES TAKING ME 2 HOURS, TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. I READ FORUMS ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY COULD NOT FORD REIMBURSE ANY COST OR DO THIS FOR CHEAPER THEN THE AMOUNT I WAS QUOTED. THE CARS WILL SIT IN THE DRIVEWAY UNTIL I COULD GET ENOUGH MONEY FOR REPAIRS. THE CAR WONT EVEN TURN NOW EVEN AFTER WIGGLING IT BACK AND FORTH, SO I MAY HAVE TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

Jun 24, 2007

FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WILL NOT INSERT. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE I AM STRANDED WITH AN IMMOBILE CAR. *AK

Mileage: 75,000

Jun 3, 2007

IGNITION KEY CURRENTLY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM LOCK. PREVIOUS TO THIS STATUS, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN ONCE INSERTED. PROBLEM EVOLVES BETWEEN THESE TWO TYPES OF ISSUES. SEE FORDS TSB 05-21-17. ISSUES ARE WELL KNOWN. FAILURE MEANS THAT ONE EITHER IS STUCK SOMEWHERE AND CANNOT GET THE CAR STARTED (THINK WINTER AND MAINE) OR, AS CURRENTLY IS THE CASE, HAVING TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHILE OUT AND ABOUT! FORD REFUSES TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR ALTHOUGH THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE, IN MY OPINION, A RECALL. FIRST INCIDENT WAS 22 MAY 2007 BUT ISSUE WILL NOT GO AWAY WITHOUT A COSTLY REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

Apr 10, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 140,000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ON A HOT DAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPUTTER AND LOSE ACCELERATION , THEN LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD STALL, BUT THE CAR WOULD STILL BE DRIVING UNTIL THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT HAD THE MECHANIC CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, AND FUEL FILTER, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HIM TO TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALER TO GET IT DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS A FAILURE IN THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, BUT THE PARTS WERE ON NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER. *AK

Mileage: 140,000

Mar 28, 2007

MY IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHEN I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE WORK. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE, I FOUND OUT IT IS GOING TO COST ME ABOUT $400 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. MY PROBLEM IS THE GENTLEMAN WHO TOWED MY CAR TOLD ME THIS WAS THE THIRD FOCUS HE TOWED THIS WEEK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN FOCUSE'S. I WORKED REALLY HARD TO PAY FOR THE CAR AND EXPECT BETTER SERVICE FROM FORD. IF THIS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, I FEEL IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JB

Mar 22, 2007

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT GO INTO IGNITION. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC.

Mar 17, 2007

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT AND AS I WAS DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS, INSIDE AND OUT, EXCEPT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR PLACE AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I COULD'VE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE SEARCHED FOR RECALLS ON 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND HAVE NOT FOUND ANY. I ALSO LOOKED UP HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE IT ($359). THIS IS NOT A SMALL PROBLEM. PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ARE VERY DANGEROUS.

Mileage: 85,000

Feb 26, 2007

IT HAD BECOME HARDER AND HARDER OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO TURN THE KEY IN MY IGNITION. THEN ONE NIGHT AFTER WORK, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. I CONTACTED AAA, AND THEY SENT OUT A LOCKSMITH THE NEXT DAY. THE LOCKSMITH HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE IGNITION BECAUSE, ACCORDING TO HIM, CERTAIN PIECES WERE BROKEN. *JB

Mileage: 81,700

Feb 17, 2007

IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED, PREVENTING CAR FROM STARTING. KEY WOULD GO INTO IGNITION BUT WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS STRANDED IN PARKING GARAGE UNTIL A TOW TRUCK THAT COULD REACH IT WAS LOCATED. IGNITION CYLINDER REBUILT, NEW KEYS CREATED, TOTAL COST $550. DEALER KEPT OLD PARTS. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE SAME PART. IT WAS FIRST REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2003. *JB

Mileage: 43,000

Feb 13, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, AND TWO DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HE LIFTED THE HOOD, AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE BATTERY CABLE. THE CABLES MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE BATTERY CABLE AND THE HARNESS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 102,000. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE BATTERY CABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 102,000

Feb 11, 2007

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE AUTOMATIC: MY IGNITION LOCK AND THE STEERING WHEEL ARE JAMMED. IT IS A VERY RECENT DEVELOPMENT AND I AM FINDING OUT THAT I MAY HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT, WHICH I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT SINCE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY A RECALL OF THE VEHICLE. I STILL HAVE NO IDEA HOW I AM GOING TO FIX IT AND I MIGHT HAVE TO END UP TOWING THE CAR WHICH WILL COST EVEN MORE AND I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO DO THAT, BUT IF I LEAVE IT ON MY STREET THEN I WILL GET A PARKING TICKET. SHAME ON YOU FORD FOR NOT ISSUING A RECALL, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH MY FOCUS IS THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BROKE IN 2005. THE MOTOR GOT JAMMED AND BROKE OR SOMETHING, BUT NOW MY WINDOW WON'T ROLL UP AND MY CAR IS GETTING RAINED INSIDE OF, AGAIN THANKS FORD FOR NOT ISSUING A RECALL ON THAT PROBLEM, WHICH IS A PROBLEM THAT EVERY FORD FOCUS OWNER THAT I KNOW HAS. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN, AND I WILL TELL EVERYONE THAT FORD'S SUCK!!!!! *NM

Feb 2, 2007

I WAS OUT SHOPPING AT NIGHT IN A DARK PARKING LOT AND WHEN I WENT TO MY CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN I WAS LEFT STRANDED FOR HOURS UNTIL A TOW COULD COME GET MY CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IT WAS LOCKED. *NM

Mileage: 87,000

Jan 7, 2007

BOUGHT A 2001 FORD FOCUS (USED) FROM A ORIVATE PARTY. THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT FROM HAD THE IGNITION CHANGED TWICE AND IT HAS LOCKED UP ON ME IN LESS THAN A YEAR. I BOUGHT A CYLINDER AND KEY SET FROM AUTO ZONE AND CHANGED IT OUT MYSELF, $90 LATER THE CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF THE ANTI-THEFT IN CAR AND I REFUSE TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER (ARCENEAUX FORD). FORD SHOULD REPLACE THESE IGNITION CYLINDERS BECAUSE THEY ARE JUNK AND SEEM TO OCCUR OFTEN. *NM

Jan 4, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER SWITCH HAS SEIZED. HE COULD NOT PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CONTACT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS 40,000 MILES. THE CONTACT HAS NOT CONTACTED A REPAIR SHOP. HE WAS GOING TO CONTACT A LOCKSMITH. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERABLE ON 1/3/06. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS. *AK

Mileage: 40,000

Jan 2, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT IGNITION WILL NOT TURN WITH THE KEY. THIS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES , AND SHETOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 1-3-07. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR, AND SHE WILL HAVE THE REPAIR ORDER FROM THE WORK DONE. *AK

Mileage: 130,000

Dec 27, 2006

THE IGNITION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 HAS LOCKED UP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, RENDERING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR, AS THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE LOCK. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN THE PAST, I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO START THE CAR BY JIGGLING THE KEY IN THE LOCK FOR UP TO TEN MINUTES. THIS TIME, HOWEVER, AFTER JIGGLING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR A FULL FORTY-FIVE MINUTES, THERE WAS STILL NO GIVE IN THE IGNITION. I TRIED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER SIDE AS HARD AS I COULD WHILE TURNING THE KEY, AND IT DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER FINALLY GIVING UP, I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOME ADVICE ONLINE, AND I SAW RIGHT AWAY THAT HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS. EACH TIME, IT TAKES THEM HAVING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION FOR A COST OF BETWEEN 200 AND 700 DOLLARS, ALL COSTS INCLUDED. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT I WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE SAME COURSE OF ACTION, AS I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I CAN POSSIBLY DO. I CAN'T EVEN HAVE A FRIEND PULL MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER IT IN ITS PRESENT STATE. I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE COST OF A PROFESSIONAL TOW-TRUCK AND THEN PAY THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE IGNITION ON TOP OF IT ALL. I UNDERSTAND THROUGH MY RESEARCH ONLINE THAT THE REASON THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN DEALT WITH THROUGH A RECALL BY FORD IS THAT IT DOES NOT POSE "AN IMMEDIATE AND IMMINENT HEALTH RISK." THAT MAY BE SO, BUT IT CAUSES FORD FOCUS OWNERS, LIKE MYSELF, COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF FRUSTRATION AND ANGER TO NOT BE ABLE TO USE OUR CARS. MY CAR IS NOW SITTING ON THE CURB OUTSIDE MY HOUSE, IN PERFECTLY DRIVABLE CONDITION IN EVERY WAY, AND I CAN'T EVEN TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. IF YOU HAVE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, PLEASE LOBBY WITH ALL OF YOUR INFLUENCE TO HAVE FORD ADDRESS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *JB

Dec 10, 2006

WHEN I TRIED TO START MY 2001 FORD FOCUS THIS MORNING TO RETURN HOME, THE IGNITION LOCKED. I HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED 2CE BEFORE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN I WENT ON THE WEB FOR INFO I SPENT HRS READING OF ALL THE OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO SOLVE THIS. IT WAS SUGGESTED I WRITE TO THIS SITE. *NM

Dec 6, 2006

2001 FORD FOCUS: IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN AFTER INSERTION, SO THE CAR WON'T START. JAMMING KEY HARD INTO COLUMN AND MAYBE ROCKING THE STEERING WHEEL EVENTUALLY ENABLES THE KEY TO TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. INTERMITTENT, BUT NOW BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. LAST TIME IT TOOK 40 MINUTES TO START CAR - COULD BE PERSONAL DANGER. *JB

Mileage: 41,000

Nov 28, 2006

IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T GET THE KEY IN. HAD TO HAVE IT DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED - $300. *JB

Nov 28, 2006

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS ZTECH. MY CAR WAS STALLING AT RANDOM IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND FINALLY WOULDNT START AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID MY BATTERY CABLES WERE MELTED, SO THEY REPLACED THEM, REROUTED THEM, ALONG WITH MY CLIPS, ETC. THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY MY CABLES WOULD BE LIKE THAT AND SAID THAT IS PROBABLY WHY MY CAR DOESN'T START ALL THE TIME, BUT THEY COULDN'T BE POSITIVE SO THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE MY STARTER AS WELL. THEY CHARGED ME $998. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME IN PREVIOUS YEARS. I WENT TO THE VEHICLE RECALL SITE AND SEE THAT FORD STARTED A RECALL IN 2003 ON THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. WHY DIDN'T I RECEIVE RECALL INFORMATION ON MY CAR? I'VE STALLED BEFORE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC LAST YEAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD MY BATTERY REPLACED. THIS HAPPENS TOO MUCH. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN'S SAFETY TO WORRY ABOUT. WHAT BOTHERS ME IN ADDITION TO THAT IS THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I USED SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THIS RECALL AND RELATED IT TO MY VEHICLE'S PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A TERRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE, AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP GETTING NEW BATTERIES/CABLES AND STARTERS. ALSO, MY KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION, AND FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT EITHER, EVEN THOUGH MY DEALER SAID IT'S A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PRODUCT. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ME AT LEAST $400 TO FIX IT. I'VE ALREADY GOTTEN STUCK AT A STORE TWICE. IT JUST WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. *NM

Mileage: 52,562

Nov 22, 2006

WENT TO LEAVE WORK ONE EVENING, PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL MY HUSBAND TO PICK ME UP. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY INSTALLED NEW IGNITION TUMBLER. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH, THE DEALERSHIP PAID HALF OF THE BILL. *JB

Mileage: 34,600

Nov 10, 2006

MY FOCUS IS EXHIBITING THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL - NHTSA CAMPAIGN #02V288000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES I TOOK MY VEHICLE DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I GOT THE SAME RESPONSE WHEN I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER. I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE AND THE BATTERY 3 TIMES. THE CABLES ARE ALL CHEWED AND BURNT NEAR THE TERMINAL ENDS. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS TERMINAL ENDS SO HOT THAT THEY START MELTING OFF AND INTO MY BATTERY. RIGHT NOW MY CAR WILL NOT START AND MY BATTERY CABLES ARE BURNT. *NM

Mileage: 60,000

Nov 6, 2006

I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY SEEMED "STUCK". I TRIED EVERYTHING TO TURN IT TO NO AVAIL. CALLED A LOCKSMITH AND HE SAID IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS, AND THAT HE RESPONDS TO CALLS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALL THE TIME. THE KEY IGNITION CYLINDER JUST BREAKS ON THESE CARS. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THIS AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE PART FROM FORD IS SUBSTANDARD AND THAT IS WHY IT BREAKS ALL THE TIME. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED! WHAT IS THE POINT OF A CAR IF YOU CANNOT START IT DUE TO A MECHANISM CONSTANTLY BREAKING? WHAT IF I WERE IN A BAD AREA OF TOWN, WHAT IF I REALLY REALLY NEEDED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY BUT COULDN'T DUE TO A FAULTY PART THAT IS A KNOWN ISSUE!? *NM

Mileage: 11,156

Nov 5, 2006

2001 FORD FOCUS. KEY WILL NOT TURN TRIED BOTH KEYS W/O HELP HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE AND NOW WILL NOT WORK. THIS IS THE CAR MY DAUGHTER TAKES TO COLLEGE AND LUCKY IT WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY NOT WITH HER ON A DARK CAMPUS ALL ALONE. *JB

Mileage: 49,999

Oct 24, 2006

FORD FOCUS YEAR 2001 - THE IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP TWICE. HAD AAA LOCKSMITH MAKE A NEW KEY THAT WORKED BETTER- OLD KEY YOU HAVE TO HIT WITH FORCE TO MAKE IT WORK. NOW IT TURNS BUT WON'T START. *NM

Mileage: 82,610

Oct 19, 2006

IGNITION LOCK FAILURE. KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. *NM

Mileage: 54,000

Oct 16, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. A LOCKSMITH WAS CALLED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT ALERTED.

Mileage: 100,000

Oct 16, 2006

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND IN 2005 I HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION CYLINDER. THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. I BOUGHT THE CYLINDER FROM FORD AND REPLACED IT MYSELF. NOW, A YEAR LATER, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. MY KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION. I HAVE TRIED TROUBLESHOOTING BUT NOTHING HAS IMPROVED. I HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER CYLINDER AGAIN. *NM

Oct 16, 2006

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. EVENTUALLY AFTER A HALF HOUR OF TRYING, THE CAR TURNED OVER AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I TOLD THEM I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION, AND THEY ASKED ME IF MY CAR WAS A FOCUS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE FORD FOCUS. THE TUMBLER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO REPLACE AN IGNITION IN A 5 YEAR OLD CAR? I HAD A 10 YEAR OLD CAR WITHOUT ANY IGNITION PROBLEMS EVER. *NM

Mileage: 145,000

Oct 11, 2006

2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKS UP 10/10/2006 CAR IS STRANDED OVERNIGHT IN A PARKING LOT IN AN UNSAFE NEIGHBORHOOD LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $300 PLUS TOW FEES. *JB

Oct 5, 2006

FOR A WEEK I WAS HAVING TROUBLE TURNING MY KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. THEN ONE MORNING I COULD NOT TURN MY KEY AT ALL. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE FORD FOCUS. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER AT MY COST. I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, FORD WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS, ACCORDING TO THEM, NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I WANT TO KNOW HOW THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THIS PROBLEM CAN LEAVE SOMEONE STRANDED ANYWHERE WITH NO WARNING.*JB

Mileage: 43,500

Oct 3, 2006

IGNITION SWITCH DETERIORATED RESULTING IN A FAILURE; THERE WERE NO PRIOR INDICATIONS OF THE IMMINENCY OF THIS FAILURE. IGNITION SUBSEQUENTLY COMPLETELY FAILED TO TURN. ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM REPLACED. THE KEYS WILL BE THE NEXT TO FAIL, AS THEY ARE WEARING DOWN IN A MUCH MORE SUBSTANTIAL MANNER THAN I HAVE EVER SEEN AN AUTOMOBILE KEY DETERIORATE. *NM

Mileage: 51,000

Oct 2, 2006

CONCERN: 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 (IGNITION SWITCH STUCK) THIS CAR HAS ONLY 35000 MILES. AS I HAVE SEARCHED FOR REPAIR INSTRUCTION FOR THIS PROBLEM I KNOW IT IS WIDE SPREAD. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR EVERYDAY TO COLLEGE AND THE IGNITION SWITCH STUCK AND LEFT HER STRANDED. THE KEY WOULD GO INTO THE CYLINDER BUT WOULD NOT TURN. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF SHE WERE ALONE AND STUCK IN A PARKING LOT IN THE DARK!!! I BELIEVE THE SCENARIOS ARE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT FORD NEEDS TO REMEDY THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WINTER IS SETTING IN AND PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE GOING TO BE GETTING STRANDED IN THEIR FORD FOCUS'. THIS WON'T GET ATTENTION UNTIL SOMEONE DIES! FORD IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! *NM

Mileage: 38,552

Oct 1, 2006

I HAD TAKEN MY GRAND-DAUGHTER TO THE DENTIST AND WHEN WE CAME OUT THE KEY IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. I SPENT THE MOST OF THE MORNING TRYING TO GET IT TO TURN ONE MORE TIME SO THAT I COULD TAKE IT TO FORD TOWN TO GET IT FIXED. I KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPENED BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2004 FORD FOCUS AND HERS HAD JUST LOCKED UP ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE AND SHE NEVER DID GET IT TO TURN OVER, SHE HAD TO HAVE HER CAR TOWED AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER DRILLED OUT, FINALLY WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT TO TURN OVER ONE MORE TIME AND THE MAN AT FORD TOWN TOLD ME TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE NEXT DAY THEY WOULD TRY AND WORK MY CAR IN TO HAVE IT FIXED. I TOOK IT TO FORD TOWN THE NEXT DAY AND THEY FIXED IT AND IT COST ME $184.37. *NM

Sep 20, 2006

IGNITION LOCK-UP. FIRST TIME MAJOR DISASTER WITH INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEALERSHIP COSTING ME $1055.26 JUST BECAUSE THE KEY CYLINDER/KEY WOULD NOT WORK. SECOND TIME IT LOCKED UP, 14 MONTHS LATER, STILL COST ME OVER $500.00 FOR FIX AND NEW KEYS AT DEALERSHIP. *JB

Mileage: 35,600

Sep 19, 2006

IGNITION LOCK, COULD NOT TURN KEY. *JB

Mileage: 69,850

Sep 19, 2006

CAR WON'T START. KEY WILL NOT ENTER IGNITION. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *NM

Sep 13, 2006

MY IGNITION KEY OFTEN STICKS IN THE IGNITION AND CAN NOT BE REMOVED. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT. THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PIECE OF JUNK. IT MAKES THE CARS UNSAFE AS THEY SOMETIMES LOCK THE COLUMN AND SOMETIMES MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO RESTART THE CAR IN UNSAFE LOCATIONS, SUCH AS HIGH CRIME AREAS OR ADJACENT TO INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. IT MAKES THE CARS VULNERABLE TO THEFT. FORD WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT AND IT SEEMS EVERY FOCUS WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AS THEY DO NOT OWN UP TO THEIR DESIGN FAILURES. *JB

Mileage: 38,000

Sep 10, 2006

*THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!* WHEN LEAVING WORK MY CAR WOULD NOT START, THE STARTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND ACCESSORIES WOULD NOT COME ON...I WENT INSIDE FOR 10 MIN TO TRY TO ARRANGE A RIDE HOME...WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE CAR I DECIDED TO TRY ONE LAST TIME AND THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP NO PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING HOME (AT ABOUT 8.30PM LOCAL TIME...FULLY DARK OUTSIDE) AT APPROX. 50 MPH THE CAR DIED INCLUDING MOST ACCESSORIES, MOST NOTABLY, THE HEADLIGHTS. WHEN I TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THIS ALL HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY, I WAS BRAKING AND THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKES BUT NOT FULL BRAKING POWER. I WAS HEADED STRAIGHT AT A LARGE TREE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY CAME TO LIFE AGAIN AND I MANAGED TO JUST MISS IT. I LIMPED THE CAR ABOUT A 1/4 (AT 10 MPH) TO MY BROTHERS APARTMENT AND IT DIED 2X AGAIN ON THE WAY. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT WIGGLING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION INDUCES THE CAR TO DIE. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ON A WIDE SCALE BASIS AND IT CONCERNS ME THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. I WAS VERY LUCKY NOT TO BE INJURED OR KILLED BY THIS PROBLEM AND MANY MANY PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE OF THIS RISK (AS WAS I UNTIL ONLY A FEW DAYS AGO). I HAVE FOUND NO WAY TO GET THE MATTER CORRECTED VIA THE MANUFACTURER AS THE CURRENT REPLACEMENT PART IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL AND IS NOTED FOR SHORT LIFETIME AND FOR FAILING IN THE SAME MANNER. *NM

Mileage: 97,000

Sep 10, 2006

2001 FORD FOCUS, 6 YRS OLD, ONLY 38K MILES. IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO INSERT KEY MORE THAN HALFWAY. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER ($75), WHO REPLACED CYLINDER FOR $350. DEALER REPORTS THEY STILL SEE THIS REPAIR ABOUT ONCE A MONTH ON THE 2000, 2001 MODELS. *JB

Mileage: 38,622

Sep 8, 2006

MY IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING. I GUESS THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NM

Mileage: 70,000

Sep 4, 2006

2001 FORD FOCUS. KEY ( IGNITION SWITCH) FAILED. KEY WON'T TURN . *NM

Aug 29, 2006 Fire

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 - 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHILE PULLING THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DARKENED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL. IT WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS OBSERVED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT A BARREN CAME OUT OF ONE OF THE PULLEYS HOWEVER THAT WOULD NOT CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SCENE OF THE INCIDENT. TWO DAYS LATER THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR OBSERVED A SECURITY VIDEO WHICH IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE SMOKING AND A WINDOW HAD FALLEN.

