general problems of the 2002 Ford Focus

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was successfully restarted, but the gear selector would not shift. The vehicle was then towed to a local repair shop, who performed a diagnostic test which discovered that the transmission gear pin was corroded. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 98,750.

I own a 2002 Ford Focus with 54000 miles on it and just last week had a problem with the transmission. When the car acelerated to 30 mph it would not engage into 3rd gear until you out more pressure on the gas. I took it to a Ford dealer and they had it for 1 1/2 days and came back with an " I think it's a ring in the transmission, but not for sure" they want to charge me over $400 to take the transmission out to see if it's this ring!! and if it's not this ring they think it is then I'm out $400+. I also found a website ( car complaints. Com) and noticed that I'm not the only Focus owner with this problem. Other Focus owners on this website have had to replace their transmission 2-3 times between 60,000-100,000 miles because Ford continues to put the same transmission in all their Focus'. I would like to know why a recall hasn't been call out on this car with so many complaints. This is a very big issue and I think it needs attention being that so many Focus owners are having the same problem. Thank you.

1. I was driving my 2002 Ford Focus wagon back from a camping trip and I was going about 60 mph on the freeway 2. All of a sudden there was a "crack"/"bang" from the back of the car, drivers side, the car continued without jolting/swerving (I. E. No affect to the driving of the vehicle), however, after another few miles the rear drivers side wheel was making a high pitched sound, plus cracking, plus some jolting as the bearing realigned itself at times. I stopped the car and the heat from the wheel was incredible, one could have fried an egg on it (this wheel was much hotter than the others). Unfortunately this happened on a stretch of road where there are no towns, no cell phone signal, etc, I was forced to drive the car to a town, max of 40 mph on a 60 mph stretch of road, I had a baby in the car and was scarred that something would happen to her. In the town, I left the car, had to call a friend to drive me home. I must say it was the most unpleasant feeling in the world. In addition, this happened on a Saturday night, where all car shops are closed! 3. Repair shops open tomorrow, the repair is yet to take place.