NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
496 reportsClear category filter89,000 miles · Jan 27, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND OTHER GAUGES FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE ALSO WOULD NOT DISPLAY AN ACCURATE READING. IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND OTHER GAUGES FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE ALSO WOULD NOT DISPLAY AN ACCURATE READING. IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION FOR A BRIEF PERIOD AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WAS REPLACED. THE SIMILAR FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 03/14/12*LJ UPDATED 03/19/12
NHTSA ODI #10445625
140,000 miles · Sep 15, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THIS VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY DIED DOZENS OF TIMES SINCE APRIL OF 2011. IT DIES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON THE INTERSTATE, IT DIES WHEN BRAKING IN A PARKING AREA. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURS. THE VEHICLE STARTS BACK UP AFTER TWO OR THREE TIMES WHILE GIVING IT GAS. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL OR LOW AND OUR …
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THIS VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY DIED DOZENS OF TIMES SINCE APRIL OF 2011. IT DIES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON THE INTERSTATE, IT DIES WHEN BRAKING IN A PARKING AREA. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURS. THE VEHICLE STARTS BACK UP AFTER TWO OR THREE TIMES WHILE GIVING IT GAS. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL OR LOW AND OUR VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC CAN FIND NO CAUSE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS AND I HAVE SEEN WHERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED ONLINE AND I HOPE REPORTING THIS WILL SHOW A PATTERN WITH THESE VEHICLES. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10425648
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2011
Electrical System
I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I SPOKE A FRIEND ABOUT IT AND SHE STATED SHE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM SHE HAS A FORD FOCUS PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO IF IT WAS AN EMERGENCY I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE OR PULL OFF IN THE EVENT OF SOMETHING HAPPENING. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10419709
130,000 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE BATTERY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE HOT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TOUCH THEM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE BATTERY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE HOT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TOUCH THEM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10418006
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2011
Electrical System
THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. ON MAY 09, 2011, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT COME OUT. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399914
70,000 miles · Apr 12, 2011
Electrical SystemSteering
THE EVENTS LEADING UP WERE INTERMITTENTLY SPACED THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER IN 2004. WHEN I WOULD PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND FEEL LOCKED I WOULD SIT FOR 10-20 MINUTES AND WORK ON IT BY PUSHING THE KEY IN HARD AND TURNING THE WHEEL AS HARD IT WOULD COME…
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THE EVENTS LEADING UP WERE INTERMITTENTLY SPACED THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER IN 2004. WHEN I WOULD PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND FEEL LOCKED I WOULD SIT FOR 10-20 MINUTES AND WORK ON IT BY PUSHING THE KEY IN HARD AND TURNING THE WHEEL AS HARD IT WOULD COME LOOSE AND THE IGNITION WOULD TURN. THIS IMPACTED MY LIFE AS A NUISANCE. RECENTLY IN DEC OF 2010 THE OCCURRENCES BECAME MORE FREQUENT TWO TO FOUR TIMES A WEEK CONSTANTLY BEING STRANDED UNTIL I COULD GET THE IGNITION AND WHEEL TO TURN. HAPPENING FREQUENTLY WHILE AT THE STORE, WORK OR SOMEWHERE AWAY FROM HOME AND AGAIN CAUSING A GREAT NUISANCE AND FRUSTRATION AS IT HAS MADE ME LATE FOR WORK SEVERAL TIMES, ALLOWED ME TO BE VULNERABLE IN SITUATIONS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WITH PROPER RECALL. THEN AROUND DEC 20TH 2010 THE IGNITION STOPPED WORKING. I WAS AT WORK LEAVING FOR THE DAY AND I SAT THERE FOR OVER AN HOUR, NOT KNOWING ANY OF THIS WAS A NORMAL RECURRENCE WITH OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS. AFTER WORKING ON THIS MYSELF I HAD TO CONTACT MY SPOUSE TO COME AND TRY AND HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AS WELL. I HAVE KEPT UP THE MAINTENANCE ON MY FOCUS AND IT IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION FOR THE YEAR. CURRENTLY IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED ONLY TOWED TO MY HOME RESIDENCE. THE COST IS SO HIGH FOR THE IGNITION REPLACED I HAVE BEEN GIVEN ESTIMATES OF $500 PLUS EXTRA FOR TOWING. THIS COST COMES AFTER MONTHS PREVIOUS I HAD REPLACED THE RADIATOR TANK AT A $400 COST. THIS CAR SEEMS TO HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF RECALLS AND SERVICE BULLETINS AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE MAIN POWER TO THE CAR, THE IGNITION, IS NOT SEEN AS A HAZARD TO THE PUBLIC WHO PURCHASED THESE VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395620
54,044 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Electrical System
THE IGNITION ON THIS CAR HAS BEEN REPLACED ALREADY BY THE FIRST OWNER. WELL, THE KEY CANNOT NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. NOW THE KEY HAS BROKEN OFF IN THE IGNITION. THE KEY STUB CAN BE REMOVED AND THE ENGINE WILL STILL RUN. THIS MORNING I MOVED THE 01 FOCUS AND I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TOOK THE KEY OUT BUT THE SHIFTER WAS STI…
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THE IGNITION ON THIS CAR HAS BEEN REPLACED ALREADY BY THE FIRST OWNER. WELL, THE KEY CANNOT NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. NOW THE KEY HAS BROKEN OFF IN THE IGNITION. THE KEY STUB CAN BE REMOVED AND THE ENGINE WILL STILL RUN. THIS MORNING I MOVED THE 01 FOCUS AND I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TOOK THE KEY OUT BUT THE SHIFTER WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I LOCKED THE DOOR, WALKED BEHIND THE CAR AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO ME. LUCKY MY NEIGHBOR WAS THERE TO HELP ME STOP THE CAR. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FOCUS OWNERS REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCHES AND FORD WILL NOT RECALL THE CAR AND FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THANKS FOR ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #10383632
120,000 miles · Feb 6, 2011
Electrical System
INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT, ALSO NOTICED EXTRIOR REAR LIGHTS WENT OUT. REPLACED FUSES, BLEW NEW FUSES IMMEDIATELY SO SOME SORT OF SHORT IN THE ELECTRICS. WIRING ON HATCH LID APPEARS TO BE FRAYED. WE HAVE FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS FOR THE 2000 VERSION OF THIS CAR BUT NOT THE 2001.
