general problems of the 2000 Ford Focus - part 1

When I hit the brakes the whole car jolts when you go over 40 miles per hour of the steering shakes I've already replaced the safety neutral switch on a transmission now my car will not start it just makes a clicking noise and when it does turn over it immediately stalls out my cigarette lighter also lit a spark in the back of it go off and the brakes sometimes have grate brakes other tines I have to slam the brakes down to get any brakes.

While in motion on a busy highway, driving 70 mph, my 2000 Ford Focus (62,000 orig miles) began downshifting; the engine light illuminated. Replacement of the neutral drive sensor was completed. Now, six months later same thing happening. Driving on a busy highway at speeds of 65 mph the �00 Ford Focus begins downshifting causing a decrease in speed at an alarming rate, rpms increase, engine light illuminates making the vehicle unsafe.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle independently accelerated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The vehicle independently accelerated without warning at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence, parked, and then taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle needed to be taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer and the manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 00v302000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

Tl-the contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space and came to a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicles rpms increased as the vehicle independently accelerated, jumped over a curb and crashed into a house. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the insurance facility and the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000. Sw.

I was driving and my headlights and interior lights started to flicker and the check engine light came on and then the car just quit running after 10 minutes I was able to start the car and get home I have had this car (2000 Ford Focus) for a little over a year the place I purchased it from did not tell me about any problems but I have had problems for the whole time and they have only gotten worse I have put an alternator on it and changed a couple of wires that were melted but it did not help! I am afraid to drive the car now especially with my 2 year old in it with me this car is not safe to drive!!!.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact was driving 35 mph when the vehicle failed to return to an idle position. The vehicle was not taken for inspection or diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 00v302000 (vehicle speed control). The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

: the contact stated while placing the vehicle in reverse, the vehicle lurched backwards and struck a concrete pillar in a parking lot. The contact was wearing a seat belt, but no injuries were sustained. There was minor damage to the rear of the vehicle. The police was not contacted. Additionally, the engine revved while driving various speeds. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer and the manufacturer was not contacted.

My idle speed control valve I was told was not working properly and the rpm's would shoot up whenever I would have the car in neutral. However this posed as a high danger risk because it would jerk forward because of the car idling and such a high point. This almost caused me several accidents and is seeming to be hurting the engine. However the danger of keeping my car like this is why I am writing. I think this posed as a driving risk b/c of how unsafe it made the car after this started to act up.

Vehicle lurched forward, and owner had to take out the key from ignition in order to stop the vehicle. Manufacturer will be contacted by consumer.

Recall 00v302000, when coming to a stop engine revved at a high rate. Consumer pulled over, and restarted the vehicle. Dealership would not repair the problem because VIN was not included.

For the second time since June 2003 my car drove sluggishly with poor acceleration and stalling. It was repaired by the dealership in June. As I was taking it back to the dealer while turning into their driveway I took my foot off the gas to brake to slow down. My car surged forward and the spedometer shot up to 140 and back down as I applied the brake.

When entering a driveway owner proceeded forward when vehicle accelerated out of control, striking a wall. Both air bags deployed from extent of impact. Please describe details.

Engine revved and vehicle jerked 4 times, vehicle is at dealership at this time. Please provide additional information.

Vehicle will lose power when accelerating. Dealer has been notified. Please provide additional information.

For the past two weeks my 2002 Ford Focus se has been running rough when rpm exceed 3500. Yesterday this problem became worse while I was travaling on I-94 east bound. While trying to accelerate to maintain the speed of the freeway the car begain to stall out. It stayed running but I could no longer press the gas pedal without the motor wanting to stall. Finally after a the car slowed down to 40mph I was able to make my way to the shoulder. I was in the middle lane where posted speed is 70mph. Car where franticlly trying to avoid hitting me while I limped my way over to the side of the road. After letting the car sit for 15 minutes I tried restarting and it appeared to be running better. I got off at the next exit and it started doing the same thing. However this time it would not even ideal and completely stalled while I was traveling at a speed of 40mph. I have been told by others who own this same vehicle that they too are having simular problems. I also read that you may have other complaints on this matter. Thank you for your help in keeping us safe and holding the manufactor to the standards they should be at. I'm a employee of Ford motor company and have always defended there position, but as a consumer this problem is very serious and need your attention.

