Problems with 2000 Ford Focus ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Consumer was unable to start vehicle. the ignition switch would not turn on. dealer was contacted. *ak

Upon starting the vehicle it failed to start. the keys wouldn't turn in the ignition, and the steering wheel locked up. a lock smith informed the consumer that this was a common problem with these vehicle, and was caused by the ignition chip freezing up. he refused to replace the ignition because of past experiences. after the ignition was replaced the parts failed again because of the same failure.*ak

The consumer was unable to turn the key in the ignition switch, or turn the steering wheel. the dealership was notified. *jb the ignition was replaced. ford suggested that the ignition switch was covered not the ignition cylinder. *sc the consumer stated that the key cylinder failed again. the consumer contacted ford to get a refund from january and was told that it was not their problem and the refund was denied. the vehicle part was changed as a goodwill effort by ford. *tc *jb

I parked my car in the garage but i am unable to start it now. the ignition will not turn and it is locked into one position. i cannot operate the vehicle because the ignition is locked. i plan to call the locksmith and/or dealership about this on monday. *ak

I own a 2000 ford focus lx and i have had to replace the ignitions switch twice due to my ignition locking and making it impossible for me to start my car. on saturday,novmeber 27,2004, i began to have this problem again, i had to have my car towed to my home that evening. i have been told by a locksmith, the tow guy and other people with the same complaint and even a person who works for ford. *ak

I recently encountered a problem with my ignition. when i attempted to insert my key into the ignition, the key would not insert entirely and would not turn to start the car. the steering wheel was completely locked while in park. initially, i thought this was an "easy fix", so i tried to jerk the steering wheel to the extreme left or right, but it refused to cooperate. after over an hour of attempting to insert my key with failure, i called a locksmith. the locksmith told me "this is a common problem in ford focuses". i'm curious as to why ford has not issued a recall on this particular matter. i've read numerous statements online from other ford focus owners with the same problem (see http://www.automotiveforums.com/t158426.html and http://www.talkaboutautos.com/group/alt.autos.ford.focus/messages/27215.html). the locksmith had to uninstall the old ingnition switch and recode and install a new ignition switch for $190. since my purchase, ford focus has issued three recalls (upcoming fourth recall) and i'm surprised this problem is not one of them with the large number of complaints from others. hopefully, further investigation will take place to repair this problem and not leave any future owners stranded when they attempt to start their car.*ak

Intermittently the consumer was unable to turn the key inside the ignition switch. the dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. the cause was not determined. please provide more information. *jb

Ignition switch locked up. *ak

It was a rather normal day. i drove my 2000 ford focus to college, then home. on my way to a local restaurant everything was fine. when i was finished, i paid for my meal and exited the establishment. i stepped into my car, closed the door, and placed my key (which was in mint condition) in the ignition. the key would not turn either way. i giggled (carefully), but it appeared to be stuck. the car had to be towed, for a fee. the car had to be fixed, for a fee ($300). i was stranded without transportation. with no way to school or work, it was a most compromising situation. they replaced the metal ignition switch after tearing apart my steering wheel. it seems to work fine now, however; i believe the ford company should address this issue. i have researched for a specific recall, but i was unsuccessful. i found many consumers through the internet who have had to unfortunately deal with this problem. compensation for this inconvenience is surely desired, and to my other faithful ford customers (quickly losing faith!) i would say it is owed to us. *nm

I own 2 ford focus cars. each has had the iginition switch lock up. ignition key could not be inserted without force and even then could not be turned to unlock steering wheel or provide power. starting engine was not possible. vehicle had to be towed using car jacks .... a towing surcharge. this defect is not considered a warranty item and cost was several hundered dollars to repair.*ak

1. went to start car and the key wouldn't turn 2. ignition cylinder which i have learned is a major problem with this car. late for work 3. $411.00 for labor to drill out and replace and to purchase a new set of keys. *jb

Consumer was concerned that the ignition switch had to be replaced twice within 19,000 miles. this caused the ignition switch to lock up and unable to turn the engine on. both times the vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. dealer and the manufacturer were not notified.*ak

I have a 2000 ford focus. early this year there was an issue with the ignition, not that it wouldn't start, but that i could only get the key halfway into the locking mechanism in the ignition itself. i missed work that day because of not being able to start my own car. called the locksmith and he told me that was his third case in two weeks--same car, about the same year. he fixed it but said that if it happened again, it would need replacing. well it did happen again--nov. 12th to be exact. again, the key would not go in the mechanism, even after following the dealership's advice to tap it in with a hammer. had to get the car towed. tow truck driver said it was his fourth focus being towed that week and guessed the problem before i even told him what it was! when we got to the dealership i asked how many cars had been affected. 20% was the answer--20% of the focus models from 2000-2003. would there be a recall i asked? no, he answered flatly. i had to pay nearly $300 in repairs from them having to drill in and replace ignition, lock, and keys, all for a defect that affects 20% of cars built in three years. frankly i find that ridiculous that they won't recall these cars, and i want other focus owners to be aware of the problem since ford doesn't seem it necessary to tell them about this issue.*ak

