Problems with 2000 Ford Focus ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When applying brake pedal it would go to the floor, also brakes will grind. rotors had to be turned, and brakes were replaced 7 times, but the problem reoccurred. *ak transmission slips and jerks and rpms jump. no problem found. consumer hears loose gravel sound from right front wheel area. dealer found wheel well loose. dealer found serpentine belt failed causing whistle squeal under hood. gas light on with full tank and door ajar light is on. dealer replaced battery. evaporative hose loose. dealer removed and installed fuel tank. cigarette lighter not working. r-cup hold bubbling. driver side mirror knob falls off. rear child seat latch cover in broke. front driver seat metal fell out. both headlamps moulding fall out. sunvisor mirror/bracket moulding on passenger side between door / dash loose. broken. right outer ac vent broken. loose carpet on right front floor. pillar trim coming off. deck lid wire harness had tp be replaced. clicking noise from l/h front of vehicle. egr valve replaced. left rear tail lamp is out. engine light is on. problems with rewind button for am/fm cassette. *tt

I have had to many problems with this car for it to have been bought new in 2000. this problem with the ignition switch is unbelievable. when we talked to the dealership they referred us to a locksmith. the locksmith told us that he knew exactly what the problem was because he had done over 300 of these in the last year or so. when we had a tow truck to come and tow it to the dealer,he told us that he tows 2 or 3 of these cars a day for the same problem. i think it is absolutely upsurd and totally unfair that ford hasn't recalled this part. also, i had to replace the front rotors and pads on this car dec. 2000, and i am being told that my brakes need to be done again. something needs to be done about this car. especially the 2000 model. i have been on the internet and have found a number of other people having the exact same problems and more with this car. *ak

Key will not turn in ignition. this was fixed once before under warranty in 2001. but the car is not under warranty now. *n m

Car had been sitting for about 6 hours when it bursted into flames. consumer had car towed to impound yard. *ak

Ignition switch went out, causing vehicle not to start. dealer has been contacted. *ak brakes also failed, consumer had taken vehicle to dealer for soft brakes, however dealer found no problems and one month later brake failure occured. *slc

Consumer took the vehicke in for brake noise and grinding. dealership claimed brakes wer fine. once again, consumer took brakes in for grinding noise and dealership informed consumer that the vehilce needed new brakes and rotors. *jg

On 6 differentt ocassions, in the same day, my car would decelerate while i was trying to accelerate. on the last 3 ocassions, the car shut down and the engine, oil & battery lights came on. this occurred while i was on major roads & the highway; i could have been injuried/killed. my car was towed to the dealership & the tow truck driver informed me that my focus was the fifth one this week he towed with these prblems.*ak

Dt: the consumer stated there were multiple problems with the vehicle. the brakes make noises and pulsated when the pedal was depressed. the vehicle was taken to the service dealer where the brake light switch and ignition cylinder switches were replaced. the dealer also turned the drums, replaced the brake pads and resurfaced the front rotors. there was a vibration in the front end when braking. the lower ball joint, right wheel bearings, right front sway bar link, bone socket, steering rack column and tie rod ends were replaced in an attempt to remedy the problem. the tail light covers retained moisture and condensation built up. the dealer replaced the tail light covers and fuses that were blown due to the moisture. lastly, the contact noticed the rear seat was loose and upon inspection the dealer discovered an anchor and hinge problem. the back hinge and pillar were replaced. *jb

Key won't turn, can't start car.*ak

Vehicle stalls on highway without prior warning. dealership is aware of the problem.*ak

The ac evaporator case failed causing leakage. *cj

The car keeps stalling out. dealer has said "it's your car, your problem, deal with it."*ak

Strut was replaced, tires were replaced 6 times because of the strut failure which caused excessive wear, the vehicle had less than 10,000 miles after all the tire replacements. (attorney for client) *slc

Engine will cut out when accelerating and rpms reach approximately 3200. this problem ocurred after recent recall work to replace injector pressure sensor. i discovered that it is particulary dangerous when attempting to accelerate and pass another vehicle on two lane road only to have your engine quit providing power.

