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Ford Focus: Problems & Solutions

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Comments

  • zx3for_mezx3for_me Member Posts: 26
    I've had my 2003 ZX3 Premium for about a year now and really the only issue I've had is balancing tires....finally dumped the Firehawks at 30K and got the Goodrich Traction T/A's..still have a little vibe at 70-80 but overall a much better tire than the OEM Firestones...pricey though.

    Anyways couple of questions....are the Zx3 manual transmissions generally noisy?? What I mean is traveling at low speeds the tranny sounds awful growly and rattly..is this normal on the Focus? My 1989 GMC P/U used to sound like this a bit...give it some gas and the let it coast and sounds like a muted garbage disposal! lol Also when giving it gas it sometimes sounds like an exhaust leak...you know that sort of noise...can't describe it...if you've ever had an exhaust leak you know aht it is....been doing it since day one Assorted clunks and clanks but the thing starts everyday so thats what counts. Overall are the ZX# manual trannys just noisy beasts? I think someone over at a Focus forum mentioned this is a trademark but just checking

    Next when I operate the fan I hear what sounds like water dripping every 10 seconds or so...any ideas what this is?

    I used to scour the TSB's when I had my Maxima and ended up driving myself crazy over every little issue..I vowed not to with this car....anyways I'm happy with it so far...not the best ride in the world but I've been in worse!

    Well if anyone can answer on the noisy tranny that would be great and also the drippping noise when the fan(blower) is operated that would be great :)
  • hotx3hotx3 Member Posts: 71
    HJ: Glad you got that resolved the stalling issue, at least for the most part. The head is the part that covers the pistons and holds the valves. Replacement is not cheap. Most mechanics will think you mean head gasket, since that is a much more common failure. My brother (also a Focus owner) was told that carbon buildups are more common on any newer model car. His mechanic offers a "flush" for $90. I don't know what to think of this. Apparently the earliest SOHC heads were unacceptably prone to the carbon buildup.
    ZX3 - I don't know if your tranny is different from the LX's, but my MT is not noisy or growly. I haven't seen comments on this board about noisy MT's.
    I have seen posts from people being driven CRAZY by the AC kicking in and out with a frequent loud click. Does this happen with the AC off? Search the board and see if the symptoms match. It's not a problem on my car.
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    Your MTX-75 is awfully noisy by design.
    Strong but noisy. It's normal for this car.
  • rwgreenbergrwgreenberg Member Posts: 154
    Hi all. I have a 3.5 year old 2001 ZX3 with about 28,000 miles. About 2 years ago, while the car was still under warranty, I experienced a problem starting the car one day. All seemed dead as a doornail when I turned the key...as if the battery was dead, but I was fairly sure the battery itself was not the problem as the car was quite new and I had not left the lights on or anything to drain it. Anyway...I called AAA and they could not get it going (they tryed to jump it) and they towed me to the Ford Dealer. The dealer called me later in the day to inform me that they could find nothing wrong with the car (it started right up for them) and that I could pick it up. They charged me forty someodd dollars because they looked at it and found nothing wrong. I protested, but eventually gave up, handed over the money and drove off, vowing never to return.

    Yesterday...2 years later...the same problem appears to repeat itself. This time the AAA fellow messed around a bit by tapping at the starter with a tire iron....pushing the car a bit...jumping in and letting up the clutch (just as one would do to start the car by deploying a gear while rolling...only he wasn't trying to start it...just "get the starter off of the dead spot", he said. Low and behold the car started right up and today it was fine as well.

    So one might assume that the starter has some sort of dead spot.

    Do any of you know if a mechanic can fix a starter with a dead spot, or even find out if a starter has a dead spot?

    I'm thinking that I should just have a local mechanic put in a new starter since the car is out of warranty and I've avoided returning the the dealership for obvious reasons. I called one up and they quoted me about $300 for the part and an hour of labor.

    Any advice/knowledge on this topic would be appreciated.

    Rich
  • wijocowijoco Member Posts: 462
    Have the cables to the starter checked for loose installation, if everything looks OK, have the starter bench-tested to see if it's drawing too much current. Most parts stores will do this for you for free, but you'll have to pay someone for the labor. This will confirm that the starter is bad before you replace it.
  • mnolan3313mnolan3313 Member Posts: 2
    This is my first time on this site, but someone told me that it is an excellent place to get info/advice. I just had to shell out $550 to get my ignition replaced in my 2001 ZX3. I got in it last week to start it, and the key wouldn't turn, and the steering wheel was locked. I had to have it towed to the dealership, and they called to tell me what it was and how much it was going to cost to fix it. They said that this wasn't something that was covered under my extended warranty. When we went up to the dealership to talk to them, they said that they had had several of these come in like this, but there were no recalls yet. Has anyone had this problem? Thanks.
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    Welcome to the Town Hall!

