Problems with 2000 Ford Focus SUSPENSION

Tl* the contact owns 2000 ford focus. the contact stated that while having maintenance performed, the contact was made aware that the coil springs had fractured. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. the technician verified the failure and determined that both coil springs needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 112,604.

Vehicle was accelerating from a traffic stop on a four lane city street. at approximately 200 feet beyond stop the vehicle went out of control and began swerving into oncoming lanes. breaks and steering were ineffectual. because of slow speed, vehicle stopped withing twenty to forty feet. initial inspection on site indicated the right front wheel separated from the lower suspension arm and drive shaft. inspection by a qualified mechanic and insurance adjuster stated that rust had weakened suspension arm causing it to break approximately 5.5 inches inward from the ball-joint attachment point. because of the slow speed and light traffic there were no casualties or property damage. this vehicle while being fifteen years old has only seventy-six thousand mile and is garage kept.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. the contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the suspension dropped to the ground. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was stated that the ball joint had become detached from the control arm. the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

Rear wheel bearing went out , making horrible noise and grinding. *tr

The vehicle went in for an inspection because there was a clunking noise from the passenger rear of the car. it turns out that the rear subframe and right rear sway bar has rusted completely off. the amount of rust by the technician has been found to be exorbitant in comparison to the amount of miles it was driven. the tech suggested that the car was submerged, but there was no record of it being so. i am the third owner of the car. i would like to file a complaint, for there seems to be a lot of this issue online, from ford focuses from 2000 to 2005. *tr

Got my daughter her first used car from a dealer, which i should had gone with her to check it out first since an 18 year old would most likely not know anything much of a car besides driving it. you would think buying from a used dealer is safer than buying out in the street. so when we took it out of the lot noticed engine tremble and suspension noise, (too bad no lemon law on used dealer selling this type of cars). after diagnose the engine produced a catalytic convert malfunction code. also after inspection the focus needs all four suspension struts. a month later that other suspension noise resulting almost in a accident from a back wheel shaking which came from a back wheel bearing which hub nut was just about off, which would had caused the wheel to come off. i did a search and this are all common problems with the focus and i believe there was a recall for a back wheel issue. the bad news is that after a while of the recall being issued it is voided or only specific vin numbers are considered effected ????. the latest encounter is the steering ...

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. the contact stated that while driving 35 mph, she heard a loud clunking noise and smoke emitted from the front end of the vehicle. the contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that both front coil springs and struts were fractured. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who verified the failure and stated that the front coil springs, struts, and tires needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 80,000.

The accident occurred on a hill at 10:30 p.m. i suddenly lost all power and control of the car near the crest of this hill. the car drifted back almost in a straight line. the brakes and engine weren't working as the car picked up speed in reverse under its own power i.e., from the slope of the hill. it continued backward until coming to a sudden stop with severe impact. the car was stopped by a storm sewer culvert (ditch) to the side of the road. the left rear of the car and undercarriage were severely damaged i.e., catalytic converter, muffler, rear axle, etc. the car was in excellent condition, was well maintained and had recently been inspected. the car was deemed a complete loss by the insurance company. i can provide more detailed information including a police report if requested. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. the contact stated that the vehicle was having a routine oil change performed when the technician informed the contact that the driver and passenger side coil springs had failed. the vehicle was then taken to the dealer who replaced both coil springs at the contacts expense. the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. the manufacturer confirmed the dealers advice and would not provide any further assistance. the failure mileage was 112,964.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. the contact was driving 30 mph when he noticed an unusual noise from the rear tires. the vehicle was then taken to a local repair facility where they diagnosed that the rear driver side wheel bearing would need replacing. the dealer was informed of the failure and the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was 72,442 and the current mileage was 72,492.

I was driving on the highway at about 50 mph and heard a loud pop. at first i believed it to be a tire blow out so i pulled over. on closer inspection, it was the left front coil spring that had broken and was rubbing against the tire. had i not pulled over, the coil spring would have fully punctured the tire and caused a blow out. ford issued an extended warranty for this issue but denied my request because my vehicle's extended warranty had expired the previous year. i don't understand why this is not a safety recall, a broken spring can easily cause an accident. *tr

Driving down the road in a subdivision at about 20 mph, turned, and heard a cracking sound from left front tire. stopped and got out to look = left front spring coil was broken. i drive a 2000 ford focus. have also had trouble with the ignition system - key not turning in tumbler - and with the fuel pump module. last contacted recall from ford dealership was for "wiper motor in 2001." *tr

The right front coil spring on my 2000 ford focus has broken. this failure is due to a defect in the manufacture of these springs! ford has admitted as much in their customer satisfaction program letter dated november 2004. this failure happened while my 18 year old daughter was driving the vehicle. fortunately it did not result in a crash, but after reading some of the summaries in the other 88 complaints i believe that only by shear luck and the grace of god there have been no fatalities. i do believe that there have been some crashes and injuries, ( see complaints on front suspension in your database. i.e. id no. 886337) as someone who works in the automotive industry i strive to maintain my vehicles to very high standards and this includes keeping them clean including the undercarriage. this is why if you were to inspect my vehicle you would not find any excessive corrosion anywhere on the car except the spring at the failure area. the failure occurred when my daughter was going over a speed bump. *tr

Left front coil spring snapped, vehicle weight of sharp, broken remainder of spring against front tire while vehicle parked. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. while driving approximately 35 mph on normal road conditions, the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. suddenly, the front end collapsed without warning. the vehicle exhibited front suspension failure and roadside assistance was called to the scene. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. the failure caused the struts to separate from the axle. the technician replaced both front struts, axle, and both sway bars. the failure mileage was 52,000 and the current mileage is 52279. updated 04/16/09.*jb