Problems with 2001 Ford Focus SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Consumer states that since purchasing the vehicle rear brake pads wore out at 8000 miles. front rotors and pads have been replaced twice. once at 12000 miles, and 34000 miles. needs to replace them again.*ak

While driving t at normal speed, vehicle caught on fire, causing brakes and steering to fail, resulting in a front collision. dealer notified. *ak

The tire and the brakes went out and the car stated sliding. after the crash there were bolts that were found on the grass where the crash happened

Car has many issues in regards to the braking system. car has been to the shop on more than 10 occasions. the front brakes have been replaced 2 times in 3 months. finally i was told my master cylinder was bad. it apperently was replaced, when i drove the car after this repair my brakes 'went to the floor' i alsmost rammed into another car. the brakes are completley messed up and a safety danger. i was told by brian the service advisor at titus-will ford that my brakes are safe, however he would not back it in writing. this shop refused to service my vehicle in regards to this issue according to them nothing is wrong. so beware in tacoma, i have unsafe brakes. i have been in contact with ford and they are useless also. *ak

I have a ford focus se 2001 and there is a design flaw in the front brake pads. the pads are not sufficient enough to support the weight of this vehicle, therefore the brakes are wearing at a rapid rate in 8 to 10,000 miles. i had an accident in july of 2003 because the brakes wore almost gone and i could not stop in time and hit a vehicle in front of me. the brakes on the focus need to be investigated and i am sure i am not the only owner who is having problems. so far ford has replaced my brakes twice and my car has 33,000 miles. now they are lying to me and telling me my brakes are fine and i know that they need to be replaced, but they won't do it again under warranty. i have service records to prove that the brakes have been a problem since i bought the car. please investigate this problem these should be recalled and ford needs to design a brake pad to support the weight of this vehicle. this is a serious issue and i could not prove my accident was a result of these faulty brakes.*ak

Engine stalls and power loss and brakes not responding resulted in rear end collision with another vehicle. *ak

I have 22,000 miles on my 2001 ford focus, i have just been informed that i need to replace the brakes and rotors. that's ridiculous for such low miles. after a little research, i see that there is a class action lawsuit against ford. the lawsuit is for exactly my problem. *nlm

The dealer changed the front and rear brake 3 times , the rotors. twice, however the problem continued. consumer indicated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. multiple problems with vehicle. *ak *cb. the hub cap was loose and fell off, the clock spring was replaced, the turn and brake lights were inoperative, the exhaust system made a loud noise, the dealer replaced the pipe and gasket, the seat belt buckle was replaced, because the seat belt light failed to go out. *jb

Front brake has a squeaking noise while applying the brakes with a jerk. *ak

2001 ford focus, w/ only 17,900 miles - brake pads and rotors shot. ford will not cover under warranty, because they haven't determined this to be a defect. ford focus break/rotor defect. *jb

I have a ford focus with only 35,000 miles on it. it is used for light driving, but my rotors and pads are completely worn. i've never had a car that has such a bad brake system. ford should be responsible for putting such poor quality brakes on a car. it is a safety hazard. *nlm

My wife owns a 2001 ford focus zx3 with anti-lock brakes. it now has almost 29,000 miles and the front brakes are still squeaking and grinding almost with every use. it has been to 2 different dealers since it was purchased in july 2001. they have made 4 repair attempts under warranty, but the brakes still make a lot of noise and brake dust. the pads and rotors have been replaced and various other brake parts also. the service manager (richard) at adams ford in belton, mo informed me today they would do no more to fix the problem. he laughed and said feel lucky you don't own a mercedes because their brakes sounded like a dump truck stopping. *jb

While traveling on the highway and without prior warning. another vehicle jumped in front of the consumer's vehicle, and caused the consumer to hit the vehicle. on two separate occasions, the consumer was unable to stop the vehicle. *ak *cb *jb

We purchased our 2001 ford focus zx3 in october of 2001. during the first year we experienced several problems with the brakes. these problems included the brakes grabbing at very low speeds, squealing and noise issues, and low performance braking. we have taken the vehicle to the dealership of purchase several times for repair. the dealership finds and repairs the problem every time without charge. the reason for this complaint is that on may 13th 2003 the brakes temporarily failed to engage making the vehicle un-safe to drive. i have contacted the dealership's customer relations manager and i am waiting for a resolution. i wanted to relay a message to the nhtsa now due to the fact that several repairs have been made and something other than a repair should have been done to fix this problem at an earlier time. *jb

On 11-12-2001 i purchased a new ford focus at a ford dealership. on 5-13-03, the front wheels began to make a loud grinding noise and the brakes failed to operate normally. the car had only 18411 miles on it and when taken to the dealership where it was purchased, they said the brake pads and rotors were shot and needed to be replaced. i complained that no vehicle brake systems should fail that early at that low mileage but the dealership would not assist me in any way, instead charging me $469.57. the vehicle was not misused and was driven under normal conditions by mature drivers. this year/model ford focus was manufactured poorly and i have read of numerous other complaints about this vehicle. there was a problem when ford built the car and they should be held responsible for correcting the problem. *la

When the brakes were applied, the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance. *jb

I purchased a new ford focus in july of 2001. my wife uses the car to drive on the highway to and from work. we have had the car for 18 months and took the car to the laird noller dealership in lawrence for the 30,000 check up with 33,000 miles on the car. after spending $300 for the check up, we were told that the brake pads and rotors need to be replaced. i have spoken with two mechanics and have been told that the rotors should not need to be replaced on a car that is driven primarily on the highway since there is not a lot of stop and go driving. there a dozens of listings on the intert and the nhtsa website of the same complaint on their ford focus vehicles. i was told by the dealership that ford puts thin rotors on the focus to begin with so they have to be replaced very early. i was also learned from an employee at the dealership that the person that performed the service on our focus has had trouble meeting his quota of upselling repairs on cars that come in for their check up. after picking up the car, the entire dashboard was shaking and the front tires were making noises. when we brought the car in it was fine , after we picked it up it sounded horrible. we called back up to the dealership and were told to drive it for a few days and it should be fine. after waiting the two days, the brake pads began to grind into the rotors and the car did not drive well at all. i have spoken with ford and with the dealership and they have told me that there is nothing they can do for me and that i am responsible for the repairs. ford knows that there is a problem with the rotars they are using on the focus, but is not willing to do anything about it. i am worried that are not other problems with the car that may make it unsafe. i have two small children and am worried about driving them around in the car. i believe that with the number of complaints i have seen, ford should be told to initiate a recall ...

The rotors and pads had to be replaced at a low mileage. *jb.....*ak

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.

My warranty was 36,000 which is up. fixing the brakes was no problem but i dont feel my wheel bearings need replaced this quickly without having some kind if default in them from the start. my car is making this loud, roaring sound, which is driving me crazy. i'm writing to see if there's anything the headquarters of ford can do. there are recalls on 2001 ford focuses but just so happen not on my car and why is that when im having complications with it. it sounds like a tractor and ive only had the car for 16 months. i was a student in dallas and that was the only traveling i did. i'm not hard on vehicles at all. the wheel bearing are gone bad on my car and i hope there's something someone can do. its the front ones. by the way it doesn't seem as if my transmission is changing the correct # of gears.

I bought my focus used, it had 38,000 miles, on a trip the engine began to act up. it was revving all the way up but would not go above 40 mph. after calling a tow truck the check engine light came on, the dealership that i took it to had it for over a week and had difficulty locating the problem. it started and drove just fine for them. i had the fuel pump and filter replaced, as well as the fuel system flushed. while it was there they performed recall work on my battery cable routing, and my one of my engine control arm bolts. everything was fine for a few months, then i had a tire throw tread, the front passenger side. 1 week later it was back to get the other tire replaced because it had a bubble in it, after learning that i got the rest of the tires replaced. a few weeks ago my brakes started squeling, i had the pads checked they were fine, after they kept making noise i insisted that they were changed. after driving about 100 miles i started hearing a spinning thump. that became very loud. back into the shop, they replaced a brake caliper, and also i had to get yet another fuel filter, it was begining to become restricted, again. the brake problem even though it had been doing it for a while since i did not have a ford dealership do it was not covered under my warranty, and i am sure that something else will go wrong. yay!

Front breaks squeaked. brought to dealer. put in front brakes and pads. still squeaked. back to dealer. told me now i needed rear brake shoes and the drum needs to be sanded. car is driven normally and only has 14,000 miles on it. *jb

Front brakes and rotor with premature wear

I have had several repairs for this car. in regards to steering, wheel, tire as well the suspension. as the car was under 18000 mile i had so much problem with mentioned above problems. i could not control my car when it rained or when ever the road was not in perfect shape.