    If you enter the keyword "ignition" in the search discussion box, it will return the posts concerning that issue.
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    A very common problem.

    For those who haven't done it yet:
    don't fix it at the dealership.
    They'll rip you off.
    Call a locksmith!!! For a resonable amount, usually under $100, he'll replace your lock, probably with the more reliable model from the Explorer or similar. Just call around and ask.
  • alyosha73alyosha73 Member Posts: 35
    In my Focus 2002 (still under warranty) the AC is too weak, brought it to dealer several times, they do something and it improves for about a season (3 months). I think they just charge it again, can I request more radical repairs to be done? Is there possibility of a leak, is it normal to have to recharge AC every 3 months? Thanks for your advice.
  • retiredguyretiredguy Member Posts: 67
    I had a 91 Nissan Sentra..it went almost 10 years before it needed refrigerant. My 96 Saturn has never been re charged. It is not normal to need charging in 3 months.
  • wijocowijoco Member Posts: 462
    It is the dealer's responsibility to find the source of the leak and repair it, not just add freon. This is unacceptable if the car is still under warranty, and you need to insist that it is repaired.
  • alyosha73alyosha73 Member Posts: 35
    Seems like they found the condensor to be lose and now they say it is not manufacturer fault and they wont cover it under warranty, what should I do? Is there a way to contact Ford about it? I have documented two previous trip to the delaer with the same problem within the first year of ownership, and one just three months ago.
  • vbspykrvbspykr Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2001 ZX3 that has developed a problem with the AC. I could hear a clicking noise as if the compressor was kicking off and on too often. I took it to a repair shop and they said everything is fine and it was blowing cold air.

    Well, today it was about 95 degrees and I notice that as the AC attempted to cool the car, the two driver's vents were blowing lukewarm air and the two passenger vents were blowing "colder" air. How is this possible? I closed the passender vents and the air coming from the driver's vents got a bit colder but not as cold as when it came out the passenger vents. It didn't matter if I had it on Max AC either. Also, when I switched it to the floor vents it was the same story. Any ideas?

    Any help is appreciated! I'm tired of sweating it out....
  • rthayerrthayer Member Posts: 10
    I have a 2001 SE and have the same clunk from under the right front wheel. My local Ford dealer who I like spent several hours looking for something and assured me there were no safety issues involved but they could not locate the source of the noise although they verified they also heard it. I did have a tech tell me it might be a suspension bushing but they were not sure. If anyone knows what this clunk is, I would love to know.
  • aiki14aiki14 Member Posts: 1
    My battery cable shorted out and left me stranded 150 miles from home last week. One of the wiring harnesses (apparently there are 5 of them) was damaged and had to be replaced. The car had the rear light fuse problem 15 months ago and 3 wiring harnesses (not the same ones) had to be replaced but the battery cable was not replaced at that time or when the car was at the dealer for other service, including other recall service or when my ignition had to be replaced or the wheel bearings had to be repaired (warrantee covered these).
    Neither my ford dealer locally (Springfield Pa.) or the ford dealer who did the most recent repair (norris ford Easton Md) would do the work as warrantee since I was over the mileage for warrantee. I was over for the bearings but they did that as warrantee.
    Total cost for all this is over $2500 (1500 this time 1000 last year) and I am seriously irritated.
    I would like to fight ford on this and recover something, anyone with similar experience that can help would be appreciated, even if it's just to be able to say I'm not the only one.
    Thanks
    Jim
  • rwgreenbergrwgreenberg Member Posts: 154
    Hi all. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a product that I could use to get pale white stains off of my Focus' "alloy" wheels? I have the wheels that are made up of 6 rather wide "spokes". When I purchased my 2001 ZX3 I was very happy to see such cool looking wheels (never had such cool looking wheels before) but alas these wheels must be some cheap imitation? What the hell are these things coated with anyway?

