2001 Ford Focus Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Focus, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical49322.2%
- Fuel system31814.4%
- Engine27512.4%
- Brakes2059.3%
- Suspension1506.8%
- Airbags1476.6%
- Interior & seats863.9%
- Steering863.9%
- Tires & wheels753.4%
- Driver assistance713.2%
- Transmission652.9%
- Body & structure612.8%
- Visibility592.7%
- Other / unspecified431.9%
- Exterior lighting271.2%
- Powertrain (other)251.1%
- Seat belts221.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
KEEPS SHUT OFF N OVER HEATING
ON 9/2/2020 AROUND 10 PM IN MICHIGAN I WAS MAKING A PIZZA DELIVERY, I PULLED INTO THE SUBDIVISION WHERE I HAD TO MAKE THE DELIVERY, ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE. I GOT MY CAR FO SAFTEY AWAY FROM THE HOUSES BECAUSE MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS SAFETY. I GRAB MY PHONE TO CALL MY BOSS, I THOUGHT MY CAR JUAT BROKE DOWN. THEN I SAW SMOKE AND SPARKS. I CALLED THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THE CARS SMOKE GOT DARKER AND THE FLAMES GOT BIGGER. I WAS VERY SCARED. ALL MY WINDOWS EXPLODED AND THE CAR MELTED TO GROUND. BY THE LOOKS OF MY PHOTO THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE BATTERY AND CABLES. EVER SINCE THAT NIGHT, I'VE BEEN SCARED OF FIRES, HOT SURFACES, AND WEARY AROUND CARS. I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE BUT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE FLAMES REACHED ABOUT 10 FEET HIGH. LUCKILY IT DID NOT CATCH ANYTHING NEAR BY ON FIRE.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
KEEPS SHUT OFF N OVER HEATING
WAS ON MY WAY TO THE VA HOSPITAL 04/04/2018 STARTED CAR, IT WOULD SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL FUEL LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AND OFF. HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP. GOING TO THE VA HOSPITAL ON 4/16/2018 START CAR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. HAD INNER TIRE RODS REPLACED. GOING TO A VA APPT, ON 05/10/2018 START CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAM ON, CV VALVES REPLACED. 5/30/2018 ON MY WAY AGAIN TO THE VA HOSPITAL, START CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. PLEASE ADVISE, SINCE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MISS AND RESCHEDULE APPTS AT THE VA HOSPITAL. THANK YOU.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
KEEPS SHUT OFF N OVER HEATING
KEEPS OVER HEATING. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER DRIVING FROM WORK TO HOME, ABOUT 4.6 MILES, I TURNED RIGHT INTO MY PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF MY HOME WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE THE CAR ACCELERATED DIRECTLY INTO THE ROCK WALL THAT SERVES AS A BARRIER BETWEEN THE PARKING, WALKWAY AND BUILDING; I IMMEDIATELY PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, PUT IT INTO PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I HAD IT TOWED INTO MY MECHANIC AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THEY FOUND "THROTTLE CABLE WAS BOUND UP" AND THEY "RE-ROUTED CABLE PROPERLY." I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAS EVER HAD THIS EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR VEHICLE ACCELERATING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON THIS MODEL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THE CABLES CAN BECOME BOUND UP. THIS WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS AUTOMOBILE AND HAVE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER SUGGESTIONS IN THEIR GUIDE BOOK.
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHILE I FIND RUST RECALLS FOR 2001 FOCUS FUSIONS AND WINDSTARS FORD CLAIMS THERE IS NO RECALL FOR FRAME COLLAPS FROM EXCESSIVE RUST PROBLEMS. WE PULLED OUT OF OUR DRIVE HEADED UP A BLIND HILL AND THE FRONT END TOTALLY COLLAPSED LEAVING US AS AN EASY TARGET. SEVERAL GOOD FOLKS JUMPED INTO ACTION TO HELP US GET THE MESS SAFELY OFF OF THE STATE HIGHWAY BY BLOCKING TRAFFIC AND HELPING US DRAG IT BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. WE ARE IN OUR 70'S AND ONLY DRIVE THE CAR 7-8 THOUSAND MILES A YEAR. IT HAS BEEN BABIED AND MAINTAINED BY THE BOOK IT ENTIRE LIFETIME . CONVERSATIONS WITH FORD HAVE GOTTEN US NO WHERE! WHERE DO WE TURN ?
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The front dashboard and steering wheel airbags went off. if I was moving this could’ve ended even worse but luckily I was stopped. My hearing was affected. I was parked at a red light and my airbags went off. I did not hit anything nor was my car moving. Witnesses at a restaurant and auto repair shop say the same. My car had passed that years inspection and there was no signs of this happening. No lights, sounds, anything. It was very sudden.
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED IN THAT IT DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON. I WAS DRIVING (IN MOTION) STRAIGHT DOWN A CITY ROAD. IT MADE AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE THAT AFFECTED MY HEARING, EXPELLED A LOT OF WHITE POWDER THAT SMELLED BAD, AND TORE UP THE SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. KUNES FORD WAS CONTACTED (1234 E GENEVA ST, DELAVAN, WI) AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 199,000.
