Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving, the vehicle pulled to the right independently and the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm, ball joint assembly, and axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact did not know if the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v289000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,611.
2001 Ford Focus: pulls to one side
10 of the 1,761 complaints about the 2001 Ford Focus describe pulls to one side.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 90,029
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Pulls to one side by model year
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving approximately 5-10 MPH, the steering wheel pulled to the left without warning. As a result, the vehicle sideswiped a parked vehicle. The mirror was damaged. The police was not called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and has not been repaired. An independent mechanic stated that the steering control arm disengaged, which caused the failure. The failure and current mileages were 93,000.
While my young daughter and I was driving on the freeway 65mph, I smelled rubber burning, looked in my rearview and smoke coming from my car, I turned radio down and heard the loud whining sound as I tried to pull to the right side of road was a loud crunching noise and I felt something hitting under my driver side floor, I had trouble steering the car but did get it pulled over, after my husband inspected the car briefly we now know that the coil spring broke cut into my tire and other damages, my front fenders were actually sitting on my tires. The car has been towed home we do not have the resources to have it repaired at this time. I am the only owner of this car. After looking at other complaints I have discovered that I have had alot of these problem as well. My car has seen the back of a tow truck more than its share.
Yesterday morning as I was backing out of my driveway I heard a clunk in the front end of my ford focus and when I drove the car pulled to the left. I drove my car to the dealership about 3 miles away. After explaining the problem to the service rep he told me it might be a spring failure that is covered by a recall. I was surprised I had not been notified of this recall and he told me they only do something about it if the consumer complains! This is crazy! What if I had been going 70 MPH when the spring broke? This is the second recall I haven't been notified about this year. Earlier is was a fuel pump that failed causing the car to lose acceleration, this time as I was driving 70 miles an hour! The part was replaced free of charge as it was covered by the recall.
Problems with tires cupping, steering and upper control arms. *mr the consumer was told by a mechanic at the dealership, that the control arms were too short in the back of the vehicle which caused the tires to tip in, when the tires tipped in, it caused the inner edge tire to wear and then the vehicle vibrated while the consumer was driving and the vehicle also pulled to the right. On two occasions, the consumer lost control of the vehicle, because of the severe vibration in the steering. *jb
The steering wheel wandered to the left and right.
While driving vehicle will pull to the left. Checked over 6 times. Still caus eof problem unknown.
Consumer states that while driving at high speeds the vehicle will start to pull to the left and when trying to adjust it to the right the vehicle will then move over to the right and then back to the left so the vehicle is moving from side to side on the road. Contacted dealer. Nlm
While driving at any speed and vehicle hits a bump steering is difficult to maintain. Vehicle wanders unexpectedly from side to side. Dealership has examined vehicle several times. Shocks and tires were changed twice. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
Dripping from pass. Side heat vent during A/C use or rain, severe rattling from transmission during acceleration or at idle with clutch out, when clutch is pressed the noise goes away, front end out of alignment, pulls to the right.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Subject regarding north american focus not equipped with active anti-theft alarm system
- Information on north american built vehicles which were not equipped with a perimeter / active anti-theft...
- On some vehicles the power steering pump pulley may cause vehicles to exhibit a belt squeak or chirp on...
Related recalls
Steering: linkages
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles have loose pinch bolts that secure the lower control arm to the steering knuckle have been reported.
- Risk
- Loose pinch bolts could exhibit noise, vibration and, in extreme cases if left uncorrected, separation of the joint or fracture of the ball joint stud, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering knuckle pinch bolt for tightness and correct as necessary. Owner notification began february 10, 2003. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 02V289000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2001 Ford Focus pulling
Is pulls to one side a common problem on the 2001 Ford Focus?
10 of 1,761 owner complaints about the 2001 Ford Focus (1%) mention pulls to one side. The model year with the most reports is 2001.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Ford Focus?
There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Ford Focus
Stalling 321Fuel pump 178Hesitation 67Grinding brakes 65Won't start 64Loss of power 63Check engine light 51Door locks 45Fire or smoke 44Jerking 37Coil spring 33Brake failure 32Ball joint 27Steering lock-up 26Headlights 24Engine failure 21No deployment 20Tire blowout 18Harsh shifting 14Power steering loss 14Seat belt 14Sudden acceleration 14Power windows 13Wipers 12Adaptive cruise 11Overheating 11Fuel gauge 10Fuel smell 10Water leak 10Premature wear 9Slipping 8Transmission failure 8Airbag light 7Fuel leak 7Misfire 7Warning lights 7
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