2000 Ford Focus Transmission Problems

I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE DECEMBER OF 2003 AND IT HAS BEEN A VERY LARGE MONEY PIT. THIS TIME THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING. I HAD TAKEN IT TO AUTOZONE AND THEY TOLD ME IT NEED AN EGR SENSOR OR HOSING FOR IT. WHEN I WAS TURNING AT A LIGHT THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING WHEN I HAD JUST TURNED ONTO A MAIN HIGHWAY. THERE HAS BEEN MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE DAY ONE. THIS CAR HAS HAD 5 CLUTCHES IN IT AND I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THAT ALL IN ITSELF BECAUSE A CAR SHOULD NEVER NEED THAT MANY CLUTCHES WITHIN 100,000 MILES. THAT IS RIDICULOUS AND VERY EXPENSIVE AND I HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE OTHER 2000 FORD FOCUS'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. MY ONE HEAD LIGHT IS NOT RIGHT IT NEVER HAS BEEN THERE IS CORROSION ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMP. THE REAR DOOR LATCH DOES NOT WORK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR ALSO DOES NOT LATCH CORRECTLY AND NO LONGER LOCKS AT ALL. THE TRUNK LATCH IS NOT RIGHT EITHER. IT WILL NOT ALWAYS UNLATCH AND THEN CLOSE AGAIN. IT OFTEN REQUIRES SEVERAL MORE TIMES OF PUSHING THE TRUNK RELEASE AND IT WILL FINALLY UNLOCK AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. I HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THIS LEMON. I HAVE ALL THE REPAIR PAPERWORK, IT HAS A BRAND NEW BREAKING SYSTEM, BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION, BRAND NEW ENGINE, BRAND NEW CLUTCH, BATTERY. WE HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING IN THIS CAR AND HERE WE GO AGAIN....THIS CAR HAS SAT MORE THAN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN!!! I HONESTLY FEEL THAT WE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE MONEY WE SPENT ON BUYING THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS AND IS STILL A LEMON SINCE DAY ONE...... *JS

NHTSA ID

10585519

Incident

Apr 29, 2014

Mileage

142,000 mi

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN A SUBDIVISION AT ABOUT 20 MPH, TURNED, AND HEARD A CRACKING SOUND FROM LEFT FRONT TIRE. STOPPED AND GOT OUT TO LOOK = LEFT FRONT SPRING COIL WAS BROKEN. I DRIVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. HAVE ALSO HAD TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM - KEY NOT TURNING IN TUMBLER - AND WITH THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. LAST CONTACTED RECALL FROM FORD DEALERSHIP WAS FOR "WIPER MOTOR IN 2001." *TR

NHTSA ID

10330712

Incident

May 16, 2010

Mileage

108,200 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE DEALER PERFORMED OVER $500 WORTH OF REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY PASSED IT FOR INSPECTION. THEY EVEN PLACED THEIR OWN INSPECTION STICKER ON THE VEHICLE. LESS THAN A WEEK LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. LATER, THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS TWISTED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, IT STALLED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE OVER 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10264355

Incident

Mar 11, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AAA TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY NONFUNCTIONAL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 19,000.

NHTSA ID

10238663

Incident

Jul 10, 2008

Mileage

19,000 mi

EVERY TIME I WOULD TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS . THEY WOULD TELL ME THERE WERE NONE. IN JUNE I TOOK MY FOCUS TO THE DEALER FOR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO BALL BEARINGS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THE RIGHT SIDE NEEDED TO BE DONE ALSO, THEY ONLY HAD ONE IN STOCK THAT DAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10232757

