2000 FORD FOCUS Power Trainautomatic Transmission Problems

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN A SUBDIVISION AT ABOUT 20 MPH, TURNED, AND HEARD A CRACKING SOUND FROM LEFT FRONT TIRE. STOPPED AND GOT OUT TO LOOK = LEFT FRONT SPRING COIL WAS BROKEN. I DRIVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. HAVE ALSO HAD TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM - KEY NOT TURNING IN TUMBLER - AND WITH THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. LAST CONTACTED RECALL FROM FORD DEALERSHIP WAS FOR "WIPER MOTOR IN 2001." *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE DEALER PERFORMED OVER $500 WORTH OF REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY PASSED IT FOR INSPECTION. THEY EVEN PLACED THEIR OWN INSPECTION STICKER ON THE VEHICLE. LESS THAN A WEEK LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. LATER, THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS TWISTED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, IT STALLED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE OVER 100,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AAA TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY NONFUNCTIONAL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 19,000.

EVERY TIME I WOULD TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS . THEY WOULD TELL ME THERE WERE NONE. IN JUNE I TOOK MY FOCUS TO THE DEALER FOR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO BALL BEARINGS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THE RIGHT SIDE NEEDED TO BE DONE ALSO, THEY ONLY HAD ONE IN STOCK THAT DAY. *TR

A MAJOR COMPLAINT ABOUT THE 2000 FORD FOCUS. THIS WAS MY FIRST REAL CAR AND I WAS EXCITED. I HAD THE CAR FOR A COUPLE MONTHS WHEN IT STATED WHINING NOISES. I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING. IT HAPPEN I TOOK IT BACK. THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION FIXED A WEEK LATER THE CAR STARTED SHUTTING OFF ON ITS OWN. IT WOULD STALL AND STOP AS I WAS DRIVING. I SAID THE CAR IS STILL GIVING ME PROBLEMS AND TOOK IT BACK THEY INSISTED THAT THE CAR WAS OK. I TALK TO A FORD DEALER SAID THE FUEL PUMP. IT HAPPEN AGAIN TOLD BRING THE CAR IN FRIDAY THEN I WAS RIDING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY IN BUFFALO NY WITH MY CHILDREN THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN NO BRAKES NO EXCEL NOTHING WE WERE ALMOST KILLED IN THAT CAR I SCRAMBLED TO GET TO AN EXIT WHERE...

ON 10/23/07 I INSERTED KEY INTO IGNITION OF MY FORD FOCUS AND IMMEDIATLEY THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES WENT HAYWIRE-VEHICLE FAILED TO START. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT ,AFTER UNPLUGING THE BATTERY CABLES AND GOING BACK TO THE STRANDED CAR THE NEXT EVENING, IT STARTED . 2 DAYS LATER MY WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. ON 10/31/07 WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER HOME, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING AND DECCELERTAING UNCONTROLLABLY. I PULLED OF THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR, THE SEATBELT LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND MAKING A LOUD TICKING NOISE. THIS HAD HAPPENED THE NIGHT PRIOR, BUT I THOUGHT MAYBE THE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. MY DOME LIGHTS MAKE A SCREECHING NOISE AND BLINK ON AND OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. WHENEVER SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS I AM DRIVING HOME...

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING AREA, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT END OF THE PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO BE MOVED TEN FEET ONTO THE ROAD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE MOVED ON ITS OWN HITTING ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP FOR BODY WORK. THERE WERE NO FURTHER EXAMINATION OR REPAIRS MADE.*AK

