Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
On 9/2/2020 around 10 pm in michigan I was making a pizza delivery, I pulled into the subdivision where I had to make the delivery, all the sudden my car completely shut off. I couldn't accelerate or brake. I got my car fo saftey away from the houses because my first instinct was safety. I grab my phone to call my boss, I thought my car juat broke down. Then I saw smoke and sparks. I called the emergency services and the cars smoke got darker and the flames got bigger. I was very scared. All my windows exploded and the car melted to ground. By the looks of my photo the fire started near the battery and cables. Ever since that night, I've been scared of fires, hot surfaces, and weary around cars. I'm lucky to be alive but it was very dangerous as the flames reached about 10 feet high. Luckily it did not catch anything near by on fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk and the contact smelled smoke. The battery warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was stopped on the side of the road and the ignition was turned to the off position as the contact exited the vehicle. The contact observed flames under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle restarted without being prompted and started rolling forward. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02V288000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Sunday 05 jan 2014 I had recently parked my car, turned it off, and was outside of my vehicle (2001 Ford Focus) when I began to notice smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. I was confused at first, as the car was completely off for a few minutes before any problems began. Within a matter of two minutes the smoke had increased, thickened, and began to smell. My friend was nearby and had noticed that something was not right. He came over and we both took a couple steps toward the front of the car to figure out what was going on. Immediately flames burst up from the hood. At this point we instantly ran from the vehicle, dialing 911. The flames got worse as we waited from a distance for the fire department to arrive. At this point I was unsure as to whether the car would completely blow up or not, as the flames became worse with every minute. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. She had her vehicle repaired according to recall# 03V482000 ( fuel system, gasoline). After the repair while at a local gas station she saw a puddle of gasoline from under the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer and an updated version of the component was installed. Years later, while driving the driver-side head light failed. She pulled over to a local store and turned the vehicle off. Minutes later smoke engulfed the front-end of the vehicle, and then flames erupted. The fire department extinguished the flames and cut the battery cables. A fire fighter speculated that the battery caused the fire. The manufacturer was contacted in reference to recall #: 02V288000 (electrical system:battery:cables). Upon contact she was advised that her vehicle identification number was excluded from the VIN range. …
Vehicle fire sustained on 2001 Ford Focus after replacement of a valve gasket cover at hollingsworth richard Ford in baton rouge louisiana. Following replacement of gasket, smoke was noted from the hood. Dealer service representative stated that smoke was due to a cleaning solvent used after servicing the vehicle and should stop in about two days. The following day (after service), the vehicle caught on fire where the fire had to be extinguished by the local fire department. My son and I were in the vehicle and bearly escaped before the front of vehicle was engulfed in flames. Report has been filed with dealer who told me that this was a matter that should be handled by the insurance. Ford dealer showed nor indicated their acceptance of any liability regarding this issue. Research has indicated many customer complaints of vehicles fires centered around this year of Focus.
Dt: the contact stated while driving 35 - 40 MPH, the check engine light and battery light illuminated. While pulling the vehicle into a parking lot all the dashboard lights darkened and the vehicle hesitated as if it was going to stall. It was parked for about 3 minutes and the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was observed by an independent mechanic who determined that a barren came out of one of the pulleys however that would not cause the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was left at the scene of the incident. Two days later the contact returned to the vehicle and the vehicle was burned. The insurance investigator observed a security video which identified the vehicle smoking and a window had fallen.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 25 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the battery light illuminated. The contact noticed smoke coming from the hood and then flames appeared. She stopped and exited the vehicle when it became completely engulfed in flames. The police and fire departments arrived and a report was filed. The VIN, engine size, and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 52,899. Updated 04/11/08 the dealer stated consumer had vehicle in a pinch bolt torqued and a zetec engine cable routing. The dealer also replaced both front coil springs. Updated 04/11/08
Consumer took the vehicle in to the dealership for a replacement of a valve cover. After picking up vehicle and driving, consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Contacted mechanic, and informed consumer that solvent used in repair of valve cover caused smoke, and will disappear. Consumer parked vehicle, and a passer by noticed smoke and flames coming from under the hood. Local fire department was contacted, and flames were extinguished. Consumer contacted the insurance company.
Dt consumer states there is a recall for the battery cables and the recall repairs was done on May 21, 2003, the vehicle completely stalled and it caused another vehicle to rear end consumer's vehicle on October 12, 2005. Consumer stated that her husband checked the vehicle and the battery cables burned out and melted again, and that is the same thing happened as stated in the recall. Contacted Ford, they said to bring vehicle in for inspection, but than likely it was something else.
This car has electrical issues,the dash and tag lights flicker,the car has been turning off while I'm driving with my son in the car over 3 times now,on the highway and on main street,its so scary I've had panic attacks and got a stress rash on my face. Im so scared that I can't drive it,I've had the fuel pump replaced,spark plugs,motor filter.I just try to keep getting it repaired costing me my bills money being a single parent. I'm overwhelmed and don't know what to do.
Related recalls
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with zetec engines, loose or broken attachments and misrouted battery cables could lead to cable insulation damage.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the battery cables for the condition of the cable insulation and proper tightening of the terminal ends.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
There is no summary currently available
Electrical complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 496 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Ford Focus, 28% of the model year's 1,761 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (194 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Focus electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-288 (cables, Nov 6, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Focus electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 29 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.