[silvermike]

Not really first year stuff. Really just new car stuff. Some of this is rush as many out the door to make the quarter stuff. Some supplier or Chrysler changing specs and not communicating it stuff. Some accountant trying to save a dime per part stuff. Some bored worker stuff.

My point is there is so much stuff that can go wrong it amazes me we have come to expect zero defects and usually get close to it. Right now I would say of the cars I have purchased in the past twenty years the Patriot is running better than average. Better than any of the American, Australian, and German cars and equal to the Japanese cars.

 

[silvermike]

More on Q.C. ...Just as a follow on since I received an almost new 2004 Ford Focus from my father I have experienced 3 random incidents where while stopping the engine has revved to about 3000-3500 rpm and the brakes have experienced partial failure similar to a master cylinder going bad. These have all ended without incident.

I so far have the dealer who under the warranty cannot find or duplicate the problem and chalks it up to me mistaking the brake pedal for the itsy bitsy little gas pedal.

After traveling for 3 weeks where the car was parked it did it again to a lesser degree this week. TELL ME ABOUT DEFECTS.

Now my son has reached the point of being legally able to obtain a learners permit and this is the car he will use and eventually be given. I suppose one learns to drive carefully when they don't know if or when the brakes will fail.

Anyone have any ideas on this minor mechanical defect?

 

[silvermike]

dougep, Yup I know I hijacked this thread but to prove a point. Most new cars have problems. As long as there are not a bunch of little ones or a major one it is good to keep things in perspective.

To be honest I don't know if the Focus is fly-by-wire but doubt it. I was off the gas completely with my foot vertical just to the right of dead center on the brakes this last time (yes I had the time to observe). Not sure if the throttle cable is sticking but a good idea. But would vacuum drop off that much? I used to left foot brake when I wanted to keep the revs up on an automatic and could keep a small block in place at 4000+ rpm with my left foot standing on the brake. Now I know a Focus is a true performance car but not being able to stop while I try to bench press 500 lbs. on the pedal?

The last two times this happened I had my hand on the transmission and would've thrown it into neutral if necessary. The first time I was surprised. This most recent incident I was more curious as it was a safe situation. I wonder if the engine rocks on it's mount and simultaneously kinks the throttle and pinches the brake line?