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Ford Focus: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

577 messages,  Last post on Oct 16, 2006 at 1:39 PM

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Messages Page 36 of 58

#351 of 577 Can't figure out my Focus problems by joshfordhater

Jun 01, 2005 (7:12 am)

Replying to: akangl (May 26, 2005 9:14 pm)
Hello:
 
        I am new to the forums so I don't know if the problem I am having has been discussed before. If it has, I apologize.
 
        On to my problem. Over the last 2 months I have been experiencing a noise/hum/vibration in my 2002 Ford Focus ZX3. i bought the car used with 30,000 miles on it back in November 2004 and it now has 44,000 miles on it.
        At first I thought the noise was the new tires I just had put on and thought that one, maybe one of the tires hadn't been properly balanced and two, being a new tire I thought maybe the tread pattern on the tire was creating the hum. I had heard of that happening before and usually goes away after a few thousand miles. To further explain my last sentence, the tires I bought have an aggressive "V" shaped tread pattern to them.
         Well i got the tires looked at where I bought them, and they said that the tires looked fine and they checked the balance on them. It all came back fine. Also, when I am pulling out of a parking space or turning the wheel sharply while going really slow, like under 10-15mph, it sounds like one of the tires is rubbing against something like the inner liner in the fender well or something like that. But the Tire Dealer didn't see anything to suggest that either.
         But now the noise/hum/vibration has gotten worse. Once I get to 45mph, the hum gets loud, and the vibration starts to shake the steering wheel. If I am on the interstate around 65-70mph, the hum/noise is so loud it drowns out everything and the vibration is worse. So I thought that maybe I had a wheel bearing gone bad or a CV joint in the front going bad. Almost feels like the right front wheel was "jumping" or "bouncing" up and down a little to cause the vibration. But the front tires do not show any excessive wear to suggest this.
          So I had the car looked at yesterday by my mechanic. He looked at everything on the front, tires, wheels, CV Joints, and he took it for a drive and then had the owner of the garage take it for a drive. They couldn't find anything wrong in the front of the car and their only theories were that either a gear in the transaxle was bad or going bad or the noise was coming from one of the rear tires. Well it turns out that the left rear hub bearing has gone bad but I still dont think that is the big problem. I can see where if that bad bearing is causing the noise and hum that it could sound like it is coming from a different part of the car. Once the car is moving, the hum or noise could travel through out the entir car. My mechanic couldn't see anything about the tire rub sound I mentioned either.
 
Has anyone else had any problems like this? I want to get rid of this car so bad I hate it. I have never had anything but problems with Fords and I will never own another one.

#352 of 577 Re: ignition key problem [jochen] by grad

Jun 12, 2005 (10:21 am)

Replying to: jochen (Mar 17, 2005 2:53 pm)
I had same problem with 85,000 miles (5/05) on my 01 Focus SE sedan. A nightmare-caught in a parking lot-had to be towed at 10PM. Cost 235.00. Ford was aware of the problem I found out, in a shop bulletin in Feb.05. Question: Why didn't they inform its customers? Ans: They are irresponsible. I would join a class action suit against them if one starts.
Eugene
New York

#353 of 577 Re: Steering rack [ecogal] by grad

Jun 12, 2005 (10:34 am)

Replying to: ecogal (May 25, 2005 8:35 am)
I had similar problem at 75,000 miles on my 01 Focus SE sedan. It was the steering rack. Cost me $250.00 to replace. "hidden warranty-I'm looking into it. Same for my ignition lock problem that cost me $235.00. It was a nightmare-caught in a parking lot at 10PM and had to be towed. Ford knew of this problem and never told us. I'll join any class action group and contribute to it if there's a lawyer our there.Ford is irresponsible.
 
Eugene
New York

#354 of 577 Re: Wierd Clunking Noise!!!!!!!!!!!!! [rthayer] by grad

Jun 12, 2005 (10:44 am)

Replying to: rthayer (Jul 21, 2004 8:46 pm)
I had it twice on my o1 SE sedan. First time it was a link and they replaced it. The second time it was the steering rack (at about 75,000 miles and I paid for it) I just saw a notice in Forums that there is a "hidden warranty" for the steering rack-I'm checking it out.The sound and feel in both events was very subtle-not loud.Ocurred
when entering a small curb cut.

#355 of 577 ZX4? by likeitornot

Jun 12, 2005 (1:06 pm)

I can't find anywhere to ask this. I keep seeing other models of the Focus..
 
How would a 2005 Focus ZX4/Sedan compare to a Honda Civic for reliability? (not the si)
 
I want a Civic. But I've been offered a 2005 Focus for less than 10,000 depending on the model I want because I know the dealer..
 
But I keep hearing that the 2003 and 2004s are s and not worth it at all.. I can't find much info anywhere on the ZX4, Not even a forum on Edmunds for it. Just consumer reviews where it gets a 9.. I don't really trust it though...

#356 of 577 Lukewarm A/C by alouettes05

Jun 12, 2005 (2:26 pm)

Are 2005 Focus owners generally pleased with the performance of their A/C units?
 
I picked up a 2005 ZX5 a couple of weeks back and am somewhat disappointed. Even after 10 minutes on the highway in moderate 23C / 73F weather, the A/C never gets anywhere near icy cold. On hot days, it barely cools the cabin down to a tolerable temperature.
 
Dealer said system had no leaks, refrigerant level fine, etc. I checked the temp. in the vents with a portable digital sensor and the air was blowing at about 7.5C / 45 F.
 
Someone told me these A/C systems aren't as powerful as others in the automotive world so as to minimize the mileage/performance penalty when the system is running. Any truth to this?

#357 of 577 Focus by akangl

Jun 12, 2005 (4:39 pm)

I don't think the 03 and 04 Focus are lemons, I have just shy of 37k on my 10 month old 04 ZX3 with hardly any problems. I've changed the oil and put gas in it that's about it other than an alignment and a PCV valve. I drive this car 820 miles/week and its been extremely reliable, even at 56 below zero. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Focus.

#358 of 577 16 MPG on 2004 ZX3 2.3L automatic :( by cstrons

Jun 13, 2005 (2:40 pm)

Has anyone else had this problem? I live in hilly LA but this seems ridiculous to me...the car has about 7,000 miles on it and still gets 16-17 MPG combined city/highway. Pure highway is fine, around 30mpg. Any ideas? Thanks!

#359 of 577 Re: Focus [akangl] by explorerx4

Jun 13, 2005 (6:21 pm)

Replying to: akangl (Jun 12, 2005 4:39 pm)
aka... don't see you posting much anymore. glad you still like 'zippy' (right?). still haven't come up with a good nickname for ours. right now 'baked alaska' seems right. color is light tundra, but it's 90+ degrees outside.

#360 of 577 Re: Focus [explorerx4] by akangl

Jun 13, 2005 (6:46 pm)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Jun 13, 2005 6:21 pm)
aka... don't see you posting much anymore. glad you still like 'zippy' (right?). still haven't come up with a good nickname for ours. right now 'baked alaska' seems right. color is light tundra, but it's 90+ degrees outside
 
Been too busy with work, driving, and a little camping. I still read the forums when I get a chance, but haven't posted much lately. Yes, the little Focus has been named Zippy.........since she was about 3 days old. Will turn 37k this week, no problems to speak of, just a great little car that's still a blast to drive.
 
BTW, we hit 80+ today. I was grumbling big time about no A/C in Zippy, had to be 120 in that car.........darn black interior!

Messages Page 36 of 58

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