2000 Ford Focus Complaint Log

THE OWNER COULD NOT UNLOCK THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OR REAR DRIVER SIDE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NM

RECAL 03V482000 CONCERNING STALLING. DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS ON 2/04/2004. BEFORE THE REPAIRS VEHICLE STALLED ONLY AT A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER THE REPAIRS VEHICLE STALLED AT LEAST THREE TIMES A DAY. DRIVER HAD TO WAIT FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP ON ITS' OWN. SHIFTED INTO PARK, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. FUEL TANK WAS FULL WHEN VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *JB

I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. I READ ON A FORD FOCUS FORUM ONLINE THAT SEVERAL OTHER FOCUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM AND ONE TOW TRUCK DRIVER HIT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO GET IT STARTED. I HAD TO RESULT TO DOING THE SAME AND IT WORKED. THE OTHER PROBLEM NOW IS THAT MY KEY IS NOW STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $380+ AND THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS IGNITION LOCK PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE HAPPENED ANYWHERE. THANK GOODNESS IT HAPPENED AT HOME CLOSE TO INTERNET RESOURCES. OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED SOMEWHERE WITH 3 YOUNG CHILDREN AND NO MEANS OF STARTING MY CAR.*AK

I WAS UNABLE TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND THEREFORE UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. NEITHER OF THE TWO KEY I HAD WOULD WORK. ACCORDING TO MY LIMITED WEB RESEARCH, THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE FOR FORD FOCUS OWNERS. UNFORTUNATELY, NO RECALL CURRENTLY ADDRESSES THIS EXCEPTIONALLY INCONVENIENT $400-$500 REPAIR.

AFTER PARKING CONSUMER RETURNED AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT IT DID NOT START. CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL ODORS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE TO DISCOVER A POOL OF GAS UNDER THE VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL LINE DETACHED FROM THE FUEL TANK. *AK CONNECTION OF FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL LINE CLIP WAS REPAIRED BY SERVICE DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE WAS ALSO TESTED BY DEALER. *LA

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 03V482000; FORD ISSUED A STALLING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT OPERATE WELL. THE BULB AND SWITCH WERE CHANGED, BUT STILL THERE WAS NO CHANGE.*AK

THE FRONT/REAR DOOR/TRUNK MANUAL LOCKS BECAME STUCK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO ENTER/EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

SPEED CONTROL SWITCH FOR HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING FAN BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

WHILE DRIVING THE DASH LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER THEN THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WHILE IN GEAR. *NM CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 00V411000. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER CABLE TO THE BATTERY WAS THE RESULT OF THE PROBLEM. CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V288000. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD EXPLODE. THE WARRANTY COMPANY TURNED THE CONSUMER DOWN STATING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT PART OF THE WARRANTY. THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE VEHICLES IGNITION AND WOULD NOT COME OUT. THE DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND REMAINED OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR. WHEN THE TIRE WAS REMOVED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS MISSING A LUG NUT. CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 00V303000 THE AIR VENT DID NOT STAY OPEN WHEN THE A/C WAS ON HIGH. THE BRAKES HOWLED LIKE A WOUNDED DOG FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE. PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TC

I PURCHASED A 2000 FORD FOCUS FROM CARMAX IN MIAMI FL DURING THE LAST WEEFK OF JANUARY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PURCHASE I EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN-AROUND. I LOST 12 HOURS OF WORK, BEEN LATE AND BEEN LEFT STRANDED BY THE FORD TWICE. I HAVE HAD ABOUT A DOZEN LOANERS AND AM CURRENTLY STILL IN ONE (4MONTHS LATER). I AM PAYING FOR A CAR THAT I DO NOT HAVE AND AS A RESULT I DO NOT WANT IT ANYMORE. I WANT SOMETHING ELSE.I NO LONGER WISH TO DO BUSINESS WITH CARMAX AND WANT THEM TO PURCHASE THE CAR BACK FROM ME. HOWEVER I AM NOT UPSIDE DOWN AND DO NOT FEEL THAT IS FAIR SINCE I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR ABOUT 14 DAYS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I NEED HELP!*AK