Incident

Sep 20, 2006

A MAJOR COMPLAINT ABOUT THE 2000 FORD FOCUS. THIS WAS MY FIRST REAL CAR AND I WAS EXCITED. I HAD THE CAR FOR A COUPLE MONTHS WHEN IT STATED WHINING NOISES. I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING. IT HAPPEN I TOOK IT BACK. THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION FIXED A WEEK LATER THE CAR STARTED SHUTTING OFF ON ITS OWN. IT WOULD STALL AND STOP AS I WAS DRIVING. I SAID THE CAR IS STILL GIVING ME PROBLEMS AND TOOK IT BACK THEY INSISTED THAT THE CAR WAS OK. I TALK TO A FORD DEALER SAID THE FUEL PUMP. IT HAPPEN AGAIN TOLD BRING THE CAR IN FRIDAY THEN I WAS RIDING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY IN BUFFALO NY WITH MY CHILDREN THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN NO BRAKES NO EXCEL NOTHING WE WERE ALMOST KILLED IN THAT CAR I SCRAMBLED TO GET TO AN EXIT WHERE THE CAR STOPPED ON ITS OWN ON THE SHOULDER NEAR THE END OF THE EXIT. I CALLED THEM SCREAMING CRYING SCARED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED DO YOU KNOW THEY SAID SORRY CAN YOU TOW IT IN. I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE BEEN SO UNHAPPY. I TOWED THE CAR IN AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD KEEP THE CAR. IT STARTED UP AND EVERYTHING AND THEY STILL WOULD NOT BELIEVE ME. UNTIL ONE OF THE MECHANIC SAID HE WOULD DRIVE THE CAR HOME. IT SHUT DOWN ON HIM AS HE DROVE HOME. THE MECHANIC BROUGHT IT BACK FIXED AND IT AND TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY FOR IT I COULD COME AND GET IT. I WAS SO SO SO ANGRY I TOLD THEM I WOULD NOT PAY ANOTHER DIME FOR THAT CAR BUT WHAT I OWED TO THE TIME THAT CAR ALMOST TOOK MY LIFE. THEY SAID FINE AND PUT A JUDGMENT ON ME FOR 4,000. I TOOK IT TO A ATTORNEY TO FIGHT IT I WAS SOLD A BAD CAR AND WAS VERY RUDE AND NOT CARE ABOUT MY LIFE OR MY CHILDREN'S. NOW, 7YRS LATER I LOOK AT MY TRW TO FIND NOT ONLY DID YOU GIVE ME A BAD CAR, TELL ME I HAVE TO KEEP IT BUT YOU PUT 2 JUDGMENTS ON ME AND IT IS STILL RUINING MY LIFE. BUT NO MORE I AM ASKING THAT ASKING THAT YOUR COMPANY PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS SITUATION AND STOP THIS TEARING DOWN OF MY LIFE. IT HAS WENT FROM ONE BAD ORDEAL TO A LIFE TIME OF MISERY. MY FINAL INCIDENT DATE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10219248

Incident

Jul 20, 2000

ON 10/23/07 I INSERTED KEY INTO IGNITION OF MY FORD FOCUS AND IMMEDIATLEY THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES WENT HAYWIRE-VEHICLE FAILED TO START. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT ,AFTER UNPLUGING THE BATTERY CABLES AND GOING BACK TO THE STRANDED CAR THE NEXT EVENING, IT STARTED . 2 DAYS LATER MY WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. ON 10/31/07 WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER HOME, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING AND DECCELERTAING UNCONTROLLABLY. I PULLED OF THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR, THE SEATBELT LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND MAKING A LOUD TICKING NOISE. THIS HAD HAPPENED THE NIGHT PRIOR, BUT I THOUGHT MAYBE THE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. MY DOME LIGHTS MAKE A SCREECHING NOISE AND BLINK ON AND OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. WHENEVER SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS I AM DRIVING HOME LATE AT NIGHT AND OF COURSE THE DEALER IS NOT OPEN TO HELP ME . MY CAR IS ALMOST PAID OFF AND I WILL NOT INVEST MORE THAN WHAT IT IS WORTH, WHICH IS ONLY ABOUT $2,500.TOO BAD I HAVE PAID ABOUT $18,000 FOR IT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW WHY I HAVE NOT RECEIVED RECALLS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: 1. 1ST MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RUNNING AIRBAGS, MIRRORS, DOORS ETC. FAILED. 2. 37,000 MILES- TRANSMISSION FAILED 3. 42,000 MILES- POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND SOON AFTER PASSENGER DOORS STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION. 4. ALL WINDOW TRACKS HAVE FAILED. 5. WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. 6. TRUNK LATCH FAILED 7. IGNITION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AND IS GOING AGAIN. 8. BROUGHT IN FOR 1 RECALL (FUEL FILTER) AND STILL DIDN'T CORRECT PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION AND LURCHING. THIS IS A VEHICLE THAT EXCEEDS HIGHWAY SAFTEY RATINGS? SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT THIS IF I MUST HIRE AN ATTORNEY- I AM OUT A LOT OF MONEY AND NO VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10207593

