2000 Ford Focus complaints

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS A DEFECTIVE LEFT REAR DOOR LATCH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY DEALER, LIGHTHOUSE FORD IN FALMOUTH, MA, EXAMINED THE LATCH AND ADVISED THAT IT WAS "RUSTED" BEYOND REPAIR AND THAT A REPLACEMENT LATCH, COSTING OVER $200, WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. SINCE THE DOOR SOMEHOW SEEMS TO SECURE ITSELF (WITHOUT THE FUNCTION OF THE LATCH), I OPTED NOT TO INSTALL A NEW LATCH AT MY EXPENSE. IS THE DOOR A HAZARD? PLEASE ADVISE. *AK

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAME OPEN ON IT'S OWN (WITH A CHILD IN THE BACK), SAFETY LOCKS WERE ENGAGED AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION FROM THE SENSOR LIGHT THAT THE DOOR WAS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY. SOON AFTERWARDS I BEGAN HAVING MORE FREQUENT DIFFICULTY GETTING SAME DOOR TO STAY LATCHED. DOOR IS NOW INOPERABLE AS IT WILL NOT LATCH ONCE OPENED. THE OTHER THREE DOORS DO NOT LATCH SMOOTHLY AND I OFTEN HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING THE TRUNK TO LATCH PROPERLY. ON ONE OF MY NUMEROUS RECALL TRIPS TO THE SERVICE CENTER, I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE DOORS AND WAS TOLD NO. SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED BUT NEITHER CAN I SAFELY TRANSPORT ANYONE IN THE REAR SEAT. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. THE ENTIRE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED!*AK

CAR STALLS AT LOW AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH NO WARNING. FUEL PUMP HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL PROGRAM. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS AND PRIOR TO THE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. FOLLOWING PUMP REPLACEMENT IT STOPPED FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW IS OCCURING AGAIN WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY.*AK

IGNITION PROBLEM. TRIED TO START CAR WITH KEY BUT WILL NOT START. AT FIRST, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO IN BUT FINALLY GOT KEY IN BUT CAR DIDN'T START. MY KEY WAS DAMAGED ALITTLE FROM THE IGNITION. SINCE MECHANICS ARE ON STRIKE IN ST. LOUIS, MAYBE HARD TO GET FIXED. CALLED SUNTRUP FORD AND THEY SAID NOT COVERED AND NOT RECALLED SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST TO FIX.*AK

AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND WAS TOLD THE SERVICE COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE OF A BRANDED TITLE. PREVIOUS RECALL SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED.*AK

CONSUMER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS. CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED AT 45,000 MILES. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE AT 76,000 MILES THE SIGNALS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. *AK THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING. *NM

AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR IN JAN OF 2000. I HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP 3 DAYS AFTER FOR A LINKAGE PROBLEM. I WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE AND REVERSING IN DRIVE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN QUITE A FEW TIMES SINCE THEN FOR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, FOR IT NOT ACCELERATING WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY, AND FOR IT ACCELERATING FOR NO REASON AT ALL. EACH TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THAT WAS NORMAL. WHICH I KNOW IT WAS NOT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN IN OTHER 2000 FORD FOCUS' AND THEY ARE ANY WHERE AS LOUD AS MINE IS AND THEY DO NOT TAKE OFF LIKE MINE DOES, AND THE PICK UP SPEED IS WONDERFUL. I AM AWARE THAT THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED NEAR THAT DATE THAT ARE OR WERE ON RECALL. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD LOOK INTO THIS, SO I CAN GET IT FIXED BEFORE ANY ONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER CLOSED THE DOOR, AND THE DOOR REOPENED ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER WENT OUT TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION AND LOCKED IN PLACE. NO MATTER HOW MUCH CONSUMER TRIED THE KEY WOULD NOT MOVE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CYLINDER AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

