2001 Ford Focus Transmission Problems

THE CAR JERKS WHEN I PUT IT INTO REVERSE. THE CARS STALLS WHEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE. I HAVE TO TAKE OFF IN 2ND GEAR. THEN I CAN PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND IT TAKES OFF JUST FINE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND CHANGING GEARS FROM SECOND TO THIRD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

I HAVE A 2001 FORD FOCUS LX WITH 199,871 MILES ON IT AND ITS MY FIRST FORD CAR. I HAVE OWNED MANY OF FORD TRUCKS IN MY LIFE AND ALWAYS FIXED PROBLEMS WITH THEM MYSELF. BUT WITH MY FOCUS, EVERY TIME IN THE PAST 4 YEARS WHEN I TURN A CORNER ROUGHLY AROUND 15 MPH OR OVER, IT CUTS OUT AND THE CAR BOGS OUT AND JUMPS LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO JUMP OUT THEN I GET A BAD SMELL ALMOST LIKE SULFUR COMING FROM THE CAR. ALL FLUID LEVELS ARE GOOD WITH A FULL GAS TANK. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS HOT OR COLD. USUALLY I CAN JUST PUNCH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT WILL EVENTUALLY GAIN RPM'S AGAIN AND GO WITH NO PROBLEMS UNTIL I TURN SHARP AGAIN. I HAVE RECENTLY REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND CABLES, ALTERNATOR, TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH PLATE, FUEL PUMP AND VARIOUS PCV VALVES AND HOSES. HAD THE FUEL PRESSURE TESTED AND IT WAS FINE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSISTENT LIKE THIS FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS WITH NO OTHER PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FORD GURU BUT THIS CAR IS MAKING ME THINK TWICE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN THAT GO WITH ME ALMOST EVERYWHERE WITH ME AND JUST TODAY AS I TURNED A CORNER GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY RAMP, IT BOGGED OUT WORSE THEN EVER WITH MANY ANGRY DRIVERS ON MY TAIL. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CRASH THE CAR INTO THE GUARD RAIL. I HIT THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR LIKE I USUALLY DO AND IT STARTED GOING AGAIN, BUT IN FIFTH GEAR IT KEPT JUMPING AND CUTTING OUT. I TURNED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AND IT RAN FINE ALL THE WAY HOME. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON MY MAKE AND MODEL AND TRIED MANY SOLUTIONS WITH NO LUCK. WITH YOUR EXPERTISE, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I SEE THIS PROBLEM ALLOT WITH FOCUS BUT NEVER ANY WORKING SOLUTIONS. *TR

SATURDAY MAY 04/2013 MY CAR KILLED OVER 30 TIMES DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES. THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR DOING 60MPH ON THE FREEWAY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RESTART A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AT THIS SPEED. IN THIS CASE, I DROVE INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FORD OF BELLEVUE AND IT CONTINUED TO KILL WHILE THERE TRYING TO MOVE IT. THE SERVICE PERSON BLEW ME OFF WOULDN'T EVEN TAKE THE TIME CHECK IT OUT OR EVEN LISTEN. AS I WAS DRIVING OUT IT KILLED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. THE SALES MANAGER SAID TO BRING IT IN MONDAY. SUNDAY IT STOPPED KILLING. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN MONDAY, I ASKED FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE SERVICE EMPLOYEE WENT TO FIND HIM & IT TOOK ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THAT WAS CURIOS AS THE PLACE WAS DESERTED. WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED, HE REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE MATTER ONLY SAYING WE WERE BUSY. I HAD CONTACTED FORD AS WELL AS THE FRANCHISE HOLDER AUTO NATIONS PREVIOUSLY BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. LAST WEEK I SENT A LETTER TO THE CHIEF ENGINEER AT FORD BUT I SUSPECT NOTHING WILL BE DONE AT THAT LEVEL AGAIN. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TODAY THAT WAS POSTED BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL " THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES DUE TO FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM/FUEL PUMP. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. I TALKED TO FORD, THEN I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER. THEY TOLD ME, AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST IT'S A FUEL PUMP ISSUE..." THERE IS MORE TO THIS POSTING BUT THE BOTTOM LINE FORD KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM ALL ALONG AND CHOSE TO IGNORE IT. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN & IT COULD BE A KILLER. *TR

