Problems with 2001 Ford Focus FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I have a problem with my 2001 ford focus zx3. it has the zetec engine and the mtx75 5 speed manual transmission. the fuel pump for this vehicle is in the fuel tank (i have had the car in for fuel gauge repair a couple of times). the problem occurs whenever there is half a tank or less showing on the fuel gauge. when taking a right hand turn - i.e. expressway on/off ramp - the car engine will stutter and die. this only happens turning to the right. the lower the fuel gauge reading, the more severe the problem becomes. turning left has no ill effect on drive ability. it seems the fuel pump is not at fault. only under the right turn conditions do i experience any loss of fuel to the engine. could this be a design flaw in the fuel pick-up system? i have heard of many complaints on this very issue. thank you for your time. tim ruiter - michigan certified master mechanic # m140125 *jb

Engine light comes on and stays on. vehicle will not accelerate properly, and has a rough idle. replaced sensor and fuel pump.*ak

Car stalls at speeds from 45-55. *ak

While driving on highway, vehicle just stalled out without any warning.*ak the vehicle stalled as if it had run out of gasoline with an almost full tank. after letting the engine sit for a few minutes, the vehicle would restart.this has occurred several times within a few days and at various speeds from 15 to 65 mph, causing loss of control of vehicle. *jg

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

Consumer states that the steering mechanism is getting looser the more consumer drives, the looser steering wheel gets. consumer states there is a lot of play in steering and that makes it very hard to steer the vehicle. *jb the vehicle's mileage is decreasing from 300 miles to 200 miles and then to 180 miles for a full tank of fuel. the vehicle also experiences stalling and changing gears has been difficult. *yh

Consumer states when driving if vehicle hits a bump the rear end of vehicle goes from side to side like its loosing traction of the road. cause is unknown. jbconsumer further states the vehicle used to give them 300 miles when the fuel tank is full to empty. now the vehicle gives them 180 miles. the vehicle also has trouble changing gears and has been stalling. the dealer says there is nothing wrong. *jg

This vehicle has hesitated/stalled at various speeds since new. finally in may, 2002, the engine quit while my wife was in traffic on a two lane highway, with no shoulders. the dealer replaced the fuel pump. in less than a week the engine hesitated again, and has done so several times. the dealer states they can find nothing else wrong. after looking over the number of similar complaints on the nhtsa website, i find it difficult to believe nothing has been done to address this issue. since our warranty will be up in a few months, i guess this is what they are waiting for. why are you waiting?*ak

While traveling on highway vehicle will stall and shut down. dealership is aware of problem.*ak

Vehicle stalls in warm weather at any speed. dealer determined the fuel pump restricts the fuel flow, causing stalling.

Vehicle stalls in warm weather at any speed. dealer determined the fuel pump is restricting fuel flow causing stalling. nlm

Vehicle is sputtering in warm weather, like it was going to stall. vehicle has not been taken to dealer yet. nlm

Vehicle sputters in warm weather like it is going to stall. vehicle not taken to dealer yet. nlm

Vehicle stalls in warm weather at any speed. dealer determined the fuel pump restricts fuel flow and causes stalling. nlm

Vehicle stalls in warm weather at any speed. dealer determined the fuel pump restricts fuel flow, causing stalling. nlm

Key will not turn in ignition. took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced locking mechanism in steering column. *ak the fuel mileage was not consistent with what was stated , the fuel pump was replace along eith the filter, egr valve and radio, two front tires were replaced at 10,700. *yh

Consumer states that the vehicle stalls in warm weather at various speeds. the dealer has determined that the fuel pump restricts the fuel flow and causes the stalling. nlm

When tank is half way full or less, vehicle will stall when trying to accelerate. contacted dealer, and the dealer cannot find cause. *ak consumer stated the engine light illuminated and a senor was replaced however that did not remedy the stalling problem.*jb

Consumer states that the vehicle without any warning will stall out the consumer also smells gas. contacted dealer and the dealer replaced the fuel pump. nlm

Vehicle stalls in warm weather at any speed. dealer determined the fuel pump restricts fuel flow, causing stalling. nlm

Consumer states that the vehicle stalls in warm weather at various speeds. the dealer has determined that the fuel pump is restricting the fuel flow and causes the stalling. nlm

Consumer states that the vehicle stalls in warm weather at various speeds. the dealer has determined that the fuel pump restricts the fuel flow and causes the stalling. nlm

