RoadVitals

2002 Ford Focus Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
74
Latest Dec 26, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 939 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
10

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Ford Focus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 74 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 74, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Dec 26, 2024

Break lights won't work and was almost hit by another car, changed break lights changed light break switch checked fuses and wiring everything is good

NHTSA ID
11632542
Incident
Dec 26, 2024
Brakes
Filed Nov 8, 2011
Crash reported

AFTER 2 COMPLAINTS TO DEALER ABOUT REAR BRAKE VIBRATION/NOISE, THEY FOUND NOTING WRONG. ON OUR TRIP GOING DOWN INTERSTATE 40 AT 70 MPH THE BACK WHEEL COMES OFF MY CAR. THE WHEEL AND HUB ARE BROKEN,CUTS THE BRAKE LINE AND I LOSE MY BRAKE FLUID. NO BRAKES AND TRYING TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE DITCH. IF THERE WOULD OF BEEN A CAR ON THE SIDE OF ME. I AM POSITIVE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURY/DEATH. HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY. FORD PAID 0. SAID I HIT SOMETHING IN ROAD. NOW AT THE REPAIR SHOP AGAIN. THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE REAR ARE FROZEN . I HAVE TO BUY NEW DRUMS FOR BOTH SIDE AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10434836
Incident
Nov 15, 2005
Mileage
52,012 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Aug 31, 2011

MY 2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON NEEDED BRAKES BECAUSE THE FRONT END WOULD SHAKE WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES. ALSO NOTICED A WHIRLING NOISE FROM THE BACK OFF CAR BUT DID NOT MENTION THAT TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND ASKED IF I NOTICED THE WHIRLING NOISE TOO. HE SAID HE WAS CONCERNED AND CHECKED THAT 1ST. MY RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FROZEN AND NOT TURNING, THAT'S WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. IT HAD TO BE CUT OFF IN ORDER TO BE REPLACED. HE TOLD ME THAT THE WHEEL COULD HAVE BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING AND COULD HAVE KILLED ME, I HAD THAT REPAIRED, ALONG WITH FRONT END BRAKES AND REPLACED WARPED ROTORS. THEN JUST 2 DAYS LATER BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND BROKE A FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING. A YEAR LATER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. AND LAST WEEK JUST HAD TO PAY FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, UPON OBSERVATION THE TRANSMISSION HAD METAL CHIPS IN TRANSMISSION FLUID AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CANT BELIEVE NO RECALL ON THIS CAR!

NHTSA ID
10423611
Incident
Apr 29, 2007
Mileage
38,200 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 14, 2010

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH A THEORETICALLY WORKING PARKING BRAKE, I'VE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED ONLY ONCE AS I WAS BUSY AND COULDN'T DO IT MYSELF. NOW THAT I HAVE BRAKING PROBLEMS AND TIME I WENT TO REPLACE THEM MYSELF. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES LOOK ALMOST BRAND NEW, SO I CONTINUED TO REMOVE AND INSPECT THE REAR DRUM BRAKES. WHEN I TOOK THE DRUMS OFF THEY WERE TIGHT AS IF THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED SO I DOUBLE CHECKED AND MADE SURE ALL THE BRAKES WERE DIS-ENGAGED. I CONTINUED TO WORK ON THE BRAKES AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP ASSURES ME THEY REPLACED THESE BRAKES BEFORE, HOWEVER THE SHOES WERE WORN AND CRACKED DOWN TO BARE METAL AS IF THEY HAD NEVER BEEN REPLACED. I THEN NOTICED THAT MY PARK BRAKE APPEARED TO BE ENGAGED. I DOUBLE CHECKED AGAIN AND IT WASN'T, I HAD SOMEONE WATCH THE BRAKE AS I ENGAGED AND DIS-ENGAGED THE BREAK AND IT WORKS FINE, COME TO FIND OUT THE SPRING/WIRE FOR THE PARKING BREAK IS TO SHORT FOR THE CAR'S HUB, ABOUT TWO INCHES INFACT. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN I TALKED TO SAID THAT IT WAS COMMON WITH MY CAR AND I NEED TO HAVE THEM REPLACE THE WHOLE BREAK ASSEMBLY. SO I'VE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR FOR ALMOST TEN YEARS NOW WITH THE PARKING BREAK ENGAGED AND FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT, BECAUSE THEY BUILT IT THAT WAY AND I HAVE TO PAY THEM TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WAS ENGINEERED THAT WAY. IF I BROKE IT OR IT'S WEAR AND TEAR I UNDERSTAND, BUT I BOUGHT A CAR TO BE FULLY FUNCTIONAL OFF THE LOT NOT SO I CAN BRING IT IN AND PAY FOR THEM TO FINISH BUILDING IT PROPERLY AFTER I OWN IT. I CANT AFFORD THEIR OUTRAGEOUS PRICES FOR THIS WORK SO I DIS-ENGAGED THE CABLE AND AM NOW DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT AN EMERGENCY BRAKE, THANKS FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES FORD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10310358
Incident
Jan 23, 2010
Mileage
150,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jul 22, 2008

