2001 Ford Focus: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 7, 2014 · Fuel system · 143,912 miles · FL

Slow acceleration, loss of power, surging, hesitation, stalling.

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 Dec 6, 2011 · Fuel system · 126,000 miles · CA

Going uphill on freeway, the car started lurching. The lurching was intermittent as it would run smooth again and started lurching. I experienced a loss of power going uphill until I went down to 3rd and second gear. I had the fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel pump relay replaced. The symptoms are very similar to recall number #03v482000(2001 ford focus fuel system recall). I called ford about this recall, they looked up my VIN number and said told me there is no recall for my vehicle.

Filed Jul 22, 2010 · Fuel system · 145,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that fuel was not flowing into the engine properly. When he first started the vehicle it began to function properly, however within a few minutes the vehicle would hesitate. The contact changed the fuel filter and the vehicle functioned normally for a few days. The contact noticed that the vehicle would hesitate, lose power and stall whenever it was driven for more than an hour at 40 MPH. He had to shift into neutral gear and then back into drive gear in order to temporarily fix the failure. When the contact called the manufacturer about recall 03v482000 (fuel system, gasoline), he was informed that his vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The current mileage was approximately 150,000. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2010 · Fuel system · 120,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact was driving approximately 65 MPH. The engine loss power without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure occurred whenever traveling at the speed rate of 65 MPH. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v482000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The failure mileage was 120,000. The current mileage was 128,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2010 · Fuel system · 120,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving the vehicle loss power and stalled. The speed is unknown. The vehicle was towed to the nearest repair shop where they advised her that the fuel pump failed. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls on her vehicle. Recall the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v482000, fuel system, gasoline is related to the failure; however, her VIN was not included. The vehicle was repaired for over $650 at the owner's expense. The current and failure mileages were under 120,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2009 · Fuel system · 109,900 miles · TX

I own a 2001 ford focus,I was coming back from dallas and my car lost power. I had to get onto the shoulder,it would not go faster than 20 miles. I had surges in power. I did make it home without an accident. Next day car would not start. Called and had it towed to my mechanic. My mechanic said it started fine,I left it there ,next day it would not start. Mechanic called and said it needed a new fuel pump and filter. I then called spikes ford in mission tx. They said my VIN # was not on the recall. So I called ford myself,computers were down,they said to have it fixed and call them back.they will not do anything.

Filed May 28, 2009 · Engine, Steering · 118,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving approximately 35 MPH on normal road conditions, the engine began to idle excessively high. On a separate occasion, the vehicle stalled without warning and lost power steering. The driver experienced extreme difficulty steering the vehicle and had to use excessive force to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was able to resume normal operation. The failures occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they wanted to charge the contact for a diagnostic; however, the contact refused due to the cost. The technician refused to repair the vehicle unless the aftermarket parts were replaced by the manufacturer. The parts consisted of the pcv valve and fuel filter. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer conducted a campaign (03v‑482) to address the stalling in the vehicles. The contact experienced the identical failures mentioned in the campaign, but the VIN was excluded. The failure mileage was 118,000 and current mileage was 119,000.

Filed Aug 25, 2008 · Electrical, Lights · 23,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that the side view mirror on the vehicle was repaired and the transmission also slipped. After the repairs were complete, the vehicle did not drive the same. The dealer stated that the parts needed were not in stock and they kept the vehicle for one month. In addition, whenever the left turn signal was activated, the vehicle would shut off entirely. The lights were replaced; however, the vehicle continued to lose power whenever the signal lights, hazard lights, or air conditioning were activated. The headlights continued to short and, while driving at night, the high beams had to be activated. The seat belt in the rear driver's seat was inoperable and the driver's seat continued to move backwards from the steering wheel. She also stated that the key can be removed from the ignition while the vehicle is in motion and while the ignition is on. Finally, none of the warning lights on the instrument panel are functional. The failure mileage was 23,000 and current mileage was 95,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2008 · Fuel system · 89,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that the engine hesitated, and the vehicle lost power, surged, and experienced other similar symptoms. The failure has occurred twice while driving. The vehicle became sluggish and stalled at any speed. After waiting 20 to 40 minutes, the contact restarted the vehicle and took it to the local service station for a diagnostic. The dealer stated that his VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v482000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 89,000 and current mileage was 90,000. Updated 07/29/08 *bf updated 08/07/08 the dealer lowered the fuel tank, removed the old fuel pump and found the screen in the bottom of the tank. The dealer replaced the fuel pump. Updated 08/07/08

Filed Mar 18, 2008 · Fuel system · 117,509 miles · PA

I had received a letter in january 2004 from mr. Frank m. Ligon, director of service engineering operations of the ford motor company. The letter stated that in accordance with program 03n01 (engine stalling in 2000-01 ford focus vehicles) customer's vehicles "may experience engine hesitation, loss of power, surging, and other similar symptoms ultimately causing the engine to stall completely...as a result of contamination of the fuel pump filters."..."ford is offering to replace your vehicle's fuel pump (parts and labor), at no cost, if your vehicle exhibits any of the above conditions...valid for a period of 10 years from the original warranty start date, with no limit on mileage." ...I had been experiencing the above forementioned safety issues with my 2001 focus, and took the car to the dealership for service. The dealer had to replace the fuel pump and filter, originally stating that it was covered under this program, but called back later and ultimately changed their mind. The explanation given was that this program was no longer "open." since the company has acknowledged this particular safety concern, confirmed the letter being sent and my vehicle fitting the program 03n01 guidelines of make, model, year, and timeline (10 years unlimited mileage), and has refused to repair this defect free of charge, as stated in their letter, ...I would like to file an official complaint on this issue ...and I would appreciate your assistance in resolving this runaround that the ford motor company has given me. I got the letter, had the problems and safety issues as stated in that letter, it hasn't been 10yrs, so why did I have to pay for their defect? Thank you for your time and assistance!

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?