Problems with 2001 Ford Focus AIR BAGS

Airbags where improperly configured in the passenger side. *la the consumer rear ended another vehicle while attempting to come to a stop. the impact was not severe but the frontal air bags deployed. the air bag deployment also shattered the windshield. *nm

While driving at 50 mph on the highway driver lost control of the vehicle, and crashed into a guard rail head on. upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. *ak

Leaking from windshield to dash to passenger cabin: in heavy rains and car washes water would come in though the windshield seal and run down into the dash near air bag and come out near fuel shut off valve. ford wanted $1,000 to fix this. the problem happened on other ford focus models. i was told there was a service advisor and that nothing would be covered under warranty. after discussing this matter, i got price down to $150.*ak

I was involved in an accident in my 2001 ford focus. both driver and passenger air bags deployed, the driver side airbag gave me second degree burns on the inside of my right wrist and hand.

Airbags deployed at minor fender-bender, so minor that there was no damage to either car, the only damage was from the airbags-caused the winshield to break and a second degree burn on driver's right arm.

Owner stated that driver's side air bag is coming through the steering wheel.*ak

I was sitting at a red light. when the light turned green, the driver in front of me moved and i moved behind him i must have slightly tapped his bumper. i am saying must have because the other driver kept on going as nothing had happened. both air bags deployed and the passenger bag cracked the windshield. the driver's air bag gave me 2nd and 3rd degrees burns on my left arm. i called ford trying to get them to fix it for free because i feel that the switch that enables the air bags is defective and because the car only has 40,000 miles and their warranty is 36,000. ford told me to get my insurance to pay for it. my car has no damage with the exception of the air bags and windshield. *nlm

I purchased a 2001 ford focus on my way to work while pulling into my parking space the car accelerated unexpectedly then the brakes did not work. i then pulled on the emergency brakes which did not work to immediately stop the car. i crashed head on into the car in front of the parking space. also, upon impact the airbags did not inflate. the car was supposedly to have front and side impact airbags and one in the steering when and nothing happened. my chest went straight into the steering wheel so hard there was a circular imprint around my chest and stomach. after people came to see about me one man asked if my car was off. i said yes and he pointed out the car still looked like it was trying to accelerate. the wheels were spinning full force. i took the car back to the dealership i only had it for 3 days and nothing was done to correct the failure. the owner of the dealership said since the car was in a wreck it was worthless to him and there was nothing he could do. he even threatened that he would call the police if my family and myself did not leave. *jb

Ford focus sped up for no reason and then veered to left crossing left lane and went into ditch which had a culvert and the car then bounced into a cornfield. airbags deployed for both driver and passenger. driver had broken ribs and other bruises. passenger had chest injuries from which he died couple hours later. the inspecting officer said witnesses insisted they did not see brake lights, and if there was anything wrong with the car the driver would have hit the brakes. driver remembered the accident, and was awake and talking to passenger. she was hospitalized and had neurological tests and did not have a stroke. *ak

Consumer had a front collision and neither of the air bags deployed. dealer notified. *ak vehicle's engine stalled causing steering and brake failure causing a collision into the side of a mountain. air bag equipment failed to deploy on impact. *mr

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

Consumer stated was involved in front collision and neither of the air bags deployed. dealer notified. *ak

The consumers vehicle rear ended another vehicle at 5 mph and both air bags deployed shattering the windshield. the police stated that the air bags should not have deployed because there was no damage to the front end of the vehicle. *ak *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

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

Engine light on. jerky gear engaging. choppy acceleration. 8/02 replaced alternator 8/02 replaced v belt 10/02 blinkers out & electric windows broke 10/02 battery light on "corrosion on wires" 1/03 wouldn't start, battery light on, "wire fell off alternator" airbag light on then off

On jan 4, 2003 while driving in the fog at a low speed of approximately 30 miles or a little less the airbags in my 2001 ford focus intermittently deployed causing the windshield to break and throwing us and the car up on a meridian. the airbags were emitting black smoke and the damage to the bottom of the car amount to $6188.00. fortunately, we were not seriously hurt and there was no other vehicle involved.

