Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving her vehicle at approximately 35 MPH, the ball joint snapped on the vehicle's passengers side. The contact stated there were no warning lights illuminated nor any indication of a failure prior to the ball joint snapping. The contact stated that when the failure happened to her vehicle it caused her to crash into a ditch. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained and the vehicle was towed to the residence where it remains currently. The contact stated that she did contact the dealer as well as the manufacturer who advised her to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 190,000.
I have had nothing but trouble with this car since I have had it. The rear end makes loud noise, I have brought it back to the dealership numerous times, and they always tell me nothing is wrong. It makes a roaring noise in the rear end, and something is scrapping on the tire on the rear driver side. In July, I was traveling on the highway with my 3 kids, and the tire on the rear driver's side just went to pieces. We were in a terrible accident. We went off the highway into the woods where the trees stopped our acceleration. The airbags did not come out. I was so thankful to be alive, and my kids also. We sustained about 8000 dollars worth of damage. The car was repaired, and now the same tire that blew out, and was replaced by the repairman is worn again. I am afraid everytime I drive. …
Right front coil spring broke as I was driving to the mechanic to have a ball joint on my left front tire replaced. Heard a clanging noise while driving. I thought it was from the bad ball joint, when mechanic checked he said the coil spring had snapped. Called Ford about safety recall which came up when I put my VIN number into their website. I was informed that the warranty period was over and my car was not covered. It cost me 600.00 to have both repairs done by a mechanic. I filed a complaint with Ford while on the phone with them and their advice was to save my receipt and if a recall goes into effect for this problem, I will get reimbursed. I have seen hundreds of complaints about this problem, yet Ford just ignores the issue as it is still happening. Now today my back window made a noise and the window fell down and won't go back up. …
Our son was driving his 2001 Ford Focus on a small back road near a shopping center. He was driving appromimately 20 MPH thru a slight curve approaching a stop sign. As he was approaching the stop sign, he lightly applied his brakes and turned the steering wheel to negotiate the slight curve in the road, but his steering had failed - unable to negotiate the curve his car veered into oncoming traffic lane then back to hit the curb. The impact activated the air bags, shattered the windshield and the wheel was completely broken off. It appears that the control arm had a completely clean break - usually not seen in an accident. This was reported to me by several Ford employees as a "very suspicious break" as well as the tow driver from the Ford road side assistance. …
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
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 I find rust recalls for 2001 Focus fusions and windstars Ford claims there is no recall for frame collaps from excessive rust problems. We pulled out of our drive headed up a blind hill and the front end totally collapsed leaving us as an easy target. Several good folks jumped into action to help us get the mess safely off of the state highway by blocking traffic and helping us drag it back into our driveway. We are in our 70's and only drive the car 7-8 thousand miles a year. It has been babied and maintained by the book it entire lifetime . Conversations with Ford have gotten us no where! Where do we turn ?
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.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. While driving 2 MPH the vehicle hit a patch of ice, slid into a curb, and caused the suspension front control arm to bend. A new suspension front control arm was installed by the dealer. On March 14, 2008, while making a turn the vehicle made a clunking noise, the steering failed, caused the vehicle to hit the curb and the suspension front control arm was bent again. The failure mileage was 60000 and the current mileage was 87587.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Front suspension lower control arm
There is no summary currently available
Front susp collapse/wheel separation
See attached report.
Suspension complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 150 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Ford Focus, 9% of the model year's 1,761 complaints. The component named most often is front (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Focus suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 23 crashes, 1 fire and 14 injuries and 4 deaths to suspension 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.