THE FRONT SPRINGS ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS ARE FAULTY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING WAS CRACKED , AND TOOK THE CAR TO GOODYEAR TO GET REPAIRED, SINCE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY (INCLUDING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED). I THEN LETTERED FORD, AND THEY SAID IN NOVEMBER 2004 THEY MAILED A NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS ( WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED) NOTIFYING THEM OF F THE PROBLEM WITH THE SPRINGS. THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL, BUT THEY ARE REPAIRING UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM. THEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED FOR FREE. THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME. I EVEN TRIED TO NEGOTIATE AND ASKED THEM TO AT LEAST REIMBURSE ME WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE PAID THEIR DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED. THIS CAR ALSO HAS DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND ROTORS. WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER THE ORIGINAL 3 YR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY , THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD SAID THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE ROTORS OR CUT THEM, AND BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE WARRANTY. IT COST ME OVER $ 500 FOR BRAKES AND ROTORS ON A LESS THAN 2 YEAR OLD CAR. A FEW YRS LATER, SAME THING, FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS , AND AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THE ROTORS CAN'T BE CUT, THEY ALWAYS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235389
Incident
Jul 11, 2008
Mileage
88,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 8, 2008

I HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKES AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES AND AGAIN 30,000 MILES LATER. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD FOR IT'S EARLY BRAKE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227002
Incident
Jan 1, 2003
Mileage
15,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR INTO THE PARK POSITION TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 103,800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,900. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TO A FORD DEALER THE PREVIOUS OWNER INSTALLED DECORATIVE OVERLAYS TO GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS. UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10214554
Incident
Dec 27, 2007
Mileage
103,800 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 26, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON WITH A CURRENT ODOMETER READING OF 57,5000 MILES. ON MARCH 13, WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON DRY PAVEMENT THE CONTACT TRIED TO DECELERATE BY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WAS PUSHED TWO TO THREE TIMES UNTIL COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, NARROWLY AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. ALSO, ON MARCH 19, 2007 WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE MORNING THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, THE CONTACT MADE A HARD RIGHT HAND TURN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE'S REAR END TO SWING TO THE LEFT, WHILE THE FRONT END CONTINUED TO SWING RIGHT TOWARD THE GUARD RAIL. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD, BUT REQUIRED NO ADDITIONAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57000. *AK

NHTSA ID
10186221
Incident
Mar 19, 2007
Mileage
57,000 mi
BrakesTransmission
Filed Jan 29, 2007

