Brake Disc problems of the 2000 Ford Focus - part 1

While applying the brakes vehicle had a grinding noise coming from the front of vehicle .

The front brakes on my 2000 Ford Focus have made a squeeking and grinding noise intermittently since the second or third day after I drove it off the lot. I took the car to the dealership multiple times and they were unable to resolve the issue. They told me they sanded the break pads and that would reduce the noise and that it was normal. Of course, that didn't help. At 22,000 miles I had to pay to replace rotors and pads. The mechanic noted that the rotors and shoes were warped from the heat of applying the breaks and there was still plenty of life in the break pads. He stated that he had seen this before in the Focus. I checked your complaints site and saw 48 other complaints about similar problems so I decided to file a complaint.

Consumer states brakes wear prematurley wearing out which produces a grinding noiuse. Dealer states this is normal for the brakes.

Brakes squeaked badly since the day purchased. Contacted dealership they said they were new and it would eventually stop. About 3 months later I had to take the vehicle in for a recall and told the dealership about the brakes. They told they were aware of a problem because of the number of complaints, but were anticipating a recall. Now I have to have my front pads and rotors replaced. The mechanic told me he too was aware of a number of vehicles like mine that were being serviced for the same problem. I cnatcted the customer service dept. At Ford and told me until an official recall was implemeted they could do nothing.

Front brake pads and rotors needed replacement after 30000 miles. There was no indication of wear until grinding sound was heard from the front brakes. By that time rotors could not be repaired, and needed to be replaced.

My son had a wheel stuck on the curb of our driveway. He opened the door and, with his foot on the brake, looked out to see the position of the wheel. The brakes failed and the car rolled down the driveway hill, hopped the curb, crossed the street, went over an embankment and landed with the rear end of the car against a tree. The car was totaled. When Ford was contacted they said they had not received any other complaints about brakes on the Focus. Our mechanic spoke to an associate with Ford who will deny speaking to him. The Ford associate said they are aware of a problem with the brakes failing, they just don't know how to fix it so they can't issue a recall. It seems this ball belongs in your court! our car was totaled, our son suffered only minor injuries; the next person may not be so lucky. Mr.

Both front rotors and pads needed to be replaced at 32,000 miles of wear. Dealer has been notified.

A grinding sound from left front wheel would occur when brakes are applied. Vehicle taken to dealer , and informed consumer that rotors and pads needed to be replaced. Feel free to provide any further information.

This is the second time the dealer is charging me for the exact same problem. I almost killed myself and my girlfriend on the freeway. The brakes starting making this sudden grinding noise and were no longer effective, I had to use the hand brake and engine brake to get out of it without hitting anybody.

While driving out of town brakes failed at 1300 miles. Brakes were grinding, and consumer had to replace front brakes/pads and resurface rotors.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Front brake rotors and pads had to be replaced within 22,000 miles of wear. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

Brakes were checked at 13,ooo miles. Mechanic said they were ok. Always black grit on rims on front tires. Have gone into many lemon sites and neumerous owners say they have had pads and rotors replaced at various low mileage's. Ford customer relations center tells me they have had no complaints. Bull. Feel this is a design problem, Ford must own up to. Please advise. Thank you brakes constantly screech when braking, owners manual says this is normal!.

To whom it may concern: I am writing in regards to the faulty brake system on my 2000 Ford Focus. When I first purchased the car, I noticed that the brakes made a squeaking sound. I was told that Ford factory brakes always squeak and so I thought that this was a normal thing for this model car. It wasn't until the brakes stopped squeaking and began to squeal and grate that I began to be concerned. It is for this reason that I am contacting you. I think it is outrageous that a car with just over 31,000 miles should have needed new brake pads and rotors! what a disappointment! I have become very disillusioned about the quality of the craftsmanship of Ford vehicles. In my research about the problem I was experiencing, I discovered that I am far from the only person with this difficulty. In fact, I came across a website devoted to Ford Focus brake problems. I would request that you take this complaint very seriously and research this issue yourselves. It cost me $248. 00 to deal with this today, and I understand from others' experiences that it is likely that these new brakes will do the same as the old. I am frustrated and nervous. I have a very small child whom I transport in this vehicle and would be devastated if these faulty brakes and rotors contributed to an accident or worse.

Vehicle has been brought to Ford dealer 4 times for brake problems. The fist one at 6,000 miles and about every 6,500 miles thereafter. I am so tired of having to have these fixed.

Brake pads and rotors have worn out prematurely. Rotors had to be replace at 27000 miles.

2000 Ford Focus only with 23500 miles, mainly highway. Brakes started making grinding noise, shop replaced front brakes, pads and rotors. Car still making grinding noise. One week after replacing front brakes, shop replace rear drum brakes. Brakes are still making grinding noise. Have had brakes inspected and reinspected but mechanics states no problems with brakes. General comments from mechanics are that the Ford Focus brakes are bad, weak and will require replacing more than the average automobiles in the market.

Premature wear of front brake pads and rotors. Inside of brake rotors have worn. However, pads on the outside have not. Please provide additional information.

