NHTSA Complaint #10056847 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF A RECALL ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS CONCERNING THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP DESIGN. THE NOTICE RECOMMENDED WAITING UNTIL THE NEW DESIGN WAS AVAILABLE IN JANUARY 2004 BEFORE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHOWING ANY SYMPTOMS AT THIS POINT BUT DID SO SHORTLY AFTERWARD.SHORTLY BEFORE GETTING A SCHEDULE TO TAKE IT IN,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RECALL FUEL PUMP SYSTEM BUT FOUND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE OF A STICKING EXHAUST VALVE ON ONE SIDE OF THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1900.THIS WAS IN ADDITION TO A $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE.THE CONDITION WAS DESCRIBED AS NOT LIKELY TO CAUSE STALLING OR FURTHUR DAMAGE IF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT THE 2ND DEALER'S SHOP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON.THE DIAGNOSIS WAS SIMILAR AND THE COST WAS PUT AT $2100 PLUS AN $85 DIAGNOSTIC FEE.AFTER REQUESTING AN EXPLANATION OF WHY THIS DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR ON A CAR WITH JUST 28K MILES AND ONLY AFTER THE FUEL PUMP SYMPTOMS STARTED,THE REPAIR COST WAS REDUCED TO $600. BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS AGO THE 36,000 MILES ENGINE WARRANTY DID NOT APPLY.THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND APPEARED TO HAVE NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED AS FORD EXPECTED. I AM CERTAIN THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE DAMAGE. I WILL ALSO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD .