Problems with 2001 Ford Focus ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

When coming to a stop or slowing down vehicle will stall. consumer loses all power. contacted dealer, but no result.*ak

Service bulletin for oil leaking into air conditioning from manifold. ford says do not smoke in vehicle. dealer offered to spray with deodorant. *ak

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

A/c tends to have smoke and very bad smell coming from vents, brakes constantly squeal and grind, vehicle doesn't always want to start, no pickup or stalling when stopped at lights, etc. engine makes loud grinding noices, engine also makes loud reving noises like it can't get into gear. front passanger seatbelt tightens and locks for no reason. ford manufactor notified via certified letter twice, no contact to date. waldorf ford refuses to fix saying, "if we can't find the problem, we can't fix it." both refuse to fix anymore. in last year in shop 10 times, for over 45 days, and no resolution.*ak

Servere bucking/jolting a steady speeds, when a/c is turned on, when slowing down, when stopping, and when shifting gears. radio turns off by itself, gets loud by itself, and sometimes, you can't turn it off. popping noises when putting into gear.grinding noises and knocking noises when driving. car vibrate uncontrolably at times. when increasing speeds, car wants to stall out and not shift gears. almost lost control serval times because of jolting problem. ford doesn't care, doesn't want to fix and has refused to contact us after 2 certified letters were sent.

On two occasions vehicle had cut off while parked and idling. dealer was notified, and informed consumer that it was due to engine being broken in. *ak *slc

While driving 70 mph gas pedal fell to floor. consumer had no control over accelerator, there was a sound like an explosion in gas line. dealer stated egr valve needed replacement. also, numerous times before when driving between 30 - 40 mph engine sounded like it was accelerating, but speed stayed the same. to dealer 5 times, could not remedy problem. *ak

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

When accellerating fast either from stop or while shifting into second gear...engine makes a clunking sound. took it to the dealership and the technician said to be a motor mount. he said it wasnt stiff enough, but that new ones would elicit same occcurrance. car does not have to be driven hard to get clunking sound. dissatisfied with reaction and lack of action.*ak

While traveling on the highway the vehicle will hesitate and shut down without prior warning. dealer is aware of the problem.