    Thanks
  • craze173craze173 Member Posts: 1
    I'm currently looking into buying a new used car, the model that I've found is a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 S2 model [it has under 24K miles and have already checked carfax.com(for around $6500.00]. I am in college and expecting to have this car for atleast 3 yrs.
    I just want as many reply's within the next couple days to know whether this car is a good investment or if I should look elsewhere. If you had the choice would you purchase the same car or a different one. Thanks.
  • av8rav8r Member Posts: 3
    Greetings to all from South Korea. I have had my Focus, 2003 ZX5 HB since December. Good size for the driving here. So far been pretty disappointed with the gas mileage, flickering lights, noisy front end and transmission, suspension squeaks. Now the rear electric windows have quit working. Dealer says BOTH motors need replacing. (I checked fuses of course).

    I didn't see any posts for window problems, anybody else heard of this window problem?
  • av8rav8r Member Posts: 3
    All, I found the source of the problem for the non operational windows. There are 2 wire harness connectors that go from the driver's door to the body. The bottom plug was loose. I twisted it a half turn and it locked.

    Why the dealer could not find this problem? I am guessing because there was no profit to be made. Not a surprise really..I have found dealerships are the same the world over. "Buyer Beware!"

    Now if I could just do something about the poor gas mileage, the squeaks, the flickering lights.....
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,281
    Hmmmm, I'm getting 29ish city and 32-35 hwy with my ZX3. I don't drive it lightly either. Maybe its because its a manual transmission and no a/c that we get good fuel economy with it, I don't know. Course I don't know what you are considering poor gas mileage either. We've got 4500 miles on Zippy......little monster turned one month old today.
  • aew71aew71 Member Posts: 3
    My 2003 ZX3 with the PZEV engine just stalled on the freeway while doing 70mph! Just like the 2000-2001 models, it cut out with no warning, but all the electical systems were still on. This was not supposed to happen with the 2003's! What is going on? Can some parts from old models be installed on new ones? How do I tell?

    Last night it stalled at a stoplight (I thought my boyfriend just killed it) but it would not restart. It took 5 tried for it to start.

    Anyone else have this problem with their 2003? I've checked for recalls, but there are none. I love this car and was glad that the 2003's got better marks for reliability, but it looks like Ford has messed up yet again.
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    Why don't you take the car back to the dealer and find out what's wrong before you condemn the entire Focus line. Look, we have a 2001 that has been very good while others have had nothing but problems. Every Toyota or Honda isn't bullet proof either, but I would still suggest that you go to the dealer and see what they have to say before you imagine that somehow they dressed up a 2001 and sold it as a 2003, problems and all!
  • alyosha73alyosha73 Member Posts: 35
    Well, here is the rest of the story. I decided to take the car back to the dealer I bought it from and asked to recheck AC yet again. They found that there is absolutely no problem with leaks, condenser is fine (damn the other dealer, who wanted to charge $700 to replace it), and that the switch in wiring assembly was intermittent and causing the AC to cycle to often, thus not letting the cooling to start (whatever). The whole thing - AC leak test, pressurize, wiring assembly pin point test, wiring repair, test drive - was about $140, covered by warranty. The problem is GONE. AC works like a beast, better than when I got the car two years ago. What a relief. Wish I took it to the original dealer earlier. I had been turned off by their maintenance prices, however they are excellent for warranty work. Cant be happier. Back to enjoying my little ford. By the way, nobody believed it was 2002, it shines so brightly after the dealer washed it and cleaned it (free).
  • alyosha73alyosha73 Member Posts: 35
    Sorry second post, but your simptoms are excatly like what my car had (2002 SVT focus, but basically, your ZX3), same frequent AC on/off clicking, nad luckewarm air. If you need more info on the rapairs done - here are the codes:
    AC not cooling - open circuit- operation 19700A
    Wiring assembly repair - operation 14200A
    Wiring Repair- pin-point test operation 14200A1
    Hope this helps.
  • aew71aew71 Member Posts: 3
    I did go back to the dealer the very next morning after searching these posts for some clues as to why this would happen. I could find no good reason for this to happen other than the fact that it had happend to the 2000's. And the dealer could find no error codes, nor could he could replicate the problem. I guess I'll have to wait until it happens again, and hope I don't get creamed by other cars on the freeway who don't realize I'm in trouble. I'd really like some reassurance that this won't happen again, but I didn't get any from the dealer or from the replies to this post.