2000 FORD FOCUS CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *AK

THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AFTER PULLING IT OUT OF IGNITION. IT WAS BELOW ZERO THAT DAY. IT WAS NIGHT TIME AND I WAS STRANDED SEVERAL MILES FROM MY HOME. I CALLED HOME TO HAVE THE SPARE SENT ALONG WITH A RIDE AND THE SPARE WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR WHERE IT WAS FOR 2 DAYS UNTIL I COULD PAY A LOCKSMITH TO PUT IN A NEW IGNITION SWITCH (KEYED AND INSTALLED). *JB

IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT OPERATE, LEAVING ME STRANDED. THERE WAS NO WAY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ON SITE, SO IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR WAS $214.02 PLUS $45.50 FOR TOWING. *AK

AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS, I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP (UNIVERSITY FORD) TO HAVE SERVICE DONE, AND ALSO TO INQUIRE ABOUT HAVING THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION MY CAR HAS DEMONSTRATED THE SYMPTOMS INDICATED IN THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM FORD, AND THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED. UPON SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL, AND THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. AFTER PLAYING PHONE TAG WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR ABOUT A WEEK, I FINALLY SPOKE WITH HIM TONIGHT, AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING, THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO VALIDATE MY CLAIM, EVEN THOUGH I HAD ALREADY SPOKEN WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER, WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS SERVICE SHOULD BE DONE WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS. *AK

ON AN EXTREMELY COLD DAY I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS. I HAD TO CONTACT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK TO BRING MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER IN TURN REPLACED THE FAULTY IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER.*AK

IGNITION LOCK HAS BROKEN TWICE, STRANDING ME AND REQUIRING A TOW TO THE DEALER AND OVER $300 IN REPAIR COSTS.A SEARCH OF THE WEB SHOWS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE ON 2000 AND 2001 FORD FOCUS.*AK

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL CONCERNING A FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM FROM THE FORD MANUFACTURER, NHTSA RECALL 03V482000, FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL UNLESS $75.00 WAS PAID UP FRONT TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. *JB *LA

I CAN NO LONGER DEFEND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FROM THE MONIKER "FIX OR REPAIR DAILY" CROWD. I AM THE UNHAPPY OWNER OF A 2000 FOCUS WHO WILL NO LONGER CHAMPION THE FORD BRAND. I COMMUTE APPROXIMATELY 130 MILES DAILY - MOSTLY HIGHWAY AND HAVE HAD MULTIPLE "NEAR MISSES" DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BEFORE THE "SILENT" RECALL AND AM NOW AGAIN EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AT HIGHWAY SPEED THAT FORD WILLFULLY KNOWS ARE DANGEROUS TO THE MOTORING PUBLIC. MY LOCAL DEALER - DON SEELYE FORD OF KALAMAZOO, MI HAS NO SYMPATHY - IS ONLY WILLING TO REPLACE THE 2ND DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WHEN THE "NEW AND IMPROVED" PART IS AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2004. IN THE MEANTIME - I AND THOSE AROUND ME ON THE HIGHWAY ARE AT SERIOUS RISK - ALL WITH FORD'S BLESSING. I CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER AND MET WITH INDIFFERENCE TO THIS ISSUE. THEY RECORDED MY COMPLAINT, OFFERED NO SOLUTION THAN TO TAKE MY LIFE (AND OTHERS) AT RISK BY CONTINUING TO DRIVE THEIR FAULTY VEHICLE. THE SERVICE CENTER REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOT (OR COULD NOT) TELL ME WHETHER THIS "SILENT" RECALL WAS AN NHSTA RECALL THAT FELL UNDER THE "SAFETY ACT" - WHICH WOULD MANDATE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION WITH THE FULL FORCE OF FEDERAL LAW. I READ WITH AMAZEMENT AND ASTONISHMENT THE ARTICLE IN THE BLUE OVAL NEWS DATED NOV. 19, 2003 BY ROBERT LANE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN DETROIT, MI AND HAVE SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE AND CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THIS COMPANY WITH PRIDE. NO LONGER. I HAVE PURCHASED 3 NEW FORD VEHICLES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, AM IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW VEHICLE AND WILL NOT BE LOOKING AT ANY FORD PRODUCTS. I AM THE HEAD OF A 3 CAR FAMILY - WITH 2 TEENAGERS - ONE OF DRIVING AGE. NO ONE IN MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY WILL BE PURCHASING, DRIVING OR RIDING IN A FORD VEHICLE IN MY LIFETIME. AND THAT LIFETIME MAY BE CUT SHORT DUE TO FORD'S DECISION IN RELATION TO THIS ISSUE. GOD HELP THEM. *JB

WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE BEING DRIVEN 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED THE TIMING BELT WAS BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A WALL. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK *SC *JB

1/25/04 PARKED AT METER IN STAMFORD CT, KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF IGNITION. GOT IT OUT, THEN WOULDN'T GO BACK IN. 20 MINUTES OF SWEATING/SWEARING, GOT KEY BACK IN. HAD TO LEAVE IT IN THE IGNITION (DANGEROUS) UNTIL 2/12/04. CAR TO DILLON FORD, WHO REPLACED KEY CYLINDER FOR $210. MILEAGE 76,489. I SAVED BROKEN IGNITION SWITCH, IF YOU WANT IT. REPLACEMENT WAS A FORD MOTORCRAFTCO. IGNITION SWITCH SW-5997 XS4Z-11582-AA. JANUARY 2005 BROKE AGAIN! BROADWAY AUTO REPLACED KEY IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AGAIN FOR $250.00. MILEAGE 96,000. THEY GAVE ME A COPY OF "IGNITION SWITCH LOCK CYLINDER: ALL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, INTERIOR- IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HARD TO TURN. POSTED 09/16/02. ARTICLE NO. 02-18-2 2000 FORD FOCUS L4-121 2.0L SOHC VIN P SFI COPYRIGHT 2004 ALLDATA 8.30 "USE LOCK CYLINDER REPAIR KIT (XS4Z-11582-AA)" THIS IS THE SAME CYLINDER THAT BROKE IN MY FIRST REPLACEMENT. I SAVED BROKEN CYLINDER. BOTH CYLINDERS HAVE THE CODE S 38 KB ON BARREL. FORD'S AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, I.E., TECHNICAL BULLETIN. FORD'S USING THE SAME INFERIOR PART TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE KEY CYLINDER, MAKING OVER $200 EACH TIME. NHTS COMPLAINT SITE HAS 291 COMPLAINTS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH; 277 COMPLAINTS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,IGNITION; 4 COMPLAINTS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER; 2 COMPLAINTS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: STARTER ASSEMBY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS "AUTOMOTIVE TALK.NET" 114 COMPLAINTS TOPIC: 2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. THIS IS DANGEROUS, HIGHLY PROIFTABLE FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY. FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE FOR THE OVER $500 SPENT SO FAR ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. KEY WOULD ONLY ADVANCE HALFWAY. FINALLY ABLE TO INSERT KEY, BUT COULD NOT TURN TO UNLOCK STEERING COLUMN.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V482000 CONCERNING FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM. DEALER INDICATED THEY WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AT NO COST. ALSO, FILTER NEEDS TO REPLACED. IT WILL COST $75.00 TO REPLACE IT. *AK *MR

THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL 03V482000 UNTIL THE CONSUMER REPAIRS THEIR ENGINE. THE RECALL SYMPTOMS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED WHICH LEAD TO THE ENGINE FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

