Ford Focus Sedan

heemad · June 2002

Has anyone ever towed anything with the ZTS? I am looking to tow a small fishing boat with a total towing weight of just under 1000 pounds. I know the towing capacity is 1000 pounds. My question is how will the car react to the stress. I will only be towing about three to five times a month on very short trips. A couple long (four hour drives) each year in addition. Will I kill my car? I am looking for imput from those who have towed.

Thanks in advance...

tiredofmanual · June 2002

Manufacturers ususally understate towing capacities just to be on the safe side. I would think that as long as you took it easy, towing <1000 lbs a few times a month wouldn't be bad.

This reminds me of last summer, when I was driving on the highway. I saw a Corolla <i>pass me, pulling a ~20 ft boat. I couldn't believe it. I especially had a hard time believing the front tires had enough traction to pull the car along - it looked like the shocks were fully extended.

mdaffron · June 2002

http://www.auto.com/industry/defect7_20020607.htm

seminole_kev · June 2002

wow, 0.000130503 of Focus owners reported an engine stalling.

less than (since it says also 2002) 0.000012180 of Focus owners (7 people out of 574700 people!) reported a suspension problem.

I'm glad they're are looking into the problem, incase there is a real problem, but come on mdaff. Get tired of the retoric yet?

vocus · June 2002

Well, I don't know about you but if I were one of those 7 people whose suspensions failed on them and caused me to get into an accident, I would never even look at another Ford product again. I would also be suing the pants off them too.

seminole_kev · June 2002

I can understand that. The thing is, they are investigating it. Who knows what the circumstances were. Hell customizing/moding the Focus is getting to be almost as popular as it is with the Civic, so who knows what the condition of those vehicles were. Like I said, glad they are looking at it, but statistcally, those numbers are nothing. Who knows what's going on with those vehicles until they look into it.

That being said, you know meade's post was not to be helpful, it was just to be inflammatory

vadp · June 2002

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/Index.cfm

The fix is a new clutch disc with softer springs to dampen the gear roll-over knocking....

vadp · June 2002

Here is a good explanation from the 'other' forum:

"From what I had understood, the reason we have this problem is due to vibrations from our engine traveling down the input shaft at the transmission's natural frequency creates even larger vibrations inside the transmission, which in turn causes the synchro rings and set of idle gears to clatter.

So that should still work to dampen the torsional irregularities or vibrations (since this is neutral gear rollover noise). Even when locked, it should still act as a spring dampener. Hmmm..."

tomcat630 · June 2002

Focus bugs make front page news, what about other brands? How do they fare in the NHTSA complaint dept? I'd love to see how many Kia Sephias.

george00 · June 2002

The Crown Victoria isn't a "fire bomb"? Another one just burnt to a crisp along with the cop inside - the appalling picture of the burnt-out heap is all over the newspapers of Arizona. The Arizona Republic for June 13, 2002 has the details, which you can get at:

http://www.arizonarepublic.com/news/articles/0613Copkilled13.html

For a story of a cop in a burning Crown Victoria who perhaps was less lucky than the one who was killed, see:

http://www.azstarnet.com/star/mon/20610rFacelessManII2fmai2fms.html

When we recall that this is the same company that made the exploding Pinto in the last generation, it seems that Ford and its executives should be investigated, not only by safety authorities, but by criminal authorities.

tiredofmanual · June 2002

Have any Foci, while traveling at a high rate of speed, slammed into any traffic poles, which contain electrical wiring that could spark and ignite fuel especially if hit extremely hard, in the area of the vehicle where the fuel tank is located and burst into flames?

mdaffron · June 2002

http://www.autosafety.org/pressreleases/FordFocus.htm

And they don't start investigations unless the problem has been reported by several owners.

tiredofmanual · June 2002

Just curious.

george00 · June 2002

I realize that this is the Focus forum and I've already included links to articles detailing what happened to the Crown Victoria police cruiser which recently exploded in Arizona, burning the officer to death. I am only addressing this topic again because reference has been made to "traveling at a high rate of speed" as if that was the cause of the incident. In fact, speed was not involved.

The officer was traveling in his CV cruiser on a local street in Chandler when a 72-year-old driver cut in front of him to make a left turn. The policeman tried to evade the car, which hit his cruiser on the side and spun it around until its rear collided with a lamppost and the cruiser exploded. No speed is mentioned, but how fast can a car making a left-hand turn be going? Moreover, the police cruiser was hit on the side, and probably was nearly stationary by then. In fact, it is precisely because the accident was so undramatic, and not involving high speed, that other police officers in Arizona are so upset and wondering how safe their CV cruisers are.

