2001 Ford Focus: engine failure

Filed Aug 21, 2018 · Engine · 153,500 miles · FL

Car was driving fine running a few errands. Stopped at a store for about five minutes , when I got back in and started the engine all I heard was a loud clanking noise and the idle was rough. Did a little research about the car and discovered all the complaints about engine failure . So thats what happened to mine . Dropped valve seat.

Filed Jun 18, 2013 · Engine · 122,125 miles · FL

Ford motor company knew and has know for years about bad valve seats in their 2000-2004 focus's with 2.0l split port injection engine. Where ever these heads were made , the quality control for this part was not evaluated properly. The engine drops a 'pressed in' steel valve seat that falls into the cylinder and puts too much stress on the piston, bore, and connecting rods of the engine. Under this stress it generally will cause rods to break, warp or come through the block wall. (which is what happened to my engine). It may be a cooling problem, it may be faulty design or poor craftsmanship. Regardless, if this car won so many awards over it's lifetime from motor trend or other institutions....then they should be backing the many people who have had to fork out thousands in engine repairs and parts to fix this problem. It seems to show up at variable mileage...which I'm sure is due to each individuals driving habits. And it's obvious it's a defect --due to the similarity each person has experienced. It almost always happens to the same cylinder (number 4) and it's always just this particular engine...this is not coincidence...this is poor quality control...and should be addressed as such. I believe a recall by ford is in order....without question by ford motor....they're ceo makes millions...how about fixing these cars....it might explain why so many people stop buying fords and go foreign....and I can hardly blame them when they do! You need to come half way with the people on this matter ford motor---it's hurting your reliability and dependability issues. I replaced the engine for a whopping $2896.00 and will never buy a ford anything.

Filed Dec 19, 2012 · Engine · CA

2001 ford focus. Consumer request reimbursement for repairs and investigation for possible recall. *smd the consumer is requesting an investigation into the common problem of valve seat breakage in fords older engines. The breakage was due to intake valve seats that were made of a powered metal that shattered easily. The consumer wrote to ford requesting reimbursement for the damage caused to her engine. On september 17, 2012, roughly two miles after exiting the highway, the consumer came to a complete stop at a red light. When the light turned green, she engaged the gas pedal, and the vehicle began to make an unusual noise and jerked loudly and violently. She was able to drive the vehicle abut two more feet, before the steering seized. The vehicle would not go into neutral and it died completely and had to be pushed to a parking lot on the side of the road. The vehicle was then towed to a mechanic and a diagnosis revealed, one of the pistons, cylinder #1 was extremely damaged, due to the valve seat failure which shattered the piston and broke off pieces of the piston skirt and bent the connecting rod. There was no damage to the cylinder wall, as pieces of the piston skirt were found in the oil pan and pieces of the piston crown were found in the bottom of the intake manifold.

Filed Dec 17, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 106,000 miles · CA

I was stopped at a red light, when the light turned green and I engaged the gas pedal the car began to clank and jerk loudly and violently. I drove' the car about two feet before the steering seized up, the car could not be put into neutral, died completely, and had to be pushed to the side of the road. One of the pistons, cylinder # 1, was extensively damaged, due to the valve seat failure which shattered the piston, broke off pieces of the piston skirt, and bent the connecting rod. No damage was done to the cylinder wall, but pieces of the piston skirt were found in the oil pan, and pieces of the piston crown were found in the bottom of intake manifold. Valve seat breakage in the older model focus, is so common that aera engine rebuilders association issued two bulletins (tb 1725 & tb 1939) to alert the industry to this issue. These bulletins state that the 'intake valve seats are made of a powdered metal that shatters easily'. On october 29, 2012, after the vehicle had been repaired, I phoned ford to request a refund for the cost of the parts and was informed, that since there was no recall no refund could be issued. The valve seats have subsequently been modified from the faulty powdered metal type, this shows that ford is and was aware of this issue. Internet entries that outline this problem on the 2001 model can be found at numerous websites, including: http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/focus/2001/.

