Ford Focus Complaints (2000)

3,686 consumer complaints on file.

#10096232October 22, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3, LEADING TO INABILITY TO START THE CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN BUT UNACKNOWLEDGED ISSUE WITH THE FOCUS LINE. *AK EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: NORMAL USE OF THE IGNITION TO START AND STOP THE CAR. FAILURE: THE TUMBLERS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH BROKE OR JAMMED SUCH THAT I WAS UNABLE TO INSERT MY IGNITION KEY MORE THAN 50% INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THEREBY MAKING ME UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR EVEN UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOUSE IN ORDER TO GET IT OUT OF A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT. REMEDIATION OF FAILURE: I AM EITHER GOING TO REMOVE THE TUMBLERS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AS DETAILED IN HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T158426.HTML OR I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE ~$300 COST TO GET A NEW ONE FROM A DEALER WHO WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097537October 22, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096159October 21, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY 2000. IN JANUARY 2002 THE LOCK STUCK SEVERAL TIMES. IN SEPTEMBER 2003, THE LOCK BEGAN TO STICK AGAIN. WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. WE WERE TOLD WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OURSELVES BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (OVER 3 YEARS OLD BUT WITH ONLY ~26,000 MILES). WE ENDED UP PAYING ~$75. OCTOBER 16, 2004 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR NOW HAS 32,937 MILES ON IT. AFTER A CALL TO THE SAME DEALER WE ARE INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WAS ONLY WARRANTED FOR 12 MONTHS. IF ONLY THE PART HAD BROKEN A MONTH SOONER! WE ENDED UP CALLING A LOCKSMITH WHO DRILLED OUT THE LOCK AND REPLACED IT FOR $116. THE LOCKSMITH TOLD MY WIFE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS AND TWO OTHER FORD MODELS. THE LOCKSMITH REPAIRS ABOUT FOUR FORDS A MONTH. I DID SOME QUICK MATH ON THE PROBLEM. USING OUR COUNTY OF LANCASTER PA, I TOOK AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 250,000. I NEXT ASSUMED ONE CAR FOR EVERY TWO PEOPLE. FINALLY, I GUESSED THAT 5% OF CARS SOLD ARE THESE FORD MODELS WITH IGNITION LOCK PROBLEMS. IF YOU ASSUME THERE ARE FOUR FORD DEALERSHIPS IN THE COUNTY, FOUR LOCKSMITHS IN THE COUNTY, AND FOUR INDEPENDENT GARAGES&AND ASSUME EACH BUSINESS REPAIRS FOUR CARS PER MONTH, YOU GET A FAILURE RATE OF OVER 9%. I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT I PAID FOR TWO REPAIRS FOR A PROBLEM THAT CLEARLY IS SPECIFIC TO THIS CAR AND LIKELY A RESULT OF FAULTY DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096173October 21, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
AFTER FUELING MY 2000 FORD FOCUS, I PUT THE KEY BACK INTO THE IGNITION, AND BOTH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE TUMBLER WERE LOCKED. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS MALFUNCTION AND I AM CONVINCED THAT THESE DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE NOT YET RECIEVED A BILL OF REPAIR FOR THIS UNNECCESARY INCONVEINIENCE. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THE IGNITION THREE YEARS AGO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10090149October 20, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE , AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER CLOSED THE DOOR AND THE DOOR OPENED ON ITS ON AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH REAR DOORS WERE INOPERATIVE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095943October 18, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THIS IS THE THIRD REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER FOR THIS VEHICLE IN A 36 MONTH PERIOD. EVEN AFTER THE SECOND REPLACEMENT THE CYLINDER "CATCHES" WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO FIND NO PROBLEM WHEN RETURNED FOR CORRECTION. THIS LATEST FAILURE FORTUNATELY OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE STREET. FAILURES HAVE NOW OCCURRED AT MILAGES AND DATES OF: 4 OCTOBER 2001- 18990 MILES, 6 JANUARY 2004- 48926 MILES, AND 15 OCTOBER 2004- 61543 MILES. PART WAS RETAINED BY DEALERSHIP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095945October 18, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED TWICE ALREDY BECAUSE THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE SWITCH AND THE CAR CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF FOCUS PWNERS AS EVIDENCED BY THE MANY AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS THAT I HAVE VISITED LOOKING FOR INFO ON THIS PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097031October 18, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE WHICH SOUNDED AS IF IT CAME FROM REAR. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE LOOSE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095979October 18, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
