Ford Focus ZX3

1…3334363839…56

Comments

  • planetredplanetred Member Posts: 15
    Well, Just got my 01zx3 back from the shop. I took it in for "nearly" stalling when its warming up. They couldn't find the problem so they reprogrammed the computer and re-gapped the spark plugs...we'll see. While there, they replaced the rear wheel bearings and seals. Well, that's one day with no car due to problems, probably not the last.
  • tgrcubtgrcub Member Posts: 22
    I'm just wondering if someone knows if that lovely auto-locking feature will kick in if you're just warming your car up? the past few mornings, while de-icing my windshield and windows, I have kept the drivers window far enough down just in case the doors locked on me... anyone in a cold climate with any ideas on this? I'd really hate to get locked out while scraping the car...
  • cgsangelcgsangel Member Posts: 79
    I do the same thing you do... I keep the window rolled down just enough to reach the button in case it locks. It hasn't happened to me yet, but I can see where it could happen, very easily. I also do the same thing at the gas station, although I try to remember to remove my keys as I exit the car.
  • clayman1000clayman1000 Member Posts: 69
    Almost traded in my Zx3 for a new Protege'5'. Was only 500 dollars away from doing it. Very tasty car.
    Salesman tried to low ball me on the trade-in by saying the Focus is really hard to move now due to all the recalls.
    Turned out I decided to buy a new house instead so will need money for moving expenses. Will keep the car and grin and bear it.
    Am thinking of a X-mas present for Lloyd, my service man at Ford.:>)
  • clayman1000clayman1000 Member Posts: 69
    How the new Civic Si hatch looks VERY similar to the Zx3?
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    I, too, have electric windows but they do not
    (at least not so far) lock when I close the doors with the engine running. I know of others w/ FOMOCO products that do lock, however. Is it possible that my vehicle's auto lock system has been dismantled either inadvertantly or at the factory or by my dealer? I'm very glad I don't have to worry about the doors auto locking.
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    Thanks for the info, silverbullet, but tirerack doesn't have what I want -- I looked previously. Guess I'll try checking elsewhere.
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    Folks,

    Is our Focus different?? On ours you get one lock per start cycle, but it only happens when the car is moving. Never seen it happen when the car is not rolling and never happened but that once per start up.
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    That's exactly how my 2000 ZTS works, and I believe that is the correct way for it to function. Doesn't sound like anythings wrong on yours.
  • tgrcubtgrcub Member Posts: 22
    that's the way that my 2001 ZX3 works too - a few seconds after motion starts, the doors lock... but I have an active imagination, and I can just see the car locking itself while in park and warming up ( that beeping from the seat belt alarm is annoying enough )... basically, I fear clearing off the back windshield only to hear that click-click... I'd be afraid that I'd take the window scraper and try to break into my own car in anger...
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    the doors don't lock until 7 mph is achieved. So unless your clearing the windshield while driving, it won't lock you out.
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    I was a bit nervous before my first car wash and went with both sets of keys but since it only locks once during each start cycle I am not as nervous. No problem yet and to tell the truth I kinda like the auto locking that the Focus and my wife's 2001 Taurus has.

    FDIII
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    Last Saturday, my fiancee's ZX3 sputtered and stalled about two blocks from my apartment. All dash lights illuminated, car would crank, but would not start. Off to the dealer on a wrecker. There it sat for three days until they could get to it - and a half-day later its fixed. What died? In tank electric fuel pump, which contaminated the fuel filter when it pooped out. 15K miles, and the fuel pump dies... not encouraging. Glad the warranty paid for the repair, but what a hassle, and it sure makes you wonder what's going to die next!
  • needanewcar202needanewcar202 Member Posts: 4
    I just got through pricing a 2002 zx3 and a zx5, and a comparably equipped zx5 invoiced at almost $1000 more than the zx3. Other than the fact that the zx5 has 2 more doors, weighs 100 lbs more, has power outside mirrors, and can be had with leather, why is it so much more? Am I missing something?
  • markregelmarkregel Member Posts: 32
    I wonder what would provoke a non onwer to come on this board and trash this car just because it's been recalled. A few years ago these recalls would have never been occured, but Ford wants to make sure a possible defect is taken care of, how can you fault them for that? I personally inspected the components on my car covered by these recalls, and don't feel the need to have any of them done. Most are just stupid things of no consequence. Writing off an entire car just because the maker wants to replace a possible defective wheel bearing oil seal or squeeky break pads is the epitome of the Consumer Reports mentality. I replaced my 1992 Accord with a 2000 ZX3 and am delighted by it's handling, steering response and ride quality. For me steering response and handling is the best attributes a car can have and this car delivers! Toyota Corolla does not even come close and it's looks are stale to say the least. Perhaps Corolla and Civic buyers feel the need to justify their purchase, so they come on here and trash this car. I sure wish Honda would have recalled my Accord to fix the problem of the cracking wind shield, which seems to happen without hitting anything.
  • fgaydosfgaydos Member Posts: 319
    I agree that some of the recalls are nonsense. A seat hinge, different pillar molding, but to say that the bolt failure on your rear wheels might cause the wheel to fall off or a seal to fail and also cause the wheel to wobble and fall off are NOT silly, but very serious. I also had my windshield crack two weeks after taking delivery and my trans died last month after 15000 miles.

