New York Times Article on the Ford Focus Problems

Ford's Trouble Prone Focus Hit With Safety Recalls & Investigations

With 11 safety recalls to date and 6 defect investigations, the Ford Focus is proving to be an embarrassment to Ford Motor Company and its new President William Clay Ford, who are trying to stress quality in the wake of the Ford Explorer/Firestone ATX, Wilderness AT tire debacle.

Not since General Motors introduced its ill-fated X-car in 1980 (Buick Skylark, Chevrolet Citation, Oldsmobile Omega and Pontiac Phoenix) which had 13 recalls in its first two years has a manufacturer had so many recalls. Among the Focus recalls are 351,000 2000 models whose roof pillars can cause head injuries in crashes and 203,700 2000 models whose left rear wheel falls off.

The Focus' sinking reputation was further hammered hard by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's announcement of 6 major investigations from February to May 2002. Evening up the wheel problem, NHTSA launched a new investigation into wheels falling off the 2000 models, only this time it was both right and left rear wheels. Airbags that deployed inadvertently and that burned drivers were the subjects of two investigations in 2000-01 models. The 2000 model was hit with a investigation into engine compartment fires, which has now been upgraded to cover 2001-02 models as well. 2000-01 models are being investigated for engine stalling. 2000-2002 models are under investigation for collapse of the front suspension.

In November 1999, CAS wrote then Chairman William Clay Ford and warned him about Ford overall reputation for poor quality and covering up defects to avoid recalls. The Focus fiasco shows Mr. Ford has a long row to hoe before he can restore some of the luster to his great grandfather's company.

Focus Recalls - Click here for full summaries of the recalls shown below.

Focus Investigations

Investigation: PE02-016
Model Year: 2000
Subject: Rear Wheel Bearing Failure
-Rear wheel bearings may fail, causing rear wheel to loosen and separate from vehicle.

Investigation: EA02-017, PE02-020
Model Year: 2000-01
Subject: Air Bag Burn Injuries/Vehicle Fires
-Air bag deployment may cause burn injuries and vehicle fires.

Investigation: PE02-026, Closed
Model Year: 2000-01
Subject: Inappropriate Air Bag Deployment
-Air bags may deploy in low speed impacts, causing injury.

Investigation: EA02-014, PE02-032
Model Year: 2000-02
Subject: Electrical System, Engine Compartment Fires
-Fires start in the battery area of the engine compartment.
(See 02V-288)

Investigation: EA02-022, PE02-040
Model Year: 2000-02
Subject: Engine and Engine Cooling System
-Engine stalls

Investigation: EA02-023, PE02-044
Model Year: 2000-02
Subject: Front Suspension Lower Control Failure
- Front suspension may collapse, causing loss of control and crash.
(See 02V-289)