2003 Ford Focus brake problems

SERVICE BRAKES

THE SUB FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. ENTIRE SUB FRAME HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CALIPER AND ROTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONTROL ARM HAD TO BE REPLACED. JUST REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TUMBLERS AFTER THE SWITCH LOCKED UP AND REFUSED TO WORK. THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR THIS CAR. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT FOCUS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THESE PROBLEMS. CAR HAS 34,000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO THE REAR RUSTED OUT CAUSING A LOSE OF BRAKES. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10924347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

EMERGENCY BRAKE LOCKS UP. CAR HAS TO EITHER BE FORCED TO MOVE BY EITHER GUNNING THE ENGINE, OR ROCKED BY A PERSON UNTIL IT RELEASES. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED DUE TO BRAKE LOCK UP AFTER MECHANIC COULD NOT RELEASE IT AT MY HOME. NEW BRAKE WAS INSTALLED. CONTINUES TO LOCK UP. CAR HAD BEEN IN PARK FOR ALL INCIDENTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS A STANDARD TRANSMISSION, WHICH FOR SAFETY REQUIRES THE USE OF AN E-BRAKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE OFTEN IN LAST 5-7 YEARS. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WOULD RESOLVE AFTER NEW E-BRAKE WAS INSTALLED.... IT HASN'T.

NHTSA complaint #10903221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD FOCUS IN FEBRUARY OF 2012. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING IT, I HAD TO SPEND $700.00 TO FIX THE MOTOR MOUNTS, BEARINGS IN THE FRONT WHEEL, SOMETHING REGARDING A COVER FOR THE TAIL PIPE/MUFFLER AREA, A/C, (TWICE REPAIRED, AND WENT OUT). FUEL PUMP, DOOR JAMS IN FRONT (2 DOOR), LOCKS ON THE DOORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHETHER YOU WANTED THEM LOCKED OR NOT. DOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE REFUSES TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. SPENT OVER $4,000 IN FIXING, REPLACING, ENGINE & BODY PARTS.ETC. JUST WHEN I BOUGHT A SECOND SET OF NEW TIRES LAST WEEK AND DID THE 3 MONTH OIL CHANGE, IT KONKED OUT ON ME, AFTER A SHRILLING, HIGH-PITCHED NOISE. JUST GOT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY. FOUND OUT FROM A REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS MODEL, ESPECIALLY THE 2003 IS KNOWN FOR TRANSMISSION, SHODDY PARTS, AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD! THE PUMP INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BROKE. THIS CAR CAME WITH 124,000 MILES AND OVER 2 YEARS, SPENT $4,000.00 ON TOP OF THE USED PRIVATE PURCHASE OF $2,400.00. CAR REPAIR SHOP WANTS $2,400 (WHAT I PAID FOR IT) TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN. ONE THING AFTER THE OTHER WENT WRONG. I PLAINT EXPERIENCED, AND IT HAS COST ME SO MUCH MONEY, I FEEL FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE EVERY PENNY US CONSUMERS PAID ON THIS MODEL. NEVER AGAIN NEED TO RECALL THE WHOLE CAR, IT IS A DEATH TRAP.

NHTSA complaint #10520993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKE DRUM SEPARATED AT THE BEARING AND MY ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FLEW OFF OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL TEMPORARILY AND ALSO BECOME TOTALLY STRANDED AND IMMOBILE. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO DIRECT CAUSE FOR THIS AS THE BEARING INSIDE THE DRUM WAS NOT SEIZED OR MALFUNCTIONING. THE MECHANIC THAT SERVICED THE REPAIR HAS OVER 30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE AND COULD NOT RECALL EVER SEEING THIS HAPPENING ON ANY VEHICLE EVER. I FREQUENTLY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES (AND HAD DONE SO JUST AN HOUR PRIOR THIS DAY) AND I AM THANKFUL TO THE POWERS ABOVE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD HAVE NEVER OCCURRED AS THIS IS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE THAT THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE STAY ON THE VEHICLE DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. MY CAR IS JUST 10 YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 133K MILES (AVG OF 12,000 MILES PER YEAR), THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN EVEN AT TWICE THE MILEAGE !!!! I AM NOW FEARFUL THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN TO THE OTHER REAR WHEEL AS THIS SHEARING OF THE BRAKE DRUM JUST CANNOT BE EXPLAINED.

