Barbara of Saddle Brook, NJ on May 13, 2003
My 2000 Focus has been a problem since the day I picked it up at the dealership and only continues to be a problem. I have continued to have severe noise with my brakes and many other aspects of the car have continued to be problematic. It has been recalled 7-10 times as far as I can remember. If this is not a lemon, I don't know what is!
I contacted Ford Motor Company a couple of months after purchase because I had severe noise coming from my brakes (and yes I was given Fords letter about the brake noise! This was not a little noise - this is turn your head around to see whats coming noise!), I also had an automatic starting system that would not work off of its remote (the ONLY way to turn it on!), I had my airbags go off on my car (absolutely no body damage) during a low speed impact (less than 10 miles an hour) when the car was 2 months old that caused over $4,000 worth of damage (the airbags broke my windshield, all the sensors needed to be replaced). The car was tied up over 6 weeks waiting for parts (your OWN dealership could not get the parts!).
After 6 months of fighting about the brakes they were FINALLY repaired after you suddenly found another defect (they were recalled). Of the 7-10 recalls on my model, I was never notified through the mail of any of these, even after giving you all my current info. at purchase and speaking to your Canada headquarters 6 months after purchase to re-confirm my address! I did speak with Canada once, after repeated attempts to have your dealership to repair the brakes, finally SOMEONE contacted me from your headquarters when I sent a letter to Ford saying I was pursing my lemon law rights. thats when they suddenly found a defect and fixed the brakes after the car was 9 months old!
At any rate, I have had problems with this car since DAY 1! Your dealerships stink; they fix one thing and screw up something else! After one episode, I had to bring the car back twice for something the dealership screwed up when they went in to fix something else. Between all the recalls, brake problems, automatic start problems, radio problems, hesitation, etc. I was running back and forth to your dealerships many, many times throughout the years. I have never been so dissatisfied with a car in my life! I would NEVER buy another Ford after the free-for-all car and service I have received.
The latest things that are going on my car are all the switches. Less than 3 years old and just over warranty, I had to have both my trunk switch and ignition switch (SWITCH not starter!) replaced because the key simply failed to turn. At over $200 each to repair, this is a sin. I have had cars with over 100,000 miles 10 year old and never once had to replaced a worn switch. Your car is a disaster and I cant wait until next year to buy another make! Currently I am disputing the charge of $223.18 I was charged to change my ignition switch (its nice to be able to start the car!). Elmwood Park Ford in Elmwood Park, NJ replaced it at a nice fee! I asked that they contact headquarters to put it through as a repair of a defect, but they said headquarters would not authorize it.
This car continues to be a problem and I long for the day to be rid of it. I also tried to file suit through an attorney who handles the multitude of Ford Focus suits; unfortunately, I found him right before my car fell out of warranty which he felt was too late. Its ironic, but before this I had a Ford Probe which I loved and is the reason I bought the Focus. its a shame that a repeat customer would be treated so shabbily! I work in Market Research and loyal, repeat purchasers are your core business, not something you should sacrifice. Too bad for you.