I WAS DRIVING MY FORD FOCUS & THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE FRONT END OF THE CAR COLLAPSED ON THE FRONT TIRE. I WAS DRIVING 65 MILES AND HOUR SECONDS BEFORE I FORTUNATELY SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP...NOTICED A NOISE LIKE A FLAT TIRE, SOMETHING DID NOT FEEL RIGHT JUST BEFORE IT COLLAPSED ON THE ROAD, I AGAIN THANK GOD, I DECIDED TO TURN AROUND TO GO BACK HOME & IMMEDIATELY UPON THAT TURN AROUND THE CAR COLLAPSED. THESE RECALLS SAFETY CAMPAIGNS ARE RISKING MY LIFE, BUT TERRIFIES ME FOR MY NEWLY DRIVING SON BEHIND THE WHEEL. AS IF THAT IS NOT BAD ENOUGH, I NOW HAVE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT ALSO. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION---UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY....CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE TOWED CAR LOCKED UP..STEERING EVERYTHING. COST OF REPAIR WAS QUOTED FROM $382.00 FROM FORD SERVICE DEALER...MEANWHILE THE HUGE INCONVENIENCE CAR PARKING FEES..FOR BEING...

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. THE FIRST TIME, SHE WENT TO START THE CAR, THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE THIRD FAILURE HAPPENED THIS WEEK, WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. IT IS BEING REPAIRED NOW. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE STARTER ALONG WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK IN DEC 2001 THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES AND THE REAR AXLE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEATER DID NOT WORK. THE EGR TUBE WAS REPLACED. THE WIPER ARM WAS BROKEN. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON ALL TIME. THE...

PURCHASED 2000 FORD FOCUS, VIN [XXX] FROM CROFT FORD ON DEC. 19, 2001; MILEAGE WAS 12,163 (CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY); HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO WALK SINCE MARCH OF 2002 (MILEAGE ON CAR IS NOW JUST OVER 13,000; LAST 200 PLUS MILES HAS BEEN PUT ON BY FORD DEALERSHIPS ATTEMPTING TO FIX CAR). HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN TO SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS; NONE OF WHICH CAN SOLVE PROBLEM OF ENGINE SURGES; DASH LIGHTS SWEEPING; TRANSMISSION BOLTING; ETC., ETC., ETC. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE; I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR COMPANY; THE DEALERSHIPS, ETC., AND FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER "MANUFACTURER WARRANTY" .. INSTEAD LATEST WAS THAT FORD DEALERSHIP WANTED $500 TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR AND COULD NOT GUARANTY THAT WOULD FIX PROBLEM; I ALREADY PAID $105; PLUS $110 AND THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN WOODBRIDGE, VA, FOR OVER...

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH 22,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE TWO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 9 MONTHS AGO WITH ABOUT 18,000 MILES. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED LAST WEEK. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER TO PAY $129.00 OR TRADE THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. SHE REFUSED TO PAY THE $129.00 AND SHE DID NOT WANT TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE IN FOR ANOTHER FORD. SHE SENT AN E-MAIL TO FORD. AS OF RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN HER E-MAIL. THE DEALERSHIP PROVIDED HER WITH A RENTAL CAR. HOWEVER ,THEY TOLD HER THAT IF SHE DID NOT COME AND PICKUP CAR SHE WILL HAVE TO START PAYING FOR THE RENTAL CAR. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON AUGUST 22, 2005 ,AND THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED RECALL REPAIRS THAT SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT...

DT: TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT KICK INTO GEAR. THE KEY IGNITION IS ALWAYS GETTING STUCK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ONLY HER IMAGINATION. FINALLY, THE TRANSMISSION DIED AND THE WARRANTY HAD RAN OUT. THE DOORS BOTH FRONT AND BACK COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE REAR DOORS BUT IS ALSO HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT DOORS AS WELL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE IGNITION KEY ALONE. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN SHOP. *TT

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS WAGON (2000) FROM ROWAN LINCOLN MERCURY IN WINTER HAVEN FLORIDA IN NOVEMBER 2003. SINCE THAT TIME THIS "CHECKED OUT" VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: A NEW IGNITION LOCK (TWICE), A NEW BATTERY, NEW SPARK PLUGS & WIRES, NEW VACUUM HOSE, AND NEW ALTERNATOR. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT ON THE VEHICLE. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE AGAINST THE DEALERSHIP FOR SELLING ME AN OBVIOUSLY MESSED UP VEHICLE? MY CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNANSWERED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 36,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT. EVERYONE THAT TOUCHES THE CAR TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NO GOOD REASON FOR THE NEED OF ANY OF THE REPAIRS EXCEPT THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES AND BATTERY. ANY ADVICE AS I AM NOW FACING ANOTHER REPAIR BILL IN EXCESS OF $1,000 FOR A CAR THAT IS TOUTED AS BEING ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE ON...

