Seat belt would not stay locked. Ignition key would only go part way into ignition, could not start vehicle. Had vehicle towed to dealer. Dt
2001 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 17 of 18: complaints 461 to 490 of 496, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Brakes have failed to stop the car, they didn't lock, and I don't have ABS. Radio loses power intermittently. Then clears up and is good for a while. Had incidences of car jerking/stuttering when coasting at surface street speeds has happened three times. Have taken car to dealership and told nothing wrong. Deal with jones west ford, bought car from internet auto sales. Dt
Consumer states that while vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. After inspection for the cause of fire was told that the fire originated from the wire harness. It was brittle. Mr
Have there been any reported problems with rack/pinion, transmission and alternators on this vehicle since mileage has been so low yet so many problems with the car. Dt
While driving 45 MPH driver started smelling smoke. When she pulled window down smoke began pouring through the ventilation. She pulled over, and vehicle began to smoke even more. Fire department wasn't able to detect cause of severe smoking. Please describe details.
Key will not turn in ignition. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced locking mechanism in steering column. *ak the fuel mileage was not consistent with what was stated , the fuel pump was replace along eith the filter, egr valve and radio, two front tires were replaced at 10,700.
The date listed is the first failure date. The sensor went out and the car kept running. On 7/1/02, the sensor failed again and this time a fuse blew and the car stopped running. I was driving 70 MPH with 3 passengers in my car. The car was towed to the nearest dealer, who "repaired" the car and I arrived on 7/3/02 to pick it up. I drove approximately 3 miles away from the dealership and the part failed again. I was driving approximately 30 MPH in heavy traffic. The car was towed back to the same dealer, who told me the part failed another two times while they were attempting to determine what was wrong. Finally, they replaced the wiring harness and the car has run since then. I finally picked up the repaired car on 7/10/02. I contacted ford (the corporation), who told me they were not aware of any problem with the part and their engineering department would do something about it if there were enough complaints. I was told by a service technician at the dealership that repaired my car, who told me it was "a bad ford part" and that there was nothing they could do about it until ford came out with a new part. I told ford what I was told by the dealership, they contacted the technician who denied saying that. I would just like to put some pressure on ford to assure that this vehicle runs properly and prevent this problem from happening again. I was lucky enough to avoid an accident in previous incidents, but may not be as lucky the next time.
Was driving home from work last thursday (10 minutes on the interstate, 97 degrees, full AC), when the car started to lose power followed by transmission lurching and engine trying to die. Pulled the remaining block into my apts and opened hood expecting to find overheated engine, and ended up see a bunch of flame and signing my thumb. Got fire extinguisher and put it out, and called fire dept. No work was done to engine other than a new air filter 4000 miles ago. So far the ford dealer wants to write it off as complete loss and leave it to my insurance. Took out my air intake, melted battery, melted battery wires, ruined hood, scroched headlight, smoked interior, and who knows what got sucked into engine through the intake. Dealer wouldn't tow because "warranty tows have to be called in through ford customer service". Photos are up at http://www.geocities.com/archangel_jjn. Contact me for more information.
While attempting to park, the vehicle took off and accelerated without any warning. The vehicle took off going through the back wall of the garage. The air bags did deploy. On another occasion, the vehicle was serviced for check engine light which was on. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and a chip was replaced. However, while driving, the vehicle accelerated out of control again up to 100 miles per hour. Consumer was able to stop the vehicle by turning off the engine. Dealer found throttle was stuck wide open.
While driving my car would stall out causing the steering wheel to lock. I initiated the lemon law, but was offered a 2002, same model, to avoid my proceeding to arbitration hearing. Wrong move on my part. I traded in the 2001 for a 2002 and have the same iginition problems ... Stalls out/steering wheel locks while driving! I do not recommend buying a ford focus. This car is a horror and extremely dangerous!
While driving at night unable to see as a result of headlights not being bright enough, the consumer was told that the head light on this model vehicle cannot be adjusted, also the key cannot be removed from the ignition every time the vehicle is stopped, at times the vehicle has to be restarted before the key can be removed, intermittently the trunk will not open on the first attempt. *ak
At 40mph with no warning vehicle shut off, and could have caused an accident. Cause unknown. Cause dealer notified.
Consumer states that brake pads and rotors were replaced, while braking at high speeds, the steering wheel will shudder.
While parking ignition switch will lock up because key will not turn vehicle on, causing vehicle to be towed. Dealership is aware of problem.
At no particular speed, vehicle jerks hard and stalls. Consumer had vehicle checked and repaired by dealer with no resolution.*akthe dealer is having consumer to monitor the vehicle when it starts failing, by pushing a button. This is supposed to pinpoint where the problem is occuring. The vehicle was downshifting while in motion, the sending unit was replaced. Also the jerking and stalling were caused by an erratic fuel pump driver module. This module has also been replaced. The ignition lock was replaced, there was a clunking noise present in the door assembly which was repaired, the wheel was out of alignment so dealer adjusted the upper ball joint, and the sun visor was broken which was also replaced.
Vehicle will stall out once gas gauge reaches a quarter tank. Also, keeps getting a power surge. Policeman offered consumer assistance, and moved her vehicle. Noticed that every time she turned ignition switch, odometer would increase several thousand in mileage. Please describe details.
A/c tends to have smoke and very bad smell coming from vents, brakes constantly squeal and grind, vehicle doesn't always want to start, no pickup or stalling when stopped at lights, etc. Engine makes loud grinding noices, engine also makes loud reving noises like it can't get into gear. Front passanger seatbelt tightens and locks for no reason. Ford manufactor notified via certified letter twice, no contact to date. Waldorf ford refuses to fix saying, "if we can't find the problem, we can't fix it." both refuse to fix anymore. In last year in shop 10 times, for over 45 days, and no resolution.
