Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the side view mirror on the vehicle was repaired and the transmission also slipped. After the repairs were complete, the vehicle did not drive the same. The dealer stated that the parts needed were not in stock and they kept the vehicle for one month. In addition, whenever the left turn signal was activated, the vehicle would shut off entirely. The lights were replaced; however, the vehicle continued to lose power whenever the signal lights, hazard lights, or air conditioning were activated. The headlights continued to short and, while driving at night, the high beams had to be activated. The seat belt in the rear driver's seat was inoperable and the driver's seat continued to move backwards from the steering wheel. …
My main complaints are the power windows, air conditioning, fuel system issue 3 of the 4 power window mechanism in my car have broken and two are wedged up, which wasn't a huge safety concern to me because I rarely have people in the rear seats. Now, I have to decide if I should fix my driver window or wedge it. It is a safety concern for me because if I get into an accident and cannot open my window then I might make it out alive. My A/C is broken as well so in the summer months, I need to choose to either fix my A/C or fix my power window so that I can have ventilation. Also, I have been trying to get an issue fixed with the fuel system as it sometimes lurches in the middle of driving. It hasn't stalled on me yet in the middle of an intersection like it has for some people, but I am worried it will happen soon. …
The driver side front tire had blown out. The passenger side tire was found worn on the inside along with an exposed wire. (these two tires were not of the same manufacturer) other problem were as followed: the button on the cassette player had broken, the adjuster button for the side view mirror on the passenger side had popped off, while driving the over drive light flashed and the vehicle jumped in/out of over drive (transmission problem-per mechanic), the battery light came on, there were no fuses in the wires under the passenger seat, trunk lock popped off, A/C button light on the dash came on when the heat was on, the brakes squealed(since purchase), there was a blind spot on the passenger side mirror, and when the headlights were on, the driver was unable to see other vehicle's due to the seats being too high. Mr scc
Dt: contact stated in 3-03 windshield cracked. He took vehicle to dealer and had windshield replaced. It was still leaking, and he took it back again. The dealer replaced it again. But, it was still leaking. The dealer replaced it a third time. It continued to leak. In 4-03 the dealer, where the contact bought the vehicle, said he would seal the windshield. A month ago, it cracked again. He took vehicle to another dealer, and he replaced the windshield. However, the problem recurred, and the dealer sealed it twice. It was still leaking. The contact believed there was defect in the body of the vehicle. The water leaked into the dome light, and the contact was afraid there might be an electrical fire. The windshield was replaced again on 9/18/2005 but on 9/23/2005 the consumer noticed that is was still leaking.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that two the front driver side and the passenger side rear door handles fractured from the vehicle. The contact would have to leave the windows open in order to later enter the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer however, the contact stated that the window regulator was defective and would need replacing. The contact was concerned that in the event of an emergency no one would be able to exit the vehicle immediately. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated that the contact should take the vehicle to the nearest dealer for a diagnosis and offered no additional assistance. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 74,000.
Rear window does not operate automatically either from the driver's mechanisms nor the one by the window. This is the second window, this has happened to. The first window, also rear on the driver's side broke couple of years ago and we had to have it fixed at the time. Since this is the second window, and now the driver's window is starting to sound like it's going to break, I fear this should be considered a defect, and the manufacturer is not using proper material to ensure the vehicle works properly. Being unable to open and/or close the window presents a hazard, thus this matter should be taken seriously by the manufacturer and fixed at their and not our expense, especially since it is an ongoing problem.
My daughter was in a fender bender. She was behind someone at an intersection. They were both turning right. The person before her proceeded through the intersection. My daughter looked to her left for vehicles and started through the intersection. The vehicle in front of her stopped and she rear ended it. There was no damage done to the other vehicle and her Focus has a small dent in the front fender. The damage came from the fact that the airbags deployed and blew out the windshield. If my daughter had not been wearing glasses, she May have received an eye injury from the shattered glass. The dealer claims that the airbags should deploy at that low of a speed and it is expected to blow out the windshield.
Driving down the highway our children rolled down the back power windows and they would not go back up - swerved into other lane trying to contain the situation because of the noise from the traffic has to exit the highway immediately to note that the windows would no longer go up - had to manually push them up to keep them up - although while driving they will go back down - which cause a jump in reflexes. To temporarily fix the problem we have applied duct tape. Also when it rains there is now water accumulating on the passenger floor board and spreads to the back seat floor board - has door seals checked and will replace although this is a real health concern because of rust and mold.
Both rear passenger windows systems have failed, with no warning, within a month of each other. The window will not open or close, and unless it is secured in the frame, it will slide down into the door and stay there. The window regulator that fails is a Ford (plastic) part, that costs over $130 and needs a special tool to replace. Every place in town that I called about this says they repair more Ford focuses than any other car, as this part is clearly defective. I see many focuses with windows taped up, etc. I'm considering just gluing the second window into place in the frame, as over $200 (parts and labor) to replace a defective part is money I do not have.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The passenger side doors would not open. There was a recall for the unlatched doors that was repaired by the dealer; however, the failure has occurred again. The drive side and rear right passenger windows have failed. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who informed her that the plastic clip that holds the windows together was broken and to contact the manufacturer regarding the repairs. The driver seat would not move back and forth because the seat handle was stripped. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began August 20, 2001.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2001 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2001 Ford Focus, 3% of the model year's 1,761 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Focus window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-258 (motor, Aug 8, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Focus window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.