2000 FORD FOCUS Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY, RESULTING ONCE IN A CRASH. *AK

RECALL 03 V 482 000 CONCERNING STALLING. VEHICLE STALLED AND HESITATED WHILE IN MOTION. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THIS RECALL BY THE DEALER, AND PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

2000 FORD FOCUS SE, CAR WAS PULLING. FELT LIKE A JERKING. CAR SEEMED TO IDLE OUT. IF I WAS TO SIT AT A LIGHT FOR MORE THAN 30 SECS IT CUT OFF. MAYBE 2-3 TIMES IN ONE DAY.I THOUGHT IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION AGAIN. BUT MY ENGINE WAS FAILING . THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S FROM THE CAR OVER HEATING. I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN I LITERALLY FILL THE COOLANT TO MAX EVERY WEEK TO MAYBE TWO WEEKS. I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG. SEEMS LIKE SINCE I BOUGHT IT. NOW MY CAR IS THE STOP FOR AND WILL BE THERE FOR A WEEK. COST OVER $900! I THINK EVERYONE ON THIS SITE NEEDS TO START A CLASS ACTION SUITE AGAINTS FORD. THIS CAR WAS NOT READY FOR RELEASE AT ALL. THEY ARE PLAYING GAMES WITH OUR LIVES...

POWER LOSS, STALLING, BACK FIRING

MY ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON EVEN AFTER 5 FAILED ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MY CAR COMPANY DOES NOT WANT TO PAY EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAPPENED BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT.

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2002. JUST 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING, CAR SHUT DOWN AND LOCKED UP. HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALLS TO BE FIXED. THERE WAS NO COST FOR THAT WORK. THEN IN ABOUT APRIL OF 2002 THE BUTTON THAT TURNS THE AIR ON AND OFF MESSED UP AND THE AIR WOULD NOT WORK. WE WENT TO FORD AND SINCE I HAD NO WARRANTY, I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, THEY QUOTED ME AT $170.00 TO REPAIR THIS SO I ORDER THE PART FOR 12.00 AND FIXED IT MYSELF. THEN 11-4-02 I WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR AND START IT, AND ONCE AGAIN IT WOULD NOT START. WE HAD IT TOWED AGAIN, CAUSING US TO PAY FOR A RENTAL AND TOWING FEES. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 2 DAYS AND THEY SAID THAT...

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JUNE OF 2000 SINCE THIS TIME THE CAR HAS HAD A NUMBER OF RECALLS ON THE CAR. I FEEL THAT THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT THE 2000 MODEL OF THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE TO PAY THE AMOUNT THE CONTACT WAS SIGNED. DUE TO THE FACT THAT AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS BOUGHT, THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT THE CAR DIDN'T KNOW THAT MOST OF THE CAR'S LIFE WOULD BE IN THE SHOP BEING FIXED. ALSO FORD KNEW THAT THE FOCUS WAS PRONE TO THIS HAPPENING.

TAKES OFF REAL HARD LIKE IT WANTS TO DIE BUT WON'T, THEN STOPS. WHEN CAR IS RAN FOR A WHILE IT STARTS DOING. WE ARE NOT THE ONLY FOCUS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE OTHERS ALONG WITH THEIR REVERSE GOING OUT OR FIRST GEAR. EVERY ONE WHO TAKES IT IN DOESN'T GET IT FIXED

I DRIVE A 200O FORD FOCUS LX. I HAVE HAD IT STALL OUT SEVERAL TIMES ON ME UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE ME LEAVING IT OUT OF GEAR OR SOMETHING, BUT THEN I READ A ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER STATING THAT FORD FOCUS'S HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM LOOK AT IT AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PORBLEM? I DONT REMEBER WHERE I WAS THE ARTICLE BUT I WISH THAT I DID... I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL RELATED ARTICLES ABOUT FORD CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, BUT MINE WAS NOT LISTED. I AM TRYING MY BEST TO GET IT FIXED BUT WHEN I TAKE IT IN, THERES NO PROBLEM SO THEY CANT FIX IT! I WILL GO AND DO ANYTHING IN MY POWERS, GOTO LOCAL PAPERS, NEWS STATIONS, ECT......

