Problems with 2000 Ford Focus ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dt*: the contact stated when the key was inserted into the ignition assembly; the ignition tumbler fractured which prevented the engine from being started. the vehicle was towed to a dealer for replacement of the ignition. afterwards, the same incident occurred and the vehicle was seen for another ignition replacement.

On 3-2-06 i was unable to start my vehicle because the key would not turn..i had to have my car towed to a mechanic where the steering column had to be removed, the ignition switch had to be removed, new ignition switch had to go to locksmith to be key coded, then a new installation switch was installed. the cost was about $300 plus towing plus inconvenience...too many of the same complaints..ford should recall problem/reimburse people who pd. *tr

On 2/27/06 i traveled 35 miles from tucson to green valley. there i stopped to get coffee. when i returned to the focus, i could not turn the ignition key. i was unable to contact a locksmith because it was a sunday. i had to spend the night in green valley. on the 27th i got a locksmith who worked on the ignition and could not get it to un-lock. i then had the car towed to jim click ford in green valley. as i was discussing the ignition problem with the service manager another focus owner showed up complaining of the same problem. my problem was solved by the replacement of the ignition lock assembly. the total bill for the towing and repair was $346.93. *jb

I have a 2000 focus. the problem with this is car is that recently the ignition cylinder locked up. i have been reading on forums, and have talked to my mechanic about this, and they say that this is a common thing on ford focus models 2000 and 2001. its incredible ford has not done a recall. i really need my car for work and other tasks i must do, but there's nothing i can do but wasted over 400 dollars to get it fixed. its ridiculous. i hope you all can do something about this. this is getting frustrating. *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. the contact stated that the rear tail lights failed on his vehicle. there is a safety recall # 00v411000 (electrical system:wiring). the recall repairs were performed two years ago. the manufacturer stated that the recall does not apply to his vin. the contact is currently experiencing loud noises and vibrations in the engine. the failure occurred at speeds of 60 mph and greater. there is also a related service bulletin for the failure. the vin is unavailable. the current mileage is 107,000 and failure mileage was 80,000.

I had my ignition switch replace once already, having to pay 300.00 the first time, and know just the other day i went to visit my brother, and when i got ready to leave, my key would not start, my brother had left before me, so i was stranded, me and my boys for 45 minutes in 20 degree weather, i was so upset, i can not believe ford is not doing a recall, im selling this piece a crap of a car, and will never again by a ford car, and im going to spread the word on how horrible there service and cars are. *jb

Ford focus se ignition key switch lock-up. this is the second time i have had this problem -- key won't turn, steering wheel is locked, and the gear shift won't move. the first time, i was able to manipulate the key and finally start the car. this time, it is sunday and i am stranded. a locksmith told me that ford is the only one who has parts and it will be a very expensive repair. so tomorrow, i will have to rent a car to keep a doctor's appointment and have the focus towed to the dealership to have the ignition replaced. i understand that this is a very common problem with ford (i just checked the internet) and they refuse to recall these cars to fix this very dangerous problem. thankfully, i was in a well-lighted, safe area of the city. i shudder to think of what may have happened if i had been stranded in a high-risk area. the founder of ford motor company built the company on reputation and high standards with customer satisfaction always in mind. what has happened to this greedy organization now run by mr. bill ford who cares nothing about the safety and quality of its cars as his ancestors did? recall this car now -- enough is enough!. *jb

This is the third time that i will have to get my ignition switch replaced on my 2000 ford focus because it will not turn. the first time the switch was drilled out on warranty. the second time the key would not turn and the replaced it under the repair warranty. it happened again a little over a year later. this time i was told by the tow truck driver to hit it with something. i have used this method to turn the key every day for the last 2 years. this worked until now. *nm

1. i drove to a restaurant and turned off my car, which is a ford focus year 2000. later when i came back to start my car i could not get the key all the way into the ignition. 2. i tried so many things to get my key into the ignition, but i had to leave it there overnight in the parking lot and then had it towed the next day. 3. at the moment i am looking into either a locksmith or seeing if such a replacement will be under warranty. i have read that this is a common problem and it has to do with the ignition switch. *nm

