2000 Ford Focus: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Oct 11, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 150,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance and was informed that the rear control arms and cradles were severely rusted and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Aug 16, 2013 · Suspension · 127,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the suspension dropped to the ground. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was stated that the ball joint had become detached from the control arm. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

Filed Jun 10, 2010 · Suspension · 96,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While the contact was driving approximately 25 MPH, there was a loud noise and suddenly the front driver side collapsed. The contact was able to continue driving with caution to an independent mechanic. The failure was contributed to the front driver side coil spring and strut. The technician also replaced both of the front strut assemblies. Recently, the front passenger side coil spring detached from the vehicle which caused the tire to blow out. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where both front strut assemblies were replaced twice. The rear coil spring was also defective. The coil spring and control arm were replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

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 Jan 20, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · 275 miles · VT

Dt: the consumer stated there were multiple problems with the vehicle. The brakes make noises and pulsated when the pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer where the brake light switch and ignition cylinder switches were replaced. The dealer also turned the drums, replaced the brake pads and resurfaced the front rotors. There was a vibration in the front end when braking. The lower ball joint, right wheel bearings, right front sway bar link, bone socket, steering rack column and tie rod ends were replaced in an attempt to remedy the problem. The tail light covers retained moisture and condensation built up. The dealer replaced the tail light covers and fuses that were blown due to the moisture. Lastly, the contact noticed the rear seat was loose and upon inspection the dealer discovered an anchor and hinge problem. The back hinge and pillar were replaced.

Filed Nov 7, 2005 · Electrical, Seat belts · OH

Ignition switch would "stick", since day of purchase...two months later, broken!! All the tumbler springs went out....$300!! To fix and one hour late to work. Passenger outer tie rod boot is shot and the tie rod will not come off!!! $45 to replace!!! Seat belt tensioner does not work properly at all!!!!

Filed Sep 6, 2005 · Suspension · 77,750 miles · WI

Dt: the front right passenger side coil springs broke. When this occurred it stopped the car and punctured the right front tire. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The repair bill cost $1000. The tie rod end was damaged along with the struts, upper bearing plates, front stabilizer rings, tire, a new right side axle, and control arm. They were replaced. The mechanic said there was a crack in the front coil springs that caused the aforementioned failures. In 11/04 there was a recall on the front coil springs and the consumer was notified by recall letter. Recall repairs had already been done in april when the incident occurred. Consumer took repair bill and recall letter to dealer, and they submitted it to ford. However, ford sent back a check for $480 but not the $1000 the consumer spent. They only paid for the coils and some other work, but claimed that some of the other repairs were unnecessary. The consumer wanted to file a complaint attempting to force ford to pay for all repairs that were done. *ak

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 107,829 miles · UN

I purchased my 2000 ford focus se from merlin motors in saskatoon. Production date - may 2/2000, stock no. Pp24941, r.o. No. 155631. I believe this car was previously owned by someone in british columbia. Here is a chronological breakdown of repairs. April 17/01 - took car in because driver mirror vibrated badly when driving - so badly that I could not look into it, it was shaking that much. Also, the trunk would not open from the release inside the car. Parts were ordered at this time. Vehicle kilometers- 32854. June 19/01 - they checked for driver mirror vibrating when driving and replaced driver side exterior mirror. The also checked for trunk not opening from the release inside the car, they replaced the trunk stop and adjusted. Vehicle kilometers- 35222 june 20/01 - they checked for power steering leak and replaced steering rack and set toe. Vehicle kilometers- 37782?? (this is obviously an error - I know I did not drive 2, 560 km in one day!) I also did not complain about the power steering and don't recall why my car was in there at the time. Sept 21/01 - they repaired rattle in right front going over bumps, tightened all assemble bolts in front end, removed right caliper and rotor, lubed all bushing, adjusted front splash shields, found tie rod bolt loose and tightened. They also fixed molding on window belt, which was loose and checked inside rear view mirror and found it flawed - part on order. Vehicle kilometers- 43170. Nov 3/01 - we were driving in saskatoon when engine started to boil. We knew this because of steam coming from the hood, all gauges in the car read normal! We took car to merlin - they could find nothing wrong with the car after their checks, and told us to bring it back if it happened again! Work order for this date states: customer saw steam coming from under hood, antifreeze pooled on engine, gauge read normal, steam coming from overflow tank - fill with a/freeze, pressure test for leaks, no leaks found.

Filed Jan 2, 2004 · Engine, Suspension · LA

While driving at any speed vehicle stalled without warning, also vehicle had problem with the ball joints and arms.

Filed Nov 5, 2003 · Steering · 35,749 miles · MI

Problems with vehicle's steering due to ball joint separation. *mr the consumer lost control of the vehicle. The incident was caused by an improper torque on the pinch bolt. The consumer requested reimbursement. The consumer received a recall notice several days later. *scc *jb

Filed Sep 4, 2003 · Acceleration, Brakes · 20,000 miles · WA · crash

Has been to shop for 26 days in the past 4 months. Repeated failure of clutch (manual transmission), failure of brake pads, resulting in minor crash. Have had to had ball joints replaced. Cruise control was disconnected from accerator/brake. Key would not go into ignition and resulted in key ignition switch having to be replaced. Numerous recalls and trips to shop since bought brand new in august 2003

Filed Jul 14, 2003 · Electrical, Suspension · NM

The recalls on vehicle had failed after mechanic indicated that the recalls were not needed in dry climate and refused to do them. Had taken vehicle back to dealership at least 3 times for repairs. The mechanic had supposed to have ordered parts each time but failed to do so. Needed parts for the battery cable (recall campaign #02v288000), the rear wheel bearings recall campaign #01i017000 and the ball joints. Parts were never ordered.