2000 Ford Focus

THIS COMPLAINT IS CONCERNING CLARIFICATION OF OUR PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA REGARDING THE 2000 FORD FOCUS : #10104088 AND #10107840. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE MISINTERPRETATION OF DATA COLLECTED BY YOUR AGENCY AND POSTED FOR PUBLIC REVIEW. DEATHS ARE NOT POSTED, NOR ARE THEY INCLUDED AS INJURIES. THIS MISREPRESENTS THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT FAILURES REPORTED. *JB

FATALITY VEHICLE FIRE, DEC. 8 2004. MY HUSBAND IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2000 FORD FOCUS, SUBJECT TO NUMEROUS SERVICE VISITS TO BILL BROWN FORD, LIVONIA MI FOR: IGNITION, STEERING COLUMN, WHEEL BEARING, BRAKE, REAR WINDOW CONTROL, SEAT BELT &TRUNK LATCHES, OVERHEAD LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT. THE VACUUM LINE & FUEL PUMP & VALVE ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED 2/03, FOLLOWED BY STALLING. IN 6/03, A/C COMPRESSOR & MANIFOLD LINE REPLACED. FUEL LINE & PUMP FAILURE IN 8/03, RESULTED IN GASOLINE SPILL ON RESIDENTIAL STREET MINUTES AFTER PARKING. BOGGING FOLLOWED REPAIRS, PCM REPROGRAMMED & LEAKING PVC TUBE REPLACED 1/04. FUEL PUMP AGAIN REPLACED. IN 8/04, OUR 24 YEAR OLD SON TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEMATIC CAR. WE ARE UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER VEHICLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED A 35 MPH COLLISION WITH A FIRE HYDRANT. AN IMMEDIATE ENGINE EXPLOSION AND FUEL FED FIRE TRAPPED MY SON AND HIS PASSENGER. DESCRIBED BY POLICE AS A RELATIVELY MINOR CRASH WHICH WOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO CLAIM LIVES, THE SUBSEQUENT UNEXPLAINED ENGINE FIRE CLAIMED TWO YOUNG LIVES. A MALFUNCTIONING DRIVER'S AIRBAG WAS ALSO DETECTED. THIS INCIDENT WAS ORIGINALLY REPORTED TO NHTSA BY MY HUSBAND (#10104088). I AM SUPPLYING THESE ADDITIONAL FACTS FOR YOUR CLARIFICATION. PLEASE CORRECT YOUR POSTING OF "0" INJURIES AS THERE WERE 2 FATALITIES. PLEASE TAKE EFFECTIVE ACTION TO SAVE LIVES, AS THESE TROUBLE PLAGUED VEHICLES SEEM TO BECOME MORE LETHAL AS THEY AGE. CONFIRMATION OF RECEIPT OF THIS INFORMATION IS REQUESTED. *NM *SC *JB

PLEASE LOOK INTO THE FUEL SYSTEMS OF THE 2000 FORD FOCUS. MY SON AND HIS FRIEND WERE KILLED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON 12/8 IN DETROIT, MI. EARLY THAT MORNING, THEY STRUCK A FIRE HYDRANT AND THE CAR EXPLODED (BACK OF THE ENGINE FIRE). EARLIER, IN THE SUMMER OF 2004, I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR HOME, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND GONE IN THE HOUSE. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER. I CAME OUT TO GO TO DINNER WITH MY WIFE...THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN OVER. WHEN I GOT OUT, I FOUND GAS SPEWED ALL OVER THE STREET. I HOSED DOWN THE AREA, AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO BILL BROWN FORD-LIVONIA, MI. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, AND I WAS ASSURED THAT ALL WAS WELL. NOW, 5-6 MONTHS LATER, THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT THE ACCIDENT (HITTING THE HYDRANT) WASN'T MY SON'S DOING. HOWEVER, THE SPEED AT WHICH THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED (EST. AT 35 MPH) SHOULDN'T HAVE RESULTED IN A FUEL LINE BREAK AND FIRE. PLEASE CHECK INTO THE INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT REPORT NUMBER (DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT) IS [XXX]. THE VIN NUMBER OF THE CAR IS [XXX]. THE SERVICE RECORD AT BILL BROWN FORD WILL NOTE A LONG HISTORY OF FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, INCLUDING THE ISSUE NOTED ABOVE (GAS ON THE STREET). MORE THAN ANYTHING I WANT TO PREVENT ANOTHER TRAGEDY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *JB UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER DUE TO IMPACT WITH THE AIR BAGS THE DRIVER DIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM CONSUMER STATE THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS HIS MOTHER IN LAW HAD A HEART CONDITION WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE DRIVER TO PASS OUT AND HUNCH OVER THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE DRIVER VEERED INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE AND RAN INTO A PARKED CAR. AN EYE WITNESS SAW THE DRIVER HUNCHED OVER THE WHEEL PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INTO THE CHEST OF THE DRIVER RESULTING IN BLUNT FORCE CHEST INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND SUBSEQUENTLY DIED OF INTERNAL BLEEDING. THE DRIVER DID NOT HAVE ANY BROKEN BONES. CW