Brake pads will stick to the rotors when consumer is trying to accelerate, making it harder to accelerate when at a complete stop. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.

Front brake rotors and pads had to be replaced twice within 26,000 miles of wear. Problem would causes vehicle to vibrate severely when applying brakes. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

I have had the front and back brakes in the shop for 4 or more times combined. Have had bearings replaced also 2x's.

Brake calipers on all Focus cars are defective which causes premature wear of front disk pads and rotors calipers are sticking.

My brakes has consistantly had a loud grinding noise. After several complaints to the dealerships and customer service reps, I was told this is normal. The problem now is that 22,000 miles and 1 year later, I need new brakes. Also, the car was recalled for wheel bolts and nuts. I have seen many complaints about the exact problem. There is no way to tell if you have a problem with the brakes because of the loud noise. My belief is that the car is defective or poorly designed.

I work for a goodyear CO. And everytime there is a problem I have one of our techs. Check it out for me. First it was the brakes I was taking my children to the movies,as I was turning into the parking space I heard a grinding noise. The next day at work I have auto tech. Inspect my brakes I had less than 10% left all around and the front rotors were cracked! my children and I could have died! I took the car to the dealer to marina Ford they replaced front rotors,pads and rear shoes. Three weeks later pads were down to 10% I did not bother going back to the dealer. Our tech. At my place of employment replaced my brakes with good quality pads and shoes. I had th iside panel replaced,the windshield wiper motor replaced and the right front wheel bearing replaced! now my left front tie-rod is bent,my car shuts off when the gas is at the 3/4 mark and when making right turns,the emission lights up and the car stops! this is a problem car the Ford Focus. I found a web site and ther is over a thousand consumers who are not pleased with their Focus too!.

At 65 to 70 mph when applying brakes vehicle shakes and makes a grinding noise upon slowing down. Please provide any further information.

Dealer cut warped rotor 17k--did not replace pads--at 23k rotor must be replaced at my cost--Ford says it is normal wear. My vehicles' brake rotors have always lasted the life of the car-140,000+miles--23,000 is not "normal wear. ".

The front disk brakes were worn out to the rotors after only 25,000 miles because they over heat and the pads wearout quickly. The vehicle was driven on expressway 80% of the time. The front wheels become extremely dirty due to quickly wearing out brake pads. When this was brought to the notice of the dealer about 8 months back he said the dirt is due to the wheel design, but the rear wheels do not get dirty since they do not overheat and wear out as quickly. The manufacturer and the dealer say it is normal to wearout front breaks any time after 9,000 miles and refused to pay for repairs. This is abnormal, my brakes always last over 55,000 miles.

Noisy brakes- my car has been in the shop 3 times. Twice the rotors and pads have been replaced but still noise brakes. Dealer advised that there is no resolution for this problem and the car was created in europe. So why did you put your name on it and why didn't you disclose the noisy brakes to me at time of purchase? in general I am not satisfied with my car and the dealership is not willing to take it as a trade in for another vehicle.

While vehicle is being driven an unusual noise occurred in the engine compartment. After inspection by dealer problem was diagnosed as premature brake wear. Please give any further details.

Front brakes have been squealing since the car has had a brake job under one year out of the showroom. The first brake job done by team Ford was necessary at under 20,000 miles indicating premature wear and possibly defective from factory disc brakes. Many other Focus owners are having this same problem. The brakes still squealed after the brake job and now in less then 2 years of ownership the brakes again needed new pads installed and also the rotors needed replacemant. This costs over 350. 00. All this in under two years and below 30,000 miles on a new car. Now my ase certified mechanic states that all the wheel bearings need to be replaced still the car had at that point less than 30,000 miles on it. When I presented the car to friendly Ford of las vegas nevada, for bearing inspection under warranty, they declined to inspect the bearings and told me to bring my business elsewhere. This is non performance of warranty which covers (supposedly) defects for 3 years or 36000 miles. Friendly Ford and their service manager rob refuses to give under warranty service for the defective bearings and the cost of two brake jobs done by certified mechanics at premature wear levels was borne by us the owners. Ford offers poor customer service and refuses to honor a valid warranty.

Ford has replaced master cylinder twice and all rotors and pads. Still no brakes when first used after setting.

While driving 10 mph, vehicle unexpectedly accelerated to a speed of 50+ mph. Dealership has examined vehicle four times, but could not reproduce the problem. Consumer also stated there is a noise coming from the rear brakes, dealer replaced the rear shoes, also front brake pads were replaced.

When applying brakes there was a squeaking sound. Dealer replaced front pads, and it did not remedy problem. On 11 Sep 2001, while applying brakes pedal went to floor. Dealer replaced front and rear pads and rotors.

When brakes are applied a very loud squeaking noise occurs, cause unknown. Dealer has replaced brakes three times within one year. The consumer stated that to correct the problem the dealer replaced the front brake pads and machined the front rotors. But the problem still continued.

Consumer states brakes squeak when stopping, consumer was advised that front brakes are needed.