    I am not condemning the entire Focus line, terrible sorry to give that impression. I am quite happy with my car and want to keep it for as long as possible. And I hope that others will give some advice before chewing out new people with real problems.
  • helixhelix Member Posts: 1
    I hope you get this in time. What ever you do, do not buy that car, we on the exact some model and at 30K the front brakes in less than a couple of days from the squeaking tore through rotors, now the back wheel the bearings have gone out and have left us with a repair bill that we can't afford, from the time of the dragging noise to the wheel almost falling off was less than 30 miles, left us stranded (me, my wife and our 16mo. child, luckily it was a nice day). Also the engine light has come on and not even ford can figure out what's causing it. No clue, only paid $89 dollars to be told they have no clue. In less than a year your car will be worth $4,000 and will go down by have each year. These are really worthless cars, my wife bought ours before we got married, for $16,000 we still own a couple grand more than we could ever hope to sell it for. Plus these cars catch on fire. http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=&did=309 check that out before you buy.

    Like I said hope this gets to you in time.
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,281
    While 2001 may have been a bad year, as was 2000 its not fair to condem the car forever. Ford does admit that there were some problems with the early models it seems like the 03 and 04s are much better.

    I had an Escort that was a wonderful car and decided about 5 weeks ago to buy a Focus as a gas saver. Bought a 2004 Focus ZX3 base, manual trans, only option is ABS brakes, paid $11k new. In 5 weeks we've put over 5000 miles on the car with no trouble. It seems as solid as my Escort and more so then the Corolla I owned. I fully expect to get 200k miles out of it.

    The Focus is a good economy car, nothing more, nothing less.
  • alyosha73alyosha73 Member Posts: 35
    Was unfortunate to get hit with a rock on my last trip home and sure enough this time it generated a crack about 10 inches long, starting from the molding on the drivers side, little below eye level, curving up. Had a bunch of little chips before and was kind of thinking about getting a new windshield before, but this happened. Since I dropped comprehensive/collision coverage as of last year, replacement is out of pocket. Called a bunch of glass companies from yellow pages and found out the price range - from 170 to 350, depending on the glass and installer. In glass choices were - OEM (Fopd/Carlite/Visteon), PPG, Guardian, Safelite. The lowst quotes were from Guardian and Safelite, who install their own produced glass. Made them bid against each other and Safelite offered to do it for 150 plus tax, total coming to $167.
    They scheduled to come over next day to my choice of places. My concern was about the quality of the glass (subjective), safety (use of the right glue, priming, time for glue to set). Clearly there is no information on how to compare different brands of glass- other than price, but I am not ready to automatically assume that more expensive glass is of better quality. As a matter of fact OEM glass has more middlemen in the process and just as easily can be of low quality, since manufacturer just submits the glass contract to the best bid, unless it is some kind of a luxury car (not the case with my Focus SVT). Speaking in defense of those self producers (Safelite and Guardian) they make the glass in US, to survive US manufactuering environment, they have to be pretty good (sadly). The glass which was eventually installed by Safelite guy on my car was manufactured in Ohio. Optical quality is subjective and so far I cant really tell any difference, so here are my observations. Safelite glass has the same dot matrix pattern for visor and around the edges (where the black border is for UV protection of the urethane glue). No visible difference form Carlite OEM. In addition there is a slight greenish tint stripe at the top, which is pretty much not noticable, however it is extra, which was not present in Carlite. I was concerned that Safelite glass can be thinner and less durable than Carlite (OEM). I took measurements using a micrometer in the same bottom part of the windshield, where there was no glue. Safelite turned to be thicker by 0.03 inches. Carlite was 0.200 inches think, Safelite was 0.234 inches thick in the same place (roughly bottom middle).
     Next came the installation job. The installer was quite a nice guy, who took his time doing his job and still finished within 1 hour 20 minutes (he is being paid per installation, but gets fined if the installation takes too long). He removed the old glass without making any mess, he knew where to pry the covers, where to unscrew, how to remove one of the wipers (very professional) and such. He mentioned that he did many Foci before, but there are a few on the road too. He trimmed the leftover urethane, and primed the metal, even though he paid extra care not to scratch any paint (none was scratched, but he was careful). Then he used heat activated urethane glue (my understanding it is one of the best kinds, had windshield replaced on my car before (4 years ago and was not impressed with technology used). Then he quickly set the windshield and pressed it lightly. That was it. Excellent job. Supposedely the job is garanteed for the life of the car, but I am being realistic about it, if the windshield will work for another two years, I am going to be happy camper.
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,281
    In Alaska we don't have state inspections and all that. If our windshield gets hit with a rock and we can get it fixed (the chip) before it cracks, great, if not, oh well. I won't replace a windshield until the cracks totally block my line of vision. I think our record was a year without any chips/cracks. They don't care about cracked windshields up here, if they did a lot of people would be replacing them every 2-3 months.

