We have had the ignition freeze up on us three times in the past two years, the last time being yesterday. The first happened when the car had approximately 25,000 mi. (I can't find the original receipts, but it is on file at harrold ford in sacramento, ca). The second occurred when the car had a little over 40,000 miles (november of 2002). Now the car has about 53,000 miles, and it has happened again. Each time, we have been stranded and have had to have the car towed. The first time we were trapped in a parking garage at a med clinic with a very sick baby. The second time we were trapped for the entire weekend in lake tahoe before the car could be towed to a ford dealership on monday. Given the frequency of the repairs required on this same exact item, it is hard for me to believe that this is not a design flaw. Unfortunately, we have to pay about $150 per occurence to ford to fix it and aaa has to assume the cost for towing the vehicle and putting us up, if we are stranded out of town (we have a aaa plus membership). This does not seem right to me. Has anyone else reported this same thing happening frequently on their focuses? I would recommend that this be investigated.
2000 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 34 of 46: complaints 971 to 1,000 of 1,343, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2000 ford focus zts: the ignition cylinder locked on my car and my key won't slide in. I am going to have to have the car towed and fixed to the tune of about $400. This is potentially a dangerous situation, and one that occurs frequently from what I've been reading. This could have happened at any time and in any place. I am 7 months pregnant...what if I had been stranded and needed to get to the hospital in an emergency?
While driving on interstate 5, in the greater seattle area, the electrical system in our 2000 ford focus failed. Dash lights, including the air bag light came on inappropriately. I began immediately to move from the left traffic lane to the right to exit the interstate. Before I was completely off of the exit, the car died. I sat for a couple of minutes then was able to restart the car and travel a couple of miles to a safe parking lot before the car