2001 FORD FOCUS Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

198 complaints about Service Brakes, Hydraulic

198
Complaints
15
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Deaths

High Severity Issue

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

This Problem Across All Years

All Service Brakes, Hydraulic Complaints (198)

Mar 9, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH, THE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOORBOARD AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS UTILIZED IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A HALT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE REAR-BRAKE KNUCKLE LINE HAD FAILED. THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 152,000.

Mileage: 149,000

Feb 3, 2010 Crash

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED, THEREFORE, I USED BRAKES. THE BRAKES FAILED. I HAD BARELY ENOUGH TIME AND SPACE TO MOVE TO THE NEXT LANE AND THEREBY HITTING OTHER VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR GARAGE AND BODY SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE CYLINDER BLEW OUT AND THEREFORE BRAKES FAILURE. THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID ON THE FREEWAY. I AVOIDED KILLING MYSELF AND OTHERS DUE TO MY SAFE DRIVING TRAINING AT THE BARBER SCHOOL, GIVEN TO ME BY MY PARENTS WHEN I TURNED 18. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES SO OTHER PEOPLE WILL NOT DIE OR GET SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

Feb 3, 2010

I WAS DRIVING FROM HOME TO GO TO MY PARENT HOME. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO TRAFFIC. MY BRAKES FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN BY DOWN SHIFTING AND HAND BRAKES AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR GARAGE. THE REPAIR GARAGE FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE CYLINDER HAD BLOWN OUT AND WAS SQUIRTING BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER. THIS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN JULY 2007 WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE CYLINDER HAD FAILED ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE - ODI # 10304293. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND TAKE ACTION TO RECALL THIS SERIOUS LIFE DAMAGING COMPONENT ON A OTHERWISE GOOD VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 82,500

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

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

Nov 25, 2007

BRAKES HAVE BEEN FAILING FREQUENTLY. AFTER TAKING IT TO BE REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME IN JUNE, I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS NEARLY II THE INTERSECTION BEFORE THE BRAKES WORKED. THE PROBLEM IS REPEATED AND I FEEL AS THOUGH THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF THE BRAKES CAN NOT BE REPAIRED PROPERLY BY EVEN THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

Nov 25, 2007

BRAKES HAVE BEEN FAILING FREQUENTLY. AFTER TAKING IT TO BE REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME IN JUNE, I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS NEARLY II THE INTERSECTION BEFORE THE BRAKES WORKED. THE PROBLEM IS REPEATED AND I FEEL AS THOUGH THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF THE BRAKES CAN NOT BE REPAIRED PROPERLY BY EVEN THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

Aug 28, 2007

2001 FORD FOCUS HAS A DEFECTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS CAUSES THE BRAKES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. *KB

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

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

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 25, 2006

BRAKE LINE FAILURE, BRACKET FELL OFF AND WORE BRAKE LINE IN TWO NO WARNING. BRAKES FAILED ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH. NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF PROBLEM, TOTAL BRAKE LOSS. 2001 FORD FOCUS 120000 MILES. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE DUE TO THIS FAILURE.*AK

Mileage: 125,000

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

Aug 11, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS AND ROTORS AT 30,000 MILES IN OCTOBER 2003. THEN AT 47,000 MILES ON JULY 29. 2005. THE BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND THE ROTORS RUSTED AND PITTED. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THIS WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK *JB

Aug 11, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS AND ROTORS AT 30,000 MILES IN OCTOBER 2003. THEN AT 47,000 MILES ON JULY 29. 2005. THE BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND THE ROTORS RUSTED AND PITTED. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THIS WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK *JB

Aug 11, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS AND ROTORS AT 30,000 MILES IN OCTOBER 2003. THEN AT 47,000 MILES ON JULY 29. 2005. THE BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND THE ROTORS RUSTED AND PITTED. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THIS WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK *JB

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

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 6, 2005 Crash

DT: 2001 FORD FOCUS THE ACTUAL BRAKE PEDAL BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO CRASH. SHE STATES THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE BOLTS THAT HOLDS THE PEDAL ON BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE ACTUAL PEDAL TO SWING. THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT SHE STILL OWNS THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED. HIS NECK IS FRACTURED DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHS.*AK

Apr 25, 2005

2001 FORD FOCUS ROTORS (FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE) WERE SHREDDED. THE BRAKE PADS WERE ONLY HALF WORN.*MR *JB *NM

Mileage: 57,000

Apr 15, 2005

MY WIFE CALLED ME AT WORK AND SAID SHE HAD NO BRAKES AND RAN THROUGH A STOP SIGN. SHE WAS ABLE TO GO TO MY JOB. AFTER LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM, I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL WELL HAD BEEN RUBBING ON THE FRONT BRAKE LINE. IT HAD WORN ITSELF INTO THE WHEEL WELL ABOUT A 1/4 INCH. IT FINALLY CRACKED THE BRAKE LINE, CAUSING FLUID AND LOSS OF PRESSURE. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF ORDERING A NEW BRAKE LINE TO INSTALL, AND HAVE A VERY HARD TIME FINDING THIS PART.*AK

Apr 11, 2005

2001 FORD FOCUS REQUIRES COMPLETE BRAKE REPLACEMENT (INCLUDING ROTORS) EVERY 20,000 MILES. *AK

Mar 30, 2005

THE FUEL FILTER GETS CLOGGED WHICH BLOCKS THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE, CAUSING STALLING. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE FUEL FILTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN # 03V482000. THERE WAS BRAKE PULSATION, THE FRONT END CREAKS REALLY BAD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE NO POWER AND OR STALL WHILE GOING 40-45 MPH. *SC *JB

Mileage: 36,000

Mar 10, 2005

I HAVE REPLACED MY ROTORS AND BRAKES 3 TIMES ALREADY AND NOW THEY ARE STARTING TO MAKE THAT SOUND AGAIN WHERE IT STARTS TO DRAG. I JUST REPLACED MY BRAKES IN MAY OF 2004 AND I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN IT 8,000 MILES. I STILL HAVE 4,000 MILES LEFT ON THE WARRANTY. I TOOK IT IN TO BILL PIERRE FORD AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL TO HAVE THIS NIOSE AND THAT THERE IS PLENTY OF BRAKE LEFT. I AM THINKING THAT THEY ARE WANTING ME TO DRIVE IT UNTIL THE WARRANTY IS UP SO I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND PAY OUT OF MY POCKET INSTEAD OF JUST REPLACEING THEM NOW! I AM VERY IRRITATED NOW CAUSE I CAN NOT GET ANY HELP AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME ANOTHER $600.00 DOLLARS!! I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THEM 3 TIMES OUT OF MY POCKET . WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH FORD HOW CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS!*AK

Mileage: 8,500

Mar 4, 2005

THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME.*AK

Mileage: 69,000

Jan 23, 2005

SO MANY PROBLEMS DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START, OK LETS TALK ABOUT THE DOORS. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2001 AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY STARTED EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES. THE TRUNK WOULDN'T LATCH AND THE DOOR LIGHT WOULD BE ON OR IT WOULD LATCH BUT WOULDN'T COME OPEN WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THEY WOULD "ADJUST"IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WOULD BE BACK IN A DAY OR TWO, AND IT WAS GETTING WORSE. THE DOORS STARTED TO JAM,AND FLY OPEN WHILE MOVING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD US TO CALL FORD COMPANY COMPLAINT LINE AND THEY SAID IT WAS A MILEAGE PROBLEM,AND THEY EXPLICITLY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP. WE HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND THE FORD MOTOR CO. MANY TIMES AND THEY ARE NO LONGER HELPING,EVEN THOUGH THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER SAID THE DOORS HAD INTERNAL DAMAGE. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM AND THE LAST TIME OUR 9 YR.OLD WOULD HAVE FALLEN OUT OF THE CAR HAD HE NOT BEEN WEARING HIS SEATBELT. OH,YES THEN THERE IS THE SEATBELTS,BRAKE LINES, DOOR KNOBS,BRAKE ROTORS,FUEL PUMP,WHEEL BEARINGS THE LIST GOES ON WE HAVE A LEMON PLEASE CONTACT US TO HELP. *JB

Mileage: 120,000

Jan 23, 2005

SO MANY PROBLEMS DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START, OK LETS TALK ABOUT THE DOORS. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2001 AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY STARTED EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES. THE TRUNK WOULDN'T LATCH AND THE DOOR LIGHT WOULD BE ON OR IT WOULD LATCH BUT WOULDN'T COME OPEN WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THEY WOULD "ADJUST"IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WOULD BE BACK IN A DAY OR TWO, AND IT WAS GETTING WORSE. THE DOORS STARTED TO JAM,AND FLY OPEN WHILE MOVING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD US TO CALL FORD COMPANY COMPLAINT LINE AND THEY SAID IT WAS A MILEAGE PROBLEM,AND THEY EXPLICITLY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP. WE HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND THE FORD MOTOR CO. MANY TIMES AND THEY ARE NO LONGER HELPING,EVEN THOUGH THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER SAID THE DOORS HAD INTERNAL DAMAGE. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM AND THE LAST TIME OUR 9 YR.OLD WOULD HAVE FALLEN OUT OF THE CAR HAD HE NOT BEEN WEARING HIS SEATBELT. OH,YES THEN THERE IS THE SEATBELTS,BRAKE LINES, DOOR KNOBS,BRAKE ROTORS,FUEL PUMP,WHEEL BEARINGS THE LIST GOES ON WE HAVE A LEMON PLEASE CONTACT US TO HELP. *JB

Mileage: 120,000

Jan 19, 2005

MY BRAKES FAILED DUE TO LIP AND WARPAGE CREATED ON FRONT ROTORS. BRAKES FAILED WITHIN 10,000 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING. BRAKES WERE REPLACED AGAIN AND OLD LIPPED ROTORS AVAILABLE. THIS WAS THE THIRD SET ON MY CAR WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES. *NM

Jan 17, 2005

BRAKES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM THE SECOND TIME. BRAKES ARE TOTALLY UNSAFE. *JB

Mileage: 13,000

Jan 4, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKES AND TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Jan 3, 2005