REAR PASSENGER DOOR ON THE LEFT SIDE LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN, EITHER FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LOCKS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, AND IT WILL COST IN EXCESS OF 500.00 FOR REPAIRS. *AK THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS WORKING WITH THE LEFT REAR DOOR. THE SWITCH HAD COME LOOSE AND THE LEFT DOOR WAS CURRENTLY WORKING. THE RIGHT DOOR WAS STILL FAILING. NO ELECTRICAL POWER SWITCHES WERE WORKING ON THE DOORS. SIX FUSES WERE REPLACED. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WERE STILL NOT REPAIRED. THE DOOR PROBLEM OCCURRED TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. *SC *JB

IGNITION LOCKS ON FOCUS ARE FAULTY. I HAVE HAD MINE REPLACED EVERY 25 MONTHS SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE. FORD REFUSES TO COVER THE IGNITION LOCK EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE MANAGERS ALL KNOW ABOUT THIS BEING FAULTY. FORD CLAIMS IGNORANCE, THAT THEY ARE UNAWARE OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM, I HAVE PERFORMED THE MOST RUDIMENTARY RESEARCH THAT SHOWS OTHERWISE AND IF I REALLY SPEND TIME, I ONLY IMAGINE WHAT I WILL FIND. <HTTP://WWW.TALKABOUTAUTOS.COM/GROUP/ALT.AUTOS.FORD.FOCUS/MESSAGES/29566.HTML> <HTTP://WWW.FOCALJET.COM/UBBTHREADS/SHOWFLAT.PHP?CAT=&NUMBER=635761&PAGE=0&VIEW=COLLAPSED&SB=5&O=&FPART=1> <HTTP://WWW.TALKABOUTAUTOS.COM/GROUP/ALT.AUTOS.FORD.FOCUS/MESSAGES/27215.HTML> THANKS!*AK

WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ONE DAY I NOTICED A RATCHETING SOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ANTIFREEZE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. ALL OF WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE WATER UMP, BULLEY AND GASKET. MY CAR ONLY HAD 38,000 MILES.*AK

WHEN GETTING INTO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK ONE DAY THE KEY WOULDN'T GO INTO THE IGNITION ALL THE WAY. MY VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. *AK

PURCHASED 2000 FORD FOCUS 7/2000 2/00 SAFETY RECALL ON REAR WHEEL BEARINGS INDICATES LOUD GRINDING CLUNKING NOISE. 1/01 RECALL ON THE A-PILLAR TRIM PANELS COMPLAINED ABOUT MY REAR BRAKES SQUEAKING CAUSEWAY FORD MANAHAWKIN NJ FOUND NOTHING HOWEVER THEY REPLACED REAR BRAKES AND ROTATED TIRES 10/01 RECALL WIPER MOTOR PACK I COMPLAINED ABOUT FRONT BRAKES SQUEAKING FORD CLEANED AND DEGLAZED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND DID ANOTHER TIRE ROTATION 12/01 RECALL REAR WHEEL BEARINGS CONSTANT WOBBLE AND GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR TIRES SQEAK CONTINUES ON BRAKES 6/02 HUMMING NOISE FROM TIRES ROAD TEST CONFIRMS NOISE COMING FROM FRONT LEFT TIRE THEY ROTATED MY TIRES NOISE CONTINUES FORD SAY I NEED NEW TIRES I AM AT 31,000 MILES 7/02 GOT A FLAT FIRESTONE REPAIRED PATCHED TIRE WAS "OK" 8/02 POWER STEERING PUMP TO BE REPLACED 10/02 CONTINUING LOUD NOISE IN REAR TRACED TO FAILED BEARING FORD SAYS THEY DID SERVICE ON A PREVIOUS RECALL. 10/02 LOUD HUMMING NOISE IN FRONT FORD INSPECTION REVEALED A CHOPPY TIRE THEY ROTATED TIRES FRONT TO BACK 10/02 AT 38,400 MILES PURCHASED 4 FIRESTONE TIRES 3/03 RECALL PINCH BOLT 5/03 BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK, GRIND, TURNS OUT FRONT ROTORS ARE SHOT AT 48,000 MILES REPLACED FRONT ROTORS COMPLETE FRONT DISC BRAKE JOB BENDIX BY TRANZ CONNECTION 8/03 ALTERNATOR TO BE REPLACED CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING, STUCK IN MASS. FOR 4 DAYS PRECISION AUTO BODY. 12/03 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DOESNT GO OUT BROUGHT TO FIRESTONE NEED TO RESET COMPUTER 12/03-12/04 CAR IS STALLING CLOSE TO 1/4 OF A