As I was considering buying a CV, I too am wondering. As for the Focus, which was also on my shopping list, it may well be that CVs are dangerous because of the placement of their gas tanks, and that Foci have their gas tanks in a safer place. That would be a relief, certainly to owners of Foci as well as to prospective owners, so that should be the focus (excuse the pun) of the inquiry, not misattribution of the fatal accident to speed. I think it is also legitimate to wonder whether Ford is sufficiently concerned with the safety of its vehicles when some turn over, and others explode, and still others must be recalled many times soon after they are introduced.

mdaffron · June 2002

i.e. still open. No conclusion yet.

george00 · June 2002

One investigation which is not open, at least in Phoenix, is whether Crown Victoria police cruisers are exceptionally dangerous. The Phoenix police department yesterday pulled all its CV cruisers off the streets to have their gas tanks replaced (or covered, the report was not clear) with protective material used in NASCAR races.

Anyway, as I have now decided not to purchase a Focus, or any other Ford product until the company gets its act together (I have owned a Ford Escort station wagon, a Ford convertible (late 1950s - I forget the model), and a Mercury Marquis), this will be my last posting here. I will, however, remain haunted by a photo of last year's CV victim who has no face at all - it was burned off, leaving him looking like a horror movie monster. He may well think that last week's victim was luckier in not surviving (he has expressed the opinion that that accident, in which the CV exploded at low speed, was simply "ridiculous").

The engineers, or bean counters, or whoever is responsible for reducing a great American company to what Ford has become should face criminal charges - though based on recent history, they're probably facing big bonuses instead.

grbeck · June 2002

There is no mention of low speed in the article regarding the most recent accident. Just because the woman in the Mitsubishi making the turn was probably driving slow doesn't mean that the Crown Victoria was also driving slow. Based on the description of the accident, I have a feeling that Crown Victoria was traveling at a pretty decent clip. The Crown Victoria was hit by the Mitsubishi and the considerable momentum of the Crown Victoria probably spun it counterclockwise into the pole. I've seen similar accidents where both cars were traveling at a low rate of speed. The results aren't nearly as dramatic - i.e., the car that was struck by the turning vehicle doesn't spin violently. There is nothing that proves this was a "low speed" accident. Plus, when the Crown Victoria hit that pole, it struck with tremendous force.

As for the burned officer's opinion that the accident is "ridiculous" - it's just that, an opinion, and nothing more. Based on the article describing his recovery, I seriously doubt that he has the time and/or ability to make a serious inquiry into the facts of this accident.

And the actions of the Phoenix Police Department prove nothing except that the Phoenix Police Department has enough time and money to alter the design of the fuel tanks in its police cars. Saying that proves the Crown Victoria is unsafe is like saying that precautions many businesses took when opening mail in the wake of the 9/11 anthrax incidents proves that we had an anthrax epidemic.

ikoiko2u · July 2002

Our 2000 Focus SE Sedan with 21000 miles is at the dealer for a complete brake overhaul: new rotors and pads. My wife is not a heavy handed driver. She drives with two children (5,3). In our car ownership experience we have NEVER had to the repair the brakes before the warranty period expired. Heck, my Subaru Outback has 40000 on the original brakes.

The sad part of this is the dealer service rep said the brake replacement is chronic with Focus. The brake repair, coupled with the various TSR's that have come out since 2000, has convinced us to stay away from Ford products.

benjaminh · July 2002

I agree. I just traded in my Focus and bought a brand new Honda Accord. I got almost 4000 off of list price on the Accord, 4.75% financing, and they took that lemon Focus off my hands. You might want to check it out before you have more headaches down the road.

vocus · July 2002

My co-worker bought a used 2000 Focus SE with 40K miles on it. She has had nothing but headaches with the car since she bought it 5 months ago. The ignition key got stuck in and cost her $300, the rotors went up, and she has had trouble with grinding brakes since she got the car. I told her, when she was looking, not to check out the Focus (especially the 2000 models) because of their long history of recalls. She didn't listen, and how she's paying for it, literally.

benjaminh · July 2002

The feds are now investigating the Focus for possible engine fires, rear wheels falling off, etc., on top of the alreadly lousy quality. If you are really concerned about protecting yourself and your family as much as possible, it is perhaps best to choose another car asap.

alantpool · July 2002

Where did you get that information from? Which years? Engines? I think that we all would be interested in hearing about those issues in a little bit more detail.

