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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
160,000 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Seats

IT START WITH DOOR BUSTING ALL THE TIME ,THEN I SWITCH IT OFF ..NOW IT WANT CRANK ,JUST BUST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664556

77,000 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Suspension

CHECKED YOUR SITE FOR RECALLS. FOUND FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER:03M02 RE: COIL SPRINGS. PREVIOUSLY CHECKED FOR RECALLS TWO YEAR AGO. THIS NOTICE WAS NOT ON YOUR SITE THEN. AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I HAVE MADE IT A POINT TO KEEP ABREAST OF ALL RECALLS. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS NOTICE BY FORD. USED THE SAME DEALER FOR REPAIRS F…

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CHECKED YOUR SITE FOR RECALLS. FOUND FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER:03M02 RE: COIL SPRINGS. PREVIOUSLY CHECKED FOR RECALLS TWO YEAR AGO. THIS NOTICE WAS NOT ON YOUR SITE THEN. AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I HAVE MADE IT A POINT TO KEEP ABREAST OF ALL RECALLS. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS NOTICE BY FORD. USED THE SAME DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS. CALLED FORD TODAY. FORD SAID THE DEALER HAD A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. NEVER INFORMED OF THIS BY THE DEALER (AUTO NATION, BELLEVUE DEALERSHIP). YOUR SITE POSTING OF THE NOTICE SAID IT EXPIRED AFTER 10 YEAR OR 150,000 MILES. FORD SAID I WAS OUT OF LUCK AS "WHAT EVER CAME FIRST, YEARS OR MILEAGE". I SUSPECT THAT FORD NEVER NOTIFIED NHTSA OF THIS PROBLEM & I ALSO SUSPECT FORD IS DOING A CYA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650346

127,000 miles · Oct 17, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System

1.ENGINE FADES OR LOSES POWER RAPIDLY DURING EXECUTION OF FREEWAY- SPEED TURNS (OFF RAMPS FOR EXAMPLE) WITHOUT BRAKING; I HAVE GONE FROM 50 TO 20 MPH WITHIN 1-2 SECONDS WHILE IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SEMI (VERY DANGEROUS). THE VEHICLE WAS TUNED AND TYPICAL PARTS REPLACED FOR SMOG CHECK A FEW MONTHS AGO AND PASSED SMOG CHE…

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1.ENGINE FADES OR LOSES POWER RAPIDLY DURING EXECUTION OF FREEWAY- SPEED TURNS (OFF RAMPS FOR EXAMPLE) WITHOUT BRAKING; I HAVE GONE FROM 50 TO 20 MPH WITHIN 1-2 SECONDS WHILE IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SEMI (VERY DANGEROUS). THE VEHICLE WAS TUNED AND TYPICAL PARTS REPLACED FOR SMOG CHECK A FEW MONTHS AGO AND PASSED SMOG CHECK WITHOUT COMMENTS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 100K AND HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER DRIVERS WHO BORROW MY CAR. THE FORD DEALERSHIP (SERRAMONTE FORD) WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM SO I PAID 150 DOLLARS FOR A CAN OF FUEL ADDITIVE AND LOST USE OF THE CAR FOR 8 HOUR EVEN THOUGH I WAS ASKED TO DROP IT OFF START OF MORNING. 2. NOW IT STUTTERS OR HESITATES DURING HIGH ACCELERATION (IE PASSING LANE OR GOING UPHILL) ON HIGHWAY; THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER RELIABLE ESP. IF YOU SHOULD NEED TO RAPIDLY INCREASE POWER. I HAVE READ OF POSSIBLE CONNECTION RELATED TO EITHER A FUEL PUMP OR DEBRIS FROM THE FUEL TANK INNER COATING/MATERIAL COMPOSITION DEGRADING OVER TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648392

108,900 miles · Sep 9, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILED TO LATCH AND REMAINED OPENED. THE DOOR WAS FORCED CLOSED BY THE USE OF ROPES AND A SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILED TO LATCH AND REMAINED OPENED. THE DOOR WAS FORCED CLOSED BY THE USE OF ROPES AND A SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,900.

NHTSA ODI #10631903

98,000 miles · Aug 16, 2014
Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 5 IN PORTLAND OR. MY ENGINE JUST STOPPED!! RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF TRAFFIC. LUCKILY IT WAS EARLY RUSH HOUR SO IT WAS STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. BUT, WAS VERY SCARY AND DIFFICULT TO GET MY CAR OFF THE FREEWAY. I WAS TOLD THAT 2001 FORD FOCUS'S HAVE A FUEL LINE PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED. I PURCHASE…

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I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 5 IN PORTLAND OR. MY ENGINE JUST STOPPED!! RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF TRAFFIC. LUCKILY IT WAS EARLY RUSH HOUR SO IT WAS STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. BUT, WAS VERY SCARY AND DIFFICULT TO GET MY CAR OFF THE FREEWAY. I WAS TOLD THAT 2001 FORD FOCUS'S HAVE A FUEL LINE PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED. I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2008. THERE WAS ONLY 1 PREVIOUS OWNER. THIS RECALL WAS NOT REPAIRED ON THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10625750

195,000 miles · Aug 8, 2014
Engine

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF THE CAR JUST STOPPED. I LET IT ROLL TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN PUT IT IN PARK. I TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR AND I GOT NOTHING. ALL THE LIGHTS, HORN, AND ALL STILL WORKS BY THE ENGINE DOES NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620927

162,600 miles · Aug 6, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE WARNING INDICATORS DID NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS OF TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE WARNING INDICATORS DID NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS OF TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 162,600.

NHTSA ODI #10619398

80,000 miles · Jul 31, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 85 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,182. UPATED 9/4/14*CN UPDATED 1/8/2015 …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 85 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,182. UPATED 9/4/14*CN UPDATED 1/8/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617990

138,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Electrical System

KEY DOES NOT TURN PROPERLY IN IGNITION CYLINDER AND DOOR LOCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609734

76,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Structure

UNDER NORMAL USE THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON THREE OF THE FOUR CAR DOORS BROKE. WITHIN A WEEK'S TIME ALL THREE BROKE AND THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS WAS TO REACH THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW AND PULL THE INTERIOR HANDLE. AT MY EXPENSE THE FORD SERVICE DEPT. REPLACED THE BROKE HANDLES, HOWEVER THE RIGHT REAR PART COULDN'T BE LOCA…

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UNDER NORMAL USE THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON THREE OF THE FOUR CAR DOORS BROKE. WITHIN A WEEK'S TIME ALL THREE BROKE AND THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS WAS TO REACH THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW AND PULL THE INTERIOR HANDLE. AT MY EXPENSE THE FORD SERVICE DEPT. REPLACED THE BROKE HANDLES, HOWEVER THE RIGHT REAR PART COULDN'T BE LOCATED TO REPAIR IT. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL. SHOULD THEIR HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO MY REPLACING THE HANDLES, SOMEONE TRYING TO HELP A PERSON STUCK INSIDE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE PASSENGER OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE TO READ ABOUT THESE HANDLES I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A BAD DESIGN YEAR FOR DOOR HANDLES AND AFTER ABOUT 3 YEARS IT WAS THEN REDESIGNED. WHY NOT A RECALL THEN? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609619

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.