NHTSA Complaint #10071122 — 2001 FORD FOCUS

I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE 4-DOOR SEDAN IN NOVEMBER 2002. THE CAR WAS A MANUFACTURER BUY-BACK FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAD A SMALL WARRANTY LEFT. AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 2002, I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND A FAULTY BELT REPLACED. AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2002, THE CAR WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, SO I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. A DAY OR SO BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD REGARDING THE PINCH BOLT. UNFORTUNATELY, I RECEIVED THAT RECALL NOTICE TOO LATE THE FAULTY PINCH BOLT HAD ALREADY FAILED AND CAUSED SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE RACK AND PINION THAT IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES. I ALSO EXPERIENCED A FAULTY VALVE IN THE HEATING SYSTEM THAT WAS ALLOWING WATER TO FLOW INTO THE CAR'S CABIN AND SOAK THE CARPETING. GETTING TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THE CAR REFUSED TO ACCELERATE GOING UP A HILL AND INSTEAD THE ENGINE REVVED. NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED, I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. SINCE THE CAR IS NOW LONG PAST ITS SMALL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY, I HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR. HE RECOMMENDED THAT I FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION AND SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP THE PROBLEM. I SPENT $100 ON A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THAT DIDN'T WORK AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CAR AND TO ASK FOR A BUYBACK, BUT MY REQUEST WAS REFUSED. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO WISCASSET FORD. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM(S) WITH THE CAR (AT NO CHARGE). I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY GAVE ME TWO OPTIONS FOR PAYMENT. 1) PAY FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION OUT-OF-POCKET, ESTIMATED COST AT $2500 - $3000; 2) BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE DRIVE TRAIN FOR $500. I AM PLANNING ON PURCHASING THE EXTENDED DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY WHICH WILL ALLOW WISCASSET FORD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AND WILL ALSO GIVE ME AN EXTRA 15K MILES FOR THE DRIVE TRAIN.