Thanks
al

seminole_kev · July 2002

Not a ton of miles, but a 2000 with @30K and a 2002 with @5K miles. Been good cars. Oh well.

benjaminh · July 2002

The information about the federal government's investigation of the Focus has been reported in several places, including National Public Radio, on the web (aol, I forget where), and by Click and Clack (Tom and Ray Magliozzi) the Car Talk guys. Click and Clack devoted an entire column to the Focus on Friday, July 19th (at least in my newspaper, the Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky). The column was headlined "For safety's sake, cancel Focus order." They were responding to a someone who had special ordered a Focus, and then heard about the federal investgations. Click and Clack said to cancel the order because of the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration's (NHTSA) investigations into "collapsing front suspension...rear wheal bearing failure...engine-compartment fires and an engine stalling problem." These investigations concern the 2000 and 2001 model years. Click and Clack, however, recommended avoiding the 2002's as well. If you've ever read or listened to Click and Clack's radio program or column you know that they are full of jokes all the time. This entire column was dead serious, not a joke to be found. The morning the column was published I went out and bought an Accord.

seminole_kev · July 2002

The sad thing is that there are a ton of different makes/models of cars that the government starts "investigating" each month. You can view the list at the NHTSA site. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your outlook I guess) they do not all get the same amount of press.

stikshft · August 2002

At about 30K I have noticed that the rotor has developed a ridge on the outer edges, plus during braking there is often a groaning noise. There is still 1/3rd or more pad left. Mentioned to dealer and they dismissed it. On other cars I have never seen the pad wear into the rotor, it usually is covering the entire outer surface to the edge and wears down the entire face covered by the pad to the edge. What is the minimum thickness spec for the rotor on a standard sedan?

stikshft · August 2002

Local AM stations are susceptible to interference from the turnsignals, general alternator / miscellaneous noise. I could understand this at night out-of-town stations, but not local during the day. Any tips suggestions etc, appreciated.

seminole_kev · August 2002

I'd check spark plug wires. Could be a defective wire that's causing some EMI interference. AM will pick it up real easy if you've got a cut or damaged sparkplug wire. Just take it in to the dealer and let them troubleshoot it. Unless you've got too many miles, that's what the warranty's for. ;-)

whotheman · August 2002

How Ford is gonna say "we've fixed all the Focus' problems, and we're gonna start a new ad campaign for the car this fall!" (Autoweek.com)

And on the OTHER HAND, the U.S. Government is working on the most serious of SIX OPEN INVESTIGATIONS in to the Ford Focus, for engines that burst into flames (over 70 known occurrences) (Auto.com)

Is it like Keystone Cops over there or what?

seminole_kev · August 2002

got that whole cutand paste thing figured out? Good job. Was boring the first time you posted it in "news and views", but I know you must be proud of your post.

whotheman · August 2002

Since the forum is all abuzz with your scary knowledge.

seminole_kev · August 2002

just can't contribute like you. Such is life no?

bcvojak · August 2002

See:

www.fordfocusbrakeproblems.com

A class action lawsuit has also been filed
against ford regarding the brakes.

We have replaced ours once already (pads
and rotors), and the new ones are starting
to wshow signs of wear after just a few
thousand miles.

How and why Edmunds.com continues to recommend
the Ford Focus as a good choice is beyond my
understanding. . .

Bill Vojak

benjaminh · August 2002

The design is great, and deserves the awards it has won, but the quality is not just bad, it's pathetic and scary.

seminole_kev · August 2002

did you replace the stock pads and rotors with stock pads and rotors? I'll probably change mine out on the 2000 soon as it has over 30,000 miles, but I'm going to get after market rotors (not sure on the brand yet) with Mintex pads. Anybody have suggestions on which brand and type of rotors to get?

zizi · August 2002

edmunds recommends the focus because they have a zx-3 on a long term test and with over 33000 miles they did not repair any thing on the car
i had a 2000 and now a 2002 zx-5 and its the best
car i have
so people should stop complaining and drive the car and enjoy
look at the bmw ferrari and all the rest they have a lot of recalls so this is life

mean1 · August 2002

I just had my 2000 Focus SE at the dealer for the annual state inspection and the dealer replaced the front brake pads and calipers and cut the rotors but it was no charge to me...the car is under warranty but I thought brakes would not be included in that...this makes me think that Ford knows these front brakes are screwed up and will replace them if you push it...it was a $225 job I got for free because I have an honest dealer...by the way, the car has only 12,000 miles on it

tiredofmanual · August 2002

Is that if the stock brake pads and rotors are so bad and wear so quickly, why are people replacing them with stock pads and rotors??? You can get Brembo rotors and Mintex pads for pretty close to the same price as the stock ones.

