2001 Ford Focus problems
The 2001 Ford Focus has 2,361 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (22%) concerns electrical system. After that come fuel system (14%) and engine (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 2,361 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 227 and 67
- Injuries and deaths
- 176 and 14
- Typical mileage
- 56,000 miles 1,262 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 155 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 254 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 242 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 174 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 127 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 111 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 97 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 49 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 16 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 23 |
| 200k+ miles | 14 |
What the data shows
Among the 1,262 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 56,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 64,000 miles (330 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 227 complaints mention a crash; 67 complaints mention a fire; 176 injuries reported; 14 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2001 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 19 model years of the Ford Focus with enough data (1,610 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 7 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Brake failure only on rainy days, loosing air pressure from same wheel(passeger side)vibrating on steering& brake, strong vibration going over 60 miles car drives from side to side.
Ford focus sped up for no reason and then veered to left crossing left lane and went into ditch which had a culvert and the car then bounced into a cornfield. Airbags deployed for both driver and passenger. Driver had broken ribs and other bruises. Passenger had chest injuries from which he died couple hours later. The inspecting officer said witnesses insisted they did not see brake lights, and if there was anything wrong with the car the driver would have hit the brakes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford focus se. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly stall without warning. The contact stated that the failure would only occur when the fuel tank was one half full or more. In addition, the vehicle would lunge forward abnormally and would often hesitate. The vehicle was not inspected by the dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that the vehicle had no recalls associated with it.
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.