The rotors continued to fail on the vehicle.
2000 Ford Focus brakes complaints
Page 6 of 15: complaints 131 to 160 of 424, newest first, as owners wrote them.
There was a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle when the brakes were applied.
Faulty front braking system. Excessive wear and tear leads to premature brake and rotor replacement to insure safe, normal car operation.
When the brake was applied, there was a loud noise, and after the vehicle stopped several times, a hot metal smell appeared. *jb the dealer stated that the vehicle wasn't drivable, due to a potential fire hazard, and diagnosed the problem as stuck calipers. The brake pads and the calipers were replaced, and the rotors were resurfaced. (the hubcap had been slightly melted away from the caliper) scc
I have had numerous problems w/ my 2000 ford focus. The most severe is the brakes squealing and wearing out prematurely. They had to be replaced in the first year and a half of ownership and never stopped making noise. On a separate occasion the rear wheel bearings leaked fluid all over the brake pads which could have resulted in a deadly accident. I have been given a copy of a letter from ford motor co. From a ford dealership saying the brake noise is normal and can not be fixed and is not indicative of a problem with the brakes. Please do something to fix these cars, they are not safe!
Problems with brake equipment. The vehicle has been to the dealer at least 4 times for a crunching sound when driving over bumps.. The brakes squealed when they were applied, the consumer was told they were fixed, however the problem resurfaced.
There was a noise coming from the rear brakes.
I sent this letter to ford in may of 2000 I purchased a ford focus, thinking it would be a safe, low maintenance car, considering it had been in europe since 1997. I would think this would be plenty of time to work out any bugs you may have. Or, should I call them recalls. I think a car that has 16 recalls, most of them which I would consider safety issues, should be recalled entirely. I have had other issues with this car as well. My key would not turn, seat belts locking for no reason, door handles not opening the door (this is all happening again). And one that has not been addressed, brakes. I am now on my third set of front rotors since I have purchased the car. The same thing has happened every time. The driver side rotor and pad will wear completely down yet the passenger side will be just fine. I have talked to other focus owners and the same thing is happening. I still have my last set of rotors just to prove it. I got smart this time and bought replacements that were not made by you. Stop tech cross drilled rotors and ebc greenstuff kevlar pads. I also replaced the driver side caliper with a non-ford replacement. I want out of this car because I feel it is unsafe. I also would like to warn other focus owners that this car is unsafe. You also had better not send me to the dealership again. What does the dealership have to do with the production of an unsafe car? Nothing, except that they sell it. I am not putting up with ford pushing me around or giving me the run around either. This car is extremely unsafe and should not be on the road. I did not do this before but this time you leave me no choice. This letter will be sent to as many bad product websites as I can find. It will also be sent to the federal safety agency, consumer reports and the better business bureau. You did not do anything with my previous complaint and now there are more issues with this product that not only concern safety, but the life of the car. Something will be done.
The front rotors were worn, which caused extended stopping distance.
The front brake rotors were worn, which caused extended stopping distance.
When the brakes were applied, they locked up which caused extended stopping distance.
The rotors were replaced on 3 occasions.
Ford focus brake pads and rotor problems since 11,500 miles on vehicle, inspected and told nothing wrong, normal squeeking and grinding. My daughter feels that while driving the car the brakes are grinding and giving under her. We take it in for the 15k service and they tell us the brakes are fine at 15,600 miles inspected and told nothing wrong, normal with change of weather. Yesterday my daughter said the brakes were not holding and we took the car in for a wheel bearing recall for the rear brake system and at 18,000 miles, dealership says brake pads and rotors are completely gone! I have talked to the dealer and ford who say they will "cover" this $400 repair. My complaint is that this should have never occurred and could have cost my daughter, my son who rides in the car or me our lives. I feel they are very aware of this problem and chose to overlook their responsibility that could have cost my family our lives. Someone needs to make them accountable including the dealership who "inspected" the brakes and chose to lie to us on 2 other occassions. If ford has a problem then the dealerships are only compounding the problem with the possiblity of loss of life.
Ignition failed, had to be replaced, tires wear incredibly fast (4 sets of tires at 45000 miles), radio cut out, had to be replaced twice, brakes failed at least three times causing two accidents, dealership said they replaced them, but lied and never did, was forced to spend $500 having them replaced, trunk doesn't close, bad suspension, spun out on an exit ramp
Problems with ford focus brakes. It started squeaking after 10,000 miles. I took it in to the dealership and they said it was normal and to check back around 36,000 miles. Well, it's already at 36,000 and it is already grinding and sqeaking all the time, even when it's not raining. I took it in to a professional brake specialist and they wanted to charge almost $ 500 to replace the rotars, brake pads and shoes. They said it very unusual for a car with low miles to have the rotars replaced. I was not about to dish out that amount of money to replace them when they should be covered under my extended warranty.
Front brakes grinding. After taking for a brake inspection was told the car needs front rotors and pads and new cylinders on the back as it is leaking brake fluid. Ph
The brakes screeched very loud when applied, pads were replaced at 12000 miles, however problem still existed. Brake effectiveness was not reduced. Dealer advised the screeching noise was normal due to brake pads being semi-metallic.
