2001 Ford Focus: brake failure

Filed Mar 14, 2019 · Brakes · 123,961 miles · WA · 1 injury

After driving from work to home, about 4.6 miles, I turned right into my parking space in front of my home when the brakes failed while the car accelerated directly into the rock wall that serves as a barrier between the parking, walkway and building; I immediately pulled up the emergency brake, put it into park and turned the car off. I had it towed into my mechanic and was notified that they found "throttle cable was bound up" and they "re-routed cable properly." I would like to know if anyone has ever had this experience with their vehicle accelerating when brakes are applied on this model. I would like to know how the cables can become bound up. This was a very frightening experience. I have taken very good care of this automobile and have maintenance performed according to manufacturer suggestions in their guide book.

Filed Jun 30, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 10,900 miles · DE · fire

Was driving my car at 55 MPH at 11:20 pm on way home from work car made jerk lost all power no brakes no steering black smoke coming through vents to inside of car and flames coming from under hood car fully engulfed in flames blew up.

Filed May 15, 2013 · Brakes · 28,500 miles · NC · crash

Before I finalized the purchase of the car, it was examined thoroughly by a mechanic. The 2001 ford focus' title was transferred to me a week and a half prior to the accident. On the day of the crash, it was a misty day and there was a fair amount of traffic. I slowed down when I saw an accident on the side of the road. While in the process of coming to a stop, the brakes failed and I crashed into the car in front of me that had come to a sudden stop. There would have been enough space for me to stop safely, but I slid. The airbags deployed when the collision occurred, which smashed the windshield. Shortly afterward, the person from whom I purchased the vehicle had mentioned she hadn't liked the performance of the brakes, even when the car was new.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · MN · crash

I was driving on the freeway and the vehicle in front of me slowed, therefore, I used brakes. The brakes failed. I had barely enough time and space to move to the next lane and thereby hitting other vehicle. The car was towed to the repair garage and body shop. The repair shop determined that the driver side rear brake cylinder blew out and therefore brakes failure. There was brake fluid on the freeway. I avoided killing myself and others due to my safe driving training at the barber school, given to me by my parents when I turned 18. Please do something to recall these vehicles so other people will not die or get seriously injured.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Brakes · 82,500 miles · MN

I was driving from home to go to my parent home. I had to slow down due to traffic. My brakes failed. I was able to slow down by down shifting and hand brakes and had the car towed to the repair garage. The repair garage found that the passenger side rear brake cylinder had blown out and was squirting brake fluid all over. This the second time this had happened. The first time was in july 2007 when the driver side rear brake cylinder had failed on the freeway, causing major damage - odi # 10304293. Please investigate and take action to recall this serious life damaging component on a otherwise good vehicle.

Filed Aug 16, 2007 · Acceleration, Airbags · GA · crash · 1 injury

I purchased a 2001 ford focus on my way to work while pulling into my parking space the car accelerated unexpectedly then the brakes did not work. I then pulled on the emergency brakes which did not work to immediately stop the car. I crashed head on into the car in front of the parking space. Also, upon impact the airbags did not inflate. The car was supposedly to have front and side impact airbags and one in the steering when and nothing happened. My chest went straight into the steering wheel so hard there was a circular imprint around my chest and stomach. After people came to see about me one man asked if my car was off. I said yes and he pointed out the car still looked like it was trying to accelerate. The wheels were spinning full force. I took the car back to the dealership I only had it for 3 days and nothing was done to correct the failure. The owner of the dealership said since the car was in a wreck it was worthless to him and there was nothing he could do. He even threatened that he would call the police if my family and myself did not leave.

Filed Jan 25, 2006 · Brakes · 125,000 miles · MI

Brake line failure, bracket fell off and wore brake line in two no warning. Brakes failed on freeway at 70 MPH. No previous indication of problem, total brake loss. 2001 ford focus 120000 miles. I could have been killed or killed someone else due to this failure.

Filed Jun 13, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 14 miles · MA

Dt: brakes failed twice since 2001. Brakes were replaced in 2001 and 2002. Kept repairing the vehicle. The water pump/battery, and tires malfunctioned. On june 11 2005 while driving the car stopped. The car made a popping sound and started smoking. There was a warning, the battery light was on. The engine lights came on right before. Car didnt start back up after several attempts. Car was towed to home. Dealer reported no problem with the vehicle. Car was regularly serviced.

Filed Apr 15, 2005 · Brakes · OH

My wife called me at work and said she had no brakes and ran through a stop sign. She was able to go to my job. After looking for the problem, I noticed that the driver's side front wheel well had been rubbing on the front brake line. It had worn itself into the wheel well about a 1/4 inch. It finally cracked the brake line, causing fluid and loss of pressure. I am in the process of ordering a new brake line to install, and have a very hard time finding this part.

Filed Mar 4, 2005 · Brakes, Transmission · 69,000 miles · CA

The brakes went out and transmission went out at the same time.

Filed Jan 19, 2005 · Brakes · CA

My brakes failed due to lip and warpage created on front rotors. Brakes failed within 10,000 miles of normal driving. Brakes were replaced again and old lipped rotors available. This was the third set on my car with only 50,000 miles.

Filed Aug 9, 2004 · Brakes · 24,000 miles · CA

At a routine oil change/alignment I was informed that my front brakes were 95% worn and that they and the rotors needed replacing. At first I thought I was being had -- I've only put 24,000 miles on my car, all very gentle driving. Then I discovered that I'm one of the more fortunate -- many ford focus owners are replacing brakes and rotors at 15,000 miles! There wasn't an accident, but there certainly could have been a brake failure if my mechanics had not alerted me to the problem.