Problems with 2000 Ford Focus POWER TRAIN

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

Transmission changes while driving. transmission slips, it feels as if consumer was driving a manual . she has had overdrive to pause on her as if she had stepped on brakes. *ak

I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle just last month the cable and motor in the rear passenger side door window burned up and now will cost over $600. to fix i can not get the front rack & pinion fixed because it will cost $1800.00. the transmission is going out now it slips out of gear sometimes not at all. i just got the brakes repaired for the third time in may and they are again squeaking. i have all of my receipts for work done to this car. i am now having to put power steering fluid in once or twice a week. the automatic locks on the doors lock and unlock all the time, and the electric instruments turn off by themselves. (radio) the driving lights go out at times and will not come back on. please help me, i am a single mother and have complained to courtesy ford they want to charge me diagnostic $90.00 for each item i am complaining about and then the amount it will take to fix all of the things wrong. this vehicle i just recently found out has had six different owners before me and one was rental car company. i do not know who the rest of them were. courtesy ford had said there was only one owner. they will not listen to me and now the focus' have a front suspension recall that may have been the problem the whole time with the brakes and the tire replacements and the power steering problems.!!! please help me. dt

While driving could hear noise on the movement of vehicle had seen recalls on axle of vehicle. decided to take vehicle to dealer, and they found out that problem was refferred to rear axle of vehicle. but this vehicle was not involved in recall becausethey could not fixed problem without charging consumer. please provide more information. *ak

I sent this letter to ford in may of 2000 i purchased a ford focus, thinking it would be a safe, low maintenance car, considering it had been in europe since 1997. i would think this would be plenty of time to work out any bugs you may have. or, should i call them recalls. i think a car that has 16 recalls, most of them which i would consider safety issues, should be recalled entirely. i have had other issues with this car as well. my key would not turn, seat belts locking for no reason, door handles not opening the door (this is all happening again). and one that has not been addressed, brakes. i am now on my third set of front rotors since i have purchased the car. the same thing has happened every time. the driver side rotor and pad will wear completely down yet the passenger side will be just fine. i have talked to other focus owners and the same thing is happening. i still have my last set of rotors just to prove it. i got smart this time and bought replacements that were not made by you. stop tech cross drilled rotors and ebc greenstuff kevlar pads. i also replaced the driver side caliper with a non-ford replacement. i want out of this car because i feel it is unsafe. i also would like to warn other focus owners that this car is unsafe. you also had better not send me to the dealership again. what does the dealership have to do with the production of an unsafe car? nothing, except that they sell it. i am not putting up with ford pushing me around or giving me the run around either. this car is extremely unsafe and should not be on the road. i did not do this before but this time you leave me no choice. this letter will be sent to as many bad product websites as i can find. it will also be sent to nhtsa, consumer reports and the better business bureau. you did not do anything with my previous complaint and now there are more issues with this product that ...

Vehicle shifts improperly. consumer has been in very dangerous situation once when coming off a ramp and down shifting, gears would not engage properly. vehicle won't go into gear. consumer stated it didn't happen all the time, but it was dangerous when it did. please provide any further information. *ak

While driving vehicle at approximately 40mph it would suddenly die out without any warning. would lose all power steering and brakes. taken to dealership each time and had speedometer repaired/ wiring harness replaced, and brain box of computer repaired. after each repair problem would reappear. manufacturer is buying back vehicle. *ak

On aug 31, 2001 at approxametly 1:40pm, while on my way to work my speedometer, and tachometer topped out. and all dash electrical systems began flashing. my car began excelerating and stopping on its own, and i imedeiately noticed smoke pouring from under the hood and from the vents. i pulled into parking lot at work, i poped the hood and called the fire department, becuase there were flames coming from the battery area. the fire depr't came and put out the fire, the car was towed to the nearest ford dealer (purvis ford, fredericksburg va). i have only had the car 28 days and have not paid a payment as yet when this occured. if you can contact me at work perferably, or home, please enter the following code when calling our house ([xxx]). any thing you can do to help is appreciated as no one will look at my vechile (indlucing ford and the dealer where purchased.) thank you.*ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

There is a very bad squeaking noise when braking, and when consumer lets off the brake there is a grinding noise. driver states more than twice brake pedal was applied, and pedal went to the floor. ford has been contacted.*ak.also consumer was complaining of the transmission slipping, the cigarette lighter was not working, cup holder bubbling, serpentine belt was replaced due to a squeal coming from under the hood, gas light was coming on when the tank was full of gas, door ajar light was coming on, starter and battery were replaced, driver sider mirror knob fell off, rpm runs high, headlamp molding was replaced, sunvisor was broke, rear child seat latch cover was broke, air conditioner and heater were replaced, passenger door trim, driver seat metal bar, rewind button for am/fm cassette was inoperative, carpet loose, pillar trim was coming off, ticking noise was coming from the front of vehicle, the egr valve ws replaced, rear tail light was out, the bulb was replaced, deck lid wire harness, a new fuel tank was installed due to the engine light illuminating, the front and rear brakes have been replaced due to warpage, also the speedometer stopped working.*jb

