NHTSA Complaint #766024 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

LAST MONTH, I REPLACED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING ON MY FORD FOCUS WHEN IT FAILED. I HAVE HEARD REPORTS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO A FLAW IN DESIGN. MORE DANGEROUS THAN THAT, THOUGH, IS THE PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE CAR LOST POWER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER RIGHT-HAND TURNS OR GOING UPHILL. IT DID NOT STALL, SIMPLY SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER FOR BETWEEN 2-5 SECONDS. ONE OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I WERE MERGING ONTO THE CAPITAL BELTWAY ON OUR WAY TO VISIT FRIENDS, AND THE CAR LOST POWER, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE QUITE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM, AS FORD HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT IT. THE REPAIRS COST OVER $425, AND INVOLVED REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP AND COMPLETE FLUSH OF THE FUEL TANK. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS CREATED BY CONTAMINATED GASOLINE, WHICH MEANS THAT AT ANY TIME, THIS PROBLEM COULD RESURFACE. I AM FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE MY CONFIDENCE IN ITS SAFETY HAS BEEN SHATTERED BY THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THE FAULTY SYSTEM.*AK