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.
2000 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 16 of 46: complaints 431 to 460 of 1,343, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I own a 2000 ford focus le with less than 23,000 miles. I have had to have the ignition cylinder replaced twice, once in 2002 and once in 2005. This was not a problem with the key, but with the cylinder itself. Both times, the cylinder locked up and the key could not be turned.
Ignition switch would "stick", since day of purchase...two months later, broken!! All the tumbler springs went out....$300!! To fix and one hour late to work. Passenger outer tie rod boot is shot and the tie rod will not come off!!! $45 to replace!!! Seat belt tensioner does not work properly at all!!!!
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.
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.
I went to a store and turned my car off, the same way that I always do. Once returning and trying to start the car, the ignition switch would not move at all. The key would go in all the way, but it would not turn. This has happened to me several times, but normally it will start after messing with it for a few minutes. This time I sat there for an hour trying to get it to work, to no avail. I called my roadside assistance, and had it towed home. I was told both by my insurance company, and the towing company, that it is a repeated issue with the focus. The towing company said the only time he has had to ever tow a focus is when it has been in an accident, or if the key will not turn. I have noticed many other complaints about this same issue through the federal safety agency, and feel something should be done about it. I have called several mechanics and lock smiths, and I am told by all that I have to take it to the dealership to have it fixed. I have no choice but to pay the high price to have a dealer fix an issue that should have been fixed a long time ago on all the car's made that year. It is obviously a defect if so many people are having this problem, and not just once but repeatedly.
My daughter took the ford focus to college for a couple of weeks and was not able to get the key in the ignition. After speaking with several representatives at aaa (trying to get it towed from a parking garage), they all said that this is a known problem with the ford focus. They were sure that there had to be a recall or that ford should pay for this to be fixed. I've contacted ford and this was in their reply - 'ford and the national highway traffic and safety administration (the federal safety agency) work together to proactively identify areas of concern through investigation of consumer and dealer feedback.' this is why I'm filing a complaint with you. As for a safety issue, my daughter's safety is my main concern. Luckily this happened while she was still parked in the garage at school and not in a parking lot at a mall or a store. The tumblers collapsed and the ignition switch needed replaced and two new keys had to be made and programmed. (if oem is original equipment from manufacturer, then it is yes.)
2000 ford focus ignition cylinder would not turn when key was inserted. I had to have the car towed to a dealer, who charged $350 to drill out the cylinder and replace it with a new one.
Ignition switch failure in 2000 ford focus left me and my three children stranded in secluded area at dark. At this point nothing has been done to repair the problem although I have researched this issue and it is apparent that it seems to be a common problem for the ford focus.
My 2000 ford focus would not start on 6/29/05 so I had it towed to town & country ford on 6/30/05. Prior to the tow truck leaving, I checked the lights, horn, etc to make sure all worked before ford worked on the car. They did. When they service man johnny gardner called me that afternoon to tell me what was wrong with the vehicle he stated " the ground scrap wire , and ignition switch need to be repaired" I told him that was impossible about the ignition switch when I had it repaired 1 month earlier. Johnny then changed the story stating " just the ground scrap wire needs to be repaired". I had them fix that part and went to pick up the car. While driving down the street a car swerved into my lane and when I went to blow my horn it did not work. I slowed down and my brakes made a hard grinding noise. I immediately called town & country ford asking them why was my car horn not working, and the brakes were making a grinding noise. They replied " I could bring the car back and pay to have it fixed". I took the car to an independent auto repair shop who stated the horn could not be fixed because someone unhooked the componets under the hood, and to fix it ford can only get the parts. They also told me that the axle on my right brake wheel was split. Prior to taking this car to town & country ford I had no brake problems. I was told by town & country ford to check my replace the relay switch to the horn. I did and the headlights, interior lights, and windshield wipers do not work. The car will not go in reverse. My car was fine prior to town & country ford's work.
2000 ford focus ignition. Key starts to get stuck in ignition no warning ignition locks and car will not start. To fix the problem ignition gets drilled out and costs $175.31. This seems to be a national problem with the make, model and year of this car and should be recalled.
Dt: the caller said automatic locks on the doors and trunk did not work. The keyless entry remote for the locks will not work to lock or unlock the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were willing to provide any financial assistance. *ak
I was south bond on warren and observed, and smelled smoke. I went to pull over and found out I had lost brakes. I applied the emergency brake and came to a stop,
Ignition sticks. Won't let me turn key or sometimes even put key in ignition.
2000 ford focus ignition switch will not turn.
Dt: the contact stated the ignition switch failed three times within a year and a half. The first time, she went to start the car, the ignition would not turn over. The car was towed and repaired. The second failure was approximately one year later and the same thing happened. The car was towed and repaired for the second time. The third failure happened this week, went to start the car and it would not start again. It is being repaired now. The dealership stated it could possibly be the starter along with the ignition switch. *ak in dec 2001 the consumer was involved in an accident due to a problem with the tires and the rear axle. The transmission cooler lines were replaced. The brake lights and heater did not work. The egr tube was replaced. The wiper arm was broken. The engine light stayed on all time. The driver side mirror had to be replaced. Updated 01/11/06.