PARKED MY 2000 FORD FOCUS, AND WENT TO A MEETING. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT, MY KEY WOULD ONLY GO HALF-WAY INTO THE IGNITION. AFTER TALKING WITH THE AAA TOW GUY, AND FORD SERVICE GUY, THIS SEEMS TO BE A RATHER COMMON OCCURANCE WITH THE FORD FOCUS. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT HAS BAD TUMBLERS. AM CURRENTLY RESEARCHING TO SEE WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095887October 17, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1ST INCIDENT:STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN , THE CAR WAS TOWED . AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED. 6 MONTHS LATER (TODAY), THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER 3 HOURS OF POKING AND PRODDING , MY BROTHER FINALLY GOT IT RELEASED. 2N INCIDENT: WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD , THE CAR SEEMED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING , IT WA SORT OF SPUTTERING , THEN IT WAS GOING IN AND OUT , I HAD MY FOOT PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MI PER HOUR. WE THOUGHT IT COULD HAVE BEEN BAD GA , SO WE BOUGHT A CLEANER , AND IT SEEMED TO WORK BETTER , WE EVENTUALLY BOUGHT A NEW FUEL FILTER, WE WEREN'T AWARE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP. 3RD INCIDENT : BREAKS , VIBRATING , SCREECHING, GRINDING , HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED . 400.00 THE CAR HAS TOO MANY PROBLEMS, AND WITH ALL THE RECALLS , I AM NOT SURE WHY IT HASN'T BEEN PULLED OFF THE MARKET , WHEN A BABY TOY IS DEEMED DANGEROUS ,IT IS RECALLED ALL TOGETHER , I WOULD THINK THAT A DEFECTED @ 3000.00 POUND VEHICLE TRAVELING 65 MI PER HOUR , WOULD BE MORE DANGEROUS TO NOT ONLY THE BUYER , BUT INNOCENT BYSTANDERS. THEY NEED TO RECALL THE WHOLE CAR, I AM SO ANGRY OVER THE UNDUE STRESS I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS VEHICLE!!!! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095896October 17, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
UNABLE TO INSERT KEY INTO CYLINDER IGNITION SLOT OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095864October 16, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I HAVE HAD MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WITHOUT MANY PROBLEMS. I JUST ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, TURNED OFF MY CAR, AND THEN TRIED TO TURN THE CAR ON AGAIN AND COULD NOT GET THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE WHEEL WAS ALSO LOCKED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT WOULD COST $375. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095836October 15, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THREE TIMES ON MY TRIP CROSS-COUNTRY THE IGNITION LOCKED ON MY FOCUS, REFUSING TO ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN TO START THE ENGINE AS WELL AS DISABLING THE STEERING. A HELPFUL AAA SERVICER GOT MY CAR STARTED IN RURAL WYOMING AFTER ALLOWING IT TO ROLL DOWN A HILL, BUT THE SAME TACTIC ON SUBSEQUENT EFFORTS FAILED TO PRODUCE THE DESIRED RESULT, AND I ENDED BY HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG "FOCI," ALTHOUGH FORD HAS DECLINED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE IGNITION, WHICH EMPLOYS TUMBLERS THAT ROUTINELY SLIP INSIDE THE IGNITION, STRANDING DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ROADSIDE, SOMETIMES FOR HOURS. FORD HAS APPARENTLY DECLINED TO ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS NOT A "SAFETY ISSUE." I BEG TO DIFFER THAT STRANDING MOTORISTS IS INDEED AN UNSAFE PRACTICE.MY IGNITION IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED AND REKEYED AT A COST EXCEEDING $300, AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT I WILL EVENTUALLY BE STUCK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE ALSO BEEN WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION ON THREE OCCASIONS AND EXPERIENCED COSTLY DELAYS IN MY CROSS COUNTRY TRIP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095761October 14, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION-THE KEY WILL NOT TURN WHEN ENTERED INTO THE IGNITION THE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD SERVICE DEPARMENT I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE CARS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DENIES TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS RECALL WHICH I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD SINCE THEY ARE HAVING SO MANY OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096808October 14, 2004
