2000 Ford Focus Recall

Certain four door (sedan and wagon) and five door vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario may have faulty rear door latches. Corrosion build-up at the pawl pivot area of the latch can cause the latch to bind. The owner may experience difficulty opening or closing a rear door, and eventually the rear door may not latch properly. If not latched properly the door may open while the vehicle is in motion. Correction: Dealers will inspect the rear door latches. A latch that passes the evaluation will be lubricated to prevent future corrosion. A latch that does not pass the evaluation will be replaced.

A failure of this component (other) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles equipped with a Zetec engine, the battery cable insulation could be damaged due to loose or broken attachments and/or misrouted battery cables. This in turn may cause the battery cables to short resulting in heat damage. The check engine light being illuminated or the engine failing to start are some of the possible symptoms however, smoke, melting or fire may also occur. Correction: Dealers will inspect the condition or the battery cable insulation for proper torque at the terminal ends. Cables will be rerouted, retaining clips installed and damaged battery cables replaced as necessary.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, insufficient clamp load at the attachment of the lower control arm ball joint to the steering knuckle may result in separation of the joint or fracture of the ball joint stud. If this should occur while the vehicle is in motion, loss of vehicle control may result. Correction: Dealers will verify the torque of the steering knuckle pinch bolt and tighten as necessary.

A failure of this component (suspension) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain 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 function, smoke or, potentially, ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash. Correction: 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.

A failure of this component (other) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the decklid wiring harness may fatigue and develop broken wires in the bend area of the wire harness in the grommet on the decklid. This may occur due to a rigid vinyl sleeve that is located at the bend point. Broken wires could result in either a loss of individual lamp functions, or in the case of a short that causes a fuse to open, in the loss of stop lamp or tail lamp function. Correction: Decklid wire harness will be replaced with a wire harness that has a longer, more flexible sleeve.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain station wagons and 3 door vehicles come equipped with a folding 60/40 second seat that becomes a load floor in the folded position. When the 60% portion of the seat is folded, if a load is applied to the front edge of the load floor, the outboard hinge pivot could disengage from the hinge. 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. Correction: Dealers will install a revised seat back hinge.

A failure of this component (seats and restraints) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain vehicles have a speed control cable that may have a core wire that is long enough to catch on the sleeve at the throttle body end of the cable during wide open throttle acceleration. If this occurs, the throttle may stick and not return to idle when the accelerator is released. A stuck throttle could result in result in reduced vehicle control and a possible crash. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and speed control cable will be replaced if necessary.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain vehicles may have rear wheel hubs that could loosen and allow the left rear wheel and brake drum assembly to separate from the vehicle. Separation of a rear wheel and brake drum could result in reduced vehicle control and a possible crash. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, rear wheel hub and bearing assembly will be replaced. In addition, a redundant left rear wheel retention device will be added to the left rear spindle.

A failure of this component (suspension) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1101 - Emission Device. The Injector Pressure Sensor (IPS), located on the end of the fuel rail, may become contaminated with water during shipping to the assembly plant. This water could freeze in low ambient temperatures and cause the IPS membrane to crack or burst, resulting in possible illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL), engine no start and internal engine damage due to hydro-locking. Correction: Dealers will replace the IPS.

A failure of this component (emissions) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the speed control cable end fitting may allow water to enter the speed control servo assembly. If this occurs, corrosion in the servo assembly could develop and cause intermittent speed control operation or prevent the throttle from returning to idle. This could result in unexpected acceleration and, potentially, a vehicle crash. Correction: Speed control cable will be replaced, speed control servo will be inspected for internal corrosion. Servos with evidence of corrosion will also be replaced.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).