This is about my 2000 ford focus. 1. key is fitted in to the ignition but will not start the car or come out of the ignition. 2. consequences are that i was stranded until the tow truck came to haul the car away. 3. i new ignition had to be installed for $400. *nm

Ignition will not turn. the vehicle must be towed and a new ignition cylinder installed before the vehicle can move. an internet search reveals that this is a very common problem with the ford focus. it is obviously very dangerous, especially in winter--people could be stranded in a dangerous location or exposed to extremes for a long period of time. *jb

Put key into ignition but key will not move at all and vehicle will not start. *nm

Our year 2000 ford focus has a faulty ignition cylinder that frequently jams. my wife has been left stranded twice as a result. we recently saw a public advocate program that indicated these cars from year 2000-20005 are having an epidemic of the same problem but ford is refusing to replace the parts if they are not under warranty. our car is still under warranty because we bought the very expensive 7 year warranty. a great majority of people buying at this price point wouldn't be able to afford that kind of warranty or the +$500 repair. *jb

Key won't go into ignition all the way and will not allow me to turn my car on. contacted ford and they are aware of the problem but it is not a safety hazard so it is not under a recall yet. so i will now have to have my car towed to the dealership and fixed out of my pocket. *nm

Dt*: the consumer stated while traveling 40 mph the occupants started smelling electrical smoke. the occupants realized the vehicle was on fire in the dashboard; smoke was billowing out of dashboard. the consumer pulled the vehicle off the road and the occupants exited. the vehicle was extinguished, and then towed to the consumer home. there has been no inspection of the vehicle. the manufacturer has been alerted. *jb

The ignition lock set for my 2000 ford focus zts had to be replaced. it cost $315. *nm

I bought my 2000 ford focus in october 2005; in january i had to have the ignition cylinder replaced. this was after i had to have the fuel pump replaced after it went out. i was at school in another county when the ignition locked up. i had to get the car towed to the local ford dealership to get it replaced along with another key. i did not think any thing about it until i found a receipt from the previous owner who had the same part replaced a year earlier. that is the third ignition that has been replaced in my car counting the initial one that came in the car. well the third one that i know of. i have recently read hundreds of other complaints of focus owner's who have the same complaint. ford should issue a recall to correct the problem. *jb

Dt: the contact stated the deck lid wiring harness wires of the electrical system fatigued and broke. there was nhtsa recall campaign 00v411000, regarding the electrical system wiring. the vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it was not included in the recall due to the vin. the vehicle was seen by a dealer, and the deck lid wiring harness was replaced. *ak ford was unwilling to pay for repairs. the contact agreed that it was the exact same problem as the other 2000 ford, focus, but they would not comply as it was made shortly after they ended the recall date for this particular problem. *ak

Ignition lock failure. the first issue is that i tried to take the key out of the ignition and the entire ignition cylinder came out on the key. this happened several times randomly. the second issue is the failure for the key to turn in the ignition. it was initially an inconsistent problem that steadily got worse and worse until finally it just became a matter of chance and a battle of patience to get it started. this started happening at 40k miles which is ridiculous. the worst case took 30 minutes of twisting, jingling, turning the wheel, pushing the key in and out and fiddling with it until it finally turned. i have since had the cylinder replaced and a new key made for about $250 out of my pocket. after a little research i realized that i am one of thousands of people with the same problem, but ford apparently feels the problem doesn't exist. ford should make each one of their engineers drive a focus and count the number of days they come in late or miss work. *jb

There is a leak in the resevoir for the radiator, electrical problem with the radio. the radio keeps losing power when going down the road. the master switch for the passenger window does not work, the rear passenger window assembly is broke leaving the window not able to stay up. there is a funny noise when driving down the road. it sounds like a crackly noise. half of the time the heat will not work. *jb

Dt: the contact stated the ignition locked up while attempting to start the vehicle. after driving the vehicle to a designation the locksmith replaced the ignition switch. the dealership found on the internet several other year model vehicles with ignition switch problems. *ak. *ak

Ignition switch defective. the key wouldn't turn into the ignition lock. *nm

Dt: the contact stated the key would not go into the ignition. the vehicle was towed to the dealership, and they stated the ignition was worn out. they repaired the vehicle, but the contact has not taken possession of the vehicle. *ak

Ignition cylinder is malfunctioning. key will not insert all the way and will not turn ignition cylinder. *jb

The ignition and column. i put the key in the ignition, it beeps, but the steering stays locked. i've tried to wiggle and jamming the key into the ignition because that's what a ford dealership suggested me to do. he also gave me a quote over the phone $350. now how often is that. i see that a lot of people own this type of vehicle are having the same exact problem i'm having and ford doesn't consider it a recall or defect. i think they should since ford is suppose to be a reputable car. *jb

Steering wheel locked and key would not turn in ignition. had to have the vehicle towed to repair shop. cost to repair is $250. not happy at all!*jb

Steering wheel and ignition switch are locked up and i can not start my car. *jb

I have a 2000 ford focus. over the past month my key would not turn in my ignition but with some play it would turn. on saturday dec 17, 2005 i tried to start my car while on a family trip and my key wouldn't turn. i now have to spend $300 to get it fixed at my local ford service shop. i also have to pay to get my car towed 40 miles to my hometown. the part that is failing is the ignition lock cylinder. my brother had his replaced last month for the same thing and i have to change my wife soon because her focus is also doing the same thing. *jb

This particular problem has happened to way too many people. i firmly believe it is a safety concern. *jb

Since i have owned the vehicle i have had problems with the ignition. it would stick after i had removed the key, and the chime would sound when i opened the door. then starting about 2 or 3 weeks ago, my husband attempted to put the key in and it would not go into the ignition completely. he finally worked it in and we had trouble getting the key out and putting it back in since that day. the incident that happened on this date is that the key, even though it goes all the way into the ignition, it will not turn the cylinder. i cannot drive my car, and it must be towed to the dealership to have the cylinder replaced. *nm

The ignition of my ford focus zx3 once refused to accept the key, and had to be replaced, at my expense. that second tumbler is failing now also, and will need to be replaced again. i just found out from a website (www.automotivetalk.net/showmessages.php?id=1275) that this is a huge, recurring problem. one person quoted a tow truck driver as saying that "this is the fourth one of these with this problem that i've towed to ford this week!" one of the post writers suggested that we contact you at the nhtsa to report an obvious defect, with hopes of a much deserved manufacturer's recall. thank you! *nm

I went to start my car and the key would not turn over. the ignition was locked up and nothing i did would release it. i try to move that steering wheel, step on the brakes, move the gear shift, nothing. it has done it before but i was able to get it to steering wheel to move and the car start. but not now. now it is being tow to get it fix. i also have had problems with the radio not working because the front of the radio becomes warped. and will not touch the prongs inside the radio. had it replace one time before and now i brought one to put in there. *nm

Key keeps getting stuck in ignition, now the key won't even go into the ignition, will have to replace (right before christmas!) the ignition switch for $400, plus towing costs. *nm

Brakes will not work when car first driven in morning. have to stand on the brakes to avoid hitting someone. ford will not fix this. this car is extremely dangerous along with the water leak, bad ignition key tumbler and poor gas mileage. it has been rotten from the get go. needs to be recalled! *nm

I bought a 2000 ford focus used in february 2005. on december 11, 2005 my ignition cylinder would not turn for the first time. the next day i had to be towed home because the car wouldn't start. i took it to a ford dealership and had the ignition cylinder replaced for $283. *nm

2000 ford focus ignition problems. *nm

The replacement of the ignition on my 2000 ford focus should have been a recall. it has left me stranded on various occasions. i had to pay over two hundred dollars to correct a manufacturer failure within the ignition. *jb

My ignition locked up and left me stranded for a few hours. i could barely put the key in, and when i did get it in, it would not turn. it caused me to miss 4 hours of work. i called a ford service technician, and he told me this is a common problem with the focus. how come there is not a recall. i have researched the issue, and it seems like everyone that owns a ford focus, has had this issue happen to them. *jb

Ignition defect. ignition mechanism failed - key will not turn move or engine over. *nm

My son took the car to lowe's and when he came out of the store the key would go in but would not turn. upon my investigation the parts guy at mike bass ford told me that they get 2-3 focus's a week in for the same problem, the ignition tumbler is a whopping $86 and some change plus labor, plus tow. that is outrageous!*jb

