67 of the
2,361 complaints about the 2001 Ford Focus are about the
throttle and cruise control — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
45,000 miles.
F
67
Complaints
13
Crashes
2
Fires
7
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
4364.2%
Accelerator Pedal
1217.9%
Cables
57.5%
Cruise Control
46.0%
Linkages
34.5%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Ford Focus year
THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES TO 2000-3000 RPM BY ITSELF. SOMETIMES WHILE AT IDLE AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN TOWN OR THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND HAVE SPENT MONEY ON TPS, THROTTLE BODY, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, COIL PACK, FUEL PUMP AND FILTER AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THAT ISSUE WITH OLDER FORD FOCUSES. IS THERE A FIX TO THIS ISSUE AVAILABLE? MAYBE A RECALL? I HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO HITTING A MOVING VEHICLE, AFTER EXITING IH 35 AND COMING UNTO A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON THE ACCESS ROAD. I ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL VEHICLES STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. UPON EXITING THE INTERSTATE I WAS APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 3500 RPM AND I COULD NOT STOP IT USING THE BRAKES EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRACTICALLY STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE GEAR IN NEURAL AND THUS DID NOT HIT THE VEHICLES AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY IDLED DOWN BUT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND AN EXTREMELY SCARRY SITUATION. I HAVE NOT USED THE VEHICLE SINCE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON REPAIRS. I WOULD PROBABLY NOT BUY A FORD AGAIN. I AM GOING TO SELL THE CAR BUT WILL TELL THE BUYER THAT THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THANKS FOR ANY HELP AVAILABLE
NHTSA complaint #11012403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,600 milesRosedale, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN VEHICLE HAS IDELED OR TRAVELED AT SLOW SPEEDS FOR A LONG PERIOD, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IT WILL ALSO STALL HAS LOST FUEL EFFICIENCY AND DRIVER CAN SMELL FUEL. MECHANIC STATES THE FUEL RAIL PRESSOR SENSOR IS LEAKING. MECHANIC STATES PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. ONE CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT BACK ORDER IS CAUSED BY SAME OR SIMILLAR MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #10748156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Appleton, WIFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
2001 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS A LEMON. OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS ALONE, HE HAS SPENT $2,000 IN NON-ROUTINE REPAIRS. EVERY TIME THERE WAS AN ISSUE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS NEVER FULLY FIXED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND THE WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE.. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED ALL NEW WIRING, AFTER THE DASH LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT 3 TIMES. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10575595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesOberlin, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RANDOMLY ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AS IF IT WERE GOING TO STALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10526079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,500 milesMadison, WI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60 MPH WHEN CAR ACCELERATED GAINING SPEEDS OVER 75. I PULLED OVER, SHUT DOWN ENGINE, LIFTED HOOD AND SAW ACCELERATOR LINKAGE WAS STUCK. I CLEARED LINKAGE, STARTED ENGINE AND CAR RAN NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES ON LATER DATES WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. CAR STARTS ACCELERATING UNTIL I STOP VEHICLE, SHUT OFF ENGINE, AND FREE UP LINKAGE/METAL.
NHTSA complaint #10468103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesBensenville, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN UP SHIFT AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DOWN SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND IT ACCELERATED UP TO 40 AND 60 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF TO STOP ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE; HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #10465473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 192,247 milesAbita Springs, LA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PASSING A CAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN A TWO LANE ROAD, MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONTINUED GOING DOWN TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN. I TAPPED THE BRAKES, CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY OBSTRUCTIONS BY THE PEDAL, TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD TO FREE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT NOTHING WORKED. BY THIS TIME THE CAR WAS TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 80 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES WERE NOT SLOWING THE CAR DOWN AT ALL. FINALLY I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND WHILE THE ENGINE KEPT RACING AT FULL THROTTLE, I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND RETURNED TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND FOUND THE ACCELERATOR CABLE DISCONNECTED AND LODGED BETWEEN THE MOUNTING BRACKET AND THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR, JAMMING THE THROTTLE AT FULL THROTTLE. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE HOUSE. HE WAS ABLE TO RECONNECT THE CABLE AND DRIVE THE CAR HOME, BUT HE SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING BACK, THE THROTTLE WAS SLOW TO THROTTLE DOWN WHEN HE RELEASED THE PEDAL. ONCE BACK HOME HE FOUND THE CABLE HAD DISCONNECTED AGAIN. WE ARE GOING TO CONTACT FORD TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS FOR THE 2001. WE FOUND RECALLS ON THE 2000 MODEL BUT NONE ON THE 2001. WE ALSO FOUND ONE COMPLAINT THAT WAS DESCRIBED EXACTLY AS OURS WITH THE CABLE DISCONNECTING AND HANGING UP ON THE BRACKET.