NHTSA complaint #10519725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS HAD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE METAL PLATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE DEALER BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONTACT THEN REPLACED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,500.

NHTSA complaint #10491997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL EMITTED A LOUD WHINING NOISE, OVERHEATED, AND CAUSED THE ENGINE RPMS TO INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL DRUM ASSEMBLY SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL CONTINUED TO EMIT A LOUD WHINING NOISE, OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE RPMS TO INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 121,000.

NHTSA complaint #10462977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MANUFACTURING DEFECT PLACES THE PLASTIC INNER FENDER AGAINST THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE LINE. THE PLASTIC INNER FENDER IS ALLOWED TO RUB A HOLE IN THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE LINE. THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE LINE LEAKED DUE TO WEAR CAUSED BY THE PLASTIC INNER FENDER. LOSS OF BRAKES DUE TO A HOLE IN THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE LINE.

NHTSA complaint #10453979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

LEAKING BRAKE LINE. THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY THE FRONT LEFT PLASTIC INNER FENDER RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE. I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10450207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKE LOCKUP UNDER ABS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ENGAGED IN A BRAKING EVENT SUFFICIENT TO ACTIVATE THE ABS SYSTEM, ALL FOUR BRAKES LOCKUP AND DO NOT RELEASE UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED UNDER WINTER CONDITIONS (SNOW/ICE), IN THE RAIN AND IN THE DRY. THE INCIDENT IN THE RAIN OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TAKE AN EXIT RAMP OFF OF AN INTERSTATE. THE CAR BRIEFLY HYDROPLANED ENOUGH FOR THE ABS TO ACTIVATE, AND THEN WENT OUT OF CONTROL WITH THE TIRES LOCKED UP. THE CAR SLID OFF OF THE EXIT RAMP AND INTO THE GRASS, WHERE IT FINALLY CAME TO REST. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. THE INCIDENTS IN THE DRY TOOK PLACE DURING AN AUTO-CROSS ON A CLOSED COURSE AND WERE SUFFICIENT TO SEVERELY FLAT-SPOT THE TIRES. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME ABS IS ENGAGED UNDER HARD BRAKING. OCCASIONALLY, IT IS POSSIBLE TO DOWN-SHIFT AND "DRIVE THROUGH" THE BRAKES WITHOUT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE IS NO DASH LIGHT OR ANYTHING TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. THE REAR-WHEEL TONE RINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE FRONT-WHEEL TONE RINGS HAVE BEEN CLEANED. ALL FOUR SENSORS HAVE BEEN CLEANED AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS CHECKED FOR LOOSENESS.

NHTSA complaint #10358788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

AFTER A TWO-WEEK VACATION, I WAS GOING TO DRIVE MY 2003 FORD FOCUS TO WORK. AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY SOFT. THE REPAIR SHOP THAT DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE PROBLEM TOLD ME THAT I HAD A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH CONTROLS BOTH THE CLUTCH AND BRAKES. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF. REPAIR INCLUDED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER AND REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WAS COINCIDENCE OR NOT, BUT THEY ALSO DISCOVERED THAT MY REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS HAD ALSO "EXPLODED." REPAIR REQUIRED CYLINDER AND DISC REPLACEMENT. OLD PARTS HAVE BEEN RETAINED.

NHTSA complaint #10298021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WEAR DOWN FASTER THAN I CAN AFFORD TO FIX THEM. ROTORS ONLY LAST 1-2 MONTHS THEN BEFORE WARPING THEN I RIDE THEM OUT FOR ANOTHER MONTH (NO MONEY TO KEEP REPLACING) THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR 2 YEARS. I HAVE RECEIPTS AND MECHANICS PROOF. ITS CRAZY. I HAVE ALSO VERIFIED SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER CAR COMPLAINT WEB SITES WITH PEOPLE AND FORD FOCUS' - BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT MONTHLY. I CANT AFFORD THE REPAIRS BUT I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE MY BRAKES GO OUT COMPLETELY AND RISK THE HARM TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA complaint #10261002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STARTER FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE FLYWHEEL AND THE STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THIRTY TIMES FOR THE FOLLOWING FAILURES: BRAKES ROTORS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES; BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED; THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IT. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER THE DASHBOARD HAD TO BE REWIRED. THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE VALVES; THE REAR DOOR LATCHES WERE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL # 05V300000. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT CORRECTED THE NOISES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO COOPERATED IN FINDING A SUITABLE RESOLUTION. THE LAST PROBLEM FOUND BY THE DEALERSHIP WAS THE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE HEADS. THE ENGINE HEADS WERE ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #10168765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