ON THE AFTERNOON OF 9/29/2004 I ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE. A LOUD CLANK NOISE HAD OCCURED SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE WHEN DRIVING FORWARD INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD THE VECHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE I WAS TOLD THIS 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONLY 32000 MILES REQUIRED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. AFTER READING THE OTHER SEIZED TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS THAT RESULTED IN CRASHES, I FEEL VERY LUCKY. *AK

AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR IN JAN OF 2000. I HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP 3 DAYS AFTER FOR A LINKAGE PROBLEM. I WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE AND REVERSING IN DRIVE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN QUITE A FEW TIMES SINCE THEN FOR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOR IT NOT ACCELERATING WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY, AND FOR IT ACCELERATING FOR NO REASON AT ALL. EACH TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THAT WAS NORMAL. WHICH I KNOW IT WAS NOT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN IN OTHER 2000 FORD FOCUS' AND THEY ARE ANY WHERE AS LOUD AS MINE IS AND THEY DO NOT TAKE OFF LIKE MINE DOES, AND THE PICK UP SPEED IS WONDERFUL. I AM AWARE THAT THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED NEAR THAT DATE THAT ARE OR WERE ON RECALL. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD LOOK INTO THIS,...

THE TRANSMISSION JUST SUDDENLY WENT ON OUR VEHICLE WITH 41000. THIS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION / SWAY CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP REPLACED. MR

WHILE SHIFTING GEARS TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK THE TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. *AK

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS 2000 SE 4 DR SEDAN. IT WAS BOUGHT AS NEW CAR 11/1999 AND CURRENTLY HAS 39500 CAREFULLY DRIVEN MILES. EARLIER THIS AUTUMN AN AMBER DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING. AT FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO DECODE ITS MEANING FROM VEHICLE'S MANUAL, I LEARNED IT WAS THE 'AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/COOLING' WARNING LIGHT ON ZTEC EQUIPPED MODELS (LIKE MINE). I TOOK IT TO LINCOLN MERCURY DEAL (WHERE I HAVE HAD MY FOCUS REPAIRED OFTEN): 'BARON LINCOLN MERCURY' IN FLUSHING, NEW YORK WHERE THEY PERFORMED A COMPUTERIZED CHECK OF SYMPTOMS. I WAS TOLD SERVICE WRITER THERE WERE 'CODES' WHICH INDICATED SOLENOID AND GEAR RATIO PROBLEMS IN 2ND AND 4TH. I WASN'T SURE WHAT ALL THAT MEANT BUT SEEMED LIKE GOOD IDEA TO TAKE ADVICE AND SCHEDULE ANOTHER MORE DETAILED INSPECTION FOR POSSIBLE REPAIRS; THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY WAS AROUND 10 DAYS FROM THAT DAY AND I TOOK...

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION FROM THIRD GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR VEHICLE LOST POWER/ STALLED. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS GEARS WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK. ALSO, A SQUEAKING NOISE IS HEARD WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION AND THE BRAKES BUT HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEMS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE FORCING THE VEHICLE INTO THE GUARD RAIL. NO INJURIES OR FATALITY REPORTED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH

VAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPING GEARS WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST.*AK

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, I NOTICED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT, I HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR I HAVE GOTTEN MY BRAKES DONE TWICE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ABOUT 15 MONTHS NOW. I ALSO HAD MY IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED, A FUEL FILTER REPLACED, AND NOW MY CAR DIES WHEN I SLOW DOWN. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. *AK

WHILE SHIFTING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. AND IT IS HARD TO DRIVE PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CUTS OUT WHILE ACCELERATING TO 2ND GEAR, ESPECIALLY AT FULL THROTTLE. IN THE MIDDLE OF 2ND GEAR, RPMS HANG AROUND 4000 AT FULL THROTTLE. LETTING OFF THROTTLE ALLOWS RPMS TO REACH 5700 AND VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO 3RD. RPMS HANG AGAIN AT 4000 IN 3RD GEAR, AND ANY MANIPULATION OF THROTTLE (FULL, HALF, ETC.) DOES NOT RAISE RPMS. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BE LIMITED TO APPROX 60 MPH.*AK