I HAVE BEEN HEARING FUNNY CLUNKING NOISES FROM THE MOTOR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND MORE RECENTLY THE ENGINE CUTS OUT WHEN DRIVING, ALMOST LIKE IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. PEOPLE HAVE LOOKED AT IT BUT THEY SAYS ITS FINE, ITS DONE IT 4 TIMES ALREADY AND ITS KIND OF GETTING OLD.

ENGINE STALLS UNDER VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. FORD ACKNOWLEDGED THEY HAVE REDESIGNED THE CYLINDER HEAD TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICAL WAS THREE YEARS OLD AS OF SEPTEMBER 30,2002. STALLING STARTED IN OCTOBER OF 2002. REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY WARRENTEE, EXTENDED WARRENTEE DISALOWED BY THIRD PARTY INSURER WHO CLAIMED IT WAS A FORD PROBLEM. COST OF REPAIR TO FIX THE PROBLEM +$2,000. ALTERNATE PROCEDURE INVOLVES CHEMICAL CLEANING, RECOMMENDED BY DEALER WITHOUT GUARENTEE OR WARRENTEE.

CAR HAS HAD THE BRAKES SERVICED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES AND THE CAR IS STALLING DURING ACCELERATION. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOPS FOR SEVERAL RECALLS AS WELL AS TWICE FOR IGNITION LOCK FAILURE. ONE OF OUR CHILDREN WAS TRAPPED IN REAR SEAT BY DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT & HAD TO BE CUT OUT WITH A KNIFE. CAR STALLS AFTER IT WARMS UP. DEALER SAYS IT'S FUEL PUMP BUT IF THAT WERE SO, WOULDN'T IT STALL WAARM OR COLD. I SPOKE TO AN EMPLOYEE AT ANOTHER DEALER WHO SAID FORD WAS FINDING PROBLEMS WITH SENSOR CONNECTED WITH COOLING SYSTEM. WHO DO I BELIEVE? THEY WANT TO CHARGE US $700 TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP THAT PROBABLY WORKS FINE.

HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH MY FOCUS THE BRAKES WORE DOWN WHILE I WAS ON VACATION AND I WAS STUCK DRIVING FOR A BIT ON METAL TO METAL....WHICH RUINED MY ROTOR.....THEN THE BATTERY AFTER ALMOST 3YRS. HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO NOT WANT TO START TWICE......EACH TIME I HAVE HAD TO CLEAN OFF THE BUILT UP ACID ON THE BATTERY SO THAT A CLEAN CONNECTION CAN BE MADE.....THE PAINT KEEPS ON CHIPPING, MY ANTEENA HAS BECOME FRAYED, JUST RECENTLY MY CAR'S STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION......IT IS IN THE SHOP AS I WRITE THIS.....AND FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CYLINDER.......THE CAR SEEMS TO BE SLUGISH WHEN ON THE INERSTATE.......THE FOCUS IS A DANGEROUS CAR AND FORD CO. NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT..... JEREMY

AIR HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY FROM PURCHASING THE CAR NEW. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN WA STATE AND HAVE MOVED TO OHIO. I AM NOW TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEMS STARTED PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRING, SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM ANOTHER DEALER, I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY FUTURE PROLEMS MYSELF. FUEL, FORD KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM, AND REFUSES TO TELL ME IF THE NEW FUEL PUMP I HAD THEM PUT IN IS AN OLD PUMP OR A NEW ONE WITHOUT THE PROBLEMS. OTHER, EXHAUST LEAK, I WAS TOLD I HAD AN EXHAUST LEAK, BUT THE ENGINE STILL SOUNDS VERY KNOCKY. I AM 4TH GENERATION FORD, MY SISTER WAS ALSO AND NOW BUYS ANYTHING BUT FORD, THIS WILL ALSO BE MY LAST FORD, BUT ANY CASH BACK WOULD BE GREAT AFTER BUYING THE MOST EXPENSIVE PIECE OF JUNK I HAVE EVER HAD.