6/3/02 : my Ford Focus was accelerating on an entrance ramp to interstate 70 in abilene, kansas, and upon reaching about 40 mph it suddenly stalled. Fortunately, there was plenty of shoulder to pull off onto. After about 20 minutes, the car was able to continue on to manhattan, kansas, without further problem. Later that evening when attempting to move the Focus from my driveway into my garage, it started up ok, but then stalled after about 5 seconds. It stalled about 5 seconds after each time it started. I made an appointment with the dealer, dick edwards Ford, in manhattan, kansas, for 6/5/02. I did not drive the vehicle on 6/4/02. On 6/5/02, I started the vehicle and began driving to the dealer to have the problem checked/fixed. About 2 miles from my house, the Focus suddenly stalled again. I had the car towed the remaining 3 miles to the dealer. 6/6/02 : the Focus is currently sitting in the service bay at dick edwards Ford in manhattan, kansas. Tomorrow (6/7/02) the fuel pump and fuel filter are supposed to be replaced at the cost of $500. 00 (estimate). Tonight (6/6/02) I saw a report on the cbs evening news about Ford Focuses being investigated for stalling problems. Perhaps it is mere coincidence, perhaps not. The report alleged that the problem might be a result of debris accumulating in the fuel tank. Also noteworthy is the fact that my Focus had its 100,000 mile maintenance performed on 4/19/02, including a new fuel filter and tune-up. I would also like to say that dick edwards Ford has done all the maintenance on this vehicle at 5000 mile intervals. I am filing this report because I happened to see the evening news tonight. How many people did not see the report and have had, or are experiencing the same problem as I am now? thank you very much. I look forward to hearing from you.

Vehicle accelerates on its own, engine revs. Throttle recall was done first in October of 2001, then a second time.

Car sometimes stalls or experiences hesitation when accelerating. . . Such as merging onto a freeway during rush hour and having cars swerve around you. Only notice the acceleration and stalling problems when gas goes below half a tank. Afraid to merge onto freeway for fear of accident and being stranded.

While driving vehicle will start to accelerate, then slowing and completely shutting off. Vehicle has to sit for an hour before starting back up, and will drive for a few minutes and do the same thing all over again.

The vehichle lock with the steering wheel and the wheels in a locked position. The vehicle then accelerated on it's own,and hit a curb. The other times it happened the same way. The car pulling real fast to one side,and the car won't stop it actually accelerates.

The Focus reaches around 10mph and the engine dies. Then it may run for a few mins and it dies again at a higher rate of speed or a lower speed. The speed hasnt remained constant in its failures. The dealership is replacing the part (iac) what ever that is. But I saw the other recalls with Ford and was worried it may be related.

Unable to disengage speed control when used. Vehicle been to the dealer shop on several occasions, but problem still occurring. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.

While parking the car after a highway drive, the engine revved out of control and had to forcefully apply brakes. Managed to drive to work, four miles, the next morning but transmission died as I pulled into parking lot. Could not reverse and would not go faster than 35 miles per hour with much bucking like my breaks were being applied. Had to be towed to a dealers lot.

Vehicle rolls backward when on steep incline while in drive position. For example, at a red light on steep incline and in drive if you take your foot off brake the vehicle rolls backwards. Windshield replaced twice due to horizontal crack starting at trim (same place) (lower driver side).

Vehicle will stall out and die without warning at 40mph, resulting in a collision. Dealer could not duplicate or correct the problem.

Vehicle jumps forward whenever it comes to a complete stop. Vehicle gets up 10 20 mph without having foot on gas. Consumer hit another car once because vehicle launched forward.

While parking vehicle jumped forward without warning. During the incident, the air bag deployed and broke the windshield.

Twice, while sitting at a stop light, the engine suddenly went to full throttle. Put car in neutral and shut off engine. On second occasion, car restarted on full throttle a number of times before successfully restarted on idle. Dealership can't locate problem.

When you are driving the vehicle along between 40 and 50 mph the motor will rev up and the car feels as if it goes into neutral. We have taken the vehicle back to the dealer 6 times and each time they keep it for a week or so and then tell us that they couldn't find any problem with it. As soon as we continue to drive it the problem happens again.

Driving down minor rd, drove through green light. Suddenly car accelerated and went into uncontrolled skid, slamming back wheel into curb. Jerked steering wheel left, almost into oncoming traffic. Veered right again, this time slamming front wheel into curb before managing to stop car. No outward sign of damage beside cosmetic, but short distance later, car began clanking right before tire hit bump in road, causing it to swing outward at 45 degree angle. Car was then immobile.

Consumer was in traffic, went to apply gas pedal and vehicle took off without prior warning. There were no injuries. Dealership wasn't notified.

I was exiting highway 99 in modesto, CA and the speed control failed to disengage when I applied the brakes I then exited the highway offramp at 70 mph and the car would not slow down even though my foot was strongly applied to the brakes. I sped through an intersection continuing at 70 mph and my only option was to re-enter the highway on-ramp on the other side of the intersection. Finally, I disengaged speed control by pressing the "off" button on the steering wheel before I rear-ended other cars entering the highway. This vehicle's speed control was previously serviced as part of a recall. If there had been other vehicles in the intersection when I exited the highway, I may have killed myself and another driver. It was a very frightening experience. I own a Ford Focus zts with a manual transmission. I will be taking the vehicle to the dealership on 6/19/00. I just thought I should report what may be a deadly defect in the speed control option.

Consumer was traveling on highway and was passing another vehicle, vehicle accelerated, and it made a squealing sound. He would have to apply brakes and turn vehicle off. He could feel that vehicle was trying to get away from him.

Consumer was driving with speed control on. When she tried to disengage the speed control it failed to do so, causing the automobile to accelerate and spin around, hitting a pole, and destroying the front end and the hood. Driver was shook up, and suffered some facial bruises.