IllustrationOWNER SAYS THERE IS TO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER MUST TURN THE WHEEL SEVERAL INCHES BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TURN THE TIRES IN THE DIRECTION. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Focus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1350–25K
25825–50K
20050–75K
14775–100K
157100–150K
56150K+
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
Steering complaints
86 reportsSTEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN WHEEL START VEHICLE. HAPPENED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES CAR HAD TO BE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND EACH INCIDENT WAS CLOSE TO A 300 DOLLAR BILL EACH INCIDENT. *JB
STEERING WHEEL PRODUCES A WHINE NOISE WHEN TURNING. *MR THE WHINE WOULD BE PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE DEALER ALSO NOTICED THE NOISE AND DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS FRICTION IN THE STEERING MECHANISM AND LUBED THE STEERING. THE NOISE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DEALER HAD BE…
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STEERING WHEEL PRODUCES A WHINE NOISE WHEN TURNING. *MR THE WHINE WOULD BE PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE DEALER ALSO NOTICED THE NOISE AND DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS FRICTION IN THE STEERING MECHANISM AND LUBED THE STEERING. THE NOISE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DEALER HAD BECOME UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *SC *JB
THIS MORNING WHEN WE WERE STARTING OUR FORD FOCUS IT WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO TURN THE KEY.THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED UP.YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING WHEN THAT HAPPENS.WE FOUND OUT THAT FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS INHERENT DEFECT IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM IN THE FOCUS BUT HAS NEVER RECALLED THEM FOR IT. ALL LOCKSMITHS AND OTHER MECHANICS CAN …
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THIS MORNING WHEN WE WERE STARTING OUR FORD FOCUS IT WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO TURN THE KEY.THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED UP.YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING WHEN THAT HAPPENS.WE FOUND OUT THAT FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS INHERENT DEFECT IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM IN THE FOCUS BUT HAS NEVER RECALLED THEM FOR IT. ALL LOCKSMITHS AND OTHER MECHANICS CAN NO LONGER BUY IGNITION SWITCHES FROM FORD TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM AND FORD SERVICE CENTERS WANT AN ARM AND A LEG TO DO THE WORK FROM $169- JUST UNDE R$300 IF THEY HAVE TO DRILL IT OUT.THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS IF IT FAILS IN A BAD SPOT AND YOU GET STUCK.IT IS VERY UNSAFE FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE TO DRIVE ALONE SOMEWHERE OR SAY SOMEONE WITH SMALL CHILDREN WHO GETS STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY OR ANYWHERE ON EITHER A HOT DAY OR COLD DAY AS NOTHING WILL WORK.YOU NEED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED.WE WERE LUCKY IN THA TMY HUSBAND KEPT AT IT UNTIL IT DID WORK;BUT HAVE HEARD IT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME,ANYWHERE AGAIN;AND THA TSOME PEOPLE WHO HAD THEIRS FIXED HAD IT HAPPEN MORE THAN ONCE.I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND IF IT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN ALONE IT WOULD MAKE THAT SKYROCKET ,ENDANGERING MY HEALTH.FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND THEY ADMIT IT CAN HAPPEN IN ANY FOCUS.THEY WILL NOT RECALL IT UNLESS YOUR DEPT PUSHES THEM TO DO THIS. *AK
IGNITION KEY DIDN'T TURN ON MY FORD FOCUS 2001 AT NOVEMBER 2003. MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AT THAT DATE. I'VE SPENT HALF OF HOUR TO LEAVE MY FIELD WORK PLACE. BECAUSE OF REPAIR IS TOO EXPANSIVE, I'VE BOUGHT A NEW IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FOR $84 AND DRILLED OLDONE BY MYSELF.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. THIS CAUSED A MINOR CRASH, AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER IT BROKE. *PH (NAR) THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN AND ENCLOSED IS A COPY OF THE SAFETY RECALL ISSUED IN REGARDS TO THE STEERING COLUMN. *CB
I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE 4-DOOR SEDAN IN NOVEMBER 2002. THE CAR WAS A MANUFACTURER BUY-BACK FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAD A SMALL WARRANTY LEFT. AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 2002, I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND A FAULTY BELT REPLACED. AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2002, …
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I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS SE 4-DOOR SEDAN IN NOVEMBER 2002. THE CAR WAS A MANUFACTURER BUY-BACK FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAD A SMALL WARRANTY LEFT. AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 2002, I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND A FAULTY BELT REPLACED. AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2002, THE CAR WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, SO I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. A DAY OR SO BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD REGARDING THE PINCH BOLT. UNFORTUNATELY, I RECEIVED THAT RECALL NOTICE TOO LATE THE FAULTY PINCH BOLT HAD ALREADY FAILED AND CAUSED SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE RACK AND PINION THAT IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES. I ALSO EXPERIENCED A FAULTY VALVE IN THE HEATING SYSTEM THAT WAS ALLOWING WATER TO FLOW INTO THE CAR'S CABIN AND SOAK THE CARPETING. GETTING TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THE CAR REFUSED TO ACCELERATE GOING UP A HILL AND INSTEAD THE ENGINE REVVED. NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED, I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. SINCE THE CAR IS NOW LONG PAST ITS SMALL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY, I HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR. HE RECOMMENDED THAT I FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION AND SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP THE PROBLEM. I SPENT $100 ON A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. THAT DIDN'T WORK AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CAR AND TO ASK FOR A BUYBACK, BUT MY REQUEST WAS REFUSED. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO WISCASSET FORD. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM(S) WITH THE CAR (AT NO CHARGE). I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY GAVE ME TWO OPTIONS FOR PAYMENT. 1) PAY FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION OUT-OF-POCKET, ESTIMATED COST AT $2500 - $3000; 2) BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE DRIVE TRAIN FOR $500. I AM PLANNING ON PURCHASING THE EXTENDED DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY WHICH WILL ALLOW WISCASSET FORD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AND WILL ALSO GIVE ME AN EXTRA 15K MILES FOR THE DRIVE TRAIN.
