2001 Ford Focus ZTS from North America - Comments

- 2 recalls in 6 months time!

- 1 month after the car was bought I had to change the fuel line.

- 5 months later had to change the fuel pump.

- The car stalls on occasion. Every time I get out of work I pray that I get home safely! and without stalling.

I bought this 2001 Ford Focus used in May 2004. It is now December 2004 and I've brought it in for 2 recalls and have had other problems such as stalls!! I find the Focus a very nice car to have as a first car. It drives well and it is confortable, but with all the problems its been giving me in the last 7 months its just not worth it!

Even after the recalls the car still stalls on me. Every mechanic seems to see a different problem with the car (from spark plugs to the battery) I've brought my 2001 Focus to the garage more than my '89 Aerostar we used to own (up until 2 years ago!!)

I used to drive a 2001 VW Jetta and even after 3 years it still ran very well! as soon as I'm done selling this problem I'm going back to VW or at least a car that's German or Swedish made. Yes you do pay more, but its very worth it!

The Focus will go down in automotive history as a vehicle which was good in concept, but poor in execution.

What do you expect with inferior parts and shoddy build quality?

But this is the rule with Ford, not the exception.

You know what they say- You get what you pay for!

I bought my 2001 Ford Focus ZTS in September 2002. I like the looks, and the handling, but I don, t like the surprises it has in store for me when I go on extended trips like 2000 miles. Invariably at some time during the trip it will stall. Then after a few minutes start again, but will not let me drive past quarter tank for the balance of the trip. After a few short trips at my destination everything will be fine until after I head back. I drive about 600 miles and then the stalling starts again. The dealer cannot find anything when I get home.

I got the Ford Focus ZTS 2004 model. It has none of the above mentioned reliability issues. The recalls appear to have been dealt with in the new models. The engine is a PZEV -- partial zero emission vehicle. It's a pretty green car now. It's comfortable and drives great.

I have been disappointed in only one thing, and I can chalk that up to my own stupidity. They advertise this car with EPA mileage ratings of 28 city/35 or 36 highway... It's nonsense. I've gotten 26 city and 30.1 or so on a tankful of highway miles. So, I've taken to setting my cruise control at about 63 on the highway. I feel like I'm about to be smashed off the road during rush hour. I'm hoping it'll buy me 5 more mpg.

But reality is about 20 to 25 percent lower mpg than the EPA offers. This can be a real problem in today's gas market, with prices sticking at about $3 and more a gallon. I'm hoping to sell this thing to someone who is being bankrupted by their 8/10 mpg SUV. Truth is, not all models and manufacturers perform this poorly with respect to EPA mileage ratings. I'm going back to a Honda, Toyota, or maybe a Scion. ;-)

But the Focus ZTS has become an extremely reliable car, however. It's a shame the earlier models had so many bugs.

Gas @ $3 a gallon...oooooooooh, you poor things! Try petrol @ £0.90/litre like in Europe - that's $6.01 per US gallon.

German cars are far from perfect; Volkswagen's Golf and Jetta have loads of electrical problems and cost an arm and a leg to replace. As for Swedish makes, you have two choices; Volvo (owned by Ford) or Saab (now a GM division). Just have your vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic before buying; a dealer can't deny you that right. You'll be sure to save loads of money and have a car that will last forever.