NHTSA Complaint #10060746 — 2003 FORD FOCUS

ON SATURDAY MORNING I BOUGHT THE CAR - A BRAND NEW 2003 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON. ON SUNDAY MORNING, I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE DUE TO THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS OF THE MOMENT. INSTANTLY, THE BACK END OF THE CAR SWERVED TO THE RIGHT IN A JACK-KNIFE MANNER. THE CAR SPUN AROUND AND THREW ITSELF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE FRONT END WOUND UP POINTED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY THE CAR LANDED IN A SANDY SPOT WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR TO ME. IT WAS AS IF I HAD HIT BLACK ICE, EXCEPT THAT DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT DAY WERE PERFECT - 50 DEGREES, SUNNY AND DRY WITH GOOD ROAD SURFACE. IN MY OPINION, THIS INCIDENT MAY BE THE RESULT OF POOR DESIGN: THAT IS THE REAR END OF THE FOCUS SE WAGON IS TOO LIGHT TO HOLD THE ROAD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR THE BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN. IN ANY EVENT, THIS WAS A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE FOR ME. I THINK THAT THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP FOR ME AND A HAZARD FOR EVERYONE ELSE NEAR IT ON THE ROAD. *AK