Mileage: 190,000

Aug 27, 2006

I OWN A FORD FOCUS ZX3 (2001). I SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS EVERYONE ELSE WITH MY CAR. MY IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND I WAS LEFT STRANDED. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE ISSUE, AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT EVERY OTHER FOCUS OWNER HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IS PURCHASING A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER (~$400). FORD NEED TO ADMIT TO A FAULTY PART AND LOW QUALITY OF MATERIALS. PLEASE HELP THIS BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL. THANK YOU. *JB

Mileage: 85,000

Aug 22, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED COMPLETELY, AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE KEY WAS ALSO NOT ABLE TO BE INSERTED ALL THE WAY IN TO THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE STARTED, AND NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DRILLED OUT THE IGNITION CYLINDER, AND REPLACED THE CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER CITED A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 47,849

Aug 21, 2006

MY IGNITION LOCKS UP AND I AM UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES NOW AND EACH TIME I HAVE TO HAVE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED COSTING ME AROUND $400.00 EACH TIME. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AT ABOUT 16,000 MILES AND NOW I HAVE 85,000 MILES ON MY CAR. THERE IS NO SIGN WHEN AND WHERE IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, IT JUST DOES AND THEN IT LEAVES YOU STRANDED AND IN NEED OF A TOW TRUCK, WHICH IS MORE COST TO THE CONSUMER. *JB

Mileage: 16,000

Aug 19, 2006

IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS LOCKED. UNABLE TO PUT KEY ALL THE WAY INTO IGNITION SWITCH. *NM

Aug 18, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE TURNED, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT REMOVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED, AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT.

Mileage: 42,000

Aug 18, 2006

IGNITION CYLINDER FORD FOCUS LX 2001 93,980 MILES LIKE SO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET. INSERT KEY - IGNITION LOCKSUP YOU'RE STRANDED AND HAVE TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. COST FOR REPAIR BY FORD DEALERSHIP $489.20. WHEN WE FIRST STARTED NOTICING IGNITION PROBLEM - WE CALLED FORD TO GET A PRICE ON THE PART AS MY HUSBAND WAS GOING TO REPLACE HIMSELF. WAS TOLD BY PARTS GAL THAT HE COULD NOT PERFORM THIS HIMSELF - IT'S NOT LIKE THE OLD DAYS - THERE ARE NOW SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE WIRING AND INSULATION IT HAS TO BE DONE BY FORD. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE IGNITION WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO CALL TOW TRUCK AND TAKE TO FORD. TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMS US THIS IS COMMON DEFECT WITH ALL 2001-2006 FORD FOCUS AND TEMPOS. BEFORE WE HAD IT TOWED MY HUSBAND THOUGHT MAYBE THE KEY WAS JUST WORN OUT - FORD SAID THE KEY DID LOOK WORN AND THE KEY DID NEED REPLACING BUT IT HAD TO BE DONE SPECIAL BECAUSE KEY CONTAINS A CHIP AND IT TAKES SPECIAL PROGRAMMING - KEY COST $35.00 P/KEY LABOR WOULD COST $50.00 - WE DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE IT TOWED IN CASE THIS WASN'T THE PROBLEM. (DON'T WANT TO BE THROWING AWAY MONEY) NEXT DAY I CONFRONTED FORD MECHANIC ABOUT THIS BEING A KNOWN CYLINDER DEFECT AND ASKED WHY IT WASN'T A RECALL - MECHANIC SAYS HE AGREES IT SHOULD BE A RECALL - BUT INSTEAD IT WAS A TSB TELLING TECHS HOW TO FIX AND TO MY HORROR FIX IT WITH ANOTHER IDENTICAL FAULTY PART. I ASKED IF THERE WAS SPECIAL PRICING SINCE IT WAS FORD'S FAULT. ANSWER NO. ASKED IF NEW KEYS WERE INCLUDED IN PRICE - ANSWER NO. I ASKED IF PROBLEM COULD REAPPEAR. ANSWER YES. IMAGINE IF MY DAUGHTER OR I WERE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE OR ON A ROAD TRIP - WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED OR THE EXPENSE FOR TOWING. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT OUT OF TOWN NOW AND I AM HORRIFIED THAT I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $489.20 FOR A KNOWN DEFECT THAT WILL MORE THAN LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. WHY IS FORD FIXING THE PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER FAULTY PART -RIP OFF SCAM? *NM

Mileage: 93,975

Aug 16, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLES IGNITION SHUTS DOWN AND THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ONE TIME AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE.

Aug 13, 2006

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IN THE LEFT LANE OF A 2 LANE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN I TURNED THE AC ON AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW COMPRESSOR WHICH WOULD COST 1000 DOLLARS..I FOUND A GARAGE THAT WOULD DO IT FOR LESS USING A USED ONE...MY PROBLEM WAS THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVERY TIME I TURNED THE AIR OR THE DEFROSTER ON. I WAS AFRAID I WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT..AND AM STILL AFRAID TODAY WHEN I DRIVE IT FAR..WONDERING IF IT WILL STALL OUT AT HIGH SPEED AGAIN AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY JAMMING AND NOT TURNING AND MY NEWEST PROBLEM IS I STOPPED FOR GAS AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT ALL I GOT WAS A CLICKING SOUND.. *NM

Aug 10, 2006

FROZEN IGNITION LOCK. *NM

Mileage: 59,400

Aug 8, 2006

WHEN TRYING TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE IGNITION LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO ENTER OR WHILE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. BUT AFTER A WHILE, TRYING TO MAKE IT WORK THE IGNITION GIVES IN. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYWHERE BECAUSE THE KEY MAY NOT WORK. BOTH KEYS ARE DOING THE SAME THING. *JB

Aug 4, 2006

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE SWITCH , REPLACED SWITCH ONE TIME, THE NEXT TIME I HAD TO HAVE THE KEYS REPROGRAMMED ONE TIME AND NOW MY POS IS SITTING ACROSS TOWN WILL NOT CRANK BECAUSE THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. IF I SIT IN THE CAR AND BANG AROUND ON THE KEY WHILE IN THE IGNITION FOR 3 OR 4 HOURS I MIGHT ACCIDENTALLY GET THE CAR TO CRANK. NOW ONCE THE VEHICLE ( I DON'T KNOW WHY I CALL IT A VEHICLE ITS MORE LIKE NIGHTMARE ) DOES GET STARTED UP AND AS LONG AS I LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH IT WILL RE-START. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR 4 YEARS. *NM

Aug 3, 2006

WENT OUT TO START CAR PARKED IN GARAGE AND IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE HE REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BUT THEY HAVE TOLD ME THEY ONLY REPLACE THESE TYPES OF PARTS ONCE UNDER RECALLS? *JB

Mileage: 113,960

Jul 22, 2006

INSERTED KEY IN IGNITION AND KEY REFUSES TO TURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *NM

Mileage: 45,000

Jul 19, 2006

WHEN WE PULLED UP AT THE STORE THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE; HOWEVER, WHEN WE TRIED TO LEAVE THE STORE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND WE COULD NOT START THE CAR. WE TRIED MANY DIFFERENT THINGS (AS IT SAYS IN THE MANUAL) INCLUDING THE MANUAL OVERRIDE ON THE BASE NEXT TO THE GEAR SHIFT AND CHECKING FOR BLOWN FUSES. WE ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO OUR HOME WHERE A LOCKSMITH CAME OUT AND REPLACED THE CYLINDER IN THE IGNITION. HE ALSO HAD TO RECODE THE KEYS SO THAT THEY WOULD WORK IN THE IGNITION. THE WORST PART WAS THAT WE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN (NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO PRIOR PROBLEMS, ETC.) AND WE WERE STUCK OUT IN 98 DEGREE HEAT WITH OUR 2 SMALL CHILDREN!! *NM

Jul 19, 2006

IGNITION DIDN'T TURN, THE ONLY WAY TO TURN KEY WAS TO BANG AGAINST KEY WITH SCREW DRIVER, PROBLEM GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, SO EVENTUALLY I HAD TO GET IT REPAIRED. MANY FORD FOCUS FORUMS STATE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM UPON MANY FOCUS'! *NM

Mileage: 85,000

Jul 11, 2006

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN RESPONSE TO HELP ANOTHER PERSON IN ELECTRICAL COMPLAINTS. THE FLICKER YOU HAVE WITH YOUR 2001 FOCUS IS SUPPOSEDLY A GROUND ISSUE TO THE CHASSIS. IT APPEARS TO HAVE FIXED MY PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENTS AND HEADLIGHTS AND ANYTHING ELECTRICAL FLICKERING SPORADICALLY. THE FIX IS PRETTY CHEAP UNDER 20 BUCKS AND YOU COULD DO IT YOURSELF IF YOU ARE SOMEWHAT MECHANICAL. AS FOR MY COMPLAINT. FOR A CAR TO BE IN THE TOP 10 FOR A FEW YEARS AND A GREAT ECONOMY CAR THIS IS NOT THE CAR WITH AN ANSWER. I HAVE SUCH REPLACED 2 ALTERNATORS UNDER WARRANTY, 3 BATTERIES BEFORE I FIXED MY GROUND PROBLEM. REPLACED PVC VALVE 2 TIMES, RADIATOR, TRUNK RELEASE ACTUATOR, NUMEROUS HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS, RADIATOR AND HOSES THAT WERE BUSTED FROM OVERHEATING, COUPLE OF BELTS, DRIVER DOOR LOCK, SOMETHING WITH THE GAS TANK I THINK TO BE A FUEL PUMP. ALL OF THIS WITH 30K ON THE CAR. SINCE THEN I HAVE ONLY REPLACED TIRES AND RIMS ON THE CAR AT 130K I DECIDED TO REPLACE ANY PART AFTER WARRANTY WITH AFTERMARKET GEAR. SO NOW THE CAR HAS A COLD AIR INTAKE, SVT ENGINE, AEM ON BOARD COMPUTER TO ADJUST WITH LAPTOP, NITROUS, AFTERMARKET HELLA LIGHTS, NEW PAINT JOB, NEW DASH INDIGLO LIGHTS, NEW STEREO SPEAKERS, INTERIOR. SO AFTER ALL THIS I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE JUST BOUGHT A LEXUS AND CALLED IT A DAY. THE CAR NOW RUNS GREAT AND HAS NOT HAD A SINGLE PART FAILURE SINCE. *NM

Jul 6, 2006

THE IGNITION CYLINDER IS A KNOWN FAILURE IN THE 2000-01 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART. THE STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION LOCK UP AND THE VEHICLE IS USELESS. THE WORN KEYS SEEM TO WORSEN THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A 12-18 MONTH LIFE SPAN ON THE PART AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. IF YOU WOULD GO TO AUTOMOTIVE TALKNET.COM AND CHOOSE THE TOPIC IGNITION CYLINDER ON THE FORD FOCUS YOU WILL SEE HOW MUCH OF A RECALL THIS SHOULD BE AND HOW WE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL THE MONEY WE HAVE SPENT. *NM

Mileage: 71,500

Jun 30, 2006

PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH - MULTIPLE TIMES - FINALLY HAD LOCKSMITH CHANGE THE IGNITION. *NM

Jun 28, 2006

FORD FOCUS 2001 IGNITION SWITCH JAMMED. DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO BE STARTED. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS AND THE LOCAL FORD DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND IT WILL COST $450 FOR THE DEALER TO FIX THIS VERY OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *NM

Jun 19, 2006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE SHORTING OUT. INTERIOR LAMPS FLASH AND FLICKER. SIDE MIRRORS WORK SPORADICALLY. HEADLAMPS FLASH AND FLICKER ON OCCASION. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS. *NM

Mileage: 56,600

Jun 14, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THREE YEARS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE IGNITION SWITCH IS BEING REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP.

Mileage: 90,000

Jun 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE IGNITION LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING AND IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

Mileage: 59,000

Jun 1, 2006

THE REAR WIPER IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 STOPPED WORKING. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT 5 WIRES IN THE WIRING HARNESS GOING INTO THE HATCH LID HAD CRACKED INSULATION AND EXPOSED CONDUCTORS. ONE WIRE WAS COMPLETELY SEVERED. I HAVE USED ELECTRICAL TAPE TO TEMPORARILY RENDER THE SITUATION SAFE UNTIL I CAN MAKE A MORE PERMANENT REPAIR. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAN MANY OTHER 2001 FOCUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE EXPOSED CONDUCTOR CONSTITUTE A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

May 8, 2006

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS WAGON DROVE FINE ON SATURDAY NIGHT, BUT ON SUNDAY MORNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD GONE HAYWIRE. WHEN I TURNED ON THE IGNITION, NO SOUND CAME FROM THE IGNITION, BUT THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLICKERED ON AN OFF, I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND, THE "DOOR OPEN" BELL CAME ON, AND I SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE. THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY CABLES, AND THE STARTER. THIS SOUNDED A LOT LIKE THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V288000, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. *NM

May 5, 2006

SECOND TIME IGNITION CYLINDER IN 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS LOCKED UP. FIRST LEFT ME STRANDED AND HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED IN. TODAY, IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP AGAIN. DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW IF THEY WILL PAY FOR IT, BUT THEY'D BETTER. HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF POST ABOUT THIS PROBLEM--WHY ISN'T FORD ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM???*JB

Mileage: 30,000

Apr 21, 2006

KEY WILL NOT GO BACK INTO THE IGNITION CYLINDER. *JB

Mileage: 45,000

Apr 13, 2006

2001 FORD FOCUS WAGON SE: [XXX] INTERMITTENT PROBLEM: REAR HATCH OPENS WHEN CAR IS STARTED. REAR HATCH CANNOT BE CLOSED WHEN CAR IS RUNNING. WHEN I JIGGLE THE WIRING HARNESS AT THE TOP OF THE HATCH, I HEAR CRACKLING NOISES. EVENTUALLY, AFTER JIGGLING THE HARNESS, I CAN GET THE PROBLEM TO GO AWAY. I ALSO HAD THE FUSE BLOW FOR THE REAR LIGHTS A WHILE BACK, BUT REPLACED IT WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS, THINKING NOTHING OF IT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 00V411000 ADDRESSES A PROBLEM WITH THE DECK LID WIRING HARNESS SHORTING OUT WHERE IT BENDS, AND DEVELOPING BROKEN WIRES. LOSS OF TAIL LAMPS IS ONE OF THE CONSEQUENCES. I BELIEVE THE HATCH OPENING IS A RELATED PROBLEM TOO, ALTHOUGH THE RECALL DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTION IT. THIS RECALL IS FOR YEAR 2000 FOCUS WAGONS. MINE IS A 2001, BUT ITS MANUFACTURE DATE IS 2000. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME, SAYING THAT THE VIN IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. MEANWHILE, I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE. YOU WOULD THINK THAT FORD WOULD TREAT CUSTOMERS BETTER, RATHER THAN JUST SAYING THEY DO ON THEIR COMMERCIALS. I HAVE NEVER HAD THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE SAY "YES" TO ANY OF MY ISSUES. THEY JUST RECORD THE COMPLAINT AND HAPPILY ASK IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE THEY CAN "DO" FOR ME. THEY ALSO SAY THAT EVEN IF THE CAR WERE COVERED, ITS MILEAGE IS TOO HIGH. IS THERE A MILEAGE LIMIT ON THIS RECALL? I DIDN'T SEE IT. PLEASE SEE IF YOU CAN GET THESE SLIGHTLY-LATER-MANUFACTURED FOCUS WAGONS ADDED TO THE RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOU HELP! *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 85,000

Apr 11, 2006

IGNITION KEY DIFFICULT TO INSERT THEN IGNITION MECHANISM AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. *JB

Mileage: 63,000

Mar 17, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER DETERMINED THE WIRE JACKETS ON THE WIRE HARNESS AT THE DECK LID, WORE AWAY AND RESULTED IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. IN ADDITION, THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT BRACKET WITHIN THE DECK LID ALSO SHORTED OUT, DUE TO THE WIRES BEING BURNED. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 00V411000 REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/WIRING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 117,000

Mar 16, 2006

WHEN I TRIED TO START MY FORD FOCUS 2001 ZX3 CAR AFTER LEAVING THE POST OFFICE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I EVENTUALLY FOUND A LOCKSMITH WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK KEY CYLINDER AT A COST TO ME OF $189.00. WHEN I CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. THEY HAD NO RECORD OF RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME RESPONSE FROM FORD. I FEEL THAT AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE OPENED INTO THIS WITH ACTION ALONG THE LINES OF CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES TO US. THIS IS AND HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS CARS. EVEN THE LOCKSMITH WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. FORD'S RESPONSE IS NO RESPONSE AND NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ONE. THANK YOU. *NM

Mileage: 36,500

Mar 3, 2006 Fire

WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 FORD FOCUS THE BATTERY CAUGHT ON FIRE. LUCKILY, HE PULLED OVER AND SOMEONE STOPPED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FOR FAULTY BATTERY CABLES. THESE WERE ALREADY REPLACED BY BELL FORD IN PHOENIX. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED AND IS STILL WAITING REPAIRS. *JB

Mar 3, 2006

AT FIRST, KEY WOULD GO INTO IGNITION ALL THE WAY, BUT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. WOULD HAVE TO TAKE KEY OUT, PUT BACK IN, ETC UNTIL FINALLY IT WOULD TURN. TODAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED, EXCEPT THEN IT WOULDN'T GO IN AT ALL. IT TOOK 10 MINUTES OF JIGGLING IT AROUND FOR IT TO GO IN; NOW, TO GET THE KEY IN I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND MESS AROUND WITH IT UNTIL IT GOES IN. TALKED TO MECHANIC AND FORD DEALERSHIP - MUST REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS AN OVERLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS AND THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. *JB

Mileage: 132,400

Feb 27, 2006

WE BOUGHT OUR DAUGHTER A 2001 FORD FOCUS. ALL THE REVIEWS STATED THAT THE CAR WAS A GOOD, ECONOMICAL, SAFE CAR. WE PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN 2004. SINCE THE PURCHASE HER STEERING AND IGNITION SYSTEM HAS LOCKED UP ON HER TWICE. AFTER READING MANY SITES IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS. THIS IS AN ECONOMICAL CAR THAT MANY PARENTS ARE RELYING ON TO GET THEIR COLLEGE AGED CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL ALL FORD FOCUSES SO THEY CAN ALL HAVE NEW IGNITIONS INSTALLED. THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN IS MOST IMPORTANT HERE. PARENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONTINUALLY WORRY THAT THEIR 22 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER MAY BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE WITHOUT HELP DUE TO FORDS LAZY ATTITUDE. PLEASE RECALL THESE CARS THAT SO THAT PARENTS CAN HAVE PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THEIR CHILDREN ARE SAFE.*NM

Mileage: 76,000

Feb 23, 2006

IGNITION NOT TURNING ON 2001 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE READ A MESSAGE BOARD THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING A LOT WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, BRAKES HAVE BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD BUYER BUT AM CONSIDERING CHANGING TO A DIFFERENT MAKE. *NM

Feb 14, 2006

IGNITION CYLINDER ISSUE. 2ND OCCURRENCE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND WHEEL IS LOCKED. WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON YEAR 2000 AND UP FORD FOCUS. NOT COVER BY THE B.S. EXTENDED WARRANTY. STILL NO RECALL. *JB

Feb 14, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THIS OCCURRED A SECOND TIME 30,000 MILES LATER AND THE SAME COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.