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS AND MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM THREE TIMES DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK

Jan 3, 2005

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS AND MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM THREE TIMES DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK

Dec 7, 2004

REAR BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. *AK

Mileage: 360,000

Oct 26, 2004

2001 FORD FOCUS REAR BRAKES SQUEALS LOUD NOISE. SOUND LIKES METAL TO METAL, I REPLACES BRAKES PAD HAD THE CREEP AND GROAN REMOVED, LUBE JOB AND ETC. FORD BRAKE SHOES COST OVER 130.00, NOT AFFORDABLE FOR CUSTOMERS. SQUEALING ABOUT TO DRIVE ME CRAZY. NEED A RECALL, MY FRIENDS OWN 2001 - 2003 FOCUS'S SAME PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE ABOUT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE SQUEALING AND WEARINGR OF PADS AND ETC. FAST. *AK

Oct 10, 2004

BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR FAILURE. *NM

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

Aug 11, 2004

FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FOR MY 2001 FORD FOCUS WAGON NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER JUST 37,700 MILES. THE BRAKES ON THE CAR HAVE SQUEALED ALMOST SINCE DAY ONE (WE PURCHASED IT NEW IN AUGUST 2001), HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR CHECKING AND REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES (MCMAHON FORD, NORWALK, CT) AND THEY SAID IT'S NORMAL FOR BRAKES TO SQUEAL, OR THAT THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, OR THAT IT'S DUE TO DUST, OR DENIED THAT THEY SQUEALED AT ALL. THE REPAIR PLACE SAYS THE ROTORS CANNOT BE TURNED AND THAT THE BRAKES WERE MADE TO BARELY MINIMUM STANDARDS. THEY ARE RETURNING THE WORN PARTS. THERE WAS NEVER ANY INDICATION THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING (FOR ONE THING, BECAUSE OF THE PERMANENT SQUEAL) AND THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND THIS PROBLEM THE LAST TIME WE HAD IT IN FOR A CHECKUP BEFORE IT WENT OUT OF WARRANTY, WHICH IS OF THE MOST CONCERN TO ME. *JB

Mileage: 37,700

Aug 9, 2004

AT A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE/ALIGNMENT I WAS INFORMED THAT MY FRONT BRAKES WERE 95% WORN AND THAT THEY AND THE ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS BEING HAD -- I'VE ONLY PUT 24,000 MILES ON MY CAR, ALL VERY GENTLE DRIVING. THEN I DISCOVERED THAT I'M ONE OF THE MORE FORTUNATE -- MANY FORD FOCUS OWNERS ARE REPLACING BRAKES AND ROTORS AT 15,000 MILES! THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT, BUT THERE CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN A BRAKE FAILURE IF MY MECHANICS HAD NOT ALERTED ME TO THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 24,000

Aug 9, 2004

AT A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE/ALIGNMENT I WAS INFORMED THAT MY FRONT BRAKES WERE 95% WORN AND THAT THEY AND THE ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS BEING HAD -- I'VE ONLY PUT 24,000 MILES ON MY CAR, ALL VERY GENTLE DRIVING. THEN I DISCOVERED THAT I'M ONE OF THE MORE FORTUNATE -- MANY FORD FOCUS OWNERS ARE REPLACING BRAKES AND ROTORS AT 15,000 MILES! THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT, BUT THERE CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN A BRAKE FAILURE IF MY MECHANICS HAD NOT ALERTED ME TO THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 24,000

Jul 21, 2004

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS ON THE VEHICLE WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PADS WERE WEARING DOWN AT LESS THAN 8000 MILES. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL WEAR FOR THIS TYPE OF BRAKE PAD. *JB

Mileage: 49,000

Jul 20, 2004

VEHICLE WAS MAKING LOUD GRINDING SOUNDS WHEN BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, SO I TOOK IT TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE WORN AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED BECAUSE, ACCORDING TO FORD, THIS IS NORMAL WEAR. AT 32,500 MILES, ROTOR DAMAGE IS NOT NORMAL WEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN GRINDING SOUND BEGINS ONCE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. *LA

Mileage: 32,550

Jul 20, 2004

VEHICLE WAS MAKING LOUD GRINDING SOUNDS WHEN BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, SO I TOOK IT TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE WORN AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED BECAUSE, ACCORDING TO FORD, THIS IS NORMAL WEAR. AT 32,500 MILES, ROTOR DAMAGE IS NOT NORMAL WEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN GRINDING SOUND BEGINS ONCE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. *LA

Mileage: 32,550

Jul 19, 2004

2001 FORD FOCUS FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS SEVERELY WORN AFTER 25,000 MILES. ROTOR AND BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON BOTH FRONT TIRES BY FORD DEALER. *JB

Mileage: 25,975

Jun 22, 2004

LEFT BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR COMPLETELY WORN AFTER 24000 MILES OF GENTLE DRIVING. FORD REFUSED TO COVER THE PADS AND ROTOR UNDER THE WARRANTY. CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NOT HELPFUL OR FLEXIBLE. *AK

Mileage: 24,000

Jun 16, 2004 Crash

WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED FORCE TO BRAKES TO AVOID A COLLISION. DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWAY OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH, AND VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

May 4, 2004

AT AROUND 36,000 MILES I WAS TOLD THAT MY FORD FOCUS NEEDS NEW ROTORS WITH THE BRAKE JOB. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HEAR OF ROTORS NEEDING TO BE CHANGED AT THIS LOW MILAGE. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE NEW ROTORS. *AK

May 3, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKE ROTORS PROBLEM. REAR BRAKES ROTORS WERE REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Apr 20, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO THE BRAKE ROTORS PADS, AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP BEING INOPERATIVE. FORD MADE THE REPAIRS BUT FAILED TO REPLACE THE O RINGS WHICH CAUSED THE PUMP TO FAIL AGAIN. FORD HAD FUEL PUMP RECALL #03NO1 BUT THE SAME EXACT PART WENT BAD. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED DUE TO THE CALIPERS SEEPING FLUID, BINDING THE PISTONS. *SC *JB

Mileage: 36,976

Apr 19, 2004

FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS; I HAD 21K+ MILES ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS, THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE WHEN BRAKING, AND SPECIALLY DOWNHILL. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT I NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS, AND "MOST LIKELY ROTORS". THAT'S RIDICULOUS FOR SUCH LOW MILES. FEARING FOR MY FAMILY SAFETY I DID REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS, BUT NOT WITH THE DEALER.*AK

Mar 29, 2004

2001 FORD FOCUS 34500MILES; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION UNEXPECTEDLY DROPS OUT OF GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPPEDS AND UNDER LOAD . ALSO BRAKES AND ROTOR SHOT AT 345OO MILES. FORD CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. CANNOT BELIEVE IT.*AK

Mileage: 34,500

Mar 12, 2004

I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS IN JAN/2001. AFTER 16000 MILES MY ROTORS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH OTHER BRAKE PARTS THIS REPAIR WAS DONE ON 10/15/02 AND WAS COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. AFTER 30000 MILES I BEGAN TO HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE WHENEVER I APPLIED THE BRAKES. AT 30528 MILES, ON 03/05/04, I WAS INFORMED BY THE OASIS FORD DEALERSHIP (OLD BRIDGE, NJ) TECHNICIAN THAT MY ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH OTHER BRAKE PARTS AND BECAUSE THIS WAS A WEAR PROBLEM, IT WAS NOT COVERED BY MY VERY EXPENSIVE WARRANTY. I TOLD HIM THAT THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ONLY 14000 MILES AGO. HE SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ROTORS PROVIDED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. HE SAID THEY WERE TOO THIN AND COULD NOT BE MACHINED BECAUSE THAT WOULD REDUCE THEM BELOW "SPECS". THIS REPAIR WOULD COST ME $360.00 NOW AND, PRESUMABLY, ANY FUTURE BRAKE REPAIR. THE ROTORS APPEAR TO BE OF INFERIOR QUALITY AND PERHAPS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. REGARDS, ED BARRY. *AK

Mileage: 30,000

Feb 8, 2004 Crash

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS SE 2001 AND THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. THE PADS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THIS VEHICLE, THEREFORE THE BRAKES ARE WEARING AT A RAPID RATE IN 8 TO 10,000 MILES. I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN JULY OF 2003 BECAUSE THE BRAKES WORE ALMOST GONE AND I COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE BRAKES ON THE FOCUS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED AND I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WHO IS HAVING PROBLEMS. SO FAR FORD HAS REPLACED MY BRAKES TWICE AND MY CAR HAS 33,000 MILES. NOW THEY ARE LYING TO ME AND TELLING ME MY BRAKES ARE FINE AND I KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THEY WON'T DO IT AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS TO PROVE THAT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM THESE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FORD NEEDS TO DESIGN A BRAKE PAD TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I COULD NOT PROVE MY ACCIDENT WAS A RESULT OF THESE FAULTY BRAKES.*AK

Mileage: 24,000

Feb 5, 2004

MY WIFE OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. IT NOW HAS ALMOST 29,000 MILES AND THE FRONT BRAKES ARE STILL SQUEAKING AND GRINDING ALMOST WITH EVERY USE. IT HAS BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2001. THEY HAVE MADE 4 REPAIR ATTEMPTS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE BRAKES STILL MAKE A LOT OF NOISE AND BRAKE DUST. THE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND VARIOUS OTHER BRAKE PARTS ALSO. THE SERVICE MANAGER (RICHARD) AT ADAMS FORD IN BELTON, MO INFORMED ME TODAY THEY WOULD DO NO MORE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HE LAUGHED AND SAID FEEL LUCKY YOU DON'T OWN A MERCEDES BECAUSE THEIR BRAKES SOUNDED LIKE A DUMP TRUCK STOPPING. *JB

Mileage: 2,959

Jan 23, 2004

WHILE BRAKING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE ROTORS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WORN. THE MECHANIC TRIED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB

Mileage: 27,000

Jan 15, 2004 Crash

THE TIRE AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND THE CAR STATED SLIDING. AFTER THE CRASH THERE WERE BOLTS THAT WERE FOUND ON THE GRASS WHERE THE CRASH HAPPENED