There were no events leading up to the situation, one day the keys would simply not work in the ignition. neither our everyday key or our spare key can even be inserted into the ignition. thus, we can not operate the vehicle. *jb

On occasion for several months prior to the failure, the key was difficult to insert into the ignition switch. then one night the key simply would not turn in the ignition and was difficult to remove. i was unable to start the car and had to have it towed to a repair shop. they replaced the entire ignition switch. they indicated that this is a problem they have seen frequently in these cars. i also have a friend with the same year, make and model vehicle and she had the same problem. *ak

There were no events leading up to the failure, the night before my car was fine. i went to go to work and tried to put my key in the car and it wouldn't go in. i tried the spare key. i tried to wiggle the steering wheel. everything was locked. i called the dealer and asked if there was a recall, they said no. when i called aaa to have them tow me, they informed me that they have towed about 40 in the past two months just in our small area alone with the same problem. ford states this is not a safety issue, but with the research i've done and other people have been stranded in parking lots. it's a safety concern. the dealership replaced the ignition lock for a high costs and recognized that there is a problem with the focus. *jb

While driving any speed, the vehicle stalled. the vehicle was towed to the dealership, who repaired the alternator. *ak the car cut off several times while backing our of the driveway. the car continued to stall while driving. *eh the fuel pump was replaced. *jb

On tuesday evening, after a meeting, i got in my car to drive home. the key would not go all the way in; i thought that my steering wheel was locked (which it was) but i could not get it unlocked. i tried rolling my car off to unlock the steering wheel and tugging hard on the wheel to no avail. i called aaa for a locksmith service because i could not get my key into my ignition. the locksmith that showed up told me without even looking that i had a 2000 ford focus and that he has this problem all the time. without even me having to tell him what was going on, he instantly knew the problem. the cylinder in my ignition had a broken tumbler resulting in my key not going in. i had to tow my car home costing me 25.00 because the locksmith told me that he could not perform the mechanics in the dark. he quoted me a price of 225 to replace the part, the local ford dealer wanted 350. my father purchased the part for about 70 dollars form a ford dealer, he purchased a new key cylinder to install into the steering column. this was all that could be done in order that my car would start. *jb

The keys failed to turn in the ignition, and was unable to start vehicle. dealership will be notified.*ak

Key no longer turned ignition.. *nm

I attempted to turn my key to the "on" position when the key refused to turn. the steering wheel lock was engaged and would not allow me to turn my key to disengage it. it took roughly an hour of twisting the steering wheel and all sorts of trouble to finally get the steering wheel to unlock and allow to the key to turn. this was the sixth time this had occured, but the most severe incident to date.*ak

Many problems, the radio started shorting out almost immediately. i have to replace my tires at least once a year (10,000 miles.) at 37000 miles after the bumper to bumper ran out, my air conditioner and heater fan only worked on 4, 1, 2, and 3 did not. i took it to ford, the diagnosis was an open circuit which cost me $409.00. ( i think i was ripped off) last month i took a road trip and whenever i would climb steep inclines the car sputtered and eventually died. there was no indication of my car overheating. after about 5 minutes or so the car would start and continue to sputter up the hill. this made it extremely unsafe for me and my family resulting in a near collision with a truck. this week, my car wouldn't start at all, there was some corrosion on the battery terminals so i cleaned them w/a wire brush. i also noticed that the cables looked burned. the car started after we jumped it, but died after removing the cables. i have spent more money on this car than any other car i have ever owned. my last car was a ford escort, i still have it, it is 10 years old and has well over 100000 miles on it with no problems. i have 9 payments left on my focus and will be selling it after that. *jb

My ignition suddenly jammed, not accepting my key without considerable playing. even after getting the key in, it then wouldn't come out without jiggling and force. after lubricating the lock i can get the key in but the ignition will no longer turn, which left me stranded. i have since learned that this is a common problem on the 2000 ford focus due to poor design of the ignition. i have remove the tumblers from the lock so i can continue using the car. 8jb

Last friday my 2000 ford focus would not start. i had to force the key into the ignition. when the key finally went into the ignition it would not turn at all. this was the second time i had this problem. the first time i was able to get the key to work after awhile. *akhowever, after 2 hours of trying to get the key to turn this time, i gave in and called a tow truck. they asked me if i was able to get the car into neutral. until now i had not check this. to my surprise the car would not budge out of park. it was then towed to my mechanic. on monday, the mechanic found out that my ignition switch was bad. ford are set up so that to remove the ignition you must turn to key a quarter of a turn. since my key would not budge they had to drill out my ignition. since the new part came from ford my mechanic said this may happen again. i had to pay $299.00 to fix a problem that may happen again. after this i did an internet search and found that many people with my make and model of car are having this problem. i even spoke with the dealership where i purchased the car. the mechanic there told me he has fixed several and was surprised it had not been recalled yet.

