2001 Ford Focus Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,761 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 109,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the body and structure of the 2001 Ford Focus, 3% of the 1,761 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My last oil change I was inform the front subframe is badly rusted, to the point the mechanic could push a screw driver through it in spots. He informed me that driving it was a major safety risk, as the frame could fail, causing an accident. He said Ford has not issued a recall. They must be waiting for a higher body count when the front end of the car fails while going down the interstate.”
NHTSA complaint #10458073, filed 2012-05, 122,000 miles“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 phone to call my boss, I thought my car juat broke down. Then I saw smoke and sparks. I called the emergency services and the cars smoke got darker and the flames got bigger. I was very scared. All my windows exploded and the car melted to ground. …”
NHTSA complaint #11355484, filed 2020-09, 108,000 miles“2001 Focus 112k mi. Bought from local Ford dealer, 1 yr old w, 21k on it. A recent inspection by my own mechanic tells me that the rear sub frame is rotted and it is dangerous to drive it. Especially at highway speeds. The local dealer laughed when I inquired about a nine year old car w/ rusted frame.”
NHTSA complaint #10330577, filed 2010-05, 112,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10379598, filed 2011-01, 65,000 miles“My driver side passenger door has been acting up for many years now and Ford will not fix it. Now my door will not close. Many of the 2001 Ford Focus have been recalled for this issue and they say my VIN no. Is not one of them. Please help me get my door fixed. When I went to get it inspected on 11.2.18 they opened my door and now it will not close and again they say that I have to fix it. As mentioned, this has been an issue for years and I am still dealing with it. My car is in excellent condition and do not want to get rid of it. I believe that Ford is responsible for fixing the latch. …”
NHTSA complaint #11149891, filed 2018-11, 137,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10058100Sep 9, 2014Ford: due to high corrosion areas, where vehicles are operated for extended periods, lower control arm (lca) can separate from forward attachment of subframe. Model 2001-04 escape.
- 10058099Sep 9, 2014Ford: rear door latches are experiencing corrosion in pawl pivot area that prevent proper engagement of pawl into catch, when operated in areas causing high corrosion. Model…
- 10205032Jan 26, 2005Safety recall 05S27 - Rear door latch corrosion - requests for recall service action - built on or before 01/26/2005
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 | 1% |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% |
| 2016 | 14 | 1% |
| 2015 | 16 | 2% |
| 2014 | 63 | 2% |
| 2013 | 84 | 4% |
| 2012 | 332 | 9% |
| 2011 | 14 | 12% |
| 2010 | 24 | 8% |
| 2009 | 12 | 5% |
| 2008 | 41 | 16% |
| 2007 | 24 | 6% |
| 2006 | 15 | 7% |
| 2005 | 43 | 10% |
| 2004 | 14 | 4% |
| 2003 | 40 | 4% |
| 2002 | 51 | 5% |
| 2001 | 60 | 3% |
| 2000 | 138 | 4% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Focus
496 complaintsFuel system
318 complaintsEngine cooling
243 complaintsBrakes
199 complaintsSuspension
150 complaintsAir bags
147 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
90 complaintsSteering
86 complaintsTires
74 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
66 complaintsVehicle speed control
66 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
59 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology