I own a 2002 ford focus with 54000 miles on it and just last week had a problem with the transmission. When the car acelerated to 30 MPH it would not engage into 3rd gear until you out more pressure on the gas. I took it to a ford dealer and they had it for 1 1/2 days and came back with an " I think it's a ring in the transmission, but not for sure" they want to charge me over $400 to take the transmission out to see if it's this ring!! And if it's not this ring they think it is then I'm out $400+. I also found a website ( car complaints.com) and noticed that I'm not the only focus owner with this problem. Other focus owners on this website have had to replace their transmission 2-3 times between 60,000-100,000 miles because ford continues to put the same transmission in all their focus'. I would like to know why a recall hasn't been call out on this car with so many complaints. This is a very big issue and I think it needs attention being that so many focus owners are having the same problem. Thank you.
2002 Ford Focus transmission complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 58, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving at freeway speeds sudden loss of acceleration and smell of burning fluid. Car would not shift beyond 2nd gear. Took to dealer and was told that the 3rd and 4th gears were burnt up. Req'd replacement of transmission at cost of $4,000. Vehicle mileage was 78k and well maintained.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus zx3. While driving 60 MPH, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle began moving very slowly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the diagnostic indicated failure at the transmission main control body valve. The dealer replaced the main control valve. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure and current mileages were 53,000. Updated 09/25/08 *bf updated 09/26/08.
Clutch leaks fluid. Fluid runs down stem of clutch pedal, loosening the rubber pedal pad, which proceeds to fall off in certain situations while vehicle is in motion. Also clutch fluid is supplied by brake fluid reservoir!!! This leak can potentially cause brake failure as fluid leaks out.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact stated that the gear would not shift out of park. The failure occurred twice in three weeks. He allowed the vehicle to run for over an hour; however, the gear would still not shift out of park. The vehicle can only be driven if an emergency button is engaged, which also does not allow the gear to shift out of park. An independent mechanic stated that the failure was electrical and a wire that connects to the brakes needed to be repaired. The vehicle was purchased in may of 2007 with a 1,000 mile or 30 day warranty. The fuel system was unknown and the VIN was invalid. The current mileage was 86,332 and failure mileage was 86,302.
'02 ford focus zx5 has shown continuous problems with ignition. First, the key would get stuck and the transmission would not shift out of 'p'. Then, the key would intermittently get stuck in the ignition. This occurred with increasing frequency, and it is now stuck permanently. I have not yet taken it to get fixed, but based on phone inquiries to repair shops it will cost me anywhere from $200-500 to get it fixed.
My foot pad on my clutch pedal became slippery due to leaking hydraulic fluid out of my clutch master cylinder on my 2002 ford focus zx3.
Clutch assembly has a leak of fluid into the interior of the car (down the clutch armature to the clutch pad and to floor mat, if significant leakage) which has a) caused the clutch pedal pad to become slippery and fall off due to the fluid seeping behind the pad [after market replacements not available due to relative youth of car, therefore necessitating service at dealer], b) causes the brake light to come on sporadically due to a drop in brake fluid (clutch hydraulics share a reservoir with brake system), although no finding of corresponding brake trouble can be made [problem temporarily disappears when fluid level topped off] and c) causes sporadic clutch "softening" and decreased effectiveness. Issue has been brought to the attention of both dealer and independent service providers several times, but none can find a fault with the braking system as indicated by the error light and therefore none indicate that a trouble exists. The leak is not obvious upon visual inspection of the braking system and the problem does not appear to have a negative impact on braking power (unless left too long and brake fluid levels drop significantly). Unable to locate precise location of leak (suspect either reservoir or some associated line to clutch hydraulics) or to determine why only clutch system appears to be impacted. 1) no noticeable/known events leading to failure; uncertain how long condition existed prior to initial documented problem 2) see failure and consequences noted above 3) no correction in place yet as dealer service does not yet acknowledge problem and did not "find" problem at recent 60k service work-up (included total systems check and full brake inspection with fluid top offs) problem with brake light firing manifest approximately every two weeks (since first noted in november 2006) due to fluid loss, particularly when temperature drops below 30 degrees fahrenheit. Issue is "resolved" by adding brake fluid to reservoir.