SEVERAL PARTS FAILURES, INCLUDING ALTERNATOR, BRAKES, MUFFLER,TRANSMISSION, AND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER

NHTSA complaint #10163124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

OWNER OF A FORD FOCUS/2003. IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP AND HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED ($45.00) AS WELL AS PAY FOR REPAIRS ($183.00). CALLED FORD HEADQUARTERS AND TALKED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT BEING REIMBURSED. I ALSO MENTIONED THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH MY GAUGES. UPON STARTING CAR, GAUGES ARE ALL OUT OF WACK, SWINGING BACK AND FORTH AND LANDING ON ZERO. AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 15 OR 20 MINUTES THEY WILL POSITIONED AT THE RIGHT PLACE. THE REPRESENTATIVE SEEM TO ONLY CARE TO HEAR ABOUT ONE OF THE PROBLEM (IGNITION SWITCH) AND NOT THE OTHER ONE. I WAS PUT ON HOLD FOR A WHILE AND WHEN REP RETURN SHE TOLD ME TO CALL COMPANY THAT WAS REPAIRING MY FOCUS AND THEY WILL HELP ME IN THIS MATTER. I CALLED THE COMPANY AND THE GUY THAT EAGERLY TOOK MY MONEY STATED THAT HE WILL DO A CLAIM FOR ME AND HE STATED THAT I WILL GET SOME OF MY MONEY BUT NOT ALL OF IT BACK. IN CHECKING THE RECALLS I SEE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKUP IS ONE OF THEM. I ONLY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. MY WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED AND INSURANCE SAYS I MUST PAY $250 BEFORE THEY FIX IT, WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER, DRIVING SEEM DIFFICULT (HARD TO PULL), LIFTGATE WATER LEAKS, AND UPON PURCHASING MY CAR, BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING; I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT THAT THE BRAKES WERE NEW AND HAD TO BE BROKEN IN. WELL THEY ARE STILL SQUEAKING AFTER A YEAR IN A HALF. I NEED ALL OF THESE THINGS FIXED ON MY CAR, RIGHT NOW I AM A MONTH BEHIND IN CAR PAYMENTS (GOOD RECORD ON MAKING MY PAYMENTS), HAD TO USE THE MONEY TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10162343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT ON THE INNER SIDE AND ONLY HALF WORN ON THE OUTER SIDE. BOTH THE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. 06/01/06 UPDATED - CONSUMER BELIEVES BRAKE CALIPERS ARE DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10157674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING FOR 30 TO 45 MINUTES THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HUB IS HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE REAR BRAKES ARE MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE BOTH REAR BRAKES AND WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA complaint #10154759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT

MY CALIPERS HAVE FAILED TWICE ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS SEDAN. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2004 AS A END OF MODEL YEAR AND HAVE LOTS OF BRAKE AND ACCELERATION ISSUES. MY BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM DRIVING. THE CAR WON'T ACCELERATE AND MAKES A LOUD REVVING NOISE. I HAVE ABOUT 27K MILES ON IT AND THE CALIPERS FAILED AT 10K AND THE SECOND TIME AT 22K. IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE FORD MECHANICS SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT HAS HAPPENED. SO THE REASON IT FAILS HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED BUT THEY REPLACE THE CALIPERS. HOW THEY HAVE FAILED TO REPAIR THE BRAKE LIGHTS FROM COMING ON WAS TO REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE (BUT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEMS). THE BRAKES MAKE A SQUEALING METALLIC NOISE AND I WAS TOLD THAT WAS 'NORMAL' BY THE MECHANICS. AFTER BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OVER 10 TIMES I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC TO BRING MY PROBLEM TO FORD CO. WHEN I SAID THE CAR IS NOT SAFE AND THAT I WANT IT REPAIRED OR FOR THEM TO BUY IT BACK THEY SAID I WAS 'DOING' SOMETHING TO MAKE THE CALIPERS FAIL. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE WARRANTY!

