2000 Ford Focus Complaint Log

WHILE APPLYING THE CLUTCH PEDAL AT 35 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE MAIN ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL PIN BROKE IN HALF. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THERE WERE NO BRAKES OR STEERING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. DRIVER DISLOCATED HER SHOULDER AND SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY. *AK THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WAS REPLACED, THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED *JB

FORD FOCUS FUEL PUMP FAILS TO DELIVER FUEL AND CAR STALLS. DANGEROUS! I WAS ONLY LESS THAN HALF OF A TANK OF GAS FULL AND MY CAR STALLED OUT ON THE VERY BUSY DAVIS BLVD IN NRH TX. IT REPEATEDLY DIED WHEN TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET IT TO A SERVICE STATION. I FILLED THE CAR UP AND THE CAR WORKED FINE. NOW WE NEVER LET THE CAR GET BELOW A HAFF A TANK. PLEASE RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! THIS WAS THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THIS PROBLEM AND SIMILAR HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION IN TURNS AND GOING UPHILL HAVE HAPPENED NUMBEROUS TIMES AND HAVE LEFT ME FEELING LIKE I WAS GOING TO BE STRANDED OR WORSE- IN A WRECK. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE COMMON IGNITION CILINDER LOCK PROBLEM, A BROKEN DOOR ACTUATOR, A BROKEN LUMBAR SUPPORT, DRASTICALY LEAKING A/C ONTO THE FLOOR, A VERY NOISY FRONT STUT NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, FRONT CAR CREAKING FROM RIGHT FRONT FENDER NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND POOR SERVICE REPS THAT INSULT PERSON AND DESTROY CAR (BROKE THINGS ON CAR THAT WERE NOT BROKEN WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE). ALL OF THESE THINGS NEED ADDRESSING, BUT MOST OF ALL THE FUEL/HESITATION/STALLING PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD FOCUS EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN NOVEMBER 1999. NOW THE INTERIOR IS FALLING APART THE RUBBER ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE IS COMING OFF, I OPENED THE DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE PANEL FELL OFF. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES THIS CAR HAS CAUSED ME NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I AM A PREVIOUS OWNER OF FORD PRODUCT AND WAS VERY SATISFIED WITH IT. HOWEVER, I FEEL THE FOCUS WAS NOT CHECKED THOROUGHLY BEFORE PLACING IT ON THE MARKET. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE CONTACTED YOU ALL ABOUT THIS CAR. *LA

BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LATCH AND SWING OPEN WHEN ROUNDING A CORNER. MUST TIE DOWN WITH BUNGEE CORD. MECHANIC SHOWS LOCKS CORRODED AND DEFECTIVE. LOCKS REPLACE FOR $350. A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES TO REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS. *LA

VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED WHEN MAKING LONG RIGHT HAND TURN AROUND HIGHWAY ON-RAMP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, LEAVING THE CAR IN A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION, HALF WAY IN THE TRAFFIC LANE FOR AN EXIT RAMP. THIS HAS OCCURRED THREE OTHER TIMES WHILE UNDER 1/4 TANK OF GAS; HOWEVER, IT RECOVERED DIDN'T STALL COMPLETELY OR RECOVERED WITHIN A MINUTE OR TWO. *LA

HAVE HAD MY FRONT BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES. FIRST TIME AT 11,000 MILES, SECOND TIME (ROTORS REPLACED) AT 24,000 MILES AND THIRD TIME AT 36,000 MILES. BRAKES CONSISTENTLY SQUEAL, SO LOUDLY THAT I CAN HEAR THEM OVER MY RADIO! I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT FOCUS BRAKES TEND TO BE LOUD, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY DON'T WORK. DEALER ALSO SAID THEY RECEIVED NOTICE FROM FORD THAT FOCUS BRAKES JUST "SQUEAL". I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE AND THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR".*AK

