2003 Ford Focus: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Feb 26, 2020 · Body, Suspension · MA

2003 ford focus. Consumer writes in regards to inadequate structural steel. *ld the consumer stated the steel on the control arms were poorly manufactured. While driving the vehicle, it suddenly dead stopped, turned right, making a cracking noise. The control arm had snapped and dug into the tar, braking the tie rod and creasing the breakline.

Filed Sep 12, 2018 · Body, Steering · 109,000 miles · PA

I was leaving a parking lot doing no more than 5 MPH when the car made a sudden jerking motion. Had the car towed to a garage. The damages were severe rust, sub frame rotted, right front axle broken, right front control arm broken, sway bar bent. The tow driver said the wheels could have fallen off my car and I could have been seriously injured or killed because of the thing that went wrong. I put myself and my family in danger with this death trap. Supposedly this car was inspected february 2018. With everything that went wrong with it and the damages, I dont see how it could have been. I believe there to be fraud involved and believe this matter should be investigated further for putting lives in danger. I paid $3,000 for this car in the middle of feb. 2018. It is now august and it had incurred $3,000 in damages. I sold the car for salvage at $125

Filed Nov 4, 2016 · Body, Brakes · 34,000 miles · PA

The sub frame broke while driving the car. Entire sub frame had to be replaced. Almost caused an accident. Struts had to be replaced. Caliper and rotor had to be replaced. Control arm had to be replaced. Just replaced the ignition switch tumblers after the switch locked up and refused to work. There are no recalls listed for this car. Service manager said that focus are notorious for these problems. Car has 34,000 miles on it. The brake line running from the front of the car to the rear rusted out causing a lose of brakes. The car is dangerous.

Filed Jul 13, 2004 · Suspension · 10,000 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

1) prior to incident, car had been returned to dealer with clunking noise complaint, sounding like from left front. Dealer referenced tsb 03-20-02, replaced sway bar end links (twice), tightened loose strut mount body bolts. Owner still heard popping noise. 2) day of failure, driver had just exited curve to left and driving in straight section. Car lurched to left, across centerline. Driver (over)corrected, veering off road to right, striking tree with left rear. Driver side front wheel askew due to broken lower control arm and broken sway bar link, which resulted in disconnected cv shaft. Damage patterns indicate failure preceeded off-road excursion. 3) car probable total loss.

Filed Jun 2, 2004 · Steering · 6,200 miles · CA · crash

Ball joint (suspension) broke, vehicle spun out of control. Fortunately, incident occurred in a multi-story parking garage, at low speed. *ak the consumer's insurance requested status update.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Suspension · 14,000 miles · WY

Metal peice on the back of the car like tie rod ends needs to be replaced it is broke and cause the car to go out of alignment and ruin all tires. Have to replace the metal piece with one that is adjustable. Have take the car to three different places to get the job done. We live in wyoming so that means that we have to travel a ways to get to these places. Sheidan and gillette. Thunder basin ford is currently ordering the part so that we can get the rear alligned properly. They stated that the peice was probably bent from the manufacture.

Filed Aug 27, 2003 · Steering, Suspension · MD

Vehicle has been taken to have repairs done three times and vibration problems has not been resolved.*mr the consumer expects ford to repurchase the vehicle under the provisions of the applicable lemon law in the state of maryland, because of consistent problems with the vehicle. *cb the consumer stated the vehicle had a defective tie rod bushing, bearing assembly, axle shaft and joint, front end alignments and numerous wheel and tire adjustments