2001 Ford Focus Other / unspecified Problems

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving her vehicle at approximately 35 MPH, the ball joint snapped on the vehicle's passengers side. The contact stated there were no warning lights illuminated nor any indication of a failure prior to the ball joint snapping. The contact stated that when the failure happened to her vehicle it caused her to crash into a ditch. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained and the vehicle was towed to the residence where it remains currently. The contact stated that she did contact the dealer as well as the manufacturer who advised her to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 190,000.

NHTSA ID

11444566

Incident

Oct 25, 2021

Mileage

190,000 mi

AS I WAS COMING FROM DR'S APPT. WITH DAUGHTER AND MOM A ROARING SOUND STARTED IN THE REAR. IT KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER, CAR'S REAR WOULD SWAY TO THE RIGHT SIDE A LITTLE. BUT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET TRYING TO AT LEAST GET US ALL HOME SAFE. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF AND JUST ROLLED DOWN THE STREET ABOUT A HALF-A-BLOCK. A MAN CAME OUT NOTICING THE TIRE ROLL PASS HIM, HELPED ME RETRIEVE IT AND GET IT BACK TO MY CAR. LOOKED AT THE WHEEL AND CAR AXLE I GUESS THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL IT, AND TOLD ME MY WHEEL BEARINGS WERE GONE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10712806

Incident

Apr 24, 2015

Mileage

204,500 mi

2001 FORD FOCUS SE 4 DOOR SEDAN. 67,140 MILES. TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY ONCE TURN IS COMPLETED EITHER TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. HAVE TO NOW TURN OFF THE SIGNAL MANUALLY. HAPPENED ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON 7-19-2011. NOTHING YET HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE OTHER THAN AN INTERNET SEARCH TO DETERMINE WHAT MIGHT BE WRONG. *KB

NHTSA ID

10413624

Incident

Jul 19, 2011

Mileage

67,140 mi

THE A/C EVAPORATOR CORE LEAKING REFRIGERANT INTO VENTS OF CAR. FUMES MAKING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS NAUSEOUS AS WELL AS A/C FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10406248

Incident

Aug 1, 2010

Mileage

90,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10373628

Incident

Dec 28, 2010

Mileage

89,900 mi

2001 FORD FOCUS HAS FAILED TWICE DURING LONG TRIPS. VEHICLE STUTTERS, STRUGGLES AND WILL MAINTAIN A SPEED OF ONLY 35-40 MPH DURING THESE EPISODES. STOPPING, RESTARTING WILL RESET AND ALLOW ANOTHER 5-10 MILES OF PROPER OPERATION AND THEN IN HAPPENS AGAIN. DURING BOTH INSTANCES IT WAS HOT AND HUMID. WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TRIP BOTH TIMES, BUT THIS IS A SCARY SITUATION ON THE INTERSTATE!!!!! SUSPECTING FUEL CONTROL MODULE, BUT EVERYTHING TESTS FINE AT THE SHOP AND UNABLE TO RECREATE SYMPTOMS FOR MECHANIC. ONLINE FORD DATABASE SAYS THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL FOR FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, BUT THE SYSMPTOMS ARE EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ID

10341478

Incident

Oct 3, 2007

Mileage

80,000 mi

FIRST, I HEARD A NOISE IN MY REAR WHEEL WELL. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE NOISE GOT WORSE AND I COULD FEEL LIGHT SHIMMYING IN THE CAR. I BROUGHT IT IMMEDIATELY TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A BROKEN REAR WHEEL BEARING THAT MY WHEEL TO WOBBLE AND LOSE STABILITY. REPLACEMENT REQUIRES A WHOLE NEW DRUM, AT THE COST OF $300. *TR

NHTSA ID

10327792

Incident

Apr 27, 2010

Mileage

136,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10310526

Incident

Feb 15, 2010

Mileage

181,000 mi

TURNED OFF MY 2001 FORD FOCUS (WITH ONLY 36,320 MILES ON IT) AS USUAL AND WHEN I RETURNED TO CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO START IT UP, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HAD TO DRILLED OUT THE TAB, AND BUILD AND INSTALL NEW KEY CYLINDER FOR A TOTAL OF $427.84. THEY DID NOT OFFER THE OLD PART TO ME AND I DIDN'T THINK TO ASK FOR IT. THANKFULLY, IT HAPPENED DURING THE DAY WHILE I WAS AT MY DENTIST'S, AND NOT AT NIGHT AFTER WORK. HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT HAS BEEN FILED IN CALIFORNIA. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THESE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10308690

Incident

Dec 22, 2009

Mileage

36,320 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10297006

Incident

Feb 7, 2009

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

NHTSA ID

10254361

Incident

Dec 13, 2008

Mileage

168,300 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE MERGING OFF THE HIGHWAY AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE ROLLING BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. SHE RECOVERED THE TIRE AND NOTICED THAT THE BOLTS, LUGS, NUTS, AND WHEEL BEARING WERE STILL ATTACHED TO THE TIRE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I017000 (WHEELS LUGS, NUTS, BOLTS); HOWEVER, THE DEALER COULD PROVIDE A WARRANTY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10253042

