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.
2001 Ford Focus suspension complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 150, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My last oil change I was inform the front subframe is badly rusted, to the point the mechanic could push a screw driver through it in spots. He informed me that driving it was a major safety risk, as the frame could fail, causing an accident. He said ford has not issued a recall. They must be waiting for a higher body count when the front end of the car fails while going down the interstate.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact was driving 40 MPH when the steering wheel became loose and a clunking noise emitted from the front of the vehicle. The power steering also failed, causing the vehicle to steer to the left abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the private mechanic confirmed that the front spring from the struts had detached and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 44,099.
On may 9, 2011 my car went for emergency repairs to bill wilcox's charlon ford agency of ridgecrest, ca. After $1725 repairs, I experienced a reduction in mileage, dropping from 30-31mpg to 25-26 mpg, a 17 to 18 % drop. That began immediately, with the initial purchase of gas - in visalia; and, it was later confirmed was caused by the improper use of a torch on a suspension cross member. The car was taken to rob holbrook's auto crew in clearfield, utah, checked for undercarriage damage and evidence that charlon ford's repairs caused the problems. He is a licensed safety inspector for the state of utah. Widespread damage to that main cross member, where the attachment for the rear motor mount is affixed to that portion of the sub frame, was confirmed. The sub frame was quite distorted, bowed in and out, and exhibited evidence that the mount had been removed by use of a torch so the rear dog bone motor mount could be replaced. Deformation of that cross member and resultant changes to the suspension were the reasons for low mpg and tire wear because of improper camber. Bill wilcox, stated to california bar that toe-in was only adjusted while the camber was overlooked or could not be adjusted. But, the use of a torch to this unit is not called for - unless it is to replace that unit. Leaving the suspension cross member in that condition, leads to a stress point that could lead to cracking and tearing, and could prematurely cause rusting which weaken those attachments to the suspension. If repairs are made it is imperative that it and surrounding structures be returned to proper dimensions. But problems arise when improper heat affects strength and creates permanent softness and increasing brittleness. The cross member had to be replaced and a new alignment performed - at a cost of $851.74.
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.
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.
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).
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that she experienced numerous issues with the vehicle which included the passenger side struts which had to be replaced twice. The vehicle would sit sideways when parked. The back of the front passenger seat would not lock into place, so it slid forward while the vehicle was in motion. The headlights were too dim and did not provide adequate lighting on the road. The front driver's side seat belt alarm would ring although the seat belt was engaged and the latch would also pop open suddenly at times. The vehicle stalled while the contact was driving and would accelerate suddenly. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the repairs would have to be performed at the contact's expense. The current and failure mileages were approximately 107,000.
2001 focus 112k mi. Bought from local ford dealer, 1 yr old w, 21k on it. A recent inspection by my own mechanic tells me that the rear sub frame is rotted and it is dangerous to drive it. Especially at highway speeds. The local dealer laughed when I inquired about a nine year old car w/ rusted frame.
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.
My daughter was driving 2001 ford focus se wagon approximately 45mph when she described steering locked up in turn then she heard tires squealing and vehicle jerked hard left causing her to go off the road, hit a rock wall and flipped the car end over end. The air bags did not deploy. She landed upside down but was able to exit vehicle through broken window. She received cuts and bruises and was taken to emergency room for x-rays where they said she had no serious injuries and was released. On scene investigation by police and tow truck operated suggested ball joint failure or other steering/suspension failure. Car was totaled.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing numerous failures. The main failures were the electrical system, brake system, bent tie rod, shaking and vibrating, rear window mechanisms, and flooding after it rains. The leak occurs on the passenger side and the water rises 2 to 3 inches. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer due to the inspection costs. The failure mileage was 130,473.
I will start with the fact the car is on it's fourth battery. It has had the wiring harness replaced along with every sensor in the car some twice. There was a steering column recall done on it. The two back windows tracks have been broke a total of six times. The door handles brake three so far. The stereo is broke for the second time. I have had to do the brakes twice so far and all this and the car only has 63,498.8 miles .
Front coil spring broke.
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.
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.
Front coil spring broken.