I have a 2000 ford focus, and would like to make a complaint about the ignition switch locking up and preventing the car from turning on. i researched this, and it is a common problem among focus owners. ford may say that this is not a safety concern, but being the father of a 3 month old baby, i strongly disagree. luckily, the ignition locked up in our driveway. what if this were to happen in the middle of nowhere, during the winter. now, that is my safety concern. *jb

My 2000 ford focus ignition switch has failed the 2nd time in a little over a year. when i insert the key in the ignition it will not turn regardless of what i do. with the first incident (10/15/2004) i had the vehicle towed to the ford dealership and ended up paying $115.42 out of pocket--the remaining $155.09 was covered under the extended warranty. the dealership replaced the lock cylinder. today, 11/24/05, my husband experienced the same problem. this time i am going to call a locksmith to do the work -- apparently this is a very common problem in the focus (many fellow focus owners on a website recommended a locksmith over going to a dealership to save both time and money). this problem has been costly, inconvenient and unsafe--as we have been left stranded. please make this a recall! *jb

Upon trying to start my car, i found that the keys (both of them) would not fit into the ignition, thus preventing me from starting my car. this happened for the second time (the first time--2 days ago--i got it in after 3 or 4 tries), and now i can't drive my car. i have noticed that this is a recurrent problem with ford focus vehicles, and a recall needs to be issued. i will now have to take it to the shop to get the ignition switch fixed. *jb

On occasion, ignition will not turn. happens at least one to two times per month on the average. in august, could not start car for 4 days. dealer says new ignition will cost around $300. *jb

Focus ignition locks up, contacted dealer about problem and they informed me this is a very common problem, ford knows about it but it is not a recall item. if ford is aware of a defect why is there no recall!! *jb

Dt: the contact stated there was an electrical problem. the dealer said it was a problem with the sensors within the fuel pump. the dealer said they would need to replace the sensors to remedy the problem. due to the numerous attempted repairs that have not corrected the problem he was not going to have the vehicle repaired at this time. the contact already spent enough money having the vehicle repaired, and should not be out any more money for attempts to repair the vehicle. *ak

I purchased a used 2000 ford focus from a private owner, 2 days ago i was on my way home after work, i put the key in and it would not turn and the steering wheel in completly locked up. i looked it up on the net and have come to the conclusion that this happens regularly. i called the dealer at friendly ford to ask him what was up and he said i was on my own. the cost is $400.i called the ford company to file a complaint and they are well aware of the situation.why have you not filed a recall!!ford told me that it is up to you to get that done. i think it is a safety issue if you cannot turn your car on at 10 at night, by yourself. is anyone out there listening to the thousands of angry focus owners??i heard that the issue is now resolved in the new focus but what does that do for us???recall........recall...........recall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1. *nm

Dt*: the vehicle's check engine light illuminated. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be inspected. the dealer determined that there was a recall on the vehicle regarding the fuel tank assembly (nhtsa recall, #06v025000). the parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available at the local dealership. the manufacturer confirmed that the parts were not available. the fuel pump has been replaced twice. the ignition switch has been replaced three times. updated 3/9/2006 - *nm

I own a 2000 ford focus zx3. the ignition keeps jamming and has finally completely failed, leaving me stranded miles from home. i've searched the internet and i've found that this is a known problem for the ford focus. i am thankful that it was me that was stranded and not my wife with the children. the ignition switches are defective. i would like to ask that a recall be put on this issue. i now have to have the car towed to the repair shop to be repaired because ford used a defective part in manufacturing. thank you, d. lish. *nm

I am a katrina evacuee working in dallas and i own a 2000 ford focus zx3, and the notorious freezing ignition cylinder flaw (cannot turn key at all) left me stranded at 5:00 pm in front of an albertson's for 3 hours until a tow truck sent by geico came and got the car, brought it to the closest ford dealer, and brought me home. amidst all of the destruction i personally am dealing with, the last thing i need is to have a well known defect leave me stranded in another state...oh yeah, i have the flu to boot, so to say the least, i'm kind of cranky. ford need to recall this part. as if i do not have enough to pay for (my house took 11 feet of water in nola), given this is not an official recall, the repair will cost me at least $250 out of pocket. please initiate a recall. boris palacios. *jb