NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
277 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jul 12, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
ON 2 OCCASIONS MY CAR HAS FAILED TO START AND CUT OFF. LEADING UP TO THIS THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE AND JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST STOPPED. THE 1ST TIME IT STARTED WITH THE HESITATION AND STUTTERING OF THE ENGINE. WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE GAS LINE WHICH THE DEALER FIXED. THE 2ND TIME IT JUST KEEP CUTTING OFF EVERYTIME I…
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ON 2 OCCASIONS MY CAR HAS FAILED TO START AND CUT OFF. LEADING UP TO THIS THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE AND JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST STOPPED. THE 1ST TIME IT STARTED WITH THE HESITATION AND STUTTERING OF THE ENGINE. WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE GAS LINE WHICH THE DEALER FIXED. THE 2ND TIME IT JUST KEEP CUTTING OFF EVERYTIME I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD AND THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BUT I HAVE A FEELING IT IS GOING TO DO IT AGAIN AND I WILL BE STRANDED BY THE ROAD AGAIN. EVERYTIME IT HAPPENS FORD CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR AREN'T LOOKING WELL ENOUGH. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10080879
46,000 miles · Jul 7, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
STARTED CAR AND DROVE 1/4 MILE, SMELLED GAS, CONTINUED FOR ANOTHER 1/4 MILE AND NOTED GAS SMELL STRONGER. PULLED OVER AND NOTED WET TRAIL BEHIND VEHICLE AND GASOLINE POURING OUT UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES, HALF A TANK OF GAS (ALMOST 10 GALLONS) WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE VEHICLE. GAS LEAKED ONLY WHEN IGNITION WAS…
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STARTED CAR AND DROVE 1/4 MILE, SMELLED GAS, CONTINUED FOR ANOTHER 1/4 MILE AND NOTED GAS SMELL STRONGER. PULLED OVER AND NOTED WET TRAIL BEHIND VEHICLE AND GASOLINE POURING OUT UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES, HALF A TANK OF GAS (ALMOST 10 GALLONS) WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE VEHICLE. GAS LEAKED ONLY WHEN IGNITION WAS ON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. TOW TRUCK DRIVER COMMENTED THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THAT IT WAS A SEAL ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK THAT FAILED. DEALER COMMENTED MUCH THE SAME. HAD FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY DEALER AFTER PREMATURE FAILURE 8 MONTHS EARLIER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10080495
50,000 miles · Jun 28, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
RECALL 03V482000 CONCERNING STALLING. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HESITATION/STALLING PROBLEM, AND LOSS OF POWER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10080075
60,300 miles · Jun 14, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
NO CRASHES OR INJURIES, HOWEVER THER COULD HAVE BEEN SINCE THE CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. SOME MONTHS AGO THE "CHECK FUEL CAP" LIGHT APPEARED. THIS HAD NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM, AS I ALWAYS TURN THE CAP SEVERAL TIMES AFTER FUELING. I HAD A LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE RESET THE LIGHT. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN SO I …
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NO CRASHES OR INJURIES, HOWEVER THER COULD HAVE BEEN SINCE THE CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. SOME MONTHS AGO THE "CHECK FUEL CAP" LIGHT APPEARED. THIS HAD NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM, AS I ALWAYS TURN THE CAP SEVERAL TIMES AFTER FUELING. I HAD A LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE RESET THE LIGHT. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN SO I SWITCHED GAS CAPS WITH THE OTHER 2001 FOCUS I OWN. THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, FOLLOWED BY A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. WHEN I HAD THE AUTO PARST STORE CHECK IT BEFORE RESETTING THE LIGHTS THEIR READOUT STATED "LARGE VACUUM LEAK". SINCE THE CAR RAN OK AND THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE DROP IN FUEL ECONOMY, I FELT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, UNTIL MY WIFE DROVE IT AND CAME BACK VERY UPSET THAT IT HAD STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND SHE HAD TO USE THE GAS AS WELL AS THE BRAKE TO GET HOME. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL FILLER NECK AND THAT THE PART AS WELL AS THE $30 FUEL CAP NEEDED REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $350. I EXPLAINED THE FILLER CAP SWITCH (THE OTHER FOCUS HAS NOT HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS BUILT IN MICHIGAN AND NOT MEXICE) AND THEY ONLY REPLACED THE FUEL FILLER NECK TO THE TUNE OF $324.65 WHILE THIS VEHICLE HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS WAS A COST THAT I SHOULD HAVE ABSORBED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10075385
27,000 miles · May 26, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE DEALER STATED THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS NOT SENDING FUEL TO THE ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10074265
