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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

What owners actually said

1,761 reports
30,000 miles · Sep 26, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-80 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK MOMENTARILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS BEING REDESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR THIS FAILURE, AND WOULD NOT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-80 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK MOMENTARILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS BEING REDESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR THIS FAILURE, AND WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2008. THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND AWAITING THE REPLACEMENT PART IN ORDER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10243522

120,000 miles · Sep 25, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

MY SON & I GOT DONE EATING I LEFT THE RESTAURANT PARKING LOT & THOUGHT I WOULD STOP BY THE NEXT PLACE WHEN MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED UP OUT INTO TRAFFIC. LUCKY NO ONE WAS RIDING IN THE BACK. AND NO ACCIDENT HAPPEN. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF PLAYING WITH THE LOCK I GOT IT TO CLOSE & HAVEN'T USED THAT DOOR SINCE. I MAD…

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MY SON & I GOT DONE EATING I LEFT THE RESTAURANT PARKING LOT & THOUGHT I WOULD STOP BY THE NEXT PLACE WHEN MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED UP OUT INTO TRAFFIC. LUCKY NO ONE WAS RIDING IN THE BACK. AND NO ACCIDENT HAPPEN. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF PLAYING WITH THE LOCK I GOT IT TO CLOSE & HAVEN'T USED THAT DOOR SINCE. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IN CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY AND ALL I GOT WAS A SURVEY FORM WHICH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MY PROBLEM. BACK IN 2005 WHEN THEY RECALLED MY CAR FOR FAILURE ON DOOR LOCKS I HAD TAKEN IT TO VALLEY VIEW FORD AND HAD IT SERVICED. NOW THREE YEARS LATER THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND NOBODY WANTS TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MAYBE IT TAKES SOMEONE TO DIE AND SUE THEM. VERY UNHAPPY WITH FORD, I NOW WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243466

130,473 miles · Sep 12, 2008
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE MAIN FAILURES WERE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM, BENT TIE ROD, SHAKING AND VIBRATING, REAR WINDOW MECHANISMS, AND FLOODING AFTER IT RAINS. THE LEAK OCCURS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE WATER RISES 2 TO 3 I…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE MAIN FAILURES WERE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM, BENT TIE ROD, SHAKING AND VIBRATING, REAR WINDOW MECHANISMS, AND FLOODING AFTER IT RAINS. THE LEAK OCCURS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE WATER RISES 2 TO 3 INCHES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER DUE TO THE INSPECTION COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,473.

NHTSA ODI #10242026

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2008
Exterior Lighting

MY HEADLIGHT FELL OUT OF THE HOUSING AND MELTED THE HOUSING AROUND IT. IT NO LONGER WORKS AS A RESULT OF THIS.... THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF THIS PART. I WOULD NOT KNOW WHY THE LAMP IT'S SELF WOULD JUST FALL OUT OF THE HOUSING. I HAVE ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT WAS TOLD NO BY THE LOCAL FORD…

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MY HEADLIGHT FELL OUT OF THE HOUSING AND MELTED THE HOUSING AROUND IT. IT NO LONGER WORKS AS A RESULT OF THIS.... THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF THIS PART. I WOULD NOT KNOW WHY THE LAMP IT'S SELF WOULD JUST FALL OUT OF THE HOUSING. I HAVE ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT WAS TOLD NO BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BUT YOU CAN'T TRUST WHAT THEY SAY BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME YEARS AGO THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY FUEL PUMP AND THERE WAS, THEY ARE JUST RUDE THERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241656

75,000 miles · Sep 9, 2008
Electrical System

MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO START THE CAR TO GO TO SCHOOL AND COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS AT HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED, UNLIKE THE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT A REPAIR COST OF OVER $300, AND THE NUMBER OF BAD IGNITIONS THAT ARE IN THE FORD FOCUS CARS, IT SHOULD BE FORD'S RESPONSIBI…

