The rear wheel bearing failed and cause the wheel to wobble.
2001 Ford Focus suspension complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 150, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Rear tires bald at 20,000. I have replaced 4 tires and need to replace 2 more. I have 42,000 miles on my car. I have rotated the tires all along, but they always end up wearing quick in the rear. For example one set of tires had great tread when they were rotated to the back with about 15,000, then at 20,000 they were bald!!! (like something in the rear chewed them up) car jumps side to side when hitting minor bumps in road and on highway, it feels like car doesn't have good control because of this. Dealership and ford rep. Say tires are not covered under warranty of course and claim not to find any other problems. They blame it on the driver style. Funny this has never ever happened to me before, including my first focus lemon I had for 25,000 miles (they replaced my first focus for us for fuel problems they couldn't fix) I kick myself for agreeing to exchange for a new focus. Nevertheless, it really seems like an engineering/design flaw or something else in the rear of the vehicle that is making these tires wear so fast.
The rear axle broke while driving and caused the wheel to cave in.
The engine missed usually mildly, but sometimes violently as to shake vehicle and sometimes stall, also the vehicle experienced a raw gas smell, suspension, brake,transmission and tire problems.*ak. Consumer also noted the rear hatch popped open by itself.
My new 2001 vehicle in less than a year started making clucking noise loud vibration. The complete axle shaft had to be replaced and new tires the bearings failed and ford would not help. Even though it usually takes six years before they go they confirmed the bearings needed to be replaced. I spent over 300.00 dollars with another mechanic who said they should pay.
The vehicle had been to the dealer on 3 occasions for a noise coming from the rear wheel.*jb....
Ford focus 2001. Purchased in august of 2001. Has always had problems with suspention. Has been in shop 6 times to be fixed for the same problem. The problem has been fixed several times but the noise keep on comming back. The car has numbers of other problems. The breaks make noise, the windshiels leaks when it rains, and when I drive on the highway the engine stalls sometimes while driving at high speeds.
16k- dec 02 brakes and rotors shot $387 16.5k jan 03 transmission rebuilt 2 weeks due to parts on back order 16.7k feb 7, 2003 left front lower control arm broke as wife pulled into traffic full extent of damage unknown at this time
The consumer has experienced the following: the brakes has an abnormal noise, pulsation when moderate-hard braking, and grinding, the accelerator cable clip-broken, battery and case, belt assembly and idler seal, transmission/pan gasket leak, temp guage-found burnt resister/connector-goes hot and cools when A/C is on and the fan does not come on, the vehicle stalled at an intersection, the exhaust camshaft seal is leaking, the fuel sender works intermittently/inop, and the rear suspension-rear shocks-seemed weak and hears a noise in the rear end when going over a dip. Scc
Our son was driving his 2001 ford focus on a small back road near a shopping center. He was driving appromimately 20 MPH thru a slight curve approaching a stop sign. As he was approaching the stop sign, he lightly applied his brakes and turned the steering wheel to negotiate the slight curve in the road, but his steering had failed - unable to negotiate the curve his car veered into oncoming traffic lane then back to hit the curb. The impact activated the air bags, shattered the windshield and the wheel was completely broken off. It appears that the control arm had a completely clean break - usually not seen in an accident. This was reported to me by several ford employees as a "very suspicious break" as well as the tow driver from the ford road side assistance. Our son also reported two days prior to the accident that he felt a "severe vibration in the front right end " of the 2001 ford focus. He pulled over to check the car- but could not see anything wrong - continued and the vibration had ceased. We are thankful that this did not happen on the highway as he usually travels on a daily basis.
Consumer called complaining about having problems with steering vibration. Also stated of having problems with the fan on the motor. Dealer was contacted and stated that the aligment or the ball joints to be off. Ts
Car was turning right while leaving wal-mart parking lot onto 4 lane highway when steering and brakes failed. Front left wheel had turned sideways in wheel and the brake line was broken. Driver was unable to control vehicle and it crossed highway and came to stop on raised concrete median. Damage to the under carriage of vehicle was significant. Dt
Consumer states that the left front would make a grinding noise when speed dropped down to 30 MPH. Vehicle been to the dealer on three occasions and the problem still reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information. Mr
While applying the brakes there is a grinding noise coming from the rear wheel. The dealership is aware of the problem. Nlm
Vehicle was taking to dealer for a recall repairs on wheel bearings. Upon receiving vehicle back theres was a noise in the rear. Took vehicle back to dealer and they stated that tires were cupping and wearing irregularly. Please provide any further information.
