While driving on an interstate highway the car began to surge and loose power. Eventually the car stalled completely. This happened while traveling in normal conditions at ~65mph. The date given is the most recent occurrence. This same situation occurred once before ~1 year ago under the exact same conditions. Engine surge has been a persistent problem with the vehicle since it was new (~6 years).
2001 Ford Focus engine complaints
Page 4 of 10: complaints 71 to 100 of 275, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Puddle of coolant on daily basis. Slow but continuous leak. Had to have thermostat housing replaced. Part made of plastic rather than metal.
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.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2001 ford focus with a current and failure mileage of 140,000. The contact stated that she was driving 55 MPH on a hot day and the vehicle would sputter and lose acceleration , then lost power. The contact stated that the engine would stall, but the car would still be driving until the contact applied the brakes. The contact had the mechanic changed the spark plugs, wires, and fuel filter, but the problem persisted. The contact called the manufacturer, and they told him to take it to the ford dealer to get it diagnosed. The mechanic stated that it was a failure in the fuel distribution system, but the parts were on nationwide back order.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2001 ford focus zx3. The contact purchased the vehicle ,and two weeks later the heat stopped working. The contact stated that she took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs, and they did an incomplete repair job. The dealer got the heat to work but it only worked when the contact turned the heat on high. The contact stated that on a really bad snow day she smelled rubber burning and turned the heat off and opened the window. She had to shut the window and turn the heat back on, and when she did fumes began to gather in the vehicle, and the entire vehicl was filled with smoke. The contact continued to drive home when the car shut down entirely. Ford and toyota gave her the run around concerning replacing the vehicle and a trade in. The contact was instructed to continue using the vehicle while a trade in was being negotiated. When the contact went to sign negotiation papers she was declined. *ak the consumer stated after picking up the vehicle, all the lights illuminated, the consumer was told it was fixed. The salesman test drove the vehicle and it cut off in the middle of the steet. Updated 03/30/07.
At seemingly random time my 2001 ford focus zx3 stalls. So far the stall has only happened when at a stop, but sputtering and loss of power randomly at highway speeds has me worried about an eminent stall. I have had the fuel filter changed as well as the egr valve and egr pressure flow sensor and nothing has solved this problem.
Cracked thermostat housing. I recently needed to have the plastic thermostat housing replaced on my focus, as it was cracked and leaking. I have been researching on the web and found numerous other entries regarding the problem. I have not seen a recall or any info regarding if there is a systematic failure of the part. I have the part if needed for research.
Dt: the contact stated while driving 35 - 40 MPH, the check engine light and battery light illuminated. While pulling the vehicle into a parking lot all the dashboard lights darkened and the vehicle hesitated as if it was going to stall. It was parked for about 3 minutes and the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was observed by an independent mechanic who determined that a barren came out of one of the pulleys however that would not cause the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was left at the scene of the incident. Two days later the contact returned to the vehicle and the vehicle was burned. The insurance investigator observed a security video which identified the vehicle smoking and a window had fallen.
I was driving my 2001 ford focus I just bought from an independent dealer and 3 or 4 days later the engine started stalling out of the blue. I didn't think anything of it until my engine light came on while driving. I got it tested and it said cylinder 2 misfire. I got the spark plugs and wires changed and it didn't do it anymore. Then a week later it started doing it again. This time with my wife driving the kids to a doctor appt. Everything seems to be ok with the car except the stalling. When I turn the AC on the stalling seems worse. I have had the car for 4 months and have tried everything I can to get the problem fixed. But, no one can seem to figure it out. There have been a lot of close calls with accidents.
2001 ford focus - 23,000 miles. Engine stalls without warning. I have taken the vehicle to 4 different mechanics and the problem is not located.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at any speed and without warning the vehicle stalls. After one hour the vehicle restarts. The dealer replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, cam, oxygen sensor, fuel sensor, fuel line, coil tech, and vacuum hose; however this did not remedy the problem.
2001 ford focus engine stalling.
2001 ford focus z3 cooling low speed fan system resistor failure, hot lead wire in plastic shielding melted , insulation melted from socket to source socket. Contacts overheated/melted, circuit's fuse did not blow. High speed fan continues to operate when air conditioner is turned on. Car overheats in traffic because low fan motors do not come on, never noticed problem as air conditioner usually on all the time. Has been ongoing for past 6 months. Just now checked resistor and found burned wiring. No fire, no injuries but given different circumstances could be a fire problem. The fuse should have protected the circuit but hasn't.
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.
Just driving to the bank and the car started to sputter as if it was losing power when I came to a stop at a red light. I have replaced the air filter and the fuel filter. I checked all fuses. When braking I have to have one foot on brake and other on gas to give it a little gas so it doesnt stall.
Events leading up to the failure: check engine light came on has never gone off since, highly increased running noise, engine hesitation that at highway speed it causes the whole car to jerk failure: I took the car in and they told me I needed a new head that ford had redesigned a new one and it would cost $1000. The one I currently have deposits carbon and will keep doing so until it eventually gives out. The thing that irks me is ford obviously knew there was a design flaw if they designed a new one, therefore I feel they should be covering this. Corrections: none, cannot afford. Will have to drive it until the car gives out.
I have a 2001 ford focus and there is an exhaust tube that runs off the right side (looking from the front) of the manifold which broke from rusting. I searched some forums online and found that many other people are having the same problem. My car only has 60000 miles on it so I don't believe it should of rusted and cracked like it did.