Mileage: 65,000

Jan 15, 2004

THE REASON SOME OF THESE ARE NOT DATED IS BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS KEEP ON PERSISTING THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MY CAR DIES ON ME AND THE CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE. IT MAKES A WINDING SOUND WHEN I TAKE OFF AND STILL THEY CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE. MY GEARS ALWAYS WIND AND AS SOON AS I GET IT OUT OF THE SHOP ABOUT ONE TO TWO WEEKS LATER IT IS DOING IT AGAIN, WHEN I AM DRIVING IT JERKS LIKE IT WANTS TO DIE OR GO OUT OF GEAR(KEEP IN MIND I HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT). I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES TWO TIMES I AM ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES AND THEY ARE MESSED UP NOW. I AM NOT A BAD DRIVER I KNOW IT IS NOT ME I HAVE A CHILD THAT IS CONSTANTLY WITH ME I DO NOT DRIVE CRAZY TO MAKE ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAPPEN. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE REPLACED ONCE ALREADY AND NOW THEY ARE SQEEKING AGAIN. MY CAR CIGARETTE LIGHTER KEEPS ON BURNING OUT. I JUST GET SO FRUSTRATED THAT I AM SPENDING ALL OF THIS MONEY FOR THEM TO WORK ON MY CAR WITH THE WARRANTY AND THEN TELL ME THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND NOW THE WARRANTY IS OUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS PEICE OF JUNK. I HAVE HAD 2 OTHER CARS AND THEY NEVER GAVE ME ANY PROBLEMS AND KNOW I AM STUCK UNHAPPY EVERYDAY WITH THIS CAR I CAN NOT STAND TO DRIVE, I FEEL UNSAFE IN IT EVERYDAY.

Jan 15, 2004 Crash

MY DAUGHTER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AT 40MPH AND THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND SHE FELT A DROP IN THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR, THE CAR STARTED SLIDING AND HIT A CURB. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WAS BROKE OFF. A TOW TRUCK TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT NEEDED A CONTROL ARM; HUB ASSEMBLY; TIE ROD END; TIRE & WHEEL; AXLE; BRAKE LINE; BRAKE PADS & ROTOR; TRANS PAN AND INNER TIE ROD. THEY CONCLUDED IT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT WAS HER FAULT AND THE COST WOULD BE $2,387.77 JUST FOR THE MECHANICAL ONLY. SHE PURCHASED THE CAR SEPTEMBER OF 2002, PUTTING OVER $8,000.00 DOWN ON THE DAY OF PURCHASE WITH A REMAINING BALANCE OF $6,000.00. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT SHE HAD NO INSURANCE. I BELEIVE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH CAR TO CAUSE IT TO GO OUT OF CONTROL, AND FEEL FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT.

Jan 15, 2004

THERE IS JUST TO MUCH PAPERWORK TO COPY OUT, BUT WOULD LIKE TO MAIL COPIES. I AM GOING TO PICK UP CAR THIS AFTERNOON JUST HAD SECOND FUEL PUMP FITTED AND NEW GAS TANK. TO DATE NO RECALL INFO RECEIVED BY POST. HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN DRENCHED WITH GAS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASSION WHILE FILLING CAR. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN KILLED WHEN CAR CUT OUT AT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY NARROWLY MISSED BY TWO OTHER MOTORISTS. VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES & HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS. 1/COUNTLESS ENGINE SENSORS 2/FOUR NEW TYRES 3/NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS 4/NEW FRONT BRAKE ROTAS 5/NEW FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS 6/TWO FUEL PUMPS 7/ONE FUEL TANK 8/WAITING FOR THIRD SET OF A FRAME PLASTIC COVERS 9/THREE STEREO PLAYERS 10/TRACKLINK RESET THREE TIMES 11/STILL HAVE REALY NOISY BRAKES 12/ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE 10 YEAR OLD CAR 13/REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WORKS WHEN FEELS LIKE IT 14/RIGHT HAND DOOR SPEAKER SOUNDS AS IF BROKEN 15/NEW TIRES FITTED SHOWING SIGNS OF ODD WEAR 16/TAIL GATE LEAKES WATER 17/ THOUGHT LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER MIGHT GIVE BETTER RESULTS NO JUST LONGER WAIT.

Jan 15, 2004 Crash

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS FOR THIS CAR. IN REGARDS TO STEERING, WHEEL, TIRE AS WELL THE SUSPENSION. AS THE CAR WAS UNDER 18000 MILE I HAD SO MUCH PROBLEM WITH MENTIONED ABOVE PROBLEMS. I COULD NOT CONTROL MY CAR WHEN IT RAINED OR WHEN EVER THE ROAD WAS NOT IN PERFECT SHAPE.

Mileage: 21,000

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 15, 2004

IN NOVEMBER OF 2002, I NOTICED A SQUEAL UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2001 FOCUS. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY CLAIMED THEY HEARD NO SOUND. I THEN TOLD THE MECHANIC YOU MUST ACTUALLY STEP OUT OF THE CAR TO HEAR THE NOISE.; HE DID HEAR THE NOISE AND FORD HAD TO REPLACE THE BELT TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE BELT. I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD FUNCTION AT WILL. THE LEFT HEADLAMP AND TURN SIGNAL WAS ALSO MALFUNCTIONING. I COULD NOT GET THE WIPERS TO TURN OFF AT TIMES. I WOULD TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, AND THE WIPERS WOULD TURN OFF. THIS WOULD ALSO WORK AT TIMES WHEN THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN ON, BUT NOT ALWAYS. I NEVER NOTICED AN ABSOLUTE CONSISTENCY AS TO WHAT WOULD GET THE WIPERS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THEY ALSO WOULD NOT FUNCTION AT THE CORRECT SPEED. THEY WOULD GO FAST WHEN I WANTED THEM TO GO SLOW AND VICE-VERSA. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN TWICE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. THEY REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH BOTH TIMES. A WEEK FOLLOWING THE SECOND VISIT, I NOTICED THEY WOULD NOT WORK AGAIN. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE THIRD TIME. IN BETWEEN THE TIME I SCHEDULED THE APPOINTMENT AND THE ACTUAL DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT, I NOTICED THE GAS LIGHT HAD COME ON WHEN I STILL HAD ABOUT 36 MILES WORTH OF GAS LEFT IN MY CAR. I NOTICED THE LIGHT WAS ON FOR A BIT AND THEN IT WENT OFF. SO, I TOLD THEM ABOUT THAT PROBLEM AS WELL WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT ASSEMBLY. ALSO THEY REPLACED WHATEVER WIRES WERE CAUSING THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH TO GO OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND MADE A STOP AT A CONVENIENCE STORE. WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. NOT A SOUND OR ANYTHING. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DEAD. I CALLED FORD TO HAVE THEM TOW THE CAR. THIS TIME, THEY CLAIMED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH SAFETY START SWITCH, WHICH THEY DID. MY BREAKS ALSO SQUEAK CONSTANTLY. THEY ADJUSTED THE BREAKS AND CLEAN THEM UP. THEY CLAIM THE SQUEAKING BREAKS ARE NORMAL. DO NOT BUY A FORD.

Mileage: 18,530

Jan 15, 2004

MY WARRANTY WAS 36,000 WHICH IS UP. FIXING THE BRAKES WAS NO PROBLEM BUT I DONT FEEL MY WHEEL BEARINGS NEED REPLACED THIS QUICKLY WITHOUT HAVING SOME KIND IF DEFAULT IN THEM FROM THE START. MY CAR IS MAKING THIS LOUD, ROARING SOUND, WHICH IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. I'M WRITING TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THE HEADQUARTERS OF FORD CAN DO. THERE ARE RECALLS ON 2001 FORD FOCUSES BUT JUST SO HAPPEN NOT ON MY CAR AND WHY IS THAT WHEN IM HAVING COMPLICATIONS WITH IT. IT SOUNDS LIKE A TRACTOR AND IVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 16 MONTHS. I WAS A STUDENT IN DALLAS AND THAT WAS THE ONLY TRAVELING I DID. I'M NOT HARD ON VEHICLES AT ALL. THE WHEEL BEARING ARE GONE BAD ON MY CAR AND I HOPE THERE'S SOMETHING SOMEONE CAN DO. ITS THE FRONT ONES. BY THE WAY IT DOESN'T SEEM AS IF MY TRANSMISSION IS CHANGING THE CORRECT # OF GEARS.

Mileage: 37,000

Jan 15, 2004

MY SECURITY SYSTEM BASICALLY WENT NUTTY...IT EVEN SOUNDED FUNNY WHEN THE HORN SOUNDED, THE CRUISE WOULD ALSO STICK OR NOT WORK AT ALL WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TURNED ON. I HAVE HAD THE HEGO SENSOR OR THE FRONT OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, ONE AT MY OWN COST...I HAD A HUGE BULGE POP OUT ON MY TIRE EARLY ON, FIRESTONE REPLACED IT AT NO COST...THE BRAKES HAVE INTERMITTANTLY SQUEALED SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD FEW MILES ON IT, WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO GET IT FIXED, IT BASICALLY FELT LIKE THEY HAD LOOSENED THEM BECAUSE YOU HAD TO PRESS ON THE PEDAL HARDER TO STOP, SOON AFTER THEY STARTED SQUEALING AGAIN, ALL FORD WILL TELL ME IS THAT I NEED NEW BRAKE PADS AT MY COST BECAUSE IT IS ROAD HAZARD...SHOULD A CAR WITH 40,000 MILES NEED BRAKE PADS? I THINK NOT. THE LAST COMPLAINT THAT I HAVE IS THAT THE CAR WILL STALL WITH NO APPARENT REASON WHY...NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED IS OR IF I HAVE JUST STARTED IT OR HAVE DRIVEN IT ALL DAY IT DOES NOT MATTER, I WILL JUST BE STUCK UNTIL IT DECIDES TO START AGAIN.

