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Ford Focus Wagon

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#41 of 613 Brakes and Ignition Problem by patkeith Aug 26, 2001 (5:51 pm)
I've left several posts on Edmunds about how relatively happy I was with my 2000 Focus (ZTech engine, automatic, now 17,000 mile)   Not anymore.   I'm now leaving posts on several boards to warn of problems and see if others are having the same ones:   1. Key won't go into the ignition. My key was cranky going into the ignition several times, but I didn't think much about it. Thursday it wouldn't go in AT ALL. I tried for 20 minutes (yes, I turned the key both ways, and also tried my spare key). I finally called a tow truck. He worked on it for about 10 minutes after he got there (since he had no idea how he was going to tow the car locked in Park with the wheels turned). Finally it went in for him, and I thought I was lucky. Until Airport Marina Ford in L.A. told me that they had no problem getting the key in, and that they won't do anything until the problem happens again (read that, until I'm stuck God knows where with a key that won't go in the ignition). I hope cacic is right and that there will be a recall, because I'm getting tired of having to fight with Ford "Customer Service." (An aside: I had a Honda for nearly 10 years and called headquarters ONCE in that time. And my problem was immediately taken care of. DO NOT expect that from Ford).   2. New brake pads and rotors machined at 17,000 miles. Yeah, you read that mileage correctly. I'm not a "slam on your brakes to stop" kind of guy, and my brakes last a LOOOOOOONG time. Thinking back, I'm not sure I had to change the pads on my Ranger for the entire 30,000 miles I ran it. Our Mustang with 50-some thousand miles have had new brakes ONCE and the rotors haven't been touched. They also tell me that I will need NEW rotors the next time I need pads... so new rotors around 34,000 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They (the dealer and Ford "Customer Service" seem to think that this is okay).   3. Gas mileage. As long as the car was in, I had them check the gas mileage, and they calculated it at exactly what I had: 17 in the city and 22 on the highway. And they seem to think, again, that that is perfectly normal. Again as my 6 cylinder Ranger (albeit with a manual), I got up to 20 in the city and mid to upper 20s on the highway!   Can't wait to get my Consumer Reports survey this year...   Lastly, stay away from Airport Marina Ford in L.A. I didn't buy my car there because the sales people creeped me out (brow-beating me into taking the wagon they had on the lot, and 6-8 salespeople standing at the windows WAITING to pounce). Service is no better.
#42 of 613 Report after 32,000 miles by rayates Aug 28, 2001 (1:28 pm)
My car was bought in October, 1999. It has had all of the recalls. I have had no problems with brakes, ignition, or leaks. I live in a relatively small city about 60 miles east of Kansas City. Almost all of the miles on the car are highway miles. I am regularly getting 30 miles/gallon.   I had a squeaking problem in the rear hatch. That seemed to be caused by loose trim on the hatch.   I guess I one of the few happy owners of this car.
#43 of 613 Ford Inignition Switches by joee1 Aug 29, 2001 (8:51 am)
They must get them from some exploited 3rd world manufacturing market.   I have a Ford product and the ignition switch always locks up.   The only way that I can deal with it is to make certain that my wheels and the steering wheel are perfectly straight when I park.   Ford - has a better idea. Junky cars, dangerous cars (thank god for Firestone) who can take their blame.
#44 of 613 Ignition problem by patkeith Aug 29, 2001 (10:34 am)
The dealer has finally said that they'll switch out the igntion without waiting for it to go to go out again (as it is now, the key will only go in one way even though it's a two-sided key). Interesting note about your ignition locking up when your wheels aren't straight when you park. The times I had trouble with the ignition were on the (very slight) incline of my driveway, and my wheels turned to the right. I'll be sure to keep my wheels straight from now on until the ignition is switched...   Fuel economy STILL sucks. Ford says I should be getting 22/32. The dealer and I both calculate my care at 17/22. And they say there's nothing they can do about it.   Also say there's nothing they can do about my brakes, that it's the metallic pads wearing out the rotors...
#45 of 613 Brake wear and fuel economy by 5fords Aug 29, 2001 (3:43 pm)
TO PatKeith, it sure sounds mighty coincidental that your brakes are wearing quickly AND you get worse than average fuel economy. Could they be related? Have they checked the parking brake for proper adjustment?
#46 of 613 Update on Ford Focus by cacic Sep 28, 2001 (10:09 am)
After having the ignition and steering column replaced under the warranty due to the ignition problems, I contacted Ford. Ford did offer an extended warranty on the Focus, which I did not have previously. While I appreciated the offer (and accepted), I have decided to trade this car in for a Subaru, which I should have bought in the first place. The more I drive this car the more I worry about safety. The brakes have always squealed, the radio is horrible and now it sounds as though the fan under the hood is acting up. Every day there is something new to worry about and that doesn't include the recalls. Cute car, but lots of problems.
#47 of 613 2001 Focus Wagon Child Car Seat by edmundsman Nov 05, 2001 (9:58 pm)
HELP! Our baby is 5 months old and 15 pounds. We just bought a 2001 Ford Focus SE Wagon. We like it but never thought to measure our car seat for fit as it fit in all our other cars. Our existing Century car seat has a 13.5 inch width base. The middle seat space in the new Focus wagon where we'd put the rear facing infant seat has 11-11.5 inches between the fixed buckles of the side passengers - his 2 sisters. We can't fit the car seat and buckle up his 2 sisters at the same time. We need to buy a new rear facing infant/front facing toddler carseat immediately. Trying to download carseat dimensions (without luck thus far) over a 28K modem Internet connection is awful. So, I thought I'd solicit feedback from other Ford Focus Wagon owners on the car seat they use. (Ford Motor couldn't help me). We'd appreciate your info very much!!!
#48 of 613 by dudleyr Nov 06, 2001 (8:04 am)
Will the car seat fit on the side? That way the sisters could have the middle and the other side. I know the middle is the safest seat, but all the seats are occupied in your case, and in reality the baby has the additional protection of a car seat (in case of a side impact) and the sisters do not - so I don't see a problem safety wise with putting the car seat by the door if it fits there.
#49 of 613 Ford doesn't seem to want to make or sell Focus Wagons by damianip Nov 13, 2001 (8:31 am)
After much deliberation, I decided to go and buy a Ford Focus Wagon. This was in August 2001.   Since I wanted a five speed, I had to order one. I placed an order on August 6. I was told I should have the car within 6- 8 weeks. At the end of September I was told by the dealer that my car would be manufactured the week of October 1.   On October 7th I called to ask about my car. I was told that moving cars was difficult due to the September 11 attacks and to call in a couple of weeks.   I called Ford directly and they told me that my car was scheduled for MANUFACTURE on November 5th.   I just called Ford today and was told that my car was completed and would be delivered to the dealer between December 6th and 13th. That's over FIVE months to get a car from Michigan.   Even if this car performs as advertised and has none of the quality problems of the past three years, I will never buy a Ford product again.   No wonder these guys are in trouble. in the future, it'll be back to VWs and Audis.   PD
#50 of 613 ordering Ford re damianip by moparbad Nov 15, 2001 (12:56 pm)
5 months is too long to wait for your car. But you can't say VW and Audi are any better. VW does not allow dealers to order cars to customer requirements. VWoA makes dealers wait for a car to be built and only if one happens to be built the way you want it will you ever get your "order" from VW. At least with Ford you can actually order a car to your specifications from the available options.

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