Consumer states there is a vibration in vehicle and steering wheel at speeds over 55 MPH. Vehicle sways back and forth, also vibration when braking. Dealer has replaced and balanced tires. Vehicle has been taken to dealer 6 times could not remedy problem.*akthe spindal was stripped affecting brakes and causing vibration and pulsation. It was stated that the spindal appeared to be defective from the manufacturer. The engine stalls.
While driving vehicle will pull to the left. Checked over 6 times. Still caus eof problem unknown.
Vehicle frictioned against curb and front suspension control arm broke in half. Delaer has been notified. Please provide additional information.
Attempting to enter freeway at approx 50 MPH, the front right felt like it was starting to skid. The next thing I know, the airbags had deployed, with the passenger air bag cover shattering the windshield. No sheet metal damage to car. The front right ball joint had separated, the control arm broke, causing the tire to go flat at a 45 degree angle to the path of travel, tore up the wheel and broke the rotor. The only thing holding the front wheel to the car was the strut tower. Police came out but no report done. Ford will not honor warranty even though car has less than 19000 miles on it. This is wrong as front suspension collapsed, and airbags should not have deployed as car skidded/slid to a stop.
Traveling on I-465 eastbound in indianapolis at approx. 60 MPH. The car made a grinding sound and then the driver (my son) lost control and crossed two lanes of traffic and hit a retaining wall on the left-hand side of the road. There was one passenger with him at the time and he was following us home. We were about 100 yards in front of him at the time of the accident. The entire left front suspension, steering and tire assembly was heavily damaged. Left rear tire and suspension also damaged. Sun roof would not close. Very little exterior damage done scratched paint very small dents, almost all of the damage was done under the tire well.
Vehicle would shimmy at 45 MPH or more . Vehicle was at the dealer,and problem was reoccurring. Feel free to provide any futher information.
While driving at approx 65mph on a straight and level 2 lane road, the car suddenly veered hard right. Counter steering had no effect on recovery. The car was at about 90 degrees when it impacted the curb and was launched over a 10 foot culvert. The ford focus then rolled 5 times landing on 3 wheels. The 4th wheel and suspension (front right) was found approx. 30 yards from the vehicle. Evidence showes that the lower ball joint was lose, indicated by excessive wear and grooving to the spindle where the lower ball joint mounted. Other evidence shows the right side half-shaft has a clean break at the splines (spline was still inside the transmission while the half shaft was other wise not damaged and laying in the field). The 2001 zx3 s2 was totaled. I have pictures where needed.
At no particular speed, vehicle jerks hard and stalls. Consumer had vehicle checked and repaired by dealer with no resolution.*akthe dealer is having consumer to monitor the vehicle when it starts failing, by pushing a button. This is supposed to pinpoint where the problem is occuring. The vehicle was downshifting while in motion, the sending unit was replaced. Also the jerking and stalling were caused by an erratic fuel pump driver module. This module has also been replaced. The ignition lock was replaced, there was a clunking noise present in the door assembly which was repaired, the wheel was out of alignment so dealer adjusted the upper ball joint, and the sun visor was broken which was also replaced.
Vehicle delivered on 6/1/01. Soon after I started experiencing problems with the steering gear not being stable. The car and steering wheel would shake once I would begin picking up speed at approximately 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken into the dealership for repairs on two occasions for front end repairs on 8/16/01 & 2/14/02. On 5/26/02 I loss control of the vehicle and had an accident on the expressway, hit the median and totaled the vehicle. Prior to the accident I noticed a great deal of vibration on the steering wheel/column and the car was shaking.
Vehicle delivered on 6/14/01. Shortly after I started experiencing problems with the vehicle. The steering gear was not stable. The car and steering wheel would shake when the speed would hit up to approximately 60 MPH. Vehicle was taken into the dealership for front end repairs on two occasions 8/16/01 & 2/14/02. Shortly before 5/26/02 I noticed that there was a great deal of vibration on the steering column and the car was shaking. I lost control of the car and hit the median on the expressway. My vehicle was totaled.
Consumer lost control of vehicle at 40 MPH, and was able to recover, not involving another vehicle. Dealer stated both front control arms were bent and had to be replaced.*ak consumer also had to purchase a new frame due to incident and has reciepts to prove.
When driving at speed bumps there is a loud noise that comes from front of vehiicle. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.
The ball joint broke, the car rolled about 3 times.
While driving over 50 MPH extreme vibrations occurs within steering wheel, causing loss of vehicle control. Cause unknown. Dealer has been notified. Please give any further details.
While driving front passenger wheel makes a loud thumping noise. Also, steering wheel shakes erratically. There is also a burning smell which is very harsh. Please provide any further information.
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