2001 Ford Focus: loss of power steering

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 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 Jun 18, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 74,778 miles · NJ

Defective front coil springs fractured, wedged against tire, causing partial loss of steering control. Right side fractured july, 2005, left side fractured may, 2008. Coil spring & related parts replaced both times.

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 Jul 24, 2005 · Fuel system · 60,519 miles · CA

The car began chugging as if having bad gas. While on rte 40w in texas, the car died and the power steering failed when the car died. I was traveling at apx. 75 MPH when this occured. I was towed into nm and had the fuel pump replaced. Ford will not honor the recall of my fuel pump and they insist that the recall only extends up to 2000 models. I have a 2001 focus zx3.

Filed Jul 16, 2004 · Steering, Suspension · 53,153 miles · RI

While having the brake pads changed service man noticed that the left front steering knuckles wore out, and needed to be replaced. This resulted in loss of steering while driving. Also, front end problem.

Filed Feb 27, 2004 · Steering · 3,018 miles · WA · crash

While driving 40 MPH, the consumer lost steering control. This caused a minor crash, and the vehicle went into a ditch. The consumer had the vehicle towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve. Please provide more information.

Filed Sep 25, 2003 · Fuel system · 63,000 miles · GA

While driving down a freeway off-ramp, my 2001 ford focus zx3 started to buck and hesitate, eventually stalling and causing a dangerous condition due to sudden decceleration and loss of power steering and brakes. Luckily the vehicle had enough inertia to coast down the ramp and eventually I was able to pull it into an emergency lane using the remaining assist left in the brake booster. There, I attempted multiple times to restart the vehicle and it finally started. It had a half tank of fuel so low fuel level was not the cause and I had only driven 163 miles since the last fill-up so I knew the fuel guage was operational. I attempted to drive to the nearest gas station to fill up just in case and as I as about to turn in the car died again. It restarted after multiple attempts and I waited a long time for traffic to get as clear as it would on this busy road. Then, as I attempted to turn in, creeping forward and fearing the worst, the car died again, but luckily I had not yet begun to impede oncoming traffic. If I had been, an accident would likely have resulted. After multiple attempts, the vehicle did start and I pulled in, filled up, and drove home uneventfully to do some research. On the message board at focaljet.com I read about other focus consumers encountering a similar problem with a defective fuel pump and some sort of degradation of a material lining the fuel tank causing the condition I experienced. I feel it is a safety concern of high priority and should be brought to ford's attention immediately. I am angry that my life was put in danger running the most mundane of errands and I will let them know about it tommorrow.

Filed Jun 9, 2003 · Brakes, Suspension · 7,000 miles · SC

The car starting having problems at 7000 miles. Front end jumping. I had a tire go bad and replaced it. Had the tire rotated and the front end lined up. Then, the noise and the car still did not feel right. I took it back to ford and the rim is bent. Replaced that. So far I am out 250.00 for the tire and 298.00 for the rim/. The problem continued, but by 15000 miles the car was jumping, front end problems. Had the tires rotated and the car lined up again. I have the problems still. ( I was told(way I drive, curves,the way I take the corners, ) well, # one I am 43 yrs old and this is not my first car. I have had mustangs before and never rotated the tires or changed my driving habits. ( what ever). At 15000 the brakes started to squeak all the time (wet, cold, moisture, dry). Per the manual this will happened. I was told that it is common with focus. I had a escort for over 4 yrs and they never did what this car has. With the front and back the recall 02s42/01b85 was done finally in march. This recall stated pinch bolt that retains the steering knuckle to the lower ball joint on your vehicle may not have the proper torque. ****** ( this condition exists, your vehicle may experience vibration or noise... This could eventually lead to ball joint separation with a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash,) this is what I was told ford dealership was wrong with the car since august. I feel that the recall came to late and now my tires are destroyed. One tire is worst than the others. Remember that one tire is brand new ( 7000 less miles).... The brake pedal is still making a noise when I release it at the park mode or stop turn around stop at light or whenever. They have adjusted it 3-4 times. And with in mins. Of them adjusting it, it is back to the same thing. This is a on going problem, wasted time and troubles. I do not want everybody to notice when I have my daughter in the car or I get hurt in an accident. This is important your reply help debra.w.

Filed May 29, 2003 · Steering · WA

Vehicle lost steering while turning right. Vehicle was taken to the dealer. Please provide details.

Filed Dec 19, 2002 · Steering · TX

While placing the key into the ignition switch the vehicle froze up there were no steering. Please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Ts

Filed Jun 27, 2002 · Steering · 00

While in motion consumer lost power steering. While at the service station, the mechanic explained the power fuel container was dry and that a new pump might be sufficient. The serviceman who wrote up the invoice only reported that the power steering was hard to turn. Consumer requests help in this situation.