2000 Ford Focus complaints

FALKEN ZIEX ZE-512, AUTOMOBILE TIRES, SIDEWALL RUBBER BADLY CRACKING ALMOST TO THE RADIALS, NOTICED AFTER 2.5 YRS AND LESS THAN 17000 MILES. ALL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE EQUALLY AFFECTED/ DAMAGED. NO VIN HAS BEEN SUPPLIED AS THESE TIRES WERE AN AFTERMARKET PURCHASE, HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH FORD. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 BATTERY CABLES. NOT INCLUDED BY FORD IN VIN RANGE FOR CURRENT RECALL 02V288000 " CAUSE THE BATTERY CABLES TO SHORT RESULTING IN HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CABLES. BESIDES HEAT DAMAGE, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO START, OR SMOKE, MELTING, OR FIRE COULD ALSO OCCUR." ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE SUFFERS IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS PLUS STALLING IN TRAFFIC WHICH PUTS OPERATORS LIFE AT RISK.. *TR

FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC WINDOW MOTOR REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF PLASTIC PARTS. MUST REPLACE THE MOTOR TO GET THE PLASTIC WINDOW PARTS. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO 3 OUT OF FOUR WINDOWS AND THE PRICE TO REPLACE IS $200 - $300 EACH WINDOW. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL FOCUS OWNERS ALL OVER THE NATION. *TR

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS 2000 MODEL AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORD FOCUS MODELS OF 2000-2003. DUE TO THIS DEFECT I GOT STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. *TR

KEY WOULD NOT TURN. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS PROBLEM WITH IGNITION CYLINDER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, IT WILL NOT TURN TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95000.

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED ON THE FORD FOCUS. THE KEY WILL GO INTO THE IGNITION BUT WILL NOT TURN LEAVING US STRANDED. WE WERE LUCKY THIS TIME AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT HOME. ONE OF THE PREVIOUS TIMES WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER WHEN MY ELDERLY MOTHER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WAS STRANDED IN THE COUNTRY SIDE WITHOUT CELL PHONE SERVICE. SHE WAS HELPED BY A PASSERBY THAT TOOK HER TO A SERVICE STATION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER AND WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS OUR PROBLEM AND POSES NO SAFETY ISSUES. FORDS ATTITUDE TOWARDS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS A CONSUMABLE PART (E.G. TIRES, BRAKEPADS ETC.) AND YOU SHOULD BE HAPPILY TO GET MORE THAN THE 12000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE PART. SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE WILL BE STRANDED BY THIS SUB-STANDARD PART AND IT CAUSE THEM HARM OR DEATH. FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. *TR

IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON THE KEY IN MY IGNITION REFUSES TO ALLOW ME TO REMOVE THE KEY AND THEN RE-INSERT THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE. I AM ABLE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE LOCK BUT NOT TURN IT. IT HAS HAPPEN NUMEROUS TIMES A COUPLE OF TIMES DURING THE WINTER AFTER I HAD WENT TO TOWN TO GET SUPPLIES. IT USUALLY TAKES 1 TO 2 HOURS TO GET IT WIGGLED ENOUGH TO LET THE KEY TURN TO THE AUX, AND START POSITIONS. IT SEAMS THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY $400 TO $500 TO GET IT REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FIRST FAILURE IT SIMPLY REFUSED TO LET ME TURN THE IGNITION AFTER I INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THIS LAST TIME AFTER 4 HOURS OF WORKING WITH IT AND HAVING A LOCKSMITH COME OUT AND DETERMINE IF IT COULD BE FIXED HE SAID IT WOULD NEED TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED. *TR

THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION FOR NO REASON, STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO TURN KEY ON A 2000 FORD FOCUS. *TR