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK RECALL# 02V288000. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT APART OF THIS RECALL. THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WAS FOUND ROUTED IMPROPERLY. *SC *JB

BOTH REAR DOOR LATCHES FAILED. AS A RESULT, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FLEW OPEN. *AK CHILDREN WERE IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN THE DOORS FLEW OPEN. THE DOOR WOULD NOT RE-LATCH. *SC *JB

HESITATION WITH ACCELERATION, STALLING.

1. NO INDICATION THAT FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME. 2. FAILING DOOR-ACTUATOR. 3. CONSEQUENCES: DOOR CANNOT BE OPEN AT ALL, KEY, INSIDE/OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CAN BE OPERATED BUT WILL NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE REMOTE OPENER IS RENDERED USELESS. THERE IS NO PRIOR WARNING IT HAPPENS ALL AT ONCE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THIS VEHICLE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. MY DAUGHTER WHO IS EIGHT MONTH PREGNANT HAD TO CRAWL OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE (IN 96 DEGREES WEATHER). QUITE A CHORE IN A SMALL CAR LIKE THIS. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX THIS UNDER WARRANTY AND EXPECTS ME TO PAY $574.00 FOR THE REPAIR. IN ORDER TO GET TO THE MECHANISM I WAS TOLD THEY MOST LIKELY WILL HAVE TO BREAK OUT THE DOOR PANEL, WHICH WOULD ALSO BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. IN MY 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING TO ANY OF THE CARS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING. FIRST OF ALL - IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IT IS THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY. EVEN IF THE REMOTE ACCESS FAILS, ONE SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY. THE KEY WILL TURN COUNTER-CLOCKWISE TO THE 10 O'CLOCK POSITION AND CLOCKWISE TO THE 1 O'CLOCK POSITION. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND WAS BRUSHED OFF (OUT OF WARRANTY). ALSO,THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT FORD DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD. I ASKED FOR THE NAME OF THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DOOR ACTIVATOR AND WAS DENIED THIS INFORMATION. THEN I ASKED TO TALK TO THE NEXT PERSON

LIKE MANY FORD FOCUSES, MY IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED. MY KEY RING IS NOT EXCESSIVELY HEAVY, NOR AM I ABUSIVE WITH MY VEHICLE--THE SPRING ASSEMBLY INSIDE THE ILC IS JUST A POORLY DESIGNED PIECE OF CRAP, AND RATHER THAN PAY THE QUOTED PRICE I SUCCESSFULLY REPLACED THE PROBLEM BY DRILLING OUT THE OLD LOCK AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ILC. FORD HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM AND THOUSANDS OF FOCUS OWNERS HAVE SUFFERED A SIMILAR BREAKDOWN. IT'S A CRAP PART AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A STURDIER PART AT NO EXPENSE TO THE CONSUMER, AND THOSE OF US WHO HAVE SUFFERED BREAKDOWNS TO DATE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR OUR REPAIR COSTS.*AK

I HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. I TURNED INTO MY PARKING SPACE AND HEARD A SUDDEN CLUNK. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING THAT BROKE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IF RIGHT ONE NEEDED TO BE REPLACE, THE LEFT ONE ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH A FRONT AND BACK END ALIGNMENT. IT IS A GOOD THING THAT THIS DID OT HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY, AS THE COIL SPRING COULD HAVE PUNCTURED MY TIRE AND RESULTED IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT.*AK

BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEED REPAIR. LOUD NOISES FROM THE WHEEL BEARINGS. BREAKS NEEDED REPAIR AT 35,000 MILES (GRINDING). EW TIRES AT 40,000 MILES (BOTH FRONT AND BACK). *AK I HEARD ON CAR TALK THAT WHEELS OF THE EARLIER MODELS OF FORD FOCUS'S ACTUALLY FALL OFF!