Dt: while driving vehicle stalled and operated at a reduced speed. Went back and forth eventually allowing the engine to die. This happened at all speeds. There was loss of power. The vehicle could not restart easily. It may take 20-30 minutes to restart the engine. The vehicle has not been to a dealer. No repairs were made. The consumer has no idea why this happened. The consumer believed this vehicle was included in the federal safety agency recall, the federal safety agency 03v482000 concerning the fuel system. The consumer contacted ford, and ford stated this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
My car has 29,500 miles on it. I bought it used about 3 weeks ago. Following symptoms: 1 - car stumbles/hesitates/loses power at around 2-3k RPM...regardless of speed...but stumbling/hesitation is best felt on the freeway. 2 - car has had some type of recall work and dpfe sensor replaced at: 17500 miles. Not sure if fuel pump recall has been performed...ford dealers have been very reluctant to tell me without making me spend $150+ on a stupid diagnosis...that's called good business. 3 - dpfe sensor replaced prior to me picking up the car at: 28440 miles. 4 - 1000 miles later...I have the stumbling. 5 - things I've done to the car: a - replaced air filter b - replaced fuel filter c - replaced pcv valve d - replaced plugs (using bosch platinum 2) so far I've done all changes myself because no ford dealership seems to care to offer advice or a helping hand. The consequences are that I've almost been hit from the rear due to stumbling/hesitation.
Dt: contact stated car would not go over 60 MPH. She took vehicle to a dealer, and they told her the egr valve was bad. She had not had the valve replaced yet. She noticed the problem on 7-23-05. She has been on the internet and found lots of fuel related problems; but nothing specific to the egr valve.
Dt: the consumer's daughter drove to austin texas, when she entered the vehicle the ignition would not turn. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the consumer's house due to the dealer being closed. The consumer heard of a recall on ford focus zx3, which was having what consumer believed to be the same problem. The consumer contacted ford who said that this vehicle was not part of the recall. The consumer stated that one week after he bought the vehicle the service engine light came on. The consumer had the erg valve replaced. The consumer believed that this may have been a false reading. The federal safety agency recall campaign 02v288000 was directed towards the electrical system; battery/cables. *ak
Dt: brakes failed twice since 2001. Brakes were replaced in 2001 and 2002. Kept repairing the vehicle. The water pump/battery, and tires malfunctioned. On june 11 2005 while driving the car stopped. The car made a popping sound and started smoking. There was a warning, the battery light was on. The engine lights came on right before. Car didnt start back up after several attempts. Car was towed to home. Dealer reported no problem with the vehicle. Car was regularly serviced.
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.
Consumer states: starting to have engine hesitation,loss of power, some surging. The check engine light has been on for a few days. The engine sounds rougher but there is no knocking.
2001 ford focus experiencing problems with the front brakes, fuel pump, battery, sway bars and tires. *mr the consumer replaced the front brakes five times, the radiator went out, the thermostat and sensors pertaining to the engine light ad gone out, the fuel pump and the battery went out and the mechanic could not find the problem. Currently the starter showed signs of going out and the vehicle needed sway bars and 4 tires.
2001 ford focus ignition cylinder broke, problems with the tire equipment, engine light illuminated and the sway bar bushing needs to be replaced.*mr the ignition cylinder had been replaced three times. The steel belts were showing through the front tires at 54000 miles. The sensor which caused the engine light to illuminated was replaced three times. The front brakes were replaced twice. The battery, radiator, thermostat and fuel pump also failed.
While driving the consumer noticed that the instrument panel gauges were in operative. She could not tell how fast she was driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. *jb on some occasions when the speedometer failed the odometer also stopped working and the vehicle idled erratically. At times when the clutch was pressed while stopping the engine would die which resulted in loss of power. The fuel gauge was also unstable and as a result the consumer is never sure how much fuel is in the vehicle.
After starting the vehicle consumer smelled exhaust fumes inside/outside the vehicle. Dealership repaired the gas recirculation valve (egr) valve.
The driver heard a humming noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The noise escalated while the vehicle accelerated. Check engine light appeared on the dashboard, and remained on. Then, vehicle stalled. Driver was unable to restart vehicle, and had it towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that driver's side wheel bearing needed to be replaced due to corrosion. Also, the engine needed a sensor.
I own a 2001 ford focus. Problems started one month after purchase. Window wiper motor blew but was under warrenty. Then after warrenty expired everything started to go wrong. Trunk hood would not latch closed, then door latches started to stick , then had to climb into passenger seat to open drivers side door because it would not unlock and door handle plays games and opens door when it wants to. Fuel pump had a recall, thank god because I kept stalling on highway. Then while driving home from work the back passenger side door flew open on highway, almost caused accident. Then engine blew with only 123,000 miles on it. I have all oil change records to prove engine oil was changed every 3,000 miles give or take 20. Engine had to be replaced and that left me without a car for a week. Paid $1900 for an engine from a totaled focus. Called ford motor company and they told me to hold my engine receipt so that when and if they get any complaints maybe in 2 years or so I'll get a refund. Total money that I have put in car is over $4,000.00 and it's still not paid off yet. Now I need a new front axle because that is going bad. Why can't ford help me when I have questions and why is it when I go to a dealer and they can't help and then I call company itself they go and call dealer I went to and they go by what dealer mechanic says and not customer. I will never buy another ford again. And now the dealer I bought it from went of of business.
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