RECALL 03V482000 CONCERNING STALLING. CONSUMER HAD THE FUEL DELIVERY PUMP REPLACED IN MARCH 2003 AND NOVEMBER 2003. VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY HAVING SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ON THIS MATTER. CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM MR. LANCE TANG, A SUPERVISOR FOR THE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, WHO TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT SHE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET THE NEW PART UNDER THE RECALL. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL LETTER 03V482000 CONCERNING FUEL PUMP FAILURE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO BRING THE VEHICLE, AND HE WILL MAKE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH WILL COST CONSUMER $80.00 TO SEE IF THIS WAS PART OF THE RECALL. *AK *LA

INGITION STUCK. KEY WILL NOT GO IN FULLY. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE RARELY USED SPARE KEY DOESN'T WORK EITHER. DEALER EXPECTS TO HAVE TO REPLACE CYLINDER. *AK

IGNITION LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT ALLOW KEY TO TURN. PAID THROUGH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEY INSTALLED A NEW KEY CYLINDER AND NOW THE NEW ONE IS LOCKING UP. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER HEBER SPRINGS FORD SAID THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH COMPAINTS YET TO WARRANT A RECALL ON THE ITEM.*AK

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION NOT WANTING TO TURN WITH THE 2 KEYS I HAVE. 1 IS ORIGINAL, THE OTHER WAS MADE BY THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM. IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER. SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REFERENCES TO THIS PROBLEM, AND THERE ARE OVER 150 CURRENT COMPLAINTS THAT WHEN SEARCHED FOR THIS PART ARE RETURNED ON THIS SITE.* CB

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH 2000 FORD FOCUS. (NAR) *PH *CB

LEFT REAR WHEEL DETACHED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO FAULTY WHEEL BEARINGS. DEALER WILL REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE WHEEL. *AK

THE DRIVER RECEIVED A RECALL #0037391 NOTICE FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONSUMER FELT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. *NM

MY CAR HAS A CONSTANT BAD VIBRATION THAT INTENSIFIES ON RIGHT TURNS, GOING UP GRADES, AND OVER BUMPS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO JIM CLICK FORD IN TUCSON, AZ FOR A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. EACH TIME THEY COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT EXCUSE AND IT NEVER FIXES THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD AT FIRST IT WAS, MY TIRES, I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH TOP OF THE LINE MICHELINS, THEN I WAS TOLD THAT MY FUEL PUMP WAS GOING OUT AND THAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION, NOW IT IS THE COILS. NOT ONE OF THESE HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM, I AM STILL WAITING ON THE PUMP TO GET IN STOCK AT JIM CLICK, AND THEY DID REPLACE THE COILS AT A CHARGE OF $370.88. IN ADDITION TO THE VIBRATION IT SPORADICALLY TRIES TO STALL AND HESITATES WHEN TURNING. I ALSO HAVE MY TAILLIGHTS, AND BACK UP LIGHTS CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT, I HAVE REPLACED THEM 3 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME I HAD JIM CLICK REPLACE THEM. (THE BACK UP LIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE IS OUT AGAIN) I WAS ALSO TOLD THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IN MY CAR TO JIM CLICK FORD (BEFORE THE FUEL PUMP RECALL), I NEEDED TO REPLACE A FAILING FUEL PUMP AND THAT WOULD COST $680.00 TO REPLACE. (PARTS AND LABOR) I COULD NOT AFFORD IT AND TOOK IT OUT OF THEIR SHOP, I THEN BROUGHT IT IN AFTER THE RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT THE PROBLEM THAT IT WAS THE COIL AND THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP SINCE IT WAS NOT FAILING. I THEN FOUGHT IT OUT WITH THEM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WHEN IT CAME IN STOCK LATE JANUARY 2004. THEY DID REPLACE THE COILS AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN AND THAT IS HOW THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE COILS. THEY FIXED THAT PROBLEM AND I GOT MY CAR BACK AND GUESS AGAIN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE VERY NEXT DAY AND THE VIBRATIONS ARE GETTING WORSE. I AM STARTING TO FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS A LEMON MY CAR ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES AND HAS SO MANY RECALLS AND SERVICE BULLETINS IT IS SCARY. *CB

WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FRONT ROTORS WERE WEARING OUT. *AK

2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. 111,000 MILES. COULD NOT GET KEY TO GO INTO IGNITION SMOOTHLY. WHEN I FINALLY DID, IT WOULD NOT TURN. FINALLY GOT STARTED AND HAD DEALER REPAIR. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION LOCK. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THIS WAS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT FORD. SAME NIGHT, NEW LOCK ALSO FAILED. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE A SECOND TIME. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME RECOVER REPAIR EXPENSE. INTERNET SEARCHES CLEARLY IDENTIFY THIS AS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY FORD WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND FAILURES AS EARLY AS 10 TO 15 THOUSAND MILES. FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR THIS KNOWN DEFECT JUST AS THEY DID WITH THE FUEL PUMP ON THIS SAME MODEL. *LA

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL #03V482000 CONCERNING A FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED A DIAGNOSTIC WAS NEEDED TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE QUALIFIED FOR THE RECALL. *JB

IGNITION SWITCH LOCK UP OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SW. *CB

RECALL #03V482000 REGARDING STALLING. DEALER CHARGED CONSUMER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC OF $60.00 CONCERNING THIS RECALL.*AK

AROUND 6:00 A.M. ON 01-14-04. WHILE TAKING 9 YR. OLD DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND MYSELF TO WORK, DRIVING AT APROX. 55 MPH. MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ENGINE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V482000 CONCERNING FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER, AND DEALER WON'T HONOR THE RECALL, CLAIMING NEED TO PERFORM FIRST A DIAGNOSTIC. CONSUMER PAID $75.00. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V482000 CONCERNING STALLING. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD RECALL REPAIRS DONE IN JANUARY, BUT, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. ALSO, REAR SEAT BELTS WERE STICKING. WHEN CONSUMER NEEDED TO UNDO THE BELTS THE BUCKLE STUCK. *AK

WHILE PLACING KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A WORN OUT PART.*AK

IGNITION LOCKED UP, WILL NOT TURN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS.*AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF THEN RESTARTED IT FAILS TO START BECAUSE THE KEYS WOULDN'T TURN THE IGNITION. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND HAS REDESIGNED THIS PART IN THE LATER MODEL VEHICLES. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AT$300.00.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH HAS SEIZED THREE TIMES EACH TIME REPLACED BY DEALERSHIPS. NEVER WARRANTIED. PLEASE NOT THE QUANTITY OF THESE FAILURES. DUE TO THE PATS SYSTEM, MOST MECHANICS WILL NOT TOUCH IT.

THE IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT ALLOW THE INSERTION OF THE KEY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO FOUND THAT IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK

THE "SECURIKEY" IGNITION CYLINDER IS SUBJECT TO REPEATED FAILURES. INITIALLY THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN UNTIL THE STEERING WHEEL IS "WIGGLED." THEN AFTER A TIME, THE UNIT FAILS COMPLETELY. THIS DOES POSE A PROBLEM WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER A "PANIC STOP," WHERE THE ENGINE STALL/STOPS. ESPECIALLY UN-NERVING IN TRAFFICE. 1ST FAILURE 9/30/2001 AT 18,990 MILES. LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. 2ND COMPLETE FAILURE 1/9/2004 AT 49,400 MILES. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND I AM RETURNING IT TO THE FORD SERVICE SHOP FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. THE MANAGER OF THE SAME SHOP STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR, 2000 FORD FOCUS, BUT THAT ONE REPLACEMENT USUALLY FIXES THE PROBLEM. I SUSPECT THERE ARE NO RETURN VISITS SINCE THE PRUDENT CONSUMER WOULD PROBABLY DUMP THE VEHICLE IN FAVOR OF A MORE RELIABLE AUTO.*AK