this sounds just like my story
Gearing up for CLASS ACTION!
I have a 2001 Ford Focus. It has been a fairly good car since we purchased it in January of 2001. However, that all changed this past weekend. On Friday, April 26, 2002, I first heard the grinding sound you are all so familiar with. I didn't think it could possibly be my brakes given I only have 14,800 miles on my car. The Ford Focus service manual recommendations doesn't indicate any brake checks or brake service until 15,000 miles. Just like everyone else, I took my car back to the dealer (Worthington Ford in Long Beach, CA) and was told, much like everyone else, that it was basically my problem regardless of what their manual specified. They wanted to charge me $500 to replace the brake pads and both rotors. I politely declined and inquired as to why this service was not covered under my warranty. I was told that "normal wear and tear is not covered under warranty." I then replied that this type of major wear and damaged rotors is not "normal wear and tear and that there must be some other problem causing this unusual wear and tear leading to the damaged rotors." I was told by the dealership service rep that the brakes just don't last on these cars and that the manual is "wrong" with respect to the first check being at 15,000 miles. The dealership manager and the Ford Motor Company told me that there was no known problem with this car and it was my problem to fix. They even had the nerve to charge me a $32 diagnostic fee before they would let me have my car back. Sorry. I am not satisfied with this response. So, tomorrow morning while I'm having my brakes and rotors replaced at my own expense, I will be doing some research into starting a class action lawsuit. After perusing this site, I feel that there are probably enough people effected by this problem that we might be able to initiate a class action lawsuit. If anyone is interested in pursuing this, please email me at MelissaEcker20@hotmail.com. Once I have compiled the necessary information I will forward same to those who request it. There is definitely power in numbers and I intend to get some results.
Thanks for your time and attention.
Melissa E
Long Beach, California
ClassAction@FordFocusBrakeProblems.com
I have a 2001 Ford Focus. It has been a fairly good car since we purchased it in January of 2001. However, that all changed this past weekend. On Friday, April 26, 2002, I first heard the grinding sound you are all so familiar with. I didn't think it could possibly be my brakes given I only have 14,800 miles on my car. The Ford Focus service manual recommendations doesn't indicate any brake checks or brake service until 15,000 miles. Just like everyone else, I took my car back to the dealer (Worthington Ford in Long Beach, CA) and was told, much like everyone else, that it was basically my problem regardless of what their manual specified. They wanted to charge me $500 to replace the brake pads and both rotors. I politely declined and inquired as to why this service was not covered under my warranty. I was told that "normal wear and tear is not covered under warranty." I then replied that this type of major wear and damaged rotors is not "normal wear and tear and that there must be some other problem causing this unusual wear and tear leading to the damaged rotors." I was told by the dealership service rep that the brakes just don't last on these cars and that the manual is "wrong" with respect to the first check being at 15,000 miles. The dealership manager and the Ford Motor Company told me that there was no known problem with this car and it was my problem to fix. They even had the nerve to charge me a $32 diagnostic fee before they would let me have my car back. Sorry. I am not satisfied with this response. So, tomorrow morning while I'm having my brakes and rotors replaced at my own expense, I will be doing some research into starting a class action lawsuit. After perusing this site, I feel that there are probably enough people effected by this problem that we might be able to initiate a class action lawsuit. If anyone is interested in pursuing this, please email me at MelissaEcker20@hotmail.com. Once I have compiled the necessary information I will forward same to those who request it. There is definitely power in numbers and I intend to get some results.
Thanks for your time and attention.
Melissa E
Long Beach, California
ClassAction@FordFocusBrakeProblems.com