Focus Secret Warranty - 2000-2004 Ford Focus Rear Tire Wear

BlackFSVT · Oct 18, 2003

17 October 03

Ford Motor Company told dealers that they may need to replace the rear upper control arms on Ford Focus models. The models include: 2000 through 2004 Focus Sedan, Wagon, ZX3 and ZX5 series.

According to Ford, consumers have been experiencing more than normal wear to the inside of the rear tire(s). Should owners experience such a condition, then they should bring their vehicle in to a Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership for a possible adjustment. Ford will check the rear camber and, if possible, make an adjustment. If an adjustment is needed; however, cannot be made due to the rear camber being beyond the negative end of the specification, then the dealership will need to replace the rear upper control arm(s).

The Ford Motor Company parts service kit required for this replacement is 3S4Z-1A154-AA. Ford will perform the replacement of parts under provisions of the bumper to bumper warranty under TSB T31305.

This is considered a "silent recall" where upon Ford may NOT notify owners of this condition.

Owners are advised to have their vehicles inspected before the warranty period expires.

It's your money - demand a better product and Ford will listen.

From BlueOvalNews

Edit to add: Ahh just seen someone posted it in Suspension too.

FriendlyFocus · Oct 18, 2003

Damn... I have this problem on the right side in the rear but I have suspension mods... -3+ degrees camber on one side

methknome · Oct 18, 2003

same with my car, my friend spun my car out on the freeway in the rain because of the rear camber. Luckily the car didn't hit anything....then ford said the heavy wear on the rear was normal

MichaelXi · Oct 18, 2003

I call BS on Spinning out "Because of the Rear Camber".
It was because of Over-Driving it.
Too much negative camber in the rear would work to Prevent a spin, not induce one.

whiskeytangofoxtrot · Oct 18, 2003

I LOVE ALL THE CAMBER.

Ever check out the back of a 3 series?

focusonentrtnmnt2 · Oct 18, 2003

I have very serious question about this.

In August I took my 2002 Sedan to the shop because of the rear tire wear.
Ended up with 4 new tires, front and rear alignment, and a Camber Kit for 500 bucks.
The shop said the wear was because of the Eibach sportlines that I have installed.
Well since im still under warranty, could I possibly go up to the Ford Dealership and demand reimbersmant?

ZX3 Canuck · Oct 18, 2003

Good luck getting this done if you have any suspension mods or aftermarket wheels and tires.

Jimmy · Oct 18, 2003

Can they diagnose it by any means besides checking the tires for wear? My rotation schedule hasnt been very good, so all my tires are pretty screwed.

cfvwtuner · Oct 18, 2003

I'll belive it when I actually see it. There is no such thing as a "secret warranty" Never has been, never will be.
Being a service advisor at a FORD dealer, I hav not heard of this yet....

BowDown · Oct 18, 2003

I'll belive it when I actually see it. There is no such thing as a "secret warranty" Never has been, never will be.
Being a service advisor at a FORD dealer, I hav not heard of this yet....

Ya as far as Fords Service Dept. in general there is no such thing as a warranty. They will find something stupid to deny coverage with. "your aftermarket valvestem caps caused the tire to ware uneven". I can see it now.

Ollie18 · Oct 18, 2003

Ya as far as Fords Service Dept. in general there is no such thing as a warranty. They will find something stupid to deny coverage with. "your aftermarket valvestem caps caused the tire to ware uneven". I can see it now.

yeah - sounds very familiar...'we can't repair your door locks under warranty cuz you mofidied your engine', but would repair it if the cost were covered...

STFU

but I guess after calling Ford and sending a couple letters sayin that legal action will be taken, all of the sudden they could take care of it...Bunch of thieves!

I want an SVT Focus · Oct 18, 2003

So this is why when I look at my rear tires from the back they don't look straight up and down? An alignment didn't seem to change it. I just got rid of my firehawks and I'm right at the end of my warranty so I guess I can't prove anything. I didn't look at my old tires too hard but I did look at the wear a bit before I got rid of them an didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. So I guess its not too bad.

63330 · Oct 19, 2003

This is old news, we knew about this for atleast 3 months now. If you dont have this problem, you will not get the TSB done, you have to show some signs of inner tire wear on stock suspension.

2001_Yellow_zx3 · Oct 19, 2003

I just got done taking my car to a tire place so they could do a rear alignment on my car. my tires are tore up from the alignment I had.

libman · Oct 20, 2003

I have actually had this recall procedure done on my car. I had to fight with the dealer over it. I took it in to have them look at it and they told me that a belt had slipped inside the tire and I would have to take it to a Firestone store since Ford no longer supplies Firestone tires on their vehicles. I took it to Firestone and they told me that it was because of the alignment. Then I went back to the dealer and showed them the info from Firestone. I actually had to show the dealer the Service Bulletin for them to believe me about the recall. Then, they decided to split the cost of the repair and new tire with Firestone. It took about 3 weeks but I finally got it done.

Read this post:

http://www.focaljet.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB28&Number=653950&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

Focus Secret Warranty - 2000-2004 Ford Focus Rear Tire Wear

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