I HAVE HAD THIS FOCUS FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS. WHEN I PURCHASED IT, I WAS NOT TOLD OF ANY OF THE POSSIBLE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS THAT MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MODEL. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD 4 RECALLS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS GETTING STUCK. NOW, THE FACTORY INSTALLED SECURITY SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK. I CANNOT LOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AT ALL AND I MUST LOCK THE OTHER 3 DOORS MANUALLY. MY KEY CHAIN DOOR LOCKER DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE INSIDE BUTTON FOR UNLOCKING THE TRUNK WILL NOT WORK EITHER. THE FRONT CONSOLE IS TOO BIG FOR THE CAR AND COFFEE CUPS WILL NOT FIT INTO IT. I ALSO SEEM TO HAVE TROUBLE SEEING BEHIND ME WHEN TRYING TO LOOK TO THE LEFT FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE HEADREST. *LA

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 5, IN THE GREATER SEATTLE AREA, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS FAILED. DASH LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INAPPROPRIATELY. I BEGAN IMMEDIATELY TO MOVE FROM THE LEFT TRAFFIC LANE TO THE RIGHT TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE. BEFORE I WAS COMPLETELY OFF OF THE EXIT, THE CAR DIED. I SAT FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES THEN WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND TRAVEL A COUPLE OF MILES TO A SAFE PARKING LOT BEFORE THE CAR AGAIN DIED. THE CAR WAS CUTTING OUT, DASH LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD PEG OUT AT 140 MPH (TRAVELING AT 35), ETC. THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. WE TOWED THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 2000. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY, MELTED HEATER SWITCH, ALONG WITH THE WIRING HARNESS BURNING UP NEAR THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR. WIRING WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED AT THE ALTERNATOR. ALSO THE CAR NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR AND HEATER SWITCH. THE CAR STILL HAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON IT, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE! WHAT INVESTIGATIONS ARE ONGOING WITH WIRING ISSUES? WHY IS FORD NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS. AFTER BEING A "FORD MAN" FOR 50 YEARS, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD CAR. THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ARE CONDESCENDING AND DISRESPECTFUL. IT IS TIME THEY ARE MADE TO PRODUCE A PRODUCT THAT IS NOT DANGEROUS. *LA

THE IGNITION/STEERING LOCKED UP IN MY FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON. THE CAR HAS ONLY 18,000 MILES ON IT; IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY; AAA AND THE TOWING PEOPLE TOLD ME THAT THIS LOCKING UP OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM IN THE 2000 FORD FOCUS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. THE LADY AT AAA THOUGHT THAT THERE IS A RECALL, BUT FORD MOTOR CO. SAID THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. THE IGNITION LOCK AND THE KEYS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $500. THE WORK IS BEING DONE BY THE DEALER, PACIFICO FORD. IF IT IS TRUE THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS HAPPENING TO THEIR FORD FOCUS 2000, THE AUTOMAKER SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. *LA

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP. TURNED CAR OFF IN NORMAL MANNER, RETURNED AND UNABLE TO TURN KEY, UNLOCK STERRING COLUMN, ETC.. *LA