NHTSA complaint #10420858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesCosta Mesa, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE IT ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR REPLACED. A YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION AND THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR WERE ALSO REPLACED; YET, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT STATED THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY TPS SENSOR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WOULD CEASE FOR ABUT SIX MONTHS AND THEN RETURN. THE TPS SENSOR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. UPDATED 07/29/11
NHTSA complaint #10408580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesCollinsville, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE WHICH INCLUDED THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUTS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WOULD SIT SIDEWAYS WHEN PARKED. THE BACK OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE, SO IT SLID FORWARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TOO DIM AND DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING ON THE ROAD. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ALARM WOULD RING ALTHOUGH THE SEAT BELT WAS ENGAGED AND THE LATCH WOULD ALSO POP OPEN SUDDENLY AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AND WOULD ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #10358453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,150 milesOconomowoc, WI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL 2001 FORD FOCUS SE. 2.0L L4 DOHC DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE HEADING TO WORK AND WAS GOING TO SET THE CRUISE. I COULDN'T GET IT TO ACTIVATE TRIED SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN AND SETTING - DIDN'T OPERATE. A FEW MOMENTS LATER A CAR MERGED IN FRONT OF ME FROM THE ON RAMP. I SLOWED DOWN LET TRAFFIC ON THE LEFT GO BY. I THEN MERGED TO LEFT LANE AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND IT STUCK AT/NEAR FULL THROTTLE. I TAPPED THE BRAKES TO SEE IF THE CRUISE HAD ENGAGED - NO CHANGE, LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS AN OBSTRUCTION BY THE PEDAL - NONE FOUND, TRIED PULLING PEDAL BACK WITH MY FOOT - NO EFFECT, TRIED STOMPING ON ACCELERATOR TO SEE IF IT WOULD UNSTICK - NO CHANGE. I WAS NOW GOING OVER 80 MPH AND CLOSE TO REAR ENDING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES HARD, IT DIDN'T SLOW DOWN. AT THIS POINT I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND MERGED TO THE RIGHT AND OFF TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I OPENED THE HOOD AND INSPECTED THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE AT THE THROTTLE PLATE. FOUND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD DISCONNECTED AND GOT LODGED BETWEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND THE THROTTLE PLATE ACTUATOR KEEPING THE THROTTLE PLATE AT OR NEAR FULL THROTTLE. I RECONNECTED THE CRUISE CABLE WENT TO WORK RETURNED HOME AND HAVE SET THE CAR ASIDE FOR FURTHER INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10340186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesPocono Pines, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-80 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK MOMENTARILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS BEING REDESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR THIS FAILURE, AND WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2008. THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND AWAITING THE REPLACEMENT PART IN ORDER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #10243522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellenwood, GACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHILE PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE THE CAR ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY THEN THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I THEN PULLED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WHICH DID NOT WORK TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE CAR. I CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. ALSO, UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT INFLATE. THE CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY TO HAVE FRONT AND SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS AND ONE IN THE STEERING WHEN AND NOTHING HAPPENED. MY CHEST WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD THERE WAS A CIRCULAR IMPRINT AROUND MY CHEST AND STOMACH. AFTER PEOPLE CAME TO SEE ABOUT ME ONE MAN ASKED IF MY CAR WAS OFF. I SAID YES AND HE POINTED OUT THE CAR STILL LOOKED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE WHEELS WERE SPINNING FULL FORCE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP I ONLY HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP SAID SINCE THE CAR WAS IN A WRECK IT WAS WORTHLESS TO HIM AND THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. HE EVEN THREATENED THAT HE WOULD CALL THE POLICE IF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF DID NOT LEAVE.