Mileage: 52,530

Feb 13, 2006

2001 FORD FOCUS. KEY HAS BEEN HARD TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SINCE I BOUGHT IT. NOW I CAN'T TURN IT AND THE CAR HAS TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE WRECKER DRIVER AND THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE WRECKER DRIVER TOLD ME THAT THEY TOW IN APPROX. 10 FOCUS' A WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

Feb 11, 2006

MY MOTHERS 2001 FORD FOCUS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH IT LOCKING UP. AFTER CHECKING THE WEB I FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD FOCUS BUT FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK SO. I NOW HAD TO BUY THE PART AND FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO INSTALL BECAUSE IT WOULD BE 3 WEEKS BEFORE THEY COULD FIT ME IN AT A PRICE TAG I WAS TOLD OF $550.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED WHICH IS A RIP OFF ESPECIALLY IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO A NUMBER OF OTHER OWNERS OF FORD FOCUS'. IT SEEMS TO ME FORD DOESN'T WANT TO OWN UP TO THE DEFECT SINCE IT'S NOT A SAFETY CONCERN TO THEM. *JB

Feb 8, 2006

2001 FORD FOCUS. INSERT KEY BUT IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL!*JB

Mileage: 60,000

Jan 27, 2006

BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT LESS THAN 24,000 MILES; CONTINUES GRINDING AND SQUEAKING CONTINUE EVEN FOLLOWING BRAKE REPLACEMENT AND TURNING OF ROTORS; AT HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES TWO TIMES, WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON EACH SET OF TIRES; IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED - I COULD GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT ROTATE; NOW AT ONLY 41,000 MILES, THE ENGINE ATTEMPTS TO STALL IN IDLE - THE WHOLE CAR SHUDDERS - AND HAS STALLED TWICE WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THIS PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF, BUT FOR MY TWO CHILDREN AND OTHERS ON THE ROADWAY. IN REVIEWING THIS SITE, I AM OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE SAME PROBLEMS. WHY DOESN'T THE NHTSA ISSUE RECALLS ON FORD FOCUS FOR THESE AND OTHER PROBLEMS? FORD SHOULD RECALL THE WHOLE LINE AND ISSUE REFUNDS TO CUSTOMERS OR CANCEL THEIR REMAINING LOAN PAYMENTS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN, WHO CANNOT AFFORD COSTLY REPAIRS. THE ATTITUDE OF THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IS AWFUL, AND THEY HAVE TREATED ME BADLY EVERY TIME I HAVE GONE IN THERE, SO THAT I DON'T EVEN WANT TO TAKE THE CAR IN WITH THIS LATEST PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 41,000

Jan 20, 2006

IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK UP- I DO NOT KNOW WHAT LED TO THE LOCK UP. A FEW DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED MY EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN WENT OUT A FEW DAYS LATER. I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK UP... PLEASE RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB

Jan 10, 2006

WENT SO SEARS AUTO CENTER AT 9570 SOUTH WEST FREEWAY HOUSTON TEXAS 77074. FOR A TIRE CHANGE THEY CHARGE 156.00 AND ALSO TOLD ME THAT MY CAR ROTORS WERE BROKEN AND NEED SHOE/PAD TO BE REPLACED. AND CAR NOT TO BE DRIVEN. TOTAL AMOUNT 571.00. CALLED NEXT MORNING TO CANCEL WORK BECAUSE I DECIDED TO TAKE TO DEALER FORD. BUT THAT TIME CAR WASN'T FIXED YET CAUSE THEY TOLD ME TO PAY FIRST BUT I DIDN'T HAVE A CREDIT CARD WITH ME THAT NIGHT SO I LEFT IT THERE AND TOOK BUS. THEY CHARGE 271. NEXT MORNING FOR SOME SHOE/PAD WHICH I TOOK MY CAR THE THE REGULAR MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SEARS DID NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ON MY CAR. SO I PAY THAT MANY MY CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED. I HAVE TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER WAY TO MOVE. SO PLEASE HELP ME TO TO GET MY MONEY BACK OR TO GET MY CAR FIXED. *JB

Dec 27, 2005

I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW AND ONLY HAVE ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON IT (I LIVE IN THE CITY AND I DON'T DRIVE THAT MUCH). OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS, THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2001 FOCUS IS STARTING TO FAIL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND AFTER READING ALL THE PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET AM WONDERING WHY NO ONE HAS FILED A LAWSUIT OR WHY FORD ISN'T ISSUING A RECALL. I'M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO SHELLING OUT $300+ TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. I GOT THE SPARE KEY IN THE IGNITION, SO I JUST LEAVE IT IN ALL THE TIME AND LOCK THE DOORS, AND I TRY TO DRIVE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. I GUESS I'LL BE USING MY TAX RETURN TO FIX FORD'S PROBLEM IT'S TOO BAD, MY FAMILY & I HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL FORD CUSTOMERS FOR SEVERAL GENERATIONS, BUT I'LL PROBABLY BUY HONDA NEXT TIME OUT. *JB

Dec 18, 2005

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKING UP. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED, HOWEVER, IT IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH A LITTLE COAXING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $300 AND THAT HE HAS AT LEAST 2 OF THE SAME CAR COME IN A WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOLD HIM THANK YOU AND WENT HOME AND CALLED FORD, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT I WOULD NEED TO GET IT CORRECTED ON MY OWN. I AM NOT SURE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT DATE. *JB

Mileage: 57,000

Dec 15, 2005

I HAVE OWNED A 2001 FORD FOCUS FOR THE PAST 4 PLUS YEARS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND TODAY THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY BROKE. I LOOKED THIS UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. FOR A FACT THE PARTS PERSON AT BAYTOWN FORD EVEN STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON THE FOCUS AND THAT THE NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN FIXED. IT WILL COST BETWEEN 300 AND 600 DOLLARS TO GET THIS FIXED. I BROUGHT THIS CAR FOR THE SECURITY AND SAFETY IT OFFERED NOW BECAUSE FORD USED BAD PARTS I AM HAVING TO SUFFER. *JB

Mileage: 27,500

Dec 12, 2005

FORD FOCUS IGNITION WON'T TURN. *NM

Dec 6, 2005

IGNITION KEY HAS BEEN LOCKING THE STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD NOT TURN TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

Nov 18, 2005

KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION SWITCH; DEALER HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE THE TUMBLERS WERE WORN OUT; THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YRS OLD AND HAS 39K MILES! DEALER REFUSED TO COVER CHARGES. *JB

Mileage: 39,700

Nov 17, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION LOCKED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *AK

Mileage: 100,000

Nov 15, 2005

THE IGNITION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS BROKE. I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK IT UP. UPON RESEARCHING THIS FURTHER, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHAT'S THE DEAL?!? *NM

Mileage: 95,000

Nov 10, 2005

THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WHICH CAUSED MY DAUGHTER TO ABANDON HER CAR IN AN UNAUTHORIZED PARKING LOT AT HER UNIVERSITY CAMPUS FOR WHICH SHE WAS TICKETED. WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR, A 2001 FORD FOCUS, TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INVESTIGATION, WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER, THIS ISSUE IS RAMPANT WITH THIS CAR. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THEREFORE THE CAR IS STUCK IN PARK AND INOPERABLE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY MAY BE ISSUING A RECALL AND THAT WE SHOULD KEEP OUR ORIGINAL RECEIPT. THIS ALONE TELLS ME THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FAILURE IN ENGINEERING DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING. *JB

Nov 10, 2005

WE HAVE READ SEVERAL ARTICLES CONCERNING THE FORD FOCUS 2000 AND AN APPARENT DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF DISGRUNTLED FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE INCONVENIENCE ASSOCIATED WITH IN SOME CASES MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH OFTEN TIMES LEFT THEM STRANDED AND FACING LARGE TOWING AND REPAIR CHARGES. SINCE A FAMILY MEMBER HAD RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET, SPOKE WITH SEVERAL DEALERS AND LOCKSMITHS WHICH LED ME TO CONCLUDE THAT THE FAILED CYLINDERS RESULTED FROM A SUBSTANDARD MANUFACTURED CYLINDER WHICH RAPIDLY DETERIORATES WITH USE AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURES AND JAMS. FORD IS WELL AWARE THAT THESE FRAGILE CYLINDERS ARE MADE OF SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS AND ARE BREAKING AND JAMMING AT AN ALARMING RATE. *JB

Mileage: 80,000

Nov 8, 2005

THE IGNITION ON THE FORD FOCUS 2001 LX KEEPS "STICKING". THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. THE IGNITION WILL NOT MOVE GIVING THE APPEARANCE OF THE STEERING WHEEL BEING LOCKED BUT THE STEERING WHEEL STILL MOVES, ITS THE IGNITION THAT WON'T ELIMINATE IT BEING LOCKING PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED TWICE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO THIS PROBLEM.*JB

Mileage: 76,000

Nov 2, 2005

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. ON OCTOBER 31, 2005, I NOTICED THAT MY CAR KEY WOULD NOT FIT INTO MY IGNITION ALL THE WAY AND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN. MY STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO LOCKED IN PLACE. THERE WERE NO PRECEDING SYMPTOMS TO WARN ME OF THIS FAILURE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD COMPANY, WHICH EXPECTS ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND TOWING. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH FOCUS OWNERS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE, ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS, IF YOU CAN. IT IS A SERIOUS INCONVENIENCE, TIME WISE AND FINANCIALLY. *JB

Mileage: 59,000

Oct 31, 2005

THE IGNITION IS LOCKED UP IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOR POSSIBLE REMEDIES, I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCHES ON MY MODEL CAR DATING BACK FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THE STANDARD RATE FOR THESE REPAIRS SEEMS TO BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $350 WHICH TO SOMEONE DRIVING A LOW COST VEHICLE LIKE THE FOCUS IS A LOT OF MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS ADMITTED PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL AND INSTEAD IS CREATING A BOON INDUSTRY FOR THE DEALERS HAVING TO REPLACE THESE PARTS? HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE TO GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS? I HAVE OWNED FORD CARS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I CANNOT SEE A REASON TO CONTINUE TO BUY THEM IF THIS IS THE TYPE OF PRODUCT AND SUPPORT THEY ARE GOING TO START TO PRODUCE. *NM

Mileage: 52,000

Oct 31, 2005

POORLY DESIGNED IGNITION CYLINDERS. THIS CAUSES THE TUMBLERS TO FAIL RESULTING IN A LOCK-UP OF THE IGNITION. THE OWNER CANNOT TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND AS A RESULT, HAS TO BE TOWED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDERS IN THE 2000 AND 2001 FOCUS WERE THE EUROPEAN DESIGN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY CYLINDER TWICE. ONCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THE SECOND TIME IT WAS NOT AND I HAD TO PAY $200. THERE ARE OTHER FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. SEE THE WEBSITES BELOW. HTTP://WWW.AUTOWHIZ.COM/MESSAGEBOARDS/MESSAGE.PHP?ID=1784 HTTP://CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_IGNITION.HTML HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EEA6DD2/286 AMONG MANY OTHERS I WAS TOLD THAT THEY PUT AN ENGINEER IN THE POSITION TO SPECIFICALLY RE-DESIGN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. SO WHILE FORD CONTINUALLY CLAIMS TO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, IT IS APPARENT THAT THEY DID. WHILE THERE WERE NO DEATHS NOR INJURIES, IT IS NOT UP TO THE PEOPLE TO PAY FOR FORD'S POOR QUALITY. *NM

Mileage: 35,000

Oct 22, 2005

KEY STARTED GETTING HARD TO INSERT INTO IGNITION SWITCH. KEY WOULDN'T TURN OVER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, BUT ALWAYS MANAGED TO WIGGLE IT TO GET IT STARTED. IT FINALLY FAILED COMPLETELY RESULTING IN A MISSED DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT FOR MY 69 YEAR OLD MOTHER. MATTHEWS FORD IN ASHEVILLE, NC SAYS THAT THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND THEY REPLACE THEM ALL THE TIME. WILL COST AT LEAST $250 TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AND MORE FOR A TOW. *JB

Mileage: 149,148

Oct 18, 2005

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS' IGNITION CYLINDER STRIPPED AND BROKE. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FOCUS'. I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS BE MADE. *NM

Oct 14, 2005

IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER IN 2001 FORD FOCUS IS COMPLETELY FROZEN. THE CAR IS UNABLE TO BE STARTED WITH ANY KEYS. THIS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED. I HAVE NOTED MANY INSTANCES, VIA RESEARCH, OF THIS HAPPENING WITH FOCUS', AND AM DEEPLY DISTURBED THAT FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. *NM

Mileage: 60,000

Oct 14, 2005

2001 FORD FOCUS STUCK IGNITION. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET I FIND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS AND SOME PEOPLE IT HAPPEDED TO SEVERAL TIMES. MY COMPLAINT - WHY HASN'T FORD BEEN FORCED TO RECAL AND FIX THE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE 2000-2001 FOCUS ( THEY FIXED PROBLEM FOR LATER YEARS).

Oct 12, 2005 Crash

DT CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE BATTERY CABLES AND THE RECALL REPAIRS WAS DONE ON MAY 21, 2003, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED AND IT CAUSED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO REAR END CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 12, 2005. CONSUMER STATED THAT HER HUSBAND CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND THE BATTERY CABLES BURNED OUT AND MELTED AGAIN, AND THAT IS THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS STATED IN THE RECALL. CONTACTED FORD, THEY SAID TO BRING VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION, BUT THAN LIKELY IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE. *AK

Mileage: 70,000

Oct 5, 2005

CONSUMER IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN. *TX THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP AND EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE TO BE RE-CODED. *JB

Mileage: 20,585

Sep 20, 2005

LAST 2 YEARS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS PUTTING KEY IN IGNITION AND TURNING IT. I HAVE HAD TO JIGGLE IT AND PUSH IT IN. I GOT STRANDED AT WORK BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT GO IN THE IGNITION AND TURN. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IGNITION CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING ME $392.00 FOR THE PART!!!!!! THEY SAID THAT MY STEERING COLUMN COULD POSSIBLY BREAK DURING INSTALLATION! *JB

Sep 20, 2005

THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO START. THE SWITCH (XS4Z-11582-AC CVR ASY AUX FL) HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, ONCE AT 41,407 MILES AND AGAIN AT 57,834 MILES. THE DEALER AND AAA PROVIDED A TEMPORARY REMEDY TO THE STRANDED DRIVER, WHICH IS "WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, HIT IT HARD WITH A HAMMER TO ENGAGE THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY." AAA KEEPS SPARE FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCHES IN ITS EMERGENCY SERVICE SUPPORT TRUCKS. *JB

Mileage: 41,407

Sep 16, 2005

DT:THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS LX. THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP , AND WHEN THE CONTACT GOT THE BILL IT WAS $500, INCLUDING TOWING. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED TWICE IN NOVEMBER 2003. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND AGAIN ON AUGUST 8, 2005 IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE REPAIR INVOICE FOR AUGUST 8, 2005 STATED DIAGNOSTIC KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION, NECESSARY TO REMOVE STEERING BEZELS, REMOVE IGNITION SWITC TO DRILL LOCK CYLINDER, REMOVE GUTS AND HOUSING. ALSO, IT WAS NECESSARY TO CODE NEW LOCK CYLINDER AND INSTALL IT. THIS COST $257.00. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS TTHE DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER. THE COST $103.66 AND THE TOWING WAS $85.00 . THE SECOND TIME ALL THIS WAS OUT OF POCKET, BUT THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED $195, 50% OF THE PARTS AND LABOR. *NM

Mileage: 47,000

Sep 8, 2005

DT: THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. THE DASH PANEL LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT COME ON WHEN HEADLAMPS ARE ON. THE TURN SIGNALS WORK, AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS DO WORK WHEN BRAKE PRESSURE IS APPLIED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED A FUSE SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT CONTINUED TO BLOW OUT, INDICATING A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. BETWEEN THE HATCH AND THE BODY THERE IS WIRING HARNESS, AND INSPECTION OF THAT WIRING HARNESS DISCOVERED THAT THE SHIELDING OF THE WIRING SEPARATED OR CRACKED, INDICATING THE WIRES ARE STRESSED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A PROBLEM INDICATED ON A RECALL FOR PRIOR MODEL YEARS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, WHO SAID THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER AT THIS TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS MADE OTHER THAN THE ELECTRICAL TAPE THAT WAS PLACED ON THE EXPOSED WIRES BY THE CONSUMER. *AK

Mileage: 78,000

Sep 8, 2005

DT: THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. THE DASH PANEL LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT COME ON WHEN HEADLAMPS ARE ON. THE TURN SIGNALS WORK, AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS DO WORK WHEN BRAKE PRESSURE IS APPLIED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED A FUSE SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT CONTINUED TO BLOW OUT, INDICATING A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. BETWEEN THE HATCH AND THE BODY THERE IS WIRING HARNESS, AND INSPECTION OF THAT WIRING HARNESS DISCOVERED THAT THE SHIELDING OF THE WIRING SEPARATED OR CRACKED, INDICATING THE WIRES ARE STRESSED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A PROBLEM INDICATED ON A RECALL FOR PRIOR MODEL YEARS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, WHO SAID THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER AT THIS TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS MADE OTHER THAN THE ELECTRICAL TAPE THAT WAS PLACED ON THE EXPOSED WIRES BY THE CONSUMER. *AK

Mileage: 78,000

Sep 8, 2005

DT: THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. THE DASH PANEL LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT COME ON WHEN HEADLAMPS ARE ON. THE TURN SIGNALS WORK, AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS DO WORK WHEN BRAKE PRESSURE IS APPLIED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED A FUSE SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT CONTINUED TO BLOW OUT, INDICATING A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. BETWEEN THE HATCH AND THE BODY THERE IS WIRING HARNESS, AND INSPECTION OF THAT WIRING HARNESS DISCOVERED THAT THE SHIELDING OF THE WIRING SEPARATED OR CRACKED, INDICATING THE WIRES ARE STRESSED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A PROBLEM INDICATED ON A RECALL FOR PRIOR MODEL YEARS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, WHO SAID THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER AT THIS TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS MADE OTHER THAN THE ELECTRICAL TAPE THAT WAS PLACED ON THE EXPOSED WIRES BY THE CONSUMER. *AK

Mileage: 78,000

Sep 8, 2005

THE IGNITION LOCKS UP DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CYLINDER. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS AND I WAS QUITE SURPRISED BY THIS. I LOOKED ON THE WEB AND IT LOOKS LIKE AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM THAT EVEN THE SERVICE AT FORD ADMITTED TO. I WAS PARTICULARLY SURPRISED WHEN THEY SAID FORD HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED 2 AND 3 TIMES IN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL SUFFER THE SAME FATE. I WOULD LIKE IT IF I DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING FORD KNOWS IS DEFECTIVE AND STILL MAKES THE CUSTOMER PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND MULTIPLE TIMES AS WELL. *NM

Mileage: 29,500

Sep 7, 2005

DT: THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED AND WILL NOT MOVE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING OFF AND ON SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED ON 12-23-04. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY DID NOTHING TO CHANGE THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR

Mileage: 58,500

Sep 6, 2005

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS 2001 AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION TUMBLER FOR A SECOND TIME IN ONE WEEK NOW. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND IT WOULD NOT GET UNLOCKED BY THE IGNITION KEY. THE WHOLE PART WAS REPLACED IN THE SERVICE SHOP A WEEK AGO AND YESTERDAY I HAD TO BRING IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE THE OLD PART IN MY TRUNK AND THEY WILL HAVE ANOTHER ONE ORDERED TODAY. *JB

Aug 29, 2005

THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT START. I TRIED TO JIGGLE THE WHEEL, BUT CAR REFUSED TO START. *JB

Aug 26, 2005

DT. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE, SURGE AND LOSE POWER AND THEN SHUT OFF. AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR AWHILE THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO PASS 60- 70 MPH, WHEN THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THIS, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. *JB

Mileage: 95,000

Aug 26, 2005

DT: THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN WITH THE KEY IN. CALLER SAID IT WAS STICKING BUT TO IT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. UP UNTIL HOWEVER, SHE COULD FORCE IT AND IT WOULD WORK, THIS TIME SHE COULD NOT GET THE KEY TO TURN. SHE HAD THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH. IT STARTED WITHOUT WARNING AND KEPT GETTING WORSE UNTIL 08/26/2005. WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT TURN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK

Mileage: 77,000

Aug 19, 2005

VEHICLE HESITATED UPON STARTING. CONSUMER REPLACED THE BATTERY. BUT, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. FINALLY, DEALER STATED THAT FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL 03V482000 DUE TO VIN. *AK *TT

Mileage: 34,000

Aug 19, 2005

YET ANOTHER FORD FOCUS OWNER WHO HAD THE IGNITION COMPLETELY LOCK-UP. THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER TURN, RENDERING THE CAR DEAD, AND IN NEED OF TOWING TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A REPLACEMENT IGNITION.

Mileage: 25,000

Aug 9, 2005

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN. *NM

Aug 9, 2005

I BOUGHT MY 2001 FORD FOCUS 4 MONTHS AGO AND I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER BECAUSE THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. AFTER RESEARCH, I AM SEEING THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY CAR. MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS COMPONENT 3 OR 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. I DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUOUSLY HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEPENDABLE. *NM

Jul 31, 2005

2001 FORD FOCUS SEDAN, 21,000 MILES. IGNITION SWITCH COMPLETELY FAILED AROUND 1.5 YEARS AGO AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW HAS COMPLETELY FAILED AGAIN AND WILL REQUIRE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. DANGEROUS!!! THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S CAR, PURCHASED NEW TO PROVIDE HER SAFE TRANSPORTATION, AND CANNOT COUNT ON IT EVEN TO START RELIABLY FOR HER. *NM

Mileage: 21,000

Jul 29, 2005

I WENT OUT TO MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND TRIED TO START IT UP AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN. THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT UNLOCK. IN CALLING PEFFLEY FORD DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD COST OVER THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS FOR YEARS AND NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM, BUT ON LOOKING ON THE INTERNET IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND MOST FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUSES. COULD YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND TELL ME IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM? THANK-YOU SO VERY MUCH! *NM

Mileage: 77,332

Jul 28, 2005

I HAVE HAD MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 FOR ABOUT 3 AND HALF YEARS. RECENTLY, THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS ALREADY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IGNITION CYLINDERS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST FOR A LONG TIME. THE REASON WHY I BOUGHT THIS CAR WAS BECAUSE IT WAS DEPENDABLE. IF PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ARE OCCURRING WHEN AM I GOING TO EXPECT NEXT. *NM

Mileage: 43,950

Jul 22, 2005

THE IGNITION HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. I WOULD NORMALLY JUST REPLACE IT AND MOVE ON BUT WHEN SEARCHING FOR A NEW PART ON THE INTERNET I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING. IN ALL CASES PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY FORD AND THEY CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT. I AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR ONE IT IS FIXED IN CASE I ENCOUNTER MORE PROBLEMS.

Mileage: 85,000

Jul 21, 2005

2001 FORD FOCUS, IGNITION AND STERRING WHEEL LOCK UP

Mileage: 61,000

Jul 18, 2005

TWO NIGHTS AGO, AT A PARKING GARAGE IN A LOCAL MALL, WHEN TRYING TO LEAVE, I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. I COULD INSERT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY KEY WAS WORN DOWN A BIT, SO I FIGURED MAYBE THE KEY WAS NOT "CLICKING" PROPERLY WITH THE IGNITION. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MY APARTMENT BUILDING AND ATTEMPTED TO USE MY SPARE KEY TO SEE IF THE KEY MADE A DIFFERENCE. IT DID NOT. THE NEXT DAY I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DELEARSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION CYCLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND MY KEYS NEEDED TO BE RECODED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER ANY OF THIS. SO I PAID $650 TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE. ADDITIONALLY, I WAS TOLD THAT TWO RECALLS NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED AT NO COST TO ME. BOTH WERE ADDRESSED, HOWEVER, THEY CHARGED ME $36.08 FOR "MECHANICAL LABOR." I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR ANY WORK DONE ON RECALLS. THIS EVENING I LOGGED ONTO A WEBSITE CALLED "AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET." I WAS AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. SOME OF THE POSTINGS DATED BACK TO 2003. I DON'T SEE HOW A PROBLEM LIKE THIS IS CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, OR WHY THE OWNER (ME) WOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF THESE OUTRAGEOUS SERVICE CHARGES.

Jul 15, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER DROVE TO AUSTIN TEXAS, WHEN SHE ENTERED THE VEHICLE THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE CONSUMER'S HOUSE DUE TO THE DEALER BEING CLOSED. THE CONSUMER HEARD OF A RECALL ON FORD FOCUS ZX3, WHICH WAS HAVING WHAT CONSUMER BELIEVED TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD WHO SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ONE WEEK AFTER HE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ERG VALVE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A FALSE READING. THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V288000 WAS DIRECTED TOWARDS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; BATTERY/CABLES. *AK *SC

Mileage: 26,000

Jul 15, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER DROVE TO AUSTIN TEXAS, WHEN SHE ENTERED THE VEHICLE THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE CONSUMER'S HOUSE DUE TO THE DEALER BEING CLOSED. THE CONSUMER HEARD OF A RECALL ON FORD FOCUS ZX3, WHICH WAS HAVING WHAT CONSUMER BELIEVED TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD WHO SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ONE WEEK AFTER HE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ERG VALVE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A FALSE READING. THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V288000 WAS DIRECTED TOWARDS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; BATTERY/CABLES. *AK *SC

Mileage: 26,000

Jul 15, 2005

OVER TIME I WAS HAVING MORE DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. EVENTUALLY IT TOOK UP 10-15 MINUTES OF TOGGLING THE KEY AND GEAR SHIFTER TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS FIXED THREE TIMES UNDER WARRANTY (WHICH HAS SINCE EXPIRED). THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE OLD PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 84,800

Jul 12, 2005

I WAS AT THE STORE AND GOT INTO THE CAR AND WENT TO STICK THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. IT WOULD DING BUT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO ANYTHING. I ASSUMED IT WAS MAYBE THE FACT THAT I NEEDED A NEW KEY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEN I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE BECAUSE I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND CANNOT AFFORD TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AND TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IS A BUNCH OF '!@#$%. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I ASSUMED IT WAS RELIABLE. I WAS WRONG. I TALKED TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE RECENTLY THAT TOLD ME ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE FOCUS'S. WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE FOR PEOPLE ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT OR THE LAST. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

Jul 12, 2005

I WAS AT THE STORE AND GOT INTO THE CAR AND WENT TO STICK THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. IT WOULD DING BUT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO ANYTHING. I ASSUMED IT WAS MAYBE THE FACT THAT I NEEDED A NEW KEY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEN I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE BECAUSE I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND CANNOT AFFORD TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AND TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IS A BUNCH OF '!@#$%. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I ASSUMED IT WAS RELIABLE. I WAS WRONG. I TALKED TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE RECENTLY THAT TOLD ME ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE FOCUS'S. WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE FOR PEOPLE ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT OR THE LAST. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

Jul 4, 2005

FORD FOCUS 2001 (1) KEY HAS BEEN HARDER TO REMOVE FROM IGNITION, AND MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN (2) KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. I BELIEVE CYLINDER TUMBLERS ARE WORN OUT. (3) CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME, AND I NEEDED TO BRING IT TO A DEALER. MY RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 00-02 FOCUS'S.

Jun 22, 2005

AT 38000 MILES THE IGNITION CYLINDER IN THE CONSUMER'S 2001 FORD FOCUS FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *JB *NM

Mileage: 38,000

Jun 21, 2005

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND THE IGNITION SWITCHED LOCKED ON ME AND COSTS 500.00 AT THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED. I ALSO HAVE A FORD TAURUS AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT A REP AT THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING THEM TO FIX IT TO BUY THE PART (WHICH WAS ABOUT 70.00) AND HAVE SOMEONE ELSO TO PUT IT IN. THIS COST ABOUT 120.00 IN TOTAL. ALSO I HAD A WRECK IN THE FORD FOCOS AND IT SO HAPPENS THAT MY RENTAL CAR WAS A FORD FOCUS AND I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS AND 1 DAY THE IGNITION LOCKED UP. I CALLED FORD AND THE REP LAUGHED AND SAID "OH YEAH THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, WE ARE AWARE OF IT BUT THERES NOTHING WE CAN DO". I WAS STRANDED FOR 3 HOURS BECAUSE I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL A FLATBED WRECKER TRUCK WAS AVAILABLE, BECAUSE WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS SO DO THE WHEELS AND THEREFORE THE CAR CANNOT BE ROLLED. BUT ANYWAYS 3 OF THE SAME CARS ALL WERE LEMONS. THEY ALL PRODUCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS, AND IT SEEMS AS IF I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEMS AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT THEREIS NO RECALL FROM FORD FOR THIS ISSUE. BUT AS THEIR REP CONFIRMED THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION.

Mileage: 40,000

Jun 14, 2005

APPROX. ON MAY 10TH, WHEN PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT TURN. IT TOOK MANY TRIES OF WIGGLING THE KEY BACK AND FORTH, ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE LOCKED STEERING WHEEL SOME SMALL DEGREE TO GET THE KEY TO ACTUALLY TURN OVER IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR. THIS PROBLEM BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE MY SPARE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND COVER MY STEERING WHEEL IN AN ATTEMPT TO HIDE THE KEY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SOMEONE VIA PHONE AT THIS AGENCY AND WAS REFERRED TO THIS WEBSITE, BUT DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO COMPUTER UNTIL NOW. AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO SOMEONE AT THE FORD COMPANY VIA PHONE WHO COULD OFFER NO SOLUTIONS UNLESS I WERE TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP, HAVE IT INSPECTED AND REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. I HAVE ORDERED THE PART AND AM AWAITING ITS SHIPPING. COINCIDENTLY, WHILE ORDERING THE PART, THE YOUNG MAN WAITING ON ME STATED HIS GIRLFRIEND CALLED HIM OVER THE WEEKEND WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER NEWER FORD FOCUS. I GAVE HIM YOUR WEBSITE ADDRESS. HE STATES HE HAS MET SEVERAL PEOPLE SINCE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND GAVE YOUR WEBSITE TO THEM.

Mileage: 53,750

Jun 13, 2005 Fire

ON SATURDAY 5/14/2005 THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY WELL MAINTAINED FORD FOCUS SE, 2001, (EQUIPPED WITH A ZENTEC ENGINE), CAUGHT ON FIRE IN A FASHION SIMILAR TO THOSE DESCRIBED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS IN THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES: HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ARCHANGEL_JJN/ HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_FIRES.HTML. THE DAMAGES OCCURRED TO MY FOCUS ARE CLOSE TO THOSE GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PICTURES OF THE SECOND WEB SITE. THE FACT THAT THIS OCCURRED ON A PARKING LOT A BLOCK AWAY FROM A FIRE STATION PREVENTED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. BUT HAD THIS OCCURRED ON MY HOUSE'S COVERED GARAGE, THE WHOLE HOUSE HAD BURNED. WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR IS SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA 02V288000 CAMPAIGN. BUT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON AUGUST 2003, AND THEREFORE DOES NOT QUALIFY TO THE VOLUNTARY FORD RECALL TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE REFERRED WEB SITES, THIS IS HE SAME SITUATION REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS CASE TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE, CLAIM NUMBER 179019215. THE ADJUSTER IS MR. RUBEN ROMERO @ 800 733-8910 X4385. AS ALLSTATE SUGGESTED, I ALSO CONTACTED FORD. YESTERDAY, I WAS INFORMED BY ALLSTATE THAT MY ACCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOST. ON MONDAY 5/16/2005, I CONTACTED MR. MCCLUSTER, FROM THE TIPTON FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO PHOTOGRAPHED MY PICTURES FROM THE FIRE. HE ASSURED ME THAT HE WAS GOING TO LOG THE INCIDENT INTO THE SYSTEM AND ASK ME TO CONTACT FORD AT 866 436-7332. WHEN I CALLED THAT NUMBER, THE SAME DAY, I TALKED TO ANDREW, EMPLOYER NUMBER 3176. HE GAVE THE CLAIM NUMBER 0422761365 AND INDICATED THAT FORD WAS GOING TO CONTACT ON TWO DAYS. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE CALL. IN MY OPINION FORD DID NOT FULLY FIXED THE CAUSES OF THE NHTSA 02V288000 CAMPAIGN AND THAT WAS THE REASON FOR MY CAR'S FIRE. THUS, FORD SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN ALL FOCUS VEHICLES SUFFERING FROM THIS PROBLEM AND IT ALSO MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Mileage: 128,000

Jun 13, 2005

DT: BRAKES FAILED TWICE SINCE 2001. BRAKES WERE REPLACED IN 2001 AND 2002. KEPT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE WATER PUMP/BATTERY, AND TIRES MALFUNCTIONED. ON JUNE 11 2005 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR STOPPED. THE CAR MADE A POPPING SOUND AND STARTED SMOKING. THERE WAS A WARNING, THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON. THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON RIGHT BEFORE. CAR DIDNT START BACK UP AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. CAR WAS TOWED TO HOME. DEALER REPORTED NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. CAR WAS REGULARLY SERVICED.*AK

Mileage: 14

Jun 13, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATES A LOCAL SERVICE DEALER SAID THE INSULATION ON WIRES FROM THE TRUNK LID TO THE INSIDE HAS BEEN SCRAPED OFF IN THE FACTORY. THIS DID CAUSED A SHORT IN THE WIRES, LEADING TO THE LOSS OF ABRAKE LIGHTS.*AK

Mileage: 88,400

Jun 6, 2005

DT: THE IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED TWICE. IT FAILED IN 2003 AND IN 2005. FORD TELS ME THERE IS HIGH FAILURE RATE ON THESE CYLINDERS. THE KEY LOCKS UP, AND YOU CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT. AND YOU CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL. *AK

Mileage: 39,000

May 31, 2005

3 TIMES IN 1 WEEK, MY IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK. THE KEY TURNS, THE CAR STARTS, BUT WILL NOT COME OUT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 MONTH AND IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 48K MILES ON IT. AFTER EXTENSIVE INTERNET RESEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FOCUS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 51,203

May 31, 2005

3 TIMES IN 1 WEEK, MY IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK. THE KEY TURNS, THE CAR STARTS, BUT WILL NOT COME OUT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 MONTH AND IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 48K MILES ON IT. AFTER EXTENSIVE INTERNET RESEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FOCUS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 51,203

May 21, 2005

I DON'T THINK THAT THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS LIFE THREATENING. MY PROBLEM IS AS FOLLLOWS: I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND FOR SOME REASON THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAS A PROBLEM THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS BY ITS SELF. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO IT HAPPEND FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I HAD TO HAVE TOW TRUCK TAKE IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN AND I NO LONGER HAVE WARRANTY ON MY CAR. I JUST THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM THAT THIS CAR HAS. AFTER REVIEWING OTHER PEOPLE THAT OWN A FORD FUCUS AND THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I REALLY BELIEVE THAT A RECALL IS NECESSARY BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. ANYWAYS, I WENT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING ME SINCE THE CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE WHEN IT WAS UNDER THE WARRANTY. BUT THEY SAID THAT SINCE IT HAPPEN ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THEY COULDN'T DO IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. I WANTED TO KNOW IF ANYONE IN YOUR DEPARMENT COULD HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON WARRANTY. I JUST THINK THAT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A MANUFACTUR DEFECT AND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN BEFORE AND THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIX IT AT NO CHARGE.

May 19, 2005 Fire

ON SATURDAY 5/14/2005 THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY WELL MAINTAINED FORD FOCUS SE, 2001, (EQUIPPED WITH A ZENTEC ENGINE), GOT FIRE IN A FASHION SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS IN THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES: HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ARCHANGEL_JJN/ HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_FIRES.HTML THE DAMAGES OCCURRED TO MY FOCUS ARE CLOSE TO THOSE GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PICTURES OF THE SECOND WEB SITE. THE FACT THAT THIS OCCURRED ON A PARKING LOT A BLOCK AWAY FROM A FIRE STATION PREVENTED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. BUT HAD THIS OCCURRED ON MY HOUSE'S COVERED GARAGE, THE WHOLE HOUSE HAD BURNED. WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR IS SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA 02V288000 CAMPAIGN. BUT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON AUGUST 2003, AND THEREFORE DOES NOT QUALIFY TO THE VOLUNTARY FORD RECALL TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE REFERRED WEB SITES, THIS IS HE SAME SITUATION REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS CASE TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE, CLAIM NUMBER 179019215. THE ADJUSTER IS MR. RUBEN ROMERO @ 800 733-8910 X4385. AS ALLSTATE SUGGESTED, I ALSO CONTACTED FORD. YESTERDAY, I WAS INFORMED BY ALLSTATE THAT MY ACCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOST. ON MONDAY 5/16/2005, I CONTACTED MR. MCCLUSTER, FROM THE TIPTON FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO PHOTOGRAPHED MY PICTURES FROM THE FIRE. HE ASSURED ME THAT HE WAS GOING TO LOG THE INCIDENT INTO THE SYSTEMA AND ASK ME TO CONTACT FORD AT 866 436-7332. WHEN I CALLED THAT NUMBER, THE SAME DAY, I TALKED TO ANDREW, EMPLOYER NUMBER 3176. HE GAVE THE CLAIM NUMBER 0422761365 AND INDICATED THAT FORD WAS GOING TO CONTACT ON TWO DAYS. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE CALL. IN MY OPINION FORD DID NOT FULLY FIXED THE CAUSES OF THE NHTSA 02V288000 CAMPAIGN AND THAT WAS THE REASON FOR MY CAR'S FIRE. THUS, FORD SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN ALL FOCUS VEHICLES SUFFERING FROM THIS PROBLEM AND IT ALSO MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Mileage: 128,000

May 19, 2005 Fire

ON SATURDAY 5/14/2005 THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY WELL MAINTAINED FORD FOCUS SE, 2001, (EQUIPPED WITH A ZENTEC ENGINE), GOT FIRE IN A FASHION SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS IN THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES: HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ARCHANGEL_JJN/ HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_FIRES.HTML THE DAMAGES OCCURRED TO MY FOCUS ARE CLOSE TO THOSE GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PICTURES OF THE SECOND WEB SITE. THE FACT THAT THIS OCCURRED ON A PARKING LOT A BLOCK AWAY FROM A FIRE STATION PREVENTED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. BUT HAD THIS OCCURRED ON MY HOUSE'S COVERED GARAGE, THE WHOLE HOUSE HAD BURNED. WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR IS SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA 02V288000 CAMPAIGN. BUT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON AUGUST 2003, AND THEREFORE DOES NOT QUALIFY TO THE VOLUNTARY FORD RECALL TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE REFERRED WEB SITES, THIS IS HE SAME SITUATION REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS CASE TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE, CLAIM NUMBER 179019215. THE ADJUSTER IS MR. RUBEN ROMERO @ 800 733-8910 X4385. AS ALLSTATE SUGGESTED, I ALSO CONTACTED FORD. YESTERDAY, I WAS INFORMED BY ALLSTATE THAT MY ACCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOST. ON MONDAY 5/16/2005, I CONTACTED MR. MCCLUSTER, FROM THE TIPTON FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO PHOTOGRAPHED MY PICTURES FROM THE FIRE. HE ASSURED ME THAT HE WAS GOING TO LOG THE INCIDENT INTO THE SYSTEMA AND ASK ME TO CONTACT FORD AT 866 436-7332. WHEN I CALLED THAT NUMBER, THE SAME DAY, I TALKED TO ANDREW, EMPLOYER NUMBER 3176. HE GAVE THE CLAIM NUMBER 0422761365 AND INDICATED THAT FORD WAS GOING TO CONTACT ON TWO DAYS. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE CALL. IN MY OPINION FORD DID NOT FULLY FIXED THE CAUSES OF THE NHTSA 02V288000 CAMPAIGN AND THAT WAS THE REASON FOR MY CAR'S FIRE. THUS, FORD SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN ALL FOCUS VEHICLES SUFFERING FROM THIS PROBLEM AND IT ALSO MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Mileage: 128,000

May 19, 2005 Fire

ON SATURDAY 5/14/2005 THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY WELL MAINTAINED FORD FOCUS SE, 2001, (EQUIPPED WITH A ZENTEC ENGINE), GOT FIRE IN A FASHION SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS IN THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES: HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ARCHANGEL_JJN/ HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_FOCUS_FIRES.HTML THE DAMAGES OCCURRED TO MY FOCUS ARE CLOSE TO THOSE GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PICTURES OF THE SECOND WEB SITE. THE FACT THAT THIS OCCURRED ON A PARKING LOT A BLOCK AWAY FROM A FIRE STATION PREVENTED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. BUT HAD THIS OCCURRED ON MY HOUSE'S COVERED GARAGE, THE WHOLE HOUSE HAD BURNED. WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR IS SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA 02V288000 CAMPAIGN. BUT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON AUGUST 2003, AND THEREFORE DOES NOT QUALIFY TO THE VOLUNTARY FORD RECALL TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE REFERRED WEB SITES, THIS IS HE SAME SITUATION REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS CASE TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE, CLAIM NUMBER 179019215. THE ADJUSTER IS MR. RUBEN ROMERO @ 800 733-8910 X4385. AS ALLSTATE SUGGESTED, I ALSO CONTACTED FORD. YESTERDAY, I WAS INFORMED BY ALLSTATE THAT MY ACCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOST. ON MONDAY 5/16/2005, I CONTACTED MR. MCCLUSTER, FROM THE TIPTON FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO PHOTOGRAPHED MY PICTURES FROM THE FIRE. HE ASSURED ME THAT HE WAS GOING TO LOG THE INCIDENT INTO THE SYSTEMA AND ASK ME TO CONTACT FORD AT 866 436-7332. WHEN I CALLED THAT NUMBER, THE SAME DAY, I TALKED TO ANDREW, EMPLOYER NUMBER 3176. HE GAVE THE CLAIM NUMBER 0422761365 AND INDICATED THAT FORD WAS GOING TO CONTACT ON TWO DAYS. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE CALL. IN MY OPINION FORD DID NOT FULLY FIXED THE CAUSES OF THE NHTSA 02V288000 CAMPAIGN AND THAT WAS THE REASON FOR MY CAR'S FIRE. THUS, FORD SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN ALL FOCUS VEHICLES SUFFERING FROM THIS PROBLEM AND IT ALSO MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Mileage: 128,000

May 10, 2005

2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER BROKE, PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE EQUIPMENT, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SWAY BAR BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*MR THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE STEEL BELTS WERE SHOWING THROUGH THE FRONT TIRES AT 54000 MILES. THE SENSOR WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATED WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE BATTERY, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND FUEL PUMP ALSO FAILED. *NM

May 10, 2005

2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER BROKE, PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE EQUIPMENT, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SWAY BAR BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*MR THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE STEEL BELTS WERE SHOWING THROUGH THE FRONT TIRES AT 54000 MILES. THE SENSOR WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATED WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE BATTERY, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND FUEL PUMP ALSO FAILED. *NM

May 10, 2005

2001 FORD FOCUS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES, FUEL PUMP, BATTERY, SWAY BARS AND TIRES. *MR THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES FIVE TIMES, THE RADIATOR WENT OUT, THE THERMOSTAT AND SENSORS PERTAINING TO THE ENGINE LIGHT AD GONE OUT, THE FUEL PUMP AND THE BATTERY WENT OUT AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY THE STARTER SHOWED SIGNS OF GOING OUT AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED SWAY BARS AND 4 TIRES. *SC

Mileage: 8,001

May 2, 2005

CONTACT STATED: WHEN THE KEY WAS PUT IN THE IGNITION THE KEY BECAME STUCK. THE CAR WAS AT THE FORD DEALER. AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. FORD TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, FORD WAS REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AND SEAT BELT.*AK

Mileage: 70,000

Apr 9, 2005

IGNITION CYLINDER ON 2001 FORD FOCUS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO TURN KEY. *AK

Apr 7, 2005

ON 2 SEPARATE OCCATIONS WITHIN 1 YEAR THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. LOCKED UP. FORD REPLACED BOTH TIMES. *AK

Mileage: 39,000

Mar 25, 2005

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY RECALLS CAN A CAR HAVE BEFORE IT IS A LEMON! MY 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD EVERY PROBLEM OUT THERE AND MORE THAN HALF OF THEM, I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR. IN THE 4 YEARS I?VE OWNED THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AT MY COST DUE TO STALLING, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP?S FAULT, SO THAT WAS REPLACED; THE STRUTS REPLACED AT MY COST AFTER THEY CAUSED MY FRONT TIRE TO EXPLODE ON THE FREEWAY; THE BUSHINGS WORKED ON 3 TIMES YET THE SUSPENSION STILL MAKES A VERY FRIGHTENING NOISE EVERY TIME I DRIVE. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE (OR SHOULD I TRUTHFULLY SAY, LACK OF?) WHEN I RECEIVED YET ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. *AK

Mileage: 20,000

Mar 24, 2005

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE IN OPERATIVE. SHE COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST SHE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB ON SOME OCCASIONS WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED THE ODOMETER ALSO STOPPED WORKING AND THE VEHICLE IDLED ERRATICALLY. AT TIMES WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PRESSED WHILE STOPPING THE ENGINE WOULD DIE WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS ALSO UNSTABLE AND AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER IS NEVER SURE HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. *NM

Mileage: 50,000

Mar 23, 2005

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKED UP, I LEFT WORK AND COULD NOT GET THE KEY IN TO START IT. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT IT HAPPENS TO A TON OF FORD FOCUSES, MAYBE YOU COULD GET A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT IS COSTLY TO FIX AND KEEPS GOING BAD. *AK

