NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
243 reportsClear category filter79,000 miles · Mar 4, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 TO 40 MPH AND WHEN SHE HIT OR TAP THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE AND TRY TO CUT OFF. THE CAR DID CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START . I TOWED THE CAR TO A SHOP AND FOUND THAT THE VALVE SEAT CAME LOOSE AND FELL ON THE PINIONS, THEREFORE, DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THE VALVE SEAT WAS TOTALLY GONE AND WENT …
Read full complaint
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 TO 40 MPH AND WHEN SHE HIT OR TAP THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE AND TRY TO CUT OFF. THE CAR DID CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START . I TOWED THE CAR TO A SHOP AND FOUND THAT THE VALVE SEAT CAME LOOSE AND FELL ON THE PINIONS, THEREFORE, DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THE VALVE SEAT WAS TOTALLY GONE AND WENT THROUGH THE EXHAUST. FORD MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING WITH NEW MOTOR AND MANIFOLD PLENUM SINCE THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET ALL THE METAL FROM THE VALVE SEAT OUT OF THE PLENUM. I COULD GET A USED MOTOR BUT FOUND OTHER ON THE INTERNET THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THEREFORE THE PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220028
83,073 miles · Feb 8, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, STUTTER, SKIP, AND NOT RUN WHEN THE TANK REACHED A QUARTER TANK. INITIALLY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING BELT, GEAR, PULLEY, AND TENSIONER NEEDED…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, STUTTER, SKIP, AND NOT RUN WHEN THE TANK REACHED A QUARTER TANK. INITIALLY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING BELT, GEAR, PULLEY, AND TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. FINALLY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TOO LATE TO BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,073. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF\THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10217441
128,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED THE 2001 FORD FOCUS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS AND ALSO HAD REPLACED A FEW RECALLED PARTS. THE ENGINE AT THAT TIME HAD 78,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HAL…
Read full complaint
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED THE 2001 FORD FOCUS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS AND ALSO HAD REPLACED A FEW RECALLED PARTS. THE ENGINE AT THAT TIME HAD 78,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF IT CURRENTLY HAS 128,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND HAD TO REPLACE SERVERAL PARTS WHICH ARE OXYGEN SENSORS CATALYC CONVERTER, STRUTS, SHOCKS AND IDLE PULLEY. I GET MY OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS ON A REGULAR BASIS. ONE MORNING WENT TO START MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND IT WOULD NOT START. IT WAS ACTING AS IF IT HAD RUN OUT OF GAS BUT I HAD OVER A HALF OF TANK OF GAS IN IT. AFTER TRYING TO START IT IT FINALLY STARTED AND WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. IT RAN FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS THEN DIED. I LEFT IT ALONE THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO AN AUTOREPAIR SHOP AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT A BEARING HAD BROKE OFF AND HIT MY THIRD CYLINDER AND SMASHED MY SPARK PLUG. IT ALSO HIT THE PISTON AND THE PISTON WAS CRACKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS AND I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A CLUE THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THE AUTO REPAIR PLACE SAID THE I WAS LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED AT HOME AND NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. I AM NOW HAVING TO GET A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE COSTING ME $3,300. WHICH I HAVE TO HAVE FINANCED. IS THERE ANY THING THAT I CAN DO?*CN
NHTSA ODI #10213410
105,574 miles · Nov 23, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS LEAKING. FOUND INTERNAL SEAL WALL CRACKED/WASHED OUT ALLOWING LEAKAGE PAST SEAL RING. STEADY DRIP OF COOLANT FROM THERMOSTAT HOUSING EVEN AFTER REPLACING SEAL RING. FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM IN DISCUSSION THREADS ON INTERNET. COOLANT PUDDLED UNDER CAR WHERE PETS CAN DRINK IT AND LOSS OF CO…
Read full complaint
THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS LEAKING. FOUND INTERNAL SEAL WALL CRACKED/WASHED OUT ALLOWING LEAKAGE PAST SEAL RING. STEADY DRIP OF COOLANT FROM THERMOSTAT HOUSING EVEN AFTER REPLACING SEAL RING. FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM IN DISCUSSION THREADS ON INTERNET. COOLANT PUDDLED UNDER CAR WHERE PETS CAN DRINK IT AND LOSS OF COOLANT CAUSING OVERHEATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209713
53,000 miles · Oct 20, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
2001 FORD FOCUS. ORIGINAL OWNER. MAINTAINED. SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER. DEALER SUGGESTED MOST EXPENSIVE FIX - NEW CYLINDER HEAD AND SPARK PLUGS. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. WILL INSTEAD JUST GET SPARK PLUGS RETHREADED AND TRADE IN CAR ASAP BEFORE ANY OTHER MAJOR ISSUES. CAR LOST POWER. WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN MADE A RIGH…
Read full complaint
2001 FORD FOCUS. ORIGINAL OWNER. MAINTAINED. SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER. DEALER SUGGESTED MOST EXPENSIVE FIX - NEW CYLINDER HEAD AND SPARK PLUGS. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. WILL INSTEAD JUST GET SPARK PLUGS RETHREADED AND TRADE IN CAR ASAP BEFORE ANY OTHER MAJOR ISSUES. CAR LOST POWER. WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN MADE A RIGHT TURN. LOST POWER AND LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISES RESULTED ON FREEWAY ACCESS ROAD. POLICE HAD TO COME OUT UNTIL TOW. DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10206411
141,000 miles · Sep 5, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE THEN NOTICED STEAM RISING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER, SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EGR VALVE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE THEN NOTICED STEAM RISING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER, SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EGR VALVE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY REPLACED THE VALVE AND THE HOSE ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY AFTER THE EGR REPLACEMENT. SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPLACED THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141,000.