THE CAR WAS DRIVING JUST FINE, BUT WHEN I GOT HOME AND NEEDED TO GO AND MEET MY WIFE, THE KEY IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP. THIS IS ABOUT THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR. SINCE THE CAR HAS ALSO STALLED BEFORE, IT SURE WOULD BE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU COULDN'T GET IT STARTED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. COME ON FORD, FIX THIS! NOW I HAVE TO PAY BIG DOLLARS IN A BAD ECONOMY TO GET THIS FIXED BY SOMEONE ELSE. SINCE THE SYSTEM IS ELECTRONIC, WHO KNOWS IF IT SOMEHOW EFFECTS OTHER ELECTRONICS IN THE VEHICLE. ON AN 83 DEGREE DAY, IN BLACK INTERIOR, AND NO WAY TO ROLL DOWN THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS BECAUSE OF BEING UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY, IT CAN GET QUITE HOT, QUITE QUICKLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO PLACE THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION WITHOUT FORCE. AFTER ADDING OIL INTO THE CYLINDER THE KEY CAN BE PLACED INTO THE IGNITION NORMALLY; HOWEVER, AFTER A SHORT TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD HAVE TO REPLACED AND BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE PARKING LAMP AND TAIL LAMPS WERE NONFUNCTIONAL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSE ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE'S POWER LOCK SYSTEM ALSO FAILED TO OPERATE. SHE DISCOVERED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DECK LID HARNESS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V411000 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM;WIRING IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,300. UPDATED 11/06/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, SHE NOTICED THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT LIT AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUSE AND THE DASHBOARD LIT UP PROPERLY. HOWEVER, A SHORT WHILE LATER THE FUSE BLEW AGAIN. THE CONSUMER ALSO DISCOVERED THE TAIL LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AS WELL. ALSO, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED 4 WIRES HAD BEEN COMPLETELY SEVERED, AND ALL THE OTHERS HAD BARE PATCHES WHERE THE INSULATION HAD RUBBED OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM, BUT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED 11/10/09.*JB

KEY WON'T TURN 2000 FORD FOCUS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, AND WIRING WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THREE OR FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

IGNITION WAS WORKING FINE. TWENTY MINUTES LATER, THE KEY WOULD GO IN THE IGNITION, BUT WOULD NOT TURN. MY VEHICLE IS IN PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. I FOUND OUT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH 2000-2004 FORD FOCUS. MINE IS A 2000. AGGRAVATED THAT FORD HAS NOT BEEN MADE RESPONSIBLE TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. NOT ONLY DO I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, I MISSED A DAY OF WORK BECAUSE I WAS STRANDED. *TR

MY KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. *TR

CAR KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. WILL NOT COME OUT. *TR

THE EARLY YEARS FORD FOCUS, 2000 - 2002 ARE EXPERIENCING A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE THAT CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. THIS PROBLEM INVOLVES THE VALVE SEAT ON THE INTAKE VALVE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE VALVE SEAT CRACKS, BREAKS APART AND FALLS INTO THE CYLINDER DESTROYING THE PISTON, HEAD AND BLOCK CYLINDER WALL ON THE SINGLE OVER HEAD CAM (SOHC) 2.0 LITER ENGINES - VIN 'P'. IT IS SUCH A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS RUNNING OUT OF PARTS. AUTO PART STORES KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM. PISTON RING MANUFACTURERS KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM. BOTH OF WHICH ARE SELLING PARTS AT VERY HIGH VOLUMES RELATED TO THE ENGINE FAILURE. MACHINE SHOPS ALL KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND STATE THAT IT GOES FURTHER BACK TO THE FORD ESCORT MODEL ALSO. SALVAGE YARDS KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND ARE GETTING 10 PHONE CALLS A DAY FOR USED SOHC ENGINES. SALVAGE YARDS ARE SELLING ANY AND ALL SOHC ENGINE AS SOON AS THEY GET THEM IN IN VEHICLES. OWNERS WHO CHOOSE TO REPLACE THEIR ENGINES WITH 'USED' SALVAGED ENGINES ARE ENCOUNTERING THE DROPPED VALVE SEAT PROBLEM AGAIN AS THE REPLACEMENT ENGINES FAIL AT APPROXIMATELY 100K MILES ALSO - JUST AS THE ORIGINAL HAD FAILED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND IS PROVIDING THE OPTION OF INSTALLING A SALVAGED ENGINE. COST FOR INSTALLING A SALVAGED ENGINE WITH UNVERIFIABLE MILES HAS BEEN QUOTED AT $1250 FOR THE ENGINE, $2500 TO $3000 TOTAL FOR INSTALLATION. THIS PROBLEM IS GREATER AND LARGER THAN THE 'FUEL PUMP' SAFETY ISSUE AND THE 'BRAKE' ISSUE. THE VALVE SEA

