RecallRepo

2001 Ford Focus Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2001 Ford Focus has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,185,855 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 2,361 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 05V030000 2005-02-01 589,932 affected
Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN,…

Consequence

IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS…

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 03V482000 2003-11-19 671,000 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.

Consequence

THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 02V288000 2002-11-06 291,854 affected
Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ZETEC ENGINES, LOOSE OR BROKEN ATTACHMENTS AND MISROUTED BATTERY CABLES COULD LEAD TO CABLE INSULATION DAMAGE.

Consequence

THIS, IN TURN, COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY CABLES TO SHORT RESULTING IN HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CABLES. BESIDES HEAT DAMAGE, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO START, OR SMOKE, MELTING, OR FIRE COULD ALSO OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLES FOR THE CONDITION OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND PROPER TIGHTENING OF THE TERMINAL ENDS. AS NECESSARY, CABLES WILL BE REROUTED, RETAINING CLIPS INSTALLED, AND DAMAGED BATTERY CABLES REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE…

STEERING 02V289000 2002-11-06 446,569 affected
Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE PINCH BOLTS THAT SECURE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

Consequence

LOOSE PINCH BOLTS COULD EXHIBIT NOISE, VIBRATION AND, IN EXTREME CASES IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, SEPARATION OF THE JOINT OR FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLE PINCH BOLT FOR TIGHTNESS AND CORRECT AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

VISIBILITY 01V258000 2001-08-08 1,083,000 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY…

SEATS 01V108000 2001-03-28 8,500 affected
Defect

PM CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE SEAT BACK RECLINER HANDLE SPRING COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING AN IN-PROCESS TEST AND THE OCCUPANT MAY NOTICE A CHUCKING, OR PERCEIVED LOOSENESS OF THE FRONT SEAT BACK, OR THE SEAT BACK COULD UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINE.

Consequence

IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BACK RECLINER HANDLE SPRING FOR THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT…

SEATS 00V418000 2000-12-14 95,000 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS AND 3-DOOR VEHICLES. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A FOLDING 60/40 SECOND SEAT THAT BECOMES A LOAD FLOOR IN THE FOLDED POSITION. WHEN THE 60% PORTION OF THE SEAT IS FOLDED DOWN AND A LOAD IS APPLIED TO THE FRONT EDGE OF THE LOAD FLOOR, THE OUTBOARD HINGE PIVOT COULD DISENGAGE FROM…

Consequence

IF THE SEAT IS THEN RETURNED TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT RE-ENGAGING THE HINGE PIVOT, THE SEAT AND SEAT BELTS MAY NOT PROVIDE THE INTENDED LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED SEAT BACK HINGE PIVOT.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
194
1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
140
4crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
129
1crashes
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
94
1crashes1fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
89
8fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
83
67crashes7fires52injuries1deaths
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
74
1crashes2fires1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
73
4crashes2injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
62
2crashes5fires
TIRES
57
7crashes2injuries
Total complaints2,361

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2021-10-25

“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…”

WHEELS · reported 2021-10-25

“Keeps shut off n over heating”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2021-03-29

“Keeps shut off n over heating”

ENGINE · reported 2021-03-29

“Keeps shut off n over heating”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2021-03-29

“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…”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2020-09-02

“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…”

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · reported 2020-09-02

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2020-09-02

Defect investigations

Investigation AQ10001 Opened 2010-11-18 · closed 2015-12-28

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary…

Investigation EA02014 Opened 2002-07-31 · closed 2002-11-13

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA02017 Opened 2002-08-16 · closed 2003-08-15

BURN INJURIES DUE TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

ALL OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGE AN INCIDENT IN WHICH DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG CAUSED SOME TYPE OF BURN INJURY.MOST OF THESE INJURIES ARE DUE TO CONTACT AND/OR ABRASION WITH THE AIR BAG AND ARE OF RELATIVELY MINOR TO MODERATE SEVERITY.IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME DRIVERS MAY HAVE SUSTAINED BURN…

Investigation EA02022 Opened 2002-09-09 · closed 2004-01-16

ENGINE STALLING

CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING…

Investigation EA02022 Opened 2002-09-09 · closed 2004-01-16

ENGINE STALLING

CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING…

Investigation EA02022 Opened 2002-09-09 · closed 2004-01-16

ENGINE STALLING

CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING…

Investigation EA02023 Opened 2002-09-09 · closed 2003-02-19

FRONT SUSP COLLAPSE/WHEEL SEPARATION

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Investigation EA02023 Opened 2002-09-09 · closed 2003-02-19

FRONT SUSP COLLAPSE/WHEEL SEPARATION

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Investigation EA02023 Opened 2002-09-09 · closed 2003-02-19

FRONT SUSP COLLAPSE/WHEEL SEPARATION

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Investigation EA02023 Opened 2002-09-09 · closed 2003-02-19

FRONT SUSP COLLAPSE/WHEEL SEPARATION

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Investigation PE02020 Opened 2002-02-11 · closed 2002-08-16

AIR BAG BURN INJURIES/VEHICLE FIRES

INFORMATION DISCLOSED DURING THIS PE SHOWS ALLEGATIONS OF BURN INJURIES RESULTING FROM ABRASION AND/OR TERMAL CAUSES.ALLEGATIONS OF CHEMICAL BURNS ALSO EXIST.SEVERAL INCIDENTS ALLEGE VEHICLES FIRES RESULTING FROM DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO FACILITATE A…

Investigation PE02026 Opened 2002-02-28 · closed 2002-09-18

INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE02040 Opened 2002-04-04 · closed 2002-09-09

ENGINE STALLING

THE PRIMARY CONCERN OF THIS PE IS LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.STALLING MAY OCCUR AT LOW SPEED OR HIGH SPEED.AT THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE THE AVERAGE VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 30,000 MILES.BECAUSE THESE VEHICLES STALL AND/OR HESITATE UNPREDICTABLY, AN INCREASED RISK IS INHERENT TO THESE VEHICLES.IF A DRIVER EXPECTING THIS VEHICLE TO…

Investigation PE02044 Opened 2002-05-01 · closed 2002-09-09

FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Ford Focus as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.