Positive battery cable is burning off insulation.*ak consumer states that the positive battery cable harness has gotten so hot that it has burned the red plastic cable cover black and has caused the battery to bulge out as if it could burst, consumer states the positive wire was cut from the battery past terminal and there has not been any problems as of yet, also transmission fluid was leaking at the case half, also the front struts were replaced. *slc

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak

While driving heard a loud noise. took vehicle to dealership, axle had broken.*ak

After 6 months of purchase, the brake system specifically rotors failed. while applying brakes there was a constant grinding noise, resulting in extended stopping distance before vehicle came to a complete stop. mechanic stated ford focus had these common problems, also experiencing other problems such as erratic speedometer failure, an the interior light fell out from roof of vehicle, and 2 inches of water entering from side of door. *ak *tt

Consumer stated when coming to a stop or when downshifting vehicle will stall/ lose power steering. also, has to keep vehicle rolling in order to start vehicle back up which takes awhile. consumer has contacted dealer. dealer reprogrammed pcm to set base the idle.*ak

Car would only go into reverse, when put into drive or other forward gear it was as if the auto was in neutral. *ak

Transmission has been replaced three times already due to transmission slipping and making noise when driving. contacted dealer, and dealer cannot find cause of problem.*ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

Consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway and noticed that headlights started blinking. also, overdrive gear will go on and off without prior warning. *ak

Consumer states ongoing problem with engine stalling while driving at any speed, dealer was notified. nlm dealer replaced coil pack and fuel pump 6 times. vehicle is under warranty however warranty is not valid. the wheel bearings failed causing the rear wheel to fall off. the main belt broke. the transmission cooling lines broke. ignition switch had to be replaced. the rear brakes squeak especially when there is moisture in the air. *tt

Rear tires have been replaced four times with 60000 mile tires and it is eating the tires in less than 20000 miles. the rear of the car is vibrating and bouncing at all speeds but is worst at 55 to 65 mph. i have tried to get it fixed several times and the dealerships keep saying it is the alignment. alignment has been corrected and verified several times with no result. all recall work to date has been completed by dealerships.*ak

While driving any mph transmission slipped out of gear. had taken vehicle for repairs, but problem could not be duplicated.*ak

Tires wore out and started to separate at this milage, dealer won't help , also wheel bearing replaced due to failures. dealer and ford accept no responsiblity for defective equip. bearing noise noticed at 7k miles dealer finally replaced bearings at 23750 miles. cust is going thru arbitration to lemon the car. running into probs with this also ford won't take it back . 8 recalls is enough (tiresize: p19570r15)( dot number: tire size: p19570r15 )

Wife was driving car at low speed when it started vibrating and died. towed to dealership and told that transmission needs to be replaced. is this usual for a one year old car with 8400 miles? one week earlier, had to have cylinder head replaced. are two events linked? *ak

While working on the vehicle, the mechanic discovered a seal leak in the engine, and a leak in transmission cooler lines. later,while on the road, the vehicle started to fishtail in the back due to a bolt which held the rear suspension had loosened. in addition, the vehicle had stalling problems, and severe corrosion buildup on the battery. *ak *jb

Ignition and steering locked up, key would not turn, vehicle was parked. *ak there was noise in the right side of the vehicle due to rear outside mirror failure. the transmission slips on accel. there was vibration in steering at 45 mph and up. the high sqealing on rainy days when turning left or right was caused by drive belt malfunctioning. the ignition locked due to cylinder assembly problem. *yh

Had just shifted into 1st gear and got out of vehicle. it started to roll forward, down a hill, and hit a sign. driver's side door was damaged. then, went across highway and through a barbed wire fence. vehicle towed to dealer after being at body shop. having mechanic check the transmission. felt it had slipped out of gear. *ak

7/00- tape was stuck in stereo, had to replace stereo. 3/01- had to replace front brack pads at 11000 miles. 11/01- ignition locked on vehicle. had to replace ignition. 3/02- transmission was neutralizing when driving. had to replace transmission. 5/02- car was stalling. ford unable to detect problem. 9/02- car was not accelerating and stalling suddenly- had to replace fuel pump. 9/02- had to replace front brake pads and back brake shoes at 34000 miles.

Vehicle was entering a parking space in a parking garage when it, without prior warning, jumped out of gear and ran into a wall. both airbags did not deploy, and there was frontal damage. *ak

Consumer had turned off engine and placed transmission pawl in first gear, then went inside of house, and somebody called him because vehicle had taken off and crashed into a tree. manufacturer and dealer were looking int defect.*ak

Brake system has had shoes/bearings/ drums replaced due to overheating of wheel. rear drive's side tire is becoming too hot to touch after normal operation of vehicle. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak

Tires/ shocks/ wheel bearings/ transmission struts, and rotors all bad and worn out. dealer unresponsive and so is ford long file on this car. dealer refuses to lemon the car out. totally frustrated by lack of communication with dealer and ford am considering law suit against both (tiresize: 195r7015)

Whenever driving can smell fumes coming inside vehicle throuh vents. smells like burning plastic. gears would get stuck. hard to shift from one gear to another gear. *ak

The consumer reported to the dealer that the gas pedal was sticking but the delaer was unable to duplicate the problem, the throttle body also sticks. nlm

