2001 Ford Focus: check engine light

Filed May 30, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · GA

Was on my way to the va hospital 04/04/2018 started car, it would shake vigorously. Check engine light and oil fuel light keep coming on and off. Had a complete tune up. Going to the va hospital on 4/16/2018 start car, check engine light came on and fuel light came on again. Had inner tire rods replaced. Going to a va appt, on 05/10/2018 start car check engine light cam on, cv valves replaced. 5/30/2018 on my way again to the va hospital, start car check engine light came on again. Please advise, since it very difficult to miss and reschedule appts at the va hospital. Thank you.

Filed Mar 15, 2012 · Fuel system · 65,297 miles · MA

Fuel pump failure at only 65297 . Fuel system has no sign of foreign matter in tank. Car was running fine before fuel pump failure. Cost to replace fuel pump and labor cost of dropping exhaust system and protective metal shield to gain access to fuel tank . Fuel tank must be removed to repair. No engine light came on prior to car not starting while in my driveway. This is a outrageous repair for a car with such good maintenance . I request an investigation into defective fuel pumps on this year and model car.

Filed Feb 2, 2009 · Electrical, Fuel system · 60,000 miles · CA

While driving my 2001 ford focus back in november of 2008', I experienced the engine stalling while driving on the freeway. The headlights started to flicker along with the dashlights going haywire. I then drove the vehicle home and had it towed to my auto repair facility. They found nothing wrong and could not do what I described to them. Approx. 1 week later it did the same thing again, this time the check engine light stayed on, and they were able to receive some diagnostic codes. They cleaned some ground wires but stated that was all they could find, the same thing happened a few days later, I called my mechanic, and we both agreed that I should send it to the ford dealer. I had it towed again, this time to the ford dealer where I stated that the problem only occurs while it is being driven. After approx. 1 week, the dealer stated they were unable to duplicate the problem, but they advised me that the alternator dropped to 11.5 volts. I advised them to replace with a new alternator. They advised me that they were sure that is what the problem was. On or about 1/2/09, I experienced they same electrical problems that I have been having over the last 2 months. I drove it to the dealership immediately and advise them I was having the same problem and that it was not the $ 550.00 alternator that I paid for. I again reiterated to them that it has to be driven, to have the symptoms occur. Since I had the new alternator installed I only put on 325 miles. My service manager kory foster with gosch ford in hemet, ca has only called me twice since 1/2/09. When he calls he has always stated that he cannot find anything and he does not no what the problem is he has not heard of this type of problem with the ford focus. I have told him everytime I have seen him and when he calls to drive it ! It is the only way to get it to stall out. The last time he called me which was last week sometime, that I could come get my car if I needed it. I advised him to keep it until it is fixed.

Filed Nov 25, 2008 · Engine · 127,923 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While purchasing the vehicle, the contact was informed that the motor mounts, which hold the engine in place, needed to be replaced. She was instructed to bring the vehicle to the dealer the following day for repair. When she arrived at the dealer, she was informed to leave the vehicle. When the contact arrived to retrieve the vehicle two days later, the dealer refused to provide paperwork stating that the vehicle was repaired. One week later, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and a loud rattling sound was heard coming from the engine. She called the dealer to return the vehicle for repair, but they refused to take her calls. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and a mechanic stated that the motor mounts were never replaced and would cost $3,000. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 127,923 and current mileage was 128,000.

Filed May 7, 2008 · Engine · 125,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact started the ignition and the vehicle made a strange noise. The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle could not be driven. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a diagnostic. The current and failure mileages were 125,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 89,000 miles · OH

I bought this car in jul07. In dec07 started having problems with car surging/jolting while driving on highway (55-65 MPH) then car would just stall, completely die. Engine light would come on, no power steering no lights. I would manage to get it over to the side of the road narrowly avoiding accident and car would not start. After sat for about 10 mins it would start. It would drive ok for about 10-20 miles and then surge and die. It happens periodically and in between the car may drive fine for weeks. Service center can't find anything wrong with it. It just happened again 3-18-08 while I was driving on interstate at 65mph, jolted twice and completely died. I was nearly killed as a semi was behind me and another beside me. I had to fight the car to get it off the side of the road and narrowly missed the semi running up over the top of me. After sitting for 10 min it started again but would not reach full power. I could only get it up to about 50 MPH, then started jolting and died again after about 6 miles this continued for 30 miles. Engine light was on. I had that read by adv auto later and it was two codes one for mass airflow sensor. It has been in service garage since then. They can't find anything wrong with it. I did notice that this seems to only be happening when it rains. They sprayed water today on the front of the car while it was running and it died in their shop. They still have no idea what is wrong with it. It also has a loud vibration/noise in front end. Motor mounts have been changed, new alternator, new battery, new belt replaced dec 27,07. The vehicle died again feb 5, 2008 6 times. It dies at all speeds and sometimes stalls at stop lights/signs. I am extremely frustrated with it and need a reliable car to get to work and am making car payments on a car that has been in the shop 36 days in the last 90. Also very concerned about causing an accident or killing myself, my kids or someone else.