Mileage: 5,000

Jan 15, 2004

I BOUGHT MY FOCUS USED, IT HAD 38,000 MILES, ON A TRIP THE ENGINE BEGAN TO ACT UP. IT WAS REVVING ALL THE WAY UP BUT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 40 MPH. AFTER CALLING A TOW TRUCK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE DEALERSHIP THAT I TOOK IT TO HAD IT FOR OVER A WEEK AND HAD DIFFICULTY LOCATING THE PROBLEM. IT STARTED AND DROVE JUST FINE FOR THEM. I HAD THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE FUEL SYSTEM FLUSHED. WHILE IT WAS THERE THEY PERFORMED RECALL WORK ON MY BATTERY CABLE ROUTING, AND MY ONE OF MY ENGINE CONTROL ARM BOLTS. EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR A FEW MONTHS, THEN I HAD A TIRE THROW TREAD, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. 1 WEEK LATER IT WAS BACK TO GET THE OTHER TIRE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD A BUBBLE IN IT, AFTER LEARNING THAT I GOT THE REST OF THE TIRES REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS AGO MY BRAKES STARTED SQUELING, I HAD THE PADS CHECKED THEY WERE FINE, AFTER THEY KEPT MAKING NOISE I INSISTED THAT THEY WERE CHANGED. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 100 MILES I STARTED HEARING A SPINNING THUMP. THAT BECAME VERY LOUD. BACK INTO THE SHOP, THEY REPLACED A BRAKE CALIPER, AND ALSO I HAD TO GET YET ANOTHER FUEL FILTER, IT WAS BEGINING TO BECOME RESTRICTED, AGAIN. THE BRAKE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN DOING IT FOR A WHILE SINCE I DID NOT HAVE A FORD DEALERSHIP DO IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY, AND I AM SURE THAT SOMETHING ELSE WILL GO WRONG. YAY!

Mileage: 39,948

Jan 15, 2004

FUEL SYSTEM-STALL OUT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS-AND AT ANY LONG RIGHT HAND TURNS-CONTACTED DEALER/OUT OF WARRANTY,TO MANY MILES TO CONSIDER. BRAKES-ROTORS AND PADS WORN OUT AT 24,000MILES-DEALER STATED MAINTENANCE ISSUE,NORMAL FOR THE FORD FOCUS- THEY DIRECTED ME TO CALL FORD MOTOR CO.TO COMPLAIN...

Mileage: 24,156

Nov 29, 2003

I HAVE HAD MY CERTIFIED PREOWNED FORD FOCUS ZX3 FOR 10 MONTHS NOW. I HAVE RUN IT UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I STARTED HAVING A A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT FOR A WEEK, THINKING THAT IT MAY BE A HARD SPOT IN THE BRAK PAD. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP A WEEK LATER TO HAVE THEM INSPECT IT, WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER NEW CAR WARRANTY, AND THEY STATED THAT I NEEDED NEW PADS AND ROTORS, SERVICE CHARGE :$10. I CHECKED THEM MYSELF AND NOTICED THAT THE PADS WERE STILL AT 50%. I REPLACED THE PADS AND ROTORS. THE NOISE IS STILL PERSISTENT, BUT THE NOISE, ACCORDING TO FORD IS NORMAL. I WISH THERE WOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION BROUGHT FORWARD AND A RECALL FOR ALL FORD FOCUS TRIM LEVELS TO SERVICE BRAKE ISSUES, SUCH AS PREMATURE WEAR (STATES ON ORDFOCUSBRAKEPROBLEMS.COM).*AK

Mileage: 35,800

Nov 3, 2003 Crash

DUE TO A BRAKE BOOSTER DEFECT CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE DID ARRIVE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS ISSUED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

Oct 29, 2003

2001 FORD FOCUS SERIOUS BRAKE PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT A NEW 2001 FORD FOCUS SE IN MAY 2001. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE. FORD REPLACED "CRACKED BRAKE SHOES" ON THE CAR AND SAID IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ITS NOW OCTOBER 2003, MY AIR CONDITIONING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. ALSO MY CAR WAS AGAIN MAKING LITTLE SQUEAKING NOISES WHEN BRAKING. SO, I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT AT 22,000 MILES MY CAR BRAKES WERE TOTALLY SHOT, THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, I NEEDED ALL NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS IMMEDIATELY, AND THAT I SHOULD NOT DRIVE ANYWHERE. THERE ARE SEVERAL WEBSITES ALL WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. SOME BRAKES ARE TOTALLY FAILING ON CARS! WWW.FORDFOCUSBRAKEPROBLEMS.COM FOR ONE WITH LINKS TO SEVERAL OTHERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FAST! THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME!*AK

Mileage: 22,300

Oct 22, 2003

WHILE DRIVING A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN ,AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *AK

Oct 22, 2003

WHILE DRIVING A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN ,AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *AK

Oct 21, 2003

ON 11-12-2001 I PURCHASED A NEW FORD FOCUS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. ON 5-13-03, THE FRONT WHEELS BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CAR HAD ONLY 18411 MILES ON IT AND WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, THEY SAID THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE SHOT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I COMPLAINED THAT NO VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEMS SHOULD FAIL THAT EARLY AT THAT LOW MILEAGE BUT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY, INSTEAD CHARGING ME $469.57. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MISUSED AND WAS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS BY MATURE DRIVERS. THIS YEAR/MODEL FORD FOCUS WAS MANUFACTURED POORLY AND I HAVE READ OF NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WHEN FORD BUILT THE CAR AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. *LA

Mileage: 18,411

Oct 21, 2003

ON 11-12-2001 I PURCHASED A NEW FORD FOCUS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. ON 5-13-03, THE FRONT WHEELS BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CAR HAD ONLY 18411 MILES ON IT AND WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, THEY SAID THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE SHOT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I COMPLAINED THAT NO VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEMS SHOULD FAIL THAT EARLY AT THAT LOW MILEAGE BUT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY, INSTEAD CHARGING ME $469.57. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MISUSED AND WAS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS BY MATURE DRIVERS. THIS YEAR/MODEL FORD FOCUS WAS MANUFACTURED POORLY AND I HAVE READ OF NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WHEN FORD BUILT THE CAR AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. *LA

Mileage: 18,411

Oct 21, 2003

AT ANY SPEED WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED A GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, CAUSE OF FAILURE UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME.*AK

Oct 8, 2003

BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED AT 18000 MILES AND FAILED AT 23,300 MILES. AT 23,300 MILES THE ROTORS WERE BELOW THE MINIMUM THICKNESS REQUIREMENT. THE BRAKE PADS, HOWEVER, SHOWED ONLY MINIMAL WEAR. THE DEALER REFUSED TO AWARD WARRANTY TO THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. *LA

Mileage: 18,000

Oct 3, 2003

THE VEHICLES BRAKES SQUEAKED FREQUENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 37000 MILES. THE CONSUMER STATED IT IS TO EARLY TO CHANGE PADS. BOTH TIRES ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. *NLM

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 13, 2003

PREMATURE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR REPLACEMENTS ON FRONT OF FORD FOCUS SEDAN. BRAKES REPLACED AT 21,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS ON ANY CAR THIS EARLY. FORD OWNERS OF FOCUS HAVE LISTED THIS PROBLEM HUNDREDS OF TIMES. YET I KNOW OF NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. SOME HAVE HAD IT IN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. *JB

Mileage: 21,600

Sep 8, 2003

BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT 35 MPH, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO DOWN SHIFT TO FIRST GEAR TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, AND COME TO A STOP. *AK

Mileage: 39,000

Sep 3, 2003

PROBLEM WITH THE 2001 FORD FOCUS BRAKES!!! MANY COMPLAINTS. *AK

Mileage: 25,125

Sep 3, 2003

PROBLEM WITH THE 2001 FORD FOCUS BRAKES!!! MANY COMPLAINTS. *AK

Mileage: 25,125

Aug 20, 2003

CAR IS A 2001 FOCUS WITH 21,000 MILES. UPON BRAKING, STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS AND VIBRATES. WAS TOLD THAT CAR NEEDED NEW ROTORS AS THESE WERE WARPED. NO RESOLUTION THROUGH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. NO CAR SHOULD REQUIRE BRAKES AND ROTORS AFTER ONLY 21,000 MILES OF DRIVING. CAR ACTUALLY STARTED DOING THIS AT ABOUT 19,000 MILES AND HAS STAEDILY WORSENED. *AK

Mileage: 19,843

Aug 20, 2003

FRONT WHEEL ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 20,598 MILES. BRAKES WERE SQUEALING FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE (NEW CAR), BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULD "LOOSEN UP" AND BE OKAY --- THEY NEVER DID STOP SQUEALING..WHEN WE INQUIRED ABOUT ANY RECALL, WE WERE TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS FROM THE FACTORY WHERE THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED.*AK

Mileage: 20,598

Aug 13, 2003

2001 FORD FOCUS DISPLAYING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION DUE TO SEVERAL LEAKS, CRUISE CONTROL, AND TRUNK OF VEHICLE. *MR WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FLOORBOARD OF THE TRUNK WHICH WAS ONLY ADJUSTED(PROBLEM REPEATED), THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY(NEW SWITCH WAS ORDERED, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SQUEAKED AND WAS FIXED, THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED AND WAS REPLACED BUT THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE, WATER LEAKED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE (PROBLEM REPEATED) THEN THE R & L COWL GRID WAS REPLACED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T, COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE UPPER RADIATOR AND THE HOSE CLAMP WAS REPLACED, THE TRUNK DID NOT SHUT PROPERLY AND THE LATCH WAS REPLACED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN DUE TO THE PARTS BEING RECALLED, THE REAL WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED, THE SECOND RECALLED PART WAS THE PINCH BOLT TORQUE AND BATTERY CABLE ROUTING WHICH WAS REPLACED, AND THE MECHANICS FOUND THAT THE BRAKES HAD WORN OUT IN THE FRONT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS ON 10 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND SIX ATTEMPT FOR THE LEAKS, THE PROBLEM IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SEVERAL LEAKS, SEVERAL CIRCUIT AND SWITCHES HAVE BROKEN DOWN ON THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE GAS MILEAGE WHICH HAD CONSISTENTLY FALLEN AND DID NOT ACT AS THE PROMOTED DEALERS STICKER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FULL REFUND FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE. *SCC *JB