53,300 miles · May 4, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY CAR STALLED AFTER COMING AROUND A SHARP RIGHT HAND TURN. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND CARRIED ON A FEW MORE YARDS WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. I TRIED TO START THE CAR SEVERAL MORE TIMES BECAUSE I WAS STUCK AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE FREEWAY ON-RAMP IN VERY BUSY TRAFFIC. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR STARTED AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED AWA…
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MY CAR STALLED AFTER COMING AROUND A SHARP RIGHT HAND TURN. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND CARRIED ON A FEW MORE YARDS WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. I TRIED TO START THE CAR SEVERAL MORE TIMES BECAUSE I WAS STUCK AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE FREEWAY ON-RAMP IN VERY BUSY TRAFFIC. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR STARTED AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED AWAY. THE MECHANIC AT THE REPAIR OUTFIT REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER AND SAID THAT THE OLD ONE WAS CLOGGED UP WITH DIRT. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY FOCUS OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS RELATES TO RECALL #03V482000. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10068256
36,976 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO THE BRAKE ROTORS PADS, AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP BEING INOPERATIVE. FORD MADE THE REPAIRS BUT FAILED TO REPLACE THE O…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO THE BRAKE ROTORS PADS, AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP BEING INOPERATIVE. FORD MADE THE REPAIRS BUT FAILED TO REPLACE THE O RINGS WHICH CAUSED THE PUMP TO FAIL AGAIN. FORD HAD FUEL PUMP RECALL #03NO1 BUT THE SAME EXACT PART WENT BAD. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED DUE TO THE CALIPERS SEEPING FLUID, BINDING THE PISTONS. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10055372
61,710 miles · Apr 18, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 FORD FOCUS OVER A 6 LANE SUSPENSION BRIDGE FROM PA TO NJ, MY CAR STARTED TO ACT AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. CAR SLOWED WITHOUT WARNING THEN DIED,THIS HAPPENED AS A 18 WHEEL TRUCK WAS BARING DOWN ON ME AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. SITTING AS A DEAD DUCK THE TRUCK BARELY MADE IT AROUND ME NEARLY CAUSING A MU…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 FORD FOCUS OVER A 6 LANE SUSPENSION BRIDGE FROM PA TO NJ, MY CAR STARTED TO ACT AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. CAR SLOWED WITHOUT WARNING THEN DIED,THIS HAPPENED AS A 18 WHEEL TRUCK WAS BARING DOWN ON ME AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. SITTING AS A DEAD DUCK THE TRUCK BARELY MADE IT AROUND ME NEARLY CAUSING A MULTI CAR ACCIDENT. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR (BARELY KEEPING IT RUNNING) I SLOWLY MADE IT TO THE TOP AS IT DIED AGAIN , I GLIDED DOWN THE BRIDGE IN NEUTRAL, I PULLED OVER AT THE END OF THE BRIDGE AND RESTARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, EACH TIME HAVING TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR.. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND HAD TO FIGHT FORD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM UNTIL NOW.. THIS TIME I ALMOST GOT KILLED.. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS! PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10066420
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
NHTSA RECAL 03V482000 CONCERNING STALLING. RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED ON FEBRUARY 17,2004. SINCE THEN, VEHICLE HAS STALLED FOUR TIMES. WHILE ACCELERATING VEHICLE HESITATED, AND THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO CHARGED THE CONSUMER TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST.*AK *MR
NHTSA ODI #10061789
54,500 miles · Apr 3, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 HAS STALLED AROUND TURNS AND WHEN IT GETS BELOW 1/3 TANK CONSISTENTLY SINCE I GOT IT, AND IN MID MARCH IT COMPLETELY STALLED OUT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TOOK NEARLY 20 MINUTES TO RESTART. I JUST VISITED FORDS WEB SITE TO FIND OUT ANY RECALL INFORMATION AND IT CAME UP WITH NO RECALLS FOR THIS PR…
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MY 2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 HAS STALLED AROUND TURNS AND WHEN IT GETS BELOW 1/3 TANK CONSISTENTLY SINCE I GOT IT, AND IN MID MARCH IT COMPLETELY STALLED OUT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TOOK NEARLY 20 MINUTES TO RESTART. I JUST VISITED FORDS WEB SITE TO FIND OUT ANY RECALL INFORMATION AND IT CAME UP WITH NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM, OR ANY OTHER PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10064493
Official recalls