I was driving through a parking lot as i wet over a speed bump both front airbags deployed. shattering the front windshield. driver got minor burns on left arm passenger was hit with glass from windshield. ts

Since the crash just happened yesterday (12/22/02), i do not have an estimated repair cost yet, but my feeling is that either the bill will be very high or the car will be totaled. my 16 year old daughter was driving. she was doing about 30 mph on the dirt road near our house. a dog ran out in front of her. she tried to stop quickly; the car spun out of control and she hit an embankment/ditch. the airbags deployed, and she received 2nd degree burns on her left arm from the airbag, as well as a burn on her chest from the seatbelt. she also received a bloody nose from the impact of the airbag. we were able to bring her home from the emergency room, so we are grateful, but we are very concerned about how she could have been burned more seriously.

Low speed impact. 2001 ford focus rear ended another vehicle. frontal air bags deployed in the 2001 ford focus. an accident reconstruction was completed and it was concluded there was no physical evidence found that would show cause for the frontal air bags to deploy.

On sunday december 8, 2002 i was driving my 2001 ford focus zx3 and i was trying to turn onto the freeway and my car wouldn't turn all the way and went out of control and i crashed into a curb and when the airbags deployed my left forearm was burnt.

Consumer states that when hit at 30mph in the front center of the vehicle, the air bags did not deploy resulting in minor injuries to the consumer. dealer notified. ph *jg

Focus was broad sided on the driver's side by a full size oldsmobile traveling aproximately 45 mph. the side air bag did not deploy. dt

Both air bags deployed while driving and resultied in drivers loss of control and crash into parking lot barrier which resulted in vehicle rollover. dt

Consumer states that when driving and without warning the air bag inadvertently deploy causing the consumer to pull over. dealer notified. mr

When coming to a light both airbags deployed with the bumper cracked slightly. the front windshield was smashed upon deployment with driver receiving burns and choking from chemicals. please describe details. ts

Consumer states the air bag on the driver side deployed upon impact. the toxic chemical inside gave the consumer 2nd degree burns on the right arm. the dealer was informed. mr

Consumer states involved in a minor fender bender at 5-7mph. there was no front end damage to the vehicle. both the driver and passenger air bags deployed. the driver's air bag sparked a flame on consumer's shirt resulting in second degree burns. *mr

While driving down parkway 70 mph driver swerved to miss an animal on road. then, lost control, leaving the road into a ditch, and striking tree against passenger's side. driver's air bag deployed, and heat burned driver on wris,t melting a bracelet to arm. please describe details. *ak

Both airbags deployed in my ford focus when my vehicle (at rest) collided with a truck that was traveling at approximately 25 mph. i sustained second degree burns to both arms and face from the air bags.*ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

While turning into a parking lot, front passenger side tire hit curve and driver and passenger's side airbags deployed. consumer suffered second degee burns on hands and arms. consumer felt airbags should not have deployed.*ak.*jb

Consumer involved in a frontal collision at 10 mph. both the driver and passenger air bags deployed. the passenger bag shattered the windshield causing glass to "fly" around vehicle causing injuries. *mr

Vehicle bumped into a garbage can at 2-3 mph causing minimal damage to bumper. both airbags did not deploy.*ak

Front crash at unknown speed, neither airbag deployed. no injuries, damage to vehicle unknown at this time. please provide additional information.*ak

This was a rental car. the air bag deployed in a prox 5 mph impact. i received 2nd degree burns to the back of my left hand.*ak

Attempting to enter freeway at approx 50 mph, the front right felt like it was starting to skid. the next thing i know, the airbags had deployed, with the passenger air bag cover shattering the windshield. no sheet metal damage to car. the front right ball joint had separated, the control arm broke, causing the tire to go flat at a 45 degree angle to the path of travel, tore up the wheel and broke the rotor. the only thing holding the front wheel to the car was the strut tower. police came out but no report done. ford will not honor warranty even though car has less than 19000 miles on it. this is wrong as front suspension collapsed, and airbags should not have deployed as car skidded/slid to a stop.*ak