Was pulling into driveway with turn signal on when vehicle shut down. wheels locked up. vehicle was towed to dealership. mechanic could not locate cause of shut down. contacted manufacturer & was informed it was a "hot ignition switch" problem. *ak making right hand turn into driveway started decrasing speed from 35 mph to make turn, noticed that the stereo went silent ,lost dash ligh s including signals and steering wheel difficult to turn. *yh

2000 ford focus ignition cylinder. *ak

According to towtruck driver, this was the ninth ford focus in one week here in tucson, arizona, to have ignition problems. the ignition/lock cylinder fails, preventing ability to start vehicle. *ak

On four occasions since purchare vehicle completely stopped with dashboard lights flashing while driving in traffic. dealer replaced the battery, the alternator. each time returning the car which once again shut down while driving.*ak

2000 ford focus. car would not start 9/11/03. nothing was left on to drain the battery. aaa called. applied pressure to battery cables. was not making connection. wires frayed to cable. finally started when cable was turned and twisted just so. *ph

While vehicle was in park postion and turned off, the vehicle caught fire on its own . the entire engine compartment was in flames. while on fire the car started and rolled forward over a curb into a building (not causing damage to building). it looks as though it was not electrical because many of the wires and fuses inside the vehicle had not been shorted out. it is being investigated by the manufacturer. this is a seriuos problem that needs to be looked at, it spontaneously caught fire on its own . the vehicle is planned to be totalled.*ak

Went to start the car, and key would not go into the ignition all the way. was eventually able to get the key in by wiggling and forcing, but will not turn now to start the car. called the local ford dealer, and was informed that this was a known issue with the 2000 ford focus, and that my ignition cylinder would need to be replaced. was quoted $350. *ak

Interior lights come on intermittently. brakes make noise when applied/ radio will come on intermittently, and dome lights work intermittently. *ak . right front light is brighter than left light. defroster malfunctions. front tires makes squeaking noise, key get stuck in ignition and truck lock when trying to get out. *yh

Since purchased. on four separate occasions my car has stopped while driving. here is a brief rundown of additional physical problems i_x0012_ve had with the car, which include but are not limited to:3 months: the emergency brake went out. the brakes had to be replaced (2 times). the gas gauge stuck on empty (twice). i felt a constant pulsating on the clutch. the dealer told me that all new cars have that for up to 3 months while they get used to new chemicals running through their system. nearly 2 years later, the pulsating is still there. the car exploded. i parked my car on a hill, with the emergency brake up. then i heard some clicking and a large boom. i turned around to see sparks and smoke pouring out of my hood, a horrible smell engulfed the neighborhood, and my car (with the emergency brake up) was rolling down a hill towards an intersection. the oil pressure united had to be replaced. there was a problem with the clutch. the car trunk would not open. 6 months: the brakes had to be replaced again. they still squeaked excessively. they still sounded like they were scrapping. i took it back in to a dealership and they told me the 2000 ford focus had a brake problem and there was nothing that could be done about it. even after replaced, the brakes would take much pressure before coming to a stop and would squeak. the trunk would sometimes not shut. the emergency brake would not always work. the front tire kept going flat. ford said it was my driving. i paid to have it replaced and the new tire kept going flat. they said the new tire was defective and replaced it and the stem. w/in the first 2 years: on at least 11 occasions the car would not start until turned over a couple of times. the car has low pick up. the check engine light was stuck on. engine light was stuck on. the gas tank needed a new part. the stick will not always go into reverse. when the heat is on for over 15 or so minutes a heavy burning smell in car. bearings/shock problem.*ak

While trying to start vehicle it would not start or move. dealer cannot find cause. *ak

Consumer rented a car from budget rental. vehicle locked up, and driver was not able to turn off or start vehicle. when this happened, electrical doors would not open. consumer had to climb out of window, and car just died. this has happened on 4 different ford, focuses that consumer had rented. consumer feels this is very dangerous because it could lock up on the highway. *ak

Iginition switch keeps locking up intermittently. dealer notified, and replaced two ignition switchs on two separate occasions, but problem still occurs. feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *ak

Key won't turn 2000 ford focus. *tr

The steering wheel and ignition switch locked up, on another occasion the steering wheel locked up in the right position while the drivr was backing into a driveway, the rear wheel bearings had to be replaced due to road noise, the ignition switch came out of the steering column when the drivers attempted to remove the key from the ignition. nlm

Brakes do not work and driver uses his clutch to slowdown vehicle. also, front brake drums, and front shocks broke/ vehicle stalls unexpectedly, and the cv axle broke. dealer cannot determine cause any of these problems. please provide further information. *ak

Have had very discerning trouble with 2000 ford focus. things previously fixed are still not working properly. i have had the car since late 2000, and it has been in the service dept. more than i have been able to enjoy it.

