Check a VIN

2000 Ford Focus electrical complaints

Page 28 of 46: complaints 791 to 820 of 1,343, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2000 Ford Focus electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jun 26, 2004 · Electrical · NC

Key would jam in ignition. Then yesterday the key wouldn't start veh. Now I am having to tap on the end of key to get the ignition to start due to faulty cylinders in the ignition. I have found numerous complaints regarding this on the web.

Filed Jun 25, 2004 · Electrical, Locks · 84,000 miles · MO

When inserting the key into the ignition the key will only enter half-way and the key cannot be turned or the key can be fully inserted, but cannot be turned.

Filed Jun 25, 2004 · Electrical · TX

When placing vehicle key in the ignition switch, consumer noticed that the key would only fit half way resulting in the consumer being unable to turn switch to start vehicle engine. The dealer and manufacturer were notified. *mr the dealer replaced the lock cylinder free of charge.

Filed Jun 24, 2004 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · PA

As I tried to leave my house on 6/18/04, I found that my key would only go into my ignition a quarter of the way. Despite trying several ideas suggested, my husband and I ended up contacting a locksmith who fortunately was able to fix the problem in our driveway instead of having it towed. He had to drill out the ignition and replace it with a new one. All together, it ended up costing us $170. My 2000 ford focus only has 70,000 miles on it, and I don't feel this type of problem should be occurring. I understand it is a consistent problem by reading items on the internet as well as the information presented by the locksmith. He said that he has worked on 6 focuses in the past year including one just last week. I am truly concerned about this possibly happening again. Ford should be recalling the ignition and replacing them with ones that will last.

Filed Jun 24, 2004 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · GA

Without any warning, my the key will not go in the ignition. Consequently, I cannot start my car. Because I have seen entirely too many posts about this, I contacted ford at the 800 number. All I got was apologies and if I get it repaired to keep the receipt for reimbursement in the event there is a recall. I wonder why there hasn't been one already when it is listed as one of the top two problems with the ford focus.

Filed Jun 24, 2004 · Electrical · VA

Once the key is in the ignition switch it fails to turn. This would be the third time in two years that the ignition cylinder had to be replaced. *ak *sc

Filed Jun 22, 2004 · Electrical · FL

Consumer attempted to start vehicle but key would not turn. Ignition was locked in place, it would not move, and the steering wheel was locked. Dealership replaced less than three months ago the switch, but problem recurred.

Filed Jun 21, 2004 · Electrical · 52,000 miles · MD

We own a 2000 ford focus 4dr lx. On 2/18/2004 and again on 6/20/2004, we put a key in the ignition, and it would not turn at all. We tried everyting, including jiggling the steering wheel. The first time, we had three keys for the car and found that one worked, but the others didn't. It was under an extended warranty (not ford's), which covered replacement of the entire ignition assembly. It is now in the shop again, 4 months later, under a parts warranty (less than 1 year/ 12,000 miles since the last time). There is absolutely no warning that this is about to happen. This time, we were out of town on a holiday sunday (fathers' day), no rental cars available anywhere, no place to stay. Neither key worked (had two). We had it towed back to the dealership that worked on it the last time. It is there now. A tow truck driver said he sees this often/ this is a common problem, as do some of the websites listing complaints about his make/model car. This time it should be under ford's parts warranty, but we are concerned this will happen again and again. I am terrified that this will happen again and one of us will be stranded someplace and not able to get help. Please investigate, and if you find that this is a chronic problem with the car, as it appears to be, please make ford recall this part and fix the problem. Our car only has approximately 52,000 miles on it. We previously had problems with the front suspension and 3 major problems with the fuel system (had to be towed to the dealer 3 times). It is now outside the manufacturer's warranty, and it did not fall within the lemon law. We can't afford to replace the car now, nor should we have to, but we're going to try (but we don't know who will buy it, knowing that they could get stranded somewhere, too). Thank you for your consideration.

Filed Jun 19, 2004 · Electrical · 54,000 miles · OK

No sign of anything wrong - then key will not turn in ignition and the steering wheel is locked up.

Filed Jun 19, 2004 · Electrical · 54,000 miles · OK

No sign of anything wrong at all - then the key will go into the ignition - but the key will not turn and the steering wheel is locked up.

Filed Jun 17, 2004 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · CA

My 2000 ford focus se was having problems with the steering wheel locking up and ignition key not turning, on 06/08/04 car was towed to pacific ford. Ford said that it was not covered under extended warranty, that the problem is wear and tear. Ignition cylinder was replaced, cost me $380.25. Now key does not open driver side of door, will open trunk and passenger side of door . Took back the car to pacific ford, now they are saying that is has to do with my cylinder lock on door (wear and tear)and if would cost me about $300.00 to have it replaced. Did not have problem with any of the doors or trunk not opening up before they serviced the car.

Filed Jun 16, 2004 · Electrical · PA

I purchase my 2000 ford focus lx on september of 2000. Since then ive had nothing but problems with this vehicle. I drove it for 10,000 mile and the ignition cylinder locked up and left me stranded. This also requird a new set of keys because the ignition cylinder strips them. I also had to replace brakes and tires 4 times in 3 years. The fuel pumped failed 3 times now also. I was at work yesterday and the car once again had a locked igniton cylinder. Luckily for me the car is out of warranty. I had to get another set of keys made a year ago because they got stripped(again). I would not have a problem with this but they are 120 dollars for 2. But going back to yesterday, I recieved a phone call from the dealership saying that it will cost 500 dollars to fix the ignition cylinder. What is going on here when I can't find one person who as ever had to replace this part on their vehicle? I have a problem believing that ford can make something so defective!

