Rear Axle Spindle Problems of Ford Focus

I was driving home from work on the freeway when my brake light and traction control lights came on and it felt like my back end was fishtailing. I pulled off the road and called aaa. As aaa was towing my vehicle, the right rear wheel came off. The wheel could not be located and to my knowledge did not cause any accidents or injuries to other vehicles. It was determined that the rear wheel bearing had failed and the repair bill was in excess of $2,900, including the damage that occurred to the rear spindle, control arm and suspension. My vehicle is a 2002 Ford Focus. The previous 2 model years were recalled for rear wheel bearing failure.

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I am not sure Ford has completly fixed the problem with the rear wheel bearings on the Ford Focus vehicles. I just had to take my car in to the dealer, because the complete wheel and hub asy just about came off the vehicle (wheel bearing failure). Could have caused a accident if the wheel came off, and possible injury to my wife.

The rear end of the car started to wobble, loose control and fish tail at a driving speed 0f 70 to 75 mph on a totally non slippery dry road. On wobbling, the car quit responding and started fish tailing eventually rolling over twice before it came to rest upside down down a hill. The police officer that investigated the crash site, looked into the tyre marks and verified that the brankes had been hit even before the car touched the fog line(wake up strip). The officer also made a note in his report requesting for an investigation into the rear axle of the car.

While driving at approx 65mph on a straight and level 2 lane road, the car suddenly veered hard right. Counter steering had no effect on recovery. The car was at about 90 degrees when it impacted the curb and was launched over a 10 foot culvert. The Ford Focus then rolled 5 times landing on 3 wheels. The 4th wheel and suspension (front right) was found approx. 30 yards from the vehicle. Evidence showes that the lower ball joint was lose, indicated by excessive wear and grooving to the spindle where the lower ball joint mounted. Other evidence shows the right side half-shaft has a clean break at the splines (spline was still inside the transmission while the half shaft was other wise not damaged and laying in the field). The 2001 zx3 s2 was totaled. I have pictures where needed.

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Since this car was bought new off the showroom floor, we have had suspension problems. We have had the tires replaced 7 times now and will soon have to have them replaced again due to severe tire wear. Alignment has been suspect at all tire changes and warranty has been voided on 3 sets of tires due to misalignment. Alignment has been done several times by Ford and by private shops. Alignment was even set out of spec. By friendship Ford (bristol TN) to correct the problem of severe tire wear. To my knowledge, if a vehicle has to be set out of spec. To correct a problem, there is something wrong with the car in the first place. We were told however, by rusty wallace Ford (newport TN) that our driving habits were just too rough and they proceded to tell me how to drive. I do not race the car or drive like a maniac and shouldnt have to drive 25mph to avoid replacing tires every 20000 miles. I have since had to replace the left rear wheel bearing that locked up also ruining the spindle, and rear brake pads due to the brakes on the left rear wheel locking up. It seems sort of questionable to me that I have had so much trouble out of that one wheel, the same one that was recalled due to the slight problem of it coming off the car. My mother and I own an inventory service and drive the car as many as 3000 miles a month and sometimes more, so our warranty was used up quickly and all of our problems other than the tires have come after the warranty ended. I do not have a problem with spending money to repair our vehicle as I know nothing lasts forever, but some of these problems are glaring and Ford seems to be looking over them. Please investigate the problems with the brakes tires as I have found that I am but one of many with problems with this Ford product. I have found a website that you may want to look into. . . . . Read more...

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Focus 🔎.