NHTSA ODI #10380899
75,000 miles · Jan 27, 2011
Electrical System
I HAVE HAD MY FOCUS NOW FOR ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS, & HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS THAN I HAVE HAD WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED BEFORE, COMBINED. FORD FOCUSES FROM THE YEARS 2000-2003 HAVE AN APPARENT IGNITION PROBLEM, AND I AM ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATE OWNERS TO BE LEFT STRANDED BY THIS ISSUE. I AM COMPLETELY ASTONISHED THAT PRA…
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I HAVE HAD MY FOCUS NOW FOR ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS, & HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS THAN I HAVE HAD WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED BEFORE, COMBINED. FORD FOCUSES FROM THE YEARS 2000-2003 HAVE AN APPARENT IGNITION PROBLEM, AND I AM ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATE OWNERS TO BE LEFT STRANDED BY THIS ISSUE. I AM COMPLETELY ASTONISHED THAT PRACTICALLY EVERY SINGLE FOCUS OWNER HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM & YET THE IGNITION HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED! I HAVE HAD 2 OTHER RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE, BOTH VERY STUPID TRIVIAL ITEMS WHICH HAS NEVER AFFECTED ME IN THE SLIGHTEST. I AM VERY CLOSE TO JUST SCRAPPING THIS VEHICLE, & I AM POSITIVE I WILL NEVER BE PURCHASING ANOTHER FORD EVER AGAIN. IT DISGUSTS ME THAT SOMETHING THAT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS MADE TO BREAK... SOMETHING THAT LEFT ME STRANDED & WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER 2 WEEKS NOW... IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT EVERY OTHER FOCUS OWNER HAS HAD TO REPLACE OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET. HOW HAS THIS ISSUE NOT BEEN RESOLVED BY FORD YET?!?!? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10379360
89,900 miles · Dec 31, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipment
THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN WITHOUT LARGE AMOUNTS OF SPRAY LUBRICANT AND PUMMELING THE KEY WHILE IN THE IGNITION TO CAUSE THE TUMBLERS IN THE CYLINDER TO FALL INTO PLACE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING, AND RIGHT NOW, DURING THESE EPIC BLIZZARDS WE ARE EXPERIENCING, IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BE IN DAN…
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THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN WITHOUT LARGE AMOUNTS OF SPRAY LUBRICANT AND PUMMELING THE KEY WHILE IN THE IGNITION TO CAUSE THE TUMBLERS IN THE CYLINDER TO FALL INTO PLACE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING, AND RIGHT NOW, DURING THESE EPIC BLIZZARDS WE ARE EXPERIENCING, IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BE IN DANGER. THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AMONG OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE DEVELOPED WAYS TO TEMPORARILY FIX IT SINCE THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY AVAILABLE FIX THIS UNEXPECTED SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH IS NOT PART OF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE OF AN AUTOMOBILE.... WHILE OTHERS HAVE OPTED TO JUST GET THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHICH REPLACES THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY WITH THE SAME FAULTY PARTS, AND THEN CHARGES UP TO $500. THIS IGNITION NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY FORD, AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH A RELIABLE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. THIS MORNING, AFTER HAVING TO FIND OTHER TRANSPORTATION TO WORK FOR TWO DAYS, I FINALLY DEDICATED THREE HOURS TO GETTING THE IGNITION TO TURN. I HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE MY JOB BY BEING ABSENT OR TARDY. I AM IN AN INITIAL PROBATIONARY PERIOD AT MY JOB, AND I THINK IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT IF I HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO FIX FORD'S MISTAKES, I WOULD PROBABLY JUST GO AND BUY A DIFFERENT CAR ALTOGETHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373628
Official recalls
7Feb 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
9AQ10001 · 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.
Illustration