    My Focus is clear for the moment, so is my Titan, our Dodge got hit the other day and cracked......oh well. Winter's coming so I'm sure by spring all 3 will be busted. Gotta love Alaskan roads.
  • alyosha73alyosha73 Member Posts: 35
    I see yoru point, it is just that previously I drove for a year with a crack and it was annoying the heck out of me, then I finally got the windshiled replaced and then I sold the car in a year- so I only enjoyed clear view for a year, while I could have done it sooner and reaped the benefits. So now I got replacement 3 days after the crack. I am pretty optimistic about getting at least 2 years of use out of it, according to my experience with roads in my state. I just wanted to right a review, cause apparently not to many reviews are available on the net, and I could not make informed decision and had to go with my gut. So far so good.
    On another note- since you say cracked windshields are somewhat a norm in Alaska, did you see any benefit from using those plastic hood deflectors? Ironically I had one installed like 3 hours before I had my windshield cracked, could be that this thing protects your hood at the expense of windshield.
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,281
    I don't see any benefit to them, usually they just push the rock higher onto the windshield.

    Broken windshields ARE the norm here in Alaska. My hubby's Ram has a nice crack after getting hit with a HUGE rock, took a chunk out of the windshield. We'll fix it when its not able to be seen out of anymore.

    My mom drove around for 6 years with a broken windshield in her car, was broken all the way through, if a semi went by her she would have to hold the windshield.
  • av8rav8r Member Posts: 3
    Has anyone found an after market access panel for the cabin air filter?

    The stock access panel is a pain to open and reseal.
  • docwestondocweston Member Posts: 1
    CD Player in my 2002 Focus ZX5 displays "CD ERROR" message and wont play or eject CD's. Is it in need of cleaning or more serious help?
    Docweston
  • evolmootionevolmootion Member Posts: 8
    Anyone have problems with a 2004 ZX5?
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,281
    A 2004 ZX3 (basically the same car) and we are at 8000 miles in 2 months with ZERO problems. Probably the best little car we have ever owned.
  • zx3traumazx3trauma Member Posts: 1
    My 04 ZX3 is currently in the shop for the 4th time for a loud moaning, whining noise in the front end. First they said it was a bearing in the front axle and ordered the replacement axle. I took it in when the part was ready and they said OH, now Ford says we can only replace the bearing, not the entire axle so we have to order a bearing only and send the axle back. The next week the bearing came in so I took it in and they replaced. Drove home, same noise only now it pulls to the right. Took it back yesterday, they swear it is a bad tire. Forgot to mention I have only had it 5 months and it has 9K on it. They rotate tires, noise is still there. New tires put on, noise is still there. They just called me and said they found that the noise is coming from the transmission, NOT the axle or tires!!!!!!! So now they are removing the transmission to investigate and they have no idea what is wrong.

    I also have the "cutting out.....acts like it is carbuerated" actions going on.....and they say there is no fix and they don't know what to do.
  • ebast1ebast1 Member Posts: 3
    My fiance just bought a 2003 ZX5 yesterday and loves it. My question is should he pay the $500 to have the undercarriage sprayed? He is not sure what it is, but $500 seems like an awful lot and the salseman was a little too eager to sell it to him. He just wants to know if spraying the undercarriage with a protective coating is usual or not. I thought most new/used cars already had a protective coating. Thanks!
  • ebast1ebast1 Member Posts: 3
    My fiance just bought a 2003 ZX5 yesterday and loves it. My question is should he pay the $500 to have the undercarriage sprayed? He is not sure what it is, but $500 seems like an awful lot and the salseman was a little too eager to sell it to him. He just wants to know if spraying the undercarriage with a protective coating is usual or not. I thought most new/used cars already had a protective coating. Thanks!
  • ebast1ebast1 Member Posts: 3
    I am new to this site and got confused about how to post.. I apologize for the duplicate :)
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    I'd say that anytime a salesman is too interested in selling you something its probably better for him then for you!

    I'd pass.....
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,281
    So, I thought I'd share my ZX3 story. Let's see, I've owned Zippy (2004 ZX3) since July 21, 2004, bought new with 52 miles on it. The car turned 11,000 miles yesterday and has been back to the dealer ONCE for an alignment, that's it.