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND I TURNED ON MY CRUISE CONTROL, I HAD TO BARELY BRAKE FOR A CAUTION WHEN A CAR WAS COMING IN MY LANE, ONCE I WENT AROUND THEM...I LEFT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF....BUT THE CAR SPED UP ON ITS OWN...APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MILES AN HOUR. MY BRAKES WERE WORKING JUST FINE. I CALLED MY DAD TO SEE WHAT HE WANTED ME TO DO....I DROVE ON TO WORK (APPROX 20 MORE MILES) AND DIDN'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL THE WHOLE TIME....THE CRUISE WAS OFF...THE PEDAL WAS STUCK AND THE CAR CONTINUED GOING 60 MILES PER HOUR....ONCE I CAME TO MY EXIT, I TOOK IT OUT OF 5TH GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AND THE CAR REVVED UP HORRIBLY...I PULLED INTO WORK AND SHUT IT OFF. RESTARTED IT AND IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. THESE CARS NEED RECALLED!!!! *TR

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I ENGAGED THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR BEGAN TO CLANK AND JERK LOUDLY AND VIOLENTLY. I DROVE' THE CAR ABOUT TWO FEET BEFORE THE STEERING SEIZED UP, THE CAR COULD NOT BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL, DIED COMPLETELY, AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONE OF THE PISTONS, CYLINDER # 1, WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED, DUE TO THE VALVE SEAT FAILURE WHICH SHATTERED THE PISTON, BROKE OFF PIECES OF THE PISTON SKIRT, AND BENT THE CONNECTING ROD. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CYLINDER WALL, BUT PIECES OF THE PISTON SKIRT WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN, AND PIECES OF THE PISTON CROWN WERE FOUND IN THE BOTTOM OF INTAKE MANIFOLD. VALVE SEAT BREAKAGE IN THE OLDER MODEL FOCUS, IS SO COMMON THAT AERA ENGINE REBUILDERS ASSOCIATION ISSUED TWO BULLETINS (TB 1725 & TB 1939) TO ALERT THE INDUSTRY TO THIS ISSUE. THESE BULLETINS STATE THAT THE 'INTAKE VALVE SEATS ARE MADE OF A POWDERED METAL THAT SHATTERS EASILY'. ON OCTOBER 29, 2012, AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED, I PHONED FORD TO REQUEST A REFUND FOR THE COST OF THE PARTS AND WAS INFORMED, THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL NO REFUND COULD BE ISSUED. THE VALVE SEATS HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN MODIFIED FROM THE FAULTY POWDERED METAL TYPE, THIS SHOWS THAT FORD IS AND WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. INTERNET ENTRIES THAT OUTLINE THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2001 MODEL CAN BE FOUND AT NUMEROUS WEBSITES, INCLUDING: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/FOCUS/2001/. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCLERATE BEFORE STALLING WITHOUT WARING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAD SUDDENLY JERKED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING, SECONDS LATER THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 137000.

I WAS DRIVING, AND WANTED TO SHIFT TO LOWER GEAR (FROM 5TH TO 4TH - MANUAL TRANSMISSION) FOR BRAKING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN THE 5TH GEAR. I USED THE CLUTCH TO COAST TO A SAFE STOP AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE LOCATION. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT DUE THE BROKEN CABLES FROM THE SHIFTER TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THESE CABLES AND THE CAR IS OK. WE DID NOT SAVE THE CABLES.*TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER LEVEL COULD ONLY BE PLACED IN DRIVE, AFTER SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL. ALSO THE REAR EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SLIPPED. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT DRIVE THE SAME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT IN STOCK AND THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF ENTIRELY. THE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER WHENEVER THE SIGNAL LIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS, OR AIR CONDITIONING WERE ACTIVATED. THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUED TO SHORT AND, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAMS HAD TO BE ACTIVATED. THE SEAT BELT IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SEAT WAS INOPERABLE AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTINUED TO MOVE BACKWARDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND WHILE THE IGNITION IS ON. FINALLY, NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE FUNCTIONAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. THE CV-JOINT MAKES A NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CV-JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40100 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING AND JERKING. SHE PULLED OVER AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS SIDEWAYS. NO ONE HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE YET, BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AXLE SPLIT IN HALF. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,050.