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED IN THAT IT DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON. I WAS DRIVING (IN MOTION) STRAIGHT DOWN A CITY ROAD. IT MADE AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE THAT AFFECTED MY HEARING, EXPELLED A LOT OF WHITE POWDER THAT SMELLED BAD, AND TORE UP THE SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY, AND AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V289000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,611.
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
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS EQUIPPED GOODYEAR EAGLE AUTHORITY TIRES (SIZE 225-50-16). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING RUBBER SMELL AS AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL BARRIERS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ACTUAL TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED.
MY CARS BATTERY WAS NOT WORKING, AS TOLD BY A TRIPLE A MECHANIC. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO GET IT REPLACED AND THEY SAID THAT THE BATTERY WAS WORKING FINE, THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD. THEY SAID THE CAR WOULDN'T GO OUT OF THE SHOP IF IT WASN'T FIXED. SO I PAID THEM $416 TO GET THE ALTERNATOR FIXED. AFTER I GOT THE CAR BACK WITHIN A DAY, IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START, WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME THEY MESSED UP MY METERS, THE LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN ON AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START, NOT ONLY DID THEY CHARGE ME WRONGFULLY THERE WAS NO ALTERNATOR PROBLEM, THE BATTERY WAS BAD. I CALLED THEM AND THEY WOULDN'T ANSWER ME PROPERLY, THEY SAID THAT IT WASN'T THEIR FAULT AND I SHOULD REPLACE THE BATTERY MYSELF. THEY HUNG UP THE PHONE. THIS COMPANY IS A FRAUD, THEY LIE AND WONT ANSWER MY CALLS. MY CAR IS MESSED UP, THEY CHANGED ALL THE WIRES THE LIGHTS WONT WORK, THE GAUGES DON'T WORK. I CALLED THE SHERIFF AND THEY SAID I SHOULD TAKE THEM TO COURT, THEY ALSO REPLACED MY TIRED AND THEY USED DIFFERENT TIRES. IM EXTREMELY MAD AND I NEED HELP. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 9/2/2020 AROUND 10 PM IN MICHIGAN I WAS MAKING A PIZZA DELIVERY, I PULLED INTO THE SUBDIVISION WHERE I HAD TO MAKE THE DELIVERY, ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE. I GOT MY CAR FO SAFTEY AWAY FROM THE HOUSES BECAUSE MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS SAFETY. I GRAB MY PHONE TO CALL MY BOSS, I THOUGHT MY CAR JUAT BROKE DOWN. THEN I SAW SMOKE AND SPARKS. I CALLED THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THE CARS SMOKE GOT DARKER AND THE FLAMES GOT BIGGER. I WAS VERY SCARED. ALL MY WINDOWS EXPLODED AND THE CAR MELTED TO GROUND. BY THE LOOKS OF MY PHOTO THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE BATTERY AND CABLES. EVER SINCE THAT NIGHT, I'VE BEEN SCARED OF FIRES, HOT SURFACES, AND WEARY AROUND CARS. I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE BUT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE FLAMES REACHED ABOUT 10 FEET HIGH. LUCKILY IT DID NOT CATCH ANYTHING NEAR BY ON FIRE.
THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES TO 2000-3000 RPM BY ITSELF. SOMETIMES WHILE AT IDLE AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN TOWN OR THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND HAVE SPENT MONEY ON TPS, THROTTLE BODY, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, COIL PACK, FUEL PUMP AND FILTER AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THAT ISSUE WITH OLDER FORD FOCUSES. IS THERE A FIX TO THIS ISSUE AVAILABLE? MAYBE A RECALL? I HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO HITTING A MOVING VEHICLE, AFTER EXITING IH 35 AND COMING UNTO A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON THE ACCESS ROAD. I ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL VEHICLES STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. UPON EXITING THE INTERSTATE I WAS APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 3500 RPM AND I COULD NOT STOP IT USING THE BRAKES EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRACTICALLY STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE GEAR IN NEURAL AND THUS DID NOT HIT THE VEHICLES AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY IDLED DOWN BUT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND AN EXTREMELY SCARRY SITUATION. I HAVE NOT USED THE VEHICLE SINCE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON REPAIRS. I WOULD PROBABLY NOT BUY A FORD AGAIN. I AM GOING TO SELL THE CAR BUT WILL TELL THE BUYER THAT THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THANKS FOR ANY HELP AVAILABLE
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD MY FORD FOCUS WAGON FOR THREE YEARS NOW. I HAD TO REPAIR A ALOT OF THINGS ON THIS CAR! TRANNY, ALTERNATOR, FUEL PUMP, TIMING BELT, AND THE ONLY DOOR THAT OPENS FROM THE OUTSIDE IS THE PASSENGER RIGHT FRONT, WHICH MY KIDS HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH TO GET TO THE BACK BECAUSE BOTH BACK DOORS BROKE NOT EVEN FOUR MONTHS FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. ALSO THE DRIVER DOOR ONLY OPENS FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE OF THE COMPANIES DEFECTED CAR DOOR HANDLES. MY FRIEND HAS THE SAME CAR, AND ITS THE SAME WAY. NOT MENTIONING HOW EVERYTIME I STOP IT DIES OUT AND I HAVE TO TRY AND KEEP STARTING IT. IT SEEMS THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING, AND WANTED TO SHIFT TO LOWER GEAR (FROM 5TH TO 4TH - MANUAL TRANSMISSION) FOR BRAKING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN THE 5TH GEAR. I USED THE CLUTCH TO COAST TO A SAFE STOP AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE LOCATION. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT DUE THE BROKEN CABLES FROM THE SHIFTER TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THESE CABLES AND THE CAR IS OK. WE DID NOT SAVE THE CABLES.*TR