    If you notice the repair history of Ford cars in CReports you will notice mostly black dots in the beginning and slowly changing to red dots by the end of the model life. The Escort is a perfect example of this. Now, it is one of the few Ford cars that CR recommends.

    The only reason I purchased the vehicle is due to it being 'Car of the Year' in both Europe and the US. I thought they had a year to get the kinks out in Europe but I was wrong.

    This will teach me never to buy a first year model car. No matter who makes it.
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    Ahh..the story of first year models is one that drives car lovers nuts! Having been the owner of 2 first year models (one a Toyota and one a Ford) I hope I will be smart enough to stay away from them in the future. The problem is that all the car nut magazines feature the car and if it is a good review you want to jump on the bandwagon. The car happens along at the exact time you are ready to make a purchase and it is exactly what you need (a new type vehicle, a new vehicle from a maker you like, a model with all the features you need, etc) and so you forget the new car teething pains and jump in with both feet. Down the line, as the emotional hype dies down, you remember why you don't buy first year cars!

    I hope that I will be able to not forget my 2 first year cars and I hope my emotions will not cloud that memory when next it comes to new car purchases.

    I agree totally with markregal and know that our 2001 Focus has so far (8,500 miles since March, 2001) been a great addition to our family motor pool!
  • zx3inzx3in Member Posts: 4
    I had the pleasure of being rear ended this weekend while I was out Christmas shopping. Sitting at a red light, minding my own business, and a Nissan pickup decided to slam into my rear going about 25 mph. I was afraid to go around to the back of my car and see the damage...knowing how hard he had just hit me. When I got out and saw that the entire front of his truck was smashed in, I thought the worst. Well, I am proud, and shocked, to report that there was only a scratch about 1/2 an inch long on my rear bumper. I could not believe it. I definitely feel safe in my ZX3 now. I guess I needed something to make me feel good about my car....my check engine light came on Friday night, and I was ready to trash the car. After only 3 months, and already problems. Took the car to the dealer today, and they said it was the ERS sensor gone bad. They replaced it and sent me on my way. I only hope that was all it was.
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    Wait a minute...let me get this straight...the check engine light came on and you were ready to trash the car????? Well, you better make sure your gas cap is always on tight and hope your finger never slips off the key while you are starting the car and it stops dead. Both these things have caused the check engine light to go on in a couple of my cars.

    Any wonder why people think the Focus is a bad car???
  • zx3inzx3in Member Posts: 4
    I just got my ZX3 after 4 years of HELL with a Pontiac Sunfire. Any little thing at this point would discourage me about any car. I love my Focus, and I have recommended it to many people.
  • rookie34rookie34 Member Posts: 13
    I jumped on the Focus ZX3 bandwagon and own a year 2000 model. Went through 4 recalls and two fuel pumps (not one but two - take notice Silver Bullet!!). I love the car - the way it drives, the look, the room inside, the fuel mileage etc... But I am nearing the 36,000 mile mark and will NOT keep this car past the bumper-to-bumper warrenty. Do I get a 2002 model and cross my fingers, hoping that the bugs are worked out after two years - or do I jump ship and get a Mazda Protege5 (a Focus clone but by all accounts a much more reliable vehicle). All comments are welcomed. I have driven Ford all my life (Ranger and way in the beginning a Pinto!!) and have never had the amount of trouble I have had with this 2000 Focus. What's a girl to do???
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    For ongoing feedback..., feel free to start up a new "Ford Focus ZX3 vs Mazda Progege5" discussion on this message board if you'd like. Use your copy/paste so you don't have to re-write your message. Good luck with your decision. ;-)