Mileage: 76,515

Mar 23, 2005

THE IGNITION TUMBLER BROKE INSIDE. KEY WOULDN'T GO IN AT ALL. *AK

Mar 20, 2005

IGNITION LOCK ON 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS FAILED THREE TIMES CAUSING EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILLS. FORD CALLS THIS A "KNOWN MALFUNCTION" BUT WILL NOT RECALL THE PART.*AK

Mileage: 55,000

Mar 18, 2005

KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED UNLESS CONSUMER JIGGLED IT AROUND OR TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO REMOVED THE KEY, BUT HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE BEING PURCHASED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

Mar 17, 2005

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS, BOUGHT NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER THREE TIMES. IN EACH OF THESE INSTANCES I HAVE HAD TO MISS CLASS BECAUSE MY KEY WILL NOT TURN AND START MY CAR. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, BUT THEN I REALIZED THAT THE KEY DOES NOT TURN AT ALL. ON EACH OCCASION I HAVE HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. FORTUNATELY, THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. THE SERVICE EMPLOYEE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS AND IT SEEMS THAT THE KEY IS NOT LONG ENOUGH FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER. HE SAID THAT IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HE WOULD HAVE GIVE ME NEW KEYS THAT FIT THE CYLINDER, AND THUS REPLACE ALL LOCKS (INCLUDING THE TRUNK). AT FIRST HE OFFERED TO DO THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE, BUT SINCE THE MILEAGE IS OVER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY (STILL WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY), I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY LINE.*AK

Mileage: 51,512

Mar 2, 2005

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. SUDDEN FAILURE. NO ACTION TAKEN YET. *AK

Mileage: 55,000

Feb 26, 2005

KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER IN IGNITION. IGNITION JAMMED. KEY WILL NOT MOVE TO START CAR. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM. FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *JB

Feb 17, 2005

THE DRIVER PLACED THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE ON IT ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Feb 9, 2005

IGNITION KEY HS BEEN LOCKING STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD NOT TURN TO UNLOCK COLUMN. STRANDED IN DOWNTOWN BELOIT, BECAUSE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC. MECHANIC COULD NOT TURN IGNITION KEY TO UNLOCK STEERING COLUMN. CALLED LOCAL FORD DEALER. DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS, HOWEVER THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL ON THIS FROM FORD. MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION CYLINDER AND TUMBLER. TOTAL COST: $246.40. LOCAL MECHANIC: ACE AUTO SALES, (608) 362-6600. MECHANIC'S NAME AND OWNER OF SHOP: BRAD. NOT HAPPY IN BELOIT. *JB

Mileage: 53,988

Feb 9, 2005

THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT TURNING WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING ON. MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED BY OWNER.*AK

Feb 8, 2005

KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. CAN NOT START CAR. WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE IGNITION CYLINDER. GETTING CHECKED TOMORROW.*AK

Mileage: 116,000

Feb 7, 2005

BECAME HARDER AND HARDER TO GET IGNITION CYLINDER TO WORK PROPERLY. IT WOULD LOCK AND TAKE HALF AN HOUR OR MORE TO GET IT TO START. HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER; REQUIRED A LOCKSMITH, A MECHANIC AND $222. *JB

Mileage: 72,120

Feb 7, 2005

KEY BEGAN STICKING IN IGNITION OF MY FORD FOCUS. THIS PAST WEEKEND KEY LOCKED IN IGNITION. APPOINTMENT MADE WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND I HAVE JUST PAID $252 FOR A NEW CYLINDER. I QUESTIONED MY DEALER ON PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY HAD NONE!! HARD TO BELIEVE WHEN MY LOCAL MECHANIC ADVISED US OF SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. QUICK FIX WAS TO TAKE A HAMMER AND GENTLY TAP ON THE KEY WHEN IN THE IGNITION OR HERE'S THE BETTER ONE-LEAVE A KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL TIMES. AFTER DROPPING MY VEHICLE THIS AM I LEARNED OF THIS SITE TO FILE COMPLAINT FROM WWW.AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET WHERE COUNTLESS PEOPLE HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM. I ALSO PLAN TO TRY FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE BUT WILL THAT HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. I'M HOPING THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP. **JB

Mileage: 115,000

Feb 1, 2005

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND MY IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP FOR THE 3RD TIME. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF THIS EXACT TYPE OF VEHICLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS ABSURD. IF THIS PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THEN FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR THEIR POOR MANUFACTURING AND ISSUE A RECALL. I HAVE SPENT $1000 SINCE NOVEMBER 2004 IN REPAIRS TO THIS CAR. I NEED TO GET RID OF IT, BUT I OWE TO MUCH ON IT. I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND THIS TYPE OF MONEY ANYMORE. THIS CAR IS MY FAMILY CAR. I HAVE TWO PRESCHOOLERS WHOM I TOTE AROUND DAILY IN THIS CAR. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AND I AM SCARED TO TAKE MY CHILDREN ANYWHERE IN THIS VEHICLE. IT IS NOT SAFE. I COULD EASILY GET STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITH MY BABIES AND FORD DOES NOT CARE THAT IT IS THEIR PROBLEM NOR ABOUT HTE SAFETY OF THIER CUSTOMERS. PLEASE LET FORD KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF THEIR SCAMS, LIES AND POOR CRAFTMANSHIP, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE LAST IN AUTO SALES!*AK

Jan 30, 2005

MY IGNITON GETS LOCKED UP AND THE KEY WONT TURN TO START THE CAR. *AK

Mileage: 75,000

Jan 28, 2005

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN . *AK

Mileage: 65,000

Jan 27, 2005

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER WHO TOWED MY CAR SAID THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. HE SAID HE HAS DONE NINE TOWS THIS WEEK FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND HAD TOWED TWO THIS WEEK TO THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK MY CAR. OF COURSE, MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY = $300 FIX.*AK

Mileage: 65,415

Jan 24, 2005

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON, AND TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS TORE DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, CAUSING THE LIGHTS NOT TO OPERATE.*AK *NM

Mileage: 40,300

Jan 20, 2005

THE IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP. I CANNOT GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION, SO THE CAR WILL NOT START-THIS IS A MAJOR FAILURE. I WILL NEED TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE LOCK CYLINDER WITHIN THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. *JB

Mileage: 74,400

Jan 19, 2005

KEY STICKS IN IGNITION; CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED AT A COST OF HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. *NM

Jan 18, 2005

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS FROZEN. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START THE VEHICLE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Mileage: 70,000

Jan 7, 2005

ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO MY KEY STARTED TO GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I DRIVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS. IT SEEMS TO DO IT EVERY OTHER DAY OR SO. I COULDN'T LOCK MY DOORS, AND WAS AFRAID THAT SOMEONE WOULD STEAL SOMETHING. NOW EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR I BRING TWO SETS OF KEYS WITH ME, SO THAT I CAN LOCK THE DOORS. HOWEVER, HAVING KEYS STUCK IN THE IGNITION IS ASKING FOR SOMEONE TO BREAK INTO MY CAR. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS PROBLEM, AND IT SEEMS THAT MANY ARE HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2001 FORD FOCUS. I WILL GIVE YOU AN ESTIMATE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT DATE. THANK YOU. *AK

Jan 5, 2005 Fire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. CONSUMER HAS NO IDEA AS TO WHY THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

Jan 2, 2005

IGNITION KEY/STEERING WHEEL JAMMED. *JB

Jan 2, 2005

REAR TAILLIGHTS FAILED WIRING HARNESS (REAR) HAS BECOME WORN. ALL WIRES EXPOSED AND ARE IN CONTACT WITH ONE ANOTHER. I HAVE PHOTOS. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO HAVE THEM FORWARDED. I KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURING ON AT LEAST 8 OTHER ZX3'S. *JB

Mileage: 40,500

Dec 30, 2004

UNSURE OF EXACT DATE- IGNITION SWITCH HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES CAR HAS TO BEEN TOWED AWAY ALL THREE TIMES. PRESTIGE FORD MECHANIC SAYS IT IS HOW THE PART IS MADE WONT COVER AFTER 36,000 MILES BECAUSE IT IS ELECTRICAL. DEALERSHIP ADMITS IS RECURRING AFTER WARRANTY DEFECT BUT FORD COMPANY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR BAD PART. *AK

Dec 30, 2004

THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE STEERING IS LOCKED IN PLACE.*AK

Dec 22, 2004

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS STALLED AGAIN. THIS IS ABOUT THE 4TH TIME. LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND PROBLEM TO BE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT IS ONLY BATTERY REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ALL OLD PARTS FROM RECENT SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS VEHICLE RECALLED. FOUND INTERNET ARTICLE THAT STATES THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. HTTP://WWW.THEAUTOCHANNEL.COM/F/MANIA/REPAIR/NEWS.HTML?MANIA. *JB

Mileage: 77,000

Dec 22, 2004

MY IGNITION LOCKED UP ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS, CAN'T START THE CAR. *JB

Mileage: 45,000

Dec 11, 2004

IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE CAR. I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF WORK AND GOT IT MY CAR TO GO HOME AND MY KEY WOULDN'T NOT TURN OVER. I HAD TO SIT IN MY CAR FOR ALMOST AN HOUR IN FREEZING WEATHER UNTIL SOMEONE COULD COME AND GET ME. *JB

Mileage: 37,000

Dec 10, 2004

SUDDEN LOCK-UP OF IGNITION SWITCH, REQUIRING TOW TO FORD DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION CYLINDER.*AK

Dec 8, 2004 Fire

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A REPLACEMENT OF A VALVE COVER. AFTER PICKING UP VEHICLE AND DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONTACTED MECHANIC, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT SOLVENT USED IN REPAIR OF VALVE COVER CAUSED SMOKE, AND WILL DISAPPEAR. CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE, AND A PASSER BY NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED, AND FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

Mileage: 50,500

Dec 8, 2004

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON HAD ITS IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTION. FORD DEALERSHIP SAID GRAPHITE AND/OR WD40 WOULD NOT FIX IT, THAT IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT COST USD$440 AND I LOST A FULL DAY'S PAY. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE'S RESPONDED TO 24 CALLS ON FORD FOCUS IGNITION FAILURES. I FOUND A WEBSITE CALL WWW.AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET WHERE 85 PEOPLE HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS ON THE IGNITION SWITCH THIS YEAR. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO START A RECALL. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT ALONE, AS I HAVE READ MANY POSTINGS ON THE SAME PROBLEM. I CAN BE EMAILED AT [email protected]. THX, LAURA *JB

Mileage: 79,292

Dec 6, 2004 Fire

VEHICLE FIRE SUSTAINED ON 2001 FORD FOCUS AFTER REPLACEMENT OF A VALVE GASKET COVER AT HOLLINGSWORTH RICHARD FORD IN BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA. FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF GASKET, SMOKE WAS NOTED FROM THE HOOD. DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT SMOKE WAS DUE TO A CLEANING SOLVENT USED AFTER SERVICING THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD STOP IN ABOUT TWO DAYS. THE FOLLOWING DAY (AFTER SERVICE), THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHERE THE FIRE HAD TO BE EXTINGUISHED BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. MY SON AND I WERE IN THE VEHICLE AND BEARLY ESCAPED BEFORE THE FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. REPORT HAS BEEN FILED WITH DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A MATTER THAT SHOULD BE HANDLED BY THE INSURANCE. FORD DEALER SHOWED NOR INDICATED THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF ANY LIABILITY REGARDING THIS ISSUE. RESEARCH HAS INDICATED MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF VEHICLES FIRES CENTERED AROUND THIS YEAR OF FOCUS.*AK

Mileage: 50,987

Dec 1, 2004

CONSUMER STATED THAT IGNITION LOCKED ON ITS OWN. *AK THE CONUSMER STATED THAT HE COULD NOT TURN KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. *TC

Nov 30, 2004 Crash

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE CONSUMER DOWN SHIFTED AND THE SAFETY IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS CAUGHT UNDER THE CLUTCH, CAUSING THE RELAY TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONSUMER PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE LURCHING, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE AND THE CONSUMER SCRAPED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. *AK *SC

Mileage: 32,089

Nov 29, 2004

STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHEN KEY IS PUT IN THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CLOCK SPRING WERE REPLACED TWICE BEFORE. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS AGAIN.*AK

Nov 27, 2004

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS WITH A LOCKED UP IGNITION. I ONLY HAVE 24000 MILES ON MY CAR.*AK

Mileage: 24,000

Nov 22, 2004

THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Mileage: 59,000

Nov 19, 2004

THE IGNITION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS "STUCK" ON ME THIS PAST JULY. I ENTERED MY VEHICLE AND INSERTED THE KEY. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN...IT REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. ON 7/3/04, I HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE FOCUS, HOWEVER THEY STILL CHARGED ME OVER $500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAD TO HAVE MY IGNITION DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. THEY SAID THAT EVEN THOUGHT THEY HAD HAD MANY VEHICLES RETURNED FOR THIS PROBLEM, THAT FORD HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON IT. *AK

Nov 17, 2004

NO EVENTS LEAD UP TO FAILURE. THE TUMBLERS IN THE LOCK KEEP GETTING STUCK MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR. WE TRIED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WASN'T COVERED ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED. THEY WANTED $260 TO REPLACE IT, BUT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BREAK OVER AND OVER. FROM PEOPLE I HAVE SPOKEN TO ONLINE, AND IN PERSON, THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS A LOT WITH THE FORD FOCUS. SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 40

Nov 16, 2004

THE IGNITION HAS LOCKED CONTINUOUSLY ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS COMPLETELY LOCKED. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH MANY VEHICLES, THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, YET THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE!!!!!*AK

Nov 16, 2004

I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2001 FORD FOCUS AND IT WOULDN'T TURN. THE STEERING COLUMN/ WHEEL IS LOCKED UP.*AK

Mileage: 44,000

Nov 16, 2004

I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2001 FORD FOCUS AND IT WOULDN'T TURN. THE STEERING COLUMN/ WHEEL IS LOCKED UP.*AK

Mileage: 44,000

Nov 15, 2004

THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OPEN WHEN MAKING A TURN WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE LEFT REAR DOOR ACTUATOR. *AK THE RIGHT REAR AND FRONT LOCKS WERE INOPERATIVE AS WELL. THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK BY REMOTE OR KEY INSERTION. THE DOORS HAD TO BE MANUALLY OPENED FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE RADIO HAD AN INTERNAL DEFECT. *SC

Mileage: 28,465

Nov 15, 2004 Fire

RECALL 02V288001 CONCERNING BATTERY CABLES. CONSUMER SAID THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RECALL DUE TO VIN EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECTS AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 80,000

Nov 15, 2004

I TRIED TO START MY CAR (2001 FORD FOCUS) AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL IN THE IGINITION. I SPENT THE BETTER PART OF 2 HOURS TRYING TO GET IT TO TURN AND IT DIDN'T. I ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED - AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS MY LOCK CYLINDER THAT IS SHOT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT CAN'T BE REPLACED WITHOUT TEARING HALF MY DASH/STEERING COLUMN APART.*AK

Nov 9, 2004

THE VEHICLE STALLED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *JB THE SPEEDOMETER IN THE VEHICLE ALWAYS READS ZERO. THE MILAGE ERASE ON THEIR OWN AND POP UP AGAIN DAYS LATER THEN DISAPPEAR AGAIN. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAS TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURN IT ON AGAIN TO READ THE GAS GAUGE. AUTOMATIC LOCKS ENGAGE 20 MINUTES AFTER THE CONSUMER HAS STARTED DRIVING. THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MOVE AS THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AND SHUT DOWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TC

Mileage: 27,000

Nov 4, 2004

COMPLAINT INVOLVES 2001 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON. LEFT TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONED FOR A FEW DAYS, AND THEN THE IGNITION FROZE. UNABLE TO RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL, I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND SUSTAINED DAMAGE FROM THE TOWING. APPARENTLY THIS DEFECT IS WELL KNOWN TO DEALERS AND TO FORD. MY CAR HAS 49K MILES ON IT AND IS NEVER ABUSED.*AK

Mileage: 49,000

Oct 30, 2004

WE OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WE WENT OUT TO START IT 2 DAYS AGO AND THEY KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD FOCUS CARS. *JB

Mileage: 56,000

Oct 29, 2004

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 FORD FOCUS AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT. ON 10/28/2004 I STOPPED FOR GAS WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN. AFTER RE-FUELING, WE ALL GOT BACK INTO THE CAR TO LEAVE AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN. MY WHOLE STERING COLUMN HAD LOCKED UP-THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T BUDGE, THE SHIFTER WAS LOCKED AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PEDEL. ALTHOUGH MANY STRANGERS TRIED TO HELP ME START MY CAR, ME ADN MY CHILDREN WERE STUCK AT THE GAS PUMP FOR OVER AN HOUR. AFTER HAVING MY CAR TOWED THE DRIVER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS HIS SEOND FOCUS THAT DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND HIS COMPANY TOWS SEVERAL A MONTH.

Mileage: 75,000

Oct 28, 2004

STRANDED IN PARKING LOT WHEN KEY WOUOLD NOT TURN THE IGNITION. HAD TO GET TOED TO DEALER TO GET FIXED. HAVEN'T GOT IT FIXED YET BECAUSE IT JUST HAPPENED TODAY AND I FOUND ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTES HERE. I AM WONDERING WHY THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE IT IS A SERIOUS FAILURE. I WAS LUCKY AND HAD A PHONE HANDY AND IF IT HAD BEEN MY WIFE, SOMETHING TERRIBLE COULD HAVE HAPPEND AND WE MAY NOT HAD ANY WAY TO GET THERE.*AK

Mileage: 22,700

Oct 26, 2004

WITHOUT WARNING, IGNITION LOCKS UP AND KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED AND MUST BE TOWED IN FOR REPAIR. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED, THE DRIVER HAS BEEN STRANDED UNTIL THE CAR CAN BE TOWED IN AND REPAIRED. TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, THE LOCK CYLINDER MUST BE DRILLED OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND REPLACED COMPLETELY.*AK

Mileage: 455,572

Oct 26, 2004

WITHOUT WARNING, IGNITION LOCKS UP AND KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED AND MUST BE TOWED IN FOR REPAIR. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED, THE DRIVER HAS BEEN STRANDED UNTIL THE CAR CAN BE TOWED IN AND REPAIRED. TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, THE LOCK CYLINDER MUST BE DRILLED OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND REPLACED COMPLETELY.*AK

Mileage: 455,572

Oct 25, 2004

THE IGNITION SWITH LOCK HAS SEIZED. THIS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. *AK

Mileage: 29,200

Oct 22, 2004

THE FIRST PROBLEM THAT I STARTED TO HAVE WITH MY 2001 FORD FOCUS BEGAN LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WENT OUT FIRST, THEN ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW WENT OUT. I THINK THE GEARS WERE FAULTILY MANUFACTURED. WHEN AT A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL, I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $350 PER WINDOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM, MONEY I DO NOT HAVE BECAUSE I HAVE TO SAVE UP TO FIX ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. EVERYTHING IN MY CAR POWERED BY ELECTRICITY FLICKERS ON AND OFF. WHEN I TRY TO ROLL UP MY REMAINING WINDOWS OR TURN ON THE A/C, THE RADIO WILL GO STATIC, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, THE ABS LIGHT POPS ON, ETC. I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FORD DEALERS THAT IT IS THIS OR THAT AND PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEMS, BUT THE PROBLEMS NEVER WENT AWAY. I AM JUST WAITING FOR MY IGNITION TO GO OUT, THAT IS ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM I HAVE HEARD OF WITH THIS LEMON OF A CAR. THE FORD FOCUSES NEED TO BE RECALLED, WE SHOULD ALL GET OUR MONEY BACK! HOW MANY PEOPLE IS FORD GOING TO RIP OFF AND KILL BEFORE THEY ARE FINALLY HELD ACCOUNTABLE? I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING AND WILL HAVE IN THE FUTURE, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS CONVENIENTLY UP JUST A MONTH BEFORE I STARTED HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE E-MAILED BACK WITH SOME INFORMATION ON WHAT I CAN DO. CAN I DECLARE THIS CAR A LEMON AND MAKE THEM BUY IT BACK FROM ME? I HAVE CORRESPONDED WITH FORD VIA E-MAIL AND IT HAS GOTTEN ME NOWHERE. PLEASE HELP US!!!*AK

Oct 20, 2004

MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN MY KEY WHEN TRYING TO START MY 2001 FORD FOCUS LX. I TRIED ALL THE USUAL, PULL THE WHEEL THIS WAY, TURN THE KEY THAT WAY, EVEN TAPPING THE KEY, AND NOTHING WORKED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE IGNITIION TUMBLERS, OR WHATEVER, AND IT COST $300.

