2001 Ford Focus ZX3 2.0

Summary:

I would recommend a Ford Focus to anyone

Faults:

Front struts and springs (due to a day of spirited back road driving) @ 100,000km.

Ignition tumbler 115,000km.

General Comments:

This car has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. Very comfortable on long trips, with good power to pass when needed. The Focus has good looks and strong aftermarket support if you want to improve performance or styling.

This is the perfect car to drive if on a budget or looking for a second vehicle, as you can find these used on the cheap.

I would recommend a ford focus to anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th December, 2008

2001 Ford Focus ZX3 S2 2.0 zetec

Summary:

Great car, would recommend the Focus models to anyone, provided 2003 model or later (due to recalls)

Faults:

Had a leaky gas cap and defective DPFE sensor (which gave an EGR code for the check engine light), both replaced under warranty.

Low mileage car, driven daily with no problems over the past few years...

General Comments:

Bought the car because it was so good-looking for the time. Have updated the look over time with body-colored moldings and European grilles, window tint and lowering springs, and the car still looks great, even for a 7 year old model!!!

I love the manual crank moonroof!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd October, 2008

2001 Ford Focus

Faults:

I bought the car at 103k miles, and it is now at 140k miles after 3 years.

I have had to replace my thermostat housing and two hoses that the coolant runs through.

My alternator twice, and almost a third time.

My transmission!!! My rotors and drums.

Now my driver side door will not open from the outside, under the glove box it leaks, and the radio turns on and off because the face plate is loose and it is the stock radio.

My rear struts when I first got the car. But one good thing is I do get good gas mileage, but I also use premium because it gives me more mpg.

I'm taller, so I fit comfortably in the driver's seat, which is good for me.

I have had to do a lot with the car, but it still gets me from point A to point B.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th September, 2008

2001 Ford Focus

Summary:

Cute car but would not purchase another

Faults:

When driving the alternator light and battery light starts going on and off. The speedometer and gas gauge starts moving back and forth and it sounds like sparking noises coming from the area of the right front wheel. It acts possessed. We have had two batteries, two alternators installed within two weeks. The mechanic hooks it up to a machine and it shows no problems, they said I have to bring it in when the problems start occurring. I have called the ford dealers and registered the problem and they said there has not been any other problems like this, if you are having problems call ford and register your problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th September, 2008

2001 Ford Focus ztec

Summary:

Ford makes plastic engines

Faults:

Thermostat housing melted!

Front disk brake rotors replaced at 50,000.

Radio volume knob is dis-functional. Turning it clockwise or counterclockwise has the same effect, the volume level goes up and down sporadically as you twist the knob.

General Comments:

I seriously can't believe the thermostat housing melted. We live in a small town, at high elevation, meaning the temperature outside never climbs about 95 during the summer and there is not a lot of traffic to sit in, and we seldom us the air conditioner. This little housing that bolts onto the driver side of the engine block is made of PLASTIC. Our mechanic couldn't believe it, he just laughed, and reluctantly installed a new housing which Ford still makes out of plastic. Not only did the old part melt, part of it was missing, meaning there might be a chunk of it still stuck somewhere.

I'm not expecting to get much more than 100,000 miles out of this thing before something else melts.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th August, 2008

14th Sep 2008, 02:02

I have a 2001 Ford Focus SE, and I had the same problem with my thermostat housing, but my car had over 120 thousand miles.

28th Sep 2009, 15:58

We had the same problem with our Focus. The coolant leaked all the time and the themrostat housing was melted against the metal engine! Cost me about 70 bucks and 2 hours to fix.