Clutch pedal disintegrated, investigated it and found out that hydraulic fluid is leaking from clutch master cylinder. Dealer said it is not covered by warranty. I think it should not had worn out prematurely when the car have only 32500 miles on it.
The transmission slips and shifts extremely rough. Other times when the times comes for the transmission to shift, there is great hesitation. At times it doesn't change until the very last high RPM. The shifting patterns have been off completely. Horse power as well as torque are lost due the faulty shifting.
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.
Failing clutch master cylinder. This is not a part that has a recommended replacement term. This part has failed prior to the tune up mileage. It failed less than 2k miles out of warranty.
Ignition will not turn. Clutch master cylinder leaks.
My foot pad on my clutch pedal became slippery due to leaking hydraulic fluid out of my clutch master cylinder on my 2002 ford focus zx3. Now I have stains all over my carpeting and shoes. My clutch began not releasing due to this as well and the plate burned up.
45,000 mile car has leaking clutch master cylinder. Clutch pedal is wet and slippery with brake fluid. I've had to add brake due to the leak. I'm afraid that my brakes will go out or that my foot will slip off of the clutch pedal. I still havn't had it fixed yet because the replacement part will likely fail also. It's a common problem according to the dealer I took it to for an estimate.
The clutch master cylinder leaks at a premature mileage. I only noticed it at around the 42k mark but it has happened for an unknown amount longer. The leak goes through the clutch pedal and into the interior of the drivers side cabin. It gets all over the carpet and can cause future damage to my carpet and possibly floor. The fluid is very corrosive and since its on the same system as the brakes it also affects my brakes. This is a very serious problem and I was not covered under warranty since it was out of warranty even though this is a very serious problem that seems to be happening to a lot of ford focus owners out there.
The events leading up to the failure were daily use. The clutch master cylinder is located inside the vehicle. It is a very common failure for it to begin leaking, dripping on the carpet and eventually causing the rubber pad on the clutch pedal to fall off. This in itself is dangerous, but the hydraulic clutch utilizes the same fluid reservoir as the brake system, so the brakes could be affected by a leaking clutch. On my vehicle, I replaced the clutch master cylinder myself. When I was under the car, I noticed a drip from the drain hole in the bell housing- the slave cylinder is leaking, too. These are not "consumable" parts of a car. The simultaneous failure of both indicates that either they are woefully under-engineered, or the seals they used are not compatible with brake fluid. Because of the corrosive nature of brake fluid, having it drip into the carpet and padding of the interior of my car is a bit of a concern. All in all, this is a major shortcoming that compromises the safety of the vehicle.
After stopping at a stop light I was shifting through the gears on my manual transmission and when I went to shift in to 2nd gear, I missed 2nd and accidentally went into 4th but realized it before letting off the clutch, it then got stuck and would not move from that gear. I could not get anywhere to get it fixed so I was forced to sit on the side of a major road in 20 degree weather for more than 45 minutes.
Dt: the consumer complained about a transmission problem. While driving at any speed the transmission would slip. The vehicle was not in cruise control, the consumer manually pushed the accelerator pedal and the transmission would slip into neutral. After 10 to 20 seconds it would go back into drive. At times when stopping at a traffic light the vehicle would attempt to surge forward. The dealership was unable reproduce the problem, therefore this could not be fixed. *ak (11/23/05) recall campaign#03v482000.
Drivers side lach breaks so the door doesn't open from the out side. So you have to open the door from the passenger side the problem is there is only two locks on this car.
