2000 Ford Focus: transmission slipping

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · NY

I have been hearing funny clunking noises from the motor at highway speeds and more recently the engine cuts out when driving, almost like it slipped out of gear. People have looked at it but they says its fine, its done it 4 times already and its kind of getting old.

Filed Sep 26, 2003 · Brakes, Transmission · DC

Automatic transmission slips gears while driving causing the vehicle to jerk. Also, a squeaking noise is heard when applying pressure to the brake pedal. Dealer attempted to fix the transmission and the brakes but has not remedied the problems.

Filed Aug 12, 2003 · Transmission · 00

Vautomatic transmission slipping gears while driving. Dealership did a diagnostic test.

Filed Feb 21, 2003 · NC

I purchased a 2000 (4dr) ford focus wagon se on 06/17/00 and I have had nothing but trouble ever since. Here is a list of my complaints constant clicking and screeching noise when I turn or go over a bump sounds as if the car has arthitis problems sometimes my car will not start until after 3 or 4 attempts left back window will not roll down & although I have not heard it since summer the windows make noise when operated like glass rubbing against metal lubericate all of the car doors once a month because they screech extremely loud when opened or shut I have been in almost 4 accidents because of the enormous amount of severe blind spots on both the l & r sides of the car night driving bad - the car sits at a downward angle which allows rear vehicles headlights to blind you with your own rearview and side mirrors - this makes visibility impossible & very dangerous a sour-vinegar like smell appears sometimes on 02/23/02 @ sears auto center I had to replace my tires due to bowed/buckled - odometer was at 22114 - paid out of my pocket to replace tires $508.46 mechanic could not explain why this happened but instructed me to call ford & get reimbursed for the tires - I was told it was normal wear and tear no reimbursement. I do not feel this is a direct tire issue but a cause issue from the car itself saftey recall 00s31 everytime I hit a puddle after rain the engine makes a screaming sound & loses some power. After take the car hesitates like it slips into neutral gear? What is going on? Why is ford not held responsible for a bad product and a total recall on the car itself? This car has numerous complaints, ford does not give you a loaner for its bad product & the most they will say is we are sorry to inconvenience you or we apologize for this situation. I do not want their sympathy I want a car not just priced at 19,750.97 but valued at $19,750.97. I want a car that is safe & reliable!

Filed Dec 26, 2002 · Brakes, Transmission · 27,736 miles · CA

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

Filed Nov 6, 2002 · Brakes, Electrical · CO

I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle just last month the cable and motor in the rear passenger side door window burned up and now will cost over $600. To fix I can not get the front rack & pinion fixed because it will cost $1800.00. The transmission is going out now it slips out of gear sometimes not at all. I just got the brakes repaired for the third time in may and they are again squeaking. I have all of my receipts for work done to this car. I am now having to put power steering fluid in once or twice a week. The automatic locks on the doors lock and unlock all the time, and the electric instruments turn off by themselves. (radio) the driving lights go out at times and will not come back on. Please help me, I am a single mother and have complained to courtesy ford they want to charge me diagnostic $90.00 for each item I am complaining about and then the amount it will take to fix all of the things wrong. This vehicle I just recently found out has had six different owners before me and one was rental car company. I do not know who the rest of them were. Courtesy ford had said there was only one owner. They will not listen to me and now the focus' have a front suspension recall that may have been the problem the whole time with the brakes and the tire replacements and the power steering problems.!!! Please help me. Dt

Filed Oct 8, 2002 · Transmission · NC

While traveling on the highway and without prior warning the transmission start slipping and downshifting. The dealership is aware of the problem.

Filed Aug 26, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · NY

In april of 2000 the first problem was encountered when the car lost electrical power and went on auxillary power- I was towed to the dealer and the alternator was found to be the cause of the power failure - both alternator and battery were replaced with no further problems to report as of yet. Second problem encountered while idling I noticed the fan was not turning on to cool the engine down- I brought car to dealer in january of 2002 where I was told that there was a problem with the fan relay switch which was replaced to my satisfaction. No further problems have surfaced with cooling system. Thirdly and most troubling is my experience with the automatic transmission. I had noticed the transmission slipping in early 2002 (jan) and had the dealer look at it- they told me the fluid level was low and added a quart and test drove - immediate afterwards changed gears great - as time went on I noticed it again- I made an appointment with the dealer- before the appointment the car started worsening until complete transmisiion failure occured. The car was towed to dealer wher it was worked on for about 3-5 days - a new transmission was supposed to be installed (4/2002). 2000 miles later and 4 months same problem surfacing again!! I have an appointment in the morning hopefully the problem will be addressed. I believe this problem is a safety concern and an accident waiting to happen- so far I have been lucky enough to escape injury or death. There are over 60 incident reports listed on the federal safety agency 's web site for transmission failures and I believe someone needs to look into this matter further. I am considering legal options as well as a simple yet effective way of voicing my opinions through never purchasing a ford again!!!

Filed Aug 13, 2002 · Transmission · TX

While traveling on highway there is a clunking noise coming from the front and rear underneath the vehicle, transmission slips and doesn't shift properly. Dealership is aware of problem.

Filed Jun 18, 2002 · Transmission · CA

Transmission has been replaced three times already due to transmission slipping and making noise when driving. Contacted dealer, and dealer cannot find cause of problem.

Filed Feb 28, 2002 · Body, Brakes · FL

There is a very bad squeaking noise when braking, and when consumer lets off the brake there is a grinding noise. Driver states more than twice brake pedal was applied, and pedal went to the floor. Ford has been contacted.*ak.also consumer was complaining of the transmission slipping, the cigarette lighter was not working, cup holder bubbling, serpentine belt was replaced due to a squeal coming from under the hood, gas light was coming on when the tank was full of gas, door ajar light was coming on, starter and battery were replaced, driver sider mirror knob fell off, RPM runs high, headlamp molding was replaced, sunvisor was broke, rear child seat latch cover was broke, air conditioner and heater were replaced, passenger door trim, driver seat metal bar, rewind button for am/fm cassette was inoperative, carpet loose, pillar trim was coming off, ticking noise was coming from the front of vehicle, the egr valve ws replaced, rear tail light was out, the bulb was replaced, deck lid wire harness, a new fuel tank was installed due to the engine light illuminating, the front and rear brakes have been replaced due to warpage, also the speedometer stopped working.

Filed Feb 26, 2002 · Body, Brakes · FL

When applying brake pedal it would go to the floor, also brakes will grind. Rotors had to be turned, and brakes were replaced 7 times, but the problem reoccurred. *ak transmission slips and jerks and rpms jump. No problem found. Consumer hears loose gravel sound from right front wheel area. Dealer found wheel well loose. Dealer found serpentine belt failed causing whistle squeal under hood. Gas light on with full tank and door ajar light is on. Dealer replaced battery. Evaporative hose loose. Dealer removed and installed fuel tank. Cigarette lighter not working. R-cup hold bubbling. Driver side mirror knob falls off. Rear child seat latch cover in broke. Front driver seat metal fell out. Both headlamps moulding fall out. Sunvisor mirror/bracket moulding on passenger side between door / dash loose. Broken. Right outer AC vent broken. Loose carpet on right front floor. Pillar trim coming off. Deck lid wire harness had tp be replaced. Clicking noise from l/h front of vehicle. Egr valve replaced. Left rear tail lamp is out. Engine light is on. Problems with rewind button for am/fm cassette.