Problems with 2000 Ford Focus ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I have a ford focus 2000 wagon with only 60,000 miles on it. within the past three weeks i have had to have it towed because i can not turn the key in the ignition. i am now waiting for it to be towed to my mechanic to fix the ignition. looking online i have seen numerous complaints about this problem and wonder why there has not been a recall for this ignition. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. he stated that upon starting the vehicle, the key would not turn. the vehicle would not cut on and the key would not turn in the ignition switch. the vehicle was towed to his home. the dealer stated that he did not know the reason for the failure. no repairs were made to date. the current and failure mileages were under 160,000. updated 02/03/10 *bf updated 02/11/10.*jb

My daughter was away at college when her 2000 ford focus would not accept the key in the ignition. she was stranded with no way to get home. a mechanic at school worked on it for an hour and got the key in and suggested leaving it in permanently until it is fixed. we got the car home, took it to a ford dealer and they replaced the ignition cylinder for over $400. they had the parts available because they service this problem alot on ford focus'. our fear is that her car will suddenly shut off while driving down the dark farm roads that she has to take to her school. some reports i have read had that happen to them with ford focus. *tr

Key will not turn to on position. *tr

With key in the ignition the key will not turn, thus the car will not start. we had to walk a mile home last night because the car wouldn't start. we have discovered it will be 150 to 250 to have a locksmith look at the problem and upwards of 450 for the dealership. it's the week before christmas and we are poor and can not afford 450 to replace a possible defect. *tr

Ford focus ignition keylock will not turn. when inserting the key into the ignition the key will not turn at all. this is the second time this has happened to this 2000 ford focus se. this is a safety issue as it may strand a driver in an undesirable location or conditions. *tr

For the third time since i've owned the car, the rear tail 'running' lights have blacked out. at the same time, dashboard lights do not function. nhtsa campaign 00v411000 covers this for about 75,000 focuses identical to mine, but for some reason, mine is not covered by the recall. i've had the same problem three times. each time, the wiring harness and fuses have to be replaced. once, the multifunction switch needed replacing, too. the repairs have cost me nearly $1,500. i contacted ford the third time, but the representative said there was nothing ford could do to help with repair costs, as my specific vin did not fall under the recall. my concern is the random nature of the tail light loss. it happens when i'm driving home at night, and i need to put my hazards on any time i drive after dark. it is extremely dangerous, and i am afraid of being struck from behind. *tr

Ford focus 2000. 63,000 miles. key would not go all the way into ignition (original key) also tried second key (original key, not used much). fortunately, car was in my driveway. had car towed to dealership. ignition replaced. there had been no indication of a pending problem. *tr

2000 ford focus ignition is stuck in the locked position wont turn on. stopped at a rest stop in the middle of the night in middle of now where and the temperature was in low 30's. came back to car ignition would not turn locked up. no phone service in the area and no pay phones, had to wait until the next person to stop, since was not a holiday i had to wait till morning which was 41/2 hour way when a local commuter stopped and was willing to give me a ride to nearest gas station 25 miles away. then i had to have my car towed to a local the gas station where it was fix the next day after the part arrived. after looking online and finding out this is a recurring problem and that it is very likely to happen again since it defect has never been fixed in the ignition makes me very worried that it may happen again. *tr

Yesterday afternoon my wife, daughter and i were on our way to my wife's sister house. earlier that morning i went out and there was nothing wrong with it. i put the key in the ignition and tried to turn but it wouldn't turn. i tried turning 8 different times with 2 different original keys that came with car but still wouldn't turn. finally on the 9th try it turned right on. we went her house for dinner but i had to leave after getting there because i forgot the dessert at home. i got into the car turned it on no problem, got home went inside came back out turned on the car no problem, went back to sister in law house was there about 3 hours went to leave will not turn. tried and tried for about a hour turning before giving up. sister in law has no car and lived to far away from my home to walk especially with a young child. so we had to call around for a ride. finally returned home almost 3 hours after we first tried to leave. now we are down to one car when we need two for both of us to get back and forth to work. i have not had anything fixed on it yet. i looked online and found out there are hundreds if not thousands of people with this same problem. there's two choices i have one is to take it to the ford dealer and pay $500.00 or more for a new ignition just for it to possibly have the same thing happen again because ford has not fixed the problem with the ignition yet or two pay $150.00 or more for a locksmith to come and fix it, with consequences unknown. so at the moment i don't know what to do. i could pay for a new one but it doesn't make sense if the problem with the ford ignition hasn't been fixed by ford, all that does is put off the problem for a year or maybe a few years just for the same problem to come back. the locksmith is cheaper but i don't know if them doing something to the ignition would damage my ignition or my security system. i think is wrong for ford to do nothing about a problem they knew about for years. ...