Runaway auto throttle body sticking caused car to become a runaway auto with no control to stop. Exiting highway 80 at prnryn rd. Ext. Cruise control shut off auto speeded up enjine roared appliing brakes didn't stop auto. Went off road and struck a large oak tree. Vehicle overturned down an embankmend. Landed on roof of auto. Auto had 450 miles on it and was totally destroyed.
(1) I first noticed unusual stains on the carpet underneath the clutch pedal during december, 2004, but assumed initially that it was from something on my shoes. (2) on 03/21/05, the clutch pedal pad fell off while the car was in motion, distracting me, but fortunately did not result in an accident. (3) on 03/28/05 I searched the nhts odi complaint data base and found an identical complaint, odi id number:10107639, date of failure: 01/20/05. I will be taking the vehicle this week and this information to the authorized ford dealer for warranty repair although the original purchase was on 01/31/02, but I will claim the problem started in december 2004 when the vehicle was still in warranty.
Clutch master cylinder leaks clutch fluid. Fluid runs down stem of clutch pedal, loosening the rubber pedal pad, which proceeds to fall off in certain situations while vehicle is in motion. Also clutch master cylinder fluid is supplied by brake master cylinder reservoir!!! This leak can potentially cause brake failure as fluid leaks out of brake master cylinder.
Transmission shifted into neutral and kicked back into drive while driving. *ph the dealer was unable to duplicate the consumer's concern. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times before the warranty expired. *jb
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.
Vehicle's engine began to race while driving and then vehicle lost power.*mr the consumer stated she experienced the problem again, but this time she took the vehicle to the dealer and it was determined that the transmission was beyond repair.
On thursday 5/6/04 the 2002 ford focus was being driven when the clutch assembly broke off under the dash board, disabling the vehicle. The vehicle had to be coasted off the roadway, and towed to the dealership. The broken pin was found on the floor under the clutch pedal. It could easily be determined that the pin broke off some type of bracket. You could see the welding and what appeared to be part of the bracket. The piece was given to the dealer. The dealer was also informed not to discard any parts. The next day we were notified that this would not be covered under the warranty (unfortunately the vehicle was just over the allowed warranty mileage) however, I inquired as to how this could happen to a vehicle that is only two years old unless it was due to some manufacturers defect. They said they could not help me since there were no other reports or complaints about this. I informed them them that I would be following up with ford motor co. I was later informed that this repair would cost me more than $600. I contacted ford and I was told that there was nothing they could do. Forunately there was no injury, however, I dread to think what could have happened if the car was being friven on an interstate at 65 MPH or more when this occurred. The ironic thing about this whole ordeal is that the only part I was told they needed was the pin that broke, but the only way to get the pin was to get the whole clutch pedal assembly, and guess who paid for that? I am hoping to get some satifactory feedback re: this problem. Thank you.
While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle revved. The revving continued for about 30 seconds, then returned to normal. The vehicle was examined by the dealer who found that a new transmission was needed. *ak *sc
While driving at highway speeds engine lost power, nearly resulting in a rear end collision. Dealer was not able to duplicate the problem. *ak the tachometer would suddenly race up to 7000 and the wheels lost power. The vehicle felt as if it were in neutral, after 15-30 seconds or downshifted to 2nd gear, the vehicle re-engages and the wheel power was restored. This was an intermittent problem. Ford was unable to diagnose the problem. A flight recorder was installed twice. The engineers revealed that the problem could have been related to the speed sensors and input shaft sensors. The consumer's husband experienced a complete loss of power. The vehicle was unable to be moved because there was no power steering. The loss lasted 10 seconds, the gear was placed into 2nd gear, then back to drive and the power steering was back active. This problem returned two more times. On one of the incidences, the tachometer had gone over 7 then dropped. The transmission slipped intermittently.
Went to start car and it would not start. When I turned the radio on the windshield wipers would come on, when I turned the wipers on the headlights would go off. Ford dealer tried to say that the cause was related to a remote starter that had been installed. Took it to another dealer and it was found to be a problem with the wiring. Also having transmission problems and problems with the lock on the trunk.
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