NHTSA complaint #10153076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

MY CALIPERS HAVE FAILED TWICE ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS SEDAN. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2004 AS A END OF MODEL YEAR AND HAVE LOTS OF BRAKE AND ACCELERATION ISSUES. MY BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM DRIVING. THE CAR WON'T ACCELERATE AND MAKES A LOUD REVVING NOISE. I HAVE ABOUT 27K MILES ON IT AND THE CALIPERS FAILED AT 10K AND THE SECOND TIME AT 22K. IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE FORD MECHANICS SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT HAS HAPPENED. SO THE REASON IT FAILS HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED BUT THEY REPLACE THE CALIPERS. HOW THEY HAVE FAILED TO REPAIR THE BRAKE LIGHTS FROM COMING ON WAS TO REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE (BUT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEMS). THE BRAKES MAKE A SQUEALING METALLIC NOISE AND I WAS TOLD THAT WAS 'NORMAL' BY THE MECHANICS. AFTER BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OVER 10 TIMES I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC TO BRING MY PROBLEM TO FORD CO. WHEN I SAID THE CAR IS NOT SAFE AND THAT I WANT IT REPAIRED OR FOR THEM TO BUY IT BACK THEY SAID I WAS 'DOING' SOMETHING TO MAKE THE CALIPERS FAIL. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE WARRANTY!

NHTSA complaint #10153076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THERE IS A METAL TO METAL SOUND. AT 10,000 MILES THE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS MAKING THE SAME METAL TO METAL NOISE AGAIN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE OUTER PADS WERE AT 35%, BUT THE INNER BRAKES WERE METAL TO METAL. THE PADS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10151999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

ONE DAY MAY CAR JUST DIDN'T START, THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED- THE CAR HAS UNDER 49000- AND IT HAS ALREADY HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS! THE MASTER CYLINDER( FOR THE BRAKES) , THE IGNITION CYLINDER, AND SEVERAL PIECES HAVE ALREADY HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2003 FORD FOCUS!!! PLEASE RECALL THIS CAR! THE PARTS PUT IN THE FORD FOCUS 2003 DURING THE MANUFACTURING ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE!!!! AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE THEY MUST REPLACE THESE PARTS AND DEAL WITH ALL THE CONSEQUENCES. THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKES! DETAILS ON PROBLEMS: 1- MY CAR SHUTTERED STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD A BIT- AND SMELLED AS IF SOMETHING HAD BURNED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. ( THE IGNITION LIGHT CAME ON ) AT ALMOST 30000 MILES. TOOK IT INTO THE DEAL- THEY REPLACED A COIL- NAME UNKNOWN. 2- THIS TOOK SEVERAL TRIPS INTO THE FORD SERVICE DEPT- BECAUSE IT KEPT HAPPENING- BEFORE THEY WOULD ACTUALLY REPLACE THE COIL!!! 3- THE MASTER CYLINDER ( BRAKE SYSTEM) MALFUNCTIONED WITHIN 30000 MILES AS WELL!!! AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. 4- THE IGNITION CYLINDER- WITH 49000 MILES ON THE CAR- NOW HAS BEEN REPLACED- NO THANKS TO FORD!!! 5- THE TRUNK HAS NEVER CLOSED PROPERLY. I SLAM IT ONCE TO CLOSE, THEN I PULL UP ON IT TO CHECK IT'S ACTUALLY LOCKED, IT HASN'T- MAYBE ON THE THIRD TIME AFTER SLAMMING IT SHUT- IT WILL ACTUALLY CATCH AND CLOSE. THESE PARTS ARE ALL DEFECTIVE, AND IT'S UNJUST TO THE CONSUMERS!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10148072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

IN APRIL I HAD MY 30,000 MILE MAINTENANCE CHECK-UP. AT THE END OF NOVEMBER MY SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, WHICH I AGREED TO. THEY ALSO REPLACED MY ROTORS. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALERSHIP WITH REGARD TO THE ROTOR WEAR, WHICH I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND SINCE I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED 3,000 MILES EARLIER AND THE BRAKES WERE FINE, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS KIND OF WEAR IS NORMAL ON THIS VEHICLE, AND TO EXPECT TO HAVE TO REPLACE MY PADS AND ROTORS EVERY 15,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. IN ADDITION, I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THERE ARE TWO TSB'S (16685/17278) ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10145107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE PROBLEMS STARTED I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T CHANGE GEAR, THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WAS NEVER SEALED IN THEY TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE FIXED. THE FRONT WHEELS CLICK WHEN DRIVEN. THE BRAKES WENT OUT QUICK. THE BACK HUBS ARE SEALED FROM RUST. AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN GET MY DISABLED CHILD TO THE DOCTORS BECAUSE THE IGNITION HAS GONE COMPLETELY OUT. THE LOCKSMITH SAID I WAS LUCKY I WAS PARKED.