I have a 2000 ford focus and my key won't turn in the ignition. this is the second time this happens leaving me stranded. this is ridiculous, ford must take action! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. his vehicle failed state inspection for poor exterior lighting functionality. he contacted the dealer in reference to recall # 00v411000 (electrical system:wiring). upon contact he was advised that since his vehicle identification number was excluded from the recall, he was ineligible for a free remedy. the vehicle was taken to another dealer and was in the process of being repaired at an expense of $179.00. the manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. the failure and current mileages were 165,000.

Key will not turn in ignition and gets stuck. *tr

The key won't release from the ignition also the ignition won't turn off and if the car was on fire or motor caught on fire you could not turn off the ignition to shut the car off. *tr

Key would not turn. seems like there is problem with ignition cylinder. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. the contact stated that when inserting the key into the ignition, it will not turn to start the vehicle. the vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. the current and failure mileages were 95000.

This is the fourth time that the ignition switch has failed on the ford focus. the key will go into the ignition but will not turn leaving us stranded. we were lucky this time as the failure occurred at home. one of the previous times was in the middle of winter when my elderly mother was driving the car and was stranded in the country side without cell phone service. she was helped by a passerby that took her to a service station. this problem has been brought to the attention of the dealer and we have been told that it is our problem and poses no safety issues. fords attitude towards this problem has been that the ignition switch is a consumable part (e.g. tires, brakepads etc.) and you should be happily to get more than the 12000 mile warranty on the part. sooner or later someone will be stranded by this sub-standard part and it cause them harm or death. ford needs to be held accountable before this happens. *tr

2000 ford focus. key would not turn in the ignition. it left my 19 year old daughter stranded after work as a hostess at a restaurant. this could and has happened on two occasions. the key finally turned after nearly two hours of attempting to get it to work. we have discovered by banging on the key it helps sometimes. this is a costly repair that has been reported numerous times and other consumers say it happens repeatedly. *tr

Ignition was working fine. twenty minutes later, the key would go in the ignition, but would not turn. my vehicle is in process of being repaired. i found out this is a chronic problem with 2000-2004 ford focus. mine is a 2000. aggravated that ford has not been made responsible to recall these vehicles. not only do i have an expensive repair, i missed a day of work because i was stranded. *tr

My key won't turn in the ignition of my 2000 ford focus. *tr

Car key gets stuck in ignition. will not come out. *tr

After stalling out the engine of my 5 speed transmission in 1st gear, the car wouldn't start again and in fact lost all power. it was jump started, but in 1st and 2nd gear, it sputtered and lurched forward, then died again. we had to have the car towed to the shop as it was undrivable. lucky we were just in a parking lot and not out on the road or it could have been disastrous. even the emergency flashers would not turn on due to no power. the repair shop said that the battery is completely dead and that the battery cables were melted. *tr

I have a ford focus 2000 model and the key would not turn in the ignition. this is a common problem among ford focus models of 2000-2003. due to this defect i got stuck on the highway and had to be towed. this is a serious defect and can cause serious accidents. *tr

