Embarrassing!

[GTS Jeff]

NHTSA Intensifies Ford Focus Safety Probe
November 6, 2002
Page 1 of 1

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has raised a preliminary investigation of complaints of engine stalling on the Ford Focus to the level of an "engineering analysis," a step that often precedes a recall, Reuters reported.

The news comes on the heels of an announcement by Ford that it is recalling about 572,795 2000 and 2001 Focuses because of problems with a bolt in the front suspension assembly and battery cables that can catch fire on models equipped with Zetec engines. It was the eleventh safety recall of the vehicle since its introduction in 1999 but is not related to the engine stalling investigation.
NHTSA said Ford had received 3,274 complaints about the Focus engine problem and added that the stalling had allegedly caused 16 crashes and three injuries.

The problem was originally thought to involve about 573,585 Focuses from the 2000 and 2001 model years, but NHTSA said it was broadening the scope of its investigation because of complaints about 2002 models as well.:rolleyes:

[RickDaTuner]

Typical:banghead:

[Fluidic]

Dumbass Ford... this is the number (2) reason I sold my Explorer --- absoulte bullshit!

:guns: :guns: :guns:

[Ferio_vti]

Good old Focus. The Pinto Millenium Edition.

[600cc's]

:bullshit:

[Redlyne_mr2]

poor ford they keep tryin gto change their image but all they keep building is crap..I met the senior directing manager of Ford Canada yesterday, he gave us a presentation on the company, near the end of the presentation the questions we all asked questions...I asked why his numbers appeared so positive on his charts when last year his company lost around 6 billion dollars, is closing the oakville truck plant and still had serious quality control issues, inever heard so many excuses in my life...he knew his company sucked, he was just trying to justify his job:thumbsdow

[Hipermax_d]

only ford

[RiceCake]

damn this sounds similar to a little aerostar steering column 'defect' :rolleyes:

[mwmhong]

My dad had a Windstar, our family's first (and last) try at a Ford. What a POS. :thumbsdow

Problems everywhere, the floor was rusting through, coolant leaks all the time, brake troubles, yadda yadda,
The used car guy had trouble selling these vans, he had a ton of them on the lot and my dad brings in yet ANOTHER one of these deadbeat minivans for him to sell.

Funny how you see these Ford commericals with John Ford on it preaching and praising the heritage and the product quality of the company, when all these bad things are happening, the layoffs and quality issues. Makes the company look even worse.

"My dad and my dad's dad worked for Ford"
"It makes me so happy when people write to me on how well our cars are built"
"This is the type of car I would drive"

:bullshit:

[RSeXy]

my family has a ford windstar...its ok

but we wont' have it for much longer...that is why we are looking for an SUV

...and Mikko...there is a use for it...we need it to tow our trailer in the summer. :thumbsup:

[Mikko]

Trailer? How much does it weigh?

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by Mikko
Trailer? How much does it weigh? probably more than what a car could tow :D

[Mikko]

It'd be interesting to look into. I have never in my life seen an SUV tow anything - but I very often see cars tow all sorts of small and big things, including trailers.

[Blue Devil 2]

this is another hi-rev tuners moment....:rolleyes:

[ninjak84]

I think once Mcrae leaves the Ford rally team its going to be game over.

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by szw
Yea you'd be surprised at what a car can tow. I've seen huge trailors being towed by little cars! I'm not sure how good it is for the car though...I wouldn't tow anything with mine. it damages the frame! when the frame isnt specifically reinforced to handle the stresses of towing something, it can buckle easily..

most SUVs have a towing capacity of around 5000lbs depending on whats being towed....i wouldnt try towing more than 1500lbs on a passenger car.

[Mikko]

I took the time to do some research. Here are my findings.

TOW CAPACITY

Honda Accord (Euro Spec)
1400kg (3090lbs)

Honda Civic 3 door (Euro Spec)
1200kg (2645lbs)

Nissan Maxima V6 2.0-3.0
1500kg (3300lbs)

Saab 9-5 Linear
900kg (2000lbs)

Subaru Legacy 2.5 L
900kg (2000lbs)

Toyota Camry
1600kg (3310lbs)

Toyota Corolla
1200kg (2645lbs)

Toyota Echo
900kg (2000lbs)

VW Golf 2.0
1400kg (3090lbs)

The north american websites for Honda and Toyota both refused to disclose the numbers of their cars, so I had to go to their european sites instead. I didn't bother checking any more north american manufacturer sites after that.

Interestingly, those manufacturers have a SUV lineup they promote agressively. Towing is one of the arguments they use to tell their trucks/SUV's.

[RSeXy]

thanks for the reasearch...but believe me...a car won't suffice in what we need to tow...

sometimes we also need to tow a boat...and i can't see my family using a car...to load it into the water.

[Mikko]

:) No problem, I wanted to see myself for comparision.

Wonder what ninjak84 was up to.

[GTS Jeff]

just where do hook up a trailer if you are driving an accord?!

[Mikko]

The rear tow hook maybe?

[GTS Jeff]

do accords even have tow hooks? i know the olders ones dont.

[Mikko]

I assume it's an accessory. At least if it is anything like with the cars here.

[RSeXy]

yeah you can get tow hooks for cars from the hitch shops.

[4wheeldrift]

3000lbs is not that heavy of a trailer. And most of the cars don't really have enough torque to handle doubling the weight of the vehicle very well, making highway cruising difficult at best. You plan on doing any serious towing, buy a truck.