Mileage: 51,800

Oct 20, 2004

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP AND I CANNOT START THE CAR BECAUSE THE KEY WONT TURN THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS DONE THIS I WAS LUCKY THE FIRST TIME IT CAME LOOSE AND ALLOWED THE CAR TO START

Oct 18, 2004

2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WILL NOT TURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. IT FAILED LAST YEAR, AND LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED. IT THEN WORKED PERFECTLY. ABOUT A YEAR LATER, IT FAILED AGAIN. I NOW HAVE TO BEAT THE KEY INTO THE CYLINDER TO GET IT TO START.*AK

Mileage: 40,000

Oct 17, 2004

THE IGNITION LOCK FAILED TO ACCEPT THE IGNITION KEY. I MANIPULATED THE KEY FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE LOCK WOULD ACCEPT THE KEY. IT FINALLY ACCEPTED THE KEY AFTER JARRING THE CAR BY SLAMMING THE DOOR. I CAN NEVER BE SURE THE CAR IS AVAILABLE IN AN EMERGENCY. *JB

Oct 14, 2004

2001 FORD FOCUS LEARCHES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. ELECTRICLAL ISSUES LIGHTS DIMMING DACH LIGHTS SAME UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. 5 TRIPS TO THE DEALER NO IDENTIFIABLE CAUSE. REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE BATTERY CABLES @ 487.10 . *AK

Mileage: 38,000

Oct 14, 2004

2001 FORD FOCUS LEARCHES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. ELECTRICLAL ISSUES LIGHTS DIMMING DACH LIGHTS SAME UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. 5 TRIPS TO THE DEALER NO IDENTIFIABLE CAUSE. REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE BATTERY CABLES @ 487.10 . *AK

Mileage: 38,000

Oct 13, 2004

THE IGNITION LOCKED AND THE KEY BECAME STUCK, SOMETIMES THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL.. THE TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT TURN OFF. *JB

Mileage: 59,000

Oct 7, 2004

WHILE PLACING THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE FAILED TO START. WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE IGNITION. CONSUMER CONTACTED A LOCK SMITH, AND ALSO WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE MORNING. *AK

Sep 29, 2004

I BOUGHT A USED 2001 FORD FOCUS IN FEBUARY OF 2004. THE IGNITION JAMMED AND WAS REPLACED IN MARCH 2004. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND PAID 300 DOLLARS TO GET A NEW ONE. ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004 MY IGNITION GOT JAMMED AGAIN. I AM SAPPOSED TO HAVE A 12 MONTH WARRENTY OR 12,000 WHATEVER COMES FIRST, SO ITS IN THE SHOP NOW BEING REPAIRED. I HAVE READ ALOT ON THIS AND IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. *AK

Mileage: 73,000

Sep 17, 2004

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *TS

Mileage: 39,000

Sep 17, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON STEPPING ON THE BRAKES FRONT WHEELS MOVED BACK THREE TO FOUR INCHES. THE BUSHINGS WERE TOO SMALL. UPON TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT ONE COULD SEE THE FRONT WHEELS MOVING BACK. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FIFTEEN TIMES. DEALER PUT REPLACEMENT PARTS FIVE TIMES. TIRES HAD TO BE CHANGED BETWEEN TEN TO THIRTEEN THOUSAND MILES, AND TIRES WERE UNDER WARRANTY FOR 30000 MILES. ALSO, IGNITION SWITCH HAD BEEN CHANGED TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Mileage: 696

Sep 16, 2004

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS LX SEDAN. THE IGNITION LOCK MYSTERIOUSLY LOCKS UP ABOUT ONCE A YEAR AND THE CAR HAS TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED. THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH TIME THE IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP. CAN YOU SAY "LEMON LAW"? I HAVE READ LITERALLY HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF POSTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. MY FORD ROADSIDE WOULD NOT COVER THE TOW AND I HAD TO USE MY INSURANCE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO TOW IT THIS TIME. ANYHOW, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWS UP AT MY HOUSE AND STATES THAT "HE HAS TOWED AT LEAST 50 OF THESE CARS," AND EVERY ONE OF THEM WAS FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. HE STATED THAT HE NEVER TOWED ONE FOR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL YET??? THE DESIGN IS PISS POOR AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT! PLEASE HELP US. *JB

Mileage: 49,760

Sep 15, 2004

I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN 5 TIMES TO FIX THE IGNITION. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I BELIEVE THE A CYLINDER IN THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED, THE THIRD TIME THE SAME PART WAS REPLACED AND I WAS GIVEN A NEW KEY. THE FOUR TIME THE CAR STARTED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD I JUST DIDN'T TRY TO START MY CAR PROPERLY AND DID I KNOW HOW TO START A STICK SHIFT (I HAVE HAD A STICK FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS). THE FIFTH TIME THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE IGNITION SYSTEM. NOTHING HAPPENED TO CAUSE ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS I WOULD JUST GO OUT TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN ALL THE WAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WOULD HAVE TO BE TOWED. ALL OF THESE HAVE HAPPENED IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. ALSO PERIODICALLY THOUGHT OUT THIS WHOLE TIME THE IGNITION WOULD STICK AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HOWEVER IT WOULD WORK. THE INCIDENT DATE I AM USING IS THIS FIFTH TIME. *AK

Sep 15, 2004

2001 FORD FOCUS - STEERING WHEEL LOCKED & KEY WON'T TURN. *AK

Sep 13, 2004

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED.AS A RESULT, KEY WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE SWITCH IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. *AK

Mileage: 98,000

Sep 10, 2004

IGNITION KEY INTER LOCK FAILED . AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. *AK

Mileage: 65,000

Aug 28, 2004

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3'S IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. WHEN YOU PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION CYLINDER, IT DOESN'T TURN. I TRIED THE USUAL THINGS LIKE JIGGLING THE KEY WHILE MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL, AND I TRIED A SPARE KEY. *JB

Mileage: 48,000

Aug 25, 2004

I BOUGHT THE CAR USED THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOLD ME HE HAD THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. WELL ITS A COUPLE YEARS LATER NOW AND MY IGNITIONS CYLINDER IS BAD TOO. MY KEY BARELY GOES IN AND IT DOES NOT TURN THE LOCK, AND WILL NOT START MY CAR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD AND THEY REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL OR EVEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTEE ON IT. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND IT SEEMS THAT EVERY FOCUS 2000-2002 THAT IS AROUND 3 YEARS OLD HAS THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS CURRNTLY PARKED IN A WENDYS PARKING LOT WHERE IT HAPPENED. I DONT HAVE A LOT OF MONEY AND CANNOT AFFORD THE ASSININE AMOUNT OF MONEY FORD WANTS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM (ABOUT 300$) AND IT SEEMS THEY DONT WANT ANYONE FIXING IT THEMSELVES EITHER, THE IGNITION CLYINDERS DO NOT COME WITH KEYS AND YOU HAVE TO BUT THE KEYS AND HAVE THEM CUT TO YOUR KEY AND THEN HAVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER BORED OUT TO THE SHAPE OF THE KEY (THIS IS AS BACKWARDS AS IVE EVER SEEN) SO NO ONE IS CAPABLE OF JUST BUYING A NEW CYLINDER AND FIXING IT THEMSELVES!! SO BASICALLY THERE ARE ALOT OF PO'D PEOPLE THAT FORD IS REFUSING TO HELP, AND IM ADDING MY NAME TO THE LIST THANK YOU. *AK

Mileage: 65,000

Aug 10, 2004

CONSUMER PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WAS LOCKED. IGNITION WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE KEY. SHE CALLED THE LOCK SMITH, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS A WEEK. LOCK SMITH COULD NOT MAKE THE IGNITION ACCEPT THE KEY. HAD TOWED VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

Jul 23, 2004

2001 FORD FOCUS - PURCHASED 3/2001, HAS 31000 MILES ON IT. LOCK PIN FELL INTO IGNITION, KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION AND WOULD NOT TURN. ESTIMATED TO COST ME MINIMUM $290 - UP TO $500+. THE MECHANIC AT FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THAT 2000 & 2001 FOCUS CARS ARE BEING TOWED IN ALL THE TIME WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 31,000

Jul 23, 2004

PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION BEING JAMMED ON 2002 FORD FOCUS. *MR THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN AND WAS SEIZED. *SC *JB

Jul 21, 2004

WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD FLICK ON AND OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Jul 13, 2004

OCTOBER 14 2003, WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE KEY STOPPED TURNING, VEHICLE HAD 64 035 KM OR 4 035 KM OVER WARRANTY -IGNITION CYLINDER ASSEMBLY REPLACED (COST 554.41$ CDN) JUNE 12 2004, AGAIN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE KEY STOPPED TURNING IN THE SWITCH. VEHICLE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY. 89 000 KM OR ROUGHLY 5 000KM AFTER PART WARRANTY -IGNITION CYLINDER TO BE REPLACE (ESTIMATED COST 341.51$ CDN) *LA

Mileage: 89,000

Jul 8, 2004

I HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND ABOUT 45,000 MILES. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AFTER HAVING NO ISSUES, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER REVIEWING PROBLEMS I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. *AK CURRENTLY THE CAR IS NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH WILL COST ME BETWEEN 285 AND 350 DOLLARS. THIS PART IS NOT ABLE TO BE REPLACED BY A UNSED PART.

Jul 7, 2004

1. FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKS. 2. COULD NOT TURN KEY TO START CAR. I WAS STRANDED ON THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND. 3. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. WAS CLOSED. LOCKSMITH HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION CYLINDER. ALSO, THE IGNITION KEY WAS WELL WORN EVEN THOUGH IT'S A FAIRLY NEW AUTOMOBILE. *NM

Mileage: 43,000

Jun 30, 2004

UPON STARTING VEHICLE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH . THIS FAILURE RECURRED TWICE, AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. *AK

Mileage: 53,796

Jun 29, 2004

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEYS FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP. THE DEALERSHIP WILL HAVE TO DRILL THE IGNITION SWITCH OUT, TO REPLACE IT. *JB THIS WAS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT FORD WILL NOT RESPOND TO. *SC *JB

Mileage: 28,000

Jun 28, 2004

CONSUMER LOOKED AT THE INTERNET AND SAW THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY SWITCH. HIS VEHICLE HAD ONE OF THOSE DEFECTIVE SWITCHES. THE SWITCH WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE KEY, SO HE HAD IT REPAIRED. DEALER CLAIMED HE HAD TO REASSEMBLE THE LOCK, AND THAT COST HIM $286.00. *AK

Jun 26, 2004 Fire

WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. *AK THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO A FAULTY CABLE/BATTERY CONNECTOR. THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE 200-2001 FORD FOCUS MODEL. *SC *JB

Mileage: 15,000

Jun 17, 2004

THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN THE BATTERY CABLE RECALL 02V288000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Mileage: 64,000

Jun 14, 2004

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, STEERING LOCKED. HIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. 1ST TIME JULY 2002 - MILES 14,500 - FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. IGNITION DRILLED, TUMBLER REPLACED, NEW KEYS 2ND TIME JUN 2004 - MILES 24,000 (9500 SINCE LAST TIME). NOT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY AS IT WAS OVER 1YR EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ONLY PUT 9500 ON THE PART FOR 2YEARS. IGNITION DRILLED, TUMBLER REPLACED, NEW KEYS - COST $300. *AK

Mileage: 24,000

Jun 13, 2004

IGNITION KEY FAILS TO TURN ON MY FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION HAS BEEN DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED 2 TIMES ALREADY FOR THIS PROBLEM, THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IT HAS HAOPPENED.*AK

Mileage: 40,000

Jun 9, 2004

2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKS. UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. *AK

Mileage: 25,000

Jun 9, 2004

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, BRAKE PETAL LOCKED, GEAR SHIFT LOCKED. CAR OUT OF WARRENTY. FORD EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE WON'T HELP BECAUSE OF EXPIRED WARRENTY. CALLED NEAREST FORD DEALERSHOP (TOM HOLZER), GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER OF THEIR "TOWING" PERSON, TRIED 12 TIMES, GOT VOICE MAIL, NO CALL WAS EVER RETURNED. (I WAS "STUCK" IN A BANK PARKING LOT.. AND THEY WERE READY TO CLOSE) THE BANK PERSONEL WERE KIND ENOUGH TO LET ME USE THEIR PHONE AND PROVIDED A PHONE BOOK, BESIDES EVERY MALE IN THE BUILDING INDIVIDUALLY TRIED ANYTHING THEY COULD THINK OF TO GET MY CAR TO START... WITH NO LUCK. AFTER CALLING @ 6 LOCK SMITHS WITH 24 HOUR EMERGENCY ROAD SERVIE, I FINALLY FOUND ONE THAT KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT... HE INFORMED ME THAT HE GETS A CALL ON THE SAME PROBLEM APPROX. ONCE A WEEK ON FORD FOCUS'S. EVEN HE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A "RECALL" ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART?? HE ALSO TOLD ME WHAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE CHARGED ME TO REPLACE IT... @$550.00!! FORTUNATELY FOR ME THERE ARE STILL HONEST AND KIND PEOPLE AROUND, FORD DID "NOTHING" TO HELP ME!! I CAN'T IMAGINE I'M THE "ONLY" PERSON THAT HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT IT? WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU'RE DEFINATELY STRANDED!! *AK

Jun 9, 2004

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, BRAKE PETAL LOCKED, GEAR SHIFT LOCKED. CAR OUT OF WARRENTY. FORD EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE WON'T HELP BECAUSE OF EXPIRED WARRENTY. CALLED NEAREST FORD DEALERSHOP (TOM HOLZER), GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER OF THEIR "TOWING" PERSON, TRIED 12 TIMES, GOT VOICE MAIL, NO CALL WAS EVER RETURNED. (I WAS "STUCK" IN A BANK PARKING LOT.. AND THEY WERE READY TO CLOSE) THE BANK PERSONEL WERE KIND ENOUGH TO LET ME USE THEIR PHONE AND PROVIDED A PHONE BOOK, BESIDES EVERY MALE IN THE BUILDING INDIVIDUALLY TRIED ANYTHING THEY COULD THINK OF TO GET MY CAR TO START... WITH NO LUCK. AFTER CALLING @ 6 LOCK SMITHS WITH 24 HOUR EMERGENCY ROAD SERVIE, I FINALLY FOUND ONE THAT KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT... HE INFORMED ME THAT HE GETS A CALL ON THE SAME PROBLEM APPROX. ONCE A WEEK ON FORD FOCUS'S. EVEN HE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A "RECALL" ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART?? HE ALSO TOLD ME WHAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE CHARGED ME TO REPLACE IT... @$550.00!! FORTUNATELY FOR ME THERE ARE STILL HONEST AND KIND PEOPLE AROUND, FORD DID "NOTHING" TO HELP ME!! I CAN'T IMAGINE I'M THE "ONLY" PERSON THAT HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT IT? WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU'RE DEFINATELY STRANDED!! *AK

Jun 9, 2004

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, BRAKE PETAL LOCKED, GEAR SHIFT LOCKED. CAR OUT OF WARRENTY. FORD EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE WON'T HELP BECAUSE OF EXPIRED WARRENTY. CALLED NEAREST FORD DEALERSHOP (TOM HOLZER), GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER OF THEIR "TOWING" PERSON, TRIED 12 TIMES, GOT VOICE MAIL, NO CALL WAS EVER RETURNED. (I WAS "STUCK" IN A BANK PARKING LOT.. AND THEY WERE READY TO CLOSE) THE BANK PERSONEL WERE KIND ENOUGH TO LET ME USE THEIR PHONE AND PROVIDED A PHONE BOOK, BESIDES EVERY MALE IN THE BUILDING INDIVIDUALLY TRIED ANYTHING THEY COULD THINK OF TO GET MY CAR TO START... WITH NO LUCK. AFTER CALLING @ 6 LOCK SMITHS WITH 24 HOUR EMERGENCY ROAD SERVIE, I FINALLY FOUND ONE THAT KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT... HE INFORMED ME THAT HE GETS A CALL ON THE SAME PROBLEM APPROX. ONCE A WEEK ON FORD FOCUS'S. EVEN HE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A "RECALL" ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART?? HE ALSO TOLD ME WHAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE CHARGED ME TO REPLACE IT... @$550.00!! FORTUNATELY FOR ME THERE ARE STILL HONEST AND KIND PEOPLE AROUND, FORD DID "NOTHING" TO HELP ME!! I CAN'T IMAGINE I'M THE "ONLY" PERSON THAT HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT IT? WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU'RE DEFINATELY STRANDED!! *AK

Jun 6, 2004

GAUGES IN DASH ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CUTS IN & OUT WHILE DRIVING. NOW, CAR WILL NOT START BUT DISPLAYS SAME PROBLEMS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 50,000

May 30, 2004

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS W/ 45,000 MILES. I WAS LEFT STRANDED MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2004 WHEN THE IGNITION IN MY AUTOMOBILE LOCKED UP. I PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION (WITH SOME DIFFICULTY) AND I AM UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE W/ 2000/2001 FORD FOCUS. MY CAR REMAINS IMMOBILE AND I AM UNABLE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, I CAN ANTICIPATE $350-500 TO REPLACE IGNITION. *LA

May 29, 2004

SINCE AUGUST 2003, I HAVE EXPERIENCED IGNITION LOCK FIVE (5) TIMES WITH MY 2001 FORD FOCUS. FIRST TWO "REPAIRS" (8/03 AND 12/03) WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. I NEVER SAW THE OLD PART. HOWEVER, WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SUBSEQUENT REPAIR TO THE SAME PROBLEM (2/04), I WAS TOLD THAT A PERMANENT REPAIR WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD COST ME $500+, BUT THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER COULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. I GOT NO RESPONSE TO MY INQUIRY ABOUT WHY NO PERMANENT FIX HAD BEEN MADE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I DIRECTED THEM TO PERFORM THE REPAIR I COULD AFFORD - THE CYLINDER. I NEVER SAW THE OLD PART THAT TIME EITHER. THE CAR WAS RE-KEYED AS WELL. THE IGNITION LOCKED AGAIN ON 5/20/04, AND AFTER I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED ME THAT THEY HAD REPLACED THE TUMBLERS AND RE-KEYED THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT ANY SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE, AS THEY WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE IGNITION LOCKED AGAIN ON 5/25/04. *LA THE INITIAL REPAIR TO THIS PROBLEM WAS MADE UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS NOT A PERMANENT REPAIR, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SERVICE BULLETINS AND A SIGNIFICANT RECORD OF COMPLAINTS ISSUED ON THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM EARLY 2001. AT NO POINT HAVE I RECEIVED A SATISFACTORY ANSWER, FROM THE DEALER OR FROM FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, TO WHY THE PERMANENT REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED IN AUGUST 2003. I FEEL THAT THE DEALER MADE NO ATTEMPT TO EFFECT A REPAIR ON THIS PROBLEM WHILE IT WAS WARRANTED, BUT STALLED WITH TEMPORARY FIXES UNTIL THE MILEAGE/AGE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD REQUIRE ME TO PAY, BOTH FOR PARTS AND LABOR. AS IT NOW STANDS, I WILL BE TAKING MY VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR THE REPAIR AND A SECOND OPINION, AND HOPE I CAN GET MY MONEY BACK. I REFUSE TO PAY EVEN TEN CENTS FOR A REPAIR BY A SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT HAS ALREADY FAILED TO MAKE THE SAME REPAIR FOUR TIMES!

May 12, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING PROBLEMS. WHEN HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS IGNITION CYLINDER. CONSUMER COULD NOT MAKE ANY TURNS, STEERING LOCKED, AND COULD NOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION CYLINDER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE IN 8 MONTHS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

May 11, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *MR *SC *JB

May 6, 2004

IGNITION CYLINDER IS LOCKED. KEY WONT TURN IT, BUT THE KEY WILL UNLOCK THE DOOR. HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING OFTENT OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL.

Apr 24, 2004

I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2001 FORD FOCUS AND HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES AND I THINK THAT A PART THIS EXPENSIVE SHOULD LAST LONGER. I SEARCHED FOR OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOUND MANY FRUSTRATED FOCUS OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS PART SHOULD HAVE A LONGER WARRANTY. *AK

Mileage: 42,977

Apr 22, 2004

MY 2001 FORD FOCUS STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN I WOULD PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULDN'T TURN , IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES FOR MY CAR TO TURN ON. EVENTUALLY AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE KEY IT NEVER DID, AND I WAS FORCED TO TOW MY CAR HOME. I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERS AND THEY SAID THAT THE COST TO FIX WILL RANGE FROM $350-600. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO KIDS ON A LIMITED INCOME, THERE IS NO WAY I WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD THIS.*AK

Mileage: 56,000

Apr 19, 2004

KEY WILL NOT TURN. CALLED DEALER AND IT APPEARS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY FORD FOCUS'. AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB I SEE THAT IS TRUE. DEALER WANTED $325 + TOW TO REPLACE IGNITION. NOT SURE IF THAT INCLUDED REKEYING. IN ANY EVENT, I FOUND A LOCKSMITH WHO WILL COME TO MY RESIDENCE AND REPLACE THE IGNITION WITH A BETTER ONE THAN FORD IS OFFERING FOR SUBSTANTIALLY LESS MONEY.*AK

Mileage: 54,000

Apr 15, 2004

THE IGNITION - THE KEY WON'T GO IN, OR GOES IN HARD, BUT WILL NOT TURN. I AM TOLD THAT IT NEEDS A NEW STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION AND COMPUTERIZED KEY, AND THE WARRANTY WON'T COVER THE $800+ CHARGE. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE KEY HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE INGITION.*AK

Mileage: 4,000

Apr 13, 2004 Fire

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNT ODOR COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO EXPOSED WIRES. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. PASSENGER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE FUEL BOX. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK

Apr 5, 2004

MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE KEY WILL GO INTO THE IGNITION (AND THE DINGING SOUND STARTS), BUT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. *JB

Mar 22, 2004

WHILE DRIVING FROM A PARKING LOT DOORS LOCKED. DOORS WERE INOPERATIVE, EXCEPT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. ALSO, HORN STARTED TO BLOW AND THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IT. *AK

Mar 19, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TUMBLER FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION MODULE. *AK

Mileage: 33,000

Mar 12, 2004

I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AND THE IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN. I TRIED JILTING THE WHEEL TO TRY TO GET IT TO UNLOCK.*AK

Mileage: 39,450

Mar 6, 2004

IGNITION CYLINDER ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS HAS FAILED TWICE AND LEFT ME STRANDED . TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS IS OVER $700. FORD WILL NOT STAND BEHIND PRODUCT. RECALL IS IN ORDER. *JB

Mileage: 64,639

Mar 3, 2004

IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED, RESULTING IN A $250.00 REPAIR.*AK

Mileage: 45,788

Feb 12, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED, AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC DID AN INSPECTION AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 35,000

Feb 12, 2004

2001 FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION AND STEERING LOCKS. DEALER WANTS $410 OR MORE TO FIX. JUST OFF WARRANTY.

Mileage: 47,000

Jan 30, 2004

WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE INGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER BOTH WERE LOCKED UP. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN FOUND OUT THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER ALL OF THE EXPENSES SO I WAS OUT $350. NOW WHY DO YOU BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IF IT DOESN'T COVER SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT IS APPARENTLY A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE CAR?? I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MATTER.

