Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
My daughter was driving 2001 Ford Focus se wagon approximately 45mph when she described steering locked up in turn then she heard tires squealing and vehicle jerked hard left causing her to go off the road, hit a rock wall and flipped the car end over end. The air bags did not deploy. She landed upside down but was able to exit vehicle through broken window. She received cuts and bruises and was taken to emergency room for x-rays where they said she had no serious injuries and was released. On scene investigation by police and tow truck operated suggested ball joint failure or other steering/suspension failure. Car was totaled.
While in curve driving 50 MPH steering locked up, not sure if car cut off but I was unable to straighten out wheel resulting in accident where I hit telephone crushing pelvis, and breaking my left arm.. I spent 37 days in hospital and now have plates and screws in my pelvis and arm. It has been a month since the accident and I am now in a wheel chair for 2 months healing time before I can start therapy to begin walking, and doctors say I will have to have a hip replacement in the next 2 to 5 years. Help me please Ford is responsible for this I am 24 years old..
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. While driving, the vehicle pulled to the right independently and the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm, ball joint assembly, and axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact did not know if the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 02V289000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,611.
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 driving 40 MPH, the consumer lost steering control. This caused a minor crash, and the vehicle went into a ditch. The consumer had the vehicle towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve. Please provide more information.
This morning when we were starting our Ford Focus it would not allow us to turn the key.the ignition was locked up.you cannot do anything when that happens.we found out that Ford is well aware of this inherent defect in the ignition system in the Focus but has never recalled them for it. All locksmiths and other mechanics can no longer buy ignition switches from Ford to rectify the problem and Ford service centers want an arm and a leg to do the work from $169- just unde r$300 if they have to drill it out.this can be dangerous if it fails in a bad spot and you get stuck.it is very unsafe for women who have to drive alone somewhere or say someone with small children who gets stuck on the highway or anywhere on either a hot day or cold day as nothing will work.you need to have the vehicle towed.we were lucky in tha tmy husband kept at it until it did work;but have heard it can happen …
In June 2004, I took my 2001 Ford Focus into sunset Ford in westminster, california complaining about a vibration and rattle in the front end of my car. They charged me $80 and told me there was nothing wrong with my car. Again, on August 12, 2004, I took my 2001 Ford Focus into sunset Ford complaining that the vibration and rattle were still there and getting worse. They again charged me $80 for a diagnostic and told me there was nothing wrong with my car. In the early morning on October 2, 2004, I started to slowly accelerate from a complete stop and my car for no reason at all turned sharply and struck a curb. There is now major structural damage to my car that will cost thousands of dollars to repair. The estimate for the repairs point to the same type of parts as another recall made by Ford for this same year of the Focus. …
Related recalls
Steering › Linkages
Certain passenger vehicles have loose pinch bolts that secure the lower control arm to the steering knuckle have been reported.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering knuckle pinch bolt for tightness and correct as necessary. Owner notification began February 10, 2003.
Steering complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Ford Focus, 5% of the model year's 1,761 complaints. The component named most often is linkages (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Focus steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-289 (linkages, Nov 6, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Focus steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 2 fires and 8 injuries and 1 death to steering 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.