AFTER STALLING OUT THE ENGINE OF MY 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION IN 1ST GEAR, THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN AND IN FACT LOST ALL POWER. IT WAS JUMP STARTED, BUT IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, IT SPUTTERED AND LURCHED FORWARD, THEN DIED AGAIN. WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP AS IT WAS UNDRIVABLE. LUCKY WE WERE JUST IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT OUT ON THE ROAD OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. EVEN THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS WOULD NOT TURN ON DUE TO NO POWER. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE MELTED. *TR

FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN IN LOCK LEAVING ME AND FAMILY STRANDED IN THE HEAT UNTIL A LOCKSMITH COMES. HAPPENS OVER AND OVER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT REMAIN CLOSED AND RANDOMLY OPENED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR STOPPED WORKING FIRST AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. CURRENTLY, THE FAILURE IS OCCURRING TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. HE BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 8/10/09 *CN UPDATED 08/13/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL WITH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS HEAD DUE TO THE GRAB HANDLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE GRAB RAIL IN THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IT PROTRUDES FROM THE HEAD LINER IN A FOLDED POSITION. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 06/29/09 *BF UPDATED 07/02/09.*JB

2000 FORD FOCUS SE, PURCHASED NEW 04/2001 --- 06/02 - CAR DIED ON FATHERS DAY, REPLACED BATTERY WITH ONE FROM AUTO ZONE; ?/03 - AT SERVICE CALL FOR RECALL OF HARNESS WIRING, COMPLAINED ABOUT LED LIGHTS FLICKERING, NO PROBLEM FOUND; 10/05 - CAR DIED, TOWED TO FORD, BATTERY REPLACED; 12/06 - SERVICE AT FORD, COMPLAINED ABOUT LED LIGHTS FLICKERING AGAIN, NO REMEDY; 06/07 - CAR DIED, TOWED TO CHRYSLER DEALER (MY EMPLOYER), COULD NOT LOCATE PROB, CHARGED BATTERY, 06/07 CAR DIED, REPLACED BATTERY; 06/07 CAR DIED, TOWED TO CHRYSLER - REPLACED ALTERNATOR; 09/08, IGNITION LOCKED/REPLACED; 02/09 CAR DIED, TOWED TO FORD, REPLACED BATTERY; 06/09, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AT 35-40 MPH. POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE INSULATION MELTED. SERVICE AT DODGE (EMPLOYER) - REROUTE POSITIVE CABLE DIRECTLY TO BOLT ON CONNECTOR TO BATTERY, PROBLEM CONTINUES - CARRIED TO FORD, THEY ADVISE ALTERNATOR IS BAD AND MUST BE REPLACED. ---- 9 YEARS, 5 BATTERIES, 3 ALTERNATORS, PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED. DEALER CONTINUES TO TREAT THE SYMPTOMS, NOT CURE THE DISEASE. SOMETHING IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN CONTINUOUSLY. NUMEROUS FOCUS OWNERS AT LEAST THROUGH 2003 EXPERIENCE SAME ISSUES. SERVICE ADVISOR ADMITTED TO ME THAT THEY "REPLACE A LOT OF BATTERIES AND ALTERNATORS IN FOCUSES" AND THAT "IT SEEMS TO BE INORDINATELY HIGH NUMBERS". OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR INCLUDE 3 SETS OF INFERIOR BRAKE PADS (FINALLY HAD A GOOD SET INSTALLED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC) AND CRACKED MOTOR MOUNTS CAUSING INTENSE VIBRATIO

THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS BROKEN. THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THESE SPRINGS! FORD HAS ADMITTED AS MUCH IN THEIR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 2004. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH, BUT AFTER READING SOME OF THE SUMMARIES IN THE OTHER 88 COMPLAINTS I BELIEVE THAT ONLY BY SHEAR LUCK AND THE GRACE OF GOD THERE HAVE BEEN NO FATALITIES. I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CRASHES AND INJURIES, ( SEE COMPLAINTS ON FRONT SUSPENSION IN YOUR DATABASE. I.E. ID NO. 886337) AS SOMEONE WHO WORKS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY I STRIVE TO MAINTAIN MY VEHICLES TO VERY HIGH STANDARDS AND THIS INCLUDES KEEPING THEM CLEAN INCLUDING THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THIS IS WHY IF YOU WERE TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE YOU WOULD NOT FIND ANY EXCESSIVE CORROSION ANYWHERE ON THE CAR EXCEPT THE SPRING AT THE FAILURE AREA. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP. *TR

I BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A 2000 FORD FOCUS IN 2008, IN FEB 2009 THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AT ALL. WE PLAYED WITH THIS FOR ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR AND IT FINAL TURNED OVER. THEN IN JUNE OF 2009 SAME THING HAPPEN TO MY DAUGHTER. WENT ON LINE TO READ OTHER PEOPLES REVIEWS AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF THEM ABOUT THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK. ONE VERY HELPFUL WHICH SAVED ME A TOWING BILL OF TELLING ME TO HIT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WITH THE PALM OF MY HAND AND IT WORKED, SO WAS ABLE TO GET THE DAUGHTERS CAR HOME. 300 AND SOME ODD DOLLARS I HAVE REPLACE THE CYLINDER LOCK AND HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T FELL HER AGAIN. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM FOR THERE IS MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. LIKE I SAID I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER AND GLAD THAT IT DIDN'T BREAK DOWN IN AN UNSAFE PART OF TOWN. SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT THEY DIDN'T GREASE THEM ENOUGH, I'M NOT SURE OF THE PROBLEM BUT FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THIS PART OR AT LEAST GIVE A GOOD EXPLANATION OF WHY IT IS HAPPENING TO SO MANY FORD FOCUSES. THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 COMPLAINTS ON THIS ON A SITE CALLED FOCAL JET, WHICH WAS VERY HELPFUL TO ME. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. OTHER THAN THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN GREAT FOR THE DAUGHTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED SPORADICALLY. A TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR SHOP WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS TITLED SALVAGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 07/01/09 *BF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED AS WELL. UPDATED 07/06/09.*JB

HEAT DAMAGE TO BATTERY CABLE, SMOKE WAS COMING OFF OF BATTERY CABLES, THE CABLES WERE SO HOT THEY MELTED. CAR NOW WILL NOT START BUT OCCASIONALLY CRANKS VERY SLOWLY.. THIS IS EXACTLY AS THE RECALL ISSUED BY NHTSA IN 2003 ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. YOUR CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V288000. MY CAR IS NOW A FIRE HAZARD AND CAN'T BE DRIVEN. NEED HELP. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS - YET ANOTHER FAILED IGNITION CYLINDER ISSUE; THE SAME FAULTY PART ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR NEARLY A DECADE NOW. STRANDED WITH TOWING COSTS AND LARGE REPLACEMENT COST FOR PART KNOWN BY FORD, ET AL, TO BE A DEFECT PROBLEM...NOT NORMAL WEAR-AND-TEAR. IN SHOP BEING REPLACED...CONCERN OF FUTURE STRANDED AS PART IS STILL CONSIDERED DEFECTIVE. *TR

I PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS 2000 FROM JOHN THORTON ON THORTON ROAD IN LITHIA SPRINGS ON OR ABOUT 7/2005. I ALSO TRADED IN MY LEXUS 1991 VEHICLE WHICH I HAD JUST FIXED UP FOR 2000.00 AND PLUS THE DEALER ASKED FOR A DOWN PAYMENT OF 1200.00 WHICH I GAVE, AND I REQUESTED THEM TO ADD A WARRANTY WHICH THEY DID NOT IN THE CONTRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS WHITE AND BLACK INSIDE. I DROVE SMOOTH FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS UNTIL ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE CUT OFF. I HAD THE BRAKES REDONE, AND SOME OTHER WORK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WORKED ON IT AND CHARGED ME SOME MORE. UNTIL I REALIZED THE MECHANIC CALLED ME NAME FOR PICK UP AND HE STATED TO ME THINKING I WAS ANOTHER PERSON, MY VEHICLE IS READY AND IT HAD 3 RECALLS ON IT IN THE PAST. I ASSUME HE MEANT ME, AND COME TO REALIZE IT WAS MY CAR HE WAS SPEAKING ABOUT. EVERY SINCE THEN, MY CAR WOULD CUT OFF AT STOP LIGHTS AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER MECHANIC IT HAS A SHORT WIRE THAT CAN CAUSE A FIRE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I PLACED THE CAR IN CH 7 IN BANKRUPTCY IN 10/05 AND HE NO TRANSPORTATION EXCEPT BY BUS AND CAB. FORD DEALER IN LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122 SOLD ME A CAR WITH 3 RECALLS AS PART OF THE CAR'S HISTORY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IT INVOLVED. *TR