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 9/2/2020 AROUND 10 PM IN MICHIGAN I WAS MAKING A PIZZA DELIVERY, I PULLED INTO THE SUBDIVISION WHERE I HAD TO MAKE THE DELIVERY, ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE. I GOT MY CAR FO SAFTEY AWAY FROM THE HOUSES BECAUSE MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS SAFETY. I GRAB MY PHONE TO CALL MY BOSS, I THOUGHT MY CAR JUAT BROKE DOWN. THEN I SAW SMOKE AND SPARKS. I CALLED THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THE CARS SMOKE GOT DARKER AND THE FLAMES GOT BIGGER. I WAS VERY SCARED. ALL MY WINDOWS EXPLODED AND THE CAR MELTED TO GROUND. BY THE LOOKS OF MY PHOTO THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE BATTERY AND CABLES. EVER SINCE THAT NIGHT, I'VE BEEN SCARED OF FIRES, HOT SURFACES, AND WEARY AROUND CARS. I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE BUT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE FLAMES REACHED ABOUT 10 FEET HIGH. LUCKILY IT DID NOT CATCH ANYTHING NEAR BY ON FIRE.
MY DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR HAS BEEN ACTING UP FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND FORD WILL NOT FIX IT. NOW MY DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. MANY OF THE 2001 FORD FOCUS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY SAY MY VIN NO. IS NOT ONE OF THEM. PLEASE HELP ME GET MY DOOR FIXED. WHEN I WENT TO GET IT INSPECTED ON 11.2.18 THEY OPENED MY DOOR AND NOW IT WILL NOT CLOSE AND AGAIN THEY SAY THAT I HAVE TO FIX IT. AS MENTIONED, THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR YEARS AND I AM STILL DEALING WITH IT. MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND DO NOT WANT TO GET RID OF IT. I BELIEVE THAT FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE LATCH. MY CAR HAS HAD A FEW RECALLS THAT WERE FIXED, ONE OF WHICH WAS A FEW YEARS AGO THAT THEY HONORED. I HOPE TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED QUICKLY AND THEY WILL NOT PASS MY CAR FOR INSPECTION AND I NEED MY VEHICLE. THANK YOU.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'VE HAD MY 2001 FORD FOCUS FOR YEARS NOW AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION (GOT THAT REPLACED) AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK WHEN EVER THEY WANT TO AND WILL SOMETIMES TURN ON ITS OWN. ALSO MY TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. I'VE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT PLACES TO GET IT FIXED AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO OPEN IT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE SO THAT I COULD SAVE ON GAS BUT ALL I'M DOING IS WASTING A CRAP LOAD OF MONEY ON JUST REPAIRING EVERYTHING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HOWEVER, THE WINDOW OPENED AND FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE WINDOW BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE WINDOW MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE ARE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY REAR LIGHTS. MY LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK AT ANYTIME AND SOMETIMES NONE OF THE REAR LIGHTS WORK AT ALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BRIGHTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO FORD OF MADISON (5422 WAYNE TERRACE, MADISON, WI 53718, (608) 246-3600), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR JERKS WHEN I PUT IT INTO REVERSE. THE CARS STALLS WHEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE. I HAVE TO TAKE OFF IN 2ND GEAR. THEN I CAN PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND IT TAKES OFF JUST FINE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND CHANGING GEARS FROM SECOND TO THIRD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUBFRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,500.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
A/C FAN SWITCH BURNED ALONG WITH THE CONNECTING WIRE BLOCK, PUTTING SMOKE INTO THE VEHICLE, IF THE VEHICLE HADN'T BEEN TURNED OFF AFTER SEEING SMOKE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IN THE LEFT LANE OF A 2 LANE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN I TURNED THE AC ON AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW COMPRESSOR WHICH WOULD COST 1000 DOLLARS..I FOUND A GARAGE THAT WOULD DO IT FOR LESS USING A USED ONE...MY PROBLEM WAS THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVERY TIME I TURNED THE AIR OR THE DEFROSTER ON. I WAS AFRAID I WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT..AND AM STILL AFRAID TODAY WHEN I DRIVE IT FAR..WONDERING IF IT WILL STALL OUT AT HIGH SPEED AGAIN AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY JAMMING AND NOT TURNING AND MY NEWEST PROBLEM IS I STOPPED FOR GAS AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT ALL I GOT WAS A CLICKING SOUND.. *NM
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .