NHTSA Complaint #10246630 — 2004 FORD FOCUS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A VACUUM LEAK DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT FORD HAD TO UPGRADE THE COMPUTER IN HIS VEHICLE, WHICH MEANT THAT IT HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. ONCE THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE IDLER INCREASED TO 1,200 RPM'S AND THEN DROPPED TO 1,000 RPM'S. HE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND IT SPED OFF. HE COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS PUSHING AGAINST THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT DROVE 20 MPH AROUND THE PARKING LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES WITH NO BRAKES. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY TO BE COMPLIANT WITH THE EPA REGARDING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE GEARS DO NOT CHANGE OR DECREASE TO A LOWER RPM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.