    Most reliable car I've ever owned. Drove through 600 miles of snow, ice, and slush yesterday without breaking a sweat.......course that's with the help of blizzak snow tires. ;-)
  • bill16bill16 Member Posts: 1
    Of course it only happens when driving on gravel roads. We do a lot of that in farm country. The cabin fills up with dust. You can smell it and see it. Took to Ford dealer yesterday. They said they could not do anything about it. You can see dust deposits on door gaskets. Going to take it out for a fresh gravel road ride and take it back dirty. Assuming I'll get a run around again, are they any suggestions out there.
  • ideal50ideal50 Member Posts: 7
    I recently had a problem getting car started. I coudln't get the key to go all the way into the ignition. After researching net I found this has been an ongoing problem with the focus. (it's my first time with this one)

    Also noticed brake lights don't operate when depressing pedal. I checked brake light fuse and foung it okay.

    Have there been any solutions other than replacing ignition cylinder? Are the two problems related? Help.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,303
    you can lubricate the door seals. it's not a bad idea to do it ocasionally.
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • s0nyas0nya Member Posts: 1
    Last night after driving an hour home from my parents house, about a mile from our house, my boyfriend's zx3 stalled at a red light. He thought he might have just stalled on accident, so he turned it back on and turned onto our road (with the gas depressed the whole time) and once he pulled his front tires into our driveway and let off the gas the thing stalled again. Since he's tried to start it many times, the only way it will not stall out is if the gas is being depressed. Once you take your foot off the gas it stalls. He has had the car for a year and a month (bought it brand new), it has about 11k miles on it. He has an appointment on Monday morning to hopefully diagnose and fix the problem. I am looking for any advise on what it might be, (Seems like it could be the same fuel pump problem 2000 owners have had?) for dealing with the dealership, and making sure the problem gets corrected immediately. Thanks for any advise!

    s0nya
  • whyfocuswhyfocus Member Posts: 1
    My ignition locked leaving me stranded. I have towed the car to the dealership. Upon looking through this site, I see this is a common problem. Someone from a local repair shop tried to get the key to turn and could not. He said he had worked for Ford for 38 years and believed that the cylinder was the problem. He said that he had seen a number of early Ford Focuses (mine is 2000) have similar problems.

    I have had a lot of problems with the Focus. There have been more than 12 recalls on the car. The dealerships and customer service are more often than not uncooperative. I've found that dealers do not want to honor the recalls, especially if a rental car comes with it. They did not want to replace the fuel pump which was recalled unless I exhibited problems. This car is also very bad on gas. I recently got a tune up thinking that that would cause it to drive better with better mileage, but it has made no noticable difference.

    Regarding the ignition, I will call the customer service on Monday to try to get this done for free seeing that so many people others have posted messages with similar problems.
  • whyfocusfordwhyfocusford Member Posts: 1
    I spent 4 hours in the Ford dealership getting the ignition repaired. As others have noted, Ford is still refusing to take responsibility for this manufacturer's defect. The cost was $230.00, which included a new key. The technician hammered my key in the ignition in order to drive it 10 paces. This, naturally, destroyed the key. I had to pay for a replacement. What kind of mess is that? Have you noticed that Ford has all but halted commercials for the Focus? It's like the company wants to forget the car ever happened and that we poor souls ever bought one.
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,281
    I've owned my 04 ZX3 Focus for 4 months and have packed on 14,000 miles with ZERO problems. The car starts at 35 below zero with just a block heater, never complains, puts out great heat. I honestly can't find a single thing to fault the car about.

    I read all these problems with the Focus and I asked my service advisor at the Ford dealer, he said they hardly ever see a Focus. Likewise, I hardly ever see them in there either when I stop by to say hi (no service needed, but am friends with several people there).

    I usually am the one with all the problems, but not this time. A few of my co-workers have the Focus and they to say they've never had a problem.
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    Ditto with a 2001 SE 4 door...55,000+ miles and it still runs strong. A couple of early recalls and nothing since but routine maintenance plus new tires.
  • rwgreenbergrwgreenberg Member Posts: 154
    25,000 miles on my 2001 ZX3 - Most problems I've ever had with a car (only have owned Japanese before this one). But, not as bad it could be. Only left me stranded once. Ford dealers (service) that I've worked with (2 in my neighborhood) are the worst I've ever seen. The last time I brought the car in to one I was told I needed new brakes. This seemed suspicious as I NEVER went through brakes at only 20,000. Sure enough, local mechanic checked out and said NO WAY - brakes have plenty left (that was 5000 miles ago). Would never buy another Ford, but am still enjoying the great handling good utility for the money. Too bad.
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