2000 Ford Focus complaints

BROKEN FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRING. EEDED TO REPLACE WITH NEW FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRINGS.*AK

WHILE GOING 65 MPH, A VEHICLE PULLED OFF THE RAMP IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO WORK. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *SC ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLES DIGITAL METERS WHERE BLINKING. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED THREE TIMES AND LANDED ON THE ROOF. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. ALL THE DIGITAL FIGURES ON THE DASH WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF. *TC *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS -- IGNITION KEY ASSEMBLY, HE IGNITION CORE FELL OUT OF MY DAUGHTERS FOCUS FOR THE SECOND TIME. THIS ASSEMBLY IS BEING WARRENTY REPLACED THIS SECOND TIME SINCE IT WAS DONE AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP SAYS OTHER ADJACENT COMPONENTS WERE DAMAGED (COSTING ~ $650). HAD THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY BEEN FIXED CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME, THERE IS NO WAY THE ADJACENT COMPONENTS COULD HAVE FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP LITHIA FORD OF TRI-CITIES (509-735-2511) , HAS REFUSED TO HONOR WARRENTY REPAIR OF THE ADJACENT COMPONENTS, WHICH IS RATHER DISTURBING. I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT SO HOPEFULLY FORD WILL SOMEDAY BE PUSHED INTO RECALLING THIS DEFECT IN ADDITION TO THE 11 OTHER DEFECTS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK ALL FOUR DOORS TO GAINED ENTRY INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT. *AK

THE IGNITION ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WILL NOT TURN. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS. A FORD TECHNICIAN SAID TO LIGHTLY TAP THE KEY THEN TRY TURNING THE IGNITION. THIS METHOD HAS SEEMED TO WORK. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO TAP HARDER AND HARDER TO THE POINT OF HURTING MY HAND FROM HITTING IT SO HARD. I'VE READ SEVERAL FORD INTERNET FORUMS WHERE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS IGNITIONS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.*JB

FOR SEVERAL WEEKS MY DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD ENGAGE SPORADICALLY. AT TIMES IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. FINALLY, THE DOOR OPENED WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AND WHILE MY THREE CHILDREN WERE OCCUPYING THE BACK SEATS! FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT BECAUSE WE USE SEAT BELTS. THE INTERIOR LATCH MECHANISM WAS REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE (276.18); HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC SAID TO KEEP OUR RECEIPTS BECAUSE HE HAD SEEN MANY SUCH CASES AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. TO DATE IT HAS NOT, AND IF THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. ALSO, THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF MAINTENANCE SO SUCH A YOUNG (4 YEAR OLD) CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS OR OTHERS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED. *JB

VEHICLE DID NOT START WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE SECOND TIME, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK

IGNITION KEY WONT WORK IN THE CAR IT WONT TURN. MY 19 YEAR DAUGHTER WAS LEAVING WORK WHEN SHE WENT TO START THE CAR IT WOULDN'T WORK. IT WAS DARK AND NOT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL PROBABLY WITH THE FORD FOCUS IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY FORD AND FIXED NOW! (2000 FORD FOCUS). *NM

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. IT APPEARS THAT THEY WILL FAIL EVERY 20,000 MILES. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY HAVE ADVISED ME THAT THEY CANNOT HELP AT THIS TIME. I ASSUMED WHEN I PURCHASED THIS CAR THAT IT WAS SAFE AND RELIABLE. I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT I WAS WRONG. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ANY CAR IN MICHIGAN WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED EVERY 20,000 MILES. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE THE RECALL WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE TIRE WAS SHAKING AND ALMOST FELL OF THE CAR. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED DURING THE RECALL. THE THIRD FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN MY DAUGHTER NOTICING A LOUD HUMMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. CUSTOMER CARE CENTER TWICE AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE CAR (68,000) THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO HELP ME AT THIS TIME. I ADVISED THEM THAT THE REPAIR WAS ONLY 20,000 MILES OLD. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THIS DOES NOT MATTER TO THEM. IF FORD HAD CORRECTLY FIXED THE PROBLEM, IN MY MIND, IT SHOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN EVERY 20,000 MILES. IF FORD IS JUST REPLACING THE PART WITH THE ORIGINAL DESIGN PART, IT WILL CONTINUE TO FAIL. I WOULD HATE TO SEE A DEATH OCCUR BECAUSE THIS DESIGN FLAW WAS NOT FIXED CORRECTLY. FORD IS ALSO STATING THAT WE MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE WE DID NOT 'PAY' FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THANK YOU.