THE TRANSMISSION JERKED WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN GEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. *NLM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 8 TIMES FOR THE SAME REPAIR. *JB

VEHICLE HAS A MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE GAUGES WILL GO "BESERK". DOOR CHIME ACTIVATES, ALL LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF, TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS,AND THE VEHICLE STALLS.*AK

MY BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED AND CHIRPED EVER SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I HAD PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 28,000 MILES, AND AM FACING HAVING THE SAME WORK DONE AGAIN AT 48,000 MILES. MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 35,000 MILES, AND THE RECALLS HAVE KEPT ME AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MORE HOURS THAN I CAN COUNT. *NLM

WHILE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED A SEAL LEAK IN THE ENGINE, AND A LEAK IN TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES. LATER,WHILE ON THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL IN THE BACK DUE TO A BOLT WHICH HELD THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD LOOSENED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE HAD STALLING PROBLEMS, AND SEVERE CORROSION BUILDUP ON THE BATTERY. *AK *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. *NLM

GAS MILEAGE IS POOR ON THIS SIZE VEH--MOTOR KICKS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THERE IS NO PROBLEM/CANNOT DUPLICATE, 4 INCIDENTS, THIS IS VERY FREIGHTING. ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC & CANNOT GET OFF THE ROAD FAST. BRAKES WEAR BETWEEN 16000 AND 18000 MILES WITH NORMAL DRIVING. THE MOTOR BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 22000 MILES. THIS NEVER HAPPENED SO SOON WITH ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. REPAIRS AND SERVICES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, MANY SAFETY RECALLS AND PRODUCT WARNINGS THAT TAKE TIME TO REPAIR. THE DEALER HAS A PROBLEM MAKING SURE THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND SOUND LIKE THEY MAY BE GOING BAD AGAIN! I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. WHAT IF SOMETHING FAILS WHILE MYSELF OR MY FAMILY ARE IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS DEPRECIATED AT...

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, THE DEALER REROUTED THE BATTERY CABLES. *JB THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD SUSPENSION AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS PH *JB

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB

I SENT THIS LETTER TO FORD IN MAY OF 2000 I PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS, THINKING IT WOULD BE A SAFE, LOW MAINTENANCE CAR, CONSIDERING IT HAD BEEN IN EUROPE SINCE 1997. I WOULD THINK THIS WOULD BE PLENTY OF TIME TO WORK OUT ANY BUGS YOU MAY HAVE. OR, SHOULD I CALL THEM RECALLS. I THINK A CAR THAT HAS 16 RECALLS, MOST OF THEM WHICH I WOULD CONSIDER SAFETY ISSUES, SHOULD BE RECALLED ENTIRELY. I HAVE HAD OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AS WELL. MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN, SEAT BELTS LOCKING FOR NO REASON, DOOR HANDLES NOT OPENING THE DOOR (THIS IS ALL HAPPENING AGAIN). AND ONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED, BRAKES. I AM NOW ON MY THIRD SET OF FRONT ROTORS SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR. THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME. THE DRIVER SIDE ROTOR AND PAD WILL WEAR COMPLETELY DOWN YET...

CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS OCCASIONAL GRINDING NOISES WHEN BRAKING SUDDENLY, THE BRAKE PEDALS SQUEAK, THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR, THERE ARE PROBLEMS WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 55 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL IS INOPERATIVE, AND VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *JG *JB

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE JUST LAST MONTH THE CABLE AND MOTOR IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WINDOW BURNED UP AND NOW WILL COST OVER $600. TO FIX I CAN NOT GET THE FRONT RACK & PINION FIXED BECAUSE IT WILL COST $1800.00. THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT NOW IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. I JUST GOT THE BRAKES REPAIRED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN MAY AND THEY ARE AGAIN SQUEAKING. I HAVE ALL OF MY RECEIPTS FOR WORK DONE TO THIS CAR. I AM NOW HAVING TO PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS ON THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL THE TIME, AND THE ELECTRIC INSTRUMENTS TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES. (RADIO) THE DRIVING LIGHTS GO OUT AT TIMES AND WILL NOT COME BACK ON. PLEASE HELP ME, I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND...