Aug 12, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE REAR BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AT 8000 MILES. FRONT ROTORS AND PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ONCE AT 12000 MILES, AND 34000 MILES. NEEDS TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN.*AK

Mileage: 2,001

Aug 12, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE REAR BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AT 8000 MILES. FRONT ROTORS AND PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ONCE AT 12000 MILES, AND 34000 MILES. NEEDS TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN.*AK

Mileage: 2,001

Aug 11, 2003

THE DEALER CHANGED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE 3 TIMES , THE ROTORS. TWICE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. *AK *CB. THE HUB CAP WAS LOOSE AND FELL OFF, THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED, THE TURN AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM MADE A LOUD NOISE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PIPE AND GASKET, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FAILED TO GO OUT. *JB

Aug 7, 2003 Crash

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE VEHICLE. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK *CB *JB

Mileage: 32,652

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

PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCTOBER 17TH 2002. I DRIVE USUALLY HIGHWAY TO WORK ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. MY BRAKES SQUEALED FREQUENTLY. CHANGED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT 19700 MILES AT THE INSPECTIONS. THEY STARTED TO SQUEAL NOISELY AGAIN 31500 MILES. THERE IS ALWAYS DUST IN THE FRONT WHEELS. PROBABLY NEXT YEAR, I NEED TO REPLACE THEM AROUND 38-39 THOUSAND FOR THE SECOND TIME.*AK

Aug 5, 2003

PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCTOBER 17TH 2002. I DRIVE USUALLY HIGHWAY TO WORK ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. MY BRAKES SQUEALED FREQUENTLY. CHANGED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT 19700 MILES AT THE INSPECTIONS. THEY STARTED TO SQUEAL NOISELY AGAIN 31500 MILES. THERE IS ALWAYS DUST IN THE FRONT WHEELS. PROBABLY NEXT YEAR, I NEED TO REPLACE THEM AROUND 38-39 THOUSAND FOR THE SECOND TIME.*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 18, 2003

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT/REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE PEDAL HAD GONE DOWN AND MADE A SQUEAK NOISE. *AK THE FRONT END BOUNCED AND VIBRATED DUE TO THE PINCH BOLT THAT RETAINED THE STEERING KNUCKLED TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT. (MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER TORQUE) THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END AND REAR. THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED, THE FLAT TIRE WAS BALANCED AND THE BEAM WORKED OKAY. THE VEHICLE MADE NOISE WHEN RELEASED FROM PARK MODE, STOP, AND WAS INTERMITTENT. (HAS BEEN ADJUST 3-4 TIMES BUT WOULD GO BACK TO THE SAME THING) *SCC *JB

Mileage: 7,000

Jul 11, 2003

CAR HAS MANY ISSUES IN REGARDS TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. CAR HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP ON MORE THAN 10 OCCASIONS. THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES IN 3 MONTHS. FINALLY I WAS TOLD MY MASTER CYLINDER WAS BAD. IT APPERENTLY WAS REPLACED, WHEN I DROVE THE CAR AFTER THIS REPAIR MY BRAKES 'WENT TO THE FLOOR' I ALSMOST RAMMED INTO ANOTHER CAR. THE BRAKES ARE COMPLETLEY MESSED UP AND A SAFETY DANGER. I WAS TOLD BY BRIAN THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT TITUS-WILL FORD THAT MY BRAKES ARE SAFE, HOWEVER HE WOULD NOT BACK IT IN WRITING. THIS SHOP REFUSED TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE ACCORDING TO THEM NOTHING IS WRONG. SO BEWARE IN TACOMA, I HAVE UNSAFE BRAKES. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD AND THEY ARE USELESS ALSO. *AK

Jul 11, 2003

CAR HAS MANY ISSUES IN REGARDS TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. CAR HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP ON MORE THAN 10 OCCASIONS. THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES IN 3 MONTHS. FINALLY I WAS TOLD MY MASTER CYLINDER WAS BAD. IT APPERENTLY WAS REPLACED, WHEN I DROVE THE CAR AFTER THIS REPAIR MY BRAKES 'WENT TO THE FLOOR' I ALSMOST RAMMED INTO ANOTHER CAR. THE BRAKES ARE COMPLETLEY MESSED UP AND A SAFETY DANGER. I WAS TOLD BY BRIAN THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT TITUS-WILL FORD THAT MY BRAKES ARE SAFE, HOWEVER HE WOULD NOT BACK IT IN WRITING. THIS SHOP REFUSED TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE ACCORDING TO THEM NOTHING IS WRONG. SO BEWARE IN TACOMA, I HAVE UNSAFE BRAKES. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD AND THEY ARE USELESS ALSO. *AK

Jul 6, 2003 Crash

ENGINE STALLS AND POWER LOSS AND BRAKES NOT RESPONDING RESULTED IN REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

Mileage: 40,437

Jun 23, 2003

I HAVE 22,000 MILES ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS, I HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS. THAT'S RIDICULOUS FOR SUCH LOW MILES. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD. THE LAWSUIT IS FOR EXACTLY MY PROBLEM. *NLM

Mileage: 22,000

Jun 18, 2003

THIS CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR BRAKE SQUEAL. SOUNDS LIKE METAL TO METAL. THIS IS A MAJOR SQUEAL NOT JUST A SQUEAK. DEALERSHIPS REPEATEDLY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SAY IT'S A "NORMAL NOISE". I'VE DRIVEN CARS FOR 20+ YEARS AND NEVER HAS A BRAKE SQUEAL BEEN NORMAL. IT'S BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 7,000, 15,000 AND 16,500 MILES. *NLM

Mileage: 7,000

Jun 17, 2003

FRONT BRAKE HAS A SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES WITH A JERK. *AK

Jun 9, 2003

THE CAR STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS AT 7000 MILES. FRONT END JUMPING. I HAD A TIRE GO BAD AND REPLACED IT. HAD THE TIRE ROTATED AND THE FRONT END LINED UP. THEN, THE NOISE AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. I TOOK IT BACK TO FORD AND THE RIM IS BENT. REPLACED THAT. SO FAR I AM OUT 250.00 FOR THE TIRE AND 298.00 FOR THE RIM/. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, BUT BY 15000 MILES THE CAR WAS JUMPING, FRONT END PROBLEMS. HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AND THE CAR LINED UP AGAIN. I HAVE THE PROBLEMS STILL. ( I WAS TOLD(WAY I DRIVE, CURVES,THE WAY I TAKE THE CORNERS, ) WELL, # ONE I AM 43 YRS OLD AND THIS IS NOT MY FIRST CAR. I HAVE HAD MUSTANGS BEFORE AND NEVER ROTATED THE TIRES OR CHANGED MY DRIVING HABITS. ( WHAT EVER). AT 15000 THE BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAK ALL THE TIME (WET, COLD, MOISTURE, DRY). PER THE MANUAL THIS WILL HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS COMMON WITH FOCUS. I HAD A ESCORT FOR OVER 4 YRS AND THEY NEVER DID WHAT THIS CAR HAS. WITH THE FRONT AND BACK THE RECALL 02S42/01B85 WAS DONE FINALLY IN MARCH. THIS RECALL STATED PINCH BOLT THAT RETAINS THE STEERING KNUCKLE TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON YOUR VEHICLE MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER TORQUE. ****** ( THIS CONDITION EXISTS, YOUR VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE VIBRATION OR NOISE... THIS COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO BALL JOINT SEPARATION WITH A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH,) THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD FORD DEALERSHIP WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR SINCE AUGUST. I FEEL THAT THE RECALL CAME TO LATE AND NOW MY TIRES ARE DESTROYED. ONE TIRE IS WORST THAN THE OTHERS. REMEMBER THAT ONE TIRE IS BRAND NEW ( 7000 LESS MILES).... THE BRAKE PEDAL IS STILL MAKING A NOISE WHEN I RELEASE IT AT THE PARK MODE OR STOP TURN AROUND STOP AT LIGHT OR WHENEVER. THEY HAVE ADJUSTED IT 3-4 TIMES. AND WITH IN MINS. OF THEM ADJUSTING IT, IT IS BACK TO THE SAME THING. THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM, WASTED TIME AND TROUBLES. I DO NOT WANT EVERYBODY TO NOTICE WHEN I HAVE MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR OR I GET HURT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS IMPORTANT YOUR REPLY HELP DEBRA.W. *JB

Mileage: 7,000

Jun 7, 2003

2001 FORD FOCUS, W/ ONLY 17,900 MILES - BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS SHOT. FORD WILL NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T DETERMINED THIS TO BE A DEFECT. FORD FOCUS BREAK/ROTOR DEFECT. *JB

Mileage: 17,900

Jun 4, 2003

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS USED FOR LIGHT DRIVING, BUT MY ROTORS AND PADS ARE COMPLETELY WORN. I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT HAS SUCH A BAD BRAKE SYSTEM. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING SUCH POOR QUALITY BRAKES ON A CAR. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *NLM

May 13, 2003

WE PURCHASED OUR 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IN OCTOBER OF 2001. DURING THE FIRST YEAR WE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDED THE BRAKES GRABBING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, SQUEALING AND NOISE ISSUES, AND LOW PERFORMANCE BRAKING. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP FINDS AND REPAIRS THE PROBLEM EVERY TIME WITHOUT CHARGE. THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT IS THAT ON MAY 13TH 2003 THE BRAKES TEMPORARILY FAILED TO ENGAGE MAKING THE VEHICLE UN-SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER AND I AM WAITING FOR A RESOLUTION. I WANTED TO RELAY A MESSAGE TO THE NHTSA NOW DUE TO THE FACT THAT SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AND SOMETHING OTHER THAN A REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT AN EARLIER TIME. *JB

Mileage: 8,200

Apr 16, 2003

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB

Apr 13, 2003

MY FORD FOCUS HAS BEEN HAVING ABHORRED BRAKE WEAR. I HAVE PUT 50,000 MILE ON IT AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND PADS 3 TIMES. I KNOW OF CARS GOING 80000 WITH NO PROBLEM. THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOMETHING WRONG I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. *NLM