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MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO START THE CAR TO GO TO SCHOOL AND COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS AT HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED, UNLIKE THE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT A REPAIR COST OF OVER $300, AND THE NUMBER OF BAD IGNITIONS THAT ARE IN THE FORD FOCUS CARS, IT SHOULD BE FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE IGNITIONS. WE HAVE HAD MANY CARS THAT WERE OLDER THAN OUR FOCUS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241631

105,000 miles · Sep 9, 2008
Electrical System

MY IGNITION LOCKED UP. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO FIND REPAIR METHODS AND FOUND TONS OF COMPLAINTS FROM FELLOW FOCUS OWNERS. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY COMMON AND CANNOT BE FIXED, IT HAS TO BE REPLACED ADDING UP TO A TOTAL OF $500.00. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT FO…

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MY IGNITION LOCKED UP. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO FIND REPAIR METHODS AND FOUND TONS OF COMPLAINTS FROM FELLOW FOCUS OWNERS. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY COMMON AND CANNOT BE FIXED, IT HAS TO BE REPLACED ADDING UP TO A TOTAL OF $500.00. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. MY WIFE ALSO OWNS A FOCUS AND I'M JUST WAITING FOR THAT PHONE CALL. HOPEFULLY SHE'S NOT STRANDED IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. SEARCH FOCALJET.COM AND FOCUSFANATICS.COM FOR COMPLAINTS. THERES ALSO AN ONLINE PETITION FOR FORD THAT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY OVER 2,000 FOCUS OWNERS TO DATE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241613

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2008
Electrical System

THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 LOCKED UP, LEFT ME STRANDED. UNABLE TO START THE CAR. IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED TO ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS 2000 -2003 MODELS. FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT TO A PROBLEM. I HAVE THE OLD PART IF NEEDED. REPAIR COST $333. *…

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THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 LOCKED UP, LEFT ME STRANDED. UNABLE TO START THE CAR. IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED TO ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS 2000 -2003 MODELS. FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT TO A PROBLEM. I HAVE THE OLD PART IF NEEDED. REPAIR COST $333. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241402

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON HOT DAYS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND IS RESTARTED IT GOES INTO A MODE WHERE IT CONSISTENTLY STALLS AT IDLE AND LOW RPM. IT HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND ONLY OCCURS SOME OF THE TIME. NETHER FORD OR INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX T…

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ON HOT DAYS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND IS RESTARTED IT GOES INTO A MODE WHERE IT CONSISTENTLY STALLS AT IDLE AND LOW RPM. IT HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND ONLY OCCURS SOME OF THE TIME. NETHER FORD OR INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED STALLING IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241319

120,000 miles · Sep 6, 2008
Electrical System

I OWN 2 SEPARATE FORD FOCUSES - BOTH 2001 MODELS. ONE IS A ZTS AND THE OTHER AN SX. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE SX IGNITION LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WE HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. NOW, BARELY A YEAR LATER, THE ZTS MODEL IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. SEARCHING ONLINE FOR A CHEAPER SOLUTION (THE DE…

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I OWN 2 SEPARATE FORD FOCUSES - BOTH 2001 MODELS. ONE IS A ZTS AND THE OTHER AN SX. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE SX IGNITION LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WE HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. NOW, BARELY A YEAR LATER, THE ZTS MODEL IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. SEARCHING ONLINE FOR A CHEAPER SOLUTION (THE DEALER CHARGES UPWARDS OF $300 TO FIX THE ISSUE), I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND WIDELY KNOWN BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. I'VE BEEN STRANDED TWICE ALONE WITH THIS CAR AND NOW THE IGNITION WON'T TURN AT ALL NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRY TO JIGGLE THE KEY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND COULD LEAD TO VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY FORD AND REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241142

93,000 miles · Aug 28, 2008
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SIDESWIPED A PARKED VEHICLE. THE MIRROR WAS DAMAGED. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SIDESWIPED A PARKED VEHICLE. THE MIRROR WAS DAMAGED. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL ARM DISENGAGED, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10240127

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.