Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
I have a Ford Focus se 2001 and there is a design flaw in the front brake pads. The pads are not sufficient enough to support the weight of this vehicle, therefore the brakes are wearing at a rapid rate in 8 to 10,000 miles. I had an accident in July of 2003 because the brakes wore almost gone and I could not stop in time and hit a vehicle in front of me. The brakes on the Focus need to be investigated and I am sure I am not the only owner who is having problems. So far Ford has replaced my brakes twice and my car has 33,000 miles. Now they are lying to me and telling me my brakes are fine and I know that they need to be replaced, but they won't do it again under warranty. I have service records to prove that the brakes have been a problem since I bought the car. …
After driving from work to home, about 4.6 miles, I turned right into my parking space in front of my home when the brakes failed while the car accelerated directly into the rock wall that serves as a barrier between the parking, walkway and building; I immediately pulled up the emergency brake, put it into park and turned the car off. I had it towed into my mechanic and was notified that they found "throttle cable was bound up" and they "re-routed cable properly." I would like to know if anyone has ever had this experience with their vehicle accelerating when brakes are applied on this model. I would like to know how the cables can become bound up. This was a very frightening experience. I have taken very good care of this automobile and have maintenance performed according to manufacturer suggestions in their guide book.
Before I finalized the purchase of the car, it was examined thoroughly by a mechanic. The 2001 Ford Focus' title was transferred to me a week and a half prior to the accident. On the day of the crash, it was a misty day and there was a fair amount of traffic. I slowed down when I saw an accident on the side of the road. While in the process of coming to a stop, the brakes failed and I crashed into the car in front of me that had come to a sudden stop. There would have been enough space for me to stop safely, but I slid. The airbags deployed when the collision occurred, which smashed the windshield. Shortly afterward, the person from whom I purchased the vehicle had mentioned she hadn't liked the performance of the brakes, even when the car was new.
I was driving on the freeway and the vehicle in front of me slowed, therefore, I used brakes. The brakes failed. I had barely enough time and space to move to the next lane and thereby hitting other vehicle. The car was towed to the repair garage and body shop. The repair shop determined that the driver side rear brake cylinder blew out and therefore brakes failure. There was brake fluid on the freeway. I avoided killing myself and others due to my safe driving training at the barber school, given to me by my parents when I turned 18. Please do something to recall these vehicles so other people will not die or get seriously injured.
As I was coming from dr's appt. With daughter and mom a roaring sound started in the rear. It kept getting louder and louder, car's rear would sway to the right side a little. But as I was driving down the street trying to at least get us all home safe. The rear driver side wheel came off and just rolled down the street about a half-a-block. A man came out noticing the tire roll pass him, helped me retrieve it and get it back to my car. Looked at the wheel and car axle I guess that's what you call it, and told me my wheel bearings were gone.
Brakes replaced at 48,763 miles we are now at 77,000. For the last 2-3,000 miles if feels like air in the line when you step on the brake peddle it does not immediately engage, there is a gap before the brakes engage & the gap is growing a potential safety issue. There is no noise associated with the brake actions.
I have had several repairs for this car. In regards to steering, wheel, tire as well the suspension. As the car was under 18000 mile I had so much problem with mentioned above problems. I could not control my car when it rained or when ever the road was not in perfect shape.
Was driving my car at 55 MPH at 11:20 pm on way home from work car made jerk lost all power no brakes no steering black smoke coming through vents to inside of car and flames coming from under hood car fully engulfed in flames blew up.
Consumer had a front collision and neither of the air bags deployed. Dealer notified. Vehicle's engine stalled causing steering and brake failure causing a collision into the side of a mountain. Air bag equipment failed to deploy on impact.
While traveling on the highway and without prior warning. Another vehicle jumped in front of the consumer's vehicle, and caused the consumer to hit the vehicle. On two separate occasions, the consumer was unable to stop the vehicle.
Brake complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 199 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Ford Focus, 11% of the model year's 1,761 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (39 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Focus brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles, and 48% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 2 fires and 7 injuries and 4 deaths to brakes 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.