PE 02 020: AIR BAG BURN INJURIES/VEHICLE FIRE: VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, IN WHICH BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S AIR BAG CAUSED A FIRE ON DRIVER'S SHIRT AND SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON LEFT ARM. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *YD

FORD FOCUS 2000. FACTS ABOUT THIS ACCIDENT INCLUDE THAT THE IMPACT WAS HEAD ON WITH THE DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER , JACOB, WAS BELTED , BUT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HIM. THE AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN UNTIL HE HIT THE WIND SHIELD OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE AIR BAGS OPENED THE STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED..COMBUSTION WAS SUBSEQUENT TO THE AIR BAG OPENING AND THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF SMOKE THAT THE DRIVER INHALED BEFORE THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT , MICHAEL WILLIAMS, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. SHE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR BY THE SEAT BELT , IT WOULD NOT RELEASE BUT IT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HER AND SHE HIT THE WINDSHIELD ..NOT NEARLY AS BAD AS JACOB, BUT IT IS BROKEN. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BURNED. MICHAEL SAW SOME SORT OF SPARKS THAT HE THOUGHT WAS FROM THE SEAT BELT.*AK

FORD FOCUS 2000. FACTS ABOUT THIS ACCIDENT INCLUDE THAT THE IMPACT WAS HEAD ON WITH THE DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER , JACOB, WAS BELTED , BUT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HIM. THE AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN UNTIL HE HIT THE WIND SHIELD OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE AIR BAGS OPENED THE STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED..COMBUSTION WAS SUBSEQUENT TO THE AIR BAG OPENING AND THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF SMOKE THAT THE DRIVER INHALED BEFORE THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT , MICHAEL WILLIAMS, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. SHE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR BY THE SEAT BELT , IT WOULD NOT RELEASE BUT IT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HER AND SHE HIT THE WINDSHIELD ..NOT NEARLY AS BAD AS JACOB, BUT IT IS BROKEN. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BURNED. MICHAEL SAW SOME SORT OF SPARKS THAT HE THOUGHT WAS FROM THE SEAT BELT.

WHILE TRAVELING 10MPH IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC CONSUMER HAD A FRONT END COLLISION, CAUSING AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AND BREAK WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN CONTATCED TO BUY BACK VEHICLE, BUT NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME.*AK CONSUMER SUSTAINED FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO RIGHT ARM BECAUSE OF AIR BAGS. *SLC

VEHICLE HAD A STARTING PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING HIT A DEER, AND A FEW MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

I BEG OF YOU RECALL THIS CAR. IT WILL EVENTUALLY KILL SOMEBODY AND THEIR CHILDREN. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIP ON ICE AND CRASHED INTO A BOULDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED CAUSING INJURIES TO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S LEFT SIDE OF THE FACE, FRONT OF NECK, CHEST, ABDOMEN, AND LEFT THIGH WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE ARMS AND BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