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 3, 2003

I PURCHASED A NEW FORD FOCUS IN JULY OF 2001. MY WIFE USES THE CAR TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY TO AND FROM WORK. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 18 MONTHS AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE LAIRD NOLLER DEALERSHIP IN LAWRENCE FOR THE 30,000 CHECK UP WITH 33,000 MILES ON THE CAR. AFTER SPENDING $300 FOR THE CHECK UP, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH TWO MECHANICS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ROTORS SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED ON A CAR THAT IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY ON THE HIGHWAY SINCE THERE IS NOT A LOT OF STOP AND GO DRIVING. THERE A DOZENS OF LISTINGS ON THE INTERT AND THE NHTSA WEBSITE OF THE SAME COMPLAINT ON THEIR FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT FORD PUTS THIN ROTORS ON THE FOCUS TO BEGIN WITH SO THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED VERY EARLY. I WAS ALSO LEARNED FROM AN EMPLOYEE AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE PERSON THAT PERFORMED THE SERVICE ON OUR FOCUS HAS HAD TROUBLE MEETING HIS QUOTA OF UPSELLING REPAIRS ON CARS THAT COME IN FOR THEIR CHECK UP. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS SHAKING AND THE FRONT TIRES WERE MAKING NOISES. WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN IT WAS FINE , AFTER WE PICKED IT UP IT SOUNDED HORRIBLE. WE CALLED BACK UP TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD TO DRIVE IT FOR A FEW DAYS AND IT SHOULD BE FINE. AFTER WAITING THE TWO DAYS, THE BRAKE PADS BEGAN TO GRIND INTO THE ROTORS AND THE CAR DID NOT DRIVE WELL AT ALL. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH FORD AND WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME AND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. FORD KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ROTARS THEY ARE USING ON THE FOCUS, BUT IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM WORRIED THAT ARE NOT OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR THAT MAY MAKE IT UNSAFE. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THEM AROUND IN THE CAR. I BELIEVE THAT WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN, FORD SHOULD BE TOLD TO INITIATE A RECALL ON THE ROTARS.

Mileage: 33,400

Mar 19, 2003

THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A LOW MILEAGE. *JB

Mileage: 12,000

Mar 19, 2003

THE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A LOW MILEAGE. *JB.....*AK

Mileage: 21,000

Mar 19, 2003

THE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A LOW MILEAGE. *JB.....*AK

Mileage: 21,000

Mar 18, 2003

THE ENGINE MISSED USUALLY MILDLY, BUT SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY AS TO SHAKE VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES STALL, ALSO THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RAW GAS SMELL, SUSPENSION, BRAKE,TRANSMISSION AND TIRE PROBLEMS.*AK. CONSUMER ALSO NOTED THE REAR HATCH POPPED OPEN BY ITSELF.*JB

Mar 6, 2003

FRONT BREAKS SQUEAKED. BROUGHT TO DEALER. PUT IN FRONT BRAKES AND PADS. STILL SQUEAKED. BACK TO DEALER. TOLD ME NOW I NEEDED REAR BRAKE SHOES AND THE DRUM NEEDS TO BE SANDED. CAR IS DRIVEN NORMALLY AND ONLY HAS 14,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

Mar 4, 2003

WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING. *NLM

Feb 27, 2003

FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS ARE WORN AND MUST BE REPLACED AFTER 15,000 MILES. FORD DEALER CLAIMS THE PREMATURE WEAR IS NORMAL AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN GENTLY IN A COMBINATION OF CITY AND OPEN ROAD DRIVING, WITHOUT ANY UNUSUAL BRAKING REQUIREMENTS. WE LIVE NEAR SOME MOUNTAINS, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS ALMOST NEVER DRIVEN IN THE MOUNTAINS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO UNUSUAL EVENTS THAT MIGHT HAVE DAMAGED THE BRAKES. THEREFORE THE PAD AND/OR ROTOR ARE DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN OR MANUFACTURER. THERE IS NO WAY THAT TOTAL WEAR OF THE BRAKES SHOULD OCCUR IN ONLY 15,000 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING.*JB

Mileage: 15,500

Feb 24, 2003

MALFUNCTION OF FUEL FILTER. WAS REPLACED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS. MALFUNCTION OF STEERING ASSEMBLY. WAS REPLACED TWICE ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS. MALFUNCTION OF BRAKING SYSTEM. WAS REPLACED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS. ALL WITHIN A 16 MONTH PERIOD AFTER PURCHASING THE AUTOMOBILE IN MAY OF 2001. IT IS A 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3.

Mileage: 10,000

Feb 24, 2003

NARY 02/28/2003 MR NEW FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AT 29 THOUSAND MILES. *CB

Mileage: 29,000

Feb 20, 2003

FRONT BRAKES AND ROTOR WITH PREMATURE WEAR

Mileage: 23,400

Feb 5, 2003

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WEARING AT AN UNUSUAL SPEED. (MODEL-ZX3) SCC

Mileage: 5,001

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 28, 2003

SQUEAKING BRAKES. *AK *TS

Jan 27, 2003

WHILE GETTING ON THE OFF RAMP WHEN I WENT TO STOP THE BRAKES *POPPED* AND FAILED COMPLETELY. I HAD TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE HAND BRAKE. HAD IT SERVICED BY FORD AND IT WAS A MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE.

Mileage: 48,093

Jan 16, 2003

VEHICLES' BRAKE PAD DETERIORATED, THEY WERE ONLY AT 20% STATED THE MECHANIC. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH

Mileage: 15,000

Jan 10, 2003

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

Jan 9, 2003

THE VEHICLE BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING AND WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED A HEAVY VIBRATION CAN BE FELT FOLLOWED BY EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

Jan 9, 2003

THE VEHICLE IS IN NEED OF FRONT AND BACK BRAKES. THE BRAKES ARE NOISY AND CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS PREMATURE. *JG *JB *NLM

Mileage: 15,000

Jan 9, 2003

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I HAVE PUT 17,100 MILES ON IT SINCE ITS PURCHASE IN MAY, 2001. AT THE LAST SERVICE, JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS OF 2002, THE FORD MECHANIC AT PRICE FORD IN MILLINGTON, TN. STATED THAT MY FRONT BRAKES & ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON. THERE IS NO WAY ON EARTH THIS AMOUNT OF WEAR AND TEAR CAN OCCUR ON A CAR WITH ONLY 17,100 MILES! I HAVE OWNED 9 AUTOMOBILES IN MY LIFE AND I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BRAKES WEARING OUT IN UNDER 20,000 MILES! THIS MUST BE A DEFECT, OR ENGINEERING MISTAKE WITH FORD'S BRAKES! I INITIALLY THOUGHT THE MECHANIC WAS HIGH OR SOMETHING BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY THE BRAKES CAN BE WORN OUT, BUT I HAVE NEARLY WRECKED 3 TIMES SINCE THEN DUE SPECIFICALLY TO THE BRAKES HAVING NO AFFECT ON THE SPEED OF THE CAR. I'M LOOKING AT A MINIMUM OF $400 TO GET NEW ROTORS AND PADS AND LABOR TO INSTALL THE NEW PARTS. THIS IS CRAZY! YOU NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS TO SEE WHY ME AND MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES!

Mileage: 16,950

Jan 9, 2003

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I HAVE PUT 17,100 MILES ON IT SINCE ITS PURCHASE IN MAY, 2001. AT THE LAST SERVICE, JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS OF 2002, THE FORD MECHANIC AT PRICE FORD IN MILLINGTON, TN. STATED THAT MY FRONT BRAKES & ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON. THERE IS NO WAY ON EARTH THIS AMOUNT OF WEAR AND TEAR CAN OCCUR ON A CAR WITH ONLY 17,100 MILES! I HAVE OWNED 9 AUTOMOBILES IN MY LIFE AND I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BRAKES WEARING OUT IN UNDER 20,000 MILES! THIS MUST BE A DEFECT, OR ENGINEERING MISTAKE WITH FORD'S BRAKES! I INITIALLY THOUGHT THE MECHANIC WAS HIGH OR SOMETHING BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY THE BRAKES CAN BE WORN OUT, BUT I HAVE NEARLY WRECKED 3 TIMES SINCE THEN DUE SPECIFICALLY TO THE BRAKES HAVING NO AFFECT ON THE SPEED OF THE CAR. I'M LOOKING AT A MINIMUM OF $400 TO GET NEW ROTORS AND PADS AND LABOR TO INSTALL THE NEW PARTS. THIS IS CRAZY! YOU NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS TO SEE WHY ME AND MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES!

Mileage: 16,950

Jan 9, 2003

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I HAVE PUT 17,100 MILES ON IT SINCE ITS PURCHASE IN MAY, 2001. AT THE LAST SERVICE, JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS OF 2002, THE FORD MECHANIC AT PRICE FORD IN MILLINGTON, TN. STATED THAT MY FRONT BRAKES & ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON. THERE IS NO WAY ON EARTH THIS AMOUNT OF WEAR AND TEAR CAN OCCUR ON A CAR WITH ONLY 17,100 MILES! I HAVE OWNED 9 AUTOMOBILES IN MY LIFE AND I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BRAKES WEARING OUT IN UNDER 20,000 MILES! THIS MUST BE A DEFECT, OR ENGINEERING MISTAKE WITH FORD'S BRAKES! I INITIALLY THOUGHT THE MECHANIC WAS HIGH OR SOMETHING BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY THE BRAKES CAN BE WORN OUT, BUT I HAVE NEARLY WRECKED 3 TIMES SINCE THEN DUE SPECIFICALLY TO THE BRAKES HAVING NO AFFECT ON THE SPEED OF THE CAR. I'M LOOKING AT A MINIMUM OF $400 TO GET NEW ROTORS AND PADS AND LABOR TO INSTALL THE NEW PARTS. THIS IS CRAZY! YOU NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS TO SEE WHY ME AND MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES!