CURRENT MALFUNCTION IS HESITATION AND ENGINE STALL AND BRAKE FAILURE. MY CAR IS ALMOST 2 YEARS OLD AND WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING MALFUNCTIONS: WINDSHIELD WIPER, AIR CONDITION, ELECTRIC WINDOW, BRAKES, STRUTS, RUSTED ROTOR, IGNITION SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SHORTS(FLASHING DASH), ENGINE HESITATION/STALL, BLOWN FUSES WHERE CAR WOULD NOT START.

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. IT'S BEEN IN 6 TIMES FOR EXCESSIVE BRAKE NOISE AND OR SQUEALING. THE DOOR HINGES WERE SQUEEKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MISALIGNMENT..IT TOOK 5 TIMES TO DETERMINE THIS. WEATHER STRIP MOLDING HAS BEEN REPLACED DUE TO FALLING APART AROUND THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CD PLAYER/STEREO WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW FACTORY MODEL WHEN CD PLAYER WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE "NEW" MODEL WAS REPLACED YET AGAIN DUE TO CODING SEEN AND NO NUMBERS IN THE WINDOW DIGITAL AREA. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AFTER STALLING MORE THAN 50 MILES FROM HOME...STILL DOES NOT RUN UP TO PERFORMANCE. FUEL AREA REWORKED AGAIN. WOULD NOT START DUE TO BATTERY CABLE. FORD NEEDS TO DISCONTINUE THIS MODEL UNTIL THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEMS IT HAS WITH IT. THEY ALSO NEED TO GET ALL FOCUS MODELS OFF THE...

THE MAIN CONCERN I HAVE IS THAT I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN 4 TIMES NOW FOR REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. MY OTHER ISSUE IS THAT WHEN THE ACTUATOR IN THE REAR DRIVERS DOOR WENT OUT THAT ALL THE LOCKS AND WINDOWS FREEZE UP IN THE LOCKED POSITION IT THAT IS WHERE THEY WERE AT WHEN IT DIES. NOT THE KEY, MANUALLY OR REMOTE WILL WOR. THIS TO ME IS A SAFTEY ISSUE, YOU COULD POTENTIALLY BE LOCKED INTO YOUR VEHICLE WITH NO WAY OUT.

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL THEN BACK INTO GEAR WHEN BACKING UP THE CAR IT GRINDS THE NON-DRIVERS SIDE FLOODS EVERYTIME IT RAINS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NO GOOD BOTH BACK DOORS MAKE LOUD NOISES WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THERE ARE DENTS ON THE NON-DRIVERS SIDE BELOW THE DOORS ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN DRIVING CAR SOMETIMES JUMPS INTO GEAR.. (SCARY) AND OTHERS I ASKED THE CAR DEALER BEFORE BUYING THE CAR IF THIS CAR HAD BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS.. HE SAID.. MICHELE, WE DO NOT SELL CARS THAT HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENT. AFTER SOME OF THESE PROBLEM HAD OCCURED I CHECKED THE VIN# AND IT SAID THAT THIS CAR HAD ATLEAST 12 PROBLEMS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT

BAD BRAKES, LEAKING TRANSMISSION X 2 REPAIRS, NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBS, ONE "ACCIDENT", DAMAGE REPAIRED AT FORD EXPENSE, BAD TIRE, NOISE FROM FRONT RT SIDE, "SURGE" PROB, CAR SEEMED TO "STICK" IN A GEAR. I DON'T HAVE MY FILE WITH ME BUT I KNOW THERE IS MORE.

I HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOP ABOUT 7 TIMES DURING THE LAST 3 YEARS DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH MY NEW FOCUS. THE CLUTCH FAILED AT 6700 MILES, ALONG WITH THE BRAKES, AND THINGS GOT WORSE FROM THERE. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD LEAKED WATER INTO THE ROOF, THE FUSE ON THE FAN/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM MELTED, AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, THE FABRIC ON THE SEATS CAUSED ME TO GET SHOCKED EVERY TIME I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. FORD'S LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS PAINFULLY OBVIOUS AS WELL DURING THESE REPAIRS. I ULTIMATELY TRADED IN MY CAR FOR A COMPETITOR'S CAR AND I'M FEELING MUCH BETTER NOW.

I PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS IN APRIL 2000. AT THAT TIME I OPTED FOR THE 3 YEAR/36000 COVERAGE. LATER IN THAT YEAR I WAS INVOLVED IN THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RECALL AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS. LAST WEEK MY LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING WENT-AND AS THE MECHANIC SAID "I'M SUPRISED YOUR WHEEL DIDN'T COME OFF". I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE I WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY PROTECTION (VEHICLE HAS 40,000 MILES) I WAS NO LONGER COVERED, AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDED IN TRYING TO OFFER ME EXTENDED COVERAGE FOR MY CAR. I FEEL THAT SINCE THEY "TRIED" TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND DIDN'T -THAT THEY SHOULD STILL BE RESPOSNSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THERE IS NO REASON A WHEEL BEARING SHOULD FAIL AFTER ONLY 40,000-ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAD BETWEEN 12-15,000 MILES ON THE CAR AT THE TIME OF INITIAL RECALL/REPAIR.

MY CAR STARTED BY LOSING POWER AND THE THE ENGINE WOULD RACE UP IN ANY GEAR. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WOULD DIM ALONG WITH THE RADIO AND THE HEADLIGHTS. THEN ON OCT 31 2002, THE GAGES WENT CRAZY. I PARKED THE CAR AND CALLED FORD AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD RUN A TEST TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TEST AND I TOLD THEM I COULD NOT AFFORD IT. SINCE THEN I ONLY DRIVE THE CAR TO THE STORE ABOUT 5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND BACK. NOW THE ENGINE IS STALLING AGAIN IN ANY GEAR. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I AGAIN ASKED THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD IF THEY COULD RUN THE TEST TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH CAR AGAIN THEY REFUSED. I JUST NOW WROTE A E-MAIL TO FORD. I JUST WANT MY CAR THAT ONLY HAS ABOUT...

THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT THREE TIME BECAUSE OF NOISE AND IT'S BEEN SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES. IT'S IN SERVICE RIGHT NOW AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR TWO WEEKS. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE WORKING ON IT OR IF THEY ARE REPAIRING OTHER THINGS OR WHAT. I HAVEN'T HAD HEAT THROUGHOUT THE COLDEST PART OF THE WINTER. THE SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK AND THE PAINT IS PEELING. THE CAR HAS LOCKED UP NOT LETTING ME START THE ENGINE TWICE, THEN JUST OUT OF THE BLUE IT DECIDED TO START. I TRIED TO TURN IN AND THE CAR DEALER AT FORD SAID HE WOULDN'T TOUCH IT, DIDN'T WANT IT. WE BOUGHT IT AUG. 9 2000-FORD CREDIT, SIMPLE INTEREST 6.5 --FIRST PAYMENT SEPTEMBER $456.99 A MONTH THEY SAY WE OWE TOO MUCH TO TRADE IN ???THIS MADE NO SINCE. NOW I KNOW WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON. MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN OUT...

ENGINE STARTS TO STALLS WHEN COMMING TO A STOP. THEY CLAIM IT NEEDS A NEW CYLINDER HEAD.

SINCE AT LEAST APRIL 2003 THE BACK RIGHT PASSAGNER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT RISE OR LOWER NOR WILL THE LOCK ON THE DOOR LOCK FROM THAT SEATING POSITION. THE DRIVER ONLY CAN DO IT. WHILE IN NM DRIVING FROM KY TO AZ, MY 2000 SE BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE POWER. AS I DROVE AT 70 MPH THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL, AS IF NO GAS WAS GETTING THROUGH THE ENGINE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO DIE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR UPWARDS OF 2 HOURS, START THE CAR AGAIN AND DRIVE. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES FROM NM TO AZ; OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I CALLED THE 1800 FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT SEND A TOW FOR ME. A COMMERCIAL TRUCKER WAS NICE ENOUGH TO FOLLOW ME...

WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE STALL FOR NO REASON. WHEN WE ARE AT 1/4 OF A TANK OR AT 1/2 A TANK THE ENGINE WILL SPUTTER OR STALL FOR NO REASON.

I PURCHASED A 2000 FOCUS SE ON JUNE 5, 2001 WITH 23,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY 3YR./36,000.I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM THE API COMPANY AT THE COST OF $1,069 TO COVER 6YR./60,000.I THOUGHT I'D BE PROTECTED. WRONG ! THE VEHICLE ALWAYS HAD HORRENDOUS BRAKE DUST BUT THE WORST WAS YET TO COME. IN DECEMBER 2002, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING AND BEGAN TO NOTICE A ROUGH IDLE. WELL, IT'S COLD IN BUFFALO, NY SO WE THOUGHT IT JUST NEEDED MORE TIME TO WARM UP. BY EARLY MARCH WE EXPERIENCED STALLING PROBLEMS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER STALLING AT 45MPH WE HAD ENOUGH. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO BASIL FORD. WITH ONLY 32,000 MILES ON IT WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS CRACKED AND THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY RAN OUT...

PROBLEM STARTED IN MID-FEBRUARY 2003. WHEN THE FAN SPEED LEVEL FOR THE HEAT IS TURNED TO THE 3RD POSITION THE FAN NOISE DROPS DOWN & THEN A VERY ACRID BURNING ODOR IS EMITTED. CAN NOT PUT THE LEVEL HIGHER THAN THE 2ND LEVEL DUE TO THE BURNING (WIRE?) ODOR AND CONCERNED THAT A WIRE IS BURNING. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THAT WE NEEDED A NEW HEATER SWITCH WHICH HE PROCEEDED TO ORDER BUT WAS TOLD BY A FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THE ITEM IS BACKORDERED DUE TO A HIGH DEMAND FOR THIS PART. WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED YET & NOW AM CONCERNED ABOUT USE OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A FORD DEALER WHO SAYS THERE ISN'T A RECALL OR TSB, I HAVE CALLED THE NHTSA, & I'VE CHECKED THE ALLDATA.COM WEBSITE WITH NO LUCK. I SUPPOSE, GIVEN THE PROBLEMS WE CONTINUE TO HAVE WITH THE...

EXTREME AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS AND RECALLS, VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE. IN ADDITION TO LISTED PROBLEMS, SEVERE REAR TIRE CUPPING AT 7000 MILES, MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO LOOSE REAR WHEEL BEARING. POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE LEAKING, A/C STILL NOT FIXED CORRECTLY COLD LASTED FOR ABOUT A MONTH DRIVERS DOOR LOCK WONT LOCK INTERM. REAR TRUNK LATCH WONT RELEASE FROM INSIDE CAR. FUEL GAUGE ERRATIC, CAUSED DRIVER TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON A BRIDGE. MAF SENSOR FAILURE, CAUSED DRIVER TO BE LIMITED TO 15 MPH ON FREEWAY TILL NEXT EXIT. VHEICLES RADIO STUCK ON WITH KEY REMOVED CAUSING BATTERY DRAIN---HAPPENED TWICE AND WAS FIXED. VEHICLE IS A LEASE DUE BACK FOR RETURN IN AUGUST. CANT WAIT TO BE RID OF THIS HEADACHE BUT FEEL SORRY FOR WHOEVER BUYS IT... I WOULD STILL LIKE FORD MOTOR CO TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE LEASE PAYMENTS MADE FOR THE AMOUNT OF DOWNTIME AND TIME...