There is a delay when starting vehicle, at 55-65 MPH vehicle jerks and is hard to control. Dealer has been contacted.
The engine light came on exactly 1 week after I bought the car. It was returned to me 2 days later and 1 week after that the light came on. Both times the car stopped cut off. The dealer replaced the the main computer. I returned the vehicle in november of 2001 for the same problem. They said they fixed it and I returned again in another week same problem. This time they said there was a leak around the seal on the gas tank. They returned it to me. In february or march, I brought it back again (the engine light comes on the car cuts off). Again they said it was the main computer and they replaced it and returned it to me. I have talked to a ford rep and they refuse to acknowledge there is a serious problem with this vehicle and even offered to sell me another one! This is my first and last ford!
When putting key in ignition key won't turn, and sometimes it will afterwards jiggle around. Took to dealer, and tumblers replaced. Also, tailgates are too high. Consumer has injured shoulders opening and closing the tailgates.
Vehicle has stalled twice at 65 MPH. Dealer has replaced computer chip and fuel pump. Both times cruise was on, but not set.
Car would repeatedly chug and all guages would drop to 0, radio/cd would turn off. Finally, car stalled while driving. Luckily car behind us was able to swerve and go around.
Car shuts down completely, no warning. The first time it happened, the car took a while to restart, radio wouldnt come back on. Dealership replaced radio. After numerous times in the dealership, service manager of the dealership, as requested by ford motor co, ask specific questions as to help isolate why it was happening. I was asked if I notice the lights dim prior to car shutting down. I replied, I dont recall if the lights dimmed because I was more thinking about it is dark, I have a black car, no lights, no power & a semi coming up behind me, on i40. My thoughts were of not getting killed at that moment. The car started back up, however the radio again didnt come on including the clock. The last time it was brought in after it shut down, I brought it into the dealership with the radio and clock not working. It was kept for one week and I was advised the radio works, it merely has a loose face plateon the radio & you have to keep" hitting the control to get it on. I know first hand the radio shutting down is a resulting of complete power lose (including the clock). I dont think a lose face plate on the radio will cause the car to shut down. This has been going on for over a year now. From what the dealership says, after consulting ford , they have replaced anything the can be replaced. I have brought this car many times. The dealer has less repair invoices because they have combined multiple reports into one. If you count the dealership records of how many times, it is alarming. I purchased what I thought was a safe car. 99%of my driving in on the interstate. I fear driving this car and dont want to prove it is unsafe by my death. Other problems w/car: traction control fuel gauge. Engine surges at idle key sometimes will not go in and turn, sometimes the key will be stuck and you have to keep trying it to get it out. Car locks itself after you exit.
I was watching the news last night and heard a story that the federal safety agency was investigating complaints that the ford focus engine can stall causing an accident. This is what happen to my car fortunately I was not involved in a crash. But, when I took the car in I was told that I needed a new starter. This was strange to me being the fact the car was not even a year old. After seeing this report I know understand that the problem is cause by debris accumulating in the gas tank, blocking fuel from being delivered to the engine. After the new starter was installed I'm still have problems with the car. For example at time it seem like it's going to stall or it feels like its dragging.
Startern relay sensor on vehicle was not working properly, causing vehicle to stall out intermittently. Contacted dealer, and dealer could not fix problem.
While driving at 60 MPH using the cruise control, all of a sudden vehicle lost power and stalled out with all lights in instrument panel coming on. Contacted dealer ,and the dealer could not find the problem. *jg
Power door locks failed to open after the vehicle was turned off. Consumer and child were stuck inside vehicle for at least two minutes trying to manually unlock the doors. Horn started beeping/ headlights and hazrards lights wouldn't go out, and trunk wouldn't open. An electrical burning smell was entering vehicle. Two days prior door key code would take 3-5 tries to unlock the door. Dealer was aware and inspected vehicle. Please provide more information.
The bushings failed ruining the back tires. The door locks have a mind of their own which could be dangerous in an accident and ford has been unable to diagnose the problem. The steering column was loose and they discovered broken parts in there. There is an undiagnosed problem with as scraping noise as I turned a corner into a parking lot. We are afraid to drive it, every time we do something else happens to it.
Purchased car in december 2000 within days brakes squealing and grinding..called dealer said to let wear in..problem persisted..engine light came on ..took car to nearest d dealership..in january 2001..brakes shoes back and pads on front replaced. Oxygen sensor, and parking brake replaced ..brakes still had problem engine light still on..took to dealership where purchased..kept 12 days..brakes adjusted and computor and ignition were replaced..light off..brakes still trouble..took back numerous times..for check-ups..at 16,000 told brakes need to be replaced in front and tires where all worn away on inside of tire..bald!! ..manufactor and dealer would not pay for..replaced all four tires, alignment, and new brakes put on front brakes..car still not right with brakes..shaking violently of car while braking at any speed. Or going downhill .took back to dealership rotors were no good as well as front brakes. They replaced..inner tires already wearing out...brakes still giving noise and grinding..took back within month..they said fine..took back again when oil changed..brakes where said to be fine..brakes noisy and grinding as usual..3 weeks later brakes failed..had car towed to dealership....they state needs new brakes on front and backshoes cracked and need new rotors...they keep saying its the way we drive car...no way..never had this much problem with any brakes in any car we have owned...car is very unsafe and made with inferior products.. (tiresize: 15)
Avance trac control doesn't engage and/or mulfunctions-disabling it total. Many elect problems. Twice it has shut down on interstate i40 at rate of speed of 50 and 60 and once at maybe 5 MPH in the driveway. When it shuts down there is no warning. Other problems w/this car have been radio had to be replaced, fuel pump module, key gets stuck and key willn't turn.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Ford Focus?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history