NHTSA Complaint #11089134 — 2008 FORD FOCUS

ABS PUMP IS MALFUNCTIONING. CAR HAS "SOFT PEDAL" THAT IS NOT RESOLVED BY REPLACEMENT OF MASTER CYLINDER, BRAKE BOOSTER OR THOROUGH BLEEDING OF THE BRAKES (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC BLEEDING OF THE ABS). IN ADDITION, AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE BRAKES START TO CLAMP DOWN ON THE ROTORS WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THE FRICTION IS ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS (E.G., ON A HIGHWAY), TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR BEGINS TO VIBRATE FROM THE FRICTION. BUT IT WILL ALSO SHOWS SIGNS OF BRAKE DRAG EVEN AT LOWER SPEEDS (E.G., 30-50 MPH). NO ABS LIGHTS/WARNINGS/CODES CAME ON, BUT MECHANIC (CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE, LOCATED IN HOUSTON TX AREA) CONFIRMED THROUGH MANUAL TESTING THAT ABS PUMP WAS MALFUNCTIONING. AS IT TURNS OUT, I AM TOLD THE ABS PUMP FOR THE 2008 MODEL WAS A ONE-YEAR DESIGN AND WAS DISCONTINUED AND CANNOT BE PURCHASED ANYWHERE NOW. THE PROBLEMS ALL STARTED ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO.