I was driving home from work on the freeway when my brake light and traction control lights came on and it felt like my back end was fishtailing. I pulled off the road and called aaa. As aaa was towing my vehicle, the right rear wheel came off. The wheel could not be located and to my knowledge did not cause any accidents or injuries to other vehicles. It was determined that the rear wheel bearing had failed and the repair bill was in excess of $2,900, including the damage that occurred to the rear spindle, control arm and suspension. My vehicle is a 2002 ford focus. The previous 2 model years were recalled for rear wheel bearing failure.
2002 Ford Focus suspension complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 109, newest first, as owners wrote them.
In late october 2006 I took my 2002 ford focus for vibration/grinding noise coming from front end. Ford walker in clearwater, florida said that my engine/trans. Mount were working properly. Ford kept my car for 1 week and I still had the same problem. I took the car back to ford the very next day because of the same problem. Again their service manager and regional managers told me that nothing was wrong with my car. Ford charged me $100 for my deductible and didn't fixed my problem. I then took my car to another place where they replaced my right side engine mount which was completely broken. The very same piece ford walker lied to me stating it was working properly.
My 2002 ford focus se wagon has had innumerable problems. Firstly..melting battery cables due to poor and faulty wiring that could have caused an explosion of the battery had I not had to pay to get it fixed along with purchase of two new batteries thanks to the melting battery cables causing a short in the system. It subsequently killed the alternator which had to be replaced. It also subsequently killed the thermostat and the solenoid switch which caused overheating and dying problems with the car while driving. Most recently the passenger side wheel bearing went out and was causing driving problems unable to control car. Now more recently, it had to have a faulty tie rod placed which nearly caused me to have an accident. And as of last friday, its back in the shop again this time for engine stalling at 65 miles per hour which nearly caused yet another accident because I was passing another car and mine suddenly began vibrating so bad and then lost power and I had to struggle my way to the median. This car is dangerous and ford refuses to do nothing about it. I have paid out nearly 2000.00 on all these problems which were similar to issues already recalled and yes I am mad. I have called ford and complained but to no avail.
1. I was driving my 2002 ford focus wagon back from a camping trip and I was going about 60 MPH on the freeway 2. All of a sudden there was a "crack"/"bang" from the back of the car, drivers side, the car continued without jolting/swerving (I.e. No affect to the driving of the vehicle), however, after another few miles the rear drivers side wheel was making a high pitched sound, plus cracking, plus some jolting as the bearing realigned itself at times. I stopped the car and the heat from the wheel was incredible, one could have fried an egg on it (this wheel was much hotter than the others). Unfortunately this happened on a stretch of road where there are no towns, no cell phone signal, etc, I was forced to drive the car to a town, max of 40 MPH on a 60 MPH stretch of road, I had a baby in the car and was scarred that something would happen to her. In the town, I left the car, had to call a friend to drive me home. I must say it was the most unpleasant feeling in the world. In addition, this happened on a saturday night, where all car shops are closed! 3. Repair shops open tomorrow, the repair is yet to take place.
Dt*: the contact stated, while driving over a bump in the road, at 45 MPH, the suspension failed, causing the wheel to bend on impact with the road. The bent wheel and all shocks were replaced. The dealer informed the contact of a service bulletin concerning the suspension directing the dealer to replace springs only if broken. When the manufacture was contacted, replacement springs were offered at cost.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45mph the vehicle veered toward the right. A clunking sound came from the front of the vehicle. Upon inspection the independent repair shop determined the front coil spring fractured. The front coil spring needed replaced.
The front right bearing and spring needed to be replaced due to corrosion. The bearing was frozen and the spring was popped out so far it almost popped the front right tire. The car is a 2002 ford focus - not that old to have something like this corrode and almost cause an accident. I didn't see a recall on any of the parts for my car or anything suggesting shields should be installed so that if the springs pop at a high speed at least it won't puncture the tire. I would like to see a recall on the parts or have the federal safety agency require that shields be installed. I spent $578 to correct the problem - replaced front right strut, mount and bearing, spring, and alignment.
