While in motion on a busy highway, driving 70 MPH, my 2000 ford focus (62,000 orig miles) began downshifting; the engine light illuminated. Replacement of the neutral drive sensor was completed. Now, six months later same thing happening. Driving on a busy highway at speeds of 65 MPH the '00 ford focus begins downshifting causing a decrease in speed at an alarming rate, rpms increase, engine light illuminates making the vehicle unsafe.
2000 Ford Focus acceleration problems
170 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 68,000. 27 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 170
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 68,000
- crashes
- 27
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal23
- Cables16
- Linkages11
- Cruise control8
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Focus acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2000 Ford Focus acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control: cables
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with speed control and automatic transmission. A speed control cable could have a core wire that is long enough to catch on the sleeve at the throttle body end of the cable during wide-open throttle acceleration.
- Risk
- A throttle that does not return to idle could result in reduced vehicle control and, potentially, a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect these vehicles and, if necessary, replace the speed control cable. Owner notification began october 12, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 00V302000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with speed control. The speed control cable end fitting can allow water to enter the speed control servo assembly. If this occurs, corrosion in the servo assembly could develop and cause intermittent speed control operation or prevent the throttle from returning to idle.
- Risk
- A throttle that does not return to idle could result in unexpected acceleration, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the speed control cable (with a new cable that incorporates a glass-filled end cap) and inspect the assembly for internal corrosion. Servos with evidence of corrosion will also be replaced. Owners are advised not to use the speed control until the vehicles are repaired.
Recall number 99V346000 · Recall details
What 2000 Ford Focus owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When I hit the brakes the whole car jolts when you go over 40 miles per hour of the steering shakes I've already replaced the safety neutral switch on a transmission now my car will not start it just makes a clicking noise and when it does turn over it immediately stalls out my cigarette lighter also lit a spark in the back of it go off and the brakes sometimes have grate brakes other tines I have to slam the brakes down to get any brakes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle accelerated without warning several times. The contact called courtesy ford lincoln of rome, inc. At 888‑258‑1265 (located at 101 us-411, rome, ga 30161) and was informed that there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. *tt
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle independently accelerated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The vehicle independently accelerated without warning at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence, parked, and then taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle needed to be taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer and the manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 00v302000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While attempting to park the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and the rpms increased. The vehicle independently accelerated over a curb and crashed into a house. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the insurance facility and the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact stated that after shifting into the drive position, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated to 20 MPH. The brake pedal was engaged and was able to stop the vehicle. The failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
I was driving and my headlights and interior lights started to flicker and the check engine light came on and then the car just quit running after 10 minutes I was able to start the car and get home I have had this car (2000 ford focus) for a little over a year the place I purchased it from did not tell me about any problems but I have had problems for the whole time and they have only gotten worse I have put an alternator on it and changed a couple of wires that were melted but it did not help! I am afraid to drive the car now especially with my 2 year old in it with me this car is not safe to drive!!!
While driving the vehicle the electric dash cluster quit working and the vehicle cut off in the middle of traffic. The alternator was replaced then the vehicle did the same thing a few months later. The battery cables were replaced and the battery and the alternator were replaced as a precaution. The vehicle after 4 days and no driving longer that 35 miles a day the same thing happened again while traveling down the interstate.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floorboard. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence and a tree. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to the arms and body. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Questions about the 2000 Ford Focus acceleration
Does the 2000 Ford Focus have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 170 complaints about the acceleration of the 2000 Ford Focus, 5% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Focus acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 68,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2000 Ford Focus acceleration?
Yes, 2 recalls: 00V302000, 99V346000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Focus have the most acceleration problems?
The Ford Focus model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2000 (170 complaints), 2012 (166 complaints) and 2014 (164 complaints).
Other 2000 Ford Focus problems
Electrical 1,343Engine 492Brakes 424Fuel system 411Suspension 390Transmission 225Locks 201Airbags 191Steering 168Body 137Visibility 118Wheels 113Tires 88Lights 72Seat belts 54Seats 31Driver assistance 2
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