Ford Focus Complaints (2000)

3,686 consumer complaints on file.

#10265085April 13, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264355April 7, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264215April 6, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263281March 27, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262980March 24, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262719March 22, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EQUIPMENT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262511March 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262235March 18, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262395March 18, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262122March 17, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261852March 15, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260999March 7, 2009
WHEELS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260815March 5, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260643March 4, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260408March 2, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED, VEHICLE WEIGHT OF SHARP, BROKEN REMAINDER OF SPRING AGAINST FRONT TIRE WHILE VEHICLE PARKED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260245February 27, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259420February 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 3-2-06 I WAS UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN..I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REMOVED, THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REMOVED, NEW IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO GO TO LOCKSMITH TO BE KEY CODED, THEN A NEW INSTALLATION SWITCH WAS INSTALLED. THE COST WAS ABOUT $300 PLUS TOWING PLUS INCONVENIENCE...TOO MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS..FORD SHOULD RECALL PROBLEM/REIMBURSE PEOPLE WHO PD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258707February 15, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
KEY IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258547February 13, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258506February 12, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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