Passenger side coil spring is fractured.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at highway speed the left rear wheel bearings came loose. The vehicle physically felt as though there was a flat tire. The contact pulled over and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The independent repair shop personnel replaced the rear spindle assembly, the left rear wheel bearings, as well as the hub and drum of the suspension. *nm the contact's mechanic called ford beforehe did work on vehicle. It was a metal to metal sound. This could have easily been deadly. However, contact was in right slow lane an dwas able to pull off the highway.
Dt*: the contact stated after driving on bumpy road conditions a clanking noise was coming from the front suspension. The contact inspected the vehicle, and determined the sway bar link wore out, and the tie rod ends cracked. The contact replaced the sway bar link and front tie rod ends. The vehicle was not seen by a dealer. *ak updated 2/7/2006 -
I purchased my 2002 ford focus in january of 2005. I love my car, have found out about of things that could go wrong later. Right now I am having trouble with my front wheels. I have put six used tires on the front since I purchased the focus. In november I had two brand new tires put on plus in may I have had a wheel alignment done. The car still shakes very bad. Found out I need my wheel hub bearing replace, plus I found out there may be a recall on the rear bearing which I have not received anything. I should not have to pay for these things to be done.
Dt: contact stated there was a nail in the front passenger's tire. Upon replacement of the tire the dealer found that the front passenger coil spring broke. The dealer replaced the front passenger coil spring.
Complaint regarding 2002 ford focus mechanical problems.*mr the vehicle's right front coil spring broke without warning. The consumer request reimbursement from the manufacturer but hasn't received a reply yet.
Dt:the tires on the consumer's 2002 ford focus 2002 were showing severe signs of wear after only 17000 miles. The first set of tires were replaced at 5000 miles due to wear. After about 12000 miles the same wear pattern reappeared. These tire were rated as 60000 mile tires. The vehicle is currently on it's third set of tires. One of the tire was taken to a ford dealership for inspection. The dealer found a service bulletin #.03-13-5 on ford's computer that covered all models of ford focus 2000-2004 that experienced inner tire wear. The upper control arms of this model were engineered incorrectly creating adverse camber to the rear tires. The remedy was a restructured control arm:upper arm kit. The newly restructured control arm :upper arm kit would only be sent to those who were eligible under the bumper to bumper warranty,3 year, 36,000 miles. Consumer felt the vehicle was bought with a factory defect. *ak
While driving 65 MPH, the left front wheel went flying off car. No trouble prior to this date. The bearings were replaced when the car was taken in for repair.
While driving at any speed steering wheel vibrated heavily. Dealership informed the consumer that the problem pertained to the wheel bearing. The problem was not resolved.
The consumer believes the manufacturer explains the coils spring recall as if it's not a serious problem. *nm *sc
Rear inner tire wear. The control arms on top was defective, causing the tire to rub against the body and rear to swirve when riding over a bum or pot hole.
Complaint regarding front coil springs on 2002 ford focus.*mr the consumer replaced one coil spring on his vehicle because it was broken. This service was done the same week the manufacturer recalled the front springs on the sable and taurus.
Transmission went out 2 times in 1 year. Driver airbag shifted on its own. Rear passenger door does not unlock/open. Front ball joint cracked. Gas cover/door fell off. The smell of gas inside car at all times. Blinker would not turn off by itself. Key chime goes off when the key is out.
Front wheel bearings, ball joint area on my ford focus 2002 came loose and wheel fell off while I was traveling on highway. When car hit wall the airbag did not open and seatbelt did not tighten. There was no warning before accident. Thought I was going to die. Lucky to be alive.
Purchased car new may 2002. Focus zts. In august took car to ontario canada on roadtrip from missouri. Way back from trip, noticed vibrations from back of car at highway speed. Didn't think much of it because of similar experience with escort. Took car on trip to myrtle beach in may 2003 and the vibration was more then obvious at 55mph. When returned from trip took car in for service. Driver side rear bushing on tire arm was worn. Wheel was tilted and tire was wearing wrong. Dealership replaced arm and tire. Took car on another trip march 2004 noticed extreme vibration still coming from same side/back of car. Shakes plastic bags in backseats. Vibrates driver seat and steeringwheel. Because most of my driving is on regular roads it's not something that becomes obvious right away. Will be taking car in again asap. Also had a problem right after purchasing the car with the passernger side front floor wet after huge rain. Took it in for repair and I don't think there has been a noticeable problem since.
Consumer took the vehicle to dealer to be inspected, and mechanic determined that left rear bearing failed.
2002 ford focus, 48,000 miles and I am now on my third set of tires on the front. Car suspension in front is very loose, expecially during highway driving, through small puddles of water car seems to hydro-plane, and on ice or snow. The car at times seems to be all over the road and I feel it is unsafe to drive. I have had new brakes, tires, and aliagnment, and the struts checks, and the rpoblem still exists and seems to be getting worse. Please advise.
One of the front ball joints came apart and caused the vehicle to crash into a ditch. Ford is sending a technician to assess the vehicle. Please provide further details.
The mileage on my focus was 47000 km and the cost was $5500.00. The date was july but I am at work and not sure of exactly what day. My focus was making a clunking sound similar in nature to traction control kicking in. It was in to be serviced on a friday and they said they could not repeat the sound. Also at that time it was having regular maintenance tire rotation and oil change. On the following tuesday driving in the town I live in (luckily the speed limit is only 30 km/hr) I experienced the steering wheel pull to the right and I had hit a parked car. Had I been on the highway me and my 2 children would have been a fatality. The cost qouted to you of 5500.00 is not including the cost to fix the other vehicle. As well ford motor co. Is taking no responsilbilty whatsoever and I need proof to get my insurance co to find fault to someone other than myself.
The front driver's wheel bearing and hub went out at about 7,000. The car made a very loud noise. Ford repaired this problem. Car had to have brake pads at 28,000 miles. The wear on the driver's side front was much worst than the others. Repair person said that the calipers were defective. Cost 100. Dollars. The front passenger's side wheel bearing and hub went out at 29,000. I paid for repair of wheel $150. I was told that the driver's side was going out again. There is obviously a problem with the front suspension of this car. I am now faced with repairs of the other side for a second time and the car is only 18 months old. I am worried that the wheels will come off.
Problem I'm still having and was reported to dealership is car pulls to left, ( not corrected) back end of car or tires bounce on road and especially when hitting a bump, cannot stay on road in slush or snow, back end is all over road, ( nothing done) tires are completely groved in many spots on the tires, caused by rear end bouncing on road, firestone won't replace they say it is focas's rear end and it wears out the tires, dealer or ford won't do anything about rear end or tires, car vibrates badly, rear doors barley open are so stiff, looks like door locks are coroaded nothing was done by dealership even though they said they lubricated, nothing is on the locks to show lubrication of locks.
On november 23 2002 I was in a accident where I broke my nose and had numerous burises. The reason I got into an accident was because my wheel and suspension broke & seem to come apart. I had complained to ford that my wheel had been shaking and that there was something wrong with it. I had taken it back 4 times to get fixed but everytime I got it back and it would shake just as bad. Also when I got into the accident my airbags didnt deploy at all I received a broken nose from hitting my head on the steering wheel. The car was shaking really bad and it seem to pull me off the road then all of a sudden it was like a snap and it went the other direction. I flew sideways up in the air and hit two oak trees luckly I didn't die from this accident if you would see the pictures you would think how did she survive. If the car would have hit the oak trees two feet closer to my door I wouldn't be here to tell you this. The car split in half & was totaled.
This problem just happened yesterday. My daughter was making a turn, and the cvc joint completely fell apart. She lost all steering causing her to hit a curb. We had the car towed to the dealer where we bought it only a month ago. They are refusing to fix the car saying that she was in an accident causing the joint to fall apart. This is not the case. We are not sure what to do, and need help. This is a terrible defect, and if she hadn't have been going slow, she could have been killed. Is there anyone who can help us, as were not sure what steps to take to get the public attention about a possible killer.
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