3/07/02 engine failure at 35 mph -- 3/14/02 engine failure at 65 mph on interstate 95. fuel pump replaced after 3/07 failure -- returned to dealer after 3/14 event -- dealer states 'could not verfy cust concern at this time' -- have seen other concerns on your site -- please look into this before someone is seriously injured or dies. *ak

Consumer stated that the vehicle stalls in warm weather at various speeds. the dealer has determined the fuel pump restricts the fuel flow, causing the stalling. nlm

While driving 55 mph vehicle started jerking. dealer determined fuel pump had to be replaced.*ak

Have had numerous problems with the car hesitating and stalling. have taken the car in a total of 7 times. 5 of which were related to hesitation. 3 of the those 5 times they found problems with the car. 2 times for an egr emissions sensor and 1 for a fuel pump (they think). the other two times they coulndt find anything wrong at the time. i have called ford directly and they can do nothing about the car, because they say it is repairable. i have had the car back now for a little over a week since they have replaced the fuel pump. seems to have a little hesitation still, but has not stalled. we have had the left rear tire replace once for cupping of the tire. ford dealership wasnt sure what caused it, but they say i could have run over something hard. the new tire starting cupping like the one they replaced, then that is when the recall for the rear wheel bearings was issued. no problems since then with the tires.

This defect occurs when making sweeping right hand turns or going up steep grades with less than half a tank. the most dangerous occurred when i was in the passing lane trying to get over when the pump failed and was almost rear ended.*ak

Ford has to many problems with the focus to let them get away with it. 3 times key cylinder has broke. fuel pump, filter, egr valve, 2 tires replaced at 10,000 miles. and more. mr

Car would lose power, buck and surge, stall on highway and side streets. when taken to dealership, tech couldn't give explanation for what particles were that clogged fuel pump. charged for over $900. tech said warranty didn't cover vandalism. however, my insurance company ruled out vandalism upon investigation to the parts and fuel sample. bottom line, i had to pay $900 for someting that at the time wasn't ruled a "model" problem. now i think i should be reimbursed. fuel pump had to be replaced, lines flushed, and "contaminated" fuel to be exposed of. *ak

While trying to start vehicle, engine would start to turn over and then cut off, when attempting to restart vehicle, a high-pitched whirring sound was heard, vehicle had to be towed, dealer found the electrical supply to the fuel pump had become disconnected. *ak *tt

Vehicle has stalled twice at 65 mph. dealer has replaced computer chip and fuel pump. both times cruise was on, but not set.*ak

2001 ford focus experiencing problems with the front brakes, fuel pump, battery, sway bars and tires. *mr the consumer replaced the front brakes five times, the radiator went out, the thermostat and sensors pertaining to the engine light ad gone out, the fuel pump and the battery went out and the mechanic could not find the problem. currently the starter showed signs of going out and the vehicle needed sway bars and 4 tires. *sc

I have contacted ford motor company. they have told me " they have no repair procedure" at this time. the washer tank vent is located such that it allows up to 3 quarts of fluid to drain out of the tank. we have had the car to coleman ford twice and they did replace the tank and check the system. the problem will continue until the tank vent issue is corrected is what i was told at coleman ford.*ak

When fuel tank registers 1/4 tank or less, car loses acceleration after climbing a 6-8% grade with a curve. car continues to run, but only at idle speed. car will regain power after 10-15 seconds. *ak

Malfunction of fuel filter. was replaced on two different occassions. malfunction of steering assembly. was replaced twice on two different occassions. malfunction of braking system. was replaced on two different occassions. all within a 16 month period after purchasing the automobile in may of 2001. it is a 2001 ford focus zx3.

While parked vehicle caught on fire. mechanic indicated fire was caused by malfunction on inertia switch. *ak consumer further states that after the front end impact accident, the inertia switch failed to shut off the fuel injection system, causing the car to burst into flames. *tt

I have a 2001 ford focus and it is stalling and/or hesitating when going around right turns when the tank is less than 1/4 full. a few days ago it actually died while my wife was driving it. luckily no one was injured. i have read many complaints regarding this issue on this site and feel a recall should happen from it. please look into this matter. thanks.*ak

While driving at 5mph a frontal collision occurred. upon impact, both air bags voilently deployed causing major injuries to driver, there was minor damage to the vehicle.*ak vehicle stalled due to fuel system failure. fuel pump has been replaced. *jg *nlm