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Buy an extended warranty if you are really worried about possible future problems. You will save money vs. buying a new 2002 and you could experience problems with a new Focus, Protege, Civic, or whatever. There is a good chance that you have "worked the bugs out" of your 2000 and since you enjoy the car it is worthwhile to consider the warranty option.

    http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/roadtests/2001/december/200112_longterm_fordfocus.xml

    Read the above link for some good news on Focus reliability.
  • fgaydosfgaydos Member Posts: 319
    I have a ZX3 '00 and test drove a Pro'5'. I find they are very similar speed and handling wise. Both have distinct looks.
    I also will wait till my warranty runs out and then either trade it for a Pro 5 and hopefully by that time they will come with a more powerful engine, or go to AAA and purchase an extended warranty for the ZX3 I did this with my old Mazda 323.
    You will need to take the car into a AAA diagnostic center and they test it to see if it road worthy. There are pre-printed charges for the warranty based on the cars repair history, IE consumers reports. Only buy 'name brand' warranties, ie. I read on another board where it took a guy a year to collect from his no name company.


    http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/automotive/protect_investment.asp

  • fdannafdanna Member Posts: 263
    It's really a huge loss when you trade a car in after only two years. You'd be better off buying an extended warranty, as others have said. Ford I believe might even sell you one. Even if you kept the car for another 3 years and incurred $1000 in bills, it's still MUCH less than the depreciation and cost of purchasing a new vehicle. Unless you don't feel safe driving the car, it's financially unwise to trade in at this point (unless it's a lease!)
  • clayman1000clayman1000 Member Posts: 69
    I agree that after two years you will take a loss. But after three it will be a wash trading it as opposed to the constant erosion of trade-in value. The more miles you put on, the lower the trade-in value.
    Now, an extended warranty for $500.00 might be worth the price, especially if you need it. Certainly cheaper than a new car.
  • 01redzx301redzx3 Member Posts: 10
    I SEE WHERE THE FORD FOCUS ZX3 WON BEST IN IT'S CLASS HONORS . THEY SAY THAT IT WON BECAUSE IT'S ROOMY AND MOVES THROUGHT TRAFFIC WITH EASE, THANKS TO A 2.0 130-HORSEPOWER ENGINE. FORD HOPES ITS NIMBLE PERFORMANCE IN AN EDGY-LOOKING PACKAGE WILL ATTRACT YOUNG BUYERS .IT RISES TO THE TOP OF THE CLASS WITH ITS SOLID RESALE VALUE, GAS MILEAGE,POWER AND INTERIOR ROOM. I HAVE A 2001 RED ZX3 IT HAS ALL THE TOYS ON IT BUT I JUST WISH IT WAS A BETTER MADE CAR . GO TO THE WEB SITE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE CAR . WWW.KIPLINGER.COM
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Why do you wish the ZX3 was better built? Have you had mechanical problems with yours?
    And turn off the all CAPS please, shouting is not necessary.
  • clayman1000clayman1000 Member Posts: 69
    Use all caps to make a point. It's considered 'shouting'. It is harder to read so plaese don't do it.

    Also, I went to the site and there are at least 60 headings. Which one did you want us to read?
    I did a search for ZX3 and found this page;
    http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2001/December/spending/cars.html

    Remember, all is relative. Some folks like the car, some do not. I just returned from my fifth recall, so put me in the latter catagory.
  • fgaydosfgaydos Member Posts: 319
    http://www.svt.ford.com/flash/index.html


    Nice site to visit. All Ford all the time.

  • rookie34rookie34 Member Posts: 13
    My thanks to everyone who responded to my "Help I'm nearing 36,000 miles" post. I will look into the extended warranty and I will also test drive a Mazda Protege5. I understand the point made about trading in after only two years and taking a loss. I just have a hard time paying Ford (or any other company) more money for an extended warranty on something I think should be well-built enough to last at least 50,000 miles without the consumer having to worry about the next part to fail. The Mazda Protege5 comes with a 3 year, 50,000 mile warranty. I remember when Ford used to have 5 year, 50,000 mile warranty. (Those were the good old days!) Happy Holidays to everyone!
  • fokus5fokus5 Member Posts: 38
    I'm taking my 2000 17k mi. z into service this morning.

    I've had all the usual problems and then some - broken clutch spring, water leaks, strange engine sounds, lousy mileage (ok - that might be my fault - but she's so much more fun when you keep the revs up) and so on.

