general problems of the 2001 Ford Focus

See complaint 11338120 I wanted to add pictures.

After driving from work to home, about 4. 6 miles, I turned right into my parking space in front of my home when the brakes failed while the car accelerated directly into the rock wall that serves as a barrier between the parking, walkway and building; I immediately pulled up the emergency brake, put it into park and turned the car off. I had it towed into my mechanic and was notified that they found "throttle cable was bound up" and they "re-routed cable properly. " I would like to know if anyone has ever had this experience with their vehicle accelerating when brakes are applied on this model. I would like to know how the cables can become bound up. This was a very frightening experience. I have taken very good care of this automobile and have maintenance performed according to manufacturer suggestions in their guide book.

My mechanic identified excessive dangers corrosion of the engine cradle and advised that the engine could fall out while driving. I called the Ford dealer who sent me to Ford. The took my information, Ford ref. Rff14807554. They would not commit to examining the car. I am afraid this problem could be widespread and dangerous to others. This deterioration of the steel is not normal. I have a background in working in metals for 30 years. I offered to donate my car for review and Ford was not interested. Many old Focus are on the road. My car has been garaged and has only 82,640 miles. I do not want anyone hurt because of this problem Ford has had recalls in the past for escapes & windstares for subframe corrosion on the engine cradle.

Key won't turn in ignition so car can't move. Vehicle was stationary and parked on the street.

My car will lose speed going up hills and start to act like it's running out of gas. I have had it go dead while going down the road and the steering become hard to move. It surges going at very low speeds of about 10-15 mph and jerks. Sometimes the even going on straight roads where there are no hills the car starts to act like it's running out of gas and die. The only thing that showed when I had it checked was the throttle body position sensor which I replaced and now says out of range and no one knows why.

Under normal use the exterior door handles on three of the four car doors broke. Within a week's time all three broke and the only way to open the doors was to reach through an open window and pull the interior handle. At my expense the Ford service dept. Replaced the broke handles, however the right rear part couldn't be located to repair it. This should have been a safety recall. Should their have been an accident prior to my replacing the handles, someone trying to help a person stuck inside wouldn't have been able to get the passenger out of the vehicle. When I looked online to read about these handles I found that this was a bad design year for door handles and after about 3 years it was then redesigned. Why not a recall then?.

Subframe is rusted through.

Key does not turn properly in ignition cylinder and door locks.

I've had my 2001 Ford Focus for years now and I have had problems with my ignition (got that replaced) and my windshield wipers work when ever they want to and will sometimes turn on on its own. Also my trunk will not open at all. Ive taken it to different places to get it fixed and no one has been able to open it. I purchased this vehicle so that I could save on gas but all I'm doing is wasting a crap load of money on just repairing everything.

The a/c evaporator core leaking refrigerant into vents of car. Fumes making driver and passengers nauseous as well as a/c failure.

Turned off my 2001 Ford Focus (with only 36,320 miles on it) as usual and when I returned to car and attempted to start it up, the key would not turn in the ignition. Had to have it towed to the dealership where they had to drilled out the tab, and build and install new key cylinder for a total of $427. 84. They did not offer the old part to me and I didn't think to ask for it. Thankfully, it happened during the day while I was at my dentist's, and not at night after work. Have since found out that a class action law suit has been filed in California. There should be a recall of these cars.

I bought the car drove it off the lot about 3 hours I had to get it towed. The dealer got it back for 6 months an finally I got it back. Now it is doing the same thing. Battery cables have damage. Cranks but won't start.