Ford Focus Complaints (2000)

3,686 consumer complaints on file.

#10100616November 27, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I RECENTLY ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO INSERT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULD NOT INSERT ENTIRELY AND WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED WHILE IN PARK. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN "EASY FIX", SO I TRIED TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT, BUT IT REFUSED TO COOPERATE. AFTER OVER AN HOUR OF ATTEMPTING TO INSERT MY KEY WITH FAILURE, I CALLED A LOCKSMITH. THE LOCKSMITH TOLD ME "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD FOCUSES". I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR MATTER. I'VE READ NUMEROUS STATEMENTS ONLINE FROM OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM (SEE HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T158426.HTML AND HTTP://WWW.TALKABOUTAUTOS.COM/GROUP/ALT.AUTOS.FORD.FOCUS/MESSAGES/27215.HTML). THE LOCKSMITH HAD TO UNINSTALL THE OLD INGNITION SWITCH AND RECODE AND INSTALL A NEW IGNITION SWITCH FOR $190. SINCE MY PURCHASE, FORD FOCUS HAS ISSUED THREE RECALLS (UPCOMING FOURTH RECALL) AND I'M SURPRISED THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ONE OF THEM WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS. HOPEFULLY, FURTHER INVESTIGATION WILL TAKE PLACE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AND NOT LEAVE ANY FUTURE OWNERS STRANDED WHEN THEY ATTEMPT TO START THEIR CAR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101713November 26, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE STOPPING AT STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THEN, VEHICLE STOPPED. BUT THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. CONSUMER DROVE DRIVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK. IDLE SPEED SHOOTS WAY UP FOR A FEW SECONDS. CONSUMER HAVE TO STAND ON BRAKE TO KEEP CAR FROM MOVING INTO INTERSECTION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100449November 24, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. THIS WAS FIXED ONCE BEFORE UNDER WARRANTY IN 2001. BUT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOW. *N M
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100489November 24, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IT WAS A RATHER NORMAL DAY. I DROVE MY 2000 FORD FOCUS TO COLLEGE, THEN HOME. ON MY WAY TO A LOCAL RESTAURANT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WHEN I WAS FINISHED, I PAID FOR MY MEAL AND EXITED THE ESTABLISHMENT. I STEPPED INTO MY CAR, CLOSED THE DOOR, AND PLACED MY KEY (WHICH WAS IN MINT CONDITION) IN THE IGNITION. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN EITHER WAY. I GIGGLED (CAREFULLY), BUT IT APPEARED TO BE STUCK. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED, FOR A FEE. THE CAR HAD TO BE FIXED, FOR A FEE ($300). I WAS STRANDED WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. WITH NO WAY TO SCHOOL OR WORK, IT WAS A MOST COMPROMISING SITUATION. THEY REPLACED THE METAL IGNITION SWITCH AFTER TEARING APART MY STEERING WHEEL. IT SEEMS TO WORK FINE NOW, HOWEVER; I BELIEVE THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED FOR A SPECIFIC RECALL, BUT I WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I FOUND MANY CONSUMERS THROUGH THE INTERNET WHO HAVE HAD TO UNFORTUNATELY DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM. COMPENSATION FOR THIS INCONVENIENCE IS SURELY DESIRED, AND TO MY OTHER FAITHFUL FORD CUSTOMERS (QUICKLY LOSING FAITH!) I WOULD SAY IT IS OWED TO US. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100514November 24, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
KEY NO LONGER TURNED IGNITION.. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100515November 24, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT
SPRING ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. COULD HAVE POPPED TIRE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101498November 22, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE LIGHTS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF. THE CAUSE IS UNDETERMINED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100337November 22, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS WAGON (2000) FROM ROWAN LINCOLN MERCURY IN WINTER HAVEN FLORIDA IN NOVEMBER 2003. SINCE THAT TIME THIS "CHECKED OUT" VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: A NEW IGNITION LOCK (TWICE), A NEW BATTERY, NEW SPARK PLUGS & WIRES, NEW VACUUM HOSE, AND NEW ALTERNATOR. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT ON THE VEHICLE. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE AGAINST THE DEALERSHIP FOR SELLING ME AN OBVIOUSLY MESSED UP VEHICLE? MY CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNANSWERED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 36,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT. EVERYONE THAT TOUCHES THE CAR TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NO GOOD REASON FOR THE NEED OF ANY OF THE REPAIRS EXCEPT THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES AND BATTERY. ANY ADVICE AS I AM NOW FACING ANOTHER REPAIR BILL IN EXCESS OF $1,000 FOR A CAR THAT IS TOUTED AS BEING ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE ON THE ROAD? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100174November 19, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2000 FORD FOCUS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING MY FOCUS DOWN THE STREET, TWO MINUTES FROM GETTING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THE FUEL PUMP GAVE OUT WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101332November 19, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE SUBSTANCE IN THE AIR BAG BURNT THROUGH THE DRIVER'S JACKET SLEEVE AND CAUSED FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO THE ARMS. THE JACKET WAS MADE OF 78% POLYESTER AND 27%RAMS. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10100241November 19, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I OWN 2 FORD FOCUS CARS. EACH HAS HAD THE IGINITION SWITCH LOCK UP. IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE INSERTED WITHOUT FORCE AND EVEN THEN COULD NOT BE TURNED TO UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL OR PROVIDE POWER. STARTING ENGINE WAS NOT POSSIBLE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED USING CAR JACKS .... A TOWING SURCHARGE. THIS DEFECT IS NOT CONSIDERED A WARRANTY ITEM AND COST WAS SEVERAL HUNDERED DOLLARS TO REPAIR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100144November 18, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. EARLY THIS YEAR THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION, NOT THAT IT WOULDN'T START, BUT THAT I COULD ONLY GET THE KEY HALFWAY INTO THE LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE IGNITION ITSELF. I MISSED WORK THAT DAY BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START MY OWN CAR. CALLED THE LOCKSMITH AND HE TOLD ME THAT WAS HIS THIRD CASE IN TWO WEEKS--SAME CAR, ABOUT THE SAME YEAR. HE FIXED IT BUT SAID THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, IT WOULD NEED REPLACING. WELL IT DID HAPPEN AGAIN--NOV. 12TH TO BE EXACT. AGAIN, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO IN THE MECHANISM, EVEN AFTER FOLLOWING THE DEALERSHIP'S ADVICE TO TAP IT IN WITH A HAMMER. HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED. TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID IT WAS HIS FOURTH FOCUS BEING TOWED THAT WEEK AND GUESSED THE PROBLEM BEFORE I EVEN TOLD HIM WHAT IT WAS! WHEN WE GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP I ASKED HOW MANY CARS HAD BEEN AFFECTED. 20% WAS THE ANSWER--20% OF THE FOCUS MODELS FROM 2000-2003. WOULD THERE BE A RECALL I ASKED? NO, HE ANSWERED FLATLY. I HAD TO PAY NEARLY $300 IN REPAIRS FROM THEM HAVING TO DRILL IN AND REPLACE IGNITION, LOCK, AND KEYS, ALL FOR A DEFECT THAT AFFECTS 20% OF CARS BUILT IN THREE YEARS. FRANKLY I FIND THAT RIDICULOUS THAT THEY WON'T RECALL THESE CARS, AND I WANT OTHER FOCUS OWNERS TO BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE FORD DOESN'T SEEM IT NECESSARY TO TELL THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101014November 16, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER STATES REAR DOOR CHILD LOCKS WILL NOT DISENGAGE. CONSUMER REFERRED TO THE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH STATED THAT A SPECIAL KEY WAS NEEDED TO DISENGAGE CHILD LOCKS, HOWEVER DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE CONSUMER WITH A KEY FOR THAT PURPOSE. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IN EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY PASSENGERS WILL BE TRAPPED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098725November 12, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER OPENS UP BACK HATCH WHEN ON HIGHWAY. DID NOT USE REAR DEFROST. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098727November 12, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, THE NIGHT BEFORE MY CAR WAS FINE. I WENT TO GO TO WORK AND TRIED TO PUT MY KEY IN THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T GO IN. I TRIED THE SPARE KEY. I TRIED TO WIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL. EVERYTHING WAS LOCKED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL, THEY SAID NO. WHEN I CALLED AAA TO HAVE THEM TOW ME, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE TOWED ABOUT 40 IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS JUST IN OUR SMALL AREA ALONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD STATES THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT WITH THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN PARKING LOTS. IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK FOR A HIGH COSTS AND RECOGNIZED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099863November 12, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK. CONSUMER CLAIMS INTERMITTENT STALLING WHICH STARTED FIVE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099866November 12, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
UPON TRYING TO START THE VEHILCE THE KEY STICKS AND WILL NOT TURN EITHER WAY. IT IS SOMETIMES HARD FOR THE KEY TO GO INTO THE IGNITION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095242November 12, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKES ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE, ONCE THE VEHICLE HITS 10, 000 MILES THE BRAKES BECOME DEFECTIVE, THE ROTORS AND THE PADS WORE OUT TO THE METAL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098687November 11, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ON TUESDAY EVENING, AFTER A MEETING, I GOT IN MY CAR TO DRIVE HOME. THE KEY WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN; I THOUGHT THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED (WHICH IT WAS) BUT I COULD NOT GET IT UNLOCKED. I TRIED ROLLING MY CAR OFF TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND TUGGING HARD ON THE WHEEL TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED AAA FOR A LOCKSMITH SERVICE BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET MY KEY INTO MY IGNITION. THE LOCKSMITH THAT SHOWED UP TOLD ME WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING THAT I HAD A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND THAT HE HAS THIS PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. WITHOUT EVEN ME HAVING TO TELL HIM WHAT WAS GOING ON, HE INSTANTLY KNEW THE PROBLEM. THE CYLINDER IN MY IGNITION HAD A BROKEN TUMBLER RESULTING IN MY KEY NOT GOING IN. I HAD TO TOW MY CAR HOME COSTING ME 25.00 BECAUSE THE LOCKSMITH TOLD ME THAT HE COULD NOT PERFORM THE MECHANICS IN THE DARK. HE QUOTED ME A PRICE OF 225 TO REPLACE THE PART, THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WANTED 350. MY FATHER PURCHASED THE PART FOR ABOUT 70 DOLLARS FORM A FORD DEALER, HE PURCHASED A NEW KEY CYLINDER TO INSTALL INTO THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS ALL THAT COULD BE DONE IN ORDER THAT MY CAR WOULD START. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098697November 11, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE SITUATION, ONE DAY THE KEYS WOULD SIMPLY NOT WORK IN THE IGNITION. NEITHER OUR EVERYDAY KEY OR OUR SPARE KEY CAN EVEN BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THUS, WE CAN NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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