2001 Ford Focus electrical system problems
521 complaints about electrical system have been filed for the 2001 Ford Focus, which is 22% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 521 22% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 64,000 miles 330 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 5 and 31
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When electrical system problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 19 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 53 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 81 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 60 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 45 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 26 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 23 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 14 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 330 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 64,000 miles, and 46% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 5 crashes, 31 fires, 3 injuries.
What owners wrote
Was driving home from work last thursday (10 minutes on the interstate, 97 degrees, full AC), when the car started to lose power followed by transmission lurching and engine trying to die. Pulled the remaining block into my apts and opened hood expecting to find overheated engine, and ended up see a bunch of flame and signing my thumb. Got fire extinguisher and put it out, and called fire dept. No work was done to engine other than a new air filter 4000 miles ago.
The key for my ford focus will go into the ignition but not turn. I have tried to turn the steering wheel but it still won't get the key to turn in the ignition. After doing some research, I am finding that this is a major and very common complaint with ford focus owners and ford will not issue a recall. The car is not drivable and in order to get it to a repair shop we will have to tow it which will be another expense.
Other problems reported for the 2001 Ford Focus
- Fuel system 337 complaints
- Engine 267 complaints
- Brakes 228 complaints
- Suspension 154 complaints
- Air bags 150 complaints
- Steering 86 complaints
- Tires 75 complaints
- Cruise control 67 complaints