FUEL SYSTEM-STALL OUT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS-AND AT ANY LONG RIGHT HAND TURNS-CONTACTED DEALER/OUT OF WARRANTY,TO MANY MILES TO CONSIDER. BRAKES-ROTORS AND PADS WORN OUT AT 24,000MILES-DEALER STATED MAINTENANCE ISSUE,NORMAL FOR THE FORD FOCUS- THEY DIRECTED ME TO CALL FORD MOTOR CO.TO COMPLAIN...
IN NOVEMBER OF 2002, I NOTICED A SQUEAL UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2001 FOCUS. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY CLAIMED THEY HEARD NO SOUND. I THEN TOLD THE MECHANIC YOU MUST ACTUALLY STEP OUT OF THE CAR TO HEAR THE NOISE.; HE DID HEAR THE NOISE AND FORD HAD TO REPLACE THE BELT TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE BELT. I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY …
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IN NOVEMBER OF 2002, I NOTICED A SQUEAL UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2001 FOCUS. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY CLAIMED THEY HEARD NO SOUND. I THEN TOLD THE MECHANIC YOU MUST ACTUALLY STEP OUT OF THE CAR TO HEAR THE NOISE.; HE DID HEAR THE NOISE AND FORD HAD TO REPLACE THE BELT TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE BELT. I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD FUNCTION AT WILL. THE LEFT HEADLAMP AND TURN SIGNAL WAS ALSO MALFUNCTIONING. I COULD NOT GET THE WIPERS TO TURN OFF AT TIMES. I WOULD TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, AND THE WIPERS WOULD TURN OFF. THIS WOULD ALSO WORK AT TIMES WHEN THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN ON, BUT NOT ALWAYS. I NEVER NOTICED AN ABSOLUTE CONSISTENCY AS TO WHAT WOULD GET THE WIPERS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THEY ALSO WOULD NOT FUNCTION AT THE CORRECT SPEED. THEY WOULD GO FAST WHEN I WANTED THEM TO GO SLOW AND VICE-VERSA. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN TWICE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. THEY REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH BOTH TIMES. A WEEK FOLLOWING THE SECOND VISIT, I NOTICED THEY WOULD NOT WORK AGAIN. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE THIRD TIME. IN BETWEEN THE TIME I SCHEDULED THE APPOINTMENT AND THE ACTUAL DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT, I NOTICED THE GAS LIGHT HAD COME ON WHEN I STILL HAD ABOUT 36 MILES WORTH OF GAS LEFT IN MY CAR. I NOTICED THE LIGHT WAS ON FOR A BIT AND THEN IT WENT OFF. SO, I TOLD THEM ABOUT THAT PROBLEM AS WELL WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT ASSEMBLY. ALSO THEY REPLACED WHATEVER WIRES WERE CAUSING THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH TO GO OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND MADE A STOP AT A CONVENIENCE STORE. WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. NOT A SOUND OR ANYTHING. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DEAD. I CALLED FORD TO HAVE THEM TOW THE CAR. THIS TIME, THEY CLAIMED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH SAFETY START SWITCH, WHICH THEY DID. MY BREAKS ALSO SQUEAK CONSTANTLY. THEY ADJUSTED THE BREAKS AND CLEAN THEM UP. THEY CLAIM THE SQUEAKING BREAKS ARE NORMAL. DO NOT BUY A FORD.
Official recalls
705V030000 · 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
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.