TL*THE CONTACTS SON OWNS A 2001 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACTS SON NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE LATER, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 09/12/07 *TR

DRIVING ALONG AND THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE JUST CAME ON AND I DIDN'T TOUCH ANYTHING. THE WHEELS FELT LIKE THEY HAD LOCKED UP AND WERE SCREECHING ON THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE BLACK MARKS ON THE DRIVEWAY FROM THE TIRES. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALER, THEY CHECKED IT AND TOLD ME THE SHIFT MOTOR AND GEM MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A TSB ON THE PROBLEM. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANT. AFTER READING ABOUT THIS I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT COVER THIS PROBLEM. THE FORD MOTOR CO. HAS SAID THAT THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN THE 99-2001 EXPEDITIONS AND F250 LD AND F-150 AND LINCOLN 99-2001 NAVIGATOR. THEY ALSO HAVE SAID WHAT THE NEW PART NUMBER THAT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH. I WOULD THINK IF I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AND THE 4X4L COMES ON I COULD GET INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT, SINCE YOU ARE ONLY SUPPOSED TO GO 30 MPH OR LESS IN 4X4L. I HAVE NOT YET HAD THE CAR REPAIRED. REPAIRS ARE GOING TO COST ME OVER $800. I HAVE PAID FOR DIAGNOSTIC FEES OF $68.00. *NM

CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED DUE TO FAILED/DEFECTIVE WELD, LEADING TO DAMAGE TO CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. WELD SHOWED INDICATION OF INSUFFICIENT HEAT PENETRATION. DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD HAVE NOT PASSED QUALITY INSPECTION. DEFECTIVE PART AVAILABLE. CAR STRANDED IN GEAR. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED THE DPFE SENSOR WENT OUT. SHE SAID IT WENT OUT 2 YEARS AGO AND SHE HAD IT REPLACED. SHE SAID IT CUT OUT WHILE SHE WAS GOING 40-60 MPH. SHE DESCRIBED IT AS JERKING. SHE NOTICED THIS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD HER THAT IT WAS A WEAK SENSOR, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD TO GET IT REPLACED. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE AND REVERSE WENT OUT WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION. I WAS ABLE TO START GOING IN 2ND GEAR AND THEN SHIFT TO DRIVE TO GO UNTIL I GOT HOME. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. BOB TOMES FORD SAID THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS SEEMS A LITTLE BIT RIDICULOUS SINCE MY VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. WE BOUGHT IT NEW. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN A FORD AND HAVE DRIVEN OTHER ONES WELL INTO THE 100,000 MILE RANGE WITH NEVER A PROBLEM. IT IS NOW SITTING UP AT FORD GETTING REPAIRED. IT HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

DT: WHEN DRIVING A CERTAIN SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL JERK, USUALLY BETWEEN 35-45 MPH,. IT IS WORSE WHEN TRYING TO GO UP HILL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER THAT REPLACED PARTS 2 DIFFERENT TIMES, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP, AND THEY REPLACE IT. THE DEALER THOUGHT THAT MAY SOLVE FPROBLEM, BUT IT DID NOT. *AK

I FIRST NOTICED A ROARING SOUND COMING FROM MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. I TOOK MY CAR IN TODAY TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT AXEL ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I DON'T FEEL THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT JUST HAPPENED OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS NOR DO I THINK I DID ANYTHING TO CAUSE SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE I REALIZED IT COULD POSSIBLY BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY IN MICHIGAN AND ASKED WHAT THEY DO ABOUT VEHICLES THAT ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I DID TELL THE GENTLEMAN ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAD SEEN ON THIS SITE AND AGAIN HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I GUESS IF SOMEONE GETS KILLED DUE TO THESE "UNSAFE" VEHICLES THEN SOMEONE WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT WHICH IS A SHAME.