ON OCTOBER 10TH 2003 I WAS DRIVING IN THE FORD FOCUS 2000 WAGON FROM NEW YORK CITY TO CLEVELAND, OH, ABOUT 500 MILES. IT DROVE WELL FOR ABOUT 300 MILES, BUT STARTED TO CHOKE AND SPUTTER ON HILLS, LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL. I WAS HOPING I WOULD MAKE IT TO CLEVELAND FOR REPAIRS, BUT IT STALLED OUT ON ME GOING 65 MILES AN HOUR 60 MILES OUTSIDE OF CLEVELAND. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART, AND LIMPED INTO THE NEAREST TOWN AND FOUND A FORD DEALER IN ASHTABULA OH. HE SAID IT WAS THE FUEL FILTER AND REPAIRED IT. IT DROVE FINE FOR THE REST OF JOURNEY INTO CLEVELAND. BUT I THEN HEADED TO NEW YORK CITY A FEW DAYS LATER, AND AGAIN AFTER 200 MILES, IT STARTED SPUTTERING ON HILLS. THEN OUTSIDE OF BINGHAMTON, NY IT STALLED AGAIN. I AGAIN RESTARTED, AND TERRIFIED OF A FATAL ACCIDENT, I CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE FROM VERIZON WIRELESS. THEY GOT A TOW TRUCK TO GET ME TO A GARAGE, BUT THEY WERE CLOSED. THE NEXT MORNING, I WAITED FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR THE CAR, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE STALLING PROBLEM. I DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY INTO NEW YORK CITY TERRIFIED, AND ALMOST STALLED OUT AT THE FOOT FO THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE. IT WAS AFTER 5:00 PM SO THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. SO I AM PLANNING TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. BUT THEY SAID THAT UNLESS THEY CAN SEE THE PROBLEM, THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I ALSO CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. WHICH I LATER FOUND OUT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, AND THERE IS AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY AT NHTSA. I AM HOPING TO GET BY UNDER THE LEMON LAW IN NY, BUT FEAR THAT THE DEALERSHIP WILL CLAIM THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO MY COMPLAINT.

IGNITION - WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING I TRIED TO PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND IT WOULDN'T GO IN. I AFTER AWHILE I GOT KEY IN, BUT IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN. HAD TO TAKE TO FORD FOR REPAIR WHICH COST $430.

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE SAW A DEER COMING DOWN A HILL AND STOPPED AS THE DEER CROSSED. THEN A LARGE TRUCK PASSED THE CONSUMER IN A 40 MILE ZONE AND A NEW DEER HIT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *SC THE CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. *JB

UPON ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS LOCKED, AND IT WOULD NOT BE MOVED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE INSIDE CYLINDER. *AK

MY FORD FOCUS ENGINE CUTS OFF WITH OUT ANY NOTICE. I FELT VERY UNSAFE IN THIS CAR. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. SOMEBODY HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS CAR BEFORE PEOPLE START GETTING KILLED FOR DRIVING THIS CAR. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TO STEP-IN, BECAUSE FORD IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I SEE A LOT COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR. IN I'M SURE THERE WILL BE PLENTY MORE. *LA

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

I SKIDDED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WITH MINIMAL FORCE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR I HIT. THERE WAS MINIMAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR, (SMALL SCRATCH ON THE FRONT BUMPER AND A HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REALIGNED) EXCEPT BOTH OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKED (THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT).. *AK

ON THE 12TH OF OCTOBER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO HESITATE, AND THEN FINALLY JUST STALLED OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN. I WAS IN THE 2ND LANE FROM THE LEFT ON A 4 LANE INTERSTATE, AND CARS HAD TO SWERVE AROUND ME TO AVOID A COLLISION. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH, AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR CASES OF FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON FORD FOCUS. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. *AK

ON OCT. 11, 2003, I DROVE TO MY SISTER'S PLACE OF BUSINESS TO PICK UP MY NIECE AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE CAR MY KEY WOULD NOT GO IN THE IGNITION. MY BROTHER IN LAW TRIED AND HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT IN HALF WAY BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. WE EVEN TRIED THE SPARE KEY AND IT DID NOT WORK. WE CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE WE COULD DO EXCEPT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK IT. THE SERVICE REP. ASKED FOR THE YEAR AND MODEL OF THE CAR AND HE SAID HE HAD OTHER FORD CUSTOMERS COME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS THE IGNITION CYLINDER. HE SAID IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST ABOUT $300.00. I ASKED IF FORD HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND HE SAID NO. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BECAUSE SOONER OR LATER A FORD FOCUS OWNER WILL BE FACED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL HAVE $300.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

WHILE DRIVING UPWARD VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER STATED FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED. *AK

UPON LEAVING WORK, ENTERED CAR AND INSERTED KEY INTO IGNITION. KEY WOULD NOT TURN. SPENT ABOUT 45 MINUTES JIGGLING AND TAPPING KEY IN ATTEMPTS TO START CAR. THIS WAS IS MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE AAA TOW TRUCK DRIVER MADE MENTION OF THE "FAMOUS FORD IGNITION SYSTEM" UPON ARRIVAL AT MY REQUEST. WHEN ASKED WHAT THAT MEANT, HE STATED THAT A NUMBER OF FORD PRODUCTS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I PAID FOR THE CAR TO BE TOWED HOME AS IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT. THE NEXT DAY, A CO-WORKER INFORMED ME THAT HIS WIFE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER FOCUS TOO. I HAVE ENDURED RECALLS WITH THIS CAR, AND AM SHOCKED THAT AN IGNITION SYSTEM MAY NOT HAVE ISSUES SORTED OUT. IF THIS IS A TREND THAT MERITS AN INVESTIGATION. I HOPE CONSUMERS CAN BE RELIEVED OF MOST OF THEIR REPAIR COSTS. MEANWHILE I PROBABLY HAVE QUITE A REPAIR BILL TO LOOK FORWARD TO. *LA

PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND IT WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. STEERING WHEEL AND SHIFT LEVER ARE LOCKED AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER WITH WHEELS OFF GROUND. DEALER SAY NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUED BUT THIS IS NOT TRUE AS I FOUND SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS WEB SITE. *LA

WE HAD TO PLACE THE 6TH SET OF TIRES ON OUR CAR. WE HAVEN'T HAD A SINGLE SET OF TIRES LAST LONGER THAN 20,000 MILES. WE HAVE OUR TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED AND FRONT-END ALIGNED REGULARLY. WE HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS 5 TIMES. WE HAVE HAD ALL 5 RECALLS REPAIRED ON THE CAR. WHEN I HAD THE REAR BEARING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER EMERGENCY BEARINGS OVERNIGHT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT A RENTAL CAR, HE OFFERED TO REASSEMBLE MY CAR AND LET ME DRIVE IT HOME (EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNSAFE)! THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LOUD CAR, BUT A WEEK AGO THERE WAS A LOUD ROARING, GRINDING NOISE UP FRONT THAT GETS ESPECIALLY LOUD WHEN I TURN TO THE RIGHT. AFTER HAVING A TECHNICIAN LOOK AT IT, HE SAYS THE FRONT BEARINGS ARE GONE AND THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I AM IN THE SAME SITUATION AS EVERYONE ELSE: BECAUSE THIS CAR HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS IT IS ONLY VALUING AT $3000 AFTER 3 YEARS. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO SOMETHING TO SATISFY ALL OF THESE DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS. *LA

THE CAR STALLS IN TURNS WHILE DOWNSHIFTING; GOING UP HILLS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT BEGINS HESITATION WHILE ACCELERATING; AND AFTER SEVERAL HESITATIONS IT WILL STALL OUT MUCH LIKE IT IS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. THE PROBLEM BEGAN THE FIRST YEAR I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND ONLY WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING WITH UNDER HALF A TANK OF FUEL BUT NOW OCCURS EVEN WITH A FULL TANK. TWICE I HAVE MENTIONED IT TO FORD TECHNICIANS, TWICE TEST RESULTS CAME BACK NEGATIVE. THE FORD TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS NO LONGER A RELIABLE SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION. *LA

VEHICLE STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE ACCELERATING. FAILED TO START. FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. *LA

OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON. CAR RUNS ROUGH AT LOW IDLE AND IS STALLING OUT. WE SEE THIS LISTED AS A POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION UNDER INVESTIGATION NUMBER EA02-022. *LA

