Ford Focus Complaints (2000)

3,686 consumer complaints on file.

#10155136April 12, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS. FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A FUSE BLOWING WHICH RUNS MY BRAKE LIGHTS. I CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE FUSE, BUT NOW IT WON'T HOLD ANYMORE. THERE IS A RECALL #02313: DECK LID WIRE HARNESS FATIGUE, BUT MY VIN DIDN'T GET RECALLED. MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THESE RECALL 'SYMPTOMS' AND SHOULD BE COVERED! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155231April 12, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
MY CAR A 2000 FORD FOCUS HAD A FRONT SPRING BREAK IN (2) PLACES CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE STRUT AND THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GOODYEAR STORE AND HAD BOTH SPRINGS AND STRUTS REPLACED ALONG WITH A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE COST WAS $800 FOR ALL. I HAVE SAVED THE SPRINGS TO RETURN FOR EXAMINATION. BOTH SPRINGS HAVE A SLEEVE ON THEM ABOUT (6)INCHES AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM. THE AREA AROUND THE SLEEVE HAS COLLECTED DIRT AND CAUSED CORROSION (RUST) TO EAT THROUGH THE SPRING TO THE POINT IT BREAKS. THIS COULD VERY WELL BE A SAFETY ISSUE DEPENDING ON HOW FAST YOU WERE DRIVING WHEN IT OCCURS. I WAS GOING 25 IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHEN IT BROKE. I WOULD LOG TO LOG THIS COMPLAINT AS I AM SURE FROM LOOKING AT THE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT OTHERS WILL ALSO BE EXPERIENCING THE SAME DAMAGE. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I SHOULD PROCEED. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF DESIRED. REGARDS GARY YOUNG
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155083April 11, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY; THE IGNITION TUMBLER FRACTURED WHICH PREVENTED THE ENGINE FROM BEING STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION. AFTERWARDS, THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN FOR ANOTHER IGNITION REPLACEMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154794April 7, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I COULD NOT INSERT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. I ALSO COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL OR MOVE THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE SERVICE TECH AT FORD SAID "IT WAS A VERY COMMON AND WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS AND THAT THEY REPAIR MANY MORE FORD FOCUS IGNITIONS THAN ANY OTHER MODEL OF FORD CARS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL REPAIR AND THE OWNER OF THE FORD FOCUS (I) SHOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR. I WOULD LIKE FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR $269.32 AND THE FEE I PAID TO THE TOWING COMPANY $35.00 A TOTAL OF THE TWO IS $304.32. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154838April 7, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE IGNITION CYLINDER AND LOCK, A NEW KEY WAS PROVIDED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154396April 3, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IN REVERSE COMING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 1MPH A NOISE WAS HEARD RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. THE PART WITH THE RUBBER SEAL IN THE COIL SPRING RUSTED CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SUGGESTED CONTACTING THE NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154411April 3, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
EXITING THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS A LOUD POP FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL. BELIEVED I HAD HIT SOMETHING BUT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE MIRROR. SOUND CONTINUED WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED FROM HARD LEFT TO HARD RIGHT. JACKED CAR TO SEE IF SOMETHING WAS STUCK BEHIND TIRE AND WHEN WEIGHT WAS LIFTED FROM SUSPENSION SPRING WHICH WAS BROKEN SHIFTED AND MADE CONTACT WITH TIRE. IF I HAD HIT A BUMP WHEN/OR AFTER SPRING BROKE IT WOULD HAVE PUNCTURED TIRE CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154326March 31, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I TRY TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WILL NOT TURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. I ALSO HAD TO GET IT TOWED ALL 3 TIMES TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVE SPENT A LITTLE OVER $500 FOR THESE REPAIRS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154186March 30, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
AFTER FINISHING WORK, I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I TRIED FOR AN HOUR TO GET THE KEY TO TURN BUT IT NEVER DID. SINCE I AM NEW TO THE AREA, AND I DO NOT KNOW ANYONE, I ENDED UP HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. I WAS BILLED $325. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154200March 30, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH, WHILE THE ENGINE OF MY CAR STARTED LOOSING POWER AND RPMS. I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, BUT IT WAS RUNNING PRETTY BAD, ALMOST AS IF NOT ENOUGH FUEL WAS GOING TO THE ENGINE. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF FOR 5 MINUTES. I RESTARTED AGAIN AND IT WORKED OK FOR ANOTHER 10 MINUTES, WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS IS HAPPENING, USUALLY IT HAPPENS WHEN IT'S A WARM (NOT HOT) DAY, AND WITH HALF TANK OR LESS. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE, SO IT HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF THE FUEL LEVEL. THE FUEL PUMP SEEMS TO OVERHEAT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153570March 24, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I DROVE HOME FROM SCHOOL PARKED MY 2000 FORD FOCUS LX IN THE DRIVEWAY AND ON MY WAY OUT TO WORK FOUND THAT MY IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED INTO PLACE. AFTER 2 DAYS OF HAVING TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO WORK I CALLED A LOCKSMITH WHO SAID THEY HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING A WEEK AND TO LIGHTLY TAP ON THE KEY WHILE IT IS IN THE IGNITION, AFTER TRYING THAT I FOUND IT WORKS BUT HAS TO BE DONE EVERYTIME I WANT TO START THE CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153602March 24, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
KEY AND IGNITION CYLINDER ON STEERING COLUMN GETTING HOT. IGNITION LOCKED UP FOR THE SECOND TIME. REPAIRED 1ST TIME WITH MOTORCRAFT PART. ALSO MAYBE NOT RELEVANT BUT IT'S LIKE THERE IS NO BRAKING SYSTEM WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. UPON LOADING CAR ONTO TRAILER, FOOT ON BRAKE TOOK KEY OUT OF IGNITION BRIEFLY AND CAR ROLLED BACK MISSING RAMPS FALLING ON END OF TRAILER AND DAMAGED FRONT BUMPER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153649March 24, 2006
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I HAD MY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACE ONCE ALREADY, HAVING TO PAY 300.00 THE FIRST TIME, AND KNOW JUST THE OTHER DAY I WENT TO VISIT MY BROTHER, AND WHEN I GOT READY TO LEAVE, MY KEY WOULD NOT START, MY BROTHER HAD LEFT BEFORE ME, SO I WAS STRANDED, ME AND MY BOYS FOR 45 MINUTES IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER, I WAS SO UPSET, I CAN NOT BELIEVE FORD IS NOT DOING A RECALL, IM SELLING THIS PIECE A CRAP OF A CAR, AND WILL NEVER AGAIN BY A FORD CAR, AND IM GOING TO SPREAD THE WORD ON HOW HORRIBLE THERE SERVICE AND CARS ARE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153671March 24, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. I'VE HAD MOST (8 OF 12) OF THE RECALL SERVICES DONE TO THE CAR. NOW THE KEY WON'T TURN BECAUSE THE IGNITION IS JAMMED. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF POSTS ON WEBSITES REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ALL YEARS OF THE FORD FOCUS. ON MANY SITES, PEOPLE ARE DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE IGNITION PROBLEM AND PAYING $350+ AT THE DEALERS TO GET IT FIXED. THESE SAME SITES HAVE MANY PEOPLE HOPING THAT NHTSA WILL FORCE FORD TO DO A RECALL ON THE IGNITION. IT IS A DEFECT WHEN IT'S THIS COMMON. PEOPLE DESCRIBE TOW TRUCK OPERATORS SAYING THEY TOW A NUMBER OF FORD FOCUS TO THE DEALER FOR THE IGNITION PROBLEM EACH MONTH. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153517March 23, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