NHTSA complaint #10199801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesGoldsboro, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TRAFFIC WAS TRYING TO MERGE, AND SHE WAS BLOCKED IN ON THE LEFT. SHE ACCELERATED A LITTLE TO GET AHEAD OF THE MERGING TRAFFIC. AT THAT TIME THE THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. SHE STATED THAT WHEN SHE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE BRAKES, IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS PUSHING AS HARD AS SHE COULD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. SHE CAME TO A STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. THE RPMS WERE AT 7000 BEFORE SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. UPON RESTART, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE TO 7000 RPM. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE THROTTLE UN-STUCK BY PUSHING THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND RELEASING. SHE DROVE THE CAR TO A SEARS AUTO CENTER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE THROTTLE LINKAGE MALFUNCTIONING. HE COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. WE ELECTED TO LEAVE THE CAR THERE, AND HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING. IT WAS A VERY SCARY AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS EVENT.
NHTSA complaint #10132808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesCanton, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
NO EVENT LED TO THIS FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE. LUCKILY, I WAS IN A LANE THAT ALLOWED ME TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER; HOWEVER, A DEFECT SUCH AS THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO GET INTO A CAR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10129411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATION PEDAL. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS UNDETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10111157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,089 milesBroomfield, COCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE CONSUMER DOWN SHIFTED AND THE SAFETY IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS CAUGHT UNDER THE CLUTCH, CAUSING THE RELAY TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONSUMER PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE LURCHING, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE AND THE CONSUMER SCRAPED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10094525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartselle, AL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING OR WOULD NOT START. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10092942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highland Park, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL RAIL SYSTEM WAS LEAKING GASOLINE, RESULTING IN STALLING. INDEPENDENT SHOP CLEANED THE FUEL INJECTION AN THROTTLE CABLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10090252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deerfield, FLCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
NAR 03/05/2003 THE VEHICLE ENGINE SPED OUT OF CONTROL BY ITSELF WITH A HUGH BURST OF SPEED, AND THE CAR RAN INTO THE SHRUBBERY AT THE EDGE OF THE PARKING LOT.
NHTSA complaint #10011342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesNEW York, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE MONTAUK HIGHWAY 27, I REACHED THE SPEED OF 50 MPH. APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AFTER REACHING 50 AND PLACING MY CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY BEGAN TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE. I COULD NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN, HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10086306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesBismarck, ND
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WAS SURGING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 53-63 MPH. *PH *SC
NHTSA complaint #10066718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesNEW York, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE GAS PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE CABLE POPPED OUT OF THE THROTTLE MECHANISM AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10055757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesBell Gardens, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN MAKING TURNS OR REVERSING. VEHICLE WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN IT STALLED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE AND ACCELERATE AT A HIGH SPEED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO DISENGAGE THE EXCESS SPEED. THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS UNDETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10044213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Concord, MICrash1 injured1 killed
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FORD FOCUS SPED UP FOR NO REASON AND THEN VEERED TO LEFT CROSSING LEFT LANE AND WENT INTO DITCH WHICH HAD A CULVERT AND THE CAR THEN BOUNCED INTO A CORNFIELD. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER. DRIVER HAD BROKEN RIBS AND OTHER BRUISES. PASSENGER HAD CHEST INJURIES FROM WHICH HE DIED COUPLE HOURS LATER. THE INSPECTING OFFICER SAID WITNESSES INSISTED THEY DID NOT SEE BRAKE LIGHTS, AND IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE HIT THE BRAKES. DRIVER REMEMBERED THE ACCIDENT, AND WAS AWAKE AND TALKING TO PASSENGER. SHE WAS HOSPITALIZED AND HAD NEUROLOGICAL TESTS AND DID NOT HAVE A STROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10036721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
