US Government Investigates Ford Focus

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened four separate defect investigations into the Ford Focus. Two of the investigations relate to possible airbag malfunctions, and the others concern rear wheel bearings failure and reports that the engine could catch fire.Ford is aiming the Focus at younger motorists (under 35) and it is available in seven models, marketed as an affordable performance car.

As an example of the accent on youth, one special edition focus has a 220-watt stereo system fitted. Introduced in 2000, the Focus has achieved a measure of success and is the fifth best-selling car in the USA. However, it has an unfortunate history of problems and has been recalled eight times – some of the problems were comparatively minor, such as faulty wipers and door latches, while others were potentially more dangerous, such as a throttle which could stick open.

The NHTSA says that it has had 16 complaints from people allegedly burned by gases when the Focus airbag was inflated and two people reported a fire in the steering column. 29 complainants said that the airbag inflated in a slow speed crash, or when there was no crash at all.Both of the remaining two investigations relate only to cars built in 2000.

Four people complained of fires in the engine compartment and there have been 21 cases of rear wheel bearings failure, which could result in the back wheels coming off. Ford says that it constantly monitors vehicle performance and that the Focus “did early on have some quality issues.” However, a spokesman stressed that Ford was taking these seriously and co-operating with the NHTSA.