THE TRANSMISSION JUST SUDDENLY WENT ON OUR VEHICLE WITH 41000. THIS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. *AK

VEHICLE'S BACK DOORS OPEN WHILE THE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. THEY ARE AUTOMATIC LOCKS, AND THEY STILL FLY OPEN. SOMEONE HAS TO SIT IN THE REAR TO KEEP THE DOORS FROM OPENING.*AK

THE CONSUMER HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AND IT WENT OUT AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION A SECOND TIME WITHOUT INFORMING THE CONSUMER THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AGAIN.*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE TO START THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

A MINOR ACCIDENT OCCURED IN A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WAS TRAVELLING AT APPROX. 10 MPH AND HIT THE REAR END OF ANOTHE CAR WHICH WAS STATIONERY. THE AIRBAGS INFLATED AND CAUSED MINOR INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. A NEW WINDSCREEN IS NEEDED, NEW AIRBAGS NEED TO BE INSTALLED AND THERE MAY BE MORE AS YET UNDIAGNOSED DAMAGE. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE INFLATED AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BY RIGHTS COVER THE COSTS OF ALL DAMAGES TO THE CAR RELATED TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS.*AK

IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. BUT ON ONE OCCASION WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES NOW, I HAVE TRIED TO START MY 2000 FORD FOCUS, AND THE KEY EITHER WILL NOT INSERT COMPLETELY OR IT WILL NOT TURN IN THE SWITCH.*AK

CAME OUT OF WORK AFTER CLOSING UP AT 9:30 PM. AT FIRST, KEY WOULD ONLY GO INTO IGNITION HALF WAY.AFTER A LITTLE JIGGLING KEY WENT IN THE REST OF THE WAY BUT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL, AND STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED. AFTER A HALF HOUR OF TRYNG I GAVE UP AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER(JOHN LANCE FORD - WESTLAKE, OHIO) BECAUSE THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS OPEN TILL MIDNIGHT. ON THE RIDE THERE THE TOWTRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME HE PICK UP SEVERAL FOCUS'S A WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HEARD THE SAME THING FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DEALER. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION TUMBLER AND STEERING COLUMN IGNITION LOCK AT A TOTAL COST OF $331.52 TO ME SINCE IT WAS NOT COVERED. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND WITH FORD SINCE I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED. I HAVE NEVER HEARD A RESPONSE FROM EITHER SINCE. I FEEL THIS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE I WAS STRANDED AT NIGHT, BUT I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE AAA AND A CELLPHONE. I FEEL SORRY FOR THOSE THAT DON'T. THIS IS AN UNBELIEVABLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 FOCUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL, AND WE SHOULD ALL BE REIMBURSED.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE POWER ACCESSORIES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE INEFFECTIVE, THE KEY WON'T WORK IN THE DOOR. THE DOORS DID NOT OPEN MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE, THE HATCH BUTTON FROM THE INSIDE WILL NOT WORK EITHER. ONCE THE ACTUATOR FROZE, IT BLEW A FUSE, PREVENTING THE DOORS FROM OPENING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS. SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE CAR. IN THE PAST I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO JIGGLE THE KEY AND STERRING WHEEL TO GET IT STARTED. ON 7/14/2004, THE SAME THING OCCURRED, BUT I NEVER HAD ANY SUCCESS WITH TURNING IT AT ALL. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALSO LOCKED UP. I INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS WAS VERY COMMON ON FORD FOCUS, ESPECIALLY 2000. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND HAD REPAIRS DONE AT ED KELNLEY FORD IN LAYTON, UTAH COSTNG $461.01.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 00V302000 CONCERNING CRUISE CONTROL. A SPEED CONTROL CABLE COULD HAVE A CORE WIRE THAT IS LONG ENOUGH TO CATCH ON THE SLEEVE AT THE THROTTLE BODY END OF THE CABLE DURING WIDE-OPEN THROTTLE ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. HOWEVER, THEY INDICATED SORRY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDE IN THIS RECALL.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY, RESULTING ONCE IN A CRASH. *AK

