Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This has happened several times. The vehicle accelerates to 2000-3000 RPM by itself. Sometimes while at idle and sometimes while driving at any speed in town or the highway. I have not been able to resolve the issue and have spent money on tps, throttle body, spark plugs and wires, coil pack, fuel pump and filter and it still does the same sudden acceleration. The local dealer said they have not been able to correct that issue with older Ford focuses. Is there a fix to this issue available? Maybe a recall? I have been close to hitting a moving vehicle, after exiting ih 35 and coming unto a traffic light on the access road. I almost rear ended several vehicles stopped at the traffic light. …
When vehicle has ideled or traveled at slow speeds for a long period, the vehicle will not accelerate. It will also stall has lost fuel efficiency and driver can smell fuel. Mechanic states the fuel rail pressor sensor is leaking. Mechanic states part is on national back order. One can only assume that back order is caused by same or simillar malfunction.
When attempting to brake, the consumer down shifted and the safety ignition switch malfunctioned and was caught under the clutch, causing the relay to slow down. The consumer pulled the emergency brake to stop the lurching, but it was too late and the consumer scraped another vehicle in a parking lot.
The consumer was backing the vehicle of out a parking space when the accelerator pedal became stuck resulting in a collision with 2 other vehicles. The dealer could not determine the cause.
Sticking accelerator pedal 2001 Ford Focus se. 2.0l l4 dohc driving down the interstate heading to work and was going to set the cruise. I couldn't get it to activate tried speeding up and slowing down and setting - didn't operate. A few moments later a car merged in front of me from the on ramp. I slowed down let traffic on the left go by. I then merged to left lane and depressed the accelerator and it stuck at/near full throttle. I tapped the brakes to see if the cruise had engaged - no change, looked to see if there was an obstruction by the pedal - none found, tried pulling pedal back with my foot - no effect, tried stomping on accelerator to see if it would unstick - no change. I was now going over 80 MPH and close to rear ending a car in front of me I stepped on the brakes hard, it didn't slow down. …
While passing a car while driving down a two lane road, my accelerator pedal continued going down to the floor on its own. I tapped the brakes, checked to see if there were any obstructions by the pedal, tried everything I could to free the accelerator pedal but nothing worked. By this time the car was traveling in excess of 80 MPH and applying the brakes were not slowing the car down at all. Finally I put the car in neutral and while the engine kept racing at full throttle, I turned off the ignition and coasted to the side of the road. My husband returned to look at the car and found the accelerator cable disconnected and lodged between the mounting bracket and the throttle actuator, jamming the throttle at full throttle. Fortunately this happened about two miles from the house. …
I am writing to you in regard to a host of problems I am currently experiencing with my 2001 Ford Focus zx3.these problems include, but are not limited to: (1) gears not shifting properly and signs of locking up during driving -- and brake grinding sounds; (2) continuous "flickering" of headlights and dashboard panel lights; (3) air conditioning and heating systems not functioning properly; (4) large pond of water (during heavy rains) in floor on front passenger side; (5) problems with fuel module and fuel monitor; and (6) transmission failure in progress. Transmission failure in progress -- ECM codes erased by dealership -- fuel monitor and bad running condition very evident. He further stated the fluid is burnt very badly , he cannot service the transmission at this point and that this vehicle is going to go downhill from here. …
I own a 2001 Ford Focus automatic transmission. I was parked on a flat surface, when someone backed up into my car, they only moved 3 feet didn't do any damage to teh bumpber, but from that slight hit it sent my car free wheeling in park 175 feet, across a road, and slamming into 3 trees totalling out the rear of the car. Luckily no one was hurt nor in the car at the time fo this accident. When I got into my car I expected to see the geer shifter broken but it wasn't it still worked. My car was the way I left it just 175 feet down teh road. This is not right! Two of teh main safety feature failed on this car. Ford sent out an investigartor who looked over the car, pushed on the car with their hands, but never took the transmission aprt to see if there was any damage. Now Ford said there is nothing wrong with my car and it is perfectly safe. …
I purchased a 2001 Ford Focus on my way to work while pulling into my parking space the car accelerated unexpectedly then the brakes did not work. I then pulled on the emergency brakes which did not work to immediately stop the car. I crashed head on into the car in front of the parking space. Also, upon impact the airbags did not inflate. The car was supposedly to have front and side impact airbags and one in the steering when and nothing happened. My chest went straight into the steering wheel so hard there was a circular imprint around my chest and stomach. After people came to see about me one man asked if my car was off. I said yes and he pointed out the car still looked like it was trying to accelerate. The wheels were spinning full force. I took the car back to the dealership I only had it for 3 days and nothing was done to correct the failure. …
My daughter was driving on the highway. Traffic was trying to merge, and she was blocked in on the left. She accelerated a little to get ahead of the merging traffic. At that time the throttle stuck wide open and would not release. She stated that when she tried to stop the car with the brakes, it would not slow down even though she was pushing as hard as she could on the brake pedal. She placed the gear shift in neutral and was able to stop the car. She came to a stop at the side of the road and shut the car off. The rpms were at 7000 before she shut the engine off. Upon restart, the engine continued to race to 7000 RPM. She was able to get the throttle un-stuck by pushing the pedal to the floor and releasing. She drove the car to a sears auto center, where the technician found the throttle linkage malfunctioning. …
Acceleration complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2001 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2001 Ford Focus, 4% of the model year's 1,761 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Focus acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2001 Ford Focus, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Focus acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 2 fires and 7 injuries and 1 death to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.