7Feb 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 19, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 6, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ZETEC ENGINES, LOOSE OR BROKEN ATTACHMENTS AND MISROUTED BATTERY CABLES COULD LEAD TO CABLE INSULATION DAMAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS, IN TURN, COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY CABLES TO SHORT RESULTING IN HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CABLES. BESIDES HEAT DAMAGE, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO START, OR SMOKE, MELTING, OR FIRE COULD ALSO OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLES FOR THE CONDITION OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND PROPER TIGHTENING OF THE TERMINAL ENDS. AS NECESSARY, CABLES WILL BE REROUTED, RETAINING CLIPS INSTALLED, AND DAMAGED BATTERY CABLES REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Nov 6, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE PINCH BOLTS THAT SECURE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOOSE PINCH BOLTS COULD EXHIBIT NOISE, VIBRATION AND, IN EXTREME CASES IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, SEPARATION OF THE JOINT OR FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLE PINCH BOLT FOR TIGHTNESS AND CORRECT AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Aug 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. 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. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Mar 28, 2001
PM CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE SEAT BACK RECLINER HANDLE SPRING COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING AN IN-PROCESS TEST AND THE OCCUPANT MAY NOTICE A CHUCKING, OR PERCEIVED LOOSENESS OF THE FRONT SEAT BACK, OR THE SEAT BACK COULD UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BACK RECLINER HANDLE SPRING FOR THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Dec 14, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS AND 3-DOOR VEHICLES. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A FOLDING 60/40 SECOND SEAT THAT BECOMES A LOAD FLOOR IN THE FOLDED POSITION. WHEN THE 60% PORTION OF THE SEAT IS FOLDED DOWN AND A LOAD IS APPLIED TO THE FRONT EDGE OF THE LOAD FLOOR, THE OUTBOARD HINGE PIVOT COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE HINGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SEAT IS THEN RETURNED TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT RE-ENGAGING THE HINGE PIVOT, THE SEAT AND SEAT BELTS MAY NOT PROVIDE THE INTENDED LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED SEAT BACK HINGE PIVOT.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
9AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
EA02022 · Engine Stalling
Opened Sep 9, 2002 · Closed Jan 16, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
EA02023 · Front Susp Collapse/wheel Separation
Opened Sep 9, 2002 · Closed Feb 19, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Suspension:front:control Arm
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Suspension:front
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
EA02017 · Burn Injuries Due To Air Bag Deployment
Opened Aug 16, 2002 · Closed Aug 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
ALL OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGE AN INCIDENT IN WHICH DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG CAUSED SOME TYPE OF BURN INJURY.MOST OF THESE INJURIES ARE DUE TO CONTACT AND/OR ABRASION WITH THE AIR BAG AND ARE OF RELATIVELY MINOR TO MODERATE SEVERITY.IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME DRIVERS MAY HAVE SUSTAINED BURN INJURIES TO THE SKIN AS A RESULT OF HOT GASES EXHAUSTING FROM THE VENTS OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, BUT THE NUMBER OF SUCH INCIDENTS APPEARS TO BE LOW.FURTHER DETAILS OF THE INVESTIGATION ARE CONTAINED IN SUBSEQUENT PAGES OF THIS REPORT.BASED ON THE ABOVE, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA02014 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jul 31, 2002 · Closed Nov 13, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE02044 · Front Suspension Lower Control Arm
Opened May 1, 2002 · Closed Sep 9, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE02040 · Engine Stalling
Opened Apr 4, 2002 · Closed Sep 9, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
THE PRIMARY CONCERN OF THIS PE IS LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.STALLING MAY OCCUR AT LOW SPEED OR HIGH SPEED.AT THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE THE AVERAGE VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 30,000 MILES.BECAUSE THESE VEHICLES STALL AND/OR HESITATE UNPREDICTABLY, AN INCREASED RISK IS INHERENT TO THESE VEHICLES.IF A DRIVER EXPECTING THIS VEHICLE TO PERFORM AS DESIGNED, IS TRYING TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION OR MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS IT PLACES ALL MOTORISTS WITHIN THE AREA AT RISK.A DISABLED VEHICLE IS VULNERABLE TO COLLISIONS NOT ONLY WITHIN THE ROADWAY, BUT ALSO ALONG SIDE THE ROAD AS IT WAITS FOR ASSISTANCE.
PE02026 · Inappropriate Air Bag Deployment
Opened Feb 28, 2002 · Closed Sep 18, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
PE02020 · Air Bag Burn Injuries/vehicle Fires
Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 16, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
INFORMATION DISCLOSED DURING THIS PE SHOWS ALLEGATIONS OF BURN INJURIES RESULTING FROM ABRASION AND/OR TERMAL CAUSES.ALLEGATIONS OF CHEMICAL BURNS ALSO EXIST.SEVERAL INCIDENTS ALLEGE VEHICLES FIRES RESULTING FROM DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO FACILITATE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE COMPLEX ISSUES IN THIS MATTER.
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