I have had nothing but trouble with this car since i have had it. the rear end makes loud noise, i have brought it back to the dealership numerous times, and they always tell me nothing is wrong. it makes a roaring noise in the rear end, and something is scrapping on the tire on the rear driver side. in july, i was traveling on the highway with my 3 kids, and the tire on the rear driver's side just went to pieces. we were in a terrible accident. we went off the highway into the woods where the trees stopped our acceleration. the airbags did not come out. i was so thankful to be alive, and my kids also. we sustained about 8000 dollars worth of damage. the car was repaired, and now the same tire that blew out, and was replaced by the repairman is worn again. i am afraid everytime i drive. i can't afford another car, and no one wants to take it as a trade-in because of the botched deal upon purchase of this car. this is the car from "heck". now my warranty has expired, and the roaring noise in the rear is getting louder and louder. i have had the most horrible experience in my life with this car. it is a lemon on wheels, and the dealership always says nothing is wrong. i have had a conversation with another focus owner, and she has described some of the same problems. i have also had conversations with mechanics at the dealership, and they speak of all the focus' they see as trouble. please help. *nlm

The car has completely shutdown without any warning on three occasions. the first time while driving at approx. 25+mph... the car started to stall and i hit the curb (right tire/wheel hit the curb), both airbags went off (why????) and burned my arm (really bad) and broke the windshield. i did not report the problem because i found out that geico (insurance company) had lost (or not received) my online application so i had no coverage and therefore i would have to pay for all the repairs myself. new windshield, airbag, wheel... cost $3000+ i'm still paying for the repairs. the second time it happened when i stopped on red light (i just thoght i was running out of gas...), then; yesterday 06/28/02 i was driving home on hwy 192 at approx. 45mph and the engine lost all power (no warning) , i got scared and hit the brakes and pulled over almost causing an accident in the intersection. it's been raining here in fl almost everyday, i am glad the road was not wet when it happened... it could've been much worse. my car is a 2001 ford focus zx3 with only 7500 miles, so it's not an old car. after some quick research i found out this problem has been happening for a while now... and many of my focaljet.com (online ford focus club) friends had the same problem. so, i have to respectfully ask you and everyone else reading this; when will you (and/or ford) do something about it? i've just found out that i am paying ($3000+, and i only make min. wage) for and small accident that could have been avoided... sorry, i am really upset, i almost caused a high-speed/multiple-car accident in the middle of hwy 192 and i as well as other people could have been hurt. please help ! ! !*ak

While driving at 5 mph, a minor accident occurred where consumer's vehicle bumped into into another vehicle. the air bags deployed prematurely causing the windshield to shatter. consumer received burns to hands and eyes. *tt *ts

A uhaul truck smashed into the back of my car, sandwiching my focus with the car in front of me. the crash was so strong my car is a total loss. however, none of the airbags deployed. i've contacted my dealership and ford motor company but they did not give me any attention.*ak

Air bags deployed without vehicle being in an accident. driver sustained burns to his body. *ak consumer was applying the brakes to avoid hitting another vehicle when the airbags deployed and burnt his left hand. *jg

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

While driving the consumer was involved in an accident. upon impact the air bag deployed and caught on fire. the consumer suffered severe burns. (attorney for client, keith couture, states not to contact client, address and phone above are that of the attorney). *yh

While driving at 45 mph consumer was involved in a frontal collision, and none of front air bags deployed. cause unknown. *ak

Airbag deployed at less than 20mph. neck injury. *ak

While traveling at 60 mph on interstate passenger' side airbag deployed without warning. there was no bumps or sudden stop that could have caused airbag to deploy. please provide any further information.*ak

Driver sustained second degree burns on arm from air bag deployment in a frontal collision of 40 mph. dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

Vehicle was involved in a minor collision in which driver and passenger's air bags deployed, and passenger sustained major injuries. dealer has been notified. *ak consumer also stated the seat belts did not perform properly. yh