Sunday morning (4/6/2008) I got in my car and backed down my driveway. While turning the wheel and going down the driveway I heard a very loud metal on metal sound. I put the car up on jack stands and inspected the suspension. I found the drivers side spring was not seated on the strut base. At this time I drove the car to sears auto repair in novi, michigan. While driving the car to sears the spring moved a couple times, made some noise, and affected the steering of the vehicle. Sears inspected the springs and found the drivers side spring was corroded and fractured in a couple places at the top. I ended up replacing both springs and it cost $436.86. On monday (4/7/2008) I decided to go on the internet to find out if other people had the same issue with the ford focus springs. I found out it was not an uncommon issue. In fact ford issued a tsb (03m02s2) and extended the warranty on the springs to 150,000 miles or 10 years (only if serviced at a dealership). Unfortunately I found this out after I repaired the car on sunday. I was never notified by ford of tsb on the springs. Also, it should be noted that I bought the car used (about 1.5 years ago) from a ford dealership which should have inspected the vehicle for things like this (spring corrosion). On monday (4/7/2008) I decided to call the ford customer service line (800‑392‑3673) to see what can be done to reimburse my expenses and discuss the safety concern. I was told by the customer service representative that ford did not view this as a safety concern. I am a mechanical engineer designing safety critical suspension components (not coil springs) and to me this is not an acceptable answer. If the coil spring were to fracture further and cut my tire when driving on the freeway I can imagine that would not be a very safe situation. I don't understand ford not issuing a recall over a poor quality suspension component which could cause injury. If needed I have the old parts in my possession.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving approximately 25 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the battery light illuminated. The contact noticed smoke coming from the hood and then flames appeared. She stopped and exited the vehicle when it became completely engulfed in flames. The police and fire departments arrived and a report was filed. The VIN, engine size, and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 52,899. Updated 04/11/08 *bf the dealer stated consumer had vehicle in a pinch bolt torqued and a zetec engine cable routing. The dealer also replaced both front coil springs. Updated 04/11/08
Coil springs. Left front coil spring broke with out reason. Thankfully the spring did not blow off of retaining area. If it had while I ws driving this could have potentially caused my steering to lock up blow a tire or who else know what. And the outcome from any of these could have been life threatening.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving 2 MPH the vehicle hit a patch of ice, slid into a curb, and caused the suspension front control arm to bend. A new suspension front control arm was installed by the dealer. On march 14, 2008, while making a turn the vehicle made a clunking noise, the steering failed, caused the vehicle to hit the curb and the suspension front control arm was bent again. The failure mileage was 60000 and the current mileage was 87587.
I have a 2001 ford focus, originally there has only been one owner to this vehicle. Very recently, I experienced a very loud noise in my left rear tire which as days past, I was unable to drive the car. My tire had begun to wobble to the point I thought that it may come off my car. This was caused by defective wheel bearings in the tire.
Noticed a creaky sound coming from the front of the car. When mechanic looked at it, the left front coil spring was broken. Car has 72,000 miles. Replaces both front springs. Have never known coil springs to just break on a car. And judging from the other complaints filed here and elsewhere on the internet for this year car, it is a fairly common problem. Shame on ford for not following up on this.
2001 ford focus zx3 with <55,000 miles has been found to have both from springs broken. At the time of discovery neither spring had worked lose from the perch, however with additional time the springs would be able to move and potentially puncture a tire.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact heard a noise coming from one of the front wheels. When he drives over speed bumps, it sounds as if something is loose under the vehicle. He also stated that when he drives between 50-75 MPH, the vehicle vibrates and the steering wheel shakes. He had the tires rotated and balanced and the front end aligned, however, the mechanic stated that those were not the cause of the vibration and noise. The contact found the federal safety agency recall number 02v289000 (steering: linkages). The contact stated that his vehicle would not start and he had the battery inspected. The mechanic stated that the battery was fine. The vehicle started when the contact looked under the hood and moved the battery cable. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the cables looked and smelled burnt. He then discovered the federal safety agency recall number 02v288000 (electrical system:battery:cables). He notified ford about the two recalls and was informed that his VIN was excluded from both. The contact feels that his vehicle should be included since he is experiencing the same failures. The current mileage was 43,800 and failure mileage was 38,000.
Passenger side front coil spring fractured. Loud crunch noise when turning right or left. No accident or injuries. I am going to have the spring replaced this week, 07/18/07.
I drive a 2001 ford focus. My car was parked overnight, and as I went to back out of my parking space to go to work, I heard a loud clunking noise and my car struggled to back up. I left my car parked as I thought it was a problem with the brakes. I drove the car to work the next morning (going 65 on the freeway), and the noise continued to worsen and I started to smell burning rubber. I brought the car to a repair shop. The next day they said I was very lucky the tire did not blow because the spring had broken and was rubbing against the tire. This is a problem I know ford is well aware of. I don't know what I would have done had anything happened to me and my family as a result of this gross negligence by ford. Repairs ended up costing $570 to replace both front springs, struts, and mounts.
Strange noise when turning and/or hitting bumps. Both front springs were broken with the left spring broken in two places. Had to replace both springs and struts and have front end alignment done.
Both front coil springs broke within 7 days of each other, causing the car to sag and drive abnormally.
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