2000 Ford Focus Complaint Log

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

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

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

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

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. 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

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. 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

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

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. 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

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. 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.

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.

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

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.

WE OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND THE RIGHT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT IS DEFECTED. IT LOOKS TO HAVE OXIDATION BUT AFTER TRYING TO CLEAN THE HEADLIGHT WE CAN NOT DO SO..AFTER OBSERVING ALOT OF FORD FOCUS' WE HAVE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. *KB

LIKE SO MANY OTHERS MY KEY GETS JAMMED UP IT WONT TURN WONT START THE CAR AND YOU GET STUCK WHERE EVER YOU HAPPEN TO BE AT THE TIME. *TR

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

I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES IN MY FOCUS. HOPING THAT EVERY TIME I GET IN MY CAR THAT TODAY IS NOT THE DAY. THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE LOCK AND AFTER SO MANY FAILED ATTEMPTS, WORRYING ABOUT THE COST OF REPAIR. THE CAR SAT FOR TWO MONTHS AND KILLED THE BATTERY. UNFORTUNATELY THE CAR HAS BECOME SUCH A HASSLE TO DRIVE. I WAS LATE TO WORK AND GOT A POINT ON MY SUPER STRICT ATTENDANCE POLICY. THIS PROBLEM HAS PUT MY EMPLOYMENT AT RISK. THE CAR HAS ALSO BEEN FIXED PREVIOUSLY FOR THE SAME ISSUE BY THE PAST OWNER, I FOUND OUT. CALLED THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FIXED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN HEFTY COST. WHY WON'T FORD STAND UP, AND SAY THEY PUT UNRELIABLE PARTS INSIDE WHAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE A RELIABLE CAR. *TR

LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING DISINTEGRATED AT 109,563 KILOMETERS (68,000 MILES). LUCKILY STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND CHECKED CAUSE OF NOISE. WHEEL WAS WOBBLING, AND WOULD HAVE SHORTLY FALLEN OFF, OR SEIZED, POTENTIALLY CAUSING CAR TO SERVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. REMOVED WHEEL AND REPLACED BEARING MYSELF. ROLLER BEARINGS IN PIECES, WHEEL HUB VERY HOT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT BUT APPARENTLY MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED AS I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED. 2000 FORD FOCUS SE SEDAN. *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 SEAT CAN AND DOES BREAK AT ANY TIME - THIS PROBLEM IS SHOWING UP IN LATER YEARS ALSO, 2003. *TR

I WAS STRANDED UNABLE TO PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. I S/W A FORD SERVICE REP WHO STATED IGNITION CYLINDERS WEAR OUT. MY CAR ONLY HAS 86K MILES AND IS MAINTAINED AND GARAGE KEPT. THIS IS A HAZARD TO BE UNABLE TO START YOUR CAR! *TR

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED, VEHICLE WEIGHT OF SHARP, BROKEN REMAINDER OF SPRING AGAINST FRONT TIRE WHILE VEHICLE PARKED. *TR

KEY IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. *TR

YESTERDAY, FEB. 11, 2009, I CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL, PARKED, AND TURNED OFF MY CAR(2000 FORD FOCUS) ONLY TO FIND THAT MY KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. SO IN TURN I JUST LEFT THE KEY THERE OBVIOUSLY AND WENT IN MY HOUSE. FOLLOWING DAY BEFORE SCHOOL I TRY ONCE MORE TO REMOVE THE KEY, NO LUCK, I DRIVE TO SCHOOL, PARK, TURN OFF CAR AND AGAIN TRIED REMOVING THE KEY AND ONCE AGAIN NO LUCK. LATER ON I CAR PULLED WITH MY FRIEND IN HIS CAR TO WORK, AFTER WORK HE DROPPED ME OFF AT MY CAR TO GO HOME. I GET IN MY CAR ONLY TO FIND THAT NOW IT WONT EVEN START. I CALLED MY FRIEND WITH MY CELL PHONE THAT I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE AND HE CAME BACK SO I WAS SPARED FROM BEING STRANDED. WE HOOKED UP THE CABLES TO JUMP THE CAR AND NO LUCK WHAT SO EVER, ALL WE MERELY GOT WAS A NICE CLICKING SOUND. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, ALL BECAUSE THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THANKS TO FORD'S SELFISHNESS AND NOT ISSUING A RECALL. ALL IN ALL MY CAR REMAINS IN THAT PARKING LOT AND I AM LEFT WITHOUT A CAR. THANK YOU FORD. *TR

1-2. IGNITION ON MY FORD FOCUS HAS LOCKED UP; APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT ALMOST EVERY FOCUS OWNER HAS. THE KEY CANNOT BE TURNED, SO THE CAR WILL NOT START, LEAVING ME STRANDED WHEREVER MY CAR HAPPENS TO BE. SINCE I DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR (A 4 HOUR DRIVE) THIS LEAVES THE POTENTIAL TO BE STRANDED IN BACKCOUNTRY INDIANA AT ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT, WITH NO WAY TO START MY CAR AND NO ONE I KNOW NEARBY TO PICK ME UP. 3. I WILL BE REPLACING THE IGNITION CYLINDER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, SINCE ALL FORD FOCUS 2000-2003 IGNITION CYLINDERS ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, IT IS VERY LIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN, AND INSTEAD OF BEING STRANDED AT A FRIEND'S APARTMENT, I MIGHT BE STRANDED MUCH FARTHER FROM HOME. *TR

FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE SAME MAJOR PROBLEM EVERYONE ELSE IS HAVING WITH THE FORD FOCUSES. IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP ON ME WITHOUT WARNING. STOPPED TO GET GAS AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT KEY BACK INTO IGNITION IT WOULDN'T EVEN GO IN AT FIRST. I THOUGH I WAS IN THE WRONG CAR. FINALLY FORCED KEY IN IGNITION. IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME BUT I FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO FINALLY JIGGLE IT FREE AND GET ENGINE STARTED. FIRST WARNING SIGN WAS IN 2006 WHEN IT TEMPORARILY GAVE ME A PROBLEM, BUT NOW IT WAS BEING A CONSTANT PROBLEM. I HAD DONE MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AND CALLED AROUND TO DIFFERENT LOCKSMITHS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEH TO A LOCKSMITH AND HAVE A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. THEY DID NOT HAVE TO REPROGRAM THE KEYS AS I SEE FORD IS CHARGING ALL OF THESE PEOPLE BESIDES THEIR RIDICULOUS LABOR ON THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS, IN WHICH THEY ARE STILL REPLACING DEFECTIVE PARTS. IT COST ME UNDER $100 TO HAVE REPAIRED WITH REASSURANCE THE IGNITION WOULD OUTLAST ANY KEYS THAT I HAVE TO THE VEH. FORD IS PATHETIC FOR NOT ADMITTING THIS DEFECT AND HAVING A RECALL. YES IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!!!! WHEN YOU NEVER KNOW THAT UNSUSPECTING YOUR KEYS LOCK UP AND WON'T TURN THE IGNITION. *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

THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. DEALER SAYS THE TUMBLER LOCK FELL APART SO A NEW LOCK AND KEYS ARE NECESSARY. MID 400 DOLLAR COST. *TR

THIS MORNING I TRIED TO START MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FOUR YEARS THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE READ THERE ARE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FOCUS AND YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AND THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED LAST TIME CONTINUES TO HAVE TO THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION IN MY FORD FOCUS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT TOOK ME ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF CONSISTENTLY JIGGLING THE KEY AND STEERING WHEEL SIMULTANEOUSLY TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. SINCE THIS HAS OCCURRED THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS IN BEING ABLE TO GET THE IGNITION TO BUDGE AND MY CAR IS NOW UNABLE TO START. I HAVE ATTEMPTED MANY OF THE SUGGESTIONS FOUND ONLINE AND NOTHING HAS WORKED. I AM REPORTING THIS PER THE SUGGESTION OF A DISCUSSION BOARD. *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

2000 FORD FOCUS. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO BE TOWED AND HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED. 598.00, INCLUDING THE 125. TOW CHARGE. *TR

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN AND CAN NOT BE REMOVED. CAR MUST BE TOWED AND IGNITION REPLACED. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, 110000MILES I HAVE HAD TO MAKE THIS REPAIR 6 TIMES AT $200 EACH TIME. TYPICALLY, THIS SORT OF PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE COME UP ONLY ONCE IF AT ALL WITH MY MILEAGE. IF FORD IS GOING TO GET MY TAX DOLLARS, THEY SHOULD NOT BUILD A LOW QUALITY CAR. THIS CAR IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I WILL NEVER BUY AN AMERICAN CAR AGAIN. *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

MY MOTHER WAS PARKED IN THE CAR AND MOVED THE GEAR ACCIDENTALLY TO DRIVE RATHER THAN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF HER PARKING SPACE AND PUSHED ON THE GAS WHICH INEVITABLY WENT FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARDS AND HIT A CURB AND BARRIER, APPROX. 4-5 FT. IN FRONT OF HER. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVERS & PASSENGER AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY WHICH DESTROYED THE WINDSHIELD. NOW THE CAR WAS NOT OBVIOUSLY GOING FAST AT ALL AND THERE IS NO WAY THESE BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. VERY BAD SITUATION. WE HAD TO PAY $250.00 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND ARE CURRENTLY GETTING PRICE QUOTES TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH SO FAR, EXCEEDS THE VALUE ON THE CAR... *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED TWICE IN 4YRS. THIS LAST TIME I WAS STRANDED IN THE COLD, BY MYSELF AT 1AM. MISSING WORK, SPENDING MONEY ON TOWS, PARTS AND LABOR ADDS UP. NOT TO MENTION THE DANGER INVOLVED WITH BEING STRANDED, ALL BECAUSE YOUR KEY WONT TURN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYS HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE IGNITION FOR OVER A WEEK AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. HE WENT TO A LOCKSMITH AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION AT THE COST OF $125; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS STILL NOT CORRECTED. HE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

CAR KEY WON'T TURN IGNITION SWITCH. TRIED BOTH KEYS. EACH ONE IS ABLE TO BE PUT IN THE SWITCH BUT THE SWITCH STAYS LOCKED. *TR

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN ON OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE LUBRICATED THE LOCK MECHANISM FOR SEVERAL YEARS AFTER LEARNING OF THIS PROBLEM, PRIOR TO HAVING MINE OCCUR. SOMETIMES KEY WILL INSERT BUT NOT TURN. OTHER TIMES KEY WILL NOT FULLY INSERT. IN BOTH CASES I AM LEFT STRANDED. KEY PROBLEM IS NOT AFFECTED BY POSITION OF STEERING WHEEL, SHIFT LEVER INTERLOCK POSITION, ETC. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WITHIN THE KEY-TUMBLER MECHANISM. WITH SUCH WIDE SPREAD KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM, WHY HASN'T FORD DONE A VOLUNTARY RECALL? THIS PROBLEM COULD OCCUR DURING A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION E.G. RUSH TO HOSPITAL., ROBBERY ATTEMPT, ETC. THE REPORTED FREQUENCY OF INCIDENTS, AS VIEWED ON INTERNET SITES, WOULD INDICATE A MAGNITUDE IN EXCESS OF FORD'S PREVIOUS SUV-TIRE FAILURE ROLLOVERS. THE KEY ISSUE IS MORE THAN AN INCONVENIENCE, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

ON THE FORD FOCUS, THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION LOCK NEEDS TOTALLY REPLACED. *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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. SPORADICALLY, THE CONTACT WOULD HEAR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH A VIBRATING SENSATION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL AND BRAKE DRUM ASSEMBLY WERE ABNORMALLY LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V303000 (WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,000.

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

NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY KEY WONT TURN AND THE WHEEL LOCKS UP WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. HAVE NOT FIXED IT YET. *TR

DRIVING TO WORK 4 AM- HEAR A CLICK; ENGINE GOES DEAD; ROLL TO SIDE OF ROAD; GET OUT OF CAR AND SEE SMOKE AND FIRE COMING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF ENGINE. WITHIN 4 MINUTES CARE IS IN FLAMES... TOTALLY BURN BY TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT TO SITE ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS THE REAR END// NO INJURIES LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS ENGINE FIRE ON THE WAY TO WORK AT 4 AM. BY TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE IT WAS FULLY IN FLAMES. BURNT EVEY THING BUT THE TRUNK BEFORE IT WAS PUT OUT. *TR