AFTER STOPPING AT A LOCAL SAFEWAY SUPERMARKET I WENT TO MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE MY WHEEL WAS LOCKED SO I ATTEMPTED TO PULL ON THE WHEEL WHILE TURNING THE KEY BUT HAD NO LUCK. I TRIED THIS FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES BEFORE GIVING UP. I CONTACTED AAA ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 26 AND WAS TOLD A LOCKSMITH WILL BE OUT TO UNLOCK MY WHEEL. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM AAA EXPLAINING TO ME THAT THEY FELT A LOCKSMITH WOULD DO NO GOOD WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND IN AAA'S EXPERIENCE MY PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS A COMMON DEFECT AND I SHOULD HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER BECAUSE MY IGNITION WILL MOST LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALER MONDAY THE 27 AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY PERFORM THAT REPAIR ALL THE TIME, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2000AND 2001 FORD FOCUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, EVEN SOME THAT HAD THE STEERING MECHANISM LOCK WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE DECIDED TO HAVE MY OWN MECHANIC REPLACE THE IGNITION SYSTEM, BECAUSE DURRING RESEARCH I ALSO FOUND THAT THOSE THAT HAD THE IGNITION SYSTEM REPLACED AT A DEALER HAD A REACCURANCE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND CAR WON'T CRANK . THIS JUST HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN AND IT'S 17 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND ICY. *AK

1.) BRAKE LIGHT FLICKERED, BUT BRAKES WORKED, ON 40 MILE COMMUTE FROM WORK TO HOME. 2.) BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY (PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR) AS I STOPPED CAR IN MY GARAGE. INSPECTION REVEALED FRONT DRIVER BRAKE LINE CUT OPEN BY INNER PLASTIC WHEEL WELL COVER-I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES. LOST ALL FLUID IN UPPER RESOVOIR. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. 3.)BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED, PLASTIC WHEEL WELL COVER WAS TRIMMED AWAY FROM BRAKE LINE.*AK

THE KEY TO MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO USE IN MY IGNITION OVER THE PAST YEAR. AT TIMES IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 2 HOURS TO GET THE KEY TO WORK AND THE IGNITION STARTED. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE STRANDED WITH NO WAY OF GETTING HOME. FINALLY, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND A LENGTHY AMOUNT OF TIME LATER, SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY TURNED AND THE CAR STARTED. THE IGNITION CYLINDER IN MY VEHICLE IS NOW COMPLETELY BROKEN (OR SOMETHING SIMILAR). I AM UNABLE TO USE MY VEHICLE AT ALL NOW. AFTER TWO DAYS OF ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE KEY, IT HAS FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED YET, BUT I AM AWARE THAT A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER WILL NEED TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THIS WILL CONSIST OF TOWING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY OF STARTING THE CAR OR UNLOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL.*AK

AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED ON TWO DIFFERENT RECALLS VEHICLE PERFORMED POORLY. THE FIRST RECALL WAS FOR BATTERY WIRING CORROSION. CURRENTLY, THE BATTERY FAILED. THE SECOND WAS FOR THE PIN BOLT CONTROLS. STEERING WHEEL SHOOK, AND THE TWO LEFT FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR EXTENSIVE WEAR, AND A BLOW OUT. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, AND THE VEHICLE ALIGNED. HOWEVER, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO WEAR OUT, THE TIRES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO SOLUTION. NO RECALLS FOUND. *AK.....ALSO, WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH DECREASED POWER. CONSUMER OBJECTED TO PAYING FOR REPAIRS. *AK

TODAY, DURING A SNOWSTORM, I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT INSERT INTO THE IGNITION - THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO START THE CAR. I HAS TWO BABIES WITH ME, AND HAD TO CALL AAA. I HAVE CHECKED ON THE WEB AND THIS IS A HIGE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, YET THE FORD COMPANY WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL. IT IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE. THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE. I WAS STRANDED.*AK