CLUTCH ASSEMBLY HAS A LEAK OF FLUID INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR (DOWN THE CLUTCH ARMATURE TO THE CLUTCH PAD AND TO FLOOR MAT, IF SIGNIFICANT LEAKAGE) WHICH HAS A) CAUSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL PAD TO BECOME SLIPPERY AND FALL OFF DUE TO THE FLUID SEEPING BEHIND THE PAD [AFTER MARKET REPLACEMENTS NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO RELATIVE YOUTH OF CAR, THEREFORE NECESSITATING SERVICE AT DEALER], B) CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON SPORADICALLY DUE TO A DROP IN BRAKE FLUID (CLUTCH HYDRAULICS SHARE A RESERVOIR WITH BRAKE SYSTEM), ALTHOUGH NO FINDING OF CORRESPONDING BRAKE TROUBLE CAN BE MADE [PROBLEM TEMPORARILY DISAPPEARS WHEN FLUID LEVEL TOPPED OFF] AND C) CAUSES SPORADIC CLUTCH "SOFTENING" AND DECREASED EFFECTIVENESS. ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF BOTH DEALER AND INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROVIDERS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NONE CAN FIND A FAULT WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM AS INDICATED BY THE ERROR LIGHT AND THEREFORE NONE INDICATE THAT A TROUBLE EXISTS. THE LEAK IS NOT OBVIOUS UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE PROBLEM DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON BRAKING POWER (UNLESS LEFT TOO LONG AND BRAKE FLUID LEVELS DROP SIGNIFICANTLY). UNABLE TO LOCATE PRECISE LOCATION OF LEAK (SUSPECT EITHER RESERVOIR OR SOME ASSOCIATED LINE TO CLUTCH HYDRAULICS) OR TO DETERMINE WHY ONLY CLUTCH SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE IMPACTED. 1) NO NOTICEABLE/KNOWN EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE; UNCERTAIN HOW LONG CONDITION EXISTED PRIOR TO INITIAL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM 2) SEE FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES NOTED ABOVE 3) NO CORRECTION IN PLACE YET AS DEALER SERVICE DOES NOT YET ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM AND DID NOT "FIND" PROBLEM AT RECENT 60K SERVICE WORK-UP (INCLUDED TOTAL SYSTEMS CHECK AND FULL BRAKE INSPECTION WITH FLUID TOP OFFS) PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LIGHT FIRING MANIFEST APPROXIMATELY EVERY TWO WEEKS (SINCE FIRST NOTED IN NOVEMBER 2006) DUE TO FLUID LOSS, PARTICULARLY WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. ISSUE IS "RESOLVED" BY ADDING BRAKE FLUID TO RESERVOIR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10181034
Incident
Nov 17, 2006
Mileage
62,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, POOR BRAKING ACTION WAS NOTICED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TO ALERT THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PRESENCE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE DRIVER SIDE CARPET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED A LEAK FROM THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD A COMMON RESERVOIR. THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AFFECTED THE FLUID LEVEL OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED. UPDATED 02/06/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10170784
Incident
Oct 12, 2006
Mileage
46,874 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Aug 30, 2006

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5 THAT IS WELL MAINTAINED. WITHIN THE FIRST 2-3 YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. IN 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. IN 2005 I HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW MOTOR. PRESENTLY THE LEFT REAR WINDOW MOTOR ISN'T WORKING; THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP. THE REAR FRONT WINDOW IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED AND STAYS ON. THE CD PLAYER HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2005. IN 2006 ALL FOUR TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF FACTORY DRY ROT. I REGULARLY SERVICE AND MAINTAIN THE CAR, AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES ON IT. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND FEEL THIS CAR IS NOT MADE WITH QUALITY PARTS AND THAT IT IS NOT SAFE. ALTHOUGH I DRIVE AT NORMAL SPEEDS, IT DOES NOT GET THE MILEAGE STATED ON THE STICKER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10167055
Incident
Aug 30, 2006
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 2006

ALWAYS KEEP MY CAR CHECKED REGULARLY, CHANGED MY BRAKES IN MARCH,BUT MY ABS JUST WENT DOWN; EVEN IF IT IS A DIFFERENT PART, I AM WONDERING IF IT IS NORMAL TO HAVE TO CHANGE THE ABS SO SOON, MY CAR HAS ONLY 46000 MILES. *NM

NHTSA ID
10160341
Incident
Jun 15, 2006
Mileage
46,000 mi
BrakesTransmission
Filed Jan 2, 2006

MY FOOT PAD ON MY CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME SLIPPERY DUE TO LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID OUT OF MY CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3. NOW I HAVE STAINS ALL OVER MY CARPETING AND SHOES. MY CLUTCH BEGAN NOT RELEASING DUE TO THIS AS WELL AND THE PLATE BURNED UP. *JB

NHTSA ID
10146733
Incident
Dec 14, 2005
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 27, 2005

AT AROUND 35,000 MILES MY FATHER NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE ON THE FRONT OF HIS FOCUS. THINKING THAT IT WAS THE SCREECH OF A WARNING INDICATOR HE PARKED THE VEHICLE UNTIL HE COULD HAVE ME LOOK AT IT. BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE SEVERELY GROUND DOWN WITH THE LEFT INSIDE PAD BEING TOTALLY DOWN FLUSH WITH THE METAL. THIS SHOULDN'T BE NORMAL WEAR. BACK BRAKES SHOWED SIGNS OF NORMAL IF NOT LESS THAN NORMAL WEAR. THIS SHOULD NOT BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A VEHICLE WITH THIS FEW MILES ON IT. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH ROTORS PREMATURELY. WE WILL KEEP THE OLD PARTS FOR THIRTY DAYS IN CASE THEY ARE NEEDED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10143730
Incident
Nov 16, 2005
Mileage
35,500 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical
Filed Nov 21, 2005