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS COUPE WITH 119000 MILES. ALTHOUGH THIS IS HIGH MILEAGE, MY NORMAL DRIVE IS 30-60 MILES. ON 7-27-04 I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE TOW DRIVER FROM AAA WAS ALSO INITIALLY UNSUCCESSFUL, BUT AFTER CONSULTING WITH A LOCKSMITH HE SAID THAT THE LOCK TUMBLERS WERE STUCK; HE GOT IT TO TURN BY HITTING THE BUTT OF THE KEY. THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT SOMETHING TO CONTINUE DOING, SO I TOOK THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING TO FORD OF UPLAND, WHERE THE SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THEY HAD SEEN MANY FOCUSES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THERE HAD BEEN A SERVICE MEMO FROM FORD AND HE SAID NO. NOT WANTING TO RISK THE CAR HAVING A DISABLED IGNITION WHILE AN HOUR FROM HOME, I HAD THE DEALER INSTALL A NEW IGNITION FOR $318. HOWEVER, I TOLD HIM THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I'D EVER SEEN A PROBLEM WITH AN IGNITION SWITCH ON ANY CAR I'VE OWNED, INCLUDING THE LAST THREE CARS I'VE OWNED, WHICH ALL LASTED OVER 160000 MILES, AND THAT EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAD A LOT OF MILES, BECAUSE OF MY LONG AVERAGE TRIP, THE NUMBER OF STARTS WAS EQUIVALENT TO A CAR WITH 40000 MILES DRIVEN LOCALLY. I THEN DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND LITERALLY DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, SOME BY PEOPLE WHO HAD HAD MULTIPLE IGNITION REPLACEMENTS. ALSO, IN A PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, FORD HAD DENIED THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR DYING ON HARD RIGHT TURNS, ONLY TO SEE A RECALL TWO MONTHS LATER, SO MY S

I HAVE 46,000 MILES ON MY FOCUS AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL LET ME INSERT THE KEY BUT WILL NOT LET TURN THE IGNITION ON, I HAVE PERSONALLY READ HUNDREDS OF FORUMS POSTS WITH THIS PROBLEM OCCURING..... I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $300+ TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THE EXTREMLY BAD PART IS THAT MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO START THE CAR UP AT THE TIME.... SHE HAD NOTICED SOMEONE FOLLOWING HER TO THE CAR AND WHEN SHE GOT IN THE CAR AND LOCKED THE DOOR BEHIND HER, HE STARTED TRYING TO BREAK IN, AND LONE AND BEHOLD SHE TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT THE IGNTION WOULD NOT TURN. THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS AWAY AND SHE CALLED ME IN A PANIC, WHEN I ARRIVED TO WHERE SHE WAS I SEEN THE MAN TRYING TO GET IN THE CAR, HE SEEN ME COMING UP TO THE ONLY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT (MY FOCUS) AND STARTED RUNNING HE JUMPED OVER A FENCE AND I COULD NOT CATCH HIM...... WHATS TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN? I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS POSTS ON FORUMS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN THEIR CAR IN HAD THE IGNITION "FIXED" ONLY FOR THEM TO COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. I CANNOT KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE ALL THE TIME. I GUESS I JUST NEED TO TRADE MY FOCUS IN FOR A RELIABLE VEHICLE! *AK

THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED IN PLACE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. DEALERSHIPS REPLACED TWICE THE IGNITION SWITCH AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

