Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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. …
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 contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle began to shake then the driver side rear tire detached from the vehicle. As a result, the tire crashed into the windshield of another vehicle. The mechanic replaced the tire however; he was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The VIN, engine size number of cylinders and tire information were unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 101,000. Updated 01/29/08 updated 01/29/08
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.
While driving at 65, the left rear wheel came off. The consumer pulled off the road. The vehicle sustained some damage. The vehicle was towed. The dealer stated the wheel bearings were defective.
Rear tires bald at 20,000. I have replaced 4 tires and need to replace 2 more. I have 42,000 miles on my car. I have rotated the tires all along, but they always end up wearing quick in the rear. For example one set of tires had great tread when they were rotated to the back with about 15,000, then at 20,000 they were bald!!! (like something in the rear chewed them up) car jumps side to side when hitting minor bumps in road and on highway, it feels like car doesn't have good control because of this. Dealership and Ford rep. Say tires are not covered under warranty of course and claim not to find any other problems. They blame it on the driver style. Funny this has never ever happened to me before, including my first Focus lemon I had for 25,000 miles (they replaced my first Focus for us for fuel problems they couldn't fix) I kick myself for agreeing to exchange for a new Focus. …
My security system basically went nutty...it even sounded funny when the horn sounded, the cruise would also stick or not work at all when it should have been turned on. I have had the hego sensor or the front oxygen sensor replaced 3 times, one at my own cost...I had a huge bulge pop out on my tire early on, Firestone replaced it at no cost...the brakes have intermittantly squealed since the vehicle had few miles on it, when I took it in to get it fixed, it basically felt like they had loosened them because you had to press on the pedal harder to stop, soon after they started squealing again, all Ford will tell me is that I need new brake pads at my cost because it is road hazard...should a car with 40,000 miles need brake pads? I think not. …
I have a 2001ford Focus. My daughter just had a blowout of the front tire while driving over railroad tracks in danbury ct. The tracks do not stick up very much. This is the 3rd blow on this car. The car only has 35000 miles on it. The tires are Firestone firehawk gta 02. I have looked on the internet and many other people with the Ford Focus have this problem. They also claim they are an all season tire and if you look on tirerack.com everybody says they are terrible in the rain and snow. They are the lowest rated tire on the site in their relative catagory. My brother talked to Firestone when the first tire blew out and they said they would only prorate the tire. They didn't feel the tire was defective. We ended up getting 2 different brand tires and those are fine. I now will go and purchase 2 more, I will not wait for the 4th tire to blow out! …
My daughter slammed on the brakes at 40mph and the vehicle steering wheel jerked to the right and she felt a drop in the left front side of the car, the car started sliding and hit a curb. When the car came to a stop the front left wheel was broke off. A tow truck took it to the Ford dealership. They said it needed a control arm; hub assembly; tie rod end; tire & wheel; axle; brake line; brake pads & rotor; trans pan and inner tie rod. They concluded it was in an accident and it was her fault and the cost would be $2,387.77 just for the mechanical only. She purchased the car September of 2002, putting over $8,000.00 down on the day of purchase with a remaining balance of $6,000.00. At the time of the accident she had no insurance. I beleive there was a problem with car to cause it to go out of control, and feel Ford needs to address it.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2001 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 96 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2001 Ford Focus, 5% of the model year's 1,761 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Focus wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to wheels & tires 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.