THE IGNITION SYSTEM IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IS NOW LOCKED AND THE KEY WON'T TURN THE CYLINDER. THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVE PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THIS. THE KEY STARTED NOT TO TURN THE CYLINDER AT ALL THEN WOULD. FURTHER INVESTIGATION ONLINE SAYS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ON ALL MODEL FOCUS' WITHIN THE YEARS OF 2000-2005. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DECK-LID WIRE HARNESS FATIGUED AND DEVELOPED DAMAGED WIRES IN THE BEND AREA OF THE WIRE HARNESS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V411000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 188,000. UPDATED 06/03/09 *BF UPDATED 06/04/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. HE STRUCK THE KEY WITH A HAMMER UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS ABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ALMOST DAILY EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000.

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY TRANSMISSION WILL REV ALL THE GAUGES IN THE CAR WILL GO UP AND DOWN AND MY HEADLIGHTS FLASH. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THEY FIX THE PROBLEM AND AS I PULL AWAY THE SAME THING HAPPENS. SO WHY IS IT THAT FORD THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE MY CAR CAN'T EVEN TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. SO HAVING TAKEN MY CAR TO FOUR DIFFERENT PLACES AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS HAPPENING, NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO GET ANOTHER CAR (IT WILL NOT BE A FORD). THIS IS REALLY GREAT TIMING WITH THE ECONOMY AND ALL. I MEAN I PUT A NEW ALTERNATOR ON, A NEW BATTERY, I HAD THE GROUND WIRES CLEANED, A NEW IGNITION SWITCH PUT ON. OH YEAH IT ALWAYS SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING UNDER MY HOOD (LIKE WHEN YOU BLOW A CANDLE OUT). IT'S PRETTY BAD WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND BASICALLY YOUR CAR DIES,SOMEBODY COULD SMASH INTO YOU CAUSING A PILE-UP. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. I JUST THINK IF YOU MAKE A PRODUCT YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS SO YOU HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH WITH NO SIGNS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO COAST SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER WHERE I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE NEVER RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR WAS GIVEN A JUMP AND THE ENGINE STARTED, BUT SOMETHING DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING MUCH LOUDER THAN USUAL. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING CORRECTED, IT WILL BE BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC TOMORROW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE AND THE LOCKS FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE JANUARY OF 2009. IN MAY OF 2009, THE DOORS OPENED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS:LATCH) AND IT WOULD COST $100 TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND I WENT TO START IT, AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER A FEW TRIES, IT FINALLY TURNED. WENT TO THE STORE, PARKED AND WENT IN, CAME BACK OUT, AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER 1/2 HOUR, IT FINALLY TURNED. THIS HAS BEEN REPEATED ABOUT 15 TIMES AND IT'S BEYOND FRUSTRATING. THE CAR RUNS FINE OTHERWISE. IT'S NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, I KEEP IT MAINTAINED, AND IT SITS IN THE GARAGE WHEN IT'S NOT BEING DRIVEN. I TRIED TO START IT YESTERDAY, AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TODAY AND IT WILL NOT TURN. I HAVE AN ENGAGEMENT IN 2 HOURS AND I NEED THE CAR. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE FORD FOCUS, WHICH IS WHAT I DRIVE (2000 ZTS). I LOVE THIS CAR, BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE A DEAL BREAKER WHEN I GET READY TO TRADE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THERE WAS A BUMPING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN. HE NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND ROLLED AWAY. THE TIRE WAS NOT SECURELY FASTENED ONTO THE WHEEL. HE MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE TIRE AND RIM WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS ALSO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 196,400. UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF THE CENTER OF THE RIM REMAINED BOLTED TO THE VEHICLE, BUT A LARGER PORTION OF THE RIM SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/18/09.*JB