PLEASE LOOK INTO THE FUEL SYSTEMS OF THE 2000 FORD FOCUS. MY SON AND HIS FRIEND WERE KILLED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON 12/8 IN DETROIT, MI. EARLY THAT MORNING, THEY STRUCK A FIRE HYDRANT AND THE CAR EXPLODED (BACK OF THE ENGINE FIRE). EARLIER, IN THE SUMMER OF 2004, I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR HOME, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND GONE IN THE HOUSE. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER. I CAME OUT TO GO TO DINNER WITH MY WIFE...THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN OVER. WHEN I GOT OUT, I FOUND GAS SPEWED ALL OVER THE STREET. I HOSED DOWN THE AREA, AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO BILL BROWN FORD-LIVONIA, MI. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, AND I WAS ASSURED THAT ALL WAS WELL. NOW, 5-6 MONTHS LATER, THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT THE ACCIDENT (HITTING THE HYDRANT) WASN'T MY SON'S DOING. HOWEVER, THE SPEED AT WHICH THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED (EST. AT 35 MPH) SHOULDN'T HAVE RESULTED IN A FUEL LINE BREAK AND FIRE. PLEASE CHECK INTO THE INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT REPORT NUMBER (DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT) IS [XXX]. THE VIN NUMBER OF THE CAR IS [XXX]. THE SERVICE RECORD AT BILL BROWN FORD WILL NOTE A LONG HISTORY OF FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, INCLUDING THE ISSUE NOTED ABOVE (GAS ON THE STREET). MORE THAN ANYTHING I WANT TO PREVENT ANOTHER TRAGEDY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *JB UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. ONE MINUTE IT WAS WORKING FINE, AND THE NEXT, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. ALSO, ONE MINUTE MY AUTOMATIC LOCKS WILL WORK, THEN MY CAR TOTALLY UN-PROGRAMMED ITSELF. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS HAS A DEFECTIVE IGNITION. THE CAR WILL LOCK UP AT ANY TIME. PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE IN MY CAR, NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. *JB

WHILE AT A STOP THE PISTONS DROPPED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

FORD FOCUS CONCERNING THE REAR DOOR LATCH FAILURE THAT ALLOWS THE DOOR TO OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *BF WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BOTH REAR DOORS WOULD OPEN. THE REAR HATCH OPENED ONCE PER WEEK. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE 14 MONTH OLD LATCHES WERE WORN OUT. *SC *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *JB THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. FORD SUGGESTED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS COVERED NOT THE IGNITION CYLINDER. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE KEY CYLINDER FAILED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD TO GET A REFUND FROM JANUARY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND THE REFUND WAS DENIED. THE VEHICLE PART WAS CHANGED AS A GOODWILL EFFORT BY FORD. *TC *JB

CONSUMER HAS CONTINUOUSLY REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS. TWICE ON THE REAR LEFT, AND THREE TIMES ON THE REAR RIGHT. THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ON A RECALL NUMBER 011017000 BEFORE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *NM AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ALTHOUGH IT ONLY HAD 27,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS RARELY DRIVEN YET THE REAR BEARINGS WEAR OUT EVERY 3000-5000 MILES. *NM

RECALL 03V482000 CONCERNING INTERMITTENT STALLING. MANUFACTURER IS NOT ALLOWING THE DEALER TO HONOR THIS RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS A BRANDED TITLE.*AK

FORD EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY ON REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE 2000 FORD FOCUS, BEACUSE OF PROBLEMS AND SAFETY ISSUES WHICH COULD LEAD TO BALL JOIONT SEPARATION WITH LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. MY VEHICLE IS NOW EXPERIENCING REAR WHEEL BEARING PROBLEMS, BUT FORD REFUSES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AT THEIR EXPENSE, BECAUSE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED.*AK

TRUNK LOCK MALFUNCTIONED, HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE LOCKING MECHANISM ($100) AFTER SEVERAL HOURS TRYING TO GAIN ACCESS INTO THE TRUNK, THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, THOUGHT IT NEEDS TO BE REPORTED HERE. THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE.*AK

THE LATEST IN A LONG LINE OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WAGON OCCURRED TODAY. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON YESTERDAY AND STAYED ON. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TODAY WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND MY AIRBAGS MAY NOT WORK AS A RESULT. THE COST OF REPAIR WILL BE $640. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, ROTORS, IGNITION SWITCH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ETC. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A CAR BEFORE. THE FORD FOCUS IS A LEMON AND IS UNSAFE. *AK

THE KEY WOULD TURN TO THE OFF POSITION AND THE CAR WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER, BUT SINCE IT WAS FIXED IN FEBRUARY OF 2004 IT HAS SINCE DONE THE SAME THINGS 2 MORE TIMES. THESE 2 TIMES, HOWEVER, THE CAR WOULD TURN OFF, BUT I COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO GO TO THE OFF POSITION AND I COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES AFTER THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER (ONCE IN NOVEMBER 2004 AND ONCE IN DECEMBER 2004). THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WON'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHEN I HAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER I DRIVE IT THERE THE KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT WAS FINE ALL SUMMER, AND IT SEEMS TO JUST DO THIS IN COLD WEATHER. HOWEVER, I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THAT MY RADIO IS STAYING ON AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, AND MY SEAT BELT LIGHT AND AND WARNING BUZZER ALSO DON'T WORK WHEN I HAVE THIS IGNITION PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED, AND CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE HEAD GASKET VALVE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS THAT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN TO IT AGAIN. APPROX. 2 YEARS AGO WE HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED BECAUSE THE MECHANISM HAD LOCKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO TURN THE KEY. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AND THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND WE THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR SOMETHING DESIGNATED TO ASSIST WITH THIS PROBLEM. A 2000 MODEL SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH ITS STEERING MECHANISMS. INFO BELOW IS APPROPRIATE TO LATEST INCIDENT. *AK

I HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENTLY WAITING FOR FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THEIR IGNITION SYSTEM. IT IS VERY PATHETIC. BOTH OF MY FORD FOCUS VEHICLES HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I USED THE CARS IN A NORMAL FASHION FOR OVER 4 YEARS. AT THE END OF YEAR 3 THE KEYS IN BOTH MY FOCUS CARS STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY LEAVING STRANDED AT WORK ONE TIME. I HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH WHO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT CYLINDER WILL LIKELY FAIL AGAIN AS IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OVERALL DESIGN OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM FROM FORD. I PAID OVER $300 FOR THIS PROBLEM AND NOW AM EXPERIENCING THIS HELL AGAIN IN YEAR 4.5. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH FORD NOW AND HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY RECALL. BOTH MY CARS CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THESE KEY PROBLEMS AND ARE BECOMING ALMOST UNUSABLE AT THIS POINT. *JB

UPON PLACING KEY INTO IGNITION, THE CHAMBER FAILS TO TURN TO START AND TURN AT ALL. HAD TO CALL AAA TO GET VEHICLE TOWED. DRIVER OF TOW TRUCK WAS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SPECIFIC TO A FORD FOCUS. HE WAS ABLE TO TAP THE STEERING COLLAR AND THE LOCK UNBOUND. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE WHEEL NEEDING A SLIGHT TURN. THE CYLINDER APPARENTLY OVER TIME WEARS CAUSING THE IGNITION LOCK TO BIND. HE SAID IT MIGHT HELP PUTTING SOME WD 40 ON THE KEY BUT THE LOCK WAS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM THAT WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I HAVE SEEN MANY INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM, IN THE HUNDREDS. *JB

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING TERRIBLE PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION. SEVERAL DOZEN TIMES I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO START MY CAR OR IT HAS TAKEN ME A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME TO BE ABLE TO START THE CAR. I TOLD MY LOCAL FORD DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $300 TO FIX THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, HE TOLD ME THAT I WAS THE FOURTH PERSON THAT HAD CALLED HIM THAT VERY SPECIFIC DAY REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER FOCUS'. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE POSTING COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME FOR A RECALL. *JB

CONSUMER PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE AND KEY WOULDN'T TURN. CONSUMER CALLED FORD, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION TUMBLER WAS BAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *AK

CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS DUE TO VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS DEFECTIVE BEFORE RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE FROM MANUFACTURER. (NAR) *LA

THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. IGNITION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAS HAPPENED, AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED EACH TIME.*AK

STEERING COLUMN IGNITION LOCK. KEY INSERTED AND WON'T COME OUT, CAN'T TURN KEY - NO STEERING, NO POWER.*AK

2000 FORD FOCUS. IGNITION LOCKS, PUT KEY IN IGNITION BUT KEY WILL NOT TURN, NO MATTER WHAT IS DONE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE.*AK

ONCE I PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS IT DOESN'T ALWAYS TURN. I HAVE TO PLAY AROUND WITH IT FOR A MINUTE OR TWO BEFORE I GET IT TO TURN OVER AND START MY CAR. I FEAR SOON THAT IT WON'T WORK AT ALL AND I'LL BE STUCK SOME PLACE. I'VE KNOWN OF MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR FOCUS'S. PEOPLE HAVE HAD A DEALERSHIP FIX IT, ONLY TO HAVE IT START DOING IT AGAIN WITH IN A MONTH LATER AND SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS LESS.*AK