    Recently, I've started hearing a loud humming noise apparantly coming from the rear of the car. I thought I might have a bum tire so I took her to a shop to have em checked out, balanced and rotated. They said the tires were fine. The back tires moved up front and vice versa, but the noise is still coming from the back. I had the rear axle / bearing recall work done about a year ago. Could this be the problem? I don't see what else it could be...

    The noise starts at about 25mph as a low pitched moan, then at about 35mph becomes a loud hum, and at about 45mph, it's loud as hell. Above 60mph, the noise is higher pitched and less noticable, perhaps because of increased road / engine/ wind noises? I'm probably driving a lot of dogs nuts while on the highway.

    Anyone experience this problem before?
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    I'd have the wheel bearings inspected ASAP. The recall just dealt with the issue of an improperly torqued bearing retaining nut on one side of the car - I've read about a fair number of bearing failures on this car, with mileage similar to yours.
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    a few posts were deleted that contained off topic personal comments. In accordance with our Town Hall guidelines, let's please keep personal arguments and/or off topic comments out of these discussions. You do have the option to use your email for such exchanges. Personally, I think the best way to deal with a message you don't like is to totally ignore it.

    To those involved: feel free to email me if you have any questions/comments about this matter. Any further posts on this subject will be deleted. And now back to the subject of the Ford Focus ZX3. Thanks for your participation.

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
  • blancmikblancmik Member Posts: 1
    I was recently on a drive from Vermont to Florida in my 2001 ZX3 after visiting family for the holidays and about 300 miles into the trip my check engine light went on. I gave the Ford Roadside Assistance service a call and they said as long as the car is running fine ("no roughness") then its fine to drive.

    When I made a stop for gas in South Carolina there happened to be a ford dealership next to the gas station. I pulled up to the service station and asked them to check it out. The service advisor told me that its probably just the fuel cap was loose and it will take about 20 to 30 starts to get the light to reset. She said that it would cost me 58 bucks to have them hook up the diagnostic computer to confirm that.

    I got home and started to read the manual and it says that there is a light on the dash "Check Fuel Cap" that will illuminate if the cap is left open and it has a warning that if it is left open for a long period of time the check engine light may illuminate. This leads me to believe that I have been mislead... The check fuel cap light never came on.

    Has anyone else experienced this?

    Thanks!
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    ...be charged $58 dollars? Unless you have an insane amount of miles on your car, you should be under warranty. You shouldn't be charged a cent.

    I don't believe there is a "check fuel cap" light. I may have never noticed it, but I thought the "check engine light" would illuminate if the gas cap was off or loose. Mine is a 2000 so maybe there was a running change, or I just never noticed. Either way, you shouldn't have been charged anything. Sounds like the dealer was either trying to get rid of you, or trying to make a fast buck.
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    For additional feedback, you may also want to copy/paste your message in our Ford Focus ZX3 Problems & Solutions discussion. Also, while you're in that discussion, look for a direct link to Edmunds' Maintenance Guide where you can look up Recalls & TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) for your vehicle. Good luck.

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
  • cobiecobie Member Posts: 108
    I know that many of you posting here are not satisfied w/ your focus due to many recalls. I guess I don't blame you -- I just had my Focus' rear wheel bearings replaced -- but take heart. Recalls are not just limited to certain brands. A friend of mine has a Civic (reputed bullet-proof reliability) and has had 4 recalls in the past 2 years for her car. As well, despite taking very good care of the vehicle, it's often in the shop for expensive repairs. This may not make you feel better about your Focus, but at least you know you're not alone.
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    I believe my son's 2001 does have the check gas cap light as does my wife's 2001 Taurus. I have had the check engine light come on in my 2000 Mustang as well as my Mom's 2000 Camry (neither of which have the gas cap light either).

    These lights are really turning into a real pain and are more like the boy who cried wolf then any real help.

    In both cases, after a number of start cycles the light went off. I still have no idea about the Carmy but know that I was starting the Mustang last summer and my hand slipped off the key and caused the start cycle to stop before the engine caught. This must have produced some engine scenario that the computer thought was a problem and for the next 3 weeks the light stayed on. Then one day it just went out.

    I think a major problem is that they monitor emissions equipment and although it may "see" a problem, its not really a problem of the operation of the car but rather an emissions problem. Not like the old days when you might have oil pouring out of your engine when an engine light came on.
  • clayman1000clayman1000 Member Posts: 69
    I recall this happening too often.