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES, THE RADIO, AND WATER LEAKING IN THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE BRAKES SQUEAK EVERYTIME I APPLY THEM. THE RADIO ONLY WORKS FOR ONE MINUTE AND THEN IT FADES OUT, ALL YOU CAN HEAR IS STATIC. THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE PROBLEMS IS THE LEAK. IT HAS RAINED REALLY HARD THREE TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH, AND ALL THOSE TIMES I HAVE FOUND THE CARPET IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SOAKING WET. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I BOUGHT IT, BUT THEY SAY THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 90 DAY WARRANTY. I HAVE REASERCHED ON THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE. THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD BE MADE RESPONSIBLE SINCE THEY ARE THE MANUFACTURERS OF THE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10143381
Incident
Oct 21, 2005
Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 2005

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE WERE REPLACED IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS MAKING A NOISE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PROBLE WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THAT IT WAS A NORMAL THING. THIS FAILURE MADE IT HARDER TO STOP THE CAR. MANUFACTURER SAID TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WOULD MAKE THIS FAILURE WORSE. ALSO, SAID THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUES. MANUFACTURER SAID DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THIS. FIRST HAPPENED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. NOW IT HAPPENES EVERYTIME THE CAR IS USED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10125946
Incident
Jun 20, 2005
Mileage
41,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 6, 2005

SQUEALING - GRINDING SOUND FROM THE FRONT TIRES - FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE TURNED AND CLEANED

NHTSA ID
10124305
Incident
Sep 1, 2003
Brakes
Filed Jun 6, 2005

SQUEALING - GRINDING SOUND FROM THE FRONT TIRES - FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE TURNED AND CLEANED

NHTSA ID
10124304
Incident
Sep 1, 2003
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Apr 25, 2005

THE HOUSING ON THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT MELTED WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE LIGHT BULB OVERHEATING. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHT TO FAIL. CONSUMER INFORMED OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10119104
Incident
Apr 22, 2005
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+1 more
Filed Jan 13, 2005

MULTIPLE FAILURES; CONTINUAL ISSUES WITH BRAKES. CORRECT WATER LEAK AND PATCH TIRE. *BF THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10109526
Incident
Jan 3, 2005
Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 2005

FRONT BRAKES WEAR DOWN TO NOTHING WITHIN 15,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10105720
Incident
Jan 2, 2005
Mileage
15,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 28, 2004

1. SPINDLE HOLDING BRAKES WAS STRIPPED. 2. REPORTED BY COVINGTON FORD THIRD AUTO THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED 3. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY SPINDLE FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10104619
Incident
Dec 27, 2004
Mileage
37,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 9, 2004

SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE. THE FORWARD DRIVER SIDE STEEL BRAKE LINEL WAS WORN THROUGH BY THE PLASTIC INNER FENDER WELL CAUSING ALL BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. REPLACED BRAKE LINE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10102417
Incident
Dec 7, 2004
Mileage
125,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Nov 30, 2004

VEHICLE STALLED AND THE IGNITION TUMBLER WAS DEFECTIVE WHEREBY CONSUMER HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. ALSO, FRONT BRAKES SQUEALED, AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. PADS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10101824
Incident
Mar 17, 2003
Mileage
45,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 27, 2004

YEARLY INSPECTION RESULTED IN A FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE ROTOR WEAR ON BOTH FRON ROTORS. ALTHOUGH I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WOULD HAVE LASTED ANOTHER 5 TO 6 THOUSAND MILES. NO FAULTY OR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS TYPE OF WEAR. PREVIOUS INSPECTION LAST YEAR AT ANOTHER FORD DEALER SHOWED NO ISSUES. ALSO INFORMED OF THIS TYPE OF WEAR BEING CONSIDERED NORMAL BY THE DEALERS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE ORIGINAL ROTORS BEING CHANGED TO INTICE OWNERS TO REPLACE RATHER THAN TURN THE ROTORS WHEN NEEDED. FOUND THAT THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION IN CALIFORNIA OF THE SAME INCIDENT. ALSO LOCATED TWO TECHNICAL BULLITENS FROM FORD SHOWING CONCERN OVER THE ISSUE. CALLED THE FORD CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO DUE TO THE FACTORY WARRENT COVERING ONLY 12K MILES AND I WAS AT 34K MILES. CALLED THE DEALER BACK, TOLD THEM OF MY FINDINGS AND MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN DISCOVERING THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AFTER ALL. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME BACK TO INFORM ME THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THEY HAD OVERLOOKED THE ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10096515
Incident
Oct 27, 2004

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.

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