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS. HAD VEHICLE TOWED. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

7/00- TAPE WAS STUCK IN STEREO, HAD TO REPLACE STEREO. 3/01- HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRACK PADS AT 11000 MILES. 11/01- IGNITION LOCKED ON VEHICLE. HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION. 3/02- TRANSMISSION WAS NEUTRALIZING WHEN DRIVING. HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. 5/02- CAR WAS STALLING. FORD UNABLE TO DETECT PROBLEM. 9/02- CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING AND STALLING SUDDENLY- HAD TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP. 9/02- HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND BACK BRAKE SHOES AT 34000 MILES.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS: REPLACED CD PLAYER ONCE, THREE BRAKE JOBS, MULTIPLE TRUNK LATCH REPAIRS, REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT 40000, 3 RECALLS, IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP. THE 2000 FOCUS IS CLEARLY A LEMON! *AK

SUB FRAME BOLTS LOOSE FROM FACTORY, TRANSMISION SLIPS, BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND REPLACED 3 TIMES, DLR ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THIS VEH IS BUILT IN GERMANY ITS A HIGH PERFORMANCE VEH AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT LAST MORE THAN 12,000 MILES WITHOUT HAVING TO DO A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB, FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS AND HAVE REPEATDLY DENIED THAT THEY HAVE ANY BRAKE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK

MY CAR HAS STALLED ON ME THREE TIMES. 30-40% OF THE TIME WHEN DRIVING, IT WON'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR UNLESS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS THEN START TO GO AGAIN. ALSO, THERE IS A TAPPING NOISE COMING THE ENGINE WHEN IN IDLE.*AK,

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES ALREADY DUE TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND MAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN HALF FULL AND I AM TURNING RIGHT, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, IF IT DOES NOT STALL, IT WILL JERK INTO DIFFERENT GEARS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. ONE TIME IT STALLED WHILE I WAS ON A SHARP CURVE AND I LOST MY POWER STEERING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CURVE AND ALMOST HIT SOMEONE.*AK

I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THEM AT LEAST 3 TIMES BECAUSE WHEN IM DRIVING SOMETIMES I HAVE TO PUT MY FOOT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT BE MOVING AND THE CAR JUST DON'T HAVE NO POWER AT ALL. THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR.

AS A FINAL GESTURE OF GOODWILL, OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP'S CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE OFFERED US A 24 HOUR PERIOD TO CONSIDER A $2,000 TRADE-IN CREDIT TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A NEW FORD VEHICLE AT 0% FINANCING. THIS WOULD HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED MY DAUGHTER'S MONTHLY CAR AND INSURANCE PAYMENTS. BECAUSE HER JOB WAS NOT YET A PERMANENT POSITION, SHE WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO TAKE A $4,000 LOSS AND DOUBLE HER MONTHLY PAYMENTS. ONCE THAT OFFER HAD EXPIRED WE WERE MET WITH STONY INDIFFERENCE BY OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP'S CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. AFTER SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM WE CAME AWAY CONVINCED THAT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICIES ARE INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED WITH SEVERAL GOALS IN MIND: 1) TO OFFER ONE'S LOCAL DEALERSHIP AS THE ONLY PATH OF RECOURSE OTHER THAN A NATION-WIDE 1 (800) CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE; 2) TO STAUNCHLY REFUSE TO PROVIDE THE NAMES AND MAILING ADDRESSES OF FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES...

VEHICLE DIED. PISTON RINGS STICK IN VALVE AND THE SHUTS DOWN. CONSUMER HAS FIVE RECALLS ON HER CAR. ALSO, SHE HAD TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND AIR CONDITIONER LEAKED, AN O-RING WAS REPLACED IN THE AIR CONDITIONER, HOWEVER IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. *SLC