Overview & Reviews

Raising the bar for compact vehicles, Ford is offering its stability system -- called AdvanceTrac -- on ZTS Sedans and ZX3 Hatchbacks. Ford has also made previously optional features standard equipment. Highlights include a driver armrest on every model except LX and power windows on SE Sedans and Wagons. SE Wagons also get the Zetec engine as standard and can be ordered with a manual transmission. A new manual moonroof is offered on the ZX3 and new 16-inch wheels are standard on ZTS Sedans and optional on ZX3 Coupes.

• Thoughtful and large interior, smooth ride, sharp steering, good selection of body configurations and features.

• Lots of suspension movement, not enough low-end grunt, polarizing styling.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 229.00

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  Pain in the rear - 2001 Ford Focus
  By nicole - June 7 - 3:21 pm

  I have had my car now for 4 years and the first year I loved my car. Now, I am deathly affraid to drive it. It makes so much noise I think that the tires are going to fall off. It is leaking oil and coolant. Had many problems with the windows not working, and the doors not wanting to open from the outside. The inside latch to release the trunk doesnt work ( I cant remember when it did). But I am so upside down in this car it is hard to find a non-Ford car to buy.

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  A Few Problems - 2001 Ford Focus
  By pbb - March 27 - 6:06 am

  I did my research and felt I was getting a great car. Been in the shop about seven times since new for various problems - numerous rumbles, rattles and squeaks from front and rear, hesitation/stalling at 35-50 mph, broken rear seat, peeling tint, poor mileage, ... These defects have yet to be completely corrected - defective car or incompetent technicians? I wanted to like this car. My last of many Fords.

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  Let the buyer beware ... - 2001 Ford Focus
  By DW - January 7 - 9:40 am

  I initially didnt like the looks of this car, but I wanted a hatchback and it was surprisingly peppy and fun to drive, so I took a chance and threw my money down ... and AWAY! What a mistake. Mechanical problems too numerous to list stranded me over and over, and Fords service department kept the car for WEEKS every painful time I had to tow it in. The interior is an ergonomic nightmare, ruining a long trip by saddling the driver and passengers with endless back pain (and Im in my 20s!). Horribly unreliable compared to other cars in its class, this car is not an alternative to Honda or Toyota ... its not even close. Pay a little - and get a LOT more - elsewhere.

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  take my car, please - 2001 Ford Focus
  By fletcher - October 24 - 7:00 pm

  A friend of mine always says, "i cant afford to buy cheap things." I should have listened to his advice about this car. I really like how it drives, but I really hate that I seem to spend at least one day a month or more driving to a repair shop because something else has gone wrong. Its hard to have a good relationship with a car upon which you depend that is utterly unreliable and unrelentingly so. These things are ugly and like to break down, but at least they are initially inexpensive and get relatively good gas mileage. Im buying a Honda or a Toyota next. No more Fords for me.

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  2001 ZX3 base 5 speed with A/C - 2001 Ford Focus
  By spudjack - June 18 - 9:37 pm

  Bought 4/02 with 7,800 miles. On 6/06 have 24,500 miles. So far have had 2 or 3 recalls done. Have letters for 2 or 3 service bulletins. Like my Focus but only rate this vehicle average. Problems so far faulty gas cap covered under warranty and the hood release under the dash board disintegrated and had to be replaced. Biggest complaint about this car is the a/c. It does not get very cold. Have dark interior and finally had the windows tinted to keep the heat down on hot days. Average 28-30 mpg in blended driving. Would buy a Focus ZX3 again but would have to be 2003 or newer.

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  very dissatisfied owner - 2001 Ford Focus
  By very unhappy owner - March 21 - 10:00 am

  i have had nothing but problems with the squeaky breaks since the first week of buying this car.i have had several sets of these put in. i have had to have a oxygen sensor put in and just this week have put a new battery and had my alternator redone. i wish i could say it is fixed but no,i find out now that there is a break somewhere that the fire isnt getting back and forth from the alternator to the battery. needless to say the car is now running on the battery only. so now what? help!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Focus a Lemon...Last Ford for me! - 2001 Ford Focus
  By RFMiller - January 5 - 6:21 pm

  I bought a 2001 Ford Focus in 2003 after hitting 185k on my Escort. I thought it was a cute car with great gas mileage (which was important because I commuted 1 1/2 hrs to graduate school everyday). The brake pads and rotors had to be replaced 3 times (Im not a fast driver, Ive only replaced the brakes once in my 99 Subaru). A spring in the front rusted out and for some reason wasnt included in the recall. The trunk latch was recalled, but no Ford dealer has the part. To make matters worse, the car all of a sudden started stalling and slipping gears. Now it wont go up hills (great to have in New England!) or accelerate. The car is useless for city driving. This car is a LEMON!

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  Dont buy this year - 2001 Ford Focus
  By Heather - December 20 - 9:02 pm

  Since I got this car I have had to replace a fuel pump (recall but still stunk), and am now having to mess with my transmission. I dont know if it is just my car or all 2001 Focuses, but I hate it.

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  Its costing me now - 2001 Ford Focus
  By laura4953 - October 22 - 3:31 pm

  This was the first car I ever bought. I researched it and got a fairly decent deal. However Ive had a lot of mechanical problems with it. It was at the dealer for a week cause it wouldnt start. And more recently it hss taken to not starting and sporadically stalling. I took it to 1 dealer and they claimed the stalling was from a faulty fuel pump and fixed it under warranty. Two weeks later it was still stalling and I took it to another dealer, because I moved, and its been there for over a month and they have no clue whats wrong with it. A real mind boggler they said. Ive spent a fortune in rental and repairs and its still broken. All I can say is Im never buying Ford again!

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  Not entirely happy - 2001 Ford Focus
  By cpence - June 13 - 11:17 am

  It has basically been a decent vehicle, but Ive already had to replace the rack and pinion and the cv joints. Not good for a car that new. Its not like I go off roading in it. Im pretty sure I wont buy another Ford. The Focus was my first and will be my last Ford. It does get good mileage for gas and runs well. Im just not impressed with it. Not a good car for taller men. Almost impossible to fit a baby car seat in the back. The seats arent comfortable either. They slump you forward.