2000 Ford Focus: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed May 17, 2014 · Tires · 139,197 miles · NJ

Complaint againt general altimax rt tires, size 195/60r15. Extreamly large bubbles in sidewalls in 3 out of 4 tires on our 2000 ford focus. I just purchased the 2 front tires 4/2/2014 and the back 2 tires july 2013.. 1 tire, right rear went flat the other day, found large hole in sidewall of tire, it apeared nothing had puntured the tire. I did not think nothing of it at 1st. Took car to ford dealer to have tire repaced, which they did. While at the ford dealer, they point out large bubbles in the sidewalls of both front tires, those 2 tires were just purchased a little more than 1 month ago and only driven 2870 miles. I called geneal tire company and they said to contact the seller of the tire, tire seller says to see the tire company to get addressed. The tire bubbles are very large and a dangerous condition, these tires could explode at any time, the car could not be driven with these tires. I just purchased 2 tires of a different brand for the front of the car, while I fight with general tire company. I worked as a technician for a ford dealer for over 20 years, as my prior profession. I have never seen tires for huge bubbles like these general tires. These general tires are safety hazzard and should be recalled and I would not recommend them to anyone. I will never buy general tires again.

Filed Mar 14, 2011 · Steering · 125,196 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began shaking severely. The contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle as a tire blew and the contact barely missed crashing into a tree. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the tire and hub bearing. The repair did not correct the failure and the vehicle would continue to wobble excessively. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 125,196.

Filed Oct 2, 2010 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · FL

Ignition key will not turn on our 2000 ford focus. I have lubricated the lock mechanism for several years after learning of this problem, prior to having mine occur. Sometimes key will insert but not turn. Other times key will not fully insert. In both cases I am left stranded. Key problem is not affected by position of steering wheel, shift lever interlock position, etc. Problem appears to be within the key-tumbler mechanism. With such wide spread knowledge of this problem, why hasn't ford done a voluntary recall? This problem could occur during a life-threatening situation e.g. Rush to hospital., robbery attempt, etc. The reported frequency of incidents, as viewed on internet sites, would indicate a magnitude in excess of ford's previous SUV-tire failure rollovers. The key issue is more than an inconvenience, it is a safety issue!

Filed Jul 19, 2010 · Suspension · 67,000 miles · NY

I was driving on the highway at about 50 MPH and heard a loud pop. At first I believed it to be a tire blow out so I pulled over. On closer inspection, it was the left front coil spring that had broken and was rubbing against the tire. Had I not pulled over, the coil spring would have fully punctured the tire and caused a blow out. Ford issued an extended warranty for this issue but denied my request because my vehicle's extended warranty had expired the previous year. I don't understand why this is not a safety recall, a broken spring can easily cause an accident.

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 Feb 11, 2008 · Body, Locks · MI

Trunk latch fails to catch 95% of the time. Trunk key fails to turn lock most of the time. This problem has existed since the car was purchased in 2000. There was no event leading to this failure. I believe the trunk lock materials are corroding just like the rear passenger doors which were recalled. The trunk lock should be recalled. This problem is clearly the result of faulty manufacturing materials. I requested dealerships perform repairs and they told me that ford headquarters has failed to issue a recall . Why? The federal safety agency should make this happen. The consequence of a failed trunk lock/latch is that the trunk door will pop open -- allowing things to fly out of the trunk and fly into on coming traffic endangering others as well as block rear window vision. This could cause fatalities to both the vehicle driver and near by vehicles. . The hubcaps have cracked and broken off in pieces during cold weather while parked (ie., the hubcaps were not struck by exogenous rocks or anything else). This is clearly the fault of substandard manufacturing materials. Ford motor company employees at headquarters have stated this to me. Ford motor company should replace the hubcaps at no charge to the customer. Exogenous materials can hit the unprotected tires, cause a blow out. It is not right to make the customer pay for substandard materials. I could take a wild guess that the wheel wells -- on my car -- replaced directly by the vice president of engineering from the warren plant -- did not look at the stress and hair line cracks he faulty wheel wells placed on the original hub cabs. It's time to finish the job! Ford motor company's employees have stated to me that the 2000 year model (the first year this vehicle was transitioned from european manufacturers) manufactured in the warren plant did not perform the necessary quality control to ensure that these materials functioned in cold weather climates.

Filed Oct 3, 2007 · Suspension · 60,829 miles · NY

2000 ford focus tire blew out. Customer states she was informed after the repair of the vehicle that there was a silent recall on the coil spring. She stated that the coil spring broke causing the tire to blow out. *kb the consumer stated she was notified by ford that they were not going to be reimbursed for the repairs. The consumer provided a copy of the silent recall issued by ford pertaining to the vehicle.

Filed Jan 2, 2007 · Suspension · 72,000 miles · NJ

Driving on rt 80 at 65 MPH the passenger front coil spring failed causing the coil spring to rub on the tire and damage it. However, the bf goodrich sidewall was strong enough to allow the car to be driven slowly to a ford dealer about 1.5 miles away. Both front coil springs were then replaced per the earlier the federal safety agency agreement with ford. The coil springs were left with dealer. As the coil failure could have caused a high speed blow out, in my opinion, ford should replace all 2000 to 2003 focus front coil spring in stead of free replacement when they fail per ford's 03m02 customer satisfaction program.

Filed Jun 8, 2006 · Tires · TX

Tire separation/cracking linglong l688 tires 205 40 zr 17.

Filed Dec 20, 2004 · Electrical, Suspension · 52,000 miles · SC

After having the vehicle serviced on two different recalls vehicle performed poorly. The first recall was for battery wiring corrosion. Currently, the battery failed. The second was for the pin bolt controls. Steering wheel shook, and the two left front tires were replaced for extensive wear, and a blow out. The tires were replaced, and the vehicle aligned. However, vehicle continued to wear out, the tires and the steering wheel shook. Manufacturer offered no solution. No recalls found. *ak.....also, was experiencing problems with decreased power. Consumer objected to paying for repairs.

Filed Jun 14, 2004 · Tires · 44,313 miles · CA · crash

My son was almost killed along with drivers on the freeway below the overpass he was on when a 2 week old tire blew and he instantly lost control of the vehicle. In viewing this tire, I found it to look as if it has dry rot all around it. Little tiny holes underneath the treads all around as if eaten away by termites or something. For a new tire it is older looking than the other 6 month old tires. I know no one who would lab test the material, but in my gut something is very wrong with it. It blew from underneath a thick new tread that has no punctures on top. It is a firestone/firehawk p205/50r16, dot# w2w11tb0804. My car is a total loss, but my son made it through ok thank god. I took it to the dealer mgr I purchased it from and he outright disagreed and started to take the tire from me saying he would have thier lab test it, but I have little trust for thier lab. I need help in reviewing this. I have no car and I feel it is because of an accident caused by a defective tire. Insurance does not pay comprable to the vehicle you had. I had only one last payment to go. My son and many other people could have been killed. Buying tires is like a game of russian roulette with life and death. It seems we all just accept that fact.

Filed Jan 28, 2004 · Brakes, Tires · 2,500 miles · KY

I bought my focus in 2000. Since then I have suffered 2 blowouts that neither ford or firestone would fix. I've had brake pads replaced once and now have to have brakepads and rotor replaced. Sometimes the key won't turn the ignition. And of course this morning (one of the coldest days we've had) something has gone wrong with the heater.