On our ford focus, the exterior door handle, on the front driver's side does not work. You can reach in the window (or lean over ctr console) to pull the handle and open it. The handle on the outside is stuck in the full pulled out position, and cannot be forced in even. The back door started not working periodically. I thought the problem on the back door may be the child safety locks being on. I opened the rear door, inserted the key, and rotated it. As far as I could tell, there was no change. You could pull on the inside, and outside handle, and the mechanism seemed to be working, so I closed the door ....before changing the rotation back. Now, the door will not open from the inside or outside. This concerns me if there were an accident, or fire, the person in the back seat may not be able to exit. I would like to know if there is a way to reset the child door locks-without opening the door (since the door will not open)?
2001 Ford Focus body complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 60, newest first, as owners wrote them.
On our ford focus, the exterior door handle, on the front driver's side does not work. You can reach in the window (or lean over ctr console) to pull the handle and open it. The handle on the outside is stuck in the full pulled out position, and cannot be pushed in. The back driver's side door started periodically started having problems opening. I thought the problem with the back door may be due to the child safety locks being engaged. I opened the rear door, inserted, and rotated the key. As far as I could tell, there was no change. You could pull the handle on the inside, and outside, and the mechanism seemed to be working, so I closed the door ....before changing the rotation back. Now, the door will not open any, from the inside, or outside. This is a great concern because if there was an accident, or fire, the person in the back seat may not be able to exit this vehicle. I would like to know: is there a way to reset the child safety locks, without opening the door (since this door will not open)?
Sunday 05 jan 2014 I had recently parked my car, turned it off, and was outside of my vehicle (2001 ford focus) when I began to notice smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. I was confused at first, as the car was completely off for a few minutes before any problems began. Within a matter of two minutes the smoke had increased, thickened, and began to smell. My friend was nearby and had noticed that something was not right. He came over and we both took a couple steps toward the front of the car to figure out what was going on. Immediately flames burst up from the hood. At this point we instantly ran from the vehicle, dialing 911. The flames got worse as we waited from a distance for the fire department to arrive. At this point I was unsure as to whether the car would completely blow up or not, as the flames became worse with every minute. The fire department arrived within approximately five minutes. They were able to put the fire out in a few minutes, but had to break the window and then pry the hood open in order to do so. After the fire was completely out and the scene was safe I was able to talk with the firemen. They showed me under the hood and said the fire seemed to be something electrical and looked as if it had started near the front right of the vehicle under the hood (somewhere close to the passenger headlight). They also explained, as I had already assumed, that the vehicle was unsalvageable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that the liftgate wires failed. There was also a crack in the seam of the liftgate window and rain water was able to enter the veihcle. The failure caused the wires to short and melt. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the wiring needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 128,000.
Heard clunking noise-rear subframe is completely rotted and broken on both sides.
Rear door will not stay latched and swings wide open.
My last oil change I was inform the front subframe is badly rusted, to the point the mechanic could push a screw driver through it in spots. He informed me that driving it was a major safety risk, as the frame could fail, causing an accident. He said ford has not issued a recall. They must be waiting for a higher body count when the front end of the car fails while going down the interstate.
On may 9, 2011 my car went for emergency repairs to bill wilcox's charlon ford agency of ridgecrest, ca. After $1725 repairs, I experienced a reduction in mileage, dropping from 30-31mpg to 25-26 mpg, a 17 to 18 % drop. That began immediately, with the initial purchase of gas - in visalia; and, it was later confirmed was caused by the improper use of a torch on a suspension cross member. The car was taken to rob holbrook's auto crew in clearfield, utah, checked for undercarriage damage and evidence that charlon ford's repairs caused the problems. He is a licensed safety inspector for the state of utah. Widespread damage to that main cross member, where the attachment for the rear motor mount is affixed to that portion of the sub frame, was confirmed. The sub frame was quite distorted, bowed in and out, and exhibited evidence that the mount had been removed by use of a torch so the rear dog bone motor mount could be replaced. Deformation of that cross member and resultant changes to the suspension were the reasons for low mpg and tire wear because of improper camber. Bill wilcox, stated to california bar that toe-in was only adjusted while the camber was overlooked or could not be adjusted. But, the use of a torch to this unit is not called for - unless it is to replace that unit. Leaving the suspension cross member in that condition, leads to a stress point that could lead to cracking and tearing, and could prematurely cause rusting which weaken those attachments to the suspension. If repairs are made it is imperative that it and surrounding structures be returned to proper dimensions. But problems arise when improper heat affects strength and creates permanent softness and increasing brittleness. The cross member had to be replaced and a new alignment performed - at a cost of $851.74.