IGNITION LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

DRIVING WITH UNDER HALF A TANK OF GAS DURING RIGHT HAND TURNS CAR ALMOST STALLS AND SLOWS VERY RAPIDLY. BUCKS AND STARVES FOR FUEL AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY CAR BEHIND ME. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON HIGHWAY ON AND OFF RAMPS AND AROUND SHARP RIGHT HAND TURNS. *LA

IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED AT 36,800 MILES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS AND DRIVEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES AND NEVER HAS AN IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK. FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE THINGS AND REPAIR THEM WITHOUT CHARGE. *JB

IGNITION CORE COMES COMPLETELY OUT WHEN REMOVING KEY. DIFFICULT TO CORRECTLY REALIGN INTO STEERING COLUMN. HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME PROBLEM FROM MULTIPLE CONSUMERS. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME HEADLIGHTS FAILED, ONLY THE HIGH BEAM WORKED. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MISROUTED BATTERY CABLES. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED. VEHICLE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

I HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENTLY WAITING FOR FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THEIR IGNITION SYSTEM. IT IS VERY PATHETIC. BOTH OF MY FORD FOCUS VEHICLES HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I USED THE CARS IN A NORMAL FASHION FOR OVER 4 YEARS. AT THE END OF YEAR 3 THE KEYS IN BOTH MY FOCUS CARS STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY LEAVING STRANDED AT WORK ONE TIME. I HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH WHO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT CYLINDER WILL LIKELY FAIL AGAIN AS IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OVERALL DESIGN OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM FROM FORD. I PAID OVER $300 FOR THIS PROBLEM AND NOW AM EXPERIENCING THIS HELL AGAIN IN YEAR 4.5. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH FORD NOW AND HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY RECALL. BOTH MY CARS CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THESE KEY PROBLEMS AND ARE BECOMING ALMOST UNUSABLE AT THIS POINT. *JB

1. EVERYDAY CITY DRIVING WITH USE A TURNSIGNAL. CRACKING SOUNDS STARTED COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AND THE TURNING MECHANISM NOW FAILS TO TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY. 2. THE TURN SIGNAL DOESNT TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY AFTER TURNING OR PASSING. 3. PARTS WHERE PURCHASED BUT NEVER PUT ON, BECAUSE THE LABOR TO REPLACE THE BROKEN PART IS VERY EXPENSIVE, REQUIRING THE REMOVAL OF THE STEERING WHEEL/AIRBAG. 4. ACCORDING TO A FOCUS ENTHUSIAST SITE. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON PLACE. *AK

SINCE OCTOBER OF 2003 MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER WHEN I AM STOPPED A TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS IT WOULD JUST SHUT OFF AND SOMETIMES I GET POWER SURGES AND LASTLY, THE ENGINE WILL SOUND AS IF IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF AND OR IS GASPING FOR AIR. I HAVE PAID FOR SEVERAL SERVICES, SUCH AS IGNITION SWITCH AND OTHER COLUMN ISSUES, BECAUSE MY KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION ONE TIME AS WELL. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER UNDERLINED ISSUES WITH THIS PROBLEM, FIRST FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS APPARENT ENGINE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY HAVE AUTHORIZED THE DEALER ONLY TO MAKE REPAIRS IF IT NOT UP TO SPECFICATIONS(FUEL PUMP). THE DEALERS ARE TELLING ME THEY WILL CHARGE ME FOR A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE FUEL PUMP. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FOR SERVICE EVAULATION FOR SOMETHING ON MY VEHICLE THAT IS "NOT" A PROBLEM.