    Wiper Motor Cover.

    "A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the 'parked' position at the bottom of the windshield."

    This marks the eighth time the Focus has been the subject of a recall since its inception last year. Sure, it was fresh right out of the box, but American manufacturers seem to have a disproportionate amount of instances where the car didn't jell quite right the first time. It also serves to highlight the numerous problems that FoMoCo has been having, topped off by the delay of its much-anticipated halo car, the Thunderbird.
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    that one's been out for awhile. I think part of the bad press has been people continously posting "new recalls" that have been previosly announced several times. Makes it seem like the 7000th recall even though it's the same one as posted 8 times before.

    Clayman, not bashing you, just noticing that it seems like the same recalls get mentioned over and over, nothing personal.
  • fokus5fokus5 Member Posts: 38
    well... turned out the humming was in fact coming from faulty bearings. 17k miles - can't believe it. i feel like i'm always waiting for something else to go wrong. i brought a new car so that i wouldn't have to deal with sort of thing any more.

    she's still a blast to drive though.

    my tranny and gearshifter feels like crap when it's cold now. gets much better after a dozen of so shifts though and is nice after a couple of miles.
  • fgaydosfgaydos Member Posts: 319
    No offense taken.
    It is just odd I never received a recall notice and my dealer said nothing about it when I had the bearings replaced last month. So, I assumed it MUST be a new one.
    Sorry to fan the flames of recall hysteria. :>)
  • shov6shov6 Member Posts: 177
    Fokus5,

    For what it's worth, my transmission has shifted badly in the cold since the day it rolled off the lot... Needs time to warm up first. This is not unusual in my experience, it has happened in at least half of the cars I have owned.

    Well I am happy to say I, too, am waiting for something to go wrong, just not something ELSE to go wrong. Haven't had a problem of ANY description yet... Just thought I would be the one voice untrammelled happiness on this board. :)

    And clayman1000 mentioned the Thunderbird... I've now seen three of them on the road. Nice looking car, but I don't think I can afford one right now (thanks, Bin Laden, for putting me on the unemployment line!).

    -SHOV6
    2001 ZX-3, black, all options but for the godawful automatic, side airbags, and stability control... 12 months and 13k miles later, no problems of any kind but for a flat tire.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    Recalls are one thing, but random mechanical failures on a "new" car are very disheartening. I've owned 20 vehicles in my lifetime, and our 2000 ZX3 is the only one that died enroute and left us stranded (fuel pump at 16K miles). A real blow to one's confidence - but I can't get my fiancee to trade it for something else! Every time I get a chance to drive it, I marvel at what a nicely balanced package it is, especially for the price.
  • jmcgill89jmcgill89 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2000 Focus ZX3, and I'd like to be able to change the oil myself. Can anyone out there give me some pointers as to how I do this? I'd like to know about stuff like where the filter is, where the drainplug is, how I should lift the car to get under it, etc.

    Thanks,
    Joe
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    decided instead on an Elantra GLS which has been flawless for 10K. Liked the Focus handling, and they seemed to be very close in room but Elantra's owners seemed much more happy with their cars' reliability. Looks like the Focus is still proving troublesome for quite a few owners.
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    congrats on the new car!

    I've got 25K miles on my 2000 Focus ZTS, been great.
  • clayman1000clayman1000 Member Posts: 69
    Mr. Bullet,
    When I was last at the dealers my mechanic mentioned a lot of Fuel filters have been replaced on the '00 Focus. Said they die when in sharp rounding curves like onramps. Seems the fuel is driven to one side and it sucks air...?
  • clayman1000clayman1000 Member Posts: 69
    The long term road tests are finished for the last year and the Focus has mixed reviews with the tester saying" "It's a lot of fun to drive and has many functional features, but it's a big pain to schlepp it into the service center so often. With so many excellent economy hatchbacks currently on the market, especially ones with the utility of four doors, such as the Mazda Protegé5 and Hyundai Elantra GT, I'd advise my friends to do plenty of research before deciding on which one to buy." Ouch!


    http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/44025/page017.html


    But, the PT Cruiser did musch worse. Lots of grips about speed and power.


    "The PT's engine tires quickly when several people are aboard. Editor-in-Chief Karl Brauer used the wagon to transport several editors to lunch and reported that our long-termer struggled to lug its body up various hills on Sunset Boulevard."


    http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/44035/page016.html

Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.