2000 Ford Focus A source of trouble Need Advice (vanity)

Me | 3/17/04 | The Louiswu

[The Louiswu]

My wife and I have a 2000 Ford Focus and it has been a source of much trouble and expense.

We have had some 15 recalls on the vehicle for various things and are still experiencing many troubles with it.

The dealer, of course, can and will do nothing about it - except continue to take our money for repair work that seems to repair nothing and the VP of the dealership told me that I have to take my complaints to Ford directly and the corporate office would decide if they want to help us.

My questions are these--

Has anyone else experienced simliar problems with their Focus and if so how did you resolve them?.

Does anyone think that legal action would be useful?

Thanks for the advice.

[jigsaw]

Is there a Lemon Law in your state and would it apply to your car?

[The Louiswu]

There is but the car is passed the mileage limit -

[jigsaw]

When you say "some 15 recalls," are these recalls directly related to the problems
your car is having? In other words, are all or some of the problems unrelated to
the recalls?

[theDentist]

My folks went through this with a Caddilac. Even with all the receipts, with the recall notices, and a whole lot of documentation, it all came down to if their "lemon" claim was within a warranty period. You have to go to the company (Ford, "Where Quality is Job 1") Main offices, fax/mail copies to them (return reciepts) so you know they are in someone's hand, and be very patient and cordial. The moment you lose you cool, they will hang up and do nothing for you.
Good luck.

[The Louiswu]

Yes as a matter of fact, all 15 recalls have applied to our vehicle.

[Cyclone59]

go to google and type in "technical service bulletins for ford focus" and the first two sites are great. www.alldata.com/TSB/0019_mo.html
www.focusfanatics.com/servicebulletin/

I'd compare your receipts with the TSB's and definitely keep your cool. They will more apt to help when you have done homework and are professional. Write down names and times of calls. Talk to them like you know them, remember, they get irate phone calls all - make their day and get your problem resolved.

Next time hit them where it counts and don't buy Ford.

[jigsaw]

Some quick thoughts:

I was once ripped off by a mechanic in a medium-size dealership (where I had actually purchased my car, new.) I simply called the owner who soon sat down with me, listened to my case, called the mechanic who presented his side, called in another mechanic who agreed with me, and then handed me a check for full reimbursement with sincere apologies.

In other words, go to God. Don't go to the angels.

I note that the owner had his name on the dealership. Very helpful.

And another story....

I have a late-90's Subaru Outback. Many of these engines develop piston slap. The dealership I had purchased the car from refused to fix the problem. I soon moved, went to a different dealership, mentioned the problem, they checked it out, and immediately offered to repair the problem. Needless to say, they have my respect and business now.

[PeterPrinciple]

"Has anyone else experienced simliar problems with their Focus and if so how did you resolve them?."

Our 2000 Focus runs like a top, no complaints here. But I know consumer reports doesn't rate it well.

[kiriath_jearim]

Next time you may want to buy something that has a reputation for reliability such as a Toyota, Nissan or Honda.

[af_vet_rr]

Was this a new model year for the Focus (or perhaps even the first year it was introduced?). I remember relatives had problems with the "new" Taurus - they bought one the first year that the new style had come out, and others had the same problems with a new model of a Chevy (think it was a Monte Carlo).

I'm not saying just Chevy and Ford have a problem with this, I think it's many other things that are basically v1.0. Cars these days are so complex, anytime a new model(major revision) is introduced, the first year is going to be a testing period for them.

I know that doesn't help you out much, but I'm a firm believer in always waiting a year after something is introduced.

[L_Von_Mises]

Check out this website. It is filled with excellent information on what problems to look out for and how to deal with problems similar to what you have experienced.

Also has a lot of info on dealing with the dealerships and the carmaker as well as info on class-action suits, how to file a small claims suit, etc.

http://www.lemonaidcars.com