THE COMPLAINT DEALS WITH THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR LOCK.I TOOK IT INTO MCCOTTER FORD WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM.THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $300 TO FIX IT AND THIS IS WITH THE EXPENSIVE WARRANTY PACKAGE. WE COULD NOT AFORD THIS,SO MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE DRIVING AROUND IN A CAR THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR THAT CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS CANNOT BE SAFE, WHAT CAN WE DO.THE CAR HAD BETWEEN 50 AND 60 THOUSAND MILES ON IT,THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM IS IN TITUSVILLE FLORIDA. THIS OCCURED IN 2002

NOV 2002 TOOK TO DEALER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM, TOLD THEM IT WAS SLUGGISH AND GAS GUAGE DIDN'T ALWAYS REGISTER. I THOUGHT AT THAT TIME IT WAS MAYBE THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD NOTHING WRONG, COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. TOOK TO NEIGHBORHOOD DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM REPLACED FUEL FILTER. HAD ALL THIS WORK BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN FEB 2003. NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT POSSIBLE FUEL PUMP. JUNE 27TH STARTED CAR AND ENGINE DIED. IT THEN WOULDN'T START AGAIN FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD FORD DEALERSHIP. WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND STRONGLY SUGGEST NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL REPAIR. SO THE CAR WAS LEFT THERE FOR REPAIRS. AFTER LISTEN TO THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP, IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. I STARTED TO INVESIGATE THIS MYSELF AND FIND 67 CASES LISTED ON THE...

WHILE COMING HOME FROM A HOUSE WARMING IN TUCSON, AZ ON 06/21/03 ME, MY 2 NIECES,AND MY DAUGHTER WERE ON THE FAST LANE OF THE FREEWAY COMING OUT OF TUCSON WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED LOSING POWER, THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN TO ABOUT 25 MPH WE HAD TO CROSS 3 LANES TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY WITH OTHER CARS COMING AT 65 TO 70 MPH WE ALMOST GOT HIT ON THE LAST LANE BEFORE EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE CAR THEN SPUTTERED THE REST OF THE WAY OFF THE FREEWAY. AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE WE WERE ABLE TO START IT AGAIN. AND CONTINUE HOME BUT WE USED FRONTAGE RD ALL THE WAY. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT ON THE FREEWAY ANYMORE. SOMETIMES IT DOES WANT TO START AT ALL. THE DOOR ON PASSANGER SIDE ALSO DOESN'T UNLOCK WITH POWER BUTTON. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WITH BATTERY LIGHT AND...

LET'S SEE, WHERE SHALL I BEGIN. WITHIN MONTH OR TWO OF PURCHASE OF 2000 FOCUS SEDAN IT WAS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR THE FRONT A PANEL TRIM. IT TOOK 3 TIMES TO FINALLY GET THAT RIGHT. ALSO LESS THAN 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A STRESS FRACTURE (WAS A 1-1.5 HAIRLINE CRACK WHICH APPEARED IN WINDSHIELD). THE WINDSHIELD HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED AGAIN. WHILE ADJUSTING THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AROUND THE BASE, APPARENTLY FROM SLIGHT PRESSURE OF MIRROR. AND JUST RECENTLY, AUGUST 2003, I'VE NOTICED WATER DROPS FLYING UP FROM ABOVE THE DASHBOARD. NOT SURE IF WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING AROUND THE BOTTOM BASE OR MAYBE A.C. HAVEN'T HAD IT CHECKED YET, BUT IT WILL BE IN THE SHOP THIS WEEK FOR OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVEN'T MENTIONED YET. IT WAS IN SHOP IN LATE 2001 OR EARLY 2002 FOR THROTTLE PROBLEMS. WHILE...

ENGINE STALLS THEN RESTARTS. OCCURS UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. OCCURS IN WARMER WEATHER VS WINTER. DEALERS TEND TO INDICATE FUEL PUMP OVER HEATING AS PROBLEM. FUEL PUMP IS IN GAS TANK COOLED BY 12+ GALLONS OF FUEL. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS RIGHT LONG SIDE FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK HAS TEMP INSULATION ON SIDE THAT FAVORS FUEL TANK. THE MASS OF THE FUEL TANK HAS TO EXCEED OPERATIONAL TEMP SPEC OF FUEL PUMP TO CONTRIBUTE TO ANOMALY.

STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER PURCHASE. SUDDENLY IN AUGUST, ALL POWER SYSTEMS/COMPUTER TYPE ITEMS BEGAN TO FAIL -- POWER LOCKS, TRUNK RELEASE. THEN, CAR BEGAN (AND STILL DOES) TO SPUTTER AND SHAKE WHEN STOPPED/IDLE UNTIL IT WOULD SHUTDOWN. ALSO, THE RADIO/CD PLAYER WOULD SHUT OFF. CHECKED FOR TSBS FOR THE VEHICLE MODEL & YEAR AND FOUND AT LEAST 15. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER (WORLD FORD SANDY SPRINGS) WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY ARE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. ONLY OFFICIAL FORD RECALL NOTICES, NOT EVEN NTSA RECALL NOTICES, WOULD BE HONORED. ON TOP OF THIS, WE WOULD BE EXPECTED TO PAY $90 PER COMPLAINT BATCH (THE TSB LIST WAS BATCHED IN TO 3 MAIN AREAS)FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES AND IF ANY OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE RELATED TO A RECALL, THE $90 WOULD BE REFUNDED AS...

AT 148 MILES TOLD FORD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH TRANS, DID NOT BELIEVE ROAD TESTED FRO 2 MILES AND HAD CAR FOR DAY AND A HALF. SAID THEY DESIGNED TRANS TO SLIP. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT IN THAT CONDITION AND REPEATEDLY CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE BACK AND QUESTIONED DEALERS ABOUT SLIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. TO SAY THE LEAST TRANS REPLACED. TRIM AND OTHER ITEMS FALLING OFF CAR AND FROD WOULD NOT REPLACE. MORE BRAKE JOBS THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A STICK AT. JUST GOT DONE PUTTING 600.00 INTO IT WHEN ENGINE THREW ROD AND NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF 3,700.00. FORD MADE A BAD CAR ND THEY KNOW IT , BUT WILL LEAVE US FOCUS OWNERS OUT TO HANG.

ON OCTOBER 10TH 2003 I WAS DRIVING IN THE FORD FOCUS 2000 WAGON FROM NEW YORK CITY TO CLEVELAND, OH, ABOUT 500 MILES. IT DROVE WELL FOR ABOUT 300 MILES, BUT STARTED TO CHOKE AND SPUTTER ON HILLS, LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL. I WAS HOPING I WOULD MAKE IT TO CLEVELAND FOR REPAIRS, BUT IT STALLED OUT ON ME GOING 65 MILES AN HOUR 60 MILES OUTSIDE OF CLEVELAND. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART, AND LIMPED INTO THE NEAREST TOWN AND FOUND A FORD DEALER IN ASHTABULA OH. HE SAID IT WAS THE FUEL FILTER AND REPAIRED IT. IT DROVE FINE FOR THE REST OF JOURNEY INTO CLEVELAND. BUT I THEN HEADED TO NEW YORK CITY A FEW DAYS LATER, AND AGAIN AFTER 200 MILES, IT STARTED SPUTTERING ON HILLS. THEN OUTSIDE OF BINGHAMTON, NY IT STALLED AGAIN. I AGAIN RESTARTED, AND TERRIFIED OF A FATAL ACCIDENT, I...

WHEN DRIVING CAR AFTER SO LONG THE ENGINE GETS HOT AND SPEED REDUCES. WHEN PUSHING ON ACCELERATOR TO TRY TO PICK UP SPEED, IT CONTINUES TO LOSE MORE SPEED AND STARTS JERKING. AFTER IT CONTINUES TO KEEP JERKING AND SPEED KEEPS GOING DOWN ENGINE SHUTS OFF, LEAVING ME SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN WITH TWO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF TWO. WHEN CAR STALLS AND YOU TRY TO RESTART, IT TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. ONCE IT DOES START IT SHUTS BACK DOWN UNTIL IT SITS FOR A COUPLE HOURS. HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. FORD REFUSES TO FIX EVEN WHEN UNDER WARRANTY. IT SUPPOSED TO BE SUCH A RELIABLE CAR BUT IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN IT ACTS UP. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING A CAR THAT I'M PAYING SO MUCH MONEY FOR TO KEEP BREAKING DOWN. I...