DRIVESHAFT BROKE AFTER BRAKING AND SWERVING AT 50 MPH.*AK

CONSUMER WAS SHIFTING GEARS AND TRANSMISSION FAILED ON ITS OWN. TRANSMISSION WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT PROPERLY, AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD GO BACKWARDS IN REVERSE AFTER A LOT OF JERKING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO BACK AT ALL. *TC

VEHICLE SHOOK SEVERELY FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. VEHICLE COULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMOR, AND IT FINALLY DIED.*AK

THERE WAS NOTHING IN PARTICULAR THAT LED TO THE FAILURE. CAR IS DRIVEN UNDER BOTH HIGHWAY AND IN-TOWN CONDITIONS, AND TEMPARATURES RANGE FROM BELOW FREEZING UP TO 100 F.*AK THE VEHICLE WHEN SHIFTING ON THE HIGHWAY OFTEN SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, REVS UP, AND MAY FINALLY SHIFT INTO A HIGHER GEAR. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TAKE FOOT OFF GAS AND RE-PUSH IN ORDER FOR IT TO SHIFT. THEN WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO GEAR, IT JERKS INTO GEAR. SECONDLY, WHEN CAR IS DRIVING IN TOWN AND IS GIVEN A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND SHUDDERS UNTIL YOU LET OFF OR GIVE IT MORE GAS. IT HAS NOT LED TO ANY PARTICULAR INJURIES OR CONSEQUENCES, OTHER THAN BEING UNABLE TO ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING SLOWDOWN.

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART IT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE VEHICLE AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED A LOUD CLICKING AND BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SHIFT SOLENOID SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK

GEAR SHIFT LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2001 FORD FOCUS FAILED AFTER MY OWNING IT FOR LESS THAN 2 1/2 YEARS AND IT'S AROUND 58,000 MILES. I BOUGHT IT NEW. THE DEALERSHIP IS SURPRISED AND SAID THEY'VE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE; IT'S ONLY PARTIALLY BEING COVERED BY WARRANTY. *AK

WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO 3RD GEAR IT FREEWHEELS AND OR WILL NOT PULL

I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD FOCUS IN AUGUST 2001. IN SEPT. 2001 WITH ONLY 2240 MILES ON THE CAR TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING AND THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A LEAK IN TRANSMISSION LINE. THIS WAS REPAIRED. IN OCT. 2002 AT 16416 MILES HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON WHEN I TURNED THE SWITCH. SWITCH WAS REPLACED. ABOUT THIS SAME TIME NEW BRAKE PADS WERE REQUIRED. NOV. 2002 AT 17871 MILES THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP. CAR WAS TOWED AND IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. AUGUST 2003 AT 26757 MILES IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. NOW I HAVE A BUBBLE IN ONE TIRE AND MY BRAKES ARE SQUEALING. WHAT'S NEXT? NOT ONCE HAVE I PICKED MY CAR UP FROM THE DEALER AND IT BEEN WASHED OR VACUUMED OUT. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR BECAUSE I NEEDED RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION. NOW I FEEL LIKE TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND LETTING THEM KEEP IT. I WONDER HOW MANY FORD EMPLOYEES WOULD BUY A FOCUS?. *AK

CAR JUMPS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. CHECKED WITH FORD DEALERSHIP IN REGARD TO PROBLEM, AND NO ONE CAN GIVE ME AN ANSWER.*AK