2000 ford focus se, purchased new 04/2001 --- 06/02 - car died on fathers day, replaced battery with one from auto zone; ?/03 - at service call for recall of harness wiring, complained about led lights flickering, no problem found; 10/05 - car died, towed to ford, battery replaced; 12/06 - service at ford, complained about led lights flickering again, no remedy; 06/07 - car died, towed to chrysler dealer (my employer), could not locate prob, charged battery, 06/07 car died, replaced battery; 06/07 car died, towed to chrysler - replaced alternator; 09/08, ignition locked/replaced; 02/09 car died, towed to ford, replaced battery; 06/09, electrical system warning light illuminates at 35-40 mph. positive battery cable insulation melted. service at dodge (employer) - reroute positive cable directly to bolt on connector to battery, problem continues - carried to ford, they advise alternator is bad and must be replaced. ---- 9 years, 5 batteries, 3 alternators, problem not corrected. dealer continues to treat the symptoms, not cure the disease. something is causing this to happen continuously. numerous focus owners at least through 2003 experience same issues. service advisor admitted to me that they "replace a lot of batteries and alternators in focuses" and that "it seems to be inordinately high numbers". other problems with this car include 3 sets of inferior brake pads (finally had a good set installed by an independent mechanic) and cracked motor mounts causing intense vibration especially when engine is cold. seeking remedy for electrical issues - considering consulting attorney to start class action lawsuit. concerned about potential fire hazard. my daughter was driving this car for past 2 years, finally knuckled and bought her a great chrysler pt cruiser for her personal safety. i am not in a position to acquire another vehicle for myself and must continue to drive the focus until otherwise capable of another vehicle. will never buy ford again. *tr

2000 ford focus - yet another failed ignition cylinder issue; the same faulty part issue that has been reported for nearly a decade now. stranded with towing costs and large replacement cost for part known by ford, et al, to be a defect problem...not normal wear-and-tear. in shop being replaced...concern of future stranded as part is still considered defective. *tr

Heat damage to battery cable, smoke was coming off of battery cables, the cables were so hot they melted. car now will not start but occasionally cranks very slowly.. this is exactly as the recall issued by nhtsa in 2003 on the same make and model. your campaign number 02v288000. my car is now a fire hazard and can't be driven. need help. *tr

I bought my daughter a 2000 ford focus in 2008, in feb 2009 the key would not turn in the ignition at all. we played with this for about a half an hour and it final turned over. then in june of 2009 same thing happen to my daughter. went on line to read other peoples reviews and there was plenty of them about the ignition cylinder lock. one very helpful which saved me a towing bill of telling me to hit the key in the ignition with the palm of my hand and it worked, so was able to get the daughters car home. 300 and some odd dollars i have replace the cylinder lock and hope that it doesn't fell her again. i feel that ford should look into this problem for there is many people that have had the same problem. like i said i bought the car for my daughter and glad that it didn't break down in an unsafe part of town. some people say that they didn't grease them enough, i'm not sure of the problem but feel that it should be ford's responsibility to replace this part or at least give a good explanation of why it is happening to so many ford focuses. there are at least 50 complaints on this on a site called focal jet, which was very helpful to me. please take a look into this problem. other than that the car has been great for the daughter. *tr

The ignition system in my 2000 ford focus zx3 is now locked and the key won't turn the cylinder. there has been progressive problems leading up to this. the key started not to turn the cylinder at all then would. further investigation online says that this is a major problem on all model focus' within the years of 2000-2005. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. the contact took her vehicle for routine inspection and was informed that the deck-lid wire harness fatigued and developed damaged wires in the bend area of the wire harness. the manufacturer stated that the vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign id number 00v411000 (electrical system:wiring); therefore, they would not assume any responsibility for the repairs. she is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. the failure and current mileages were 188,000. updated 06/03/09 *bf updated 06/04/09.*jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. while driving approximately 25 mph on normal road conditions, the instrument panel failed to illuminate and the parking lamp and tail lamps were nonfunctional. the contact replaced the fuse on five separate occasions and the failure recurred. the vehicle's power lock system also failed to operate. she discovered the failure was contributed to the deck lid harness. the vehicle has not been inspected by a certified technician. nhtsa campaign id number 00v411000 - electrical system;wiring is related to the failure; however, the vin number was excluded from the recall. the contact is aware of the safety risk involved. the failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 50,300. updated 11/06/09. *lj the consumer stated while driving, she noticed the dashboard was not lit and she was unable to read the speedometer. the headlights were working. the consumer replaced the fuse and the dashboard lit up properly. however, a short while later the fuse blew again. the consumer also discovered the tail lights and parking lights were not working as well. also, the power door locks failed. the consumer discovered 4 wires had been completely severed, and all the others had bare patches where the insulation had rubbed off. the consumer stated a recall had been issued for the exact problem, but her vin was not included. updated 11/10/09.*jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. the contact stated that the engine would not start when the ignition was turned. in addition, the steering column locked. he struck the key with a hammer until the engine was able to start. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. through research, the contact found numerous complaints regarding the same issue. the failure has occurred almost daily ever since the vehicle was purchased. the current and failure mileages were 98,000.