Jan 29, 2004

ALTERNATOR IS OVER CHARGING WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT IT WILL BURN OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK

Mileage: 44,000

Jan 28, 2004

IGNITIOIN SWITCH FREEZES. WHEN KEY IS INSERTED THE SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. A LOCKSMITH SHOWED ME HOW TO FREE IT UP BY TAPPING ON THE SWITCH WITH A SCREWDRIVER...!*AK

Jan 24, 2004

THE IGNITION LOCKS WHEN THE KEY IS PLACED WITHIN THE CYLINDER AND THE CAR IS ATTEMPTED TO START. THE IGNITION CYLINDER DOES NOT TURN AT ALL. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND USE ANOTHER KEY, BUT THIS DOES NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. *LA

Mileage: 68,571

Jan 24, 2004

MY IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP LEAVING ME STRANDED 200 MILES FROM HOME. *LA

Jan 23, 2004

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR A MONTH. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Mileage: 37,800

Jan 15, 2004

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

Jan 15, 2004

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY FOCUS. ABOUT 3MO AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING, AND MAKING A NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE PURCHASING DEALERSHIP, AND A MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LOANER CAR FOR ME, SO I MADE AN AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK. THE NEXT DAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, THE CAR SHUT DOWN. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK, THEY TOOK IT TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE STUTTER I WAS FEELING IN MY CAR WAS PROBABLY THAT. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SELLING DEALERSHIP, AND THE SHOP SUPERVISOR WENT OUT WITH ME. HE SAID I WAS DRIVING THE CAR OUT OF CONTEXT. WHAT HE MEANT BY THAT, HE WOULDN'T ELABORATE, BUT SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT SINCE, AND THE COMPUTER WILL FADE IN AND OUT, BUT I WON'T LOSE ENGINE POWER. MY CAR HAS TO HAVE NEW BRAKE PADS EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS, NEW TIRES, AND OTHER MAINTENANCE THINGS. AT LESS THAN 40000 MILES, IT NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS, AND WIRES, WHICH I HAPPILY BOUGHT. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED $300, BECAUSE THE PLUGS WERE IN THE BACK OF THE MOTOR. I WENT TO MY CAR, POPPED THE HOOD, FOUR SPARK PLUGS LINED THE TOP OF THE HEAD COVER. THERE WAS NO FURTHER EXPLANATION OF THE ATTEMPTED OVER CHARGE. MY CAR HAS SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS. THE POSITIVE CABLE ON THE BATTERY, HAS MELTED BACK, THERE IS A LOUD ROAR IN THE CAB OF THE CAR, AND THREE OF THE FOUR LUG NUTS ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAS SNAPPED OFF. THE EXPLANATION FOR THE LUG NUTS, WAS THAT THE TIRE WAS LOOSE, NOT FASTENED PROPERLY. BUT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 3-4 MO AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN OFF. I AM TO THE POINT WHERE I HATE FORD FOR SELLING ME THIS CAR. I WILL EVER BUY FORD AGAIN, BUT I LOVE THE CONCEPT OF THE CAR

Jan 14, 2004

FORD FOCUS 2001 IGNITION LOCKED. WASN'T ABLE TO TURN KEY AND HAD TO HAVE IGNITION REPLACED FOR RELATIVELY NEW CAR.*AK

Mileage: 68,000

Jan 8, 2004

THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK SEVERAL PEOPLE TRIED TO UNJAM THE KEY BUT NO SUCCESS. A TOW COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THE TOW COMPANY STATED THAT MANY FORD FOCUSES WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TOW ADVISED TAPPING ON THE KEY WITH A HAMMER TO SEE IF THE TUMBLERS WOULD REALIGN. IT WORKED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN HOME AND AGAIN THE IGNITION JAMMED BUT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH THE HAMMER THE KEY TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART AND A SPECIAL LOCKSMITH WAS REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR. *CB *JB

Mileage: 80,000

Dec 16, 2003 Fire

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT CAUGHT FIRE, DUE TO A BATTERY CABLE WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. *JB

Dec 6, 2003

THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE LOCKSMITH TOLD ME THAT HE SEES IT A LOT IN FORDS. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET THE IGNITION REPLACED. MY MOTHER HAS THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR & SHE HAS HAD HER IGNITION REPLACED TWICE! THIS IS FOR A 2001. *LA

Mileage: 41,000

Nov 28, 2003

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT OFF. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT COMPUTER FAILED.*AK

Nov 23, 2003

I HAVE HAD MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH LOCK UP ON ME A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES IN THE FIRST 14 MONTHS I OWED MY FOCUS. IF YOU HAVE THIS PROBLEM, LOOK AT THE TIP OF YOUR KEY -- IS IT BEING WORN DOWN AT THE TIP? THIS IS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM -- FORD BASICALLY USED INFERIOR METAL WHEN DESIGNING THEIR KEYS FOR THE 2000-2001 FORD FOCUSES. THEY HAVE SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THIS PROBLEM IN LATER MODELS. AFTER HAVING MY IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED OR REBUILT THREE TIMES, FINALLY AFTER THE FOURTH TIME, THEY GAVE ME A NEW SET OF KEYS. BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE MY CURRENT "NEW" KEY GETS WORN DOWN ENOUGH TO LOCK UP THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN I INSERT IT. I AM IN THE MIDST OF PURSUING THE LEMON LAW ON MY CAR. I'VE ASKED FORD TO "REPURCHASE" MY CAR AND THEY HAVE COUNTERED MY OFFER TO "REPLACE" MY CAR WITH ANOTHER FOCUS -- FULLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE "IGNITION CYLINDER MALFUNCTION... WAS A KNOWN CONCERN IN 2001 MODELS, AND WAS UNFORTUNATELY UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED ON YOUR VEHICLE." THIS PROBLEM HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING RECALL-WORTHY (IN MY OPINION) BUT I HAVE NO IDEA OF HOW TO GET THAT PROCESS ROLLING! ALL I DO KNOW IS THAT ALL FOUR SEPARATE TOW TRUCK OPERATORS(WITHOUT BEING ASKED BY MYSELF) TOLD ME THAT THEY TOW 12-15 FORD FOCUSES A MONTH WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM! THAT'S RIDICULOUS! I WAS TOLD BY A KIND FORD SERVICE GUY THAT IF I EVER DO GET IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE MY IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP AND MY KEY WILL NOT TURN AND START MY CAR, THAT IF I LIGHTLY TAP THE END OF THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH SOMETHING HARD -- IT MAY WORK TO ALLOW IT TO TURN. SO IF YOU ARE IN A PICKLE, GIVE THIS A TRY. IF YOUR CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BE SURE TO KEEP A GOOD RECORD OF EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS TO YOU. THEN LOOK INTO THE LEMON LAW REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR STATE. *LA

Mileage: 16,500

Nov 13, 2003

WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY DID NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN FOUR TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

Mileage: 2,000

Nov 7, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. ALSO, VEHICLE FAILED TO START. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN KEY IN IGNITION, IT WAS STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION. *AK

Mileage: 40,000

Oct 27, 2003

THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS LOCKED IN PLACE AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE LOCKED. ALSO, EXHAUST SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES BECAUSE IT DID NOT REGISTER PROPERLY. *AK

Mileage: 62,000

Oct 22, 2003

ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE IT FAILED TO START. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS COMPUTER COMPONENTS.*AK

Oct 9, 2003

IN THE LAST PAST FIVE MONTHS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO CORRODED BATTERY CABLES, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Sep 26, 2003

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN DUE TO BATTERY CABLE WIRE MELTING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STEER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER.*AK

Sep 23, 2003

REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE WEARING OUT ON VEHICLE.*MR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE WRONG TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THE REAR SEAT LATCH, THE SEAT FABRIC AND THE KEY IGNITION FAILED.*TS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORE OUT, WHICH WERE ONLY USED ABOUT SEVEN TIMES AND THE REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

Mileage: 26,000

Sep 16, 2003

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE IGNITION LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

Sep 12, 2003

WHEN THE VEHICLES KEY IS PLACED IN THE IGNITION SOMETIMES THE KEY WILL NOT TURN, DEALER HAS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.*AK *TS

Mileage: 48,193

Sep 2, 2003

3 MAJOR COMPLAINTS FOR 2001 FORD FOCUS ZTS 1.) FRONT SUSPENSION NEEDS A RIGHT ARM REPLACEMENT 2.) ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND WAS TURNED OFF WHEN BROUGHT TO FORD DEALER SHOP. 3.) ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *AK

Aug 25, 2003

I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS IN AUGUST 2001. IN SEPT. 2001 WITH ONLY 2240 MILES ON THE CAR TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING AND THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A LEAK IN TRANSMISSION LINE. THIS WAS REPAIRED. IN OCT. 2002 AT 16416 MILES HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON WHEN I TURNED THE SWITCH. SWITCH WAS REPLACED. ABOUT THIS SAME TIME NEW BRAKE PADS WERE REQUIRED. NOV. 2002 AT 17871 MILES THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP. CAR WAS TOWED AND IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. AUGUST 2003 AT 26757 MILES IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. NOW I HAVE A BUBBLE IN ONE TIRE AND MY BRAKES ARE SQUEALING. WHAT'S NEXT? NOT ONCE HAVE I PICKED MY CAR UP FROM THE DEALER AND IT BEEN WASHED OR VACUUMED OUT. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR BECAUSE I NEEDED RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION. NOW I FEEL LIKE TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND LETTING THEM KEEP IT. I WONDER HOW MANY FORD EMPLOYEES WOULD BUY A FOCUS?. *AK

Aug 12, 2003

IGNITION TUMBLER WILL NOT TURN ON FOCUS 2001 LX. *AK

Mileage: 47,000

Aug 9, 2003

IGNITION CYLINDER BROKE WITHOUT ANY SIGNS, AND WAS STUCK WITHOUT A CAR FOR A WEEK. *AK

Mileage: 47,000

Aug 9, 2003

IGNITION CYLINDER BROKE WITHOUT ANY SIGNS, AND WAS STUCK WITHOUT A CAR FOR A WEEK. *AK

Mileage: 47,000

Aug 9, 2003

IGNITION CYLINDER BROKE WITHOUT ANY SIGNS, AND WAS STUCK WITHOUT A CAR FOR A WEEK. *AK

Mileage: 47,000

Aug 6, 2003

I PURCHASED MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ON AUGUST 6 2002. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKES AND NOW MY IGNITION IS STUCK. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP (CITRUS FORD IN ONTARIO CALIFORNIA) AND AFTER SPENDING AN EXTRA 1200 ON AN EXTRENDED WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THEY TOLD ME THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. HAVE THEY LOOKED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOW SPENDING ABOUT 595.00 FOR A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL FOCUS OWNERS. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL OR AT LEAST AN AMENDMENT SO THE WARRANTY WILL COVER THE COST.*AK

Mileage: 48,500

Aug 5, 2003

MY KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT DID NOT TURN EASILY. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR, AND BRING IT TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED IGNITION TUMBLER AT 31500 MILES.*AK

Jul 25, 2003 Crash Fire

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, ELIMINATING VISIBILITY, AND CAUSING CONSUMER TO COLLIDE INTO SIDE OF MOUNTAIN. RELATED RECALL 02V288000, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

Jul 24, 2003

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO STATED THAT HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURE AND THE HAVE STATED THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THIS HAS HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED FIVE TIMES INTO THE SHOP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN ON WHICH CAUSES THE OWNER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. *AK *CB

Jul 22, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT IGNITION SWITCH BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Jul 22, 2003 Crash Fire

WHILE DRIVING T AT NORMAL SPEED, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING BRAKES AND STEERING TO FAIL, RESULTING IN A FRONT COLLISION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Jul 21, 2003

CONSUMER STATES IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Jul 15, 2003

JAN 2003 - IGNITION LOCKED AND KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAD TO BE DRILLLED OUT AND REPLACED.AY 2003 - SAME AS ABOVEJ. UNE 2003 - SAME AS ABOVE. *AK

Mileage: 20,000

Jul 12, 2003

THE KEY DIDN'T GO ALL THE WAY DOWN INTO IGNITION. I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER.*AK

Mileage: 61,000

Jul 8, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND IT WILL BE HARD TO START UP THE VEHICLE AGAIN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Jul 1, 2003 Fire

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES IN FRONT OF A RESIDENCE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED. VEHICLE CANNOT BE USED. *AK

Jun 30, 2003

2001 FORD FOCUS BUCKED SEVERELY SEVERAL TIMES THEN LOST POWER AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE IN TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO BREAKDOWN LANE FROM PASSING LANE AND CONTINUED AT A MAXIMUM OF 30 MPH OFF THE INTERSTATE, CAR WAS STILL "BUCKING". THE CAR THEN COMPLETELY LOST POWER, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE ON BRIDGE. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD, CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. SERVICE DEPT ADVISED THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE SITUATION AND NO CODES SHOWED ON COMPUTER. MECHANICS BEST GUESS WAS IT WAS A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. CAR HAS 57000 MILES, IS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN. FORD REFUSES TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP. CAR IS BEING RETURNED TO ME WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO RETURN IT IF PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM TO LEAVE "UNDIAGNOSED" AND HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM.*AK

Jun 26, 2003

PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO EA02-022. STALLS (ENIGINE SHUTS OFF) WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY OR AT ANY SPEED. FAILS TO START IN DRIVEWAY OR PARKING LOT, THEN CAR GETS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND CAR WORKS FINE WITH NO PROBLEM FOUND. REPLACED FUEL FILTER WITH NO EFFECT ON PROBLEM. VERIFIED SPARK WORKS AND RELAYS ARE CLOSING WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START. HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY. ABOUT ONCE PER WEEK. CAR NOW HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT AND PROBLEM STARTED TO OCCUR AROUND 32,000 MILES. PLEASE FIX THIS IS DANGEROUS!! STALLS OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING. STALLING THIS OFTEN MAKES THIS PROBLEM HIGHER RISK THAN AN OCCASIONAL STALL.*AK

Jun 18, 2003

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL#02V288000 CONCERNING BATTERY CABLE. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Jun 16, 2003

IGNITION SWITCH FROZE AND WOULD NOT TURN. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER AT COST OF $50. SWITCH HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED ALONG WITH AN INNER PART AT A COST OF AROUND $250. CAR HAS 54,000 MILES. *NLM

Mileage: 54,000

Jun 9, 2003 Fire

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 02V288000 THE VERY NEXT DAY.*AK

Mileage: 33,000

Jun 9, 2003 Fire

IN AUGUST OF 2002 MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 HATCHBACK CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF A BATTERY CABLE INSULATION AND ROUTING DEFECT AND NEGLIGENCE. *JB

Jun 4, 2003

IGNITION CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. KEY WILL GO IN, BUT IS STUCK, YOU CAN NOT TURN THE KEY AT ALL TO START VEHICLE. *NLM

Mileage: 20,000

May 12, 2003

DIFFICULTY TURNING KEY IN IGNITION (ILC). *NLM

Mileage: 10,500

Apr 30, 2003

MY CAR HAS A ELETRICAL OR COMPUTER PROBLEM WHICH AL PACKER FORD CANNOT SEEM TO FIX. I,VE HAD TWO RECALLS THEY HAD TO TAKE CARE OF SO FAR .WHEN I PURCHASE MY CAR I BROUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I THOUGHT TOOK CARE OF EVERYTHING INCLUDING A LOANER CAR WHICH THEY NERVER EVEN OFFERED FOR MY INCONVINECE

Apr 29, 2003

THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLES REAR WIRING HARNESS FAILED. *NLM

Mileage: 60,000

Apr 9, 2003

THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FOUND WORN ON THE INSIDE ALONG WITH AN EXPOSED WIRE. (THESE TWO TIRES WERE NOT OF THE SAME MANUFACTURER) OTHER PROBLEM WERE AS FOLLOWED: THE BUTTON ON THE CASSETTE PLAYER HAD BROKEN, THE ADJUSTER BUTTON FOR THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD POPPED OFF, WHILE DRIVING THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED IN/OUT OF OVER DRIVE (TRANSMISSION PROBLEM-PER MECHANIC), THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, THERE WERE NO FUSES IN THE WIRES UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, TRUNK LOCK POPPED OFF, A/C BUTTON LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON WHEN THE HEAT WAS ON, THE BRAKES SQUEALED(SINCE PURCHASE), THERE WAS A BLIND SPOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR, AND WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE OTHER VEHICLE'S DUE TO THE SEATS BEING TOO HIGH. MR SCC *JB

Mileage: 1,000

Apr 2, 2003

THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL REGARDING THE BATTERY CABLE. *JB

Apr 1, 2003

THE BATTERY CABLES MAY BE MISROUTED/ DEFECTIVE PINCH BOLT. MR. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE BATTERY CABLE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO FIND TRANSPORTATION BACK AND FOURTH TO THE DEALER. SCC *JB

Apr 1, 2003

ALL FUNCTIONS ON THE DASH BOARD FAILED, AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE A GROUND WIRE. *JB

Mar 31, 2003

THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING 01 I 017 000 AND THE BATTERY CABLE 02 V 288 000. *JB

Mileage: 39,200

Feb 19, 2003

THE BATTERY CABLES WERE MISROUTED, WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO BE INOPERATIVE.*JB

Feb 18, 2003

FORD FOCUS 2001. PURCHASED IN AUGUST OF 2001. HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENTION. HAS BEEN IN SHOP 6 TIMES TO BE FIXED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE NOISE KEEP ON COMMING BACK. THE CAR HAS NUMBERS OF OTHER PROBLEMS. THE BREAKS MAKE NOISE, THE WINDSHIELS LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS, AND WHEN I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STALLS SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS.

Mileage: 10,000

Feb 7, 2003

BAD EGR SYSTEM FOLLOWED BY BATTERY GROUND FAILURE. PH

Mileage: 20

Feb 7, 2003

BAD EGR SYSTEM FOLLOWED BY BATTERY GROUND FAILURE. PH

Mileage: 20

Feb 3, 2003

THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: THE BRAKES HAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE, PULSATION WHEN MODERATE-HARD BRAKING, AND GRINDING, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP-BROKEN, BATTERY AND CASE, BELT ASSEMBLY AND IDLER SEAL, TRANSMISSION/PAN GASKET LEAK, TEMP GUAGE-FOUND BURNT RESISTER/CONNECTOR-GOES HOT AND COOLS WHEN A/C IS ON AND THE FAN DOES NOT COME ON, THE VEHICLE STALLED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT SEAL IS LEAKING, THE FUEL SENDER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY/INOP, AND THE REAR SUSPENSION-REAR SHOCKS-SEEMED WEAK AND HEARS A NOISE IN THE REAR END WHEN GOING OVER A DIP. SCC

Jan 12, 2003

ENGINE STALLING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON, TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SENSOR 3 TIMES.

Jan 10, 2003

CONSUMER REPORTED BATTERY FAILURE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE BRAKES FAILED. *TT *JB

Jan 4, 2003

THERE IS A CHEMICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER, HEATER AND DEFROSTER. I HAVE RETURNED THE CAR TO MATHEWS FORD FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIANS SMELLED THE ODOR AND FLUSHED THE SYSTEM OUT ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT THE ODOR RETURNS. I GET VERY POOR GAS MILEGE, THE BRAKES GRIND, SQUEEK, AND THUMP, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER WINDOWS HAVE A LOUD SQUEEK,THE TRUNK WON'T CLOSE COMPLETLY UNLESS YOU SLAM IT AS HARD AS YOU CAN,

Dec 19, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS STARTS TO FLICKER, WITHOUT WARNING. THEN THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE SEVERAL PARTS, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

Mileage: 18,062

Dec 5, 2002

CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, JUST AS STATED UNDER RECALL#02V288000, HOWEVER DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. TS. CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID FIX THE BATTERY INDICATOR PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE, ALSO THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WAS REPLACED.*JB

Mileage: 45,600

Dec 4, 2002

NO SUMMARY. DT

Dec 2, 2002

SEAT BELT WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED. IGNITION KEY WOULD ONLY GO PART WAY INTO IGNITION, COULD NOT START VEHICLE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DT

Nov 19, 2002

BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO STOP THE CAR, THEY DIDN'T LOCK, AND I DON'T HAVE ABS. RADIO LOSES POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THEN CLEARS UP AND IS GOOD FOR A WHILE. HAD INCIDENCES OF CAR JERKING/STUTTERING WHEN COASTING AT SURFACE STREET SPEEDS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD NOTHING WRONG. DEAL WITH JONES WEST FORD, BOUGHT CAR FROM INTERNET AUTO SALES. DT

Oct 23, 2002 Fire

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. AFTER INSPECTION FOR THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE WIRE HARNESS. IT WAS BRITTLE. MR

Oct 18, 2002

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH RACK/PINION, TRANSMISSION AND ALTERNATORS ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE MILEAGE HAS BEEN SO LOW YET SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. DT

Sep 11, 2002 Fire

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DRIVER STARTED SMELLING SMOKE. WHEN SHE PULLED WINDOW DOWN SMOKE BEGAN POURING THROUGH THE VENTILATION. SHE PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE EVEN MORE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WASN'T ABLE TO DETECT CAUSE OF SEVERE SMOKING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Sep 6, 2002

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED LOCKING MECHANISM IN STEERING COLUMN. *AK THE FUEL MILEAGE WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WAS STATED , THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACE ALONG EITH THE FILTER, EGR VALVE AND RADIO, TWO FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 10,700. *YH

Aug 12, 2002

THE DATE LISTED IS THE FIRST FAILURE DATE. THE SENSOR WENT OUT AND THE CAR KEPT RUNNING. ON 7/1/02, THE SENSOR FAILED AGAIN AND THIS TIME A FUSE BLEW AND THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WITH 3 PASSENGERS IN MY CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER, WHO "REPAIRED" THE CAR AND I ARRIVED ON 7/3/02 TO PICK IT UP. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PART FAILED AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THE PART FAILED ANOTHER TWO TIMES WHILE THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG. FINALLY, THEY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE CAR HAS RUN SINCE THEN. I FINALLY PICKED UP THE REPAIRED CAR ON 7/10/02. I CONTACTED FORD (THE CORPORATION), WHO TOLD ME THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE PART AND THEIR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT IF THERE WERE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS. I WAS TOLD BY A SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT REPAIRED MY CAR, WHO TOLD ME IT WAS "A BAD FORD PART" AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT UNTIL FORD CAME OUT WITH A NEW PART. I TOLD FORD WHAT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CONTACTED THE TECHNICIAN WHO DENIED SAYING THAT. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO PUT SOME PRESSURE ON FORD TO ASSURE THAT THIS VEHICLE RUNS PROPERLY AND PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT IN PREVIOUS INCIDENTS, BUT MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY THE NEXT TIME.*AK

Jul 22, 2002 Fire

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LAST THURSDAY (10 MINUTES ON THE INTERSTATE, 97 DEGREES, FULL AC), WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER FOLLOWED BY TRANSMISSION LURCHING AND ENGINE TRYING TO DIE. PULLED THE REMAINING BLOCK INTO MY APTS AND OPENED HOOD EXPECTING TO FIND OVERHEATED ENGINE, AND ENDED UP SEE A BUNCH OF FLAME AND SIGNING MY THUMB. GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT IT OUT, AND CALLED FIRE DEPT. NO WORK WAS DONE TO ENGINE OTHER THAN A NEW AIR FILTER 4000 MILES AGO. SO FAR THE FORD DEALER WANTS TO WRITE IT OFF AS COMPLETE LOSS AND LEAVE IT TO MY INSURANCE. TOOK OUT MY AIR INTAKE, MELTED BATTERY, MELTED BATTERY WIRES, RUINED HOOD, SCROCHED HEADLIGHT, SMOKED INTERIOR, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT GOT SUCKED INTO ENGINE THROUGH THE INTAKE. DEALER WOULDN'T TOW BECAUSE "WARRANTY TOWS HAVE TO BE CALLED IN THROUGH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE". PHOTOS ARE UP AT HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ARCHANGEL_JJN. CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION. *AK

Jul 22, 2002 Crash

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF GOING THROUGH THE BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND A CHIP WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AGAIN UP TO 100 MILES PER HOUR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. DEALER FOUND THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN. *TT

Jul 17, 2002

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WOULD STALL OUT CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. I INITIATED THE LEMON LAW, BUT WAS OFFERED A 2002, SAME MODEL, TO AVOID MY PROCEEDING TO ARBITRATION HEARING. WRONG MOVE ON MY PART. I TRADED IN THE 2001 FOR A 2002 AND HAVE THE SAME IGINITION PROBLEMS ... STALLS OUT/STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING! I DO NOT RECOMMEND BUYING A FORD FOCUS. THIS CAR IS A HORROR AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!