MY TRANSMISSION IN MY 2001 FORD FOCUS BLEW UP BEFORE THAT I WENT AND CHECKED MY FLUID IN IT AND THERE WAS NOTHING IN IT ITS A 5 SPEED AND I NEVER TAMPERED WITH IT SO I PUT FLUID IN IT THAT FORD RECOMMENDED AFTER TELLING ME ITS NOT FORDS FAULT THERE WAS NO FLUID IN MY CAR AND AFTER I PUT THE FLUID IN IT IT BLEW UP NO GEARS NOTHIN JUST GRINDING

I TOOK MY CAR TO SEQUIOA NATIONAL FOREST ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. MY CAR WAS ACTING GREAT TIL I TIL THE GRAPEVINE MY CAR SUDDENLY DID NOT WANT TO CHANGE GEAR IT WOULD GET STUCK MAKING MY RPM REALLY HIGH I WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO BURNOUT MY ENGINE AFTER I GOT INTO INTO THE MOUNTAINS THE CAR WAS FINE AGAIN MAYBE CAUSE I WAS DRIVING UNDER 30 MPH BUT AS SOON AS I GOT INTO THE HIGHWAY AGAIN I WAS FINE AS LONG AS KEPT THE SAME PACE OF THE CAR WHICH WAS 80 MPH AS SOON AS I GOT LIKE 85 OR LOWER TO 65 MPH IT WOULD GET STUCK. UNFORTUNETLY ALL OF THIS HAPPEN WHEN MY WARRANTY EXPIRED BY 1000 MILES. I THOUGHT FORD WOULD BE UNDERSTANDING BUT UNFORTUNETLY THEY DIDNT GIVE A RATS BEHIND. SO NOW IM STUCK WITH A "DEPENDABLE" CAR WITH A CRAPPED OUT TRANSMISSION. THANK YOU FORD YOU ALWAYS MAKE GOOD CARS (SARCASM BY THE WAY) NEXT TIME ILL GET A REAL DEPENDABLE CAR LIKE HONDA OR TOYOTA. YOU SUCK FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *AK

WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND HAD NO WAY TO ACCELERATE AND CAUSING A HAZARD BY SLOWING TRAFFIC AND HAVING TO GO TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. *JB

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE LEFT AXLE SNAPPED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JB

I HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP FIVE TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE FOURTH TIME THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I GOT IT HOME THE FLUID WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE. SO I TOOK IT BACK THE MECHANIC, AND NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, BEFORE THE FIRST OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED.*JB

THE TRANSMISSION AND STEERING COLUMN FAILED AT A LOW MILEAGE.*JB *TS

I JUST BOUGHT VEHICLE USED IN NOVEMBER WITH 13K ON IT. THE TRUNK LATCH WAS THE FIRST THING THAT WASN'T WORKING RIGHT. IT WOUDN'T WORK UNLESS I SHUT IT REALLY HARD. THE SPLIT REAR SEAT DOESN'T LATCH EITHER. NOW AFTER15K MILES AND THREE MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND I KEEP LOOSING BRAKE FLUID. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND A TECH FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING FLUID. I WONDER IF THAT IS WHY MY CLUTCH IS SLIPPING?

NO SUMMARY. DT

VEHICLE SLIPED OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE, WHILE CAR WAS RUNNING, I WAS OUT OF THE CAR APROXMENTLY 15FT AWAY CHECKING IN ON THE COOKOUT THAT WAS GOING ON AT THE SHOP.. AT WHICH TIME I HEARD LIKE A SHIFTING NOISE OR LOUD CLICK FROM THE CAR, I LOOK OVER AT THE CAR AN NOTICED THE VEHICLE STARTED FORWARD AN CRASH INTO TO CORNER OF BUILDING CAUSING SOME MINOR DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER OF THE CAR NOTHING TO BUILDING. WHEN I GOT INTO THE CAR THE CONSOLE GEAR SELECTOR WAS STILL IN PARK. I NOTIFIED GREAT LAKES FORD ABOUT WHAT HAPPEN, I HAVE TO BRING IT IN ON 09/25/2002 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION LOOK AT. I JUST HOPE I DONT GET THE RUN - AROUND TREATMENT.. I FEEL AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEB PAGE OF THIS TYPE OF CAR AND YEAR HAVING SIMULAR PROBLEMS FORD SHOULD BE NOTIFIED AND A LETTER SENT OUT TO THE CUSTOMERS NOTIFING THEM OF THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AND A RECALL NOTICE SHOULD BE ISSUED. THANKS RAY SCOTT. NLM