Filed Jun 15, 2004 · Electrical · WI

While placing key inside the ignition switch, the vehicle would neither start nor move. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic replaced the cylinder switch inside of the ignition. Please fill in additional information.

Filed Jun 14, 2004 · Electrical · 57,000 miles · FL

The ignition cynlinder on my 2000 focus has collapsed for the second time, leaving me stranded without transportation. The key will not turn to crank up the car. I had this problem fixed by the dealership in 2002, but it just broke again. I have found hundreds of other complaints filed and posted online about this same problem and repeated occurances. Now my dealership is charging me $250 to fix it again because the part is no longer under warrantee. This is disgusting. I would like reimbursement, and ford should issue a recall, as this is obviously an ongoing problem.

Filed Jun 10, 2004 · Electrical · 85,852 miles · CA

My wife went to the the store and when leaving started to put the key into the ignition switch. The key only went half way in, she could not get it to go any further. As a result we had to have the car towed to the local dealer for repairs.the dealer informed us that the switch will have to be drilled out and replaced and rekeyed to our keys. I will ask for the parts back. The estimate is $400.00. I have since done some research and found that this is a very common complaint.

Filed Jun 9, 2004 · Electrical · FL

Consumer stated intermittently ignition key locked up in the ignition switch, and would not turn left or right when starting the vehicle or turning the vehicle off. Dealer was notified.

Filed Jun 9, 2004 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · WI

Consumer was unable to turn the key in the ignition switch. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Jun 9, 2004 · Electrical · 32,768 miles · TN

In july, 2002, I had warranty work on my 2000 ford focus to replace the ignition switch. At the time, key would not go into the lock, or would not turn at all. Dealer made warranty repair. Fewer than 2 years later, the ignition switch is going out again. This time, the key can be removed in any position. I think that this is both a safety and a security problem. Ford will not honor the original warranty work past 12 mos./12,000 miles. The car came with a 36/36,000 warranty. Does this mean the parts they put for repairs are 1/3 the quality of the original?

Filed Jun 8, 2004 · Electrical · 44,000 miles · TX

It was hard for the consumer to start the vehicle due to ignition problem. In some cases the vehicle would not start at all. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Jun 8, 2004 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · GA

Ignition key failed and locked the steering wheel on my 2000 ford focus zx3.

Filed Jun 8, 2004 · Electrical, Visibility · 43,000 miles · KY

I had been having some slight problem getting my key to turn thought nothing of it until today (6/7/2004) went to store and got out went in came back out and low and behold my ignition would not accept my key. Finally got key in the ignition and could not get it to move. It is frozen up completely. This is terrible how can there be so many complaints on this problem and nothing be done about it.ford has to know that they have a defective part on these cars...... Is there not anything a person can do abouit this kind of thing? Is there a certain number of recalls before there is something done ...if there is any thing a person can do to get ford to correct this "defect" and it is a defect I am certain after reviewing your complaint site it is amazing how many people have went through this same thing alot more than one time, some people said they had to fix theirs more than one but three and four times .. Please help !

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · Electrical · CO

When placing the key inside the ignition switch consumer is unable to turn the key. This causes the steering wheel to lock, and consumer is unable to start the vehicle. Consumer contacted the dealer, and was informed that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced, and dealer replaced it. However, problem recurred.

Filed Jun 3, 2004 · Electrical · 16,000 miles · CO

Owner says that the ignition locks up. It also locks the steering wheel. Owner took the vehicle to the dealer who repaired the problem early on. Now the vehicle is not under warranty and it will cost about 600.00 for repair. Provide further details.

Filed Jun 3, 2004 · Electrical · NY · crash

The consumer noticed that it was difficult to insert the key into the ignition switch to start the vehicle. The dealer has been contacted. Please provide details.

Filed Jun 2, 2004 · Electrical · MA

Well documented failure of the 2000 ford focus ignition cylinder. Mine failed for the second time and ford only offered a 50/50 coverage option.

Filed Jun 2, 2004 · Electrical · 70,400 miles · CA

I had purchased a 2000 ford focus. I have had the car less then 5 years and the ignition cylinder had fail twice. Ford motor co. Has not admitted and fault in either occurrence.

Filed Jun 1, 2004 · Electrical · TN

While having the key inside the ignition switch it would not turn. Consumer was not able to start the vehicle. Consumer contacted the dealer, and was informed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced.

Filed May 29, 2004 · Electrical · IL

2000 ford focus ignition locked up. Unable to turn key in the ignition, making it impossible to start the vehicle. This was the 4th occurrence of the same problem. Each time the car had to be towed to the dealership. Each time the cylinder had to be replaced. The third time it was done the service tech neglected to tighten the master nut on the steering column (which was replaced...too badly worn from removing the cylinder the previous times), and the steering wheel nearly came off in my hands while driving. The dealerships have replaced the cylinders at no cost to me thus far, but having to go thru this about every nine to twelve months is quite annoying, not to mention extremely inconvenient. This time I will ask that they save the old part and give it to me.

Filed May 29, 2004 · Electrical · 61,826 miles · AZ

The ignition cylinder of my 2000 ford focus was faulty. This recent repair was the second time I had to repair this faulty component. The key wouldn't even go into the ignition before the repair. The dealership cut me two new keys and rebuilt the ignition cylinder. I would like to know why this faulty component has not been recalled by ford?

Filed May 25, 2004 · Electrical · MD

Ignition is getting stuck more and more often. The key won't turn, steering wheel is locked.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2000 Ford Focus?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history