Key was used fine to enter into the vehicle. but, key was entered into ignition to start engine, but it was not able to go all the way through. security system worked against its own original key,and will not operate anything in vehicle. vehicle was towed to the dealer, and dealer has no remedy of defect. per consumer there are few other vehicles at dealer awaiting to be repaired. vehicle is inoperative without remedy. there were no prior warnings before the vehicle stopped accepting the original key. *ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak (tiresize: 19560r15)

Multiple problems: replaced cd player once, three brake jobs, multiple trunk latch repairs, replaced transmission at 40000, 3 recalls, ignition switch locked up. the 2000 focus is clearly a lemon! *ak

Ignition switch, made out of plastic, broken and consumer was unable to start vehicle. dealer notifed, and repaires were made after waiting 18 days before parts were available. feel free to provide further details. *ak

This vehicle is clearly one of multiple problems and should be investigated. engine cooling, transmission braking and starter issues. ford protecting self as usual.

Vehicle stalls intermittently. dealer notified, and informed consumer that nothing could be found. please fill free to provide further details. *ak

Consumer was on 7th set of tires at 60,000, an alignment with each set. radio had been replaced twice/ brakes had been completely replaced twice/ wheel bearings had been replaced,and ignition was replaced once after vehicle had been towed. low and behold, consumer's focus was sitting in driveway needed to be towed for the same problem again. car was getting horrible gas mileage, sometimes had brake failure which caused 2 accidents. also, lugs:nuts had been replaced. the car would sometimes stall for no apparent reason, and was in need of an alternator.*ak

Ford focus stopped running while on busy highway, could have been killed

Battery / alternator light came on and stayed on while driving. this occurred three times : first on 4/26/00 at 4332 miles, second on 4/24/01 at 16674 miles and last on 7/5/01 at 20427 miles. each time the car was repaired by a ford dealer at no cost under warranty.**** dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/01 cut-over to artemis****748178. *ak

Dt: transmission would not kick into gear. the key ignition is always getting stuck. consumer took vehicle to the dealer numerous times and was told it was only her imagination. finally, the transmission died and the warranty had ran out. the doors both front and back come open while driving. there is a recall on the rear doors but is also having problem with the front doors as well. vehicle was taken to dealer 3 times for the ignition key alone. car is currently in shop. *tt

Brakes to this date continue to be a problem; grinding, squeeling, etc; cruise control sticks, airconditioner leaks, sometimes ignition switch turns sometimes not, car vibrates excessively, car speeds up and slows down on its own, and stalls occassionally...received recall on rear drum axle but nothing from ford on anything else. i do not feel safe in this vehicle.

The door panel failed. nlm

Steering wheel is locked and key will not turn so car will not start. after doing research i have found that this is very common and may even happen again after being repaired - typical cost is $250 - 300. *ak.

Key will not turn in ignition. unsafe, leaves driver stranded. intended to buy new part, but researched first, finding this is a recurring problem among focus owners. *tr

Key had trouble going into the ignition switch, when it finally did go in, it will not turn. car will not start. car needed to be towed to the dealer and was informed it was not under warranty nor was there a recall on it.*jb

7 new stereos, 2 ignition cylinders, a few trunk latches, transmission trouble(dealer cannot duplicate), 20,000 miles i have to replace 4 tires and 4 brake pads, horrible grinding noise when stopping, shakes on the freeway when braking, misassembled interior rails, and many others. i am completely dissatisfied with this vehicle, i will never, ever buy another ford vehicle and i will certainly never reccomend a ford to anyone.

2000 focus with ignition switch failure. car is just out of warranty (39000 miles). ford will not cover repair. also front sway bars loose.

Key could only be inserted half way into the ignition. *ak

Attempted to start vehicle in parking lot and it started sputtering and shaking. engine check light/ oil light and battery light came on. then, vehicle just shut off. this happened twice. contacted dealer, and vehicle was in repair shop for 3 days. but, dealer couldn't find anything wrong. the second time this happened dealer said that fuel pump malfunctioned. *ak

I placed my key in the ignition and it would not turn to the start position.*ak