BTW, when I sold my Focus (which happened to be relatively trouble free - I have no complaints) it had about 25,000 miles on it and the brakes had lots of life left.

alantpool · August 2002

I found out, while trying to get parts for a 1999 Ranger last year, that Ford and other manufacturers don't release the specs to non OEM companies for a few years after the release of a vehicle. That may have been the problem with some of the earily replacements of pads and rotors, but at least with a Ranger I could order the parts for a 1998 Ranger and they were the extact same.

I just bought a 2002 ZX3. Love the car, no problems, when did people start experiencing the MPG that is close to being posted. I have tried to alter my driving by using cruise and not using AC, but when it has been in the 90s in Mid-Atlantic states it has been very difficult. I have 4000 miles, purchased it on July 4, 2002, I drive a lot on the weekends and mostly open roads to work.

seminole_kev · August 2002

the 2000's engine didn't really open up until about 7000-8000 miles. The 2002 has about 5000 and, while the MPG is going up steadily, it still needs some more break in time.

vocus · August 2002

Brakes and rotors are covered for 12 months or 12,000 miles, under the car warranty's "adjustment" section. Maybe that's why you got it for free at 12K.

tiredofmanual · August 2002

My Zetec Focus opened up around 8000 miles and steadily improved. By the time I sold it, it was easily exceeding the EPA estimates. On my last highway trip with it I averaged 38 mpg (AC on, cruise set at 77, mostly flat, no drafting) over the two tanks of gas I used.

From what I could gather in my time on focaljet.com, the engines in the Focus vary quite a bit. Some people get terrible gas mileage and low power, while others get very good gas mileage and have documented pulling a few more HP on the dyno.

vocus · August 2002

So why did you decide to sell your Focus? Just curious. And what did you replace the car with?

tiredofmanual · August 2002

an Audi A4. I sat in one at the Chicago Auto Show this year and fell in love. After that the Focus just wasn't the same and after a few months of thinking about it and crunching numbers I decided that I could easily afford it and there really was no reason not to take the plunge.

vocus · August 2002

I know what you mean. I went to the dealership one day back in November and test drove a 2002 Jetta 1.8T. After driving that car, my 2001 Protege just wasn't the same to me. I bought the VW right on the spot. I have had some rattling problems with the VW, but am glad overall that I made the switch.

tiredofmanual · August 2002

That 1.8T sure is a nice engine, isn't it? I'm thinking about chipping mine when it gets up to 10,000 miles or so. It's crazy that they respond so well to just a chip and look to be reliable as long as you don't go overboard.

I sold my Focus to a college kid up in Wisconsin, and he emails me regularly telling me how much he loves it and the way it drives. I'm glad it's still getting the amount of love I gave it.

vocus · August 2002

I DO love the 1.8T. Like I said, once I drove it, the Protege I had (even though it had adquate power) felt so slow and unrefined. I had to get used to the sensitive pedals and the extreme power (from 130hp to 200 is alot of difference). But the car is great now. I have had some problems with rattles, but other than that the car has been fine. Even though I have had problems, I really love the car alot and might even think about purchasing another one of them.

vocus · August 2002

I wanna do the chip too, but it's not in the budget right now. Also, it voids you warranty if the dealer finds out about it.

Check out http://www.vwvortex.com to find out more than you will ever need to know about Audi and VW.

Focus people: Sorry for intruding on your discussion. I apologize.

stikshft · August 2002

Good tip, but ignition noise does not seem to be the primary sound, the turn signal produces a sound similar to some car alarms or ambulance warning. Dealer can't hear it so I wanted some ideas to follow up on my own before I bear down on the dealer.

stikshft · August 2002

Determined after the original post that the inside pads had worn out and almost to the metal and I could feel the grooves on the inside face of the rotors, dealer replaced pads, turned rotors. Everything peachy, briefly, a rattle squeak on light pedal braking developed. Returned to dealer and they admitted problem and replaced rotors, said they were turned below limit and warped. Dealer picked up rotors and labor on warranty. I am relatively satisfied, will monitor closely the pad wear and replace them sooner or go to premium after market parts mentioned elsewhere in this forum.

Ford Focus Sedan

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