I have a 2000 ford focus zx3 and while i am driving down the highway my transmission will rev all the gauges in the car will go up and down and my headlights flash. i have taken it to a ford dealership they say they fix the problem and as i pull away the same thing happens. so why is it that ford the people that make my car can't even tell me what's wrong with it. so having taken my car to four different places and the problem keeps happening, nobody seems to know how to fix it, i guess i will have to get another car (it will not be a ford). this is really great timing with the economy and all. i mean i put a new alternator on, a new battery, i had the ground wires cleaned, a new ignition switch put on. oh yeah it always smells like something is burning under my hood (like when you blow a candle out). it's pretty bad when you're driving on the highway and basically your car dies,somebody could smash into you causing a pile-up. i am afraid to drive my car who knows what will happen next. i just think if you make a product you should know how to correct the problems so you have a safe vehicle. *tr

I was left stranded in a parking lot with my 16 month old son after i returned to my car and the key would not turn in the ignition and i was unable to start my car. this happened without warning. when i parked my car everything was fine and i had no trouble removing the key. when i returned to my car after shopping for an hour at first i was unable to get my key into the ignition. i kept trying and was finally able to get the key in the ignition but the key would not turn and i could not start my car. my husband went to the car later to see if he could get it to work and he could not. this was the second time in 6 months that my ford focus has left me stranded and rather than pay for towing & repairs we decided to donate the car to charity (who would tow it for free) and buy ourselves a new car. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. the contact is unable to place the key into the ignition without force. after adding oil into the cylinder the key can be placed into the ignition normally; however, after a short time the failure recurred. the dealer stated that the ignition cylinder would have to be replaced. the vehicle has not been repaired. the manufacturer stated that the ignition cylinder would have to replaced and because there are no current recalls no compensation would be offered. the failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 109,000.

Like so many others my key gets jammed up it wont turn wont start the car and you get stuck where ever you happen to be at the time. *tr

My car was parked in my garage and i went to start it, and the key wouldn't turn in the ignition. after a few tries, it finally turned. went to the store, parked and went in, came back out, and the same thing happened again. after 1/2 hour, it finally turned. this has been repeated about 15 times and it's beyond frustrating. the car runs fine otherwise. it's not been in any accidents, i keep it maintained, and it sits in the garage when it's not being driven. i tried to start it yesterday, and the key will not turn. i have tried numerous times today and it will not turn. i have an engagement in 2 hours and i need the car. after researching this on the internet, it seems to be a common problem in the ford focus, which is what i drive (2000 zts). i love this car, but this is going to be a deal breaker when i get ready to trade. *tr

I have been stranded several times in my focus. hoping that every time i get in my car that today is not the day. the key won't turn in the lock and after so many failed attempts, worrying about the cost of repair. the car sat for two months and killed the battery. unfortunately the car has become such a hassle to drive. i was late to work and got a point on my super strict attendance policy. this problem has put my employment at risk. the car has also been fixed previously for the same issue by the past owner, i found out. called the dealer where it was fixed and they told me that i was out of warranty and there was going to be an hefty cost. why won't ford stand up, and say they put unreliable parts inside what is suppose to be a reliable car. *tr

I was stranded unable to put the key into the ignition of my 2000 ford focus. i s/w a ford service rep who stated ignition cylinders wear out. my car only has 86k miles and is maintained and garage kept. this is a hazard to be unable to start your car! *tr