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IT WAS DISCOVERED THE SUSPENSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE WHEEL BEARING HAD FAILED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095712October 13, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SINCE BUYING THIS CAR IN OCTOBER 2000, I HAVE HAD 4 FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENTS. THE CAR IS NOW ON ITS 5TH FUEL PUMP, AND THE PROBLEM THE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT IS SUPPOSED TO CORRECT IS STILL HAPPENING. THE CAR STILL HAS TROUBLE (ESPECIALLY IN WET OR HUMID WEATHER) WITH SPUTTERING AND JOLTING/SURGING. MOST RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. LUCKILY THE SURGING HAS (OF YET!) NOT CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS IN FOR A TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT (!) WHICH WAS REPLACED INCORRECTLY AND NOW I HAVE CYLINDER HEAD ISSUES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096750October 13, 2004
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AT 77,230 THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS WORN AND ABOUT TO BREAK. ALSO A WEEK OR TWO LATER AT 77,300 MILES THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP THINKS THAT A HOUSING RING CAME LOOSE AND WELDED ON THE CYLINDER. THE ENGINE WAS INSTALLED, BUT DID RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHIPPED TO THE FACTORY FOR FURTHER SERVICE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095721October 13, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
1) STALLING, STUTTERING AND OR SLOW ACCELERATION 2) GAUGES AND LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE ARE FLUCTUATING AS THEY WISH. HE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES SO THEY COULD DIAGNOSIS AND WORK ON THE PROBLEM. 1ST TIME THERE WAS A RECALL PERFORMED ON THE FDM (FUEL DELIVERY MODULE). 2ND TIME THEY GAVE IT A COMPUTER UPDATE AND THEN ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BEGAN TO OCCUR. THIRD TIME THEY SENT ME AWAY SAYING THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM. 2 WEEKS LATER WITH ALL THE SYMPTOMS GIVING LOTS OF PROBLEMS (SHUTTERING AND STUTTERING, CAR STALLED MANY TIMES WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE ETC.). FINALLY IT QUIT ALL TOGETHER WHEN ELECTRICALLY IT BLEW UP OR SHORTED OUT SOMEWHERE. ALL THE GAUGES WERE FLUCTUATING EMPTY TO FULL,0 TO 100 MPH, AIR BAG ILLUMINATED ETC. CABIN LAMPS WENT CRAZY. THE CAR SMELLED LIKE IT WAS BURNING IN THE CABIN. FOUND NO BURNT OR MELTED WIRES. I CALLED THE DEALER TO GET THEM TO PICK UP THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THE BATTERY WENT DEAD. WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT NOW BEING THE FOURTH TIME THEY SAID IT NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT THEY ARE TELLING ME SO I PULLED THIS VEHICLE OUT OF THEIR CARE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095720October 13, 2004
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
WITHIN A 6 DAY PERIOD, OCT 7TH THROUGH OCT.12TH (2004), I EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH MY KEY GETTING STUCK, LOCKED, OR NOT ADMITTED INTO THE KEY IGNITION ENTRY. THE FAILURE TOOK PLACE, MORNING OCT. 12TH, 2004. MY KEY WAS ABLE TO FULLY ENTER KEY IGNITION AREA, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR. THE CONSEQUENCE WAS I HAD NO IMMEDIATE TRANSPORTATION AND WAS BILLED FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART (CYLINDER LOCK) AND LABOR (APPROX. $350.00). THE CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER LOCK WITH STRATTEC PART NUMBER 707592.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095739October 13, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3, I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN FOR MORE REPAIRS & RECALLS THEN I CAN COUNT. THE MOST RECENT VISIT TO THE DEALER (COLLEY FORD, GLENDORA, CA.) FOR A RECALL (PROGRAM) AND TO HAVE THE BRAKES SERVICED WAS ON 10/02/2004, I WAS TOLD AFTER 3 DAYS THAT THE CLUTCH HAD A BURNT SMELL, THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE SPARK PLUG WIRES, SOME HOSE, AND THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE TURNED (THIS IS THE SECOND SET OF ROTORS ON THIS CAR THAT HAS 37000 MILES). PLEASE HELP ME I AM AT THE END OF MY ROPE WITH THIS CAR AND DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN. I CANT WIN WITH THE DEALER OR FORD MOTOR COMPANY..... WHAT SHOULD I DO, WHAT CAN I DO? THE FEALER WILL NOT HELP & FORD WILL NOT HELP. I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE CAR FIT YET, IM WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER. PLEASE HELP THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME REGARDS JERI WILLIAMS 24/7 (626) 272-9518 . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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