THE GEAR BOX CRACKED. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AND COULD BARELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD. *SCC

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SLAM INTO PARK. CONSUMER HAS SMELLED WIRES BURNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE REVERSE GEAR TAKES EFFORT TO PUT IT INTO ITS COMPONENT. *JG

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LAST THURSDAY (10 MINUTES ON THE INTERSTATE, 97 DEGREES, FULL AC), WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER FOLLOWED BY TRANSMISSION LURCHING AND ENGINE TRYING TO DIE. PULLED THE REMAINING BLOCK INTO MY APTS AND OPENED HOOD EXPECTING TO FIND OVERHEATED ENGINE, AND ENDED UP SEE A BUNCH OF FLAME AND SIGNING MY THUMB. GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT IT OUT, AND CALLED FIRE DEPT. NO WORK WAS DONE TO ENGINE OTHER THAN A NEW AIR FILTER 4000 MILES AGO. SO FAR THE FORD DEALER WANTS TO WRITE IT OFF AS COMPLETE LOSS AND LEAVE IT TO MY INSURANCE. TOOK OUT MY AIR INTAKE, MELTED BATTERY, MELTED BATTERY WIRES, RUINED HOOD, SCROCHED HEADLIGHT, SMOKED INTERIOR, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT GOT SUCKED INTO ENGINE THROUGH THE INTAKE. DEALER WOULDN'T TOW BECAUSE "WARRANTY TOWS HAVE TO BE CALLED IN THROUGH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE". PHOTOS ARE UP AT HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ARCHANGEL_JJN. CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS, CAUSING A DELAY IN ACCELERATION, THE GEAR SHIFT WILL STICK WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE BEING APPLIED. *SLC

TOLD WALDORF FORD THAT THE CAR WAS LEANING WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. WENT OUT OF TOWN AND A FAMILY MEMBER LOOKED AT IT AND SAID, "DID YOU KNOW YOUR REAR AXLE IS BENT AND THE WHEELS ARE BRRING INWARD." I TOLD THEM WHAT WE WERE TOLD, THEY SAID WE NEED TO TAKE IT BACK & HAVE FORD FIX IT. FORD REFUSES TO TAKE OUR CALLS TO MAKE APPOINTMENT TO FIX.*AK

STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THE TRANSIMISSION WOULD CLATTER AT ANY SPEED. CLATTER BECAME PRONOUNCED AND TOOK THE CAR IN AND IT HAD A BAD BEARING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ONE. WHILE THE CAR HAS 60K ON IT ALL THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY AS I DRIVE IT 100 MILES ROUND TRIP PER DAY.*JB

TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE WHETHER AT IDLE OR WHEN SHIFTING. THE DEALER CHECKED OUT THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES AND MAINTAINED THAT IT WAS A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION TO MAKE NOISE OR CLATTER.*AK

CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 37 DAYS SINCE BOUGHT NEW. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES.*AK

CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, ONLY ABLE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER. NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE, ON NUMEROUS OCCASION HAS BEEN STUCK IN PARK POSITION THAT NO MATTER HOW HARD THE CONSUMER TRYS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER. NLM

THERE IS SLIPPAGE ON DRIVESHAFT AT VERY LOW SPEEDS WHICH CAN CAUSE VEHICLE TO SPEED UP. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

WHENEVER THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED (CLUTCH PEDAL NOT DEPRESSED), AND THE GEAR SELECTION IS IN NEUTRAL, A LOUD, VIBRATING, AND METALIC SOUND IS AUDIBLE COMING FROM THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION HOUSING. OCCASIONALLY, THE NOISE CONTINUES WHILE IN GEAR, THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 30-40 M.P.H. OF SPEED.*AK

TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN FIRST GEAR, AND DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT, CAUSING HESITATION, WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH AND SLOWING TO 20 MPH, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BADLY AND ABOUT 2-4 SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE FINALLY TOOK OFF. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT, CAUSING HESITATION, WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH AND SLOWING TO 20 MPH, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BADLY AND ABOUT 2-4 SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE FINALLY TOOK OFF. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. *SLC

AVANCE TRAC CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE AND/OR MULFUNCTIONS-DISABLING IT TOTAL. MANY ELECT PROBLEMS. TWICE IT HAS SHUT DOWN ON INTERSTATE I40 AT RATE OF SPEED OF 50 AND 60 AND ONCE AT MAYBE 5 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN THERE IS NO WARNING. OTHER PROBLEMS W/THIS CAR HAVE BEEN RADIO HAD TO BE REPLACED, FUEL PUMP MODULE, KEY GETS STUCK AND KEY WILLN'T TURN. *AK

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN EXITING FREEWAY OR FAST LANE CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND HESITATE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PAN WAS REMOVED, AT THAT TIME THE CONSUMER NOTICED PIECES OF MATERIAL IN THE OIL PAN AFTER THE SERVICE THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HESITATE. *TT *NLM *DT

I PURCHASED THIS FORD FOCUS IN MARCH 2001. IN MAY 2001 I WENT BACK TO PHIL LONG FORD BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT PERFORMING PROPERLY. PERIODICALLY I WOULD BE DRIVING ALONG AND THE CAR WOULD ACT AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT PHIL LONG THAT I SPOKE WITH AT THIS TIME WENT WITH ME FOR A TEST DRIVE IN THIS CAR AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HE SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNLESS THEY COULD EXPERIENCE WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE CAR. I TOLD HIM THE CAR WAS SLIPPING, SKIPPING, AND TWICE WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE CAR LOST POWER. HE TOLD ME WHAT I HAD SAID DID NOT MAKE SENSE AND UNLESS THEY COULD EXPERIENCE THIS MALFUNCTION THEY COULD ONLY GUESS IT WAS ONE OF THE COMPUTERS IN THE CAR ADJUSTING FOR A ROAD CONDITION. THIS SERVICE REP DISMISSED ME AS BEING A STUPID WOMAN. TODAY, DECEMBER 31, 2001, I WENT TO MY CAR AT 7:00AM THIS MORING TO GO TO WORK AND WHEN I TOUCHED THE GAS PEDAL IT WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. I MANAGED DRIVING AT 2MPH TO PHIL LONG FORD WHERE I SAT FOR 2 1/2 HOURS BEFORE THEY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS A BROKEN CABLE. I AM SO FURIOUS WITH PHIL LONG FORD I FILED A COMPLAINT VIA E-MAIL WITH FORD MOTOR CO. AS I THOUGHT MORE ABOUT THIS SITUATION THROUGHOUT THE DAY I REALIZED HOW FORTUNATE I WAS THAT THE CABLE BROKE WHILE I WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT WHERE I LIVE. SUPPOSE THIS HAD (AND IT PROBABLY HAS TO OTHERS) OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALONG. SUPPOSE THIS HAD HAPPENED ONE OF THE TWO TIMES THIS CAR LOST POWER AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG A VERY BUSY ROAD? I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I THINK FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY LOSING AT LEAST ONE VACATION DAY FOR WORK POSSIBLY TWO OR MORE DAYS BECAUSE PHIL LONG CAN NOT GIVE ME ANY GUARANTEE WHEN THIS CAR WILL BE FIXED BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY. THIS IS INEXCUSABLE ON FORD AND PHIL LONG FORD PART.*AK