MY VEHICLE HAS A STALLING PROBLEM. IT GIVES NO INDICATION THAT THIS WILL OCCUR. IT CAN HAPPEN AT HIGH OR LOW SPEED. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY INDICATION OF WHAT MAY BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. WHAT IS STRANGE TO ME IS THAT IF THE ENGINE SITS THEN IT WILL START UP AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEM. THIS FIRST OCCURED IN APRIL 2003 AND NOW IT OCCURING MORE OFTEN. ALL I WANT TO KNOW IS WHAT TO FIX OR WHAT CAN BE DONE. I REALLY LOVE MY CAR BUT GETTING STRANDED IS NO FUN.

STALLING,COUGHING,SPUTTERING

I PURCHASED MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SE FROM MERLIN MOTORS IN SASKATOON. PRODUCTION DATE - MAY 2/2000, STOCK NO. PP24941, R.O. NO. 155631. I BELIEVE THIS CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY SOMEONE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. HERE IS A CHRONOLOGICAL BREAKDOWN OF REPAIRS. APRIL 17/01 - TOOK CAR IN BECAUSE DRIVER MIRROR VIBRATED BADLY WHEN DRIVING - SO BADLY THAT I COULD NOT LOOK INTO IT, IT WAS SHAKING THAT MUCH. ALSO, THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE RELEASE INSIDE THE CAR. PARTS WERE ORDERED AT THIS TIME. VEHICLE KILOMETERS- 32854. JUNE 19/01 - THEY CHECKED FOR DRIVER MIRROR VIBRATING WHEN DRIVING AND REPLACED DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR MIRROR. THE ALSO CHECKED FOR TRUNK NOT OPENING FROM THE RELEASE INSIDE THE CAR, THEY REPLACED THE TRUNK STOP AND ADJUSTED. VEHICLE KILOMETERS- 35222 JUNE 20/01 - THEY CHECKED FOR POWER STEERING LEAK AND REPLACED STEERING RACK AND SET TOE. VEHICLE KILOMETERS- 37782??...

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. *AK CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 25 MPH WHEN SMOKE WAS NOTICED. *LA

FORD AS A TSB ON A PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY TSB. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT ON MY FOCUS THE VALVES ARE STICKING IN THE GUIDES ON THE CYLINDER HEAD AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAS ADMITTED TO ME AND THE CAR DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR THAT THIS IS A DEFAULT ON THEIR PART BUT THEY REFUSE TO BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE TO ME. THERE IS MUCH MORE TO THIS STORY AND I AM DESPARATELY SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM SOMEONE TO GUIDE ME AS TO WHAT TO DO NEXT. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT FORD THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND EVENTUALLY HUNG UP ON ME.*AK

THE "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS" FAILED TO WORK AFTER THE OIL CAP WAS FORGOTTEN TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN (NOT KNOWING THE OIL CAP WAS NOT SECURE) AND NO SIGNS OR WARNING SIGNALS (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS) WERE DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT WOULD DENOTE SOME TYPE OF CAUTION/MALFUNCTION. THE CAR HAD SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE INTERIOR FILLED W/SMOKE. THE CAR THEN BEGAN TO BUCK AND BLUE SMOKE WAS BLOWING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE AFTER ADDING OIL, AND AGAIN, NO MALFUNCTION SIGNALS WERE HIGHLIGHTED ON THE DASHBOARD.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DRIVER LIFTED THE HOOD AND SAW STEAM AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *NM

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR STALLING. *AK

THIS IS A SALVAGED VEHICLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL, CLAIMING IT WAS NOT A SFETY RECALL. *AK