The latches on three of the doors either do not latch which makes the door fly open or it latches and doesn't open, after inspection the latches are so corroded with rust that they do not work at all. Before I realized that the door wasn't latching I had a propane tank for a grill in the back seat when I made a right hand turn and it hit the door and the door flew open and the tank went flying down the street and almost hit a pedestrian. There have been recalls on this but my VIN # isn't on the recall but should be! I was quoted over $800 to fix the doors. This is a safety issue and I shouldn't have to pay for it.
Hi, I recently went to a ford dealership to get an oil change on my 2001 ford focus, so when they lifted my car up to change the oil they noticed something that was a major problem, my front subframe had about a half a foot diameter hole in it because it had completely rusted out, it was all corroded and they said that if I had hit a pot hole in the road that it could have broken in half and the front end would fall straight to the ground because the front subframe holds up the whole front of the car. I think this should be a recall because this is a major safety risk to all drivers of some ford focus because they may not know about this, because I would have never known about this unless they had told me at the dealership. I can send some pictures of the subframe if you like. I just want to make sure no one gets seriously injured because of this front subframe rusting away, I was told by ford that the front subframe should last the life of the car, but apparently that wasn't the case for mine. I am getting it repaired as soon as possible because of the safety risk it can cause. Thank you for your time reading this.
Driving down the highway our children rolled down the back power windows and they would not go back up - swerved into other lane trying to contain the situation because of the noise from the traffic has to exit the highway immediately to note that the windows would no longer go up - had to manually push them up to keep them up - although while driving they will go back down - which cause a jump in reflexes. To temporarily fix the problem we have applied duct tape. Also when it rains there is now water accumulating on the passenger floor board and spreads to the back seat floor board - has door seals checked and will replace although this is a real health concern because of rust and mold.
2001 focus 112k mi. Bought from local ford dealer, 1 yr old w, 21k on it. A recent inspection by my own mechanic tells me that the rear sub frame is rotted and it is dangerous to drive it. Especially at highway speeds. The local dealer laughed when I inquired about a nine year old car w/ rusted frame.
I have had my ford focus wagon for three years now. I had to repair a alot of things on this car! Tranny, alternator, fuel pump, timing belt, and the only door that opens from the outside is the passenger right front, which my kids have to climb through to get to the back because both back doors broke not even four months from the day I bought it. Also the driver door only opens from the inside because of the companies defected car door handles. My friend has the same car, and its the same way. Not mentioning how everytime I stop it dies out and I have to try and keep starting it. It seems there is always something wrong with it.
Ignition sticks and moves around, horn fell completely out from under the car and hit someone's car, the fan box and all fell completely off and down, backfiring stalling rattling vibrates front right side around tire area rattles horribly, check eng. Light stays on mass air flow sensor is bad transmission sensor is bad lighter stopped working car completely goes dead spits sputters, manifold pipe broke so now its loud. Its all day long non stop period we have replace several sensors and tubes and wires for it doesn't work not getting the gas mileage I should and I have had it 11 months but hardly dove it 3 total all together I cant afford any thing else to fix these problems 3 days after I bought it its been pure ?!@#$%.
Water leaks onto the passenger side floor in the front.. Apparently from a defective seal on the bottom of the windshield.
On 10/3/08 I was changing oil on my 2001 ford focus with 60000 miles and noticed rust holes through the front subframe, which holds the motor, lower wheel control arms to the car body. It is a very crucial part that should last the life of the car. I took the car to the dealer and they said the frame was defective and that if I hit a large bump that the frame may break in half and that it was unsafe to drive. The dealer said that the car is out of the warranty period and there was nothing they could do about it. I called ford and they said the same thing. This repair was estimated by the dealer to be around $900.00. The car is being repaired as I write this. I feel that this is a defective part ford has used and they should inspect and replace the part on this model before one does break and someone gets hurt.