I OWN A 2001 FORD FOCUS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE, WHEN SOMEONE BACKED UP INTO MY CAR, THEY ONLY MOVED 3 FEET DIDN'T DO ANY DAMAGE TO TEH BUMPBER, BUT FROM THAT SLIGHT HIT IT SENT MY CAR FREE WHEELING IN PARK 175 FEET, ACROSS A ROAD, AND SLAMMING INTO 3 TREES TOTALLING OUT THE REAR OF THE CAR. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT NOR IN THE CAR AT THE TIME FO THIS ACCIDENT. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR I EXPECTED TO SEE THE GEER SHIFTER BROKEN BUT IT WASN'T IT STILL WORKED. MY CAR WAS THE WAY I LEFT IT JUST 175 FEET DOWN TEH ROAD. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! TWO OF TEH MAIN SAFETY FEATURE FAILED ON THIS CAR. FORD SENT OUT AN INVESTIGARTOR WHO LOOKED OVER THE CAR, PUSHED ON THE CAR WITH THEIR HANDS, BUT NEVER TOOK THE TRANSMISSION APRT TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE. NOW FORD SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND IT IS PERFECTLY SAFE. I AM VERY UNHAPPY, I AM STUCH WITH A CAR I DON'T WANT ANY MORE, DONT TRUST, AND NOW BECUASE OF THE DAMAGE UNABLE TO TRADE IN. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR SINCE OCT OF 2000. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE CAR AND FORD IS JUST TRYING TO COVER IT UP.*AK

CAR WAS PARKED, TRANSMISSION WAS IN "PARK" KEYS OUT OF CAR. A CAR BACKED INTO MY PARKED CAR HITTING THE FRONT BUMPER. MY CAR WAS ONLY 3 FEET FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR THAT HIT ME AND THE BACKING CAR BACKED UP SLOWLY AND ONLY CAUSING A SMALL SCRACH ON THE BUMPER. AFTER THE 2 CARS BUMPED, MY CAR BEGAN TO ROLL AND CONTINUED TO ROLL DOWN A SLOW GRADE AND PICKED UP SPEED. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR ATEMPTED TO STOP MY CAR BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET IN SENCE THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. HE ALSO ATEMPTED TO GET THE FRONT TIRES TO TURN AND COULD NOT. MY CAR THEN STRUCK A STAND OF TREES DISTORYING THE REAR END. MY CAR ROLLED OVER 120 FEET FROM THE SPOT IT WAS PARKED IN. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR, I CHECKED THE SHIFTER TO SEE IF IT HAD BEEN MOVED OUT OF "PARK" IT WAS STILL IN "PARK" AND I SHOOK IT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS. I THEN STARTED THE CAR WITH OUT ANY PROBLEM AND MOVED IT BACK TO WERE IT WAS PARKED. THE CAR DROVE AND ACTED FINE, I EVEN HAD 2 OTHER PEOPLE ROCK THE CAR TO SEE IF WE COULD GET IT TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR AND IT WOULD NOT. I THEN CALLED A FORD DEAL WHERE I WAS TOLD "THATS NOT A PROBLEM, IF YOUR CAR GETS HIT IT CAN JUMP OUT OF PARK". BEING A POLICE OFFICER MY SELF FOR OVER 18 YEARS AND IN THAT TIME WITH ALL THE ACCDENTS I HAVE SEE I HAVE YET TO SEE ONE WHERE A CAR WITH A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS HIT AND CAUSE IT TO COME OUT OF "PARK" EVEN WHEN IT WAS HIT AT OVER 50 MILES AN HOUR. MY CAR WAS HIT AT LESS THAN 1 MILE AN HOUR AND IT JUMPS OUT OF GEAR? BUT I REALLY CAN'T SAY IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR SENCE IT WAS STILL IN PARK THE HOLE TIME IT WAS ROLLING DOWN HILL AND WAS FOUND IN "PARK" AFTER IT CAME TO A STOP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AND I THANK GOD MY CAR WAS NOT PARKED WHERE IT COULD OF ROLLED OUT INTO A MAJOR INTERSECTION AND CAUSE THE DEATH OF ONE OF MINE OR SOMEONE ELSES FAMILY MEMBER. *AK

TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO PARK.*AK

MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS LOUD AND COARSE. GEAR CLATTER PROMINANT AT ALL SPEEDS. OCCASIONALLY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. *AK

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. *SLC