NHTSA Complaint #732958 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

THE CLUTCH PEDAL SPRING SPLIT IN HALF WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT ON A ROAD WITH A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 45 MILES AN HOUR. IT WAS AT NIGHT IN A TROPICAL STORM WITH LOCAL HEAVY RAINS WHILE I WAS IN FLORIDA. THE POLICE PARKED A CRUSIER BEHIND ME WITH IT'S LIGHTS ON AND EVEN WITH THIS PROTECT WE WERE ALMOST REAR ENDED A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE WE COULD PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC IN FLORIDA SAID THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE CLUTCH SPRING PROBLEEM - THE ORIGINAL SPRING IS TO STIFF AND THE REPLACEMENT PART IS MANUFACTURED WITH MORE FLEXIBILITY. IF THIS IS TRUE FORD SHOULD RECALL THE FOCUS' WITH THE BAD CLUTCH SPRING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. MY WIFE AND I MISSED A DAYS WORK BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. AS FAR AS THE WINDSHIELD IS CONCERNED IT ISN'T SEALED PROPERLY AND ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE CAR. FORD IS GOING TO TAKE THE WINDSHIELD OUT AND RESEAL IT. AGAIN THIS IS INCONVENIENT AND REALLY DISAPPOINTING FOR A NEW CAR TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR ALSO HAS TWO OTHER PROBLEMS THAT AREN'T SAFETY RELATED. THE RADIO BROKE AND FORD REPLACED IT AND THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD A BROKEN PART THAT IT TOOK OVER 4 MONTHS TO GET A PART FOR. *AK