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2001 Ford Focus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Focus years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Ford Focus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 864.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

953 reports with mileage · 808 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 496 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 277 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 243 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

172 crash reports47 fire reports110 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

147 reports
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90,251 miles · May 12, 2011
Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD FOCUS AND FOR NO REASON THE PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF. THE LOUD NOISE SCARED ME AND I ALMOST WRECK THE VEHICLE. MY EARS ARE STILL RINGING FROM THE LOUD BLAST FROM THE AIR BAG WENT OFF. I CHECKED AND FOUND THERE ARE SOME PENDING LAW SUITES FOR THIS SAME OCCURRENCE IN OTHER 2001 FORD FOCUS. I …

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD FOCUS AND FOR NO REASON THE PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF. THE LOUD NOISE SCARED ME AND I ALMOST WRECK THE VEHICLE. MY EARS ARE STILL RINGING FROM THE LOUD BLAST FROM THE AIR BAG WENT OFF. I CHECKED AND FOUND THERE ARE SOME PENDING LAW SUITES FOR THIS SAME OCCURRENCE IN OTHER 2001 FORD FOCUS. I FEEL THE FORD MOTOR CO. NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400647

145,000 miles · Jan 2, 2011
Air BagsCrash

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON A ROAD NEAR MY HOUSE WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH MY PASSENGER AND MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, SMASHING MY WINDSHIELD! THE OFFICER THAT REPORTED TO THE SCENE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING FAST ENOUGH FOR THEM TO DEPLOY BECAU…

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I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS. I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON A ROAD NEAR MY HOUSE WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH MY PASSENGER AND MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, SMASHING MY WINDSHIELD! THE OFFICER THAT REPORTED TO THE SCENE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING FAST ENOUGH FOR THEM TO DEPLOY BECAUSE I HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE TRAFFIC FOR A WHILE AND WE WERE MERELY ROLLING. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR OR TO THE BACK OF THE OTHER PERSON'S CAR SO I FEEL THAT THE AIRBAGS PROBABLY SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OFF. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373749

116,000 miles · Sep 30, 2009
Air BagsVisibilityInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 16 MPH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE GLASS FROM THE WINDOW SHATTERED ON THE OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT SEAT; WHICH CAUSED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 16 MPH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE GLASS FROM THE WINDOW SHATTERED ON THE OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT SEAT; WHICH CAUSED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10285871

113,000 miles · Apr 29, 2009
Air BagsSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

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 …

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267203

8,200 miles · Jun 3, 2008
Air BagsInjury

WE WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HAS CAUSED SOME INJURY TO MY FACE AND MAY HAVE CAUSE SOME LOSS OF VISION IN MY RIGHT EYE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229801

78,871 miles · Jan 22, 2008
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DUE TO A CRASH. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,871. UPDATED 3/11/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 03/11/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215631

94,000 miles · Jan 14, 2008
Air BagsCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STRUCK A CURB WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE INSURANCE CLAIM ADJUSTER ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE INSURANCE AGENCY LABELED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATED THAT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STRUCK A CURB WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE INSURANCE CLAIM ADJUSTER ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE INSURANCE AGENCY LABELED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL IF ONE WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000. UPDATED 02/12/08. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10214764

95,925 miles · Jan 14, 2008
Air Bags

ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING NORMAL CAR MOVEMENT. NO ANY ACCIDENTS HAPPENED BEFORE, NO VEHICLES OR CURBS INVOLVED, JUST DURING MOVEMENT, FORTUNATELY ON VERY LOW SPEED. BOTH BUMPERS HAS NO ANY TRACKS OF CONTACT WITH SOMETHING. (SIMILAR, LIKE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE02026). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214717

92,001 miles · Nov 12, 2007
Air Bags

DEFECT REPORTED BY A PROFESSIONAL TOW COMPANY, THE INDIVIDUAL A CERTIFIED ASE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.(VERIFIABLE) SEAT-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE CRANKING VEHICLE. . FIRST OCCURRENCE: CRANKING VEHICLE ON ROADSIDE. DRIVER'S SEAT-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. SECOND OCCURRENCE: FOLLOWING DAY, CRANKING VEHICLE WITH PASSENGER SEATED IN FRON…

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DEFECT REPORTED BY A PROFESSIONAL TOW COMPANY, THE INDIVIDUAL A CERTIFIED ASE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN.(VERIFIABLE) SEAT-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE CRANKING VEHICLE. . FIRST OCCURRENCE: CRANKING VEHICLE ON ROADSIDE. DRIVER'S SEAT-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. SECOND OCCURRENCE: FOLLOWING DAY, CRANKING VEHICLE WITH PASSENGER SEATED IN FRONT. PASSENGER SEAT-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS WHILE CRANKING MOTOR.NO COLLISION OR IMPACT INVOLVED NO INJURIES WORTHY OF DOCUMENTING. AIRBAG FAULTS ARE NON-DISPUTABLE UNACCEPTABLE. ANY UNWARRANTED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAN COST LIVES, AND WARRANTS A FULL INVESTIGATION TOWARDS A RECALL FOR INSPECTION, AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULT DESIGNED AIRBAG SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208708

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2007
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHILE PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE THE CAR ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY THEN THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I THEN PULLED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WHICH DID NOT WORK TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE CAR. I CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. ALSO, UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DID N…