Jul 15, 2002

AT 40MPH WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE SHUT OFF, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. CAUSE DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Jul 15, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT UNABLE TO SEE AS A RESULT OF HEADLIGHTS NOT BEING BRIGHT ENOUGH, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD LIGHT ON THIS MODEL VEHICLE CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, ALSO THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, AT TIMES THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE RESTARTED BEFORE THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED, INTERMITTENTLY THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. *AK *NLM

Jul 10, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. *SLC

Jul 2, 2002

WHILE PARKING IGNITION SWITCH WILL LOCK UP BECAUSE KEY WILL NOT TURN VEHICLE ON, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Jul 1, 2002

AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, VEHICLE JERKS HARD AND STALLS. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE CHECKED AND REPAIRED BY DEALER WITH NO RESOLUTION.*AKTHE DEALER IS HAVING CONSUMER TO MONITOR THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STARTS FAILING, BY PUSHING A BUTTON. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO PINPOINT WHERE THE PROBLEM IS OCCURING. THE VEHICLE WAS DOWNSHIFTING WHILE IN MOTION, THE SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. ALSO THE JERKING AND STALLING WERE CAUSED BY AN ERRATIC FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE. THIS MODULE HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THE IGNITION LOCK WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE PRESENT IN THE DOOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS REPAIRED, THE WHEEL WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT SO DEALER ADJUSTED THE UPPER BALL JOINT, AND THE SUN VISOR WAS BROKEN WHICH WAS ALSO REPLACED. *JG

Jun 27, 2002

VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT ONCE GAS GAUGE REACHES A QUARTER TANK. ALSO, KEEPS GETTING A POWER SURGE. POLICEMAN OFFERED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE, AND MOVED HER VEHICLE. NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME SHE TURNED IGNITION SWITCH, ODOMETER WOULD INCREASE SEVERAL THOUSAND IN MILEAGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK

Jun 25, 2002

A/C TENDS TO HAVE SMOKE AND VERY BAD SMELL COMING FROM VENTS, BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAL AND GRIND, VEHICLE DOESN'T ALWAYS WANT TO START, NO PICKUP OR STALLING WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHTS, ETC. ENGINE MAKES LOUD GRINDING NOICES, ENGINE ALSO MAKES LOUD REVING NOISES LIKE IT CAN'T GET INTO GEAR. FRONT PASSANGER SEATBELT TIGHTENS AND LOCKS FOR NO REASON. FORD MANUFACTOR NOTIFIED VIA CERTIFIED LETTER TWICE, NO CONTACT TO DATE. WALDORF FORD REFUSES TO FIX SAYING, "IF WE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, WE CAN'T FIX IT." BOTH REFUSE TO FIX ANYMORE. IN LAST YEAR IN SHOP 10 TIMES, FOR OVER 45 DAYS, AND NO RESOLUTION.*AK

Jun 25, 2002

A/C TENDS TO HAVE SMOKE AND VERY BAD SMELL COMING FROM VENTS, BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAL AND GRIND, VEHICLE DOESN'T ALWAYS WANT TO START, NO PICKUP OR STALLING WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHTS, ETC. ENGINE MAKES LOUD GRINDING NOICES, ENGINE ALSO MAKES LOUD REVING NOISES LIKE IT CAN'T GET INTO GEAR. FRONT PASSANGER SEATBELT TIGHTENS AND LOCKS FOR NO REASON. FORD MANUFACTOR NOTIFIED VIA CERTIFIED LETTER TWICE, NO CONTACT TO DATE. WALDORF FORD REFUSES TO FIX SAYING, "IF WE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, WE CAN'T FIX IT." BOTH REFUSE TO FIX ANYMORE. IN LAST YEAR IN SHOP 10 TIMES, FOR OVER 45 DAYS, AND NO RESOLUTION.*AK

Jun 13, 2002

THERE IS A DELAY WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, AT 55-65 MPH VEHICLE JERKS AND IS HARD TO CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

Jun 12, 2002

THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON EXACTLY 1 WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT WAS RETURNED TO ME 2 DAYS LATER AND 1 WEEK AFTER THAT THE LIGHT CAME ON. BOTH TIMES THE CAR STOPPED CUT OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THE MAIN COMPUTER. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2001 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND I RETURNED AGAIN IN ANOTHER WEEK SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS A LEAK AROUND THE SEAL ON THE GAS TANK. THEY RETURNED IT TO ME. IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH, I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN (THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR CUTS OFF). AGAIN THEY SAID IT WAS THE MAIN COMPUTER AND THEY REPLACED IT AND RETURNED IT TO ME. I HAVE TALKED TO A FORD REP AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND EVEN OFFERED TO SELL ME ANOTHER ONE! THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST FORD!

Jun 10, 2002

VEHICLE HAS STALLED TWICE AT 65 MPH. DEALER HAS REPLACED COMPUTER CHIP AND FUEL PUMP. BOTH TIMES CRUISE WAS ON, BUT NOT SET.*AK

Jun 10, 2002

WHEN PUTTING KEY IN IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN, AND SOMETIMES IT WILL AFTERWARDS JIGGLE AROUND. TOOK TO DEALER, AND TUMBLERS REPLACED. ALSO, TAILGATES ARE TOO HIGH. CONSUMER HAS INJURED SHOULDERS OPENING AND CLOSING THE TAILGATES.*AK

Jun 10, 2002

CAR WOULD REPEATEDLY CHUG AND ALL GUAGES WOULD DROP TO 0, RADIO/CD WOULD TURN OFF. FINALLY, CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY CAR BEHIND US WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AND GO AROUND. *AK

Jun 7, 2002

I WAS WATCHING THE NEWS LAST NIGHT AND HEARD A STORY THAT THE NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS THAT THE FORD FOCUS ENGINE CAN STALL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS WHAT HAPPEN TO MY CAR FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. BUT, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW STARTER. THIS WAS STRANGE TO ME BEING THE FACT THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD. AFTER SEEING THIS REPORT I KNOW UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSE BY DEBRIS ACCUMULATING IN THE GAS TANK, BLOCKING FUEL FROM BEING DELIVERED TO THE ENGINE. AFTER THE NEW STARTER WAS INSTALLED I'M STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. FOR EXAMPLE AT TIME IT SEEM LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL OR IT FEELS LIKE ITS DRAGGING.*AK

Jun 7, 2002

CAR SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY, NO WARNING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, THE CAR TOOK A WHILE TO RESTART, RADIO WOULDNT COME BACK ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED RADIO. AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE DEALERSHIP, SERVICE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP, AS REQUESTED BY FORD MOTOR CO, ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AS TO HELP ISOLATE WHY IT WAS HAPPENING. I WAS ASKED IF I NOTICE THE LIGHTS DIM PRIOR TO CAR SHUTTING DOWN. I REPLIED, I DONT RECALL IF THE LIGHTS DIMMED BECAUSE I WAS MORE THINKING ABOUT IT IS DARK, I HAVE A BLACK CAR, NO LIGHTS, NO POWER & A SEMI COMING UP BEHIND ME, ON I40. MY THOUGHTS WERE OF NOT GETTING KILLED AT THAT MOMENT. THE CAR STARTED BACK UP, HOWEVER THE RADIO AGAIN DIDNT COME ON INCLUDING THE CLOCK. THE LAST TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN AFTER IT SHUT DOWN, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE RADIO AND CLOCK NOT WORKING. IT WAS KEPT FOR ONE WEEK AND I WAS ADVISED THE RADIO WORKS, IT MERELY HAS A LOOSE FACE PLATEON THE RADIO & YOU HAVE TO KEEP" HITTING THE CONTROL TO GET IT ON. I KNOW FIRST HAND THE RADIO SHUTTING DOWN IS A RESULTING OF COMPLETE POWER LOSE (INCLUDING THE CLOCK). I DONT THINK A LOSE FACE PLATE ON THE RADIO WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. FROM WHAT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS, AFTER CONSULTING FORD , THEY HAVE REPLACED ANYTHING THE CAN BE REPLACED. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS CAR MANY TIMES. THE DEALER HAS LESS REPAIR INVOICES BECAUSE THEY HAVE COMBINED MULTIPLE REPORTS INTO ONE. IF YOU COUNT THE DEALERSHIP RECORDS OF HOW MANY TIMES, IT IS ALARMING. I PURCHASED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SAFE CAR. 99%OF MY DRIVING IN ON THE INTERSTATE. I FEAR DRIVING THIS CAR AND DONT WANT TO PROVE IT IS UNSAFE BY MY DEATH. OTHER PROBLEMS W/CAR: TRACTION CONTROL FUEL GAUGE. ENGINE SURGES AT IDLE KEY SOMETIMES WILL NOT GO IN AND TURN, SOMETIMES THE KEY WILL BE STUCK AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP TRYING IT TO GET IT OUT. CAR LOCKS ITSELF AFTER YOU EXIT. *AK

May 10, 2002

STARTERN RELAY SENSOR ON VEHICLE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL OUT INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER COULD NOT FIX PROBLEM. *AK

Apr 9, 2002

POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPEN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER AND CHILD WERE STUCK INSIDE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST TWO MINUTES TRYING TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS. HORN STARTED BEEPING/ HEADLIGHTS AND HAZRARDS LIGHTS WOULDN'T GO OUT, AND TRUNK WOULDN'T OPEN. AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL WAS ENTERING VEHICLE. TWO DAYS PRIOR DOOR KEY CODE WOULD TAKE 3-5 TRIES TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. DEALER WAS AWARE AND INSPECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

Apr 9, 2002

POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPEN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER AND CHILD WERE STUCK INSIDE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST TWO MINUTES TRYING TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS. HORN STARTED BEEPING/ HEADLIGHTS AND HAZRARDS LIGHTS WOULDN'T GO OUT, AND TRUNK WOULDN'T OPEN. AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL WAS ENTERING VEHICLE. TWO DAYS PRIOR DOOR KEY CODE WOULD TAKE 3-5 TRIES TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. DEALER WAS AWARE AND INSPECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

Apr 9, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED OUT WITH ALL LIGHTS IN INSTRUMENT PANEL COMING ON. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *JG *AK

Apr 2, 2002

THE BUSHINGS FAILED RUINING THE BACK TIRES. THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE A MIND OF THEIR OWN WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT AND FORD HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE AND THEY DISCOVERED BROKEN PARTS IN THERE. THERE IS AN UNDIAGNOSED PROBLEM WITH AS SCRAPING NOISE AS I TURNED A CORNER INTO A PARKING LOT. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, EVERY TIME WE DO SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS TO IT.

Feb 14, 2002

PURCHASED CAR IN DECEMBER 2000 WITHIN DAYS BRAKES SQUEALING AND GRINDING..CALLED DEALER SAID TO LET WEAR IN..PROBLEM PERSISTED..ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ..TOOK CAR TO NEAREST D DEALERSHIP..IN JANUARY 2001..BRAKES SHOES BACK AND PADS ON FRONT REPLACED. OXYGEN SENSOR, AND PARKING BRAKE REPLACED ..BRAKES STILL HAD PROBLEM ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON..TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED..KEPT 12 DAYS..BRAKES ADJUSTED AND COMPUTOR AND IGNITION WERE REPLACED..LIGHT OFF..BRAKES STILL TROUBLE..TOOK BACK NUMEROUS TIMES..FOR CHECK-UPS..AT 16,000 TOLD BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED IN FRONT AND TIRES WHERE ALL WORN AWAY ON INSIDE OF TIRE..BALD!! ..MANUFACTOR AND DEALER WOULD NOT PAY FOR..REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES, ALIGNMENT, AND NEW BRAKES PUT ON FRONT BRAKES..CAR STILL NOT RIGHT WITH BRAKES..SHAKING VIOLENTLY OF CAR WHILE BRAKING AT ANY SPEED. OR GOING DOWNHILL .TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP ROTORS WERE NO GOOD AS WELL AS FRONT BRAKES. THEY REPLACED..INNER TIRES ALREADY WEARING OUT...BRAKES STILL GIVING NOISE AND GRINDING..TOOK BACK WITHIN MONTH..THEY SAID FINE..TOOK BACK AGAIN WHEN OIL CHANGED..BRAKES WHERE SAID TO BE FINE..BRAKES NOISY AND GRINDING AS USUAL..3 WEEKS LATER BRAKES FAILED..HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP....THEY STATE NEEDS NEW BRAKES ON FRONT AND BACKSHOES CRACKED AND NEED NEW ROTORS...THEY KEEP SAYING ITS THE WAY WE DRIVE CAR...NO WAY..NEVER HAD THIS MUCH PROBLEM WITH ANY BRAKES IN ANY CAR WE HAVE OWNED...CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND MADE WITH INFERIOR PRODUCTS.. (TIRESIZE: 15)

Feb 14, 2002

PURCHASED CAR IN DECEMBER 2000 WITHIN DAYS BRAKES SQUEALING AND GRINDING..CALLED DEALER SAID TO LET WEAR IN..PROBLEM PERSISTED..ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ..TOOK CAR TO NEAREST D DEALERSHIP..IN JANUARY 2001..BRAKES SHOES BACK AND PADS ON FRONT REPLACED. OXYGEN SENSOR, AND PARKING BRAKE REPLACED ..BRAKES STILL HAD PROBLEM ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON..TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED..KEPT 12 DAYS..BRAKES ADJUSTED AND COMPUTOR AND IGNITION WERE REPLACED..LIGHT OFF..BRAKES STILL TROUBLE..TOOK BACK NUMEROUS TIMES..FOR CHECK-UPS..AT 16,000 TOLD BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED IN FRONT AND TIRES WHERE ALL WORN AWAY ON INSIDE OF TIRE..BALD!! ..MANUFACTOR AND DEALER WOULD NOT PAY FOR..REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES, ALIGNMENT, AND NEW BRAKES PUT ON FRONT BRAKES..CAR STILL NOT RIGHT WITH BRAKES..SHAKING VIOLENTLY OF CAR WHILE BRAKING AT ANY SPEED. OR GOING DOWNHILL .TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP ROTORS WERE NO GOOD AS WELL AS FRONT BRAKES. THEY REPLACED..INNER TIRES ALREADY WEARING OUT...BRAKES STILL GIVING NOISE AND GRINDING..TOOK BACK WITHIN MONTH..THEY SAID FINE..TOOK BACK AGAIN WHEN OIL CHANGED..BRAKES WHERE SAID TO BE FINE..BRAKES NOISY AND GRINDING AS USUAL..3 WEEKS LATER BRAKES FAILED..HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP....THEY STATE NEEDS NEW BRAKES ON FRONT AND BACKSHOES CRACKED AND NEED NEW ROTORS...THEY KEEP SAYING ITS THE WAY WE DRIVE CAR...NO WAY..NEVER HAD THIS MUCH PROBLEM WITH ANY BRAKES IN ANY CAR WE HAVE OWNED...CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND MADE WITH INFERIOR PRODUCTS.. (TIRESIZE: 15)

Feb 6, 2002

AVANCE TRAC CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE AND/OR MULFUNCTIONS-DISABLING IT TOTAL. MANY ELECT PROBLEMS. TWICE IT HAS SHUT DOWN ON INTERSTATE I40 AT RATE OF SPEED OF 50 AND 60 AND ONCE AT MAYBE 5 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN THERE IS NO WARNING. OTHER PROBLEMS W/THIS CAR HAVE BEEN RADIO HAD TO BE REPLACED, FUEL PUMP MODULE, KEY GETS STUCK AND KEY WILLN'T TURN. *AK

Feb 6, 2002

AVANCE TRAC CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE AND/OR MULFUNCTIONS-DISABLING IT TOTAL. MANY ELECT PROBLEMS. TWICE IT HAS SHUT DOWN ON INTERSTATE I40 AT RATE OF SPEED OF 50 AND 60 AND ONCE AT MAYBE 5 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN THERE IS NO WARNING. OTHER PROBLEMS W/THIS CAR HAVE BEEN RADIO HAD TO BE REPLACED, FUEL PUMP MODULE, KEY GETS STUCK AND KEY WILLN'T TURN. *AK

Nov 29, 2001

MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAKES CLATTERING NOISE AT IDLE SPEED. TRANSMISSION DIFFICULT TO SHIFT AND GRINDS GEARS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, ENGINE SPUTTERS AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. INSTRUMENT LIGHTS FLICKER DUE TO LOW ALTERNATOR RPM. IDLE THEN INCREASES.*AK

Nov 4, 2001

COMPLAINT : IGNITION LOCK WOULD NOT RELEASE KEY AND TURN FAR ENOUGH TO CUT THE ENGINE OFF ( KEY WOULD OTHERWISE MOVE FREELY). HISTORY : KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT ON RANDOM OCCASIONS WITHOUT A SECOND TRY . THE KEY WOULD ALWAYS COME OUT ON THE SECOND TRY AND COULD NEVER REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY.*AK

Oct 3, 2001

WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY SAID THEY PROGRAMMED THE AUT. DOOR LOCKS. THERE WERE NONE. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE OR LEAVE IT. THE DOOR CLIP IS BROKEN, TAPES ARE CHEWED, BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED ON HWY.,COMPLAINED OF BRAKES @5K MILES - DOWN TO ROTOR -THEY SAID IT WILL BE EVERY 15K MILES. "NOT OUR PROLEM." THIS CAR IS A DANGEROUS LEMON. I DON'T WANT TO DIE! FAN BELT IS LOOSE/NEEDS REEPLACEMENT. MY WARRANTY IS UP SOON. I WANTED WHAT I PAID FOR -SAFETY, AND HAVE A "DEATH TRAP". FORD SAYS "WE CANNOT LOSE ANY MONEY" TO ME. I INFORMEDD MY INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE I AM AFRAID, AND DO NOT WISH TO BE BLAMED FOR FORD'S POOR QUALITY WORKMANSHIP. EXACT DATES CAN BE FOUND. *AK (TIRESIZE: 185/65R14) (TIRESIZE: 185/65R14)

Aug 2, 2001 Fire

AFTER I STARTED THE CAR I TURNED ON THE AC UNIT. MINUTES LATER AS I TURNED A CORNER I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, NEAR THE DEFROSTER AREA. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD GOT OUT AND CALLED THE POLICE. THE SMOKE GOT THICKER AND THEN A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. I FIRST NOTICED IT AS IT ENTERED THE VEHICLE VIA THE PASSENGER SIDE A/C VENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT SPENT ABOUT 25 MIN TO PUT OUT FIRE. CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS, NOTIFIED INSUR AND DEALER. INSUR TO PAY LEASE BALANCE. LITTLE TO NO RESPONSE FROM FORD. *AK

Jun 28, 2001

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE, THE KEY WILL STICK IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT START VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE THREE TIMES, AND FAILED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

Jan 29, 2001

FROM THE DASH COMPARTMENT THERE IS A CRACKLING, AND SMOKE COMES FROM THE DASH, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM, CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT THE BURNING SMELL IS IRRITATING TO THE EYES AND THROAT. *SLC