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Ford recalls 36,000 Focuses in Canada

By Alex Ristic Oct 17, 2000

Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 351,000 of its year 2000 Focus cars in North America, for three different sets of problems, but the vehicles affected in Canada are relatively low in number.

The automaker states it has received 15 reports of rear wheel and brake drum assemblies separating from vehicles because of the loosening of a hub retaining nut that secures the rear wheel bearings. Only 36,044 Focuses in Canada are affected, and Ford states owners of the vehicles will be notified via mail soon.

Another recall concerning the Focus is the vehicle's cruise control cable, which the automaker is suggesting that owners take their car to a dealer and to have it inspected, and if necessary replaced. Ford has had 12 reports of the throttle sticking open following wide open throttle application. Only 4,351 vehicles are being recalled in Canada for cruise control cable problem.

The two problems overlap, as 4,351 Focus owners will receive two letters notifying them of both problems. A third Focus recall, concerning the A-pillar interior trim, does not affect Canadian consumers.

Ford states there have been no reports of accidents due to any of the conditions. The automaker states the owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by mail to arrange with their dealer to have the repairs completed at no charge.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), October 17, 2000

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Tuesday October 17 11:14 AM ET Ford Recalls 351,000 2000-Model Focus Small Cars

DEARBORN, Mich. (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F - news), already reeling from the Firestone tire recall, announced on Tuesday the recall of 351,000 2000-model Focus small cars for three safety issues.

The automaker said it had not received any reports of accidents because of the problems. The recalls affect virtually all of the 2000 model year production of the popular small cars Ford built in the United States and Mexico.

The Focus, Ford's top-selling small car, was introduced in the United States a year ago and was the 11th-best selling vehicle in this country through September, with sales of 225,239.

Ford, the world's No. 2 automaker, said it was recalling 260,390 Focus cars because of problems with the rear hub retaining nut, which can come loose and cause the wheel and brake drum assembly to separate. Ford has received 15 reports of the assemblies coming off the vehicle.

Ford also was recalling 33,225 Focus cars because the cruise control cable may fail, causing the throttle to stick in the wide-open position. There have been 12 reports of that problem.

Ford said it was recalling 351,102 of the cars so dealers can install new interior trim pieces next to both sides of the front windshield, called A-pillars. The change will bring the cars into compliance with new federal safety standards for interior head impact protection that started last year.

Ford spokesman Mike Vaughn said engineers made changes in other parts of the interior to improve head impact protection. But the alterations resulted in the A pillar falling out of compliance. The problem was discovered during testing by U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (news - web sites).

The car has had three previous recalls, two for emission-related parts and one for a throttle problem.

Ford has been caught in the recall of 6.5 million tires by Bridgestone Corp (news - web sites).'s (5108.T) Bridgestone/Firestone unit because most of the tires are on Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles.

Last week, a California judge ordered Ford to recall and fix up to 2 million vehicles because of an alleged design defect in an ignition component that can cause the vehicles to stall. Ford said it will appeal the order, the first time a judge has issued a recall order.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), October 17, 2000.