NHTSA Complaint #744202 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

WHILE DRIVING ON I275 NTH I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE NOISE A FLAT TIRE WOULD MAKE.GOT OFF MOTORWAY TO INVESTIGATE, COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. GOT BACK ON ONLY TO FIND THE CAR STARTING TO PULL TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. LUCKILY I WAS NEAR A REST AREA, PULLED OFF. ONLY TO FIND SMOKE POURING FROM THE REAR WHEEL. IT HAD SIEZED SOLID. IT WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO FIXED THE FOLLOWING, DRUM&BEARING CUP, SPINDLE, RETAINER ASY WHEEL, ROTOR BRAKE SK, CAP REAR WHEEL AND THE ABS SENSOR. REFUSED TO CHECK OTHER SIDE AS THAT HAD ALREADY(MUCH EARLY BEEN FIXED UNDER A RECALL) WHILE THEIR THEY DID FIND THE CAUSE FOR THE FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE, IN CIRCUIT 15RL3(GN.RD) @ C-87 TERMINAL WAS NOT SEATED IN CONNECTOR, FUEL CONSUMPTION HAS IMPROVED FROM 28MPG TO 31MPG. LOCAL DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE BOTH TOLD ME MY CONCERNS WITH THE OTHER REAR WHEEL AND THE ENGINE DUE TO IT'S CONSUMPTION OF UNBURNED FUEL(NOT TO MENTION MINE)WERE AREA'S THEY WILL NOT CHECK, EVEN IF I FEEL THEY ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO MYSELF AND ANY PASSENGERS I MAY HAVE.*AK