2000 Ford Focus: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Suspension · 151,357 miles · OK

Rear wheel bearing went out , making horrible noise and grinding.

Filed May 31, 2012 · Body, Wheels · 135,000 miles · WI

The 2000 ford focus started making a grinding noise 3 weeks after purchasing it. The back riders side wheel bearing was bad. It has now been changed 3 times in less than 1 year and 6000 miles! We found there had been a recall on this same thing back in 2001,and was fixed. So its still going bad and ford wont stand behind it! Also the door handle wont work and that was a recall that was fixed too, also to bad so sad! Ford has turned into a very bad company to do business with!we have always had fords,but that's about to change!

Filed Jun 2, 2010 · Engine · 130,000 miles · WA

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact heard a grinding noise in the engine when she started the vehicle. The vehicle then stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileages were approximately 130,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2010 · Fuel system · PA

I bought the car in 2008 since then the car has stalled out on numerous occassions. I have replaced the wires and plugs twice, had the fuel injectors flushed out and have been without my car for many days having to leave it with the mechanic to try and solve this mystery. It wasn't until last week that we became aware that the fuel system was recalled. I had to replace the entire fuel modular system, pump and filter. So far this has resolved the issue. Needless to say over the past year of having this problem, I have spent close to $2000 in repairs for just this issue. I have also had 2 wheels fall off of the car due to the lower arm control snapping only to find out when I had those replaced that the other 2 would be doing the same thing within a matter of months so of course I had to replace those as well. Next is my brakes to be replaced due to the squealing noise they are making everytime I stop the car. I have put so much money into this car and I think it is absolutely ridiculous that these are not safety recalls. Having the car shut off while on the highway on quite a few occassions and wheels falling off of the car is very dangerous, I'm lucky to be alive and then I have to pay for all of these repairs out of my pocket which is just insult to injury. If there is a way to be reimburst for some of my expensives that I've paid just to feel safe in this car I'd like to know how to go about doing so.

Filed Mar 17, 2009 · Suspension · 52,000 miles · CT

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving approximately 35 MPH on normal road conditions, the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. Suddenly, the front end collapsed without warning. The vehicle exhibited front suspension failure and roadside assistance was called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The failure caused the struts to separate from the axle. The technician replaced both front struts, axle, and both sway bars. The failure mileage was 52,000 and the current mileage is 52279. Updated 04/16/09.

Filed Apr 10, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 90,982 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving 30 MPH, the contact heard a grinding noise. Minutes later, the front end of the vehicle collapsed. She pulled over and noticed metal hanging from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the garage and the mechanic stated that the front passenger side spring struts failed. The mechanic replaced the sway bar links, the inner tie rod, the cb boot, the driver side axle, and the front passenger side hub bearing. The current mileage was 90,982 updated 5/19/08

Filed Oct 17, 2007 · Wheels · 85,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the rear end of his vehicle. He took the vehicle to a local mechanic and the rear wheel bearings were replaced. Weeks later, the noise recurred, especially while applying the brakes. The manufacturer stated that they were aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v303000 (wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts). The failure mileage was 85,000 and current mileage was 90,000. Updated 12/12/07 *bf updated 12/12/07

Filed Jun 4, 2007 · Wheels · 10,141 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving at any speed, the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the wheel bearings needed to be replaced. She is unsure if the vehicle was repaired at that time. Approximately four years later, she experienced the same failure. The mechanic stated that there was a crack in the wheel bearing and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle has not been repaired. There is recall # 00v303000 (wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts). The dealer stated that her vehicle was excluded from the recall, although the contact feels it should be included. The current mileage is 58,000 and failure mileage was 10,141.

Filed Apr 30, 2007 · Suspension · 94,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving 25 MPH the vehicle began making a clunking noise, vibrating, and the right wheel began to make a grinding noise. The dealer stated that the wheel bearing separated from the hub. The vehicle was repaired. On november 2001 repairs related to recall#00v303000 was performed on the left wheel of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 94000, and the current mileage was 96,000.

Filed Nov 18, 2006 · Suspension, Wheels · 90,000 miles · CO

A "grinding" noise was heard when brakes were applied. Inspected brakes - found no problem. Within a few days the grinding noise turned into a constant "growling"/ "rumbling" noise. Re-inspected wheels/ brakes and found drivers side rear wheel to be loose / wobble (lug nuts were properly torqued). Closer inspection revealed that the hub/ wheel bearing assembly had "significant play". While the car was jacked up the drivers side rear wheel would go from "easily spun to nearly locked up". The "rear bearing retaining cap recall" was performed on this car years ago - we are the original owner of this car.

Filed Jun 13, 2006 · Suspension · MD

Left front suspension spring broke after riding over a manhole cover at low speed. The vehicle made a grinding noise and it was parked in the nearest parking garage. The damaged tired had to be removed and replaced with the spare to move the car back out of the parking garage to be towed. This tire was also damaged (however, the damage was less severe). The car was then towed to the nearest dealership. The coil spring cleaved under the rubber shielding and damaged the left front tire. If this had occurred at highway speeds, the tire would have punctured and caused significant damage and possibly injury/death.

Filed Apr 24, 2006 · Brakes, Wheels · 69,700 miles · MN

For almost one month, loud humming in front right and both rear wheels and loud rear squeaking on braking revealed, after 4/20/06 inspection, failed wheel bearings in our ford focus se 2000 in right front and both rear wheels. Both rear cylinders were leaking fluid and right brake drum was failing. Many of the ford focus vins issued during 2000-2001 manufacturing years had wheel-bearing failure issues and consequent recalls. We were informed by "maria" at ford motor company, today that our VIN was not one that had a wheel bearing issue. How, then, could three of our four sets of wheel bearings fail? Ultimately, failed wheel bearings can lead to wheel failure and detachment leading to injury or death. Why isn't the federal safety agency addressing this serious issue with ford, as the manufacturer appears to be sidestepping its ethical and legal responsibility in this matter. We spent over $1,000 on this repair. Nine months ago, our front coil springs failed, which could also have LED to a fatality. Ford assisted us then, but is doing nothing to help us now. Please note that because on ongoing teamsters strike, most ford dealer shops were unavailable to service customer service or supply needs at the time we sought service. We seek reimbursement for repair of wheel bearings, rear drums and cylinders/lining. Wheel bearing service reimbursement is essential.