NHTSA Complaint #10274295 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

2000 FORD FOCUS SE, PURCHASED NEW 04/2001 --- 06/02 - CAR DIED ON FATHERS DAY, REPLACED BATTERY WITH ONE FROM AUTO ZONE; ?/03 - AT SERVICE CALL FOR RECALL OF HARNESS WIRING, COMPLAINED ABOUT LED LIGHTS FLICKERING, NO PROBLEM FOUND; 10/05 - CAR DIED, TOWED TO FORD, BATTERY REPLACED; 12/06 - SERVICE AT FORD, COMPLAINED ABOUT LED LIGHTS FLICKERING AGAIN, NO REMEDY; 06/07 - CAR DIED, TOWED TO CHRYSLER DEALER (MY EMPLOYER), COULD NOT LOCATE PROB, CHARGED BATTERY, 06/07 CAR DIED, REPLACED BATTERY; 06/07 CAR DIED, TOWED TO CHRYSLER - REPLACED ALTERNATOR; 09/08, IGNITION LOCKED/REPLACED; 02/09 CAR DIED, TOWED TO FORD, REPLACED BATTERY; 06/09, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AT 35-40 MPH. POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE INSULATION MELTED. SERVICE AT DODGE (EMPLOYER) - REROUTE POSITIVE CABLE DIRECTLY TO BOLT ON CONNECTOR TO BATTERY, PROBLEM CONTINUES - CARRIED TO FORD, THEY ADVISE ALTERNATOR IS BAD AND MUST BE REPLACED. ---- 9 YEARS, 5 BATTERIES, 3 ALTERNATORS, PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED. DEALER CONTINUES TO TREAT THE SYMPTOMS, NOT CURE THE DISEASE. SOMETHING IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN CONTINUOUSLY. NUMEROUS FOCUS OWNERS AT LEAST THROUGH 2003 EXPERIENCE SAME ISSUES. SERVICE ADVISOR ADMITTED TO ME THAT THEY "REPLACE A LOT OF BATTERIES AND ALTERNATORS IN FOCUSES" AND THAT "IT SEEMS TO BE INORDINATELY HIGH NUMBERS". OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR INCLUDE 3 SETS OF INFERIOR BRAKE PADS (FINALLY HAD A GOOD SET INSTALLED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC) AND CRACKED MOTOR MOUNTS CAUSING INTENSE VIBRATION ESPECIALLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. SEEKING REMEDY FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES - CONSIDERING CONSULTING ATTORNEY TO START CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS CAR FOR PAST 2 YEARS, FINALLY KNUCKLED AND BOUGHT HER A GREAT CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FOR HER PERSONAL SAFETY. I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO ACQUIRE ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR MYSELF AND MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE FOCUS UNTIL OTHERWISE CAPABLE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WILL NEVER BUY FORD AGAIN. *TR