Problems not being able to shift properly, gears grind, pop out, burning smell in ac/heat, never buy ford again, bought in 8/00 nothing but problems. *ak

When applying brake pedal it would go to the floor, also brakes will grind. rotors had to be turned, and brakes were replaced 7 times, but the problem reoccurred. *ak transmission slips and jerks and rpms jump. no problem found. consumer hears loose gravel sound from right front wheel area. dealer found wheel well loose. dealer found serpentine belt failed causing whistle squeal under hood. gas light on with full tank and door ajar light is on. dealer replaced battery. evaporative hose loose. dealer removed and installed fuel tank. cigarette lighter not working. r-cup hold bubbling. driver side mirror knob falls off. rear child seat latch cover in broke. front driver seat metal fell out. both headlamps moulding fall out. sunvisor mirror/bracket moulding on passenger side between door / dash loose. broken. right outer ac vent broken. loose carpet on right front floor. pillar trim coming off. deck lid wire harness had tp be replaced. clicking noise from l/h front of vehicle. egr valve replaced. left rear tail lamp is out. engine light is on. problems with rewind button for am/fm cassette. *tt

Recall 00 v 218 000/fmvss 201/ recall oo v 303 000/rear wheel hub nut, and program 00b59/premature seal wear in clutch master cylinder. unable to get dealer to honor recalls or progarm due to no parts available at redlands auto center in redlands, ca; phone # 909/793-3211. seeking help from nhtsa in this matter. please feel free to provide any further details in this matter. *ak

Transmission is sticky while shifting into 2nd gear with clutch fully engaged. the brake pedal intermittantly gets very hard giving reduced braking action. *slc

Recall 00v303000/ manufacturer's recall 00s31 vehicle has made squeaking noises since purchased. consumer thought it was because it was new. dealer inspected vehicle, and braking system would have to be repaired. recall only covered rear brakes & not front. *ak

When putting vehicle in reverse gear there is a loud noise. dealer contacted.*ak

Brakes noise resulting from larger than normal chunk of metal in pad grooving the left front rotor. transmission- leak at transmission cooler. suspension noise front- thumping while going over speed bumps, rear squeeking. window trim- coming off or squeeking when rolled up. head lamp- dropping black silicon into sealed unit (visible). engine- stalling, dying while coming to a stop or sitting at stop. no help from dealer service dept. only argues with me!. *ak (tiresize: p205r70/15)( dot number: tire size: p205r70/15 )

Received a manufacturer's recall notice concerning a rear wheel drum assembly bearing clip load. unable to get appointment because dealer ( tamiami ford, naples, fl , phone # 914/ 643-3673) informed consumer no parts available. seeking help from nhtsa in this matter. *ak

Manual transmission has difficulty shifting into reverse, gets stuck in shift and grinds gear, sometimes won't go into reverse, takes some play of the clutch to get the shifter into reverse. *et

Vehicle experienced a thrust when changing gears, and will not go into third gear. dealer notified. *ak the problem is determined to be acomputor failure. and also fixed a recall for left rear tire. *yh

I was downshifting to stop at a red light when i heard a pop and then something fell at my feet. i took the car to a local ford dealer. they said that it was the clutch tension spring that broke, and they have seen the same problem 2 times prior. i called ford and there is no recall for this problem.

Overheating/ transmission slipping/ vibration. *ak

When consumer shut off vehicle, the keys would not come out of the ignition, the steering wheel lock would not function, and the automatic transmission lock did not work, the dealer found a sticking solenoid and replaced the shifter assembly. *slc

Transmission has been slipping for long period of time. car has been taking to dealership several times, but told that there was nothing wrong with the transmission. this all happened during the warranty period. warranty is now over and now the transmission has completley died.*ak

The clutch pedal spring split in half while at a stop light on a road with a posted speed limit of 45 miles an hour. it was at night in a tropical storm with local heavy rains while i was in florida. the police parked a crusier behind me with it's lights on and even with this protect we were almost rear ended a couple of times before we could push the car off the road. the mechanic in florida said that ford knows of the clutch spring probleem - the original spring is to stiff and the replacement part is manufactured with more flexibility. if this is true ford should recall the focus' with the bad clutch spring before someone gets hurt. my wife and i missed a days work because of this problem. as far as the windshield is concerned it isn't sealed properly and allows water to enter the car. ford is going to take the windshield out and reseal it. again this is inconvenient and really disappointing for a new car to have this problem. the car also has two other problems that aren't safety related. the radio broke and ford replaced it and the passenger seat had a broken part that it took over 4 months to get a part for. *ak

My 2000 ford focus was purchased on march 29, 2000, it was wrecked on april 23, 2000, there was around 11000 in dammage reported. it was finished being repaired around august first. since then there hasn't been a problem. on september 16th at 10:30 nam my car was left running at a gas station. upon return i put the car into drive and it just made a grinding noise. the dealership, nourse ford in delaware, says that it is the clap on the drive shaft. they said it is not caused from the accident. how can something this serious just happen to a brand new car. i think it was caused by the accident. are there any statistics about the 2000 ford focus?