2001 Ford Focus: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Aug 19, 2013 · Engine · 90,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that while parked, she heard a loud grinding noise as oil and radiator fluid leaked from under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the engine would have to be replaced because the valve stem had fractured, causing the piston to detach from the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Apr 29, 2009 · Airbags, Steering · 113,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

My daughter was driving 2001 ford focus se wagon approximately 45mph when she described steering locked up in turn then she heard tires squealing and vehicle jerked hard left causing her to go off the road, hit a rock wall and flipped the car end over end. The air bags did not deploy. She landed upside down but was able to exit vehicle through broken window. She received cuts and bruises and was taken to emergency room for x-rays where they said she had no serious injuries and was released. On scene investigation by police and tow truck operated suggested ball joint failure or other steering/suspension failure. Car was totaled.

Filed Aug 22, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · KY

Bought new in '01 ford focus. Noticed right off brakes would make a grinding noise and squeak. Tires were worn real bad on inside on one front size since we bought it. Repeated alignments with no improvement. Still experience this problem. Started experiencing problems with it missing during acceleration. Check engine light came on in february 2005 and took it to the dealership. They replaced sensors that had recall,was recall code p0401. Engine light stayed on. They said that we were using gas that was dirty and waiting too late to put gas into the car and that was why it was stalling. We paid $272.98 for them to replace this whole section that had to do with the fuel being filtered. Car loses power and stutters going around curves with even over a half a tank of gas. Stalling to the point we must pull over into the emergency lane afraid of accident! I own car I bought brand new and it jerks and sputters like some piece of crap from jd byrider! Everytime we start the car you smell oil burning for15 minutes afterwards. Had it checked no leaks or anything could be found. April of 2005 noticed when the car idled at a traffic light the thermostat would show shoot up showing it was running hot! Took it in to the dealership and they found anti-freeze leaking. Was told the thermostat housing and thermostat had to be replaced. Retested it and was told problem solved. Our bill was $375.00. This was first brand new car and was taken well care of, it only has around 78,000 miles on the odometer. I was told there was a silent recall on these for the engine problems and they were being fixed for no cost to the owner. We were not notified of a recall and paid for all of this out of pocket .car is paid off now and cannot enjoy having a paid off car with low mileage because we are scared to drive it and bought a new car that was safe to drive around with our kids! Time goes on and it is getting worse. Sometimes not wanting to start at all! Engine still stalls despite all these repairs.

Filed Dec 21, 2006 · Visibility · 85,000 miles · CA

The driver side rear window operating cable mechanism broke. This was shortly followed (within a month or so) by the failure of the same mechanism in the rear passenger side window. Both windows fail to rise and any attempts to use the window switches are answered with grinding cracking sounds. The windows are currently held up using coat hangers.

Filed Jan 27, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · 41,000 miles · GA

Brakes had to be replaced at less than 24,000 miles; continues grinding and squeaking continue even following brake replacement and turning of rotors; at have replaced all four tires two times, with less than 20,000 miles on each set of tires; ignition switch malfunctioned - I could get the key into the ignition, but it would not rotate; now at only 41,000 miles, the engine attempts to stall in idle - the whole car shudders - and has stalled twice while I was stopped at traffic lights. This presents a dangerous situation, not only for myself, but for my two children and others on the roadway. In reviewing this site, I am obviously not the only one experiencing these same problems. Why doesn't the federal safety agency issue recalls on ford focus for these and other problems? Ford should recall the whole line and issue refunds to customers or cancel their remaining loan payments. I am a single mother with two children, who cannot afford costly repairs. The attitude of the service personnel at the ford dealership here is awful, and they have treated me badly every time I have gone in there, so that I don't even want to take the car in with this latest problem.

Filed May 18, 2005 · Suspension · 45,000 miles · AL

Dt: while driving down road about 60 MPH and the back hub began to make a grinding noise without warning. It was a split second from falling off. Also, rear bearings went out. Had to be towed to an independent repair shop, who noted that the both rear bearings went out. Visible to naked eye, could look back at wheel and see that it was about to fall off. Recall for corrosive issued, but this vehicle was not involved in the recall. Vehicle is currently in shop for repairs. Spouse checked wheel to see if it was properly secured, and discovered the hub was totally rusted.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Tires · TX

A grinding noise was coming from rear of the vehicle. Driver noticed that the vehicle would drive roughly. Driver took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and replaced the all four tires. Then, driver informed the mechanic that the problem still occurred and had not been resolved.

Filed Dec 7, 2004 · Brakes · 360,000 miles · NC

Rear brake pads had to be replaced by the dealership because the consumer would hear a squeaking noise when braking.

Filed Oct 26, 2004 · Brakes · MI

2001 ford focus rear brakes squeals loud noise. Sound likes metal to metal, I replaces brakes pad had the creep and groan removed, lube job and etc. Ford brake shoes cost over 130.00, not affordable for customers. Squealing about to drive me crazy. Need a recall, my friends own 2001 - 2003 focus's same problem. Something need to be done about the front and rear brake squealing and wearingr of pads and etc. Fast.

Filed Aug 11, 2004 · Brakes · 37,700 miles · CT

Front brake pads and rotors for my 2001 ford focus wagon need to be replaced after just 37,700 miles. The brakes on the car have squealed almost since day one (we purchased it new in august 2001), have had it in to the dealer for checking and repairs numerous times (mcmahon ford, norwalk, ct) and they said it's normal for brakes to squeal, or that they can't replicate the problem, or that it's due to dust, or denied that they squealed at all. The repair place says the rotors cannot be turned and that the brakes were made to barely minimum standards. They are returning the worn parts. There was never any indication that the brakes were failing (for one thing, because of the permanent squeal) and the dealership did not find this problem the last time we had it in for a checkup before it went out of warranty, which is of the most concern to me.

Filed Jul 20, 2004 · Brakes · 32,550 miles · TX

Vehicle was making loud grinding sounds when brake was engaged, so I took it to dealer to have it checked and was told that brake pads and rotors were worn and would have to be replaced. Parts were not replaced because, according to ford, this is normal wear. At 32,500 miles, rotor damage is not normal wear, especially when grinding sound begins once failure has occurred.

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · Suspension · 43,000 miles · NJ

My rear wheel bearings failed twice. The first time they failed at 8,000 miles and were repalced by the dealer under a recall prgram. The second time, which is the basis for this complaint, they failed at 43,000 miles (this is only 35,000 miles later). The dealer charged me to have them replaced despite the fact that he conceded that it was premature bearing wear. Both times I heard a loud grinding noise comeing from my rear wheels.