Mileage: 16,950

Dec 8, 2002

THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT WITH ONLY 11000 MILES ON THE CAR. UNACCEPTABLE FOR A NEW CAR. DT

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

Nov 30, 2002

TIRED OF GOING TO DEALER FOR WARRANTY WORK ON BRAKES ON NEW CAR. DT

Nov 26, 2002

CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATION AT HIGH SPEED CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Nov 20, 2002

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE HAVING TO BE REPLACED EVERY TWO MONTHS DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IS THE WAY THE VEHICLE IS MADE. TS

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

Nov 14, 2002

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PRESS THE BRAKES REAL HARD CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO DEPOY AND HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MR

Nov 12, 2002

ON NOV 6TH 2002, I HAD THE FORD FOCUS INSPECTED AT A NEW YORK STATE INSPECTION CENTER TO MEET STATE INSPECTION. NO PROBLEMS WERE DETECTED AT THAT TIME IN THE OPERATIONS OR CONSISTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. ON NOV. 11TH RETURNING FROM A 500 MILE TRIP THE BRAKE SYSYTEMS FAILED WITH TOTAL LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES AND A SEVER GRINDING IN THE FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL. UPON INSPECTION THE ROTOR WAS SEVERLY DAMAGED RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE. I CALLED THE NEW YORK STATE INSPECTOR CONCERNING THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES WERE IN SPEC. ON NOV. THE 6TH, 2002. I CAN ONLY ASSUMED THAT I EXPERIANCED A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF MATERIALS USED IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM OF THE FORD FOCUS. DT

Nov 6, 2002

WHEN APPLYING BRAKE VEHICLE VEERS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSES THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TO WEAR PREMATURELY, TIRE WAS REPLACED TWICE. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. MR

Nov 5, 2002

WHILE AT A STOP WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, CONSUMER STATED THAT BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS ALL OVER THE GROUND. *TS *NLM

Mileage: 40,000

Nov 4, 2002

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE BRAKES SQUEAK VERY BAD. TOOK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIME FOR REPAIRS, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACE AND NOW THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

Oct 20, 2002

I ORIGINALLY TOOK THE CAR IN BACK IN OCTOBER BUT THEY FOUND NO CAUSE FOR THE NOISE THE BRAKES WERE MAKING AT THE TIME. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE THEN. DT

Sep 30, 2002

THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE WORN EXCESSIVELY ALONG WITH PADS WITH LOW MILEAGE . NLM

Sep 27, 2002

BRAKES WORN OUT AT 140000 MILES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! TS

Sep 12, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A VIBRATION IN VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS OVER 55 MPH. VEHICLE SWAYS BACK AND FORTH, ALSO VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. DEALER HAS REPLACED AND BALANCED TIRES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 6 TIMES COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.*AKTHE SPINDAL WAS STRIPPED AFFECTING BRAKES AND CAUSING VIBRATION AND PULSATION. IT WAS STATED THAT THE SPINDAL APPEARED TO BE DEFECTIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE ENGINE STALLS. *JG

Sep 9, 2002

2001 FORD FOCUS W/JUST OVER 13000 MILES I AM TOLD BY FORD REPAIR IN ANTIOCH, CA I NEED NEW ROTORS, SHOES, ETC...I INITIALLY REPORTED CONCERNS ABOUT BRAKE NOISE, WEAR WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED BUT I WAS TOLD WAS ALL NORMAL STUFF! IT IS NOT, THEY HAVE DEFECTIVE PARTS & TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS!*AK

Aug 23, 2002

STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES VIOLENTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT MORE THAN 55MPH. TOOK TO DEALER WHEN CAR HAD 10K MILES ON IT. DEALER REPLACED FRONT PADS AND MACHINED ROTORS. I ASKED DEALER WHY WERE THE ROTORS NOT REPLACED, WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WERE FINE. PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER (AT 16K MILES) WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER UNTIL AUGUST. CAR NOW HAS 22K MILES. DEALER ADVISED THAT WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER, PROBABLY ROTORS ARE WARPED. EXPLAINED TO DEALER THAT ROTORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME THE PADS WERE REPLACED AND DEALER INSISTED THAT THE ROTORS WERE FINE. SUBMITTED THIS SAME INFO TO A LAW FIRM IN CALIFORNIA THAT HAS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN PROGRESS AGAINST FORD FOR FAULTY BRAKES AND/OR INFERIOR MATERIALS USED.*AK

Aug 22, 2002

FRONT BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. ALSO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Aug 22, 2002

FRONT BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. ALSO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Aug 22, 2002

WHEN BRAKING THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Aug 22, 2002

DEALER AND FORD DID NOTHING TO TRY TO CORRECT THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THE FRONT BRAKES, AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *AK

Aug 22, 2002

MY BRAKES STARTED GRINDING AT 25000 MILES AND I NEEDED NEW PADS AND ROTORS, THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO A CAR WITH THAT LOW OF A MILEAGE, I HAD A FORD ESCORT WHICH I WOULD STILL DRIVE HAD I NOT BEEN REARENDED THAT I NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON AND IT HAD 140,000 MILES WHEN I WAS HIT. THE BRAKES STARTED GRINDING AND AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT ROTORS AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PADS. I ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FIRESTONE TIRES THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITH, THEY WERE SO UNEVEN AND WARPED THAT THEY CAUSED THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHAKE ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT THAT STARTED. IT REALLY IS RIDICOUOUS, I PAY MORE FOR REPARIS IN A MONTH THAN I DO FOR A CAR PAYMENT. *AK

Aug 19, 2002

APPLE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED MY BRAKES AND TOLD ME THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE SHOT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALSO TOLD ME ALL THE BRAKE PADS, FRONT AND REAR, HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE NEVER HAD A NEW CAR WHOSE REAR BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY FOCUS WAS LESS THAN 2,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY AND FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSED TO HELP WITH THE BILL, $643.00. *AK

Aug 14, 2002

FELT STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AT START OF BRAKING AROUND 45MPH. THIS STARTED OCCURRING AROUND 9,000 MILES. AT 15,000 MILES CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. DEALER INSPECTION CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKE PADS & ROTORS NEEDED REPLACMENT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND ROTORS SHOULD NOT BE WORN AT 15,000 MILES.*AK

Aug 13, 2002 Crash

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT UNKNOWN SPEED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND CAUSING A COLLISION. NO INJURIES, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK

Jul 22, 2002

BRAKES WILL MAKE SQUEAKING NOISES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. ALSO, THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Jul 22, 2002

AFTER ONLY 15000 MILES BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING, AND THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Jul 19, 2002

FORD SAYS THERE IS NOT PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURE OF ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS AT 30000 MILES, AND REFUSES TO WARRANTY REPAIRS UNDER THE 36 MO/36000MILES BUMPER TO BUMPER PLAN. THIS BRAKE JOB WILL COST ME IN EXCESS OF $300. I DRIVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES TO AN EXTENT OF 100 PER DAY. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE THAT NEEDED COMPLETE BRAKE SERVICE AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE I BELIEVE THE FILE FOR RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RE-EXAMINED. *AK

Jul 15, 2002

WHILE DRIVING APPLIED BRAKES, THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DIDN'T HOLD.*AK

Jul 10, 2002

THE BRAKES MAKE NOISE AND VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS BUT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND WITH THE BRAKES. NLM

Jul 10, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED, WHILE BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHUDDER. *SLC

Jul 8, 2002

DEALER INDICATED THAT FRONT ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE, HAVING DEEP RIDGES, CAUSING DIFFERENT THICKNESS THROUGH THE ROTORS. ROTORS COULDN'T BE TURNED DUE TO SUCH BAD SHAPE. BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING EXCESSIVELY PRIOR TO TAKING VEHICE IN. DEALER AWARE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

Jul 3, 2002

BRAKES & SWITCH DONE - 2 VIN'S- MANY REPORTS TO NHTSA - NO FORMS/RESPONSE OR ACTION. INOPERABLE.IMPOUNDED. *AK

Jul 2, 2002

THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THE INITIAL OCCURRENCE RESULTED IN MY WIFE CROSSING INTO THE LEFT LANE DUE TO HER INABLITY TO DRIVE OR BRAKE EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT THE POWER ASSIST.

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 19, 2002

BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BRAKES MAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

Jun 10, 2002

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE, VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT OFF ENGINE TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED SERVO SPEED CONTROL. *AK

Jun 6, 2002

I HAVE REPORTED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS TO YOU WITH THIS LEMON. THE DEALER WAS TOLD WHEN THE CAR HAD 5000 MILES, THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. SEVERAL EXPERTS HAVE NOTED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY CALIPER CAUSIING THE BRAKES TO FAIL AND THE TIRES TO CONTINUALLY BLOW OUT, RESULTING IN NUMEROUS ROADSIDE EMERGENCIES. THE DEALER HAS REUSED TO EITHER REPAIR, OR REPLACE THE CAR FROM THE BEGINNING STATING THEY WILL NOT LOSE MONEY AND THAT THE SAME THING HAS NOT OCCURRED OFTEN ENOUGH. THE CAR IS INOPERABLE SINCE THE DEFECTIVE CALIPER, THE ROTORS, AND THE SHOES ARE ALL SEVERELY WORN. THE REPAIR SHOPS STATE THAT THE CAR IS TOO NEW TO GET THE PARTS AND THAT ONLY FORDD CAN GET THE PARTS. THEY WANT ME TO PAY $200 MINIMUM FOR EACH ITEM OF AT LEAST FOUR, SAYING THEY WILL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN STATING SINCE MY COMPLAINTS BEGAN. I HAVE REPORTED THESE FACTS TO YOU BEFORE, NUMEROUS TIMES, AS WELL AS BY TELEPHONE. I HAVE GOTTEN NO RESULTS. I AM DISABLED AND HAVE SPENT THE LAST WEEK HOME ALONE WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO GET MY MEDICAL CARE, AND OTHER NEEDS. THIS CANNOT GO ON.*AK

May 8, 2002

BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, PEDAL STIFFENS UP AND CONSUMER CANNOT PRESS DOWN ON PEDAL TO APPLY BRAKES. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. BUT PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TT