I have a 2000 ford focus that I have had allot of problems with. I specially ordered this car to have all the safety features including side impact air bags, and anti loc brakes. We originally had bought the car in ca. The first problem happened at 3000 miles the rear brakes started squealing, and the seat belt buzzer wont go off. We took it to ford were they said nothing was wrong. We moved to nc were we now live. Took it back to ford with the same complaint this now 30,000 miles. They said they were defective, they had the car over night for the seat belt buzzer, still no problem found. So they replaced the brakes. When we picked up the car the seat belt buzzer did the job of staying on for us. It stopped the squeal problem with the brakes. 1 1/2 weeks later we had an accident. Whitch I might add the air bags did not go off. Also in the accident the rear seat came unhinged and threw a plastic piece that holds the seatbelt at the back of her head causing a lump. My wife said the brakes just didn't work as they did previously with the noise. I took it out for a test drive found the brakes were not acting right, the car would not stop properly. Took it back to ford, they told us that everything was fine. A friend of ours was a ford mechanic at a different dealership was going to look at it for us, he was killed that week in a car accident un-related. So we lost our inside mechanic to tell us what was really happening. Now at 50,000 miles the noise is back, my wife who drives the vehicle says every once in a while the brakes will act up again. Now we just don't have the time nor the patients to deal with the dealerships once again for now the fan blower only works on 3 on the dial and the cable broke to select def, vents, ect. Along with the recall of the wiper motor, and the neeeding of new roters on the front. This car to me is a lemon.
The key would not turn once in the ignition and was difficult to remove, the dealer replaced the ignition tumbler. The consumer has also replaced the brakes, tires and radiator deflector.
Fumes in passenger compartment whenever heat or air conditioning on. Dealer claims smells nothing and also rotors on brake drums are minimum required by law without having to be replaced even though they have never been machined or scarred. Dealership says they are aware of problem but ford has done nothing about it and rotors aren't under warranty even though they are defective
Consumer stated vehicle has been service five times in the past two years for poor brake ware under ten thousand miles dealer replace brakes problem returns. Please provide further information. Ts
Consumer has experienced many problems with this vehicle. There is occasional grinding noises when braking suddenly, the brake pedals squeak, the transmission jumps out of gear, there are problems when accelerating, the vehicle stalls when driving above 55 MPH, the cruise control is inoperative, and various electrical problems. *jg
Consumer was exiting a parking garage and placed vehicle in reverse. Without warning, car suddenly accelerated and rear tail spun around 2 times then hit a parked vehicle. Consumer did apply brakes with no success. Ph insurance company informed dealership that there were two recalls that dealt with a defective throttle and speed control which was not performed on the vehicle prior to the accident. Other problems included weezing noise while turning. Power steering racked failed and replaced. Lack of power steering in steering wheel. Rear brake pad replacement. Rear wheel bearing noise. Defective wheel bearings replaced. Tire punctured and replaced. Hesitation on acceleration. Fuel pump and gasket replaced. Tires rotted out. Key stuck in ignition. Replaced malfunctioned shifter assembly. Trunk lid wouldn't latch. Latch replaced.
I bought my ford focus 2000, brand new in july of 2000. Since then, I've had the wheel bearings replaced twice, the rear door stopped latching and I had to drive it to the dealer with my son holding the door shut, my alternator had to be replaced and still the lights get dim when I turn on the heater, the plastic and rubber door molding started coming loose and falling off right after I bought the car, the brakes have never stopped squealing, and now my key is stuck in the ignition and it won't come out. Every time I take my car to a dealer, they always say the same thing "oh, that is common with the ford focus". After reading all of the consumer complaints, I guess you could say these problems are common with the ford focus. I've had nothing but problems with this car and expect to experience many more because so far the track record for the ford focus is extremely poor. After reading the numerous complaints, I hope ford is forced into recalling the ignition cynlinder or switch whichever is to blame for the key to becoming stuck in the ignition and the wheel not locking while the car is in park. Ts
Both front rotors were cupped and tapered, the dealer suggested that the brake pads were too hard for the rotors which caused unusual wear. In less than 3 years, 27,736 miles the transmission has slipped 6-8 times, the vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to duplicate the problem on two different occasions. Nlm
Consumer states that rear brake cylinder is leaking fluid. The brake pads have large metal deposits in them and the front rotors are worn excessively and not able to be turned because the are under specifications. Ts
Vehicle stalled for 3-5 seconds in a right hand curve. No check engine lights or other indicators. Called dealership and they have not heard of any other complaints and want to charge me to check the computer in the car. Car has also stalled and died when approaching stop lights but restarted first try. Brakes also make a loud high pitch squeal at all times. I am contacting ford for assistance. We will see how far I get. Ts
Consumer called complaining about having problems with the electrical system on the vehicle. Also stated that the power windows does not work also the power locks on the vehicle do not work. Dealer was contacted and vehicle was taken to the shop on three different times and it was finely fixed but consumer still thinks that the vehicle still has different issues. Ts the brakes squealed, and the vehicle would shut off when the brakes were applied hard, and the vehicle would have to be placed in park in order to restart. A fuse was replaced and had blown again, there was a short ground in the wire on the rear passenger door shorting to the ground, recall 00s50/deck lid wire harness, and two door lock actuators were replaced. Scc
Continued problems with ford 200 focus zts. Bearings, electircal system, brake and paint issues among others.
1 week after purchase took in for brakes and rotors, 3 months later same thing, two months following ignition locked along with A/C not working need another lining, right now ignition is trying to lock again needs calipers brakes rotors car is stalling mechanic just made me aware that the two tires on the right has four lug wheels two tires on the left has five lug wheels. The car sounds horrible no money to repair all these problems fell like I have to pay for something that's not even drivable ford will not do anything or dealer still covered under factory warranty I believe deep in my heart they sold me a lemon I know there's no way a car should have four, five lugs it means that they salvage the car threw it back together and had it sitting waiting for the first sucker! Me but I'm going to try to fight this all the way no matter what it takes. Dt
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