Water leaks into passenger floor when it rains I have had to dealer twice still not fixed now warranty has run out.
Water leak into the front passenger foot well. Started in july, went back to the dealer three times, final time was told it needs to go to a body shop, possible defective body panel issues?
Dt*: the contact stated three of the doors on the vehicle will not open and the driver door will not stay closed. The dealership has been alerted.
Dt: 2001 ford focus - the consumer received manufacturer's recall 05s27 concerning corrosion of the rear doors in march 2005. Called the dealership, and they said that this recall did not affect this vehicle because it was not a hatch back car. Contacted the manufacturer, and they said the same thing; this would not effect this vehicle. The rear driver's door will not close due to the corrosion.
While driving 35 MPH driver's side door flew open.
The first problem that I started to have with my 2001 ford focus began less than a year after I bought it. The left rear window went out first, then about a week later the right rear window went out. I think the gears were faultily manufactured. When at a ford dealership for a recall, I was told I would have to pay about $350 per window to fix the problem, money I do not have because I have to save up to fix another problem with this car. The second problem is concerning the electrical system. Everything in my car powered by electricity flickers on and off. When I try to roll up my remaining windows or turn on the A/C, the radio will go static, the headlights flicker, the ABS light pops on, etc. I have talked to numerous focus owners who have had similar problems. They have been told by ford dealers that it is this or that and paid a lot of money to fix the problems, but the problems never went away. I am just waiting for my ignition to go out, that is another common problem I have heard of with this lemon of a car. The ford focuses need to be recalled, we should all get our money back! How many people is ford going to rip off and kill before they are finally held accountable? I cannot afford to fix all the problems I am having and will have in the future, especially since my warranty was conveniently up just a month before I started having these problems. I would like to be e-mailed back with some information on what I can do. Can I declare this car a lemon and make them buy it back from me? I have corresponded with ford via e-mail and it has gotten me nowhere. Please help us!!!
While driving 65 MPH engine mount bolts snapped in half. As a result, the engine fell onto the axle, which damaged part of the axle.
The passenger side rear door fails to stay shut, even when locked. The door flings open while driving.
My question regards to see if there is a recall about water in the passenger side floor. But there is nothing wrong with the car. Its just that water comes into the passenger floor when it raining. Example= driving for a while when it is raining the floor becomes wet. But after it dries out, there is no water. Even on sunny days. I hope what I've typed makes since. Because that is the best that I can explain it. Thank you for your time. Rodney ray note''''' there was no accident so the one that is in the incident date is not for real''''''''''''''''''''because this site won't lety me pass without one.
While driving from a parking lot doors locked. Doors were inoperative, except driver's side door. Also, horn started to blow and the driver was not able to stop it.
The trunk collapsed on the consumers head due to the hydraulic lifts failing. The consumer was injured and had to get stitches. *jb the consumer had the lifts replaced twice prior to the failure.
There is just to much paperwork to copy out, but would like to mail copies. I am going to pick up car this afternoon just had second fuel pump fitted and new gas tank. To date no recall info received by post. However I have been drenched with gas on more than one occassion while filling car. I have nearly been killed when car cut out at 55mph on highway narrowly missed by two other motorists. Vehicle has 38,000 miles & has had the following repairs. 1/countless engine sensors 2/four new tyres 3/new front brake pads 4/new front brake rotas 5/new front wheel bearings 6/two fuel pumps 7/one fuel tank 8/waiting for third set of a frame plastic covers 9/three stereo players 10/tracklink reset three times 11/still have realy noisy brakes 12/engine sounds like 10 year old car 13/rear passenger window works when feels like it 14/right hand door speaker sounds as if broken 15/new tires fitted showing signs of odd wear 16/tail gate leakes water 17/ thought lincoln/mercury dealer might give better results no just longer wait.
The floor board on the passenger's side had two inches of water on the floor. The driver took the vehicle to the dealer for analysis. The mechanic noticed that the water was coming in through the cowling. *ak *ph
Sun rays were reflected from the top of the dashboard and onto the windshield. *mr model zxe. *scc
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