2001 Ford Focus: broken coil spring

Filed Feb 6, 2015 · Suspension · 118,951 miles · NY

Right front coil spring broke as I was driving to the mechanic to have a ball joint on my left front tire replaced. Heard a clanging noise while driving. I thought it was from the bad ball joint, when mechanic checked he said the coil spring had snapped. Called ford about safety recall which came up when I put my VIN number into their website. I was informed that the warranty period was over and my car was not covered. It cost me 600.00 to have both repairs done by a mechanic. I filed a complaint with ford while on the phone with them and their advice was to save my receipt and if a recall goes into effect for this problem, I will get reimbursed. I have seen hundreds of complaints about this problem, yet ford just ignores the issue as it is still happening. Now today my back window made a noise and the window fell down and won't go back up. I've already had a new battery, alternator, plugs and coil pack replaced because of surging and stalling. I am also getting poor gas mileage. I was told by ford that there are no open recalls on my car yet I have and am having the same problems that many of the recalls in effect are listing. Very poor customer service by ford.

Filed Oct 27, 2014 · Suspension · 77,000 miles · WA

Checked your site for recalls. Found field service action number:03m02 re: coil springs. Previously checked for recalls two year ago. This notice was not on your site then. As the original owner, I have made it a point to keep abreast of all recalls. I was never notified of this notice by ford. Used the same dealer for repairs for the last 5 years. Called ford today. Ford said the dealer had a copy of this notice. Never informed of this by the dealer (auto nation, bellevue dealership). Your site posting of the notice said it expired after 10 year or 150,000 miles. Ford said I was out of luck as "what ever came first, years or mileage". I suspect that ford never notified the federal safety agency of this problem & I also suspect ford is doing a cya.

Filed Apr 15, 2014 · Suspension · 132,000 miles · PA

Right front coil spring broke while driving on the road. The broken spring penetrated the right front tire and immediately disabled the vehicle. It has been documented that this is a common problem for this vehicle, and it was determined that the springs were manufactured improperly and do not resist corrosion. Ford has recognized the probelm through several tsbs and even had a customer satisfaction program 03m02 with at least 2 supplements concerning the issue and replacement of the faulty parts. I spoke with a local ford dealer (hondru) and they told me the program expired and the car is no longer covered. I then spoke with a ford representative through direct customer service and they confirmed this was the case. They confirmed the conversation with number cas4271469-z6w0f2. The representative's name was kendra. I am deeply concerned about this because it is a significant safety risk to me an my family. The coil spring is a significant component of the suspension, and when it brakes the driver's ability to control the car is extremely compromised. To make things worse, the broken spring destroys the tire immediately, further reducing the ability to control the car. Since it was documented that there was a fault in the manufacturing process, and ford and the federal safety agency knew about the problem, these parts should have been replaced under a recall due to the safety concerns.

Filed Nov 14, 2012 · Suspension · 122,000 miles · SD

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving 5mph there was a clunking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the front coil springs fractured. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 122,000.

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 Aug 29, 2011 · Suspension · 51,500 miles · CO

Coil spring on front passenger side broke while driving on the highway. Unable to move the vehicle because a metal object from broken spring jammed into the front tire. The car is old, but has been kept inside a garage and has low mileage.

Filed Dec 30, 2010 · Suspension · 62,000 miles · IL

2001 ford focus se, VIN [xxx], 62000 mi. - both front coil springs are broken, many people have had the same problem and ford only issued extended warranty number 03m02 for 1999/2003 model years. I have had the car for almost 2 years and never received any info from ford about the problem. Spring breaks and rubs against tire and causes blow out. Faulty springs. Ford admits defect but said I was past warranty date as of 09/26/2010 they would no longer cover the problem - disgraceful. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 30, 2010 · Lights, Suspension · 81,800 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH and making a left turn, he heard noises. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer who stated that the left rear coil springs had fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that there was a problem with the headlight lenses which became foggy over time. The dealer stated that they had changed headlight manufacturers because of the problem. The failure mileage was approximately 81,800. Updated 1/19/2010 *cn updated 03/25/11

Filed Apr 8, 2010 · Suspension · KY

2001 ford focus, front strut spring broke in 2 places. I just got in the car and it sounded like a rifle shot went off....started to drive off and stopped for the 'clunking' sound. Drove to near by repair shop, said the trouble was the spring. Checked recalls, in case...2000 models had recall for spring breakage, but not the 2001 models. Have written to ford and am submitting vehicle info tomorrow for consideration.

Filed Aug 23, 2008 · Suspension · 126,000 miles · FL

Front coil spring broke.

Filed Jun 19, 2008 · Suspension · 90,029 miles · GA

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.

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.