Apr 30, 2002

THIS VEHICLE WAS LISTED AS USED BUT HAD ONLY 600 MILES ON IT WHEN WE PURCHASED IT. WE HAVE NOT SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE, BUT I FEEL THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 14,800 MILES ON A NEW CAR. THE SERVICE MANUAL STATES THAT YOU DO NOT NEED A BRAKE INSPECTION UNTIL 15,000 MILES, HOWEVER, MY CAR ALREADY HAS ROTOR DAMAGE. THE DEALER AS WELL AS FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME IT WAS MY PROBLEM AND THE DEALER SAID THE MANUAL IS "WRONG." I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN BRAKE SYSTEMS GIVE OUT, WITHOUT WARNING, WELL BEFORE THE INDUSTRY STANDARD. I AM HAVING MY BRAKES FIXED TODAY ELSEWHERE SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE ME $500 TO FIX THE DAMAGE. THERE IS A WEBSITE OUT THERE CALLED WWW.FORDFOCUSBRAKEPROBLEMS.COM WHERE YOU CAN FIND A LARGE AMOUNT OF CONSUMERS SUFFERING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR FORD FOCUS. *AK

Apr 26, 2002

WE TAKE THE CAR TO ALBANY FORD FOR EVERY MAJOR SERVICEING. WHEN WE STARTED TO HEAR THE GRINDING NOISE, WE REPORTED IT TO THE SERVICING PERSONEL. THEY FELT IT ODD THAT THE BRAKE PADS AS WELL AS THE ROTORS SHOULD FAIL AT 22000 MILES BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE SAYING THAT THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER AS THIS WEAR AND TEAR. ALSO WHEN WE TOOK THE CARE FOR SERVICING AT 5000 MILES, THE BRAKE PADS WERE 10 MM AND WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR BACK AT 14000 MILES, THE PADS WERE 5MM. NOBODY AT THE SERVICE CENTER INFORMED US THAT THE BRAKE PADS WILL NEED TO BE CHANGED SOONER AS THEY ARE WEARING OUT FASTER THAN USUAL. AT THAT TIME THEY DID NOT FEEL IT WAS ODD. THEY REALLY SHOULD HAVE WARNED US, BUT INSTEAD THEY PUT THE BLAME ON US SAYING WE WERE BRAKING HARD. WE DONOT DRIVE THE CAR VERY MUCH AS WE HAVE GOOD PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE AREA WE LIVE.I CONTACTED OTHER REPAIR SHOPS AND ONE OF THEM, AT MIDAS SAID THAT SHE WAS SEEING THIS AS A THIRD CASE OF BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM IN TWO WEEKS. THE OTHER TWO CARS WERE MUSTANG. WE TRIED GETTING IN TOUCH WITH A SUPERVISOR, BUT THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO CALL US BACK AT THE TIME WHEN WE ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM, THE LEFT SIDE BRAKE LIGHT SEEMED TO HAVE STOPPED WORKING. HOW DO WE GET THE FORD PEOPLE TO TAKE OUR COMPLAINTS RIGHT AWAY.*AK

Apr 23, 2002

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE IS AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. FORD HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE ONCE UNDER AVERSIVE RECALL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AGAIN AT 33000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *YH

Apr 19, 2002

WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE, DEALER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS DUE TO WARPING. THEN REPLACED ROTORS AGAIN ON 15 SEP. 2001 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. NLM

Apr 19, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE ADJUSTERS ON THE REAR BRAKES HAVING BEEN ADJUSTING IMPROPERLY CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT SEVERAL TIMES. NLM

Apr 17, 2002

BRAKES MADE NOISE AT 2057MILES ON 6/22/01 - DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME AFTER INSPECTION "COLD PADS" - BRAKES MADE NOISE AT 2383 MILES ON 7/3/01 - DEALER ADVISED ME AFTER INSPECTION "GLAZED PADS" - NOW AT 16,000 MILES - (ALWAYS MADE NOISE) BRAKE PADS GONE - ROTORS RUINED - (TOM RIVERS) AT DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE.

Apr 17, 2002

BRAKES MADE NOISE AT 2057MILES ON 6/22/01 - DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME AFTER INSPECTION "COLD PADS" - BRAKES MADE NOISE AT 2383 MILES ON 7/3/01 - DEALER ADVISED ME AFTER INSPECTION "GLAZED PADS" - NOW AT 16,000 MILES - (ALWAYS MADE NOISE) BRAKE PADS GONE - ROTORS RUINED - (TOM RIVERS) AT DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE.

Apr 9, 2002 Crash

BRAKE FAILURE ONLY ON RAINY DAYS, LOOSING AIR PRESSURE FROM SAME WHEEL(PASSEGER SIDE)VIBRATING ON STEERING& BRAKE, STRONG VIBRATION GOING OVER 60 MILES CAR DRIVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE. *AK

Apr 2, 2002

BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. NEXT DAY, CONSUMER STARTED HEARING A GRINDING NOISE. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE BAD BRAKE CALIPERS ON VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED CALIPERS. SIX MONTHS LATER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Mar 15, 2002 Crash

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. *AK *SLC

Feb 20, 2002

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL IS HARD, AND STAYS UP. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

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 12, 2002

STOPPING DISTANCE HAS INCREASED, AND BRAKE PADS ARE WEARING OUT AT ONLY 13000 MILES. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Feb 12, 2002

STOPPING DISTANCE HAS INCREASED, AND BRAKE PADS ARE WEARING OUT AT ONLY 13000 MILES. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Jan 30, 2002

THERE IS PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Jan 30, 2002

WHEN ENGINE WAS STARTED AND GEAR SHIFT WAS PUT INTO DRIVE POSITION VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS UNEXPECTEDLY. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM ,AND REPLACED THROTTLE. AFTER DEALERSHIP MADE THESE REPAIRS AND DROVE ON HIGHWAY BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN PRESSURE WAS PUT ON BRAKE PEDAL. DRIVER FOR TOW TRUCK EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE VEHICLE (THIS DIAGNOSIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.

Jan 30, 2002

CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A ROARING AND GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS, DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL CAP WAS LOOSE AND NOT FULLY INSTALLED WHICH CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT TO COME ON, FRONT AND REAR BRAKES ARE NOISY UPON APPLICATION AND THERE IS A VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. *YD

Jan 22, 2002 Crash

DRIVER EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN CRASH. *AK

Jan 22, 2002

THE BRAKES FADE DURING MODERATE TO SEVER USE, ON ONE OCCASION THE REAR BRAKES FADED AWAY BUT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE HOLDING, BUT THEY SEEMED WEAK. *TT *NLM

Jan 9, 2002

FRONT BRAKES ARE PUTTING OUT TOO MUCH CARBON DUST AND MAKING NOISE WHEN BRAKE ARE APPLIED. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

Jan 2, 2002

REPLACEMENT OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AT LOW MILAGE. SYMPTOMS SUCH AS BRAKE SQUEAL AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO ROTOR WARPAGE WITH LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON THE CAR. ONE WEEK AFTER REPAIRS THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE ONCE AGAIN PRESENT. *AK

Dec 24, 2001

THIS CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK FOR BRAKE FAILUES MULTIPLE TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALER INFORMS ME THAT A SWITCH HAS FAILED AND MY BRAKES ARE JUST FINE. I HAVE BLOWN THROUGH LIGHTS GOING 45+ MILES AN HOUR. THE DEALER HAS FAILED TO EVEN INSPECT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FOR ANY FAILURES.

Dec 8, 2001

BRAKE SYSTEM IS AGAIN FAILING. PRIVATE SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS FAILING. *AK

Oct 20, 2001

BRAKES MAKE NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLY.AFREIND OF MY HAS THE SAME KIND OF CAR TOOK IT BACK TO HIS DEALER MEDFORD FORD IN MEDFORD NJ.THEY TOLD HIM THERE WAS A SILENT RECALL ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM ,AND ON THE REAR SPINDELS THAT HOLD THE BACK BRAKE DRUMS ON.THE NUT THAT HOLDS BRAKE DRUM ON CAN BACK OFF AN DRUMS AN WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN FALL OFF. HIS CAR WAS REPAIR& HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM,AND SAID ALL DEALERS KNOW ABOUT THIS SILENT RECALL I HAVE BEEN TO TWO OTHER DEALERS NEAR MY HOME AN NEITHER ONE KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY SAID IF IT NOT ON RECALL THEY WILL NOT FIX.WAS WONDERING IF YOU HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.*AK

Oct 20, 2001

BRAKES MAKE NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLY.AFREIND OF MY HAS THE SAME KIND OF CAR TOOK IT BACK TO HIS DEALER MEDFORD FORD IN MEDFORD NJ.THEY TOLD HIM THERE WAS A SILENT RECALL ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM ,AND ON THE REAR SPINDELS THAT HOLD THE BACK BRAKE DRUMS ON.THE NUT THAT HOLDS BRAKE DRUM ON CAN BACK OFF AN DRUMS AN WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN FALL OFF. HIS CAR WAS REPAIR& HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM,AND SAID ALL DEALERS KNOW ABOUT THIS SILENT RECALL I HAVE BEEN TO TWO OTHER DEALERS NEAR MY HOME AN NEITHER ONE KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY SAID IF IT NOT ON RECALL THEY WILL NOT FIX.WAS WONDERING IF YOU HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.*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)

Oct 1, 2001

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WORKS ON A INTERMITTENT BASIS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Jul 5, 2001

SOME OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS ARE COVERED IN RUST, DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO A PROTECTANT NOT BEING USED DURING MANUFACTURING, RUST IS VERY SEVERE AND ALXES ARE BEGINNING TO RUST, CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED, DEALER WILL NOT MAKE REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER PAYS FOR COSTS OR UNTIL A RECALL IS ISSUED. *SLC

May 5, 2001

NOISE IN LEFT FRONT. PEDAL PULSATION. DEALER TURNED ROTORS. NOISE DIDN'T LEAVE, PULSATION DID. 3K MILES NOISE STILL THERE, PEDAL PULSATION AGAIN. REPLACED ROTORS. NOISE DIDN'T STOP, PULSATION DID. 4.9K MILES NOISE AND PULSATION, DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND LEFT CALIPER. BOTH STOPPED. ADD'L 200 MILES, NOISE BEGAN. 6.7K MILES PULSATION IS BACK. DEALER SAYS PROBLEM NOT WITH CAR BUT WILL INVESTIGATE.*AK