Incident

Oct 31, 2007

Mileage

12,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD, SHIFTED OUT OF SECOND GEAR, AND ROLLED BACK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON BOTH FLAT AND INCLINED SURFACES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,141 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,241.

NHTSA ID

10203024

Incident

Sep 1, 2007

Mileage

96,141 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING AREA, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT END OF THE PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO BE MOVED TEN FEET ONTO THE ROAD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE MOVED ON ITS OWN HITTING ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP FOR BODY WORK. THERE WERE NO FURTHER EXAMINATION OR REPAIRS MADE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10174467

Incident

Nov 1, 2006

Mileage

91,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY FORD FOCUS & THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE FRONT END OF THE CAR COLLAPSED ON THE FRONT TIRE. I WAS DRIVING 65 MILES AND HOUR SECONDS BEFORE I FORTUNATELY SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP...NOTICED A NOISE LIKE A FLAT TIRE, SOMETHING DID NOT FEEL RIGHT JUST BEFORE IT COLLAPSED ON THE ROAD, I AGAIN THANK GOD, I DECIDED TO TURN AROUND TO GO BACK HOME & IMMEDIATELY UPON THAT TURN AROUND THE CAR COLLAPSED. THESE RECALLS SAFETY CAMPAIGNS ARE RISKING MY LIFE, BUT TERRIFIES ME FOR MY NEWLY DRIVING SON BEHIND THE WHEEL. AS IF THAT IS NOT BAD ENOUGH, I NOW HAVE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT ALSO. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION---UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY....CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE TOWED CAR LOCKED UP..STEERING EVERYTHING. COST OF REPAIR WAS QUOTED FROM $382.00 FROM FORD SERVICE DEALER...MEANWHILE THE HUGE INCONVENIENCE CAR PARKING FEES..FOR BEING IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID

10162941

Incident

Jul 18, 2006

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL FELL COMPLETELY OFF. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I SEE THAT THERE WAS A LIMITED TIME RECALL FOR THIS ITEM, HOWEVER WE ARE 2ND OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE I AM ASSUMING THE ORIGINAL OWNERS DID NOT HAVE THIS FIXED. HOWEVER, WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP IN 2001 BEFORE THE RECALL EXPIRED AND THEY ALSO DID NOT HAVE THE FAULTY CLUTCH REPLACED. CALLED FORD TODAY AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. FORTUNATELY MY HUSBAND WAS NOT INJURED AND NO ONE ELSE WAS INJURED EITHER. HOWEVER, THIS COULD HAVE LED TO A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. WE ARE NOW HAVING TO PAY TO HAVE THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY REPLACED AS WELL AS THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. TOTAL $650.00. *JB

NHTSA ID

10162689

Incident

Jul 14, 2006

Mileage

87,000 mi

NEEDED TO HAVE THE CLUTCH REPLACED WITH ONLY 37,340 MILES ON THE CAR. NOTICED BURNING SMELL COMING FROM CAR ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER WHEN STOPPING ON HILLS. IT SEEMED THAT HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONER ON, STOPPING ON A HILL, AND THEN DRIVING OUT OF 1ST GEAR FOR SOME REASON BURNS OUT THE CLUTCH. SO THE CLUTCH WORE OUT AND I HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $924.96. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE WAY I DRIVE. I'VE BEEN DRIVING CARS FOR 34 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE A CLUTCH. SEEMS TO ME THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT; CLUTCHES SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED SO SOON. HOW DO I PREVENT THE SAME THING FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE? *NM