Front disc brake pads are worn and must be replaced after 15,000 miles. ford dealer claims the premature wear is normal and not covered by warranty. the vehicle is driven gently in a combination of city and open road driving, without any unusual braking requirements. we live near some mountains, but this vehicle is almost never driven in the mountains. there have been no unusual events that might have damaged the brakes. therefore the pad and/or rotor are defective in design or manufacturer. there is no way that total wear of the brakes should occur in only 15,000 miles of normal driving.*jb

Brakes have had to be replaced twice in the past year. dealership refuses to replace them the second time. brakes are totally unsafe. *jb

My ford focus has been having abhorred brake wear. i have put 50,000 mile on it and had to replace the rotors and pads 3 times. i know of cars going 80000 with no problem. there has got to be something wrong i have had no problems of this nature with any other vehicle. *nlm

The vehicle brake rotors are wearing and when the brakes are applied a heavy vibration can be felt followed by extended stopping distance. the dealer has been notified. *nlm

I own a 2001 ford focus zx3. i have put 17,100 miles on it since its purchase in may, 2001. at the last service, just before christmas of 2002, the ford mechanic at price ford in millington, tn. stated that my front brakes & rotors would have to be replaced soon. there is no way on earth this amount of wear and tear can occur on a car with only 17,100 miles! i have owned 9 automobiles in my life and i have never heard of brakes wearing out in under 20,000 miles! this must be a defect, or engineering mistake with ford's brakes! i initially thought the mechanic was high or something because there's no way the brakes can be worn out, but i have nearly wrecked 3 times since then due specifically to the brakes having no affect on the speed of the car. i'm looking at a minimum of $400 to get new rotors and pads and labor to install the new parts. this is crazy! you need to investigate this to see why me and many others are experiencing these issues!

The reason some of these are not dated is because the problems keep on persisting they say they can not find out what the problem is. my car dies on me and the can not find the cause. it makes a winding sound when i take off and still they can not find the cause. my gears always wind and as soon as i get it out of the shop about one to two weeks later it is doing it again, when i am driving it jerks like it wants to die or go out of gear(keep in mind i have had these problems a couple of months after i bought it). i have had to replace the tires two times i am on my third set of tires and they are messed up now. i am not a bad driver i know it is not me i have a child that is constantly with me i do not drive crazy to make all of these problems happen. i have had the brake replaced once already and now they are sqeeking again. my car cigarette lighter keeps on burning out. i just get so frustrated that i am spending all of this money for them to work on my car with the warranty and then tell me they don't know what the problem is and now the warranty is out i have to pay for this peice of junk. i have had 2 other cars and they never gave me any problems and know i am stuck unhappy everyday with this car i can not stand to drive, i feel unsafe in it everyday.

There is just to much paperwork to copy out, but would like to mail copies. i am going to pick up car this afternoon just had second fuel pump fitted and new gas tank. to date no recall info received by post. however i have been drenched with gas on more than one occassion while filling car. i have nearly been killed when car cut out at 55mph on highway narrowly missed by two other motorists. vehicle has 38,000 miles & has had the following repairs. 1/countless engine sensors 2/four new tyres 3/new front brake pads 4/new front brake rotas 5/new front wheel bearings 6/two fuel pumps 7/one fuel tank 8/waiting for third set of a frame plastic covers 9/three stereo players 10/tracklink reset three times 11/still have realy noisy brakes 12/engine sounds like 10 year old car 13/rear passenger window works when feels like it 14/right hand door speaker sounds as if broken 15/new tires fitted showing signs of odd wear 16/tail gate leakes water 17/ thought lincoln/mercury dealer might give better results no just longer wait.

Nary 02/28/2003 mr new front brakes replaced at 29 thousand miles. *cb

Consumer stated the battery light indicator illuminated, just as stated under recall#02v288000, however dealer would not repair because the vin was not included. ts. consumer stated the dealer did fix the battery indicator problem at no charge, also the brakes and rotors was replaced.*jb

While getting on the off ramp when i went to stop the brakes *popped* and failed completely. i had to stop the car with the hand brake. had it serviced by ford and it was a master cylinder failure.