I have a 2000 ford focus zx3 which i bought new. i have had to replace the ignition twice and this morning the ignition failed again. this vehicle is no longer under warranty and i last replaced the ignition nine monthes ago. the car has also started to stall when there is a quarter tank of gas or left in the tank. it runs rough at stop lights, then will start sputtering and then stall out. just before it completely shuts off, the battery warning light will come on. *ak

1. nothing lead to the failure, it just happened. 2. i can't drive the car because the key won't turn. i can insert it fine, but it won't turn at all. i even tried another set of keys. i have a 2000 ford focus and i'm having a problem with the steering wheel locking up and the ignition key won't turn. i tried jilting the wheel to try to get it to unlock, but no luck. the car is only 4 years old. this should never be an issue. i think it is a design flaw.*ak

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.

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.

Once i place the key in the ignition of my 2000 ford focus zts it doesn't always turn. i have to play around with it for a minute or two before i get it to turn over and start my car. i fear soon that it won't work at all and i'll be stuck some place. i've known of many other people that have had this very same problem with their focus's. people have had a dealership fix it, only to have it start doing it again with in a month later and several hundred dollars less.*ak

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

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

Unable to insert key into cylinder ignition slot of my 2000 ford focus. *jb

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

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

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

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

My ignition on my 2000 ford focus wont turn. i had to force the key in and have to leave the key in the ignition so i can start my car. called ford they were no help at all. for fear of my car not being able to start i have to leave the key in there and keep a spare key on me so i can lock the car. *tr

Everything was great with the car until recently. can insert key into the ignition, but cannot turn the key. i pull the key in and out until something catches and it will finally turn. sometimes it takes 2 minutes, sometimes 30 minutes. *nm

I just bought a used 2000 ford focus zx3 from fairfax honda, 11050 main street, fairfax, va, 888-455-7291 (seller: kazim raza) on october 5th, 2004!!! the dealer told me that i have a 2 months warranty on the car! this morning i was trying to start the engine but was unable to unlock the ignition lock. i have tried to move the steering wheel and used both keys but the lock does not move. also, both keys don_x0019_t move smoothly into the lock. i contacted the dealer to request a technician come out and change the lock but he refuses to do so. he is saying the warranty only applies to the engine and power train. i am very concerned with this lock since my fear is that it may lock during driving which would cause a very dangerous situation. *nm

After having the vehicle serviced on two different recalls vehicle performed poorly. the first recall was for battery wiring corrosion. currently, the battery failed. the second was for the pin bolt controls. steering wheel shook, and the two left front tires were replaced for extensive wear, and a blow out. the tires were replaced, and the vehicle aligned. however, vehicle continued to wear out, the tires and the steering wheel shook. manufacturer offered no solution. no recalls found. *ak.....also, was experiencing problems with decreased power. consumer objected to paying for repairs. *ak

Just had our second $350 ignition lock replacement in 2000 ford focus w/ 44000 miles on it. i talked to the service manager at sarasota ford who stated that "honestly, you're the first one i've seen". well, i've been (belatedly) reading through web sites with loads of the same complaint!!! *nm

2000 ford focus ignition key will not turn, steering column and ignition switch froze. seems to be a common problem with this vehicle due to faulty design. reference: http://www.automotiveforums.com/t158426.html ford should recall and replace ignition switches as i can no longer trust this vehicle to be reliable enough to transport my wife and daughter safely. *nm

The consumer is unable to take the key out of the ignition switch intermittently. the dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. the cause was not determined. please provide more information. *nm

2000 ford focus zx3. i'm having a problem with the steering wheel locking up and the ignition key won't turn. had to tow it to the dealer to change the ignition cylinder.*ak

Vehicle was unable to start when the consumer put the key into the ignition switch. consumer was concerned because this could be dangerous if there was an emergency , and vehicle was unable to start.*ak

Ignition key cylinder. keys either ware out or cylinder goes bad first.. time cylinder had to be replaced in march of 2004. this time october 4. 2004 dealer said key was worn out i have two keys the spare is almost new and that one would not work either dealer did not have answer to that one. is this a common problem with 2000 ford focus if so i need some kind of proof to show dealer to get my money back. please help me if you can or point me in the right direction . thank you albert j. bernier. *ak

Dt*: the contact stated the ignition locked and will not turn with the key inserted. the ignition intermittently would not turn however if the contact waited for a short period of time the ignition would start. in october 2004 the ignition locked, a lock smith was contacted who temporarily corrected the vehicle. afterwards in november 2005 the ignition locked again where it has been parked ever since. the dealership was alerted and instructed the contact to alert the manufacturer for recall information. the manufacturer determined the vehicle was not included in any recalls concerning the ignition.

Ignition locked up in june, 2003 and again september, 2004. both times, the ignition had to be drilled out, a replacement ignition switched installed, the car had to be rekeyed. when ignition locked, unable to turn key. car was in park both times incident occurred.*ak

Consumer stated ignition locked. as a result, consumer was not able to turn the vehicle off. *ak

Vehicle was idling in a parking lot and a fire started under hood. the entire vehicle was quickly engulfed, and the car was left unrecognizable within 5 minutes. three other vehicles were damaged.*ak