NHTSA ID

10150401

Incident

May 18, 2005

Mileage

37,340 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. THE FIRST TIME, SHE WENT TO START THE CAR, THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE THIRD FAILURE HAPPENED THIS WEEK, WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. IT IS BEING REPAIRED NOW. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE STARTER ALONG WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK IN DEC 2001 THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES AND THE REAR AXLE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEATER DID NOT WORK. THE EGR TUBE WAS REPLACED. THE WIPER ARM WAS BROKEN. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON ALL TIME. THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10140391

Incident

Mar 14, 2004

Mileage

32,079 mi

PURCHASED 2000 FORD FOCUS, VIN [XXX] FROM CROFT FORD ON DEC. 19, 2001; MILEAGE WAS 12,163 (CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY); HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO WALK SINCE MARCH OF 2002 (MILEAGE ON CAR IS NOW JUST OVER 13,000; LAST 200 PLUS MILES HAS BEEN PUT ON BY FORD DEALERSHIPS ATTEMPTING TO FIX CAR). HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN TO SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS; NONE OF WHICH CAN SOLVE PROBLEM OF ENGINE SURGES; DASH LIGHTS SWEEPING; TRANSMISSION BOLTING; ETC., ETC., ETC. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE; I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR COMPANY; THE DEALERSHIPS, ETC., AND FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER "MANUFACTURER WARRANTY" .. INSTEAD LATEST WAS THAT FORD DEALERSHIP WANTED $500 TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR AND COULD NOT GUARANTY THAT WOULD FIX PROBLEM; I ALREADY PAID $105; PLUS $110 AND THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN WOODBRIDGE, VA, FOR OVER 2 WEEKS, WHICH LEAVES MY FAMILY WITHOUT A CAR TO TRANSPORT ME. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. I TOLD TODD CROFT OF CROFT FORD THAT I NEEDED A GOOD, DEPENDABLE, SAFE CAR BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE THE LAST CAR I EVER PURCHASED. HE KNEW THAT I DID NOT DRIVE MUCH AT ALL AND I FEEL THAT HE SOLD THE CAR (WITH AN EXISTING PROBLEM) TO ME THINKING THAT I WOULD NEVER KNOW. MY DAUGHTER WAS THE ONE WHO REALIZED THIS CAR HAD A SERIOUS DEFECT AND TOOK IT TO CROFT FORD TO BE FIXED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO; TO DATE, IT STILL IS NOT FIXED; IS A DANGER TO DRIVE, NOT ONLY TO THE PERSON/OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR, BUT TO ANY VEHICLES NEAR WHEN THE POWER SURGES OCCUR AND THE TRANSMISSION BOLTS. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

10137913

Incident

Jul 26, 2005

Mileage

12,685 mi

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH 22,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE TWO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 9 MONTHS AGO WITH ABOUT 18,000 MILES. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED LAST WEEK. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER TO PAY $129.00 OR TRADE THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. SHE REFUSED TO PAY THE $129.00 AND SHE DID NOT WANT TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE IN FOR ANOTHER FORD. SHE SENT AN E-MAIL TO FORD. AS OF RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN HER E-MAIL. THE DEALERSHIP PROVIDED HER WITH A RENTAL CAR. HOWEVER ,THEY TOLD HER THAT IF SHE DID NOT COME AND PICKUP CAR SHE WILL HAVE TO START PAYING FOR THE RENTAL CAR. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON AUGUST 22, 2005 ,AND THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED RECALL REPAIRS THAT SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT SHE KNEW HER CAR WAS A LEMON. HOWEVER, SHE BROUGHT HER CAR IN TOO LATE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10134643