AUTO ACCIDENT ON 8/26/2013 IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA, CORNER OF HWY 1 AND HWY 208 AT 9:15 AM. DRIVING BETWEEN 5-7 MPH DUE TO STOP AT RED LIGHT TO MAKE RIGHT TURN. DRIVER IN FRONT STARTED THROUGH THE RED LIGHT AND STOPPED. I HIT HER CAR BUT NO CAR BODY DENTS ON EITHER CAR. MY 2000 FORD FOCUS UPON IMPACT DEPLOYED (2) AIR BAGS, EVEN THOUGH I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR AND NO WEIGHT ON PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIR BAGS CAUSED ALL THE CAR DAMAGE AND SECOND DEGREE BURN ON MY RIGHT HAND. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LID SMASHED THE CAR WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE BUT UNSAFE TO DRIVE AWAY FROM ACCIDENT. I TOWED IT TO LOCAL FORD DEALER (PURVIS) ON HWY 1 FOR DIAGNOSTICS TEST TO CHECK THE SENSORS. THE DEALER REPORT SAID THAT THE CAR OPERATED AS DESIGNED AND BOTH AIR BAGS SHOULD DEPLOY AND CAUSE ALL THAT DAMAGE (CAR/BODY) ESTIMATED $4914.00 AT LOW SPEEDS. THE REPAIR COST IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR.

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS, I HIT A CAR FROM THE BACK, BECAUSE THEY SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. I WAS GOING 25-30 MPH. THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS TOTALLY TOTALED. BUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS VISIBLE TO THE HUMAN EYE! I AM WONDERING WHY MY AIRBAG DO NOT DEPLOYED? AIRBAG DEFECTS? MY FACE SMASH THE STEERING WHEEL. ME AND MY PASSENGER HAVE NECK, BACK, SHOULDER CONTUSIONS. I HAVE SEVERE PAIN IN THOSE AREAS. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON WHY MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOYED BECAUSE IT DID NOT SEEM RIGHT TO ME. AND I DISCOVERED A CASE AND WHICH THE SAME CAR MODEL, MAKE AND YEAR, SIMILAR TO MINES WHICH STATED, "FORD ADMITTED THAT IT DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE ACTUAL AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT THRESHOLD WHEN IT STARTED SELLING THESE CARS TO ITS CUSTOMERS! THEY LATER CHANGED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DESIGN TO INCREASE THE THRESHOLD BEGINNING IN 2002, BUT THEY NEVER RECALLED THE 2000 AND 2001 FORD FOCUS CARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM." *TR

WAITING AT A LIGHT, DRUNK DRIVER ESCAPING POLICE REAR ENDS FORD FOCUS. FORD FOCUS HITS FIRE TRUCK. AT NO TIME DID THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY. *TR

DRIVING TO WORK, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED QUICKLY, OUR CARS BARELY TOUCHED EACH OTHER, LESS THAN 3 MPH, NO OUT SIDE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO EITHER VEHICLE. BOTH OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BUSTED THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG BURNT MY RIGHT AIR AND HAS CAUSED NERVE DAMAGE IN THE AREA. *TR

THE FORD FOCUS COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A PLYMOUTH NEON THAT WAS ON A DARK ROADWAY WITH ITS LIGHTS OFF AFTER A PRIOR COLLISION. THE BUCKLE PRETENSIONER FOR THE FORD DRIVER FIRED, BUT THE RETRACTOR DID NOT LOCK ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO STRIKE HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS MATERIAL WORN AWAY FROM THE B-PILLAR FROM THE RAPID EXTENSION OF WEBBING, AND LATCH PLATE HAD A CHANNEL CARVED INTO THE PLASTIC, WHERE THE WEBBING RAPIDLY PASSED THROUGH THE LATCH PLATE. THERE WAS NOT EVIDENCE THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY SIGNIFICANT RESTRAINING FORCE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL WITH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS HEAD DUE TO THE GRAB HANDLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE GRAB RAIL IN THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IT PROTRUDES FROM THE HEAD LINER IN A FOLDED POSITION. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 06/29/09 *BF UPDATED 07/02/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OR HER SKULL AND SUFFERED HEADACHES. THE RADIATOR WAS PUSHED INTO THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS VERIFIED, BUT APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000 KILOMETERS.

LEFT WHEEL FELL OFF ON THE FREE WAY AND 2 PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. *TR