I BROUGHT MY 2000 FOCUS BRAND NEW. YESTERDAY, WENT TO A MEETING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY. I WAS THE LAST TO LEAVE AND MY KEY WOULD ONLY GO HALF WAY INTO THE IGNITION. NO MATTER OF WIGGLING WOULD GET IT TO BUDGE. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION: TOTAL COST 394.41 WITH TOWING. LEARNED FROM A FRIEND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A TECHICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS FOR YEARS. OF COURSE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRENTY. BUT I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD AND ASKING FOR A "GOOD WILL' REMBURSMENT TO COVER COSTS. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE MAJOR NETWORKS FOR INVESTIGATION. *AK

MY IGNITION LOCKED LEAVING ME STRANDED. I HAVE TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON LOOKING THROUGH WEBSITES (WWW.EDMUNDS.COM, WWW.AUTOWHIZ.COM), I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE WERE OVER 200 RESPONSES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. SOMEONE FROM A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TRIED TO GET THE KEY TO TURN AND COULD NOT. HE SAID HE HAD WORKED FOR FORD FOR 38 YEARS AND BELIEVED THAT THE CYLINDER WAS THE PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN A NUMBER OF EARLY FORD FOCUSES (MINE IS 2000) HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE FOCUS. THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 12 RECALLS ON THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIPS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT UNCOOPERATIVE. I'VE FOUND THAT DEALERS DO NOT WANT TO HONOR THE RECALLS, ESPECIALLY IF A RENTAL CAR COMES WITH IT. THEY DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS RECALLED UNLESS I EXHIBITED PROBLEMS EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN RECALLED. FOCUS OWNERS ARE SPENDING UPWARDS OF $350 ON THE IGNITION REPAIR ALTHOUGH IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK

IGNITION KEY FAILS TO TURN IN LOCK CYLINDER. STEERING WHEEL CANNOT BE MOVED OR UNLOCKED WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN STRANDED AND TOWED TO FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR 3 TIMES ( AT 22000, 37254 & 43000 MILES) NOW. INOPERATIVE LOCK CYLINDER WAS DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED IN EACH CASE. I WAS CHARGED $287.00 FOR THE SECOND REPAIR (PLUS TOWING) BECAUSE IT "WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY".*AK

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN ON. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO START. THE KEYS WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. A LOCK SMITH INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLE, AND WAS CAUSED BY THE IGNITION CHIP FREEZING UP. HE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION BECAUSE OF PAST EXPERIENCES. AFTER THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED THE PARTS FAILED AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE SAME FAILURE.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP. *AK

WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION A RUBBING SOUND WAS PRODUCED. THE DEALER STATED THE FRONT STRUTS NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. *JB THE SPRINGS WERE BROKE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. 2 STRUTS, 2 SPRINGS, 2 SWAY BAR LINKS AND ALIGNED THE FRONT END WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 03V482000; FORD ISSUED A STALLING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT OPERATE WELL. THE BULB AND SWITCH WERE CHANGED, BUT STILL THERE WAS NO CHANGE.*AK

IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN, WHEN ATTEMPING TO START THE VEHICLE. REPLACED IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER. R/R FUEL DELIVERY MODULE. *BF *TC

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SE HAS FAULTY REAR DOOR LATCHES. THEY WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. THEY STARTED TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO LATCH IN 2003. FORD WAS NOTIFIED BUT REFUSED TO PAY FOR FIXING THE DOORS. NOW I USE BUNGEE CORDS TO KEEP THE DOORS CLOSED WHILE DRIVING.*AK

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS LX AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITIONS SWITCH TWICE DUE TO MY IGNITION LOCKING AND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO START MY CAR. ON SATURDAY,NOVMEBER 27,2004, I BEGAN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN, I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO MY HOME THAT EVENING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A LOCKSMITH, THE TOW GUY AND OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND EVEN A PERSON WHO WORKS FOR FORD. *AK

I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE BUT I AM UNABLE TO START IT NOW. THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN AND IT IS LOCKED INTO ONE POSITION. I CANNOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE IGNITION IS LOCKED. I PLAN TO CALL THE LOCKSMITH AND/OR DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ON MONDAY. *AK