Filed Oct 29, 2011 · Engine, Steering · 130,000 miles · PA

I've had numerous problems with my ford focus and despite regular maintenance I've been stranded on the side of a highway countless times.thus far I've replaced the engine twice. Twice I've had to replace the alternator. My throttle does not return to idle and has unexpected moments of acceleration and I've had to replace the engine throttle sensor. Both of my front coil springs have broken and were very close to puncturing my tires. After taking my vehicle to numerous mechanics none of them have been able to diagnose why my car shakes so badly. I have very poor visibility at night with the exterior lighting which is significantly less compared to other vehicles. My fan has had to be replaced since it was malfunctioning and my car was having problems overheating as well. During the course of all of these car malfunctions, I've been in dangerous situations on the side of the highway and in risky neighborhoods at night. This car has proven to be very unreliable and unsafe.

Filed May 5, 2010 · Engine · 70,000 miles · TX

I have had a ford focus 2001 for two years and in those years I have had to replace the engine and engine mounts. I have found out that this I common place in almost all ford focus's. I fear that this car might leave me anywhere, now one week ago the ignition cylinder has broken. This is not wear and tear. I demand that these cars of 1998 threw 2003 be labeled as lemons and have ford issue a recall or reimbursements on them.

Filed Nov 19, 2009 · Engine, Locks · 97,000 miles · CT

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. She received a recall notice for the rear door handles which were repaired at the manufacturer's expense (see the federal safety agency campaign id 05v030000). The front passenger door came open due to a defective door handle while the contact was driving. The manufacturer was contacted and advised her to take the vehicle to the dealer where they would further investigate the defect. Repairs to the passenger door were scheduled with the dealer at the owner's expense. She also stated that the engine failed and was replaced per the extended warranty. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 97,000 and the current mileage was 124,000.

Filed Jun 12, 2008 · Engine · 109,000 miles · CA

Engine failed at 109,000. It threw a rod and destroyed the engine with no warning.

Filed Sep 5, 2007 · Engine · 141,000 miles · LA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving 5 MPH, the contact heard a popping noise coming from under the hood. She then noticed steam rising from the engine and the vehicle shut off. Approximately 5 minutes later, she was able to restart the vehicle. The dealer stated that the egr valve caused the failure and they replaced the valve and the hose assembly. The contact stated that the vehicle drove roughly after the egr replacement. She returned to the dealer and they stated that the engine caused the failure. As of september 5, 2007, the dealer had not replaced the engine. The failure and current mileages were 141,000.

Filed Aug 25, 2007 · Fuel system · 108,650 miles · PA

First occurrence happened when my wife and daughter were driving in the baltimore tunnel and the engine started to stumble and loose power finally stopping soon after they exited the tunnel allowing them to pull oven onto the shoulder. If the engine died 30 seconds sooner who knows what could have happened, there is no place to pull over in the tunnel. She managed to get to a gas station to fill the tank and then the car ran fine. It was at 1/2 a tank when it died. When she got home I changed the fuel filter and we had no more problems for 3 months. The second occurrence happened when I was driving the car to clemson sc for my daughter to use while attending college. I ran the tank to almost empty and noticed some loss of power but I thought I just got to close to empty, filled it up and all was fine again. While I was passing an 18 wheeler, fuel at 1/2 tank, the car started bucking violently and loosing power. I had to wait for the truck to go by and then make an extremely aggressive move cutting off the car that was following the truck so I could get to the shoulder. Once again after sitting for awhile the car started and I was able to limp to a gas station fill it up and it was fine. My concern is for public safety and a company the does not support the products that they sell. Ford has been aware of this problem forever and sent letters to almost 600,000 owners telling them of the possible problem and giving them an extended warranty on the fuel delivery system for up to ten years with unlimited mileage. What about the rest of us? We don't deserve the same consideration? I had to pay $500.00 to fairway ford in anderson sc because my VIN number wasn't included in the replacement program. Ford, and all there talk of quality, ?q1? Flags flying at all of their facilities, seems to be more concerned with share holder value, than the safety of their loyal customers.

Filed Jan 4, 2007 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · NV

Tl* - the contact stated that the ignition cylinder switch has seized. He could not put the key in the ignition. This was the first time the contact had a problem with the ignition switch. The vehicle has 40,000 miles. The contact has not contacted a repair shop. He was going to contact a locksmith. The vehicle was operable on 1/3/06. There were no warning signals.

Filed May 23, 2005 · Engine · 80,000 miles · KS

The vehicle stalled. Consumer pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak at the stop light the motor blew out which caused the vehicle to stall. The #4 valve set dislodged some how most parts stayed in #4 and #3, but got in every part of the head. The service quote need replaced engine with long block. Vehicle need engine assembly complete- remove and replace.