I HAVE UNDETERMINED FUEL ODORS/LEAKS AT THE REAR OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE MOTOR GOING FAST THEN SLOWING DOWN. *MR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THERE WAS THUMP IN THE REAR UNDER THE SEAT AS IF IT WERE STOPPING AND OR LOSING POWER, THE EMISSION LIGHT HAD COME ON THE DASH BOARD AND WOULD GO OFF AND ON AGAIN, THE FLOOR WOULD VIBRATE AND RATTLE, THE ENGINE WOULD CUT OFF WHEN AT STOP LIGHTS, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION/STUCK IN CYLINDER. THE STALLING WOULD OCCUR ESPECIALLY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS BELOW 1/2. *SC *JB

CONSUMER ATTEMPTING TO GET A REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS THAT WAS DONE ON 2000 FORD FOCUS. *MR THE DRUM WAS BADLY RUSTED AND THE BEARING(S) WERE IN BAD SHAPE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY DUE TO THE FIRST YEAR MODEL AND OR POOR MECHANIC WORKMANSHIP. *SC THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE RECALL #00V303000 *JB

PROBLEMS WITH 2000 FORD FOCUS REAR DOOR LATCHES. *MR (THE REAR DOOR OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION) THE FUSE WAS BROKEN MAKING THE LATCH FREEZE. THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY PART IN THE LEFT SIDE DRIVER'S DOOR ACTUATOR. THIS MADE THE FRONT DOOR AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR USELESS. THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, NOT EVEN WITH THE UNLOCK BUTTON FROM THE INSIDE, THE KEY OR EVEN THE REMOTE. *SC *JB

I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT FIVE IN THE AFTERNOON ON MAY 20, 2004 AT THE BEGINNING OF RUSH-HOUR IT WAS SUNNY, AND I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 70 MPH. SUDDENLY, I STARTED TO SMELL AND SEE SMOKE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. I STARTED TO PULL OVER INTO THE RIGHT LANE. THEN, THE TIRE WENT, AND I BRAKED AS I WAS PULLED OFF INTO THE SHOULDER. UPON EXAMINING THE TIRE, I FOUND THAT IT HAD BEEN SHREDDED. I TRIED TO THEN CHANGE THE TIRE, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING BROKE OFF AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE COIL SPRINGS ON BOTH SIDES TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE NEW TIRE AND THE BALANCING. *AK

THE REAR DRIVERSIDE DOOR OF MY CAR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED. IT POPPED OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY THE BACK SEAT WAS EMPTY. MY SON AND HIS FRIENDS USUALLY TRAVEL BACK THERE ALONG WITH THE FAMILY PET. IT WAS SUNDAY SO SERVICE CENTERS WERE NOT OPEN. WE HAD TO TAKE APART THE ENTIRE DOOR TO GET THE MECHANISM INSIDE THE DOOR TO WORK ENOUGH SO I CAN LOCK THE DOOR. THE OTHER SIDE DOESN'T APPEAR TO LOOK ANY BETTER.*AK

FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE REAR DOORS ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SE DO NOT STAY LATCHED. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH GREATER FREQUENCY. ADDITIONALLY, THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, UNLESS THE DOOR NEVER LATCHES AT ALL. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN I REANSPORT IN THIS VEHICLE AND I NO LONGER CONSIDER IT SAFE. THIS PROBLEM HAS APPEARED ON SEVERAL OTHER 2000 FOCUS CARS AND I CONSIDER IT TO BE A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED.*AK

RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AT BOTTOM OF SPRING UNDERNEATH PLASTIC SLEEVE. SPRING FAILED AT LOW SPEED IN PARKING LOT.*AK

THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED.*AK

FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING FRACTURED WITH THE LOWER PORTION PIERCING THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, RESULTING IN NO STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH.I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ACTED LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS LATER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED.

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON. THE HYDRALIC LIFTERS TO THE REAR DOOR (BACK DOOR) HAVE FAILED SO THAT IT REQUIRES TWO PEOPLE TO PLACE ITEMS IN THE WAGON, ONE TO HOLD THE DOOR UP AND THE OTHER TO LOAD. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ITEM AS THE DOOR IS INOPERABLE AS IT IS INTENDED. FORD DOES NOT.*AK