Key ignition will not turn. *tr

Yesterday, feb. 11, 2009, i came home from school, parked, and turned off my car(2000 ford focus) only to find that my key would not come out of the ignition. so in turn i just left the key there obviously and went in my house. following day before school i try once more to remove the key, no luck, i drive to school, park, turn off car and again tried removing the key and once again no luck. later on i car pulled with my friend in his car to work, after work he dropped me off at my car to go home. i get in my car only to find that now it wont even start. i called my friend with my cell phone that i was blessed to have and he came back so i was spared from being stranded. we hooked up the cables to jump the car and no luck what so ever, all we merely got was a nice clicking sound. the battery was dead, all because the key could not be removed from the ignition thanks to ford's selfishness and not issuing a recall. all in all my car remains in that parking lot and i am left without a car. thank you ford. *tr

1-2. ignition on my ford focus has locked up; apparently this is a widespread problem that almost every focus owner has. the key cannot be turned, so the car will not start, leaving me stranded wherever my car happens to be. since i drive back and forth to school several times a year (a 4 hour drive) this leaves the potential to be stranded in backcountry indiana at all hours of the night, with no way to start my car and no one i know nearby to pick me up. 3. i will be replacing the ignition cylinder to correct this problem. however, since all ford focus 2000-2003 ignition cylinders are defective and have this same problem, it is very likely to happen again, and instead of being stranded at a friend's apartment, i might be stranded much farther from home. *tr

Faulty ignition switch. the same major problem everyone else is having with the ford focuses. ignition cylinder locked up on me without warning. stopped to get gas and when i went to put key back into ignition it wouldn't even go in at first. i though i was in the wrong car. finally forced key in ignition. it took me a long time but i fortunately was able to finally jiggle it free and get engine started. first warning sign was in 2006 when it temporarily gave me a problem, but now it was being a constant problem. i had done my research on the internet as well and called around to different locksmiths. i was able to drive veh to a locksmith and have a new ignition cylinder replaced. they did not have to reprogram the keys as i see ford is charging all of these people besides their ridiculous labor on their defective parts, in which they are still replacing defective parts. it cost me under $100 to have repaired with reassurance the ignition would outlast any keys that i have to the veh. ford is pathetic for not admitting this defect and having a recall. yes it is a safety issue!!!!!! when you never know that unsuspecting your keys lock up and won't turn the ignition. *tr

This morning i tried to start my car to go to work and for the second time in four years the key would not turn in the ignition. i have read there are others having the same issue with the focus and yet there has been no recall and the part that was replaced last time continues to have to the same issue. *tr

For the second time in the past two weeks the key will not turn in the ignition in my ford focus. the first time it happened it took me about 5 minutes of consistently jiggling the key and steering wheel simultaneously to get the key to turn. since this has occurred the second time i have had no success in being able to get the ignition to budge and my car is now unable to start. i have attempted many of the suggestions found online and nothing has worked. i am reporting this per the suggestion of a discussion board. *tr

2000 ford focus. key would not turn in the ignition. car would not start. i had to be towed and had to have it fixed. 598.00, including the 125. tow charge. *tr

The key gets stuck in the ignition and will not turn and can not be removed. car must be towed and ignition replaced. this is not normal wear and tear, 110000miles i have had to make this repair 6 times at $200 each time. typically, this sort of problem should have come up only once if at all with my mileage. if ford is going to get my tax dollars, they should not build a low quality car. this car is one of the main reasons i will never buy an american car again. *tr

The ignition tumbler in my 2000 focus se has failed to the point that now it won't turn unless i spend 10-15 minutes jiggling it and playing with it. this is a known problem that many focus enthusiast sites have report. ford has even redesigned the tumbler in newer versions in order to fix the problem, so they know the problem exists, but haven't issued a recall. the dealership wants $160-220 to fix the problem. a key tumbler should have a lifespan of much more than 9 years. that is shameful, ford. i wish i could've convinced my wife to get the civic instead. *tr

2000 ford focus ignition cylinder failed twice in 4yrs. this last time i was stranded in the cold, by myself at 1am. missing work, spending money on tows, parts and labor adds up. not to mention the danger involved with being stranded, all because your key wont turn. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. the contact stated that the keys have been stuck in the ignition for over a week and cannot be removed. he went to a locksmith and they replaced the ignition at the cost of $125; however, the failure was still not corrected. he called ford customer service and was informed that nothing could be done to assist. the failure mileage was 85,000.

Car key won't turn ignition switch. tried both keys. each one is able to be put in the switch but the switch stays locked. *tr