I HAVE A 2000 FOCUS. I EXPERIANCE HESITATION WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS ABOUT 1/4TH FULL, IT DIED ONCE WHILE TURNING AROUND AN OFFRAMP CLOVERLEAF. ALSO WHEN COMING TO STOPS IT IDLES ROUGH. WHEN STARTING AND WAITING WHILE IN OR OUT OF GEAR, IDLING IS ROUGH. TURNING CORNERS I OCCASIONALY GET CREEKS FROM THE FRONT AND REAR. SOMETIMES I HEAR THUMPS FROM THE REAR WHEN RIDING OVER BUMPS ON OCCASION. I HEAR AND FEEL A GROWL WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING REGARDLESS OF BEING IN OR OUT OF GEAR OR IN OR OUT OF MOTION. IT FEELS MORE PROMINENT WHEN THE TEMP. IS BELOW 60 DEGREES. I CAN FEEL IT VIBRATING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING AND IT SEEMS TO STOP WHILE TURNING LEFT BUT CONTINUES WHEN THE STEERING REACHES CENTER. WHILE GOING UP OR DOWN INCLINES OR SMALL DEPRESSIONS IN THE ROAD IT BECOMES EVEN MORE NOTICEABLE AND YOU CAN FEEL IT IN THE FLOOR. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK SOMETIMES CLICKS IN AND OUT OF THE LOCK POSTION ERRATICALLY WHEN THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. THIS HANDLE IS ALSO EXTREMELY TOUGH TO OPEN. SOMETIMES POWER IS LOST TO THE RADIO, I REMOVE THE DETACHABLE ANITI-THEFT PIECE AND REPLACE IT, SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES I NEED TO DO IT NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE RADIO WILL TURN BACK ON. I HAD EXPERIANCED WARPED ROTORS ON THE FRONT WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT I SWITCHED THEM WITH SLOTTED ROTORS SO I NO LONGER HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MY REAR BRAKE DRUMS ARE STOCK (BUT THE PASDS ARE NOT) AND THEY SQUEAL QUITE FREQUENTLY, POSSIBLY DUE TO EXCESSIVE DUST. I HAD NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK FOR WINDOWS OTHER THAN THE DRIVERS. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IN ABOUT A YEAR OR 2. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY EXPERIENCED WATER IN THE PASSENGER WELL. LAST, OCCASIONALLY THE TRANSMISSION WILL HESITATE WHILE DRIVING. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, BUT MORE LIKE IT WAS A HUMAN WITH A CLUTHC OUT A BIT WHO CANNOT MAKE UP THEIR MIND ABOUT WHAT GEAR TO USE.

2000 FORD FOCUS SE/SW WITH AT AND AC STALLS AND OR DIES DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS. ITS A REPEATING OCCURRENCE, AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A SHORT WHILE AND THE ENGINE IS AT ITS NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. WHILE THE ABOVE INCIDENTS TAKE PLACE, THE CARS WARNING SYSTEMS DO NOT INDICATE ANY APPARENT FAILURE OR OVERHEATING.

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAME OPEN ON IT'S OWN (WITH A CHILD IN THE BACK), SAFETY LOCKS WERE ENGAGED AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION FROM THE SENSOR LIGHT THAT THE DOOR WAS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY. SOON AFTERWARDS I BEGAN HAVING MORE FREQUENT DIFFICULTY GETTING SAME DOOR TO STAY LATCHED. DOOR IS NOW INOPERABLE AS IT WILL NOT LATCH ONCE OPENED. THE OTHER THREE DOORS DO NOT LATCH SMOOTHLY AND I OFTEN HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING THE TRUNK TO LATCH PROPERLY. ON ONE OF MY NUMEROUS RECALL TRIPS TO THE SERVICE CENTER, I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE DOORS AND WAS TOLD NO. SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED BUT NEITHER CAN I SAFELY TRANSPORT ANYONE IN THE REAR SEAT. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. THE ENTIRE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED!*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM *SCC *JB

KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION. STRANDED. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED AND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED

DEFECTIVE VEHICLE - NUMEROUS MAJOR PROBLEM AND DEFECTIVE PARTS, RECALLS

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO INSERT THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED , AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

KEY CYLINDER LOCK WENT OUT AND CAUSED STEERING WHEEL AND THE KEY NOT TO BE ABLE TO TURN. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

KEY IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, CANNOT TURN KEY TO START CAR. WHEN I CALLED THE FORD HELP LINE, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NEW, NOTHING THEY'VE HEARD OF BEFORE. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY REFERRED ME TO THE MECHANIC ASKED ME WHAT I DROVE. I SAID FORD FOCUS. HE ASKED WHAT YEAR, I SAID 2000. THEN HE SAID THAT KEY IGNITION IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 FOCUS AND THAT THEY'VE HAD TO FIX SEVERAL FOCUS' FOR THAT SPECIFIC REASON ALONE. FORD NEEDS TO DO A CENSUS OF HOW MANY OF THEIR DEALERSHIP HAVE LOGGED IN THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE COMPLAINTS ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET, TOO MANY TO IGNORE!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUE. *JB

MY CAR IS A 2000 FORD FOCUS SE WITH 41,000 MILES. WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED A HESITATION IN ACCELERATION AND A DIFFICULT TIME IN STARTING. ON JULY 30TH OF THIS YEAR MY CAR WOULD START BUT NOT CONTINUE TO IDLE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY FORD DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE @ THE COST OF $400. THIS PAST WEEKEND MY CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SAME FORD DEALERSHIP AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND IT WOULD COST $600. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 41,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY WEBSITES/FORUMS AND NOTICE I AM NOT ALONE. IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP IN PROCESS? *JB

I PURCHASED MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SE FROM MERLIN MOTORS IN SASKATOON. PRODUCTION DATE - MAY 2/2000, STOCK NO. PP24941, R.O. NO. 155631. I BELIEVE THIS CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY SOMEONE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. HERE IS A CHRONOLOGICAL BREAKDOWN OF REPAIRS. APRIL 17/01 - TOOK CAR IN BECAUSE DRIVER MIRROR VIBRATED BADLY WHEN DRIVING - SO BADLY THAT I COULD NOT LOOK INTO IT, IT WAS SHAKING THAT MUCH. ALSO, THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE RELEASE INSIDE THE CAR. PARTS WERE ORDERED AT THIS TIME. VEHICLE KILOMETERS- 32854. JUNE 19/01 - THEY CHECKED FOR DRIVER MIRROR VIBRATING WHEN DRIVING AND REPLACED DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR MIRROR. THE ALSO CHECKED FOR TRUNK NOT OPENING FROM THE RELEASE INSIDE THE CAR, THEY REPLACED THE TRUNK STOP AND ADJUSTED. VEHICLE KILOMETERS- 35222 JUNE 20/01 - THEY CHECKED FOR POWER STEERING LEAK AND REPLACED STEERING RACK AND SET TOE. VEHICLE KILOMETERS- 37782?? (THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ERROR - I KNOW I DID NOT DRIVE 2, 560 KM IN ONE DAY!) I ALSO DID NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE POWER STEERING AND DON'T RECALL WHY MY CAR WAS IN THERE AT THE TIME. SEPT 21/01 - THEY REPAIRED RATTLE IN RIGHT FRONT GOING OVER BUMPS, TIGHTENED ALL ASSEMBLE BOLTS IN FRONT END, REMOVED RIGHT CALIPER AND ROTOR, LUBED ALL BUSHING, ADJUSTED FRONT SPLASH SHIELDS, FOUND TIE ROD BOLT LOOSE AND TIGHTENED. THEY ALSO FIXED MOLDING ON WINDOW BELT, WHICH WAS LOOSE AND CHECKED INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND FOUND IT FLAWED - PART ON ORDER. VEHICLE KILOMETERS- 43170. NOV 3/01 - WE WERE DRIVING IN SASKATOON WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO BOIL. WE KNEW THIS BECAUSE OF STEAM COMING FROM THE HOOD, ALL GAUGES IN THE CAR READ NORMAL! WE TOOK CAR TO MERLIN - THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AFTER THEIR CHECKS, AND TOLD US TO BRING IT BACK IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN! WORK ORDER FOR THIS DATE STATES: CUSTOMER SAW STEAM COMING FROM UNDER HOOD, ANTIFREEZE POOLED ON ENGINE, GAUGE READ NORMAL, STEAM COMING FROM OVERFLOW TANK - FILL WITH A/FREEZE, PRESSURE TEST FOR LEAKS, NO LEAKS FOUND.

FIRST ONE: IGNITION LOCKED. ONE NIGHT AFTER CLASSES, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO OR TURN THE IGNITION LOCK. I CALLED MY FORD WARRANTY AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED ME THAT HE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM ON THE FORD FOCUS, AS HE HAD HAD MANY CALLS TO PICK UP CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SECOND ONE: AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM DRIVING TO THE STORE ONE SATURDAY, I PARKED AS USUAL AND TRIED TO PULL UP MY HAND BRAKE WHICH WOULD NOT GO UP OR LOCK INTO PLACE. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE LITTLE BUTTON YOU PUSH IN THE RELEASE THE HANDBRAKE WAS LOCATED ALL THE WAY INTO THE ASSEMBLY NOT ALLOW IT TO LOCK. I PLAN ON TAKING MY CAR IN NOVEMBER TO BE REPAIRED. MY FORD WARRANTY WILL COVER IT SINCE ITS A FEW THOUSAND MILES UNDER WARRANTY.

THE FORD FOCUS WE PURCHASED HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NOW FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME PART TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION/KEY PROBLEM HAS BECOME AN ISSUE AS THE LAST HEAD MECHANIC STATED TO MY HUSBAND FORD WOULD NO LONGER REPLACE THE PART BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER THE INITIAL WARRANTY. WE DISAGREE BECAUSE IT IS A FORD DEFECTIVE PART THAT THEY PUT IN NEW AND HAS FAILED NOW FOUR TIMES. I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH THE REPAIR "ADVISOR" OF THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE HAD THE WORK DONE FOR THE PAST THREE REPAIRS. THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS HAVE OCCURRED: AUGUST 02 INSTALLED NEW LOCK CYLINDER AND REKEYED APRIL 03 INSTALLED NEW TUMBLER SEPTEMBER 03 REPLACE KEY SWITCH THE ABOVE DETAILS I HAVE TAKEN FROM THE INVOICE COPIES THAT I HAVE. HE EXPLAINED THE TOTAL COST INCLUDING TOWING AMOUNTS TO APPROXIMATELY $300.00. NOW LOOKING AT THESE REPAIRS, ALTHOUGH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE KEY/IGNITION OCCURS, IT SEEMS THEY ARE REPLACING DIFFERENT PARTS. HE IS CONFIDENT THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED AND SHOULD NOT REOCCUR....I HOPE HE IS RIGHT! THEY HAVE PAID THE TOTAL COSTS OF THESE REPAIRS AND HAVE ALSO PAID FOR TOWING OF THE VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THIS OCCURS AGAIN, HE STATED THEY WILL BE UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY COULD DO.

AT 148 MILES TOLD FORD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH TRANS, DID NOT BELIEVE ROAD TESTED FRO 2 MILES AND HAD CAR FOR DAY AND A HALF. SAID THEY DESIGNED TRANS TO SLIP. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT IN THAT CONDITION AND REPEATEDLY CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE BACK AND QUESTIONED DEALERS ABOUT SLIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. TO SAY THE LEAST TRANS REPLACED. TRIM AND OTHER ITEMS FALLING OFF CAR AND FROD WOULD NOT REPLACE. MORE BRAKE JOBS THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A STICK AT. JUST GOT DONE PUTTING 600.00 INTO IT WHEN ENGINE THREW ROD AND NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF 3,700.00. FORD MADE A BAD CAR ND THEY KNOW IT , BUT WILL LEAVE US FOCUS OWNERS OUT TO HANG.