Faults:

Factory Defective Brake calipers. They stuck, wearing my brakes dangerously thin in a very short amount of time. I was ignored by the (Ford) dealership until I got up in the managers face and physically showed him the caliper. This happened at about 10,000 miles.

Engine gauge malfunctioned several times between 10,000 and 15,000 miles.

The ignition switch has been replaced 5 times. 1) January 2003 2) August 2003 3) March 2004 4) September 2004 5) September 2005. It would stick and not turn.

Fuel Pump blew- 60,000 miles.

All 4 Tires have been replaced 2x.

Trunk does not shut properly. Trunk lock gasket fell off, leaving the metal susceptible to rust.

Bad smell through a/c vents. Ford dealership won't determine problem.

Something has been wrong with one of the front wheels since day 1. It's made a low ticking noise, that isn't the usual ticking problems.

The car squeaks like it's being beat when it accelerates up hills or going 'round corners, no matter what the rate of speed.

There are several rattles that making riding in the car very noisy.

The exhaust system falls lose regularly, and has had to be re-welded to the frame on more than one occasion.

The radio has started to short out. Half the buttons no longer light up as well.

General Comments:

The stock stereo system sounds good.

Initially, the car handles and drove nicely for a little started car.

Faults:

The battery and its wires had corroded and needed to be replaced.

The paint is cracking and showing small chips.

The body shows tiny rust marks.

I was driving and heard weird sounds coming from the back driver side tire and I took it to the shop. It turns out that if I would've driven it for a couple days longer, The wheel would have fallen off!

The stereo screen is a large black smudge.

Headlights have just started to cloud in the center.

The car is an overall LEMON!

General Comments:

The only only positive part is gas mileage.

The interior plastics don't seem to fit well together.

The seats are way to small and the stereo stinks.

Faults:

There really isn't much wrong with the car.

General Comments:

I tricked out my Focus, only got a cold air intake under the hood, but I got the interior mostly the way I want it.

I am getting a turbo put in it soon though.

Faults:

I have had three recalls since I have owned the vehicle:

Lugs/nuts/bolts

Front coil springs

Rear door latch.

Key/ignition sticks and locks.

Car loses power.

Car slips in and out of gear.

General Comments:

I am so grateful to my boyfriend for telling me about this website. Now I know I am not alone and there are other Ford Focus owners that are experiencing the same problems that I am having.

The driver side mirror was broken when I purchased the car, but it was masked very well with strategically placed tape. I didn't notice it until I had the car for a few months and I figured it was too late to take it back to the dealer.

I have had issues with the car losing power and I was told that it was due to a faulty fuel line. The problem didn’t occur again. I thought maybe it was due to the change in weather and the warm temperatures. I never had it fixed.

I took my car in for routine maintenance and the technician gave the car a good bill of health. An hour later I took the car in for state inspection and it failed for front brakes. I paid almost $400 to have the brakes replaced.

My ex-fiancé had a Focus. Last year, he had a problem with the key/ignition on his vehicle. It seemed as if the gears and the steering wheel locked completely. He was unable to move the car and had to have it towed in order to have it repaired. Ironically he works for Ford.

Most recently, as a matter of fact last week, I had a problem with the car idling very high, especially while it was in neutral or park. This problem lasted for about three days. In addition to the car idling very high, my emission light came on, followed by the brake light. While driving with my daughter in the back seat, the car lost power all together. I waiting a while, started it back up, drove a few feet and it lost power again. It seemed to lose power whenever I stepped on the brake. I finally got the car home and planned to take it to the service department the next day, but when I started to the car, it seemed fine, so I postponed the service appointment. I figured again it must have been due to the change in the weather and the increasing temperature.

I have had problems with my ignition sticking as well. At first I though I was having the same problem as my ex. Then I thought that it could have been due to the extremely cold temperatures we had been experiencing. With a little WD-40 and a little poop of the key, everything seemed fine. That was until last night when I couldn't get the key to turn at all. Now, the car is some 30 miles away from my home and is waiting to be towed to a Ford service department.

After reading other reviews about the Ford Focus SE, I now see that the key/ignition issue is a major product defect. I don't understand why Ford hasn’t issued another recall. I am a single working mother as well as a full time student and I have limited income. I don't think it is fair that I should have to pay for Ford's mistake with my hard earned money. It is funny how all of the problems began to rear their ugly heads, after the car's warranty had expired. And the saddest part of all, is the fact that I have about another two years left on my loan before the car is totally payed for.

I have to honestly say that had I known about this website and all of the problem that exist in this particular make and model car, I would not have bought it and I will not be buying another Ford vehicle.