Incident

Dec 1, 2004

DT: TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT KICK INTO GEAR. THE KEY IGNITION IS ALWAYS GETTING STUCK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ONLY HER IMAGINATION. FINALLY, THE TRANSMISSION DIED AND THE WARRANTY HAD RAN OUT. THE DOORS BOTH FRONT AND BACK COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE REAR DOORS BUT IS ALSO HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT DOORS AS WELL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE IGNITION KEY ALONE. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN SHOP. *TT

NHTSA ID

10122287

Incident

Apr 10, 2000

Mileage

150 mi

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10117652

Incident

Feb 10, 2005

Mileage

60,000 mi

I PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS WAGON (2000) FROM ROWAN LINCOLN MERCURY IN WINTER HAVEN FLORIDA IN NOVEMBER 2003. SINCE THAT TIME THIS "CHECKED OUT" VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: A NEW IGNITION LOCK (TWICE), A NEW BATTERY, NEW SPARK PLUGS & WIRES, NEW VACUUM HOSE, AND NEW ALTERNATOR. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT ON THE VEHICLE. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE AGAINST THE DEALERSHIP FOR SELLING ME AN OBVIOUSLY MESSED UP VEHICLE? MY CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNANSWERED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 36,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT. EVERYONE THAT TOUCHES THE CAR TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NO GOOD REASON FOR THE NEED OF ANY OF THE REPAIRS EXCEPT THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES AND BATTERY. ANY ADVICE AS I AM NOW FACING ANOTHER REPAIR BILL IN EXCESS OF $1,000 FOR A CAR THAT IS TOUTED AS BEING ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE ON THE ROAD? *JB

NHTSA ID

10100337

Incident

Nov 11, 2003

ON THE AFTERNOON OF 9/29/2004 I ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE. A LOUD CLANK NOISE HAD OCCURED SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE WHEN DRIVING FORWARD INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD THE VECHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE I WAS TOLD THIS 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONLY 32000 MILES REQUIRED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. AFTER READING THE OTHER SEIZED TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS THAT RESULTED IN CRASHES, I FEEL VERY LUCKY. *AK

NHTSA ID

10093478

Incident

Sep 29, 2004

Mileage

32,000 mi

AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR IN JAN OF 2000. I HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP 3 DAYS AFTER FOR A LINKAGE PROBLEM. I WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE AND REVERSING IN DRIVE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN QUITE A FEW TIMES SINCE THEN FOR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOR IT NOT ACCELERATING WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY, AND FOR IT ACCELERATING FOR NO REASON AT ALL. EACH TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THAT WAS NORMAL. WHICH I KNOW IT WAS NOT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN IN OTHER 2000 FORD FOCUS' AND THEY ARE ANY WHERE AS LOUD AS MINE IS AND THEY DO NOT TAKE OFF LIKE MINE DOES, AND THE PICK UP SPEED IS WONDERFUL. I AM AWARE THAT THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED NEAR THAT DATE THAT ARE OR WERE ON RECALL. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD LOOK INTO THIS, SO I CAN GET IT FIXED BEFORE ANY ONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10088143

Incident

Jan 15, 2000

Mileage

1,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION JUST SUDDENLY WENT ON OUR VEHICLE WITH 41000. THIS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ID

10086375

Incident

Jul 26, 2004

Mileage

41,500 mi

WHILE SHIFTING GEARS TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK THE TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. *AK

