2001 Ford Focus Steering Problems
- 41
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 41 stored complaint records:
- 9 indicate a crash
- 4 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
- 1 indicate a death
What owners report
- steering wheel · 16 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 8 |
| 1–30k mi | 7 |
| 100–150k mi | 7 |
| 150–400k mi | 3 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving, the vehicle pulled to the right independently and the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm, ball joint assembly, and axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact did not know if the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number:…
ODI 10810424
Service Brakes · Steering · Wheels
As i was coming from dr's appt. With daughter and mom a roaring sound started in the rear. It kept getting louder and louder, car's rear would sway to the right side a little. But as i was driving down the street trying to at least get us all home safe. The rear driver side wheel came off and just rolled down the street about a half-a-block. A man came out noticing the tire roll pass him, helped me retrieve it and…
ODI 10712806
Engine · Service Brakes · Steering
Was driving my car at 55 mph at 11:[redacted] home from work car made jerk lost all power no brakes no steering black smoke coming through vents to inside of car and flames coming from under hood car fully engulfed in flames blew up. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10607140
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Steering
Driving on 4 lane highway, car sputters and stalls as if out of gas. Coasted off road, and after a few minutes car started and ran fine. Car has been doing this every few weeks. Changed coil, plugs, plug wires, oxygen sensor, fuel filter, cat converter and still stalls. This car is dangerous when it stalls in fast traffic. We only drive it now during daylight and short trips because it is not dependable. *tr
ODI 10484535
Electrical System · Steering
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…
ODI 10459827
Engine · Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
My last oil change i was inform the front subframe is badly rusted, to the point the mechanic could push a screw driver through it in spots. He informed me that driving it was a major safety risk, as the frame could fail, causing an accident. He said ford has not issued a recall. They must be waiting for a higher body count when the front end of the car fails while going down the interstate. *tr
ODI 10458073
Electrical System · Steering
The events leading up were intermittently spaced this has been happening since i purchased the vehicle from a private owner in 2004. When i would put the key in the ignition the wheel would not turn and feel locked i would sit for 10-20 minutes and work on it by pushing the key in hard and turning the wheel as hard it would come loose and the ignition would turn. This impacted my life as a nuisance. Recently in dec…
ODI 10395620
Engine And Engine Cooling · Steering · Suspension
I've had numerous problems with my ford focus and despite regular maintenance i've been stranded on the side of a highway countless times.thus far i've replaced the engine twice. Twice i've had to replace the alternator. My throttle does not return to idle and has unexpected moments of acceleration and i've had to replace the engine throttle sensor. Both of my front coil springs have broken and were very close to…
ODI 10433536
Steering
My 2001 ford focus zx3 has always had problems with the steering column locking and the key refusing to turn in the ignition. I have usually been able to get it to release after a few tries. Recently, it's gotten worse. I have had several incidents where i was not able to get the key to turn for a few minutes, leaving me with fears of being stranded. Unfortunately, my luck ran out yesterday. I tried both keys, i…
ODI 10340748
Ignition · Steering
Having problems when i put my key in the ignition (2001 ford focus). My steering wheel gets locked or something. I would get this problem every so often no i've had it since friday. It is very frustrating!!! *tr
ODI 10317681
Ignition · Steering
No events to indicate failure. Went to vehicle after working to after dark. Put key into ignition and key would not turn. Simply would not turn! Several attempts were made over a 20 minute period. I, fortunately, was leaving my place of employment. However, it was still cold outside, dark and not a safe environmental situation. I feel fortunate that i was not stranded. *tr
ODI 10296765
Ignition · Steering
My ford focus ignition just stopped working! No problems before, the key would only go in half way, then i got it to go in with a slight tap of a hammer! Then the key would not turn over! This is a major problem!! Got it towed to the dealership, they said this problem is very common! A common problem that cost me $426.27! *tr
ODI 10276537
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While backing out of the driveway at an unknown speed, the contact turned the steering wheel and heard a noise. The steering wheel became inoperative. The vehicle was inspected by a certified mechanic, who stated that the steering shaft failed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 89,000.
ODI 10274985
Front · Frontal · Steering
My daughter was driving 2001 ford focus se wagon approximately 45mph when she described steering locked up in turn then she heard tires squealing and vehicle jerked hard left causing her to go off the road, hit a rock wall and flipped the car end over end. The air bags did not deploy. She landed upside down but was able to exit vehicle through broken window. She received cuts and bruises and was taken to emergency…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10267203
Engine And Engine Cooling · Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving approximately 35 mph on normal road conditions, the engine began to idle excessively high. On a separate occasion, the vehicle stalled without warning and lost power steering. The driver experienced extreme difficulty steering the vehicle and had to use excessive force to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was able to resume normal operation. The failures…
ODI 10270240
Steering
While in curve driving 50 mph steering locked up, not sure if car cut off but i was unable to straighten out wheel resulting in accident where i hit telephone crushing pelvis, and breaking my left arm.. I spent 37 days in hospital and now have plates and screws in my pelvis and arm. It has been a month since the accident and i am now in a wheel chair for 2 months healing time before i can start therapy to begin…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10245330
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving approximately 5-10 mph, the steering wheel pulled to the left without warning. As a result, the vehicle sideswiped a parked vehicle. The mirror was damaged. The police was not called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and has not been repaired. An independent mechanic stated that the steering control arm disengaged, which caused the…
ODI 10240127
Front · Steering
Defective front coil springs fractured, wedged against tire, causing partial loss of steering control. Right side fractured july, 2005, left side fractured may, 2008. Coil spring & related parts replaced both times. *tr
ODI 10231528
Steering
I have a 2003 ford focus. Now i am having a problem with steering wheel lock-up. My search on the internet has shown that this is apparently a very common problem with the focus. This problem will occur out of the blue and now i am beginning to think that it isn't just my key. There is a problem with this lock design. Ford needs to recall this. *nm
ODI 10173062
Steering · Switch
We bought our daughter a 2001 ford focus. All the reviews stated that the car was a good, economical, safe car. We purchased the car used in 2004. Since the purchase her steering and ignition system has locked up on her twice. After reading many sites it sounds like this is a common problem with ford focus. This is an economical car that many parents are relying on to get their college aged children to and from…
ODI 10151367
Steering
Owner says there is to much play in the steering wheel. Driver must turn the wheel several inches before the steering wheel will turn the tires in the direction. Provide further details. *nm
ODI 10082089
Steering
Steering wheel locked and key would not turn wheel start vehicle. Happened 3 different times car had to be towed into dealership twice and each incident was close to a 300 dollar bill each incident. *jb
ODI 10080478
Frontal · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
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…
Crash reported · 1 injury · 1 death
ODI 10036721
Engine And Engine Cooling · Frontal · Service Brakes, Air · Steering
Consumer had a front collision and neither of the air bags deployed. Dealer notified. *ak vehicle's engine stalled causing steering and brake failure causing a collision into the side of a mountain. Air bag equipment failed to deploy on impact. *mr
Crash reported
ODI 10029886
Steering
Vehicle lost steering while turning right. Vehicle was taken to the dealer. Please provide details.*ak
ODI 10021829