posted on January 7, 2001 07:56:49 PM new
Since I can't seem to get my dog pictures up in the doggy thread..thought I'd ask the advice/opinions of the great posters here on AW. We purchased a 2000 Ford Focus in October of 1999, (makes it approximately 1 year and a couple months old). Before I'd even had the car 8 months the motor mount broke, (the car has the full warranty, plus we purchased the extra warranty), so we had that fixed. Mind you, this alone caused me some concern, since this happened with normal driving, on regular roads..didn't hit any big potholes, didn't go 4 wheeling, etc... Then about 4 months ago I received a letter in the mail from Ford..the Focus was being recalled..something to do with the bearings in the rear wheels...in the exteme the tire could FALL OFF! Called my local dealer, where I had purchased the car, brought the car in and had it fixed. That in itself was a pain in the you know what, (we are a one car family). Now here is the icing on the cake. Received an envelope with 3 seperate letters from Ford last week. Yep you guessed it! Three different recalls! One has to do with the clutch, (I have a standard), one has to do with the wiring harness in the trunk, and the last but not least has to do with the crash panels in the roof!
Needless to say...I DON'T WANT THIS CAR!!!
So does anyone have any advice or opinions on where we stand with this? We plan to take it to the Ford dealer we purchased it from this week, (I have to wait for my husband to come home, he's an over the road trucker and the car is in his name).
Any suggestions would be MOST appreciated! Sorry this is so long.
posted on January 7, 2001 08:17:18 PM new
Sorry, but most state's lemon laws only cover the car if it has been undriveable for a certain period of time (a significant percentage) due to the problems. Can't blame you for not wanting the car though.
Compared to one car I owned (90s vintage Cougar), you're really doing quite well. Within one year it had gone through an air conditioner pump, two power seat motors, one power window motor, one cruise control, one power steering pump, an alternator, and two sets of front disc pads and rotors. The brakes were replaced at my expense since they were 13 months out. One month after, I got the recall letter from Ford and the local dealership refunded my money. All other repairs were covered by Ford.
Note however, in all fairness, I drove the car and additional 110,000 with absolutely NO problems whatsoever. But damn, the first 15 months, I really hated the car.
posted on January 7, 2001 08:52:43 PM new
Hi saljo,
If your state has a lemon law there is probaly a slew of lawyers who specialize in the field. Check your local yellow pages. It's likely you'll be told right up front
whether or not you have a case, even before you have to pay them a dime.
It does appear to me, however, that your list of problems will not qualify. The Focus is a new model. It can often be troublesome to purchase a new model car during its introductory year. Car companies, lamentably, do a good bit of their R&D at the consumer's expense. Four recalls in such a short time certainly suggests that to be the case with the Focus.
You could try writing letters to Ford Customer Service. It might work and can't hurt. I'm sure an internet search on the Focus will reveal a lot of information about your car. You may even discover others with similar concerns.
posted on January 7, 2001 09:34:25 PM new
Nevermind any lemon law; it won't apply unless your car is down for extended periods for the same problem, and the manufacturer fails to repair that problem. You aren't even close.
posted on January 8, 2001 05:22:48 AM new
Thanks all for your replys!
Iswanson-I'm glad the problems with your car worked out...but I still do not want this car! LOL
xardon-I don't believe the lemon law applies to my car..at least not in my state. I realize the Focus is a new model car...but I was under the impression that it had been tested for some time in Europe. People pay their hard earned money for these cars...the makers should make sure the car is good to go before putting them on the market! IMO
krs-I totally agree...I'd like to dumb this car!
Anyone know anything about the new Hyundai SUV's?
OOPS..that's dump..not dumb.
[ edited by saljo63 on Jan 8, 2001 06:49 AM ]
posted on January 8, 2001 05:28:06 AM new
krs is right, buy a Toyota. I kept the last one, a 4 Runner, 11 years. Nothing ever went wrong with it. We bought a new Ford Mustang Convertable and I like it but I'll trade next year and get another 4 Runner. I miss the room.
posted on January 8, 2001 07:26:43 AM new
That car is too new to have had any negative incidents; the above post is likely just an anti SUV attitude expressed.
Hyundai offers maybe the best car value available today, and their warranty is fabulous. It won't last forever though, they haven't come up against the import restrictions which would force them to manufacture in this country at much higher labor rates.
posted on January 8, 2001 08:14:12 AM new
Not to take their case up but that's bull. They've done quite well in past tests relative to most and the 2001 models of which their SUV is one, have not been tested at all.
posted on January 8, 2001 09:25:57 AM new
Any of the major car magazines; Car and Driver, Road & Track, Motor Trend, Automobile, AutoWeek or their respective web sites will provide you with a wealth of information on any car or SUV you may be considering. Consumer Reports is also a good source for pricing, reliability, and vehicle safety info.
This is a subject that is relatively easy to research and I recommend doing so before buying.
I have a '93 Corolla Wagon and an '86 BMW both of which were purchased new and continue to perform well.
It's likely that after this latest round of recalls you will have experienced the worst of the Focus' problems. IMO you should stick with the Ford for a few more years. A new car is rarely a good investment.