2001 FORD FOCUS DISPLAYING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION DUE TO SEVERAL LEAKS, CRUISE CONTROL, AND TRUNK OF VEHICLE. *MR WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FLOORBOARD OF THE TRUNK WHICH WAS ONLY ADJUSTED(PROBLEM REPEATED), THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY(NEW SWITCH WAS ORDERED, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SQUEAKED AND WAS FIXED, THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED AND WAS REPLACED BUT THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE, WATER LEAKED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE (PROBLEM REPEATED) THEN THE R & L COWL GRID WAS REPLACED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T, COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE UPPER RADIATOR AND THE HOSE CLAMP WAS REPLACED, THE TRUNK DID NOT SHUT PROPERLY AND THE LATCH WAS REPLACED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN DUE TO THE PARTS BEING RECALLED, THE REAL WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED, THE SECOND RECALLED PART WAS THE PINCH BOLT TORQUE AND BATTERY CABLE ROUTING WHICH WAS REPLACED, AND THE MECHANICS FOUND THAT THE BRAKES HAD WORN OUT IN THE FRONT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS ON 10 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND SIX ATTEMPT FOR THE LEAKS, THE PROBLEM IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SEVERAL LEAKS, SEVERAL CIRCUIT AND SWITCHES HAVE BROKEN DOWN ON THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE GAS MILEAGE WHICH HAD CONSISTENTLY FALLEN AND DID NOT ACT AS THE PROMOTED DEALERS STICKER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FULL REFUND FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10034015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,600 milesHudson, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. OVER $5,000 FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10032939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesDecatur, MS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 2001 FORD FOCUS SE 4DR TENDS TO STALL OUT AFTER USING THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE STALLING BEHAVIOUR STARTS AFTER THE A/C HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE AND CONTINUES AFTER THE A/C IS TURNED OFF. THE ENGINE SPUTTERS AND WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #10030583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,441 milesGastonia, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
I AM WRITING TO YOU IN REGARD TO A HOST OF PROBLEMS I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING WITH MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3.THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: (1) GEARS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AND SIGNS OF LOCKING UP DURING DRIVING -- AND BRAKE GRINDING SOUNDS; (2) CONTINUOUS "FLICKERING" OF HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS; (3) AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING SYSTEMS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY; (4) LARGE POND OF WATER (DURING HEAVY RAINS) IN FLOOR ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE; (5) PROBLEMS WITH FUEL MODULE AND FUEL MONITOR; AND (6) TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN PROGRESS. TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN PROGRESS -- ECM CODES ERASED BY DEALERSHIP -- FUEL MONITOR AND BAD RUNNING CONDITION VERY EVIDENT. HE FURTHER STATED THE FLUID IS BURNT VERY BADLY , HE CANNOT SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION AT THIS POINT AND THAT THIS VEHICLE IS GOING TO GO DOWNHILL FROM HERE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE 2001 FOCUS THAT I PURCHASED FROM TOWN & COUNTRY FORD, INC. ONLY NINE MONTHS AGO IS NOT DRIVABLE AND IT WILL COST AT LEAST $2,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT. IT HAS TO BE! I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AND MAKE PAYMENTS ON IT AT THE SAME TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10028641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,437 milesSalina, KSCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
ENGINE STALLS AND POWER LOSS AND BRAKES NOT RESPONDING RESULTED IN REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10025500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,550 milesMarysville, WA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I BOUGHT A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING AND WAS HARD TO TAKE OFF AND THEN IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD ALL OF A SUDDEN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY OILED THE CABLE AND IT WORKED FOR A FEW HOURS AND GOT STIFF AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. THAT PROBLEM WAS FIXED. NOW WHEN I DRIVE IT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN IT DIES. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. I FEEL THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.