Ignition locks up. This is the second time I've had to replace this ignition. This time its costing me $397. Apparently many other focus 2000 users have the same problem.
The ignition switch in my 2000 ford focus has repeatedly failed, leaving my family and myself stranded multiple times. The switch was replaced once at @ 20k miles, and is now beginning to fail in the exact same way. This is a very, very common problem with these cars, and the ford mechanics confirm this fact. Unfortunately, the ford service managers I have dealt with deny any problem exists. I consider this a safety issue, as we have been stranded at night in dangerous situations.
The ignition on my 2000 ford focus locked up. With some wd-40 and a few taps with a hammer, we were able to get the key to turn again, but I didn't take the key out of the ignition again for 2 days until I could get it replaced -- for fear I would get stranded somewhere again. After doing some online research I learned this is a common problem for other ford focus owners and wanted to report it with hopes that a recall might occur someday.
Ignition lock failure. Once the key is inserted it will not turn. I have gotten the switch to work in the interm but it still needs to be replaced.
Having trouble inserting my key into the ignition. Also, ignition switch does not pop out when key is removed until I press it in with my finger. My brother, who also owns a 2000 ford focus has had his ignition switch replaced twice for the same problem. Expect to pay $250 at the dealer to have it fixed.
Battery cables were replaced under recall 02v288000. New cables only lasted for 2 years before car quit running and the cables needed replacement again. 2nd replacement was not covered under warranty or recall so consumer had to replace cables at ford dealer for $250 (parts and labor). Consumer feels that two years of life on battery cables is completely unacceptable. Car is now considered somewhat unreliable due to the fact that battery cables are prone to failure.
1) my ignition switch broke 2) would not turn when the key was inserted 3) had a dealer replace the ignition switch. The tech also made a comment that, on this model, they all broke, and ford had made a better switch that was being used in the replacement.
2000 ignition issue - I can place the key in the ignition, however I can not turn the vehicle over. I have been told that my ignition switch would have to be replaced at an overwhelming $350.00. Ford has been aware of this issue and has not done anything about it.
The ignition will not allow the key to turn.
I have an ignition problem. The key goes in but will not turn. Steering wheel is locked. When I checked the problem on the internet I realized that it is a common problem of all ford focus cars. When I went to the dealer they told me that ignition cylinder needs to be replaced, however a new key is not provided for the new ignition cylinder. As a result I have to take my old keys with the new cylinder to the locksmith to have him to recode it and that will be another expense for me. I read on the internet that this is only a temporary solution. Same problem occurs again according to those that complained on the internet forums. The web address is below and I put my complain to that forum as well. Http://www.automotivetalk.net/showmessages.php?id=1784 so it should be recall for this ignition problem by the ford company.
2000 ford focus. Radio started turning itself on and off about 3 months ago. A/c started doing same this about 1 month ago (on same panel on dash). Now A/C will not work at all, but radio continues to turn itself on and off whether car is running or not.
Regarding my 2000 ford focus - have had most of the issues listed on your site. Recently, my trunk lid is not closing easily. It seems to be doing the same as my back door latch (rust issue?). Also, my ignition key is regularly stuck going in or coming out of the ignition. This is even more frustrating...
Purchased 2000 ford focus, VIN [xxx] from croft ford on dec. 19, 2001; mileage was 12,163 (car was still under warranty); have been unable to walk since march of 2002 (mileage on car is now just over 13,000; last 200 plus miles has been put on by ford dealerships attempting to fix car). Have had this car in to several ford dealerships; none of which can solve problem of engine surges; dash lights sweeping; transmission bolting; etc., etc., etc. This car is not safe to drive; I have notified ford motor company; the dealerships, etc., and feel that it should be covered under "manufacturer warranty" .. Instead latest was that ford dealership wanted $500 to replace alternator and could not guaranty that would fix problem; I already paid $105; plus $110 and the same problems are happening. The car has been at the ford dealership in woodbridge, va, for over 2 weeks, which leaves my family without a car to transport me. This is not right. I told todd croft of croft ford that I needed a good, dependable, safe car because this would be the last car I ever purchased. He knew that I did not drive much at all and I feel that he sold the car (with an existing problem) to me thinking that I would never know. My daughter was the one who realized this car had a serious defect and took it to croft ford to be fixed several months ago; to date, it still is not fixed; is a danger to drive, not only to the person/occupants of the car, but to any vehicles near when the power surges occur and the transmission bolts. *jb updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Dt: the contact owns a 2000 ford focus station wagon. The contact stated while attempting to start vehicle the key would not turn to start the vehicle. It was as if the computer was not reading the key. The consumer contacted aaa, and they stated that this happened frequently with this type of vehicle. The consumer contacted the dealership this morning ,and they were going to inspect the vehicle to determine the cause of the problem. The manufacturer stated this was not a safety defect in the vehicle and would not issue a recall.*ak updated 11/29/05.
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