NHTSA ODI #10201958
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
BOUGHT NEW IN '01 FORD FOCUS. NOTICED RIGHT OFF BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND SQUEAK. TIRES WERE WORN REAL BAD ON INSIDE ON ONE FRONT SIZE SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. REPEATED ALIGNMENTS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. STILL EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH IT MISSING DURING ACCELERATION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME…
Read full complaint
BOUGHT NEW IN '01 FORD FOCUS. NOTICED RIGHT OFF BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND SQUEAK. TIRES WERE WORN REAL BAD ON INSIDE ON ONE FRONT SIZE SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. REPEATED ALIGNMENTS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. STILL EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH IT MISSING DURING ACCELERATION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN FEBRUARY 2005 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED SENSORS THAT HAD RECALL,WAS RECALL CODE P0401. ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. THEY SAID THAT WE WERE USING GAS THAT WAS DIRTY AND WAITING TOO LATE TO PUT GAS INTO THE CAR AND THAT WAS WHY IT WAS STALLING. WE PAID $272.98 FOR THEM TO REPLACE THIS WHOLE SECTION THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE FUEL BEING FILTERED. CAR LOSES POWER AND STUTTERS GOING AROUND CURVES WITH EVEN OVER A HALF A TANK OF GAS. STALLING TO THE POINT WE MUST PULL OVER INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AFRAID OF ACCIDENT! I OWN CAR I BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND IT JERKS AND SPUTTERS LIKE SOME PIECE OF CRAP FROM JD BYRIDER! EVERYTIME WE START THE CAR YOU SMELL OIL BURNING FOR15 MINUTES AFTERWARDS. HAD IT CHECKED NO LEAKS OR ANYTHING COULD BE FOUND. APRIL OF 2005 NOTICED WHEN THE CAR IDLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE THERMOSTAT WOULD SHOW SHOOT UP SHOWING IT WAS RUNNING HOT! TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING. WAS TOLD THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. RETESTED IT AND WAS TOLD PROBLEM SOLVED. OUR BILL WAS $375.00. THIS WAS FIRST BRAND NEW CAR AND WAS TAKEN WELL CARE OF, IT ONLY HAS AROUND 78,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SILENT RECALL ON THESE FOR THE ENGINE PROBLEMS AND THEY WERE BEING FIXED FOR NO COST TO THE OWNER. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL AND PAID FOR ALL OF THIS OUT OF POCKET .CAR IS PAID OFF NOW AND CANNOT ENJOY HAVING A PAID OFF CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE BECAUSE WE ARE SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND BOUGHT A NEW CAR THAT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH OUR KIDS! TIME GOES ON AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. SOMETIMES NOT WANTING TO START AT ALL! ENGINE STILL STALLS DESPITE ALL THESE REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200528
93,000 miles · Aug 1, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS OR PRIOR FAILURES. THE CONTACT DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BOTTOM PISTON FAILED IN THE ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 9…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS OR PRIOR FAILURES. THE CONTACT DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BOTTOM PISTON FAILED IN THE ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10198197
85,000 miles · Aug 1, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE AND LOOSE POWER. EVENTUALLY THE CAR STALLED COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS AT ~65MPH. THE DATE GIVEN IS THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE. THIS SAME SITUATION OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE ~1 YEAR AGO UNDER THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS. ENGINE SURGE HA…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE AND LOOSE POWER. EVENTUALLY THE CAR STALLED COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS AT ~65MPH. THE DATE GIVEN IS THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE. THIS SAME SITUATION OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE ~1 YEAR AGO UNDER THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS. ENGINE SURGE HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS NEW (~6 YEARS). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10198145
89,400 miles · Jul 19, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
PUDDLE OF COOLANT ON DAILY BASIS. SLOW BUT CONTINUOUS LEAK. HAD TO HAVE THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACED. PART MADE OF PLASTIC RATHER THAN METAL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10196868
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