NHTSA ID

10064758

Incident

Mar 23, 2004

WE PURCHASED OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS IN AUGUST OF 2003 IT HAD LOW MILES AND WE FIGURED I WAS A GOOD CAR. IN OCTOBER IT BROKE DOWN ON US AND IT WAS A CLUTCH DISK THAT WENT OUT. WE SAID OK AND THEY FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY. THE DAY AFTER WE GOT IT BACK FROM THE SHOP IT STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE SO WE TOOK IT BACK AND THEY SAID THEY NEED TO MAKE A ADJUSTMENT. THEN LESS THAN 3 WEEKS LATER WE ENDED UP HAVING IT BREAK DOWN ON US ONCE AGAIN THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WELL HERE WE ARE ONCE AGAIN. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE TRANSMISSION. GOING THROUGH A STOP LIGHT ONE DAY THE CAR STARTED TO HAVE ENGINE HESITATION AND LOSS OF POWER AND THEN WOULD STALL OUT. NOW THEY ARE TELLING US THAT WATER GOT IN OUR FUEL TANK AND RUINED THE FUEL PUMP. I JUST FOUND OUT BY DOING SOME OF MY OWN RESEARCH THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS RECALLED IN NOV OF 2003 FOR CARS EXHIBITING THE SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HAS NOT INFORMED US OF THIS RECALL AND STATES THAT THE WATER WAS THE CAUSE OF OUR PROBLEMS. *LA

NHTSA ID

10052344

Incident

Dec 26, 2003

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS 2000 SE 4 DR SEDAN. IT WAS BOUGHT AS NEW CAR 11/1999 AND CURRENTLY HAS 39500 CAREFULLY DRIVEN MILES. EARLIER THIS AUTUMN AN AMBER DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING. AT FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO DECODE ITS MEANING FROM VEHICLE'S MANUAL, I LEARNED IT WAS THE 'AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/COOLING' WARNING LIGHT ON ZTEC EQUIPPED MODELS (LIKE MINE). I TOOK IT TO LINCOLN MERCURY DEAL (WHERE I HAVE HAD MY FOCUS REPAIRED OFTEN): 'BARON LINCOLN MERCURY' IN FLUSHING, NEW YORK WHERE THEY PERFORMED A COMPUTERIZED CHECK OF SYMPTOMS. I WAS TOLD SERVICE WRITER THERE WERE 'CODES' WHICH INDICATED SOLENOID AND GEAR RATIO PROBLEMS IN 2ND AND 4TH. I WASN'T SURE WHAT ALL THAT MEANT BUT SEEMED LIKE GOOD IDEA TO TAKE ADVICE AND SCHEDULE ANOTHER MORE DETAILED INSPECTION FOR POSSIBLE REPAIRS; THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY WAS AROUND 10 DAYS FROM THAT DAY AND I TOOK IT. I SHOULD MENTION THAT THE LIGHT HAD NOT CONTINUED TO REMAIN 'ON' FOLLOWING THE 1ST TIME. I TOOK MY CAR TO BARON ON A SATURDAY MORNING AND ON MONDAY FOLLOWING IT, I SAW SAME LIGHT TO COME 'ON. THAT DAY I CALLED LOCAL AAMCO DEALER AND AGREED TO HAVE CAR LOOKED AT THERE THE NEXT MORNING WHERE THEIR COMPUTER FOUND SAME THING. I AGREED TO LET AAMCO OPEN UP TRANSMISSION FOR DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP AND THAT AFTERNOON WAS TOLD THAT NEEDED REPAIRS TOTALLING APPROXIMATELY $2700. I AGREED TO LET AAMCO PERFORM WORK AFTER HAVING FIRST CONTACTED THE SAME SERVICE WRITER AT BARON LINCOLN-MERCURY WHO INFORMED ME THAT THEY VERY SELDOM DID TRANSMISSION WORK AND THAT IF THEY DID IT'D COST AROUND $2700. SINCE AAMCO'S SPECIALTY IS TRANSMISSIONS, IT MADE SENSE TO PROCEED. I AM A TWO TIME FORD CUSTOMER ('96 AND '2000) AND WON'T PERMIT THE IDEA OF BUYING ANOTHER TO CROSS MY MIND. *LA

NHTSA ID

10047099

Incident

Nov 1, 2003

WHILE APPLYING THE CLUTCH PEDAL AT 35 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE MAIN ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL PIN BROKE IN HALF. *JB

NHTSA ID

10044662

Incident

Oct 24, 2003

Mileage

68,000 mi