NHTSA complaint #10143296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN SEPT. 2003, BRAND NEW. THIS SPRING, WITH ONLY 23000 MILES ON IT, THE CAR BEGAN MAKING AN AWFUL GRINDING NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS, AT A PRICE TAG OF NEAR $400. OF COURSE MY WARRANTY DID NOT COVER IT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR, AND IN FORD FOR SELLING A CAR THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS A FAULTY, POORLY MADE BRAKING SYSTEM. ONLY 4 MONTHS AFTER THE INITIAL REPAIR, I HAVE BEGUN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AGAIN. I WILL ABSOLUTELY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. I AM VERY UNIMPRESSED WITH THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10139826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2003 FORD FOCUS, WHICH IN GENERAL HAS BEEN A PRETTY GOOD CAR TO ME, IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE WORRIES I'VE HAD ABOUT STOPPING! THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED SINCE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE (BRAND NEW) AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THE PADS AND THE ROTORS WERE GONE. NOT SURPRISED SINCE I HAD GRINDING AND SQUEAKING, BUT YET AMAZED THAT THE CAR WAS SO NEW WITH SO LITTLE MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE ALREADY HAVING AN ISSUE. WHEN THE CAR WAS FINISHED, IT DIDN'T SQUEAK OR GRIND FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS - BUT THEN WENT RIGHT BACK TO GRINDING AND SQUEAKING. I TALKED TO ANOTHER GIRL WITH AN 03 FOCUS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. WHY CAN'T ALL OF US WITH THE 2003 FORD FOCUS GET TOGETHER AND COMPLAIN TOGETHER? I AM STILL WORRIED EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT THAT ONE DAY IT WON'T STOP OR SOMETHING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE, FOR I PAY FOR THIS VEHICLE EVERY MONTH AND IT SHOULD BE SERVICED CORRECTLY. I ALSO ENCOUNTER MANY FORD ENGINEERS IN DEARBORN MICHIGAN THAT SAY THEY HAVE HEARD MANY REPORTS SUCH AS THIS. CAN I ASK WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT? THEY SAY THAT THE NEWER MODELS HAVE BETTER BREAK SYSTEMS... HOW DOES THAT HELP THE 2003 MODEL OWNERS?????? SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10137925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

DT: 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED FRONT WINDOW CAME OUT. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT. THEN, THE TRUNK STARTED POPPING OPEN, THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE SHE MOVED. THEY STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDSEDNEW BRAKE PADS. TE CONSUMER TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY THE FRONT TIRE. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A TIRE COMPANY, THEY FOUND THE FRONT ROTORS WORE OUT, AND THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERING PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. ALSO A PIECE WAS COMING OFF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE TWO DOORS ON THE DRIVER SIDE BETWEEN THE WINDOWS. THIS VEHICLE JUST WENT OVER 15,000 MILES WHEN SHE WAS LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. IN ADDITION, THERE IWAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WAS TOO HARD TO PULL BACK, AND IT SWERVED IN THE OTHER LANE. THE TRUNK WAS STILL COMING OPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10131539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

DT: 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED FRONT WINDOW CAME OUT. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT. THEN, THE TRUNK STARTED POPPING OPEN, THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE SHE MOVED. THEY STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDSEDNEW BRAKE PADS. TE CONSUMER TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY THE FRONT TIRE. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A TIRE COMPANY, THEY FOUND THE FRONT ROTORS WORE OUT, AND THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERING PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. ALSO A PIECE WAS COMING OFF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE TWO DOORS ON THE DRIVER SIDE BETWEEN THE WINDOWS. THIS VEHICLE JUST WENT OVER 15,000 MILES WHEN SHE WAS LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. IN ADDITION, THERE IWAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WAS TOO HARD TO PULL BACK, AND IT SWERVED IN THE OTHER LANE. THE TRUNK WAS STILL COMING OPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10131539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

I HAVE HAD TWO FRONT END ALIMENTS IN 20,000 MILES AND MY CAR HAS 23.454 MILES ON IT . ALSO NOW IT NEEDS NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THEM UNDER WARRANTY . THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS THAT SHOULD BE FIXED .

NHTSA complaint #10131067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.