I have had numerous problems with my focus. about 3mo after i bought it, the transmission began to feel like it was slipping, and making a noise. i took it to the purchasing dealership, and a mechanic told me it was the torque converter. they didn't have a loaner car for me, so i made an an appointment for the following week. the next day on my way home from work, the car shut down. i called a tow truck, they took it to the closest dealership. when i called the dealership the next day, they said the fuel pump went out. they told me that the stutter i was feeling in my car was probably that. a few days later, the same problem. took it back to the selling dealership, and the shop supervisor went out with me. he said i was driving the car out of context. what he meant by that, he wouldn't elaborate, but said there is nothing wrong with my car. i have been driving it since, and the computer will fade in and out, but i won't lose engine power. my car has to have new brake pads every couple of months, new tires, and other maintenance things. at less than 40000 miles, it needed new spark plugs, and wires, which i happily bought. the dealership wanted $300, because the plugs were in the back of the motor. i went to my car, popped the hood, four spark plugs lined the top of the head cover. there was no further explanation of the attempted over charge. my car has several other problems. the positive cable on the battery, has melted back, there is a loud roar in the cab of the car, and three of the four lug nuts on the right rear tire has snapped off. the explanation for the lug nuts, was that the tire was loose, not fastened properly. but this problem occurred 3-4 mo after i bought it. the tires had not been taken off. i am to the point where i hate ford for selling me this car. i will ever buy ford again, but i love the concept of the car

My vehicle has just been turned into our dealership this morning, for the same repeated problem of engine check light coming on while driving vehicle. this is our 5th visit, and we are on our 4th egr valve. same complaint, the car drives sluggishly, shutters and about 2 months ago shut off while driving. this happened while my 14 year old daughter were driving the vehicle traveling through a major intersection at night. we were in the process of a left hand turn, at this particular intersection, 2 lanes of traffic are turning left at the same time. we were on the inside lane, making our turn and the focus shut off. we were nearly rear ended, and barely avoided a large intersection accident with traffic behind us quickly braking and swerving into the other lane. it was terrifying! we have had the fuel pump replaced, and each time of our complaint, the dealer cannot diagnosis the direct problem. i have read numerous articles regarding other ford focus vehicles having similar problems. just recently have read about the paint chipping off from the inside of the gas tank, causing a blockage, so that fuel cannot flow through into the pump. there is a definite problem. how many other focus owners are experiencing these same repeated difficulties? i purchased this vehicle for a good reliable car for my 16 year daughter to eventually have, and considering the experiences i have had with shuttering, shut offs..do not want to put her behind the wheel of this car for safety reasons. our paperwork from the dealership seems to accumulating, with no direct answers.*ak

Consumer states fuel fill door snapped off in his hand, dealer states it is not a covered item, and to replace it will cost over $100.00. *jb

Engine floods and stalls at idle or in motion. emissions light comes on wen it stalls. owners manual states if emission light comes on, it indicates that catalytic converter is hot and can cause a fire. vehicle doesn't start back up once it stalls, it has to be towed. there is a gasoline smell before it stalls. dealer has tried to remedy problem 6 times. dealer has acknowledged of other vehicles with same problem. dealer removed fuel pump drained it and cleaned it. dealer hooked a computer to vehicle so code would show how to repair it.*ak

My mother has a ford focus zts 2001 and she complained about going around turns the car would stop working even getting on the on ramp of a highway the vehicle doesn't work...i can say that i drive spirited but this is my mothers vehicle and i value her a lot. i also have a ford focus zx3 2002 no such problems. i just want ford to fix it before anything happens to a family member or even someone else's life is more valuable than a part please i plead with you that you have ford do a recall... *nlm

Consumer stated there was a roaring and grinding noise coming from the front wheels, dealership was aware of problem.*ak consumer stated the fuel cap was loose and not fully installed which caused the check engine service light to come on, front and rear brakes are noisy upon application and there is a vibration when braking. *yd

The engine light came on exactly 1 week after i bought the car. it was returned to me 2 days later and 1 week after that the light came on. both times the car stopped cut off. the dealer replaced the the main computer. i returned the vehicle in november of 2001 for the same problem. they said they fixed it and i returned again in another week same problem. this time they said there was a leak around the seal on the gas tank. they returned it to me. in february or march, i brought it back again (the engine light comes on the car cuts off). again they said it was the main computer and they replaced it and returned it to me. i have talked to a ford rep and they refuse to acknowledge there is a serious problem with this vehicle and even offered to sell me another one! this is my first and last ford!