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Ford Focus

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The Focus is a nice-looking little car. And it replaced the truly execrable Escort. There, we said something good about it. Unfortunately, for way too many owners, that about exhausts the list of compliments. The Focus has so far set a record for safety recalls (would you believe 10?) and it may just be getting started.

Ford Focus • Fires • Brakes • Ignition • Stalling, Sputtering • Transmission • Water Leaks • Everything! News • Another Recall: Back Door May Come Open • Ford To Replace Focus Fuel Modules • Feds Probe Focus Fires • Focus Setting Recall Record • Focus Recall (Oct. 2000)

It's unfortunate for everyone when an economy car has this many problems. It's especially rough on the poor customers, who presumably are on tight budgets and unable to pour time and money into keeping their supposed economy car running.

Here are a few of the more recent complaints:

Brigitte of Tucker, GA October 29, 2009

Just want to be added to the list of folks that have had unreasonable transmission problems with the 2005 Ford Focus. Mine is a ZXW, and I haven't had a single problem with it until last month, just before 40K miles, my 2nd and 4th gears dropped out. I have owned it since new and have kept it maintained. I do not abuse it.

The Ford dealer I bought it from (in Decatur, GA) went out of business just before my 30K mile warranty expired, and I never received any further notices about scheduled maintenance, but I kept up the oil changes at a local Valvoline. After taking the car to the closest transmission shop (Mr. Transmission), I was told the 2nd and 4th gears were "gone," and had to rebuild the transmission for 2600. At 40K miles?

mary of pennsauken, NJ October 26, 2009

my car was made in 2001 ford out a 2001 fuel pump and filter in and put an 2002 body on the car and then put an 2003 engine in the car so when the car sputtered and then stalled out on a major road I did not know what to do but ask for help to get the car into a lot so it could be towed to my mechanic and come to find out the parts were on recall but ford tells me it was not because of the vin number but yet the parts in the car is a 2001 part what i am i suppose to do it cost me 775.00 to fix the problem but to avail the pump that was put in to the car it burned up because it was the wrong one they needed a 2001 not a 2002 so this cost me more money help me please need to clarified this

Gary of Willingboro, NJ October 22, 2009

Problem with 2000 Ford Focus ZX3. Key will not go into ignition. Looking at tow plus repairs. From what I read, looks like 500 in repairs.

Alicia of Gig Harbor, WA October 19, 2009

I'm right there with the other 2000 Ford Focus owners. I myself have been trapped three separate occasions due to the ignition cylinder no longer turning with key in the ignition. We are about to replace the cylinder for the second time, this time with a different model and new keys. The total for this job will be over 300. Last time we got one from another focus in the junk yard and it was over about 150 as we had to put in an entire steering column and have it re keyed to fit my original keys. Ford should be recalling these substandard ignitions and replacing them at their cost. What a hassel! I'm tired of getting stranded.

Tamika of Richmond, CA October 13, 2009

I bought my 2003 Focus brand new and have regreted it ever since. The brakes are horrible. Months after i bought it they began to squeak, when i took it back to the dealer ship the mechanic told me that because of the material they are made of, thats "normal". Every year i have to replace the brakes, rotors, pads,and tires. I cant afford to start over with a new car note, its the only reason i am keeping it. I wrote to ford and they responded telling me they wanted to talk to me personally, in the end they ended up being of no help. Never again will i buy ford, nor would i ever recommend it. This is ridiculous!

Nancy of Fairhaven, MA October 8, 2009

I bought a 2002 ford Focus about 2 years ago. Loved the car until the ignition gave us problems. Had to replace the ignition after several service calls to the locksmith because the key would get stuck. Then one day 4 months ago, the key wouldn't come out no matter what we did. So we had to get a new ignition.

Today the car won't shut off. We don't have the money for a new car and spent 6000 for this one 2 years ago. If we can't get it fixed it's junk. I won't have a car to drive to work. We just about make our bills monthly and I don't have the money for new car and getting it fixed again will cost several hundreds of dollars. Money I don't have. I bought this car because I believed in Ford and thought it was a good solid car to buy.

It's terrible that they don't consider the ignition problem a recall. I was very lucky that everytime this happened it was during the day and locally. My daughter drives this car when she comes from from school and takes it to Boston to school or Providence where she works. I can't trust it anymore, so she does not have a car to use anymore. We don't know what to do about this problem.

The locksmith can't help us and they are notifying a local ford dealership because they (The ford dealership) called him to have him fix a focus with the same problem. He couldn't help them but they supposingly fix it somehow. I always had faith in Ford but that is quickly fading.

Gordon of Calgary, AB October 1, 2009

I purchased a new Ford Focus 2000 from Cam Clark Ford and have been pleased with it's performance BUT I have had the Ignition Cylinder replaced twice in the last four years, because it locked up solid.The cost was 300+ per time. This is OBVIOUSLY a design flaw and it is annoying and frustrating that Ford does not acknowledge this as a Recall item. I was fortunate both times to be "in civilization" but surely this must be recognized as an extremely hazardous flaw. Ford obviously recognized it as such because their new lines have eliminated this dangerous flaw. WAKE UP FORD this thing can not be good for sales . Face up to your responsibilities.

Lolita of Vallejo, CA September 28, 2009

I bought a ford focus 2004 in February of 2008. I have had the worse problems with my car. I had to change the ignition once, the electrical system has gone hay wire. My truck button inside no longer works or my door locks. Now my car motor is soooo loud and shake it's scary, It sounds like the motor is about to drop. I took it to get it looked at, and guest what? I have TWO broken motor mounts:(:(. I am a single mother with 2 children's trying to support them by working 8 hours a day everyday every since I can remember. I can't afford to buy another car or even worse I can't afford to not have a car. I'm still making payments. Please help!!!!

Curt of Bakersfield, CA September 25, 2009

Ignition lock locks up and key refuses to turn. This is the second time this has happened in less than 20,000 miles. The first time I was stranded for 2-1/2 hours waiting for a tow truck to tow my Ford Focus to the dealer. This time, I was stranded over an hour in 100 degree heat waiting for the tow truck. The internet is rife with consumers having the same problem with the Ford Focus. Why is there no recall to correct this obvious defect?

First instance, I lost 2-1/2 hours of work waiting for tow truck and the vehicle was at the dealer for 3 days. I do not know the full economic impact of the second occurrence as I have not yet had the ignition switch replaced. I will NOT purchase another Ford product and I will urge everyone I know to avoid Ford vehicles until Ford steps up to the plate and corrects these obvious defects!

janice of frenchsettlement, LA September 17, 2009

i brought a used 2000 ford focus and i have spent more money on this car since i had it. i did not know there was recalls on this make till i looked it up. it like to kill me twice by stalling out till i got someone to change what was doing this and i had to change all the front end and back . there was aloud huming noise and it was in the front and back.

if i would have know what was recalled on this car i would never have payed 4500 for it. i have done spent the last two yrs about 3500 on it. i could have bought one new that would be covered under there problem. what can a person do

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