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I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHILE PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE THE CAR ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY THEN THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I THEN PULLED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WHICH DID NOT WORK TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE CAR. I CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. ALSO, UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT INFLATE. THE CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY TO HAVE FRONT AND SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS AND ONE IN THE STEERING WHEN AND NOTHING HAPPENED. MY CHEST WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD THERE WAS A CIRCULAR IMPRINT AROUND MY CHEST AND STOMACH. AFTER PEOPLE CAME TO SEE ABOUT ME ONE MAN ASKED IF MY CAR WAS OFF. I SAID YES AND HE POINTED OUT THE CAR STILL LOOKED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE WHEELS WERE SPINNING FULL FORCE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP I ONLY HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP SAID SINCE THE CAR WAS IN A WRECK IT WAS WORTHLESS TO HIM AND THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. HE EVEN THREATENED THAT HE WOULD CALL THE POLICE IF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF DID NOT LEAVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10199801

Official recalls

7

05V030000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Feb 1, 2005

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

03V482000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Nov 19, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

02V288000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Nov 6, 2002

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ZETEC ENGINES, LOOSE OR BROKEN ATTACHMENTS AND MISROUTED BATTERY CABLES COULD LEAD TO CABLE INSULATION DAMAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS, IN TURN, COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY CABLES TO SHORT RESULTING IN HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CABLES. BESIDES HEAT DAMAGE, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO START, OR SMOKE, MELTING, OR FIRE COULD ALSO OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLES FOR THE CONDITION OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND PROPER TIGHTENING OF THE TERMINAL ENDS. AS NECESSARY, CABLES WILL BE REROUTED, RETAINING CLIPS INSTALLED, AND DAMAGED BATTERY CABLES REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

02V289000 · Steering:linkages

Nov 6, 2002

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE PINCH BOLTS THAT SECURE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LOOSE PINCH BOLTS COULD EXHIBIT NOISE, VIBRATION AND, IN EXTREME CASES IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, SEPARATION OF THE JOINT OR FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLE PINCH BOLT FOR TIGHTNESS AND CORRECT AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

01V258000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Aug 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

01V108000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Mar 28, 2001

PM CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE SEAT BACK RECLINER HANDLE SPRING COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING AN IN-PROCESS TEST AND THE OCCUPANT MAY NOTICE A CHUCKING, OR PERCEIVED LOOSENESS OF THE FRONT SEAT BACK, OR THE SEAT BACK COULD UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BACK RECLINER HANDLE SPRING FOR THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V418000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Dec 14, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS AND 3-DOOR VEHICLES. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A FOLDING 60/40 SECOND SEAT THAT BECOMES A LOAD FLOOR IN THE FOLDED POSITION. WHEN THE 60% PORTION OF THE SEAT IS FOLDED DOWN AND A LOAD IS APPLIED TO THE FRONT EDGE OF THE LOAD FLOOR, THE OUTBOARD HINGE PIVOT COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE HINGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SEAT IS THEN RETURNED TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT RE-ENGAGING THE HINGE PIVOT, THE SEAT AND SEAT BELTS MAY NOT PROVIDE THE INTENDED LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED SEAT BACK HINGE PIVOT.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

9

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.

EA02022 · Engine Stalling

Opened Sep 9, 2002 · Closed Jan 16, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.

Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.

EA02023 · Front Susp Collapse/wheel Separation

Opened Sep 9, 2002 · Closed Feb 19, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Suspension:front:control Arm

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Suspension:front

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

EA02017 · Burn Injuries Due To Air Bag Deployment

Opened Aug 16, 2002 · Closed Aug 15, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

ALL OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGE AN INCIDENT IN WHICH DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG CAUSED SOME TYPE OF BURN INJURY.MOST OF THESE INJURIES ARE DUE TO CONTACT AND/OR ABRASION WITH THE AIR BAG AND ARE OF RELATIVELY MINOR TO MODERATE SEVERITY.IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME DRIVERS MAY HAVE SUSTAINED BURN INJURIES TO THE SKIN AS A RESULT OF HOT GASES EXHAUSTING FROM THE VENTS OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, BUT THE NUMBER OF SUCH INCIDENTS APPEARS TO BE LOW.FURTHER DETAILS OF THE INVESTIGATION ARE CONTAINED IN SUBSEQUENT PAGES OF THIS REPORT.BASED ON THE ABOVE, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

EA02014 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Jul 31, 2002 · Closed Nov 13, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

PE02044 · Front Suspension Lower Control Arm

Opened May 1, 2002 · Closed Sep 9, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

PE02040 · Engine Stalling

Opened Apr 4, 2002 · Closed Sep 9, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

THE PRIMARY CONCERN OF THIS PE IS LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.STALLING MAY OCCUR AT LOW SPEED OR HIGH SPEED.AT THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE THE AVERAGE VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 30,000 MILES.BECAUSE THESE VEHICLES STALL AND/OR HESITATE UNPREDICTABLY, AN INCREASED RISK IS INHERENT TO THESE VEHICLES.IF A DRIVER EXPECTING THIS VEHICLE TO PERFORM AS DESIGNED, IS TRYING TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION OR MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS IT PLACES ALL MOTORISTS WITHIN THE AREA AT RISK.A DISABLED VEHICLE IS VULNERABLE TO COLLISIONS NOT ONLY WITHIN THE ROADWAY, BUT ALSO ALONG SIDE THE ROAD AS IT WAITS FOR ASSISTANCE.

PE02026 · Inappropriate Air Bag Deployment

Opened Feb 28, 2002 · Closed Sep 18, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

There is no summary currently available

PE02020 · Air Bag Burn Injuries/vehicle Fires

Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 16, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

INFORMATION DISCLOSED DURING THIS PE SHOWS ALLEGATIONS OF BURN INJURIES RESULTING FROM ABRASION AND/OR TERMAL CAUSES.ALLEGATIONS OF CHEMICAL BURNS ALSO EXIST.SEVERAL INCIDENTS ALLEGE VEHICLES FIRES RESULTING FROM DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO FACILITATE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE COMPLEX ISSUES IN THIS MATTER.