Incident

Dec 28, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10239556

Incident

Aug 22, 2008

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

NHTSA ID

10209843

Incident

Jun 23, 2007

Mileage

50,000 mi

BOUGHT NEW IN '01 FORD FOCUS. NOTICED RIGHT OFF BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND SQUEAK. TIRES WERE WORN REAL BAD ON INSIDE ON ONE FRONT SIZE SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. REPEATED ALIGNMENTS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. STILL EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH IT MISSING DURING ACCELERATION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN FEBRUARY 2005 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED SENSORS THAT HAD RECALL,WAS RECALL CODE P0401. ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. THEY SAID THAT WE WERE USING GAS THAT WAS DIRTY AND WAITING TOO LATE TO PUT GAS INTO THE CAR AND THAT WAS WHY IT WAS STALLING. WE PAID $272.98 FOR THEM TO REPLACE THIS WHOLE SECTION THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE FUEL BEING FILTERED. CAR LOSES POWER AND STUTTERS GOING AROUND CURVES WITH EVEN OVER A HALF A TANK OF GAS. STALLING TO THE POINT WE MUST PULL OVER INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AFRAID OF ACCIDENT! I OWN CAR I BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND IT JERKS AND SPUTTERS LIKE SOME PIECE OF CRAP FROM JD BYRIDER! EVERYTIME WE START THE CAR YOU SMELL OIL BURNING FOR15 MINUTES AFTERWARDS. HAD IT CHECKED NO LEAKS OR ANYTHING COULD BE FOUND. APRIL OF 2005 NOTICED WHEN THE CAR IDLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE THERMOSTAT WOULD SHOW SHOOT UP SHOWING IT WAS RUNNING HOT! TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING. WAS TOLD THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. RETESTED IT AND WAS TOLD PROBLEM SOLVED. OUR BILL WAS $375.00. THIS WAS FIRST BRAND NEW CAR AND WAS TAKEN WELL CARE OF, IT ONLY HAS AROUND 78,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SILENT RECALL ON THESE FOR THE ENGINE PROBLEMS AND THEY WERE BEING FIXED FOR NO COST TO THE OWNER. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL AND PAID FOR ALL OF THIS OUT OF POCKET .CAR IS PAID OFF NOW AND CANNOT ENJOY HAVING A PAID OFF CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE BECAUSE WE ARE SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND BOUGHT A NEW CAR THAT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH OUR KIDS! TIME GOES ON AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. SOMETIMES NOT WANTING TO START AT ALL! ENGINE STILL STALLS DESPITE ALL THESE REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10200528

Incident

Aug 22, 2007

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE A NOISE IS HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER'S REAR WHEEL, THE WHEEL ALSO STARTED WOBBLING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID

10153455

Incident

Mar 15, 2006

Mileage

90,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10141340

Incident

Oct 19, 2005

Mileage

35,000 mi

MY STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN THE CAR ON. I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK NO PROBLEM WHEN I CAME OUT I COULD NOT GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT MOVE THEREBY NOT ALLOWING ME TO TRUN THE CAR ON

NHTSA ID

10124221

Incident

Jun 4, 2005

WHILE DRIVING AT 65, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SOME DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10119052

Incident

Apr 13, 2005

Mileage

43,297 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10113910

Incident

Mar 10, 2005

Mileage

8,500 mi

THE WHEEL/HUBS/ BEARINGS, AND ALL THE WAY AROUND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONTACTED THE DEALER. BUT, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE WHEEL BEARINGS, HOWEVER IT WAS FOR THE 2000 MODEL NOT THE 2001. *JB

NHTSA ID

10103704

Incident

Oct 1, 2004

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK. *AK *SC

NHTSA ID

10097809

Incident

Oct 26, 2004

I HAVE DISCOVERED AFTER HAVING WHEELS REMOVED FOR TIRE ROTATION AND REPLACEMENT THAT THE LUGS: NUTS HAVE A STAMPED SHEET METAL CAP ON THEM WHICH MAKES THE PLAIN NUTS LOOK LIKE ACORN NUTS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS CAP IS RATTLED LOOSE BY THE IMPACT WRENCH AND FALLS OFF - LEAVING A NUT OF 17.4 MM ACROSS THE FLATS. SINCE THE LUG WRENCH IS 19MM, IT WILL MERELY SPIN AND ROUND-OFF THE NUTS - LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED, UNABLE TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE. I TRIED TO CONTACT FORD ABOUT THIS ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THEIR INVITATION TO "E-MAIL US" IS A ROUSE - THEIR E-MAIL DOES NOT WORK. THE DEALER HAD TOLD ME "THEY'RE ALL LIKE THAT" AND OFFERED NOT RESOLUTION.*AK

NHTSA ID

10098217

Incident

Nov 3, 2004

I AM EXHIBITING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2001 FORD FOCUS LX THAT MATCHES THE PROBLEMS LISTED WITH THE RECALLS FOR THE CAR. I AM HAVING POWERS SURGES, VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, NOISES IN THE FRONT END, AND LOSS OF POWER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THIS AND HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT IT. THEY KEEP SAYING THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY CAR. I KNOW THIS TO BE FALSE BECAUSE A FRIEND OF MINE GOT THE SAME EXACT CAR AS I DID 2 WEEKS APART FROM ME. HE HAS RECIEVED THE RECALL LETTERS AND ALREADY HAD THE PROBLEMS FIXED. I NEED HELP. *AK

NHTSA ID

10096288

Incident

Oct 23, 2004

Mileage

100 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A HIGH SCREECHING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FOLLOWED BY THE REAR WOBBLING. THE DRIVER PROCEEDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS UNDRIVEABLE. THE REAR WHEEL BEARING BROKE PREMATURELY. THIS OCCURRED DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RECALL 01I01700 BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10095521

Incident

Oct 7, 2004

Mileage

78,000 mi