Filed Feb 8, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · 83,073 miles · SC

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The engine light would illuminate and the vehicle would stall, stutter, skip, and not run when the tank reached a quarter tank. Initially, the contact was informed that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. Then she was informed that the timing belt, gear, pulley, and tensioner needed to be replaced. The components were replaced. Finally, the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Ford stated that the vehicle was manufactured too late to be included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v482000 (fuel system, gasoline). The purchase date and speed were unknown. The current mileage was 88,000 and failure mileage was 83,073. Updated 03-04-08 *bf\the fuel pump was replaced.

Filed Jan 2, 2008 · Engine · 128,000 miles · KY

I am the second owner of this vehicle the day after I purchased the 2001 ford focus the engine light came on and I had loss of power. I took it back to the dealership and they replaced some parts and also had replaced a few recalled parts. The engine at that time had 78,000 miles on it. I have owned the car for a year and a half it currently has 128,000 miles on it now and had to replace serveral parts which are oxygen sensors catalyc converter, struts, shocks and idle pulley. I get my oil changes and tune ups on a regular basis. One morning went to start my car to go to work and it would not start. It was acting as if it had run out of gas but I had over a half of tank of gas in it. After trying to start it it finally started and was making a horrible rattling noise in the engine. It ran for about 15 seconds then died. I left it alone then called a tow truck to take it to an autorepair shop and had a diagnostic test done on it. I was told that a bearing had broke off and hit my third cylinder and smashed my spark plug. It also hit the piston and the piston was cracked. There were no warning signs and I would not have had a clue that there was anything wrong with my car. The auto repair place said the I was lucky that it happened at home and not while I was driving because it could have been very dangerous. I am now having to get a remanufactured engine costing me $3,300. Which I have to have financed. Is there any thing that I can do?

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 Aug 3, 2007 · Fuel system · 546 miles · OH

July 11, 07 I had to travel for work and three hours out the car stopped in the road and at that time the car continued to roll so I merged to the side to get of the road, the engine light came on and didn't start till 30min later. I had to turn back around and head home and the car continued to stop and start over 20 times till I made it home. At times it would not pick up speed or it would decrease. 07-26-07 I took it to a ford dealership service center and they brought up that the problem was in the fuel pump, fuel filter and pc valve and other items that did not pertain to the problem but needed future attention. The lady who helped me told me I need an updated version of the fuel pump and was charged $590.43 for everything including fees. August 1st, 2007 a friend had told me that a dealership in his area was replacing all fuel pumps for ford focus 2001 that failed within an extended warranty of 7 years under 100,000 miles and that the company was not telling anyone until the part failed and they brought it in for service. I looked up the claim on the internet and found that it was true. I got information from the dealership and company that my particular vehicle number , was not included in the replacement program. I still have no answer as to why my vehicle was not selected when my car clearly showed symptoms of the defected fuel pump. The answer I receive was that it could be a variable of reasons including where it was made and where the part was made. I was also told that my car has a 3yr warranty and there is nothing that they could assist me with. The more I tried to get answers about the program and the cars involved, who I can speak to or what can I do to solve this issue the more the representatives got aggravated and rude. Since ford would not provide me with details or help with my fuel pump defect I wanted to seek help through the federal safety agency to do an investigation of my vehicle in order to push a recall for my model.

Filed May 14, 2007 · Engine · 59,100 miles · CA

I own a ford focus 2001,zx3 for 59,000. The check engine light came on 6 times now! 2 for a dpfe sensor out, 2 for egr presser valve. Also started to stall,buck and surge at 35,000 miles, and found out the fdm had to be replaced. That lasted for a short time which the symptoms came back, and the fdm was replaced again. I have had to deal with inconvenience and the last repair which was dpfe sensor which ford picked up 50% of cost but this car is a lemon! I also had to replace the ignition switch when the key would no longer go in.now the check engine light is on yet again and I have to go back to bob baker ford.

Filed Apr 20, 2007 · Fuel system · 39,800 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving 70 MPH the engine hesitated, sputtered, and completely shut off. The engine warning light illuminated immediately afterwards. The contact stated that the engine was warm and there was approximately 1/4 of a tank of gas in the vehicle. He had to wait approximately 5 minutes before he was able to restart the vehicle. A defect investigation recall campaign # 03v482000 included similar symptoms. The dealer stated that the failure was the fuel pump. The fuel pump was replaced, and no other failures have occurred. The current mileage is 40,500 and failure mileage was 39,800.ak