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH FORD FOCUS MODELS FROM THE YEAR 2000. THERE IS NOTHING THAT PRECIPITATES THE PROBLEM- IT JUST DOESN'T WORK ALL OF A SUDDEN. LUCKILY, THE CAR WAS PARKED AT MY OFFICE BUILDING- BUT IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED ANYWHERE. I CALLED A LOCKSMITH AND HE CAME AND REPLACED THE IGNITION. HE SAID THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WOULD BEND, FRAY AND BREAK WHEN CLOSING THE REAR LIFTGATE. WHILE CLOSING THE LIFTGATE, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE REAR WIPER, WASHER AND THE TOP REAR BRAKE LIGHT WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. HE REMOVED THE SLEEVE AND MENDED THE WIRES TOGETHER WHICH CAUSED THE COMPONENTS TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FELT THAT IF THE WIRES CONTINUED TO BEND, THE FAILURE WOULD RECURR. HE CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT RECALL 00V411000 BUT WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,766 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF NHTSA IS STILL MONITORING THESE ISSUES WITH THE FORD FOCUS FIRES. *NJ

I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT WITH MY 16 MONTH OLD SON AFTER I RETURNED TO MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AND I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN I PARKED MY CAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND I HAD NO TROUBLE REMOVING THE KEY. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AFTER SHOPPING FOR AN HOUR AT FIRST I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION. I KEPT TRYING AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND I COULD NOT START MY CAR. MY HUSBAND WENT TO THE CAR LATER TO SEE IF HE COULD GET IT TO WORK AND HE COULD NOT. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS THAT MY FORD FOCUS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED AND RATHER THAN PAY FOR TOWING & REPAIRS WE DECIDED TO DONATE THE CAR TO CHARITY (WHO WOULD TOW IT FOR FREE) AND BUY OURSELVES A NEW CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE DEALER PERFORMED OVER $500 WORTH OF REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY PASSED IT FOR INSPECTION. THEY EVEN PLACED THEIR OWN INSPECTION STICKER ON THE VEHICLE. LESS THAN A WEEK LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. LATER, THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS TWISTED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, IT STALLED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE OVER 100,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR DOOR OPENS AND WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2005 FOR THIS FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT HAS TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. UNSAFE, LEAVES DRIVER STRANDED. INTENDED TO BUY NEW PART, BUT RESEARCHED FIRST, FINDING THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AMONG FOCUS OWNERS. *TR

WHILE IDLING IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE, THROUGH A ROD THROUGH THE BLOCK OF THE MOTOR CAUSING INSTANT AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND OR INJURY. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH 2000 MODEL YEAR FOCUS AND HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A SALVAGE MOTOR FOR ALMOST $2000. *TR

IT STARTED WITH A TICKING NOISE I COULD HEAR WHEN IT JUST IDLED, THEN I GOT HOME STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT MADE A LOUD NOISE LIKE SOMETHING HAD FALLEN INTO THE ENGINE. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN WE HAD SOMEBODY LOOK AT IT THEY SAID THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION IN THE # 4 PISTON. THEY HAD SAID SOMETHING HAD FALLEN OFF THE PISTON AND MADE A BUNCH OF DENTS AND DANGS SO NOW WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. IT IS IN MY DRIVEWAY NOW WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. *TR

THE IGNITION TUMBLER IN MY 2000 FOCUS SE HAS FAILED TO THE POINT THAT NOW IT WON'T TURN UNLESS I SPEND 10-15 MINUTES JIGGLING IT AND PLAYING WITH IT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT MANY FOCUS ENTHUSIAST SITES HAVE REPORT. FORD HAS EVEN REDESIGNED THE TUMBLER IN NEWER VERSIONS IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, SO THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS, BUT HAVEN'T ISSUED A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $160-220 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A KEY TUMBLER SHOULD HAVE A LIFESPAN OF MUCH MORE THAN 9 YEARS. THAT IS SHAMEFUL, FORD. I WISH I COULD'VE CONVINCED MY WIFE TO GET THE CIVIC INSTEAD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE GAS CAP, WHICH WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN. WHEN THE CAP WAS FINALLY OPENED, THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE GAS TANK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE IN THE VEHICLE WAS WARMER THAN NORMAL. FORD STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,150.

I'VE HAD 2 MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SE. MY IGNITION IS LOCKED. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL, THE KEY WILL GO IN BUT WILL NOT TURN WITH MUCH RESEARCH ONLINE I'M SEEING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND THE PROBLEM IS THE IGNITION CYLINDER. 2ND- I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN MY CAR, AND ONCE AGAIN WITH ALOT OF RESEARCH I'M SEEING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM ANYWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT END COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURE AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE STRUTS TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED BOTH FRONT STRUTS, AXLE, AND BOTH SWAY BARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 52279. UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB