NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Ford Focus. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT DISK ROTORS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FREQUENT AND WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIMS THE FAILURE OF THE ROTORS IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" YET OWNERS ARE REPORTING FREQUENT FAILURES. THERE IS EVEN AN INTERNET SITE DEVOTED SOLELY TO THIS DEFECT, WHICH FORD HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED.*AK
IN APRIL 2000, MY CAR DIED. FORD HAD TO GIVE ME A BRAND NEW ENGINE. NOW IN DECEMBER 2002, MORE CAR PROBLEMS AND THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR IS NOT EVEN THREE YEARS OLD AND HAS TOO MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS FOR A VEHICLE THIS NEW. DT
WAS TRAVELING 50MPH HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN TRUNK OF VEHICLE. SOUNDED LIKE GRINDING NOISES. STOPPED VEHICLE AND SMELLED SMOKE. ENGINE CHECK AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON . PARKED VEHICLE , THEN, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED WHEEL BEARINGS HAD BLOWN OUT. THIS CAUSED WHEELS TO GO BAD. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED DUE TO VIBRATION. *JB *YH
IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC VEHICLE SHUTSDOWN UNEXPECTEDLY. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP, AND COMPUTER BOARD. PROBLEM KEEPS REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
VEHICLE WAS GOING 45MPH ON A BRIDGE AND STALLED AS VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING TO 4TH GEAR. STEERING LOCKED AND BRAKES FAILED WHILE MOTOR SHUTDOWN. AIR CONDITIONER AND RADIO CONTINUED TO WORK. VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. CRANKSHAFT WAS REPLACED BY FORD DEALER. *AK *YH
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HIT A POT HOLE. THE RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER AND INFORMED NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM.*JB
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS IN WARM WEATHER AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER HAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW AND CAUSES THE STALLING. NLM
MY WHOLE IS MY PROBLEM. I LEASE THIS CAR FOR THREE YEARS AND THEY COULD NOT TELL WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I SPEND MORE TIME AT THE DEALERSHIP THEN I DID ON MY JOB. I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS AND THEY STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT ADAMSON FORD IS VERY POOR . THIS WHERE MY FIRST TIME DRIVING A AMERICAN CAR. THEY DID NOT WANT TO GET ME OUT OF THE CAR AND THEN I CALL THE OWNER OF ADAMSON FORD HE DID NOT CALL ME BACK AT ALL THE ONLY THING I COULD TRY TO DO IS FILE LEMON LAW BUT IT WILL TAKE SO LONG FOR IT TO TAKE ACTION I DROP THE CASE. THIS SHOULD BE TAKING OFF THE MARKET AND PEOPLE SHOULD GET THERE MONEY BACK. BECAUSE I ALMOST GOT HIT TWO TIME BY 18 WHEELER WITH MY BABY GIRL IN THE BACK IN A CAR SEAT THEY DON'T GIVE A [XXX] ABOUT THAT AT ALL. THIS CAR IS HAVING PROBLEMS RIGHT AS I TYPE YOU THIS LETTER. I AM VERY UP SET ON THIS CAR I HAVE 12 MONTHS LEFT AND THEY STILL WILL HAVE PROBLEM WHEN I FINISH WITH IT. I HAVE MANY MORE PROBLEMS BUT I AM AT WORK AND IT WILL HAVE TO TYPE THEM LATER TODAY. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE IT IS TO LATE AND SOMEONE WILL GET KILL INJURED REALLY BAD. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
BOTH DAUGHTER AND MYSELF OWN 2000 AND A 2001 FORD FOCUS BOTH HAVE FRONT END NOISE AND VIBRATION VERY LOUD AND SHAKY WERE TOLD IT IS THE BEARINGS IM CONCERNED AND OUTRAGED FORD DEALER SERVICE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON OUR VEHICLES HELPPPPPPPPPPPP IM SCARED WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A WRECK. *M
THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE, OF THE SAME PARTS. THESE STUDS FAILED IN FEBRUARY OF 2001. THIS IS NOT EXACTLY 12/12,000 FOR THE WARRANTY TO COVER THE REPAIR, BUT IT IS PRETTY DARN CLOSE. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH MY CREDIT UNION, THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE I ADDED TWO AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENGINE. FORD SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR, BECAUSE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHAT THEY KEEP STEPPING AROUND IS THE FACT THAT THIS SAME FAILURE HAPPENED A YEAR AGO, BEFORE I MADE ANY MODIFICATIONS. THE ENGINE WAS STILL STOCK.*AK
BRAKES HAVE NOT BEEN RIGHT SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF DELIVERY. *AK
WHILE IN MOTION VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED. THE PROBLEM WAS INTEMITTENT FOR APPROX. 2-3 WEEKS. THE SPEED WOULD DROP AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WOULD GET HOT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP UNDER SECRET WARRANTY AND CONSUMER PAID FOR MAINTENANCE. *JG
FORD 2000 FOCUS IGNITION LOCK FAILURE - LOCKSMITH WEBSITES TALK ABOUT THIS AND OFFER SPECIAL PARTS TO FIX IT - WHY DOESN'T FORD TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS LATENT DEFECT THAT IS RUINING QUALITY. THIS IS JUST THE ICING ON THE CAKE OF THE 2000 FOCUS AND ITS LAUNDRY LIST OF RECALLS (4 MORE IN THE WORKS AS I UNDERSTAND IT). THIS IS A PREVALENT MECHANICAL FAILURE AND IS ACTIONABLE. IF THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THIS CONTACT ME TO JOIN.*AK
MYON 3/27/02 CAR BURNED DOWN IN MY YARD . I REALLY NEED SOME HELP TO RESOLVE THIS THIS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE FILLED OUT THIS FORM WITH NO RESPONSE AT AT ALL. *AK
ON 3-22-02 AT NIGHT, PARKED, I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE RIGHT REAR DOOR AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE MADE A CRACKING NOISE AND THE DOOR HANDLE APEARED TO BE LOOSER THAN BEFORE WITHOUT THE TIGHT RETURN TO ORIGINAL POSITION. THE DOOR OPENED AND CLOSED PROPERLY. I DID NOT THINK THIS WAS A PRIORITY REPAIR SO WAITED UNTIL MY SPRING BREAK THE NEXT WEEK. ON 3-27-02 I HAD THE REAR RIGHT DOOR OPENED, I CLOSED IT AND DROVE OFF. WITHIN HALF A BLOCK THE DOOR SWUNG OPENED AT A STOP LIGHT AND A PASSING MOTORIST TOLD ME ABOUT IT BEFORE I DROVE OFF. I CLOSED THE DOOR AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE HILL, WITHIN 3 BLOCKS THE DOOR SWUNG OPENED AGAIN. I CHECKED THE HANDLE AND FOUND IT POPPED OUT INTO AN OPEN POSITION. I FORCED IT BACK INTO PLACE, THERE WAS A SIMILAR CRACKING NOISE TO THAT MADE WHEN THE ORIGINAL DAMAGE WAS CAUSED. I DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR 3-29-02. I DID NOT CARRY ANYONE IN THE BACK SEAT UNTIL THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE SERVICE ORDER DESCRIBED THE REPAIR AS, "REMOVED RIGHT REAR DOOR PANEL-REPLACED INNER HANDLE-BROKEN & OUT OF POSITION IN RATCHET ASSEMBLY-RETEST-OK. THE DEALERSHIP TREATED THIS AS A WARRANTY REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS NOT A FLUKE ACCIDENT, AS THE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO GEAR, AND UNLOCKING THE REAR DOOR AT NIGHT WOULD BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. PASSANGERS COULD BE AT RISK, ESPECIALLY SMALL CHILDREN. *AK
THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS COMPLETELY SHOT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAS 46000 MILES WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT A CAR WITH THAT FEW MILES COULD HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT IT BEING A DEFECT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY IT WOULD COST ME $780 TO REPAIR. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER CARE DEPT. AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE I HAD NOT HAD MY OIL CHANGES DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP I HAD NO LOYALTY TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME OUT. NLM
ON THE MORNING OF MARCH 26 2002 I AWOKE AT 5:30 AM TO DISCOVER MY CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES ACCORDING TO FIRE DEPT IT HAD STARTED UNDER THE DASH OR IN ENGINE. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY YARD SINCE ABOUT 6:00 PM THE PREVIOUS EVENING. *TS *NLM ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS****760797
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 35 MPH ROAD. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COMPLETELY BUCKLED UNDER THE CAR. I SKIDDED APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET INTO A PARKED CAR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE AXILE WAS BROKEN IN HALF WHICH HAPPENED BEFORE IT HIT THE PARKED CAR. THE COMPLETE WHEEL ASSEMBLY IS NOW SITTING IN NEXT TO THE CAR IN THE AUTO BODY SHOP. AT THE PRESENT TIME, FORD MOTOR CO. DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE 2000 FORD FOCUS DOWN A 35 MPH ROAD I PROCEEDED TO BRAKE TO A STOP WHEN FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED, CAUSING CAR TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL. IT CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING A PARKED CAR.*AK
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON ENTERING DRIVEWAY, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. NLM
WHEN I TRIED TO INSERT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION, IT REFUSED TO GO IN, ALMOST LIKE IT WAS THE WRONG KEY. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME TO CALL FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR A TOW TO THEIR DEALERSHIP. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME SHE HAD TOWED SERVERAL FOCUS' IN THE LAST MONTH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. BOB TURNER FORD KEPT MY CAR FROM FRIDAY TO MONDAY SAYING THEY HAD TO PUT IN A NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. I WASN'T CHARGED BECAUSE MY FOCUS IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
VEHICLE HAS BEEN GIVEN CONSUMER TROUBLE SINCE PURCHASING IT. 2ND DAY AFTER PURCHASE VEHICLE WAS IN DEALER'S SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS. WHEN PUTTING ON BRAKES VEHICLE SHAKES. ALSO, DRIVER CANNOT SEE TO MAKE TURNS BECAUSE TRUCK IS VERY HIGH.*AK WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER AND HIS DAUGHTER WERE HURT DUE TO BRAKES AND WIPERS FAILED IN THE RAIN. THE REAR WINDOW IS VERY HIGH AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE VEHICLES FROM BEHIND. BRAKES FAILED MORE THAN THREE TIMES, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR THERE WERE 2 INJURIES, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THE AIRBAGS FAILED. *YH
ENGINE STALLED-TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER-THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP. *AK
2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS, 4-DR SEDAN. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 3/19/02. CAR WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. FIRE/POLICE SUSPECTED FIRE ORIGINATED AROUND THE BATTERY.
PARTS TO RECALL O1F156000 FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER ARE ON BACK ORDER.*AK
DEALERSHIP SAD PARTS TO RECALL 01I017000 CONCERNING REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE ARE ON BACK ORDER.*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. CAUSING LOSS OF POWER.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER AND IT WILL BE HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK STARTED.DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
TAKES OFF REAL HARD LIKE IT WANTS TO DIE BUT WON'T, THEN STOPS. WHEN CAR IS RAN FOR A WHILE IT STARTS DOING. WE ARE NOT THE ONLY FOCUS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE OTHERS ALONG WITH THEIR REVERSE GOING OUT OR FIRST GEAR. EVERY ONE WHO TAKES IT IN DOESN'T GET IT FIXED
CONSUMER NOTICED, WHEN APLYING THE BRAKE WILL SQUEALING AND MOANING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
CONSUMER STATES, THE ROTORS AND BRAKES PAD WORN EXCESSIVELY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 65MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
ONGOING ISSUE, VEHICLE STALLS, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN TUNRS SUCH AS HIGHWAY RAMPS-PARTICULARLY BAD WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS OR LESS, AT TIMES MUST COAST FOR SOME DISTANCE TO REGAIN POWER. ALMOST REARENDED ON NUMEROUS OCCAIONS. VEHICLE HAS ALSO EXHIBITED STUTTER & STUMLES AT CRUISING SPEED THROUGHOUT LIFE OF VEHICLE. MOST LIKELY FUEL RELATED ISSUE, FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT AROUND 10000, NO IMPROVEMENT. RATHER THAN STALLING IN TURNS, ENGINE OFTEN SEEMS AS IF SIEZED UP, TACH SHOWS AROUNG 900-1200RPMS SENSATION OF ENGINE BRAKING . BIG PROBLEM ON CLOVERLEAFS OF BALT/WASH AREA. ONE AMONGST MANY QUALITY ISSUES T. *AK
THIS CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AT PEAK TRAFFIC HOURS AND AT THE TOP OF A FREEWAY EXIT RAMP. WE HAVE SEEN TV NEW REPORTS AND AN ARTICLE IN THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE REGARDING THESE SAME SYMPTOMS.*AK
WIRING UNDER DASHBOARD STARTED SMOKING, CAUSING CAR TO STALL AND IGNITION TO LOCKED UP. *AK
VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO FORD DEALER 4 TIMES FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE FIST ONE AT 6,000 MILES AND ABOUT EVERY 6,500 MILES THEREAFTER. I AM SO TIRED OF HAVING TO HAVE THESE FIXED. *AK
VEHICLE DIED. PISTON RINGS STICK IN VALVE AND THE SHUTS DOWN. CONSUMER HAS FIVE RECALLS ON HER CAR. ALSO, SHE HAD TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND AIR CONDITIONER LEAKED, AN O-RING WAS REPLACED IN THE AIR CONDITIONER, HOWEVER IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. *SLC
VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT WITHOUT WARNING.*AK
AT ANY SPEED THERE'S A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD, AND THEY STATED THAT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. CONSUMER FEELS IT IS THE WHEEL BEARING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
CAR STALLING DURING RIGHT HAND TURNS. *NLM
VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED. CONSUMER FEELS LUCKY THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT REAR ENDED. *AK THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MILES PER HOUR AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER TO THE SHOULDER. AFTER APPROX. 20 MIN THE ENGINE STARTED. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *JG
BRAKES HAVE SQUEALED FRON ABOUT 1500 MILES. HAVE HAD PADS REPLACED, BUT SQUEALS DID NOT GO AWAY. FRONT BRAKES GRIND, AT SHOP NOW. IN NOVEMBER 2001 HAD TO HAVE STRUTS REPLACED WHILE HAVING RECALL WORK DONE. STRUTS LITTLE OVER A YEAR OLD. ENGINE MAKES A CHIRPING NOISE AT ABOUT 1000-2500 RPM, BUT DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. ALSO SQUEALS OR WHINES WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN A SMALL STONE HIT IT. WILL HAVE INSURANCE REPLACE. OVERALL, NOT HAPPY WITH CAR. BEEN IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR!!
MY CAR HAS STALLED ON ME THREE TIMES. 30-40% OF THE TIME WHEN DRIVING, IT WON'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR UNLESS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS THEN START TO GO AGAIN. ALSO, THERE IS A TAPPING NOISE COMING THE ENGINE WHEN IN IDLE.*AK,
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE WORN OUT PREMATURELY. ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACE AT 27000 MILES.*AK
BRAKES CONSTANLY SQEAK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME CONSUMER IS HAVING THEM REPAIRED.*AK
I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR ONE YEAR AND FIVE MONTHS. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, TWICE WITHIN TWO MONTHS. MY GAS LINES HAVE FALLEN OFF THE CAR, CAUSING THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO BE FILLED WITH FUMES. STALLS WHILE DRIVING, NOT MATTER THE SPEED,DEALERSHIP SAID THEY FIXED THE ISSUE, STILL ONGOING. CAR HESISTATES TO GO AT TIMES. OFTEN THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS. HARD TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND OTHER GEARS, OFTEN POPS OUT OF GEAR. RECENTLY REPLACED CLUTCH CABLE, TECH SAYS THE CLUTCH IS FINE. REPLACED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS AFTER BEING TOLD THEY WERE FINE, TWO WEEKS LATER THE ROTORS WERE GONE. BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK. WINDSHIELD IS NOT SEALED, YOU CAN HEAR AIR BLOWING IN WHILE DRIVING. HAD A BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER HOOD WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, ONLY TO GET A RECALL, AND MY CABLES WERE MELTED. BRAKE LIGHTS ALWAYS OUT, WHEN I REPLACE ONE THE OTHER GOES OUT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND DEALERSHIP, BOTH TELL ME I HAVE TO KEEP GETTING REPAIRS. I ASKED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO BUY THE CAR BACK, AND THEY REFUSED. I FEEL THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE, I HATE DRIVING IT.*AK
DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY AND THE ENGINE STALLED. WAS ABLE TO REFIRE THE MOTOR AND CONTINUE CAR CONTI NUED TO RUN ROUGH.*AK