2000 Ford Focus Complaint Log

AFTER TWO DAYS OF RAIN MY PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS FILLED UP WITH WATER. THEN WHEN I WENT TO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONING WATER CAME POURING OUT OF THE FLOOR VENTS. I ALWAYS HESITATE TO TAKE IT INTO A DEALERSHIP SO I USED THE INTERNET TO SEARCH FOR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. AFTER LOOKING AROUND I FOUND AROUND 25 COMPLAINTS JUST ON ONE WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWMORECOMMENTS_REVIEW_8122_2.HTML . ON THIS SITE MANY PEOPLE REFERRED TO THE POLLEN FILTER WHERE THERE WAS NOT A TIGHT SEAL OR SOME TYPE OF DEFECTIVE PART THAT WOULD CAUSE WATER TO ENTER INTO THE VENT SYSTEM OF THE CAR THEN FILL THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INTERIOR. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A HUGE PROBLEM AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD LOOK INTO IT. *TR

2000 FOR FOCUS IGNITION LOCK. I AM ABOUT TO REPLACE MY IGNITION LOCK FOR THE 3RD TIME. EACH TIME, I HAVE GONE TO MY CAR IN THE EVENING ONLY TO FIND THE KEY WON'T GO INTO THE LOCK, IT WON'T TURN, ETC. I HAVE NOW BEEN STRANDED APPROXIMATELY 9 TIMES IN SOMETIMES ROUGH AREAS. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

CAR WAS TURNED ON TO RETURN HOME FROM WORK. HEARS A LOUD NOISE FROM FRONT OF CAR WHEN PUT IN DRIVE. CAR AFTER THAT WAS RUBBING ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE SO DIDN'T DRIVE HOME. LEFT IN WORK PARKING LOT. HAD TOWED TO METCALF'S AUTO CLINIC IN DYER, IN. RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN. ASKED WHY WOULD THAT HAPPEN WHEN MILES ARE LOW 49K FOR 2000 FORD FOCUS SE AND GARAGE KEPT. ATTENDANT SAID FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEM SO I CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP IN MERRIVILLE IN. WAS TOLD NOTICES WENT OUT TO INFORM OWNERS OF PROBLEM IN NOV OF 2004 AND THAT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS GIVEN TO FIX IF PROBLEM OCCURRED. ONLY I NEVER RECEIVED SUCH NOTICE. SO NOW I AM ASKING FOR FORD TO PAY FOR REPAIR AND THEY REFUSED IT SAYING IT WASN'T FIXED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT YOU WERE NOTIFIED WHEN A NOTICE WAS SENT TO ME.. BUT WHEN I CALLED I WAS TOLD ONLY FORD HAS THAT INFORMATION. SO IS A CATCH TWENTY TWO. WARRANTY OFFERED BY FORD IS SUPPOSE TO BE FOR 10 YEARS AND 150,000 MILES. SO I FALL UNDER WARRANTY BUT CANNOT PROVE I DIDN'T RECEIVE NOTICE AND IS THEIR EXCUSE FOR NOT WANTING TO RE-IMBURSE ME FOR REPAIR. *TR

I AM EXPERIENCING WHAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE 2000 FORD FOCUS. FOR THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE INTERMITTENTLY HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCK UP, UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND START THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED MANY TIMES. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A OVERWHELMINGLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 FOCUS AND SUGGESTED TAPPING AND BANGING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET IT TO TURN. THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR, HOWEVER, AS I AM FINDING OUT BY READING THESE COMPLAINTS, IT FINALLY HAS FROZEN AND WILL NOT TURN. FORD WANTS TO CHARGE PEOPLE FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH, ONLY TO REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE SWITCH,WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY NEED REPLACING , YET ANOTHER $450.. MY HUSBAND PURCHASED AN IGNITION SWITCH FROM AN AUTO PARTS STORE, ONLY TO HAVE TO TAKE IT TO FORD ANYWAY TO INSTALL BECAUSE THEY GET YOU BY CHARGING $150. TO "REPROGRAM THE PATS SYSTEM ON THE KEY. AT WHAT POINT AND HOW MANY VEHICLES HAVE TO BE REPORTED TO BE DEFECTIVE , HOW MANY OWNERS HAVE TO BE CHARGED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS AND FORD ALLOWED TO KEEP CHARGING AND RECHARGING US TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM RATHER THAN BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PROBLEM AND RECALLING THE PART?? WHY AREN'T CONSUMER'S PROTECTED AGAINST THIS? *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

FORD WILL NOT HONOR RECALL ON WHEEL BEARING. STATEMENT SAID EVEN IF THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICE BEFORE IT WILL FIX. NOT TRUE I SPENT A HOUR ON THE PHONE WITH THEM . FORD WILL NOT HONOR AGGREEMENT BECAUSE IT DID IT AGAIN. SEARCH RESULTS REPORT DATE : JUNE 20, 2008 AT 11:33 AM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 01I017000 MAKE / MODELS : MODEL/BUILD YEARS: FORD / FOCUS 2000-2001 MANUFACTURER : FORD MOTOR COMPANY MFR'S REPORT DATE : NOV 29, 2001 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 01I017000 N/A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: N/A COMPONENT: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 238653 SUMMARY: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2000-2001 FORD FOCUS PASSENGER VEHICLES, ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF , OHIOM, . IN HIGH CORROSION AREAS, WHERE SALT IS USED ON ROADWAYS IN THE WINTER, THE REAR WHEEL BEARING SEAL RACE CAN EXPERIENCE SURFACE CORROSION. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE WHEEL BEARING SEALS COULD BECOME DAMAGED AND ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE WHEEL BEARINGS. CONSEQUENCE: THE WHEEL BEARINGS COULD PREMATURELY WEAR AND CAUSE A NOTICEABLE NOISE. IF NOT REPAIRED, THIS CONDITION COULD PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE WHEEL BEGINS TO WOBBLE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. ADDITIONAL BEARING SEALS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED TO ENSURE A SMOOTH RIDE. THIS PROGRAM WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2002, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. EVEN IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN SERVICED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 00S31, FORD HAS TAKEN ADDITIONAL STEPS TO KEEP THE WHEEL BEARINGS IN TOP SHAPE. OWNERS FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM. *TR

SPRING BROKE ON FRONT END OF CAR- SHREDDED TIRE THAT ISN'T EVEN A YEAR OLD. MECHANIC INFORMED ME HE HAD THE SAME YEAR & MODEL OF CAR WITH SAME PROBLEM. I ASKED IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED HE SAID HE COULD NOT LOCATE ANY. *TR

FORD FOCUS 2000 SE - CAR LOSES ENGINE POWER WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 50/55 MPH. THEN WARNING SIGN LIGHTS UP AFTER A FEW MINUTES. I NOTICED THIS HAPPENS DURING HOT WEATHER MAINLY. EVEN AFTER LESS THAN 10 MILES OF DRIVING. IF I STOP THE CAR A FEW MINUTES, THE WARNING LIGHT SHUTS OFF BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL EXISTING. DOES NOT HAPPEN DURING COLD MONTHS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, THE REAR WHEELS BEGAN TO WOBBLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V303000 (WHEELS, LUGS, NUTS/BOLTS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01I017000 (WHEELS, LUGS, NUTS/BOLTS) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAMPAIGN WAS OVER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

THE KEY WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION. A LOCKSMITH CAME AND FIXED IT, BUT NOW I CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT AT ALL AND HAVE TO LEAVE IT IN THE IGNITION ALL THE TIME. *TR

IGNITION FAILURE. *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING A 2000 FOCUS HATCHBACK. JUST ENTERED INTO A JUGHANDLE TO MAKE A TURN ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHTS WENT ON, CAR LOCKED UP AND SMOKE ENTERED INSIDE THE CAR. HE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CAR WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED IN THE FIRE. *TR

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS BROKE IN HALF AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC. I HAVE FEWER THAN 50K MILES ON THE CAR. THE ONLY EVENT THAT MIGHT HAVE LED UP TO THE BREAK WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 10MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP INSIDE A PARKING GARAGE. THE SPRING, SHOCK ABSORBER, AND TIRE MUST BE REPLACED. AND MY MECHANIC EXPRESSED SURPRISE THAT THE TIRE DID NOT EXPLODE. I CONTACTED FORD TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART SINCE IT WAS SUCH AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE. I WAS INFORMED THAT SOME CARS OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL , AND YEAR WERE RECALLED BECAUSE OF CORROSION ON THESE SPRINGS. HOWEVER, MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. A QUICK SEARCH OF WEBSITE SET UP FOR FORD FOCUS OWNERS BY OWNERS REVEALED SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THE IGNITION LOCKED UP ON MY WIFE'S FORD FOCUS FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME AND HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE TUMBLERS AND OTHER PARTS BREAKING. THIS IS THE SECOND IGNITION THAT WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2000. *TR

FIRST THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR LOCK WENT OUT, AND THEN THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK WENT OUT. YOU CAN NOT OPEN WITH A KEY, NOR THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS. I TOOK THE HANDLE OFF TO TRY TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR, AND YOU CAN'T. ALSO THE AIR AND FAN JUST WENT OUT. IT WAS WORKING GREAT, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT JUST STOPPED WORKING! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR AN ALIGNMENT. AT THAT TIME, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TWO FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TWO FRONT SPRINGS, THE TWO REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, AND A BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT LEARNED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I017000 (WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS AND BOLTS), BUT IT DID NOT APPLY TO HER VIN. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 136,000. UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS . I AMONG SEVERAL CO-WORKERS WHO CAR POOL BECAME STRANDED DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE KEY LOCK IGNITION SWITCH. THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN. MY KIDS HAD TO SIT AFTER SCHOOL FOR 2 1/2 HOURS TILL I COULD PICK THEM UP IN ANOTHER VEHICLE ONCE I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED. ADDITIONALLY MY CO-WORKERS WERE DELAYED TO THEIR FAMILIES AND SEVERAL OF THEIR CHILDREN MISSED IMPORTANT AFTER SCHOOLS ACTIVITIES. IN REVIEW OF OTHER TESTIMONIALS ONLINE THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THIS FORD VEHICLE AND APPEARS TO BE ITS NUMBER 1 COMPLAINT IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION..IF THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE FORD SHOULD FIX THIS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER..SO NOW I TOW IT TO THEM SO THEY CAN REPLACE WITH ANOTHER FAILING PART FOR 500.00...IT'S NOT RIGHT..IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY KIDS WERE LEFT UN ATTENDED FOR 2 1/2 HOURS. *TR

WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED I HEARD A POP COME FROM THE CAR. THEN PART OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FELL OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION PIN INSIDE THE IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED. HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL OR MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED TWO YEARS AGO. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE BECAUSE THE WORK THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY DONE WAS ONLY FOR A YEAR. THEY ARE NOW CHARGING THE CONTACT THE SAME PRICE FOR THE REPAIR, BUT HE REFUSES TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

KEY WONT TURN IN IGNITION. ITS LOCKED UP PUT KEY IN AND TRIED TO TURN WITH NO LUCK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT COULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH, EVEN AFTER SHE SHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V482000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,692.

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY STUCK. VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *TR

UNABLE TO TURN IGNITION TO START CAR WITH KEY, REGULAR MECHANIC UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM, HAD TO BE SENT TO A FORD DEALER TO REPLACE THE LOCK CYLINDER AT A COST OF 350.00. *TR

IGNITION LOCKS UP AND KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOCKED. *TR

WELL, BASICALLY, MY IGNITION HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS FOR THE THIRD TIME. I'VE GONE ON THE WEB AND HAVE READ THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION AND IT WILL NOT START. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED DUE TO A SAFETY HAZARD. IMAGINE BEING IN A REMOTE LOCATION AND BEING IN NEED OF MEDICAL ATTENTION AND YOUR CAR NOT STARTING? IMAGING GOING HIKING AND TWISTING YOUR ANKLE, AFTER SUFFERING THROUGH AGONIZING PAIN, YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE TO SUFFER MUCH LONGER BECAUSE YOU CAN'T TURN THE KEY IN YOU IGNITION. I'VE NEVER HAD TO EXPERIENCE ANY OF THESE SITUATIONS, BUT I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY THIRD IGNITION FAILURE. THE FIRST TWO WERE $300 EACH, AND I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $600?? PRICE GOUGING IN OUR TIME OF HIGH GASOLINE COSTS?? I BELIEVE THESE FAULTY PARTS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

THERE WAS NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. ON 4/26/08 I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS TO START IT, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM, WHICH ID A COMMON PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE FIXED "TOO MANY OF THESE IGNITION PROBLEMS TO COUNT". HOWEVER THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE WOULD NOT DO A "GOODWILL REPAIR". SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE OR WHO WHERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THEIR FORD FOCUSES. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE ARE THAT IT HAS COST ME MY JOB, AND MY FIANCE HER JOB, AMOUNTING TO APPROXIMATELY 52 THOUSAND DOLLARS YEARLY IN INCOME. I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY KIND OF REPAIR ACTION TO REMEDY THIS AS OF YET, AS IT COSTS 400-500 DOLLARS WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THERE ARE TIMES WHERE THE ENGINE WILL REV AND IT WILL RAISE 2 OR 4 RPMS BUT THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WILL REMAIN THE SAME. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE FUEL LINE AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. BUT SHE DECIDED TO CHECK FOR RECALLS BEFORE MAKING REPAIRS. SHE WENT ONLINE AND FOUNDS RECALLS FOR HER YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. SHE FOUND A RECALL THAT EXPLAINED HER EXACT PROBLEMS SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DID NOT AFFECT HER VIN. SHE BELIEVES THAT HER VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND SHUTS OFF. UPDATED 09/11/08 *JB

I WAS DRIVING NY CAR ABOUT 25-30 MPH WHEN I HEARD A NOISE. LOW AND BEHOLD MY RIGHT WHEEL WAS WOBBLING BACK AND FORTH. THEN IT STOPPED FOR A MOMENT SO I DECIDED TO TAKE CAR TO SHOP. ON MY WAY TO THE SHOP MY BARRING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON THE EVERYTHING LOCKED UP,GOT TO SHOP RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS SMOKING BAD. SHOP TOLD ME EVERYTHING BURNED UP COAST ME 1,200.00 TO GET BACK ON ROAD. JUST ONE OF THE MANY THINGS FIXED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS NORMAL, INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. SHE STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAS REMAINED ON EVER SINCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE WITH THE FUEL TANK. WHEN THE GAS TANK CAP IS NOT SECURED PROPERLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE GAS TANK CAP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIMMED; HOWEVER, IT ILLUMINATED AGAIN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. THE LAST TIME THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START HER VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. SHE WAITED A COUPLE OF HOURS AND WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY RESTARTED, IT MADE A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE. WHITE SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,757.

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION FAILURE. CAR IGNITION LOCKED/FROZE UP AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND THE IGNITION REPLACED AT A COST OF SOME $500. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS AND FORD REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ME AND HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM WITH A RECALL. *TR

00 FORD FOCUS SE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION WIFE WAS ON HER WAY HOME FROM WORK STOP FOR GAS GOT INTO THE CAR KEY WILL NOT TURN $200.00 TO FIX. *TR

1. THERE WERE TWO INSTANCES OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS WHERE MY CAR WOULDN'T START INITIALLY AND IT TOOK 15 MINUTES TO FINALLY BE ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. 2. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY CAR WHICH IS A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I HAD MAY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WITH ME AND WHEN WE WENT TO LEAVE MY IGNITION LOCKED UP. AFTER AN HOUR I HAD TO CALL SOMEONE TO COME GET MY DAUGHTER AS IT WAS 9PM AND SHE HAD SCHOOL IN THE MORNING. I HAD SOMEONE ELSE COME BY TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX IT BUT THAT WAS TO NO AVAIL. FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 3 HOURS TOTAL I HAD TO CALL A FOR A TOW BACK TO MY HOUSE AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT EVEN ROLL THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY BECAUSE I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL TO GET AROUND THE GAS PUMPS. I SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE ABOUT A RECALL DUE TO THIS CARS HISTORY AND TO MY AMAZEMENT I FOUND WEB FORUM AFTER WEB FORUM OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SEARCH THE WEB FOR "FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK" AND YOU'LL SEE WHAT I MEAN. THIS IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE AND CAN BE POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. BEING STUCK AND UNABLE TO PUT YOUR CAR IN NEUTRAL AND MOVE IT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND OUT OF THE WAY, BEING STUCK IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS...POSSIBLY WITH A CHILD OR EVEN JUST BEING STUCK FOR HOURS AT A TIME. I READ ON INSTANCE WERE A WOMEN WASN'T ABLE TO GET TOWED FOR 6 HOURS AND READ ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A MAN WHO HAD RENTED A FOCUS ONLY TO HAVE IT LOCK UP WHILE AT A REST AREA ON THE HIGHWAY. IT APPEARS THAT FORD IS SIMPLY IGNORING THIS FAULT AND IT'S COSTING PEOPLE $400-$500 EVERY OCCURRENCE. SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED 3 TIMES OR MORE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND TRY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IT HAS BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE. 3. I HAVE GET THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER TO PAY THE $400 TO HAVE IT FIXED AND HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN OR I CAN FIND A LOCKSMITH WHO CAN COME TO MY HOUSE, DRILL OUT THE IGNITION AND REPLACE IT WHICH IS CHEAPER THAN THE DEALERSHIP BUT NOT BY MUCH. *TR

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAD A KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS CAUSED ME TO DRIVE A CAR WITH A KEY THAT WOULD NOT COME OUT CAUSING A THEFT ISSUE AS I LIVE IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. THERE WAS FEAR OF GOING OUT TO START MY CAR AND HAVING IT BREAK OR NOT TURN LEAVING ME STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FORD WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM FOR LESS THEN $500 WHICH IS A TOTAL JOKE AS THIS IS A FAULTY PART THAT THEY PUT IN THE CAR. I HAD TO PAY $385 DOLLARS TO HAVE A GOOD LOCKSMITH REPLACE THE PART FOR ME. FORD SHOULD BACK UP THE PRODUCT THAT MAKE AND SHOULD PAY BACK ANY FOCUS OWNER THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WILL NOT SUPPORT A COMPANY THAT WILL NOT SUPPORT THEIR OWN PRODUCT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. HE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED TWO WIRES WERE MELTED IN THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE ORIGINATED FROM THE REAR DECK LID. TWO WIRES WERE FUSED TOGETHER DUE TO FATIGUE, ONE WIRE BEING 7.5 AMPS AND THE OTHER BEING 15 AMPS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V411000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,679 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,670.

2000 FORD FOCUS #1 CAR HAS BEEN OWNED BY ME SINCE 2001 (BOUGHT FROM A DEALER WITH 13K MILES ON IT), IT GETS USED LIGHTLY AND NEVER GOES ON LONG TRIPS. I USE IT JUST FOR LOCAL DRIVING, TO AND FROM WORK. (ABOUT 5 MILES A DAY, CAR HAS 80K MILES ON IT) THIS CAR IS A LEMON! I HAVE HAD SOME OF THE STRANGEST PROBLEMS AND GONE THROUGH MORE RECALLS THEN ANYONE SHOULD HAVE TO. #2 PROBLEMS I'M HAVING CURRENTLY: SUSPENSION CAR'S FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING HAS BROKEN, MAKES VERY LOUD CRUNCHING NOISES WHEN TURNING, NEEDS REPAIR. ELECTRICAL CAR HAS SMELLED OF BURNING RUBBER, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS STARTED SMOKING ON MORE THEN ONE OCCASION, HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO GOING UP IN FLAMES. TURNING THE CAR OFF THEN DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY TERMINAL CURES THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. WAS ALSO TOLD BY LOCAL MECHANIC FRONT AXLES ARE BAD, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON BUT DO NOT KNOW MUCH MORE ABOUT IT. PROBLEMS I'VE HAD: FUEL PUMP RECALL, DOOR LATCH RECALL, AND BATTERY CABLE RECALL. HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BEARINGS OF THE CAR, PAID OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THOSE, BECAUSE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THEM. AFTER READING NHTSA CAMPAIGN #01I017000 I HAVE SINCE LEARNED OTHERWISE. #3 ALL THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING WITH THE CAR CURRENTLY ARE NOT FIXED. ALL THE OTHER ONES WERE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. THE FRONT SPRING IS STILL AVAILABLE AS IS STILL ON THE CAR, AND HE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS STILL INTACT. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE SPRING SOON BUT I'LL HOLD ON TO IT. THE SAME GOES FOR THE FRONT AXLE'S. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. MINUTES LATER, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED METAL HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING STRUTS FAILED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SWAY BAR LINKS, THE INNER TIE ROD, THE CB BOOT, THE DRIVER SIDE AXLE, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,982 UPDATED 5/19/08 *CN

KEY IGNITION SWITCH BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS. FIRST THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION ONE DAY. IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY ONE HAD TO PUSH THE CYLINDER IN WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PULLING THE KEY. IT SEEMED STRANGE AT THE TIME THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN OUT OF THE BLUE ONE DAY, BUT THE NEW METHOD OF REMOVING THE KEY WORKED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR LEAVING MY WIFE STRANDED OUT LATE ONE NIGHT. LUCKILY, HER FRIEND WHO ALSO OWNED A FORD MUSTANG, WAS WITH HER AND HAD EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH HER CAR. THEY WERE ABLE TO START THE CAR BUY SIMULTANEOUSLY PUSHING IN THE CYLINDER WHILE TURNING THE KEY AND IT STARTED. AGAIN STRANGE BUT IT WORKED. WE CONTINUED THIS ROUTINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL YESTERDAY, WHILE JUST SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS CHANGING TIRES THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED TO REMOVE IT FROM THE GARAGE. NOW FACED WITH MORE COST THE ONLY THING I COULD BE HAPPY ABOUT WAS THAT IT WAS ME STRANDED AND NOT MY WIFE AND MY SON. IT IS EVEN MORE FRUSTRATING TO LEARN NOW THAT THIS IS AND HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF FORD AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT. I CAN PAY HUNDREDS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART THAT MANY SAY WILL FAIL AGAIN. THIS TIME ON ONE OF MY WIFE'S MANY TRIPS WITH MY SON IN THE CAR SEAT. NOTHING ABOUT THAT SCENARIO SOUNDS SAFE TO ME. FORD NEEDS TO BE PROMPTED TO FIX THIS RECURRING PROBLEM TO PREVENT FUTURE SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

I RECENTLY WAS STRANDED 30 MILES FROM MY HOME DUE TO MY IGNITION LOCKING UP. MY KEYS WOULD NOT EVEN BUDGE AND I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED AND PAID FOR THE REPAIR ($400). THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. *TR

KEY WON'T TURN IGNITION AND COULD NOT START CAR. *TR

DRIVING ALONG, ROLLED DOWN DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW FOR FRESH AIR, WINDOW FELL OUT OF TRACK, APPROX 1 MONTH LATER SAME THING HAPPENED TO PASSENGER REAR WINDOW SAME THING. *TR

WENT TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND HEARD LOUD SCRAPING NOISE. FOUND FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN AND PROTRUDING INTO TOP OF TIRE. ALSO, FOUND A LOT OF RUST UNDER CAR BY FRONT TIRE. SEVERELY GOUGED TIRE IN JUST SHORT DISTANCE IN DRIVEWAY. *TR CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AT THIS TIME. PRESENTLY CAR HAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WE WOULD PROBABLY BE DEAD!

I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AT WALGREENS. 10 MIN LATER I TRIED TO PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION. IT WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT SLID IN BUN MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON. IT COST ME 200 TO HAVE A LOCKSMITH COME OUT AND REPLACE THE IGNITION. APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THE 2000 FORD FOCUS. *TR

KEY IS HARD TO GET INTO IGNITION. THEN, IT WON'T TURN. AFTER TAPPING, I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT ON BUT I DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF HOPING THE CAR WILL WORK OR NOT. WHAT IF I'M LATE TO WORK? *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY DROPS TO 0 WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THE ODOMETER READS ALL DASH MARKS AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTS ROUGHLY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE SPEED SENSOR BEING BAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS GIVEN A DIFFERENT EXCUSE WHY THE SENSOR FAILED EACH TIME. *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.

I WAS LEFT STRANDED AT NIGHT WHEN MY KEY WOULD NO LONGER FIT ALL THE WAY INTO MY IGNITION, LEAVING ME UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A FLAT PARKING LOT. THE KEY WAS NOT EXCESSIVELY WORN NOR WAS IT BENT. THE VEHICLE STARTED FINE ONLY AN HOUR BEFORE. LUCKILY, I WAS IN AN URBAN AREA WITH CELLULAR SERVICE AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTACT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO LOAD THE CAR ON THE FLATBED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE TURNED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. SINCE I COULD NOT INSERT THE KEY ALL THE WAY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK ALLOWING THE WHEELS TO STRAIGHTEN. I THEN HAD TO CONTACT A LOCKSMITH WHO ADVISED HE COULD REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. HE ADVISED THAT HE WOULD REPLACE THE PART WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL THAN THE OEM BECAUSE IF THE OEM MODEL WAS INSTALLED, IT COULD FAIL AGAIN. THANK GOODNESS MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PLAN COVERED MOST OF THE COST FOR THE FAILED TOW ATTEMPT AND THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT. A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF CARS OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL TYPE. THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS RETURNED IN MY SEARCH RESULTS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!! I DO LOTS OF STATE TO STATE TRAVELING AND I COULD HAVE BEEN ABANDONED IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION WITH NO CELLULAR SERVICE IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS! WHAT IF I HAVE CHILDREN OR ELDERLY PASSENGERS IN THE CAR??? THIS IS EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE TO HAVE A KNOWN PROBLEM GO UNCOMMUNICATIVE TO FORD OWNERS. PEOPLE RELY ON THEIR VEHICLES TO START AND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING IS SCARY. I CAN THINK OF A DOZEN OF "WHAT IF" SCENARIOS THAT COULD PUT DRIVERS IN DANGER. THIS PART CAN BE REPLACED QUICKLY AND RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVELY (UNLESS YOU GO THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP IT SEEMS) WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL IGNITION SWITCH TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IF FORD WOULD JUST COMMUNICATE THIS KNOWN PROBLEM TO ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE RPM WOULD SPORADICALLY INCREASE UP TO 3,000 AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXCESSIVELY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO DOWNSHIFT THE GEARS IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED. THE SPEED WAS NOT A DETERMINING FACTOR WITH THE FAILURE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,288. UPDATED 04/14/08. *LJ UPDATED 04/11/08 *TR

THE IGNITION KEY LOCK CYLINDER IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE KEY CYLINDER DOES NOT TURN PROPERLY WHEN THE FACTORY KEY IS PROPERLY INSERTED. I HAVE TWO SETS OF KEYS, THEY ARE NOT TERRIBLY WORN AND THE CYLINDER WORKS THE SAME WAY WITH BOTH KEYS. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE KEY, TAKE IT OUT AND FLIP IT OVER, WIGGLE THE KEY SOME MORE AND IT STILL MAY NOT WORK. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES, WHERE I WAS LEFT STRANDED, BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET THE IGNITION CYLINDER TO WORK. IT IS ALWAYS A GAMBLE AS TO WHETHER THE KEY IS GOING TO WORK IN THE CAR OR NOT. I'VE BEEN INFORMED BY THE LOCAL LOCKSMITH THAT HE HAS NOTICED THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS MODEL CARS. HE HAS HAD TO FIX QUITE A FEW WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THIS IS THE CASE, I FEEL THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THIS MAY BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND ALL CUSTOMERS NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT. I'D ALSO LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE FUNDS I HAD TO SHELL OUT, BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. THANK YOU. *TR

KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO IGNITION SWITCH. CALLED FORD DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCHES BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. HAD TO PAY $65 TO HAVE CAR TOWED AND $314 FOR IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT. *TR

ONE DAY I GOT INTO MY 2000 FORD FOCUS AND HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. ONCE IT WAS IN THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IT TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR OF TURNING THE WHEEL, JIGGLING THE KEY, AND TAPPING ON THE KEY TO GET IT TO ENGAGE THE LOCK CYLINDER AND START THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I LEFT THE KEY IN LONG ENOUGH TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE IS PERVASIVE ON THIS MODEL AND COST ABOUT $400 TO FIX. A SIMPLE SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS WITH 2000 FORD FOCUSES THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE IT IS A FAILURE SUITABLE FOR RECALL. *TR