MY IGNITION IS JAMMED AND WILL NOT TURN THE CAR ON. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEMS BECAUSE I HAVE PUT TOO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS "LEMON" OF A CAR ALREADY! I NEED A RECALL TO PAY FOR FORD'S MISTAKE! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153557March 23, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1) IGNITION STUCK, AND CAN'T START VEHICLE. 2) STEPDAUGHTER WAS STRANDED, BY SIDE OF ROAD. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED HOME, AND THEN DEALER. 3) DRILLED IGNITION TUMBLER FROM AND RE-KEYED. RE-KEYED NEW IGNITION CYLINDER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153184March 20, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SEDAN UPON EXITING THE PARKWAY SATURDAY EVENING MARCH 18, 2006, I HEARD A LOUD THUD FROM WITHIN THE FRONT END, LIKE SOMETHING HAD SNAPPED. NOTHING LOOKED TO BE WRONG. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EMANATE A LOUD HIGH-PITCHED GRINDING NOISE AND THEN A LOT OF SMOKE. WHAT HAPPENED IS THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SUSPENSION SPRING SNAPPED OFF THE STRUT AND GORGED A DEEP TROUGH OR GROOVE IN MY TIRE. FORTUNATELY THE TIRE WAS BRAND NEW. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY A FEW MINUTES BEFORE, NO DOUBT THE TIRE WOULD HAVE BLOWN AND SENT ME CAREENING OUT OF CONTROL. MY MECHANIC PUT THE CAR UP ON A LIFT SO I COULD TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS. MY MECHANIC IS MAKING THE REPAIRS TODAY. HE REPORTS THE STRUT SPRING BROKE IN THREE SEPARATE PLACES. THE FRONT TIRE IS DESTROYED AND RENDERED TOTALLY USELESS. THE ODOMETER READING IS 66,662 MILES. THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WILL BE RETAINED AND MADE AVAILABLE FOR PHYSICAL INSPECTION. I AM SENDING MY PHOTOS AS AN ATTACHMENT WITH MY E-MAIL MESSAGE TO THE NHTSA AT THEIR FOLLOWING ADDRESS: [email protected] I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE MAKE OR MODEL AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING CONTINUOUSLY SINCE 1965. YOU WILL OBSERVE THAT A NUMBER OF IDENTICAL MECHANICAL FAILURES INVOLVING THE FORD FOCUS STRUTS AND SPRINGS ARE POSTED BY OTHERS AT THE NHTSA WEB SITE. *JB THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE FRONT STRUT BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT COIL SPRING TO BREAK INTO THREE PIECES. UPDATED 04/04/06. *JB UPDATED 05/25/06*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153189March 20, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
FAILED TO START; NOTICED THAT POSITIVE CABLE INSULATION NEAR CONNECTION TO BATTERY WAS MELTED; HAD BATTERY JUMP-START; TOOK TO HAVE BATTERY CHECK IN CAR WHILE RUNNING; BAD BATTERY; REPLACED BATTERY WITH NEW ONE; AND FAILED TO TURN ON; MECHANIC CHECKED CONTINUITY AND THERE WAS NONE FOUND; MECHANIC CUT OFF PART OF CABLE WITH BURNT INSULATION AND TRIED TO RECONNECT; NO REMEDY; NOTIFIED BY MECHANIC THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $400 TO REPLACE POSITIVE CABLE HARNESS. MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME OF A RECALL HE FOUND CONCERNING THE ZETEC ENGINE AND BATTERY CABLE HARNESSES CATCHING ON FIRE; THUS, CONTACTED DEALER WITH VIN; AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THAT VIN... *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153270March 20, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, WHEN I WOULD GO TO START MY FORD FOCUS (2000 SE), I WOULD FEEL A SMALL AMOUNT OF TURBULENCE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. TODAY, AS I DELIVERED MY NEWSPAPER ROUTE, THE ENGINE HAD A LOUD UNRYTHMIC TICK TO IT. BY THE AFTERNOON, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE CAR, THE ENGINE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND MADE A TERRIBLE 'CLANKING' SOUND THAT ECHOED LOUDLY FROM WITHIN THE CHAMBERS OF THE ENGINE. I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART MY VEHICLE, BECAUSE MY MECHANIC WARNED THAT HE HAS WORKED ON THREE OTHER FOCUS MODELS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. TWO OF THOSE VEHICLES EXPERIENCED AN EXPLODING OF THEIR ENGINES. MY VEHICLE WILL COST ANYWHERE BETWEEN 500$ AND 1000$ TO REPAIR, BUT EVEN THEN THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL BE REMEDIED. THE MECHANIC BELIEVES THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS WITHIN THE FOURTH CHAMBER'S BEARINGS, WHICH - IF OUT OF ALIGNMENT - CAUSES THE SHAFT TO LOSE CENTRIFUGAL FORCE (HENCE THE VIOLENT SHAKING). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152939March 17, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION WON'T TURN SO THE VEHICLE WON'T START. IT LEFT ME STRANDED AT WORK AND NOW DOWN TO ONE CAR FOR ME AND MY WIFE. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT YET DUE TO THE COST OF A REPLACEMENT PART AND TO GET IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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