On nov 6th 2002, i had the ford focus inspected at a new york state inspection center to meet state inspection. no problems were detected at that time in the operations or consistion of the brake system. on nov. 11th returning from a 500 mile trip the brake sysytems failed with total loss of front brakes and a sever grinding in the front drivers wheel. upon inspection the rotor was severly damaged resulting in brake failure. i called the new york state inspector concerning the problem and was told that the brakes were in spec. on nov. the 6th, 2002. i can only assumed that i experianced a total brake failure due to poor quality of materials used in the brake system of the ford focus. dt

Consumer states while driving 50 mph the brakes failed causing the driver to press the brakes real hard causing the air bag to depoy and had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. mr

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.

Vehicles' brake pad deteriorated, they were only at 20% stated the mechanic. please provide more details. ph

While at a stop with foot on the brake, consumer stated that brake pedal suddenly went to the floor and the consumers vehicle hit another vehicle. upon inspection the consumer noticed that brake fluid was all over the ground. *ts *nlm

I originally took the car in back in october but they found no cause for the noise the brakes were making at the time. no repairs were done then. dt

The front brake pads wore out with only 11000 miles on the car. unacceptable for a new car. dt

Brakes worn out at 140000 miles. this is ridiculous! ts

2001 ford focus w/just over 13000 miles i am told by ford repair in antioch, ca i need new rotors, shoes, etc...i initially reported concerns about brake noise, wear when i first purchased but i was told was all normal stuff! it is not, they have defective parts & too many people having problems!*ak

My brakes started grinding at 25000 miles and i needed new pads and rotors, this shouldn't happen to a car with that low of a mileage, i had a ford escort which i would still drive had i not been rearended that i never needed to replace the brakes on and it had 140,000 miles when i was hit. the brakes started grinding and after taking it to the dealer, they needed to replace both front rotors as well as the brake pads. i also have had problems with the firestone tires the vehicle was sold with, they were so uneven and warped that they caused the entire car to shake about a month after i bought it that started. it really is ridicouous, i pay more for reparis in a month than i do for a car payment. *ak

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...

The car starting having problems at 7000 miles. front end jumping. i had a tire go bad and replaced it. had the tire rotated and the front end lined up. then, the noise and the car still did not feel right. i took it back to ford and the rim is bent. replaced that. so far i am out 250.00 for the tire and 298.00 for the rim/. the problem continued, but by 15000 miles the car was jumping, front end problems. had the tires rotated and the car lined up again. i have the problems still. ( i was told(way i drive, curves,the way i take the corners, ) well, # one i am 43 yrs old and this is not my first car. i have had mustangs before and never rotated the tires or changed my driving habits. ( what ever). at 15000 the brakes started to squeak all the time (wet, cold, moisture, dry). per the manual this will happened. i was told that it is common with focus. i had a escort for over 4 yrs and they never did what this car has. with the front and back the recall 02s42/01b85 was done finally in march. this recall stated pinch bolt that retains the steering knuckle to the lower ball joint on your vehicle may not have the proper torque. ****** ( this condition exists, your vehicle may experience vibration or noise... this could eventually lead to ball joint separation with a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash,) this is what i was told ford dealership was wrong with the car since august. i feel that the recall came to late and now my tires are destroyed. one tire is worst than the others. remember that one tire is brand new ( 7000 less miles).... the brake pedal is still making a noise when i release it at the park mode or stop turn around stop at light or whenever. they have adjusted it 3-4 times. and with in mins. of them adjusting it, it is back to the same thing. this is a on going problem, wasted time and troubles. i do not want everybody to notice when i have my daughter in the car or i get hurt in an accident. this is important your reply help debra.w. *jb

Apple ford service department inspected my brakes and told me that the rear brake rotors were shot and needed to be replaced. the service department also told me all the brake pads, front and rear, had to be replaced. i have never had a new car whose rear brake rotors failed and needed to be replaced. my focus was less than 2,000 miles out of warranty and ford motor co. refused to help with the bill, $643.00. *ak

While applying the brakes there was a squeaking noise coming from the front/rear of the vehicle. the pedal had gone down and made a squeak noise. *ak the front end bounced and vibrated due to the pinch bolt that retained the steering knuckled to the lower ball joint. (may not have the proper torque) there was a problem with the front end and rear. the wheel was replaced, the flat tire was balanced and the beam worked okay. the vehicle made noise when released from park mode, stop, and was intermittent. (has been adjust 3-4 times but would go back to the same thing) *scc *jb

Front brakes do not work properly. also extended stopping distance. contacted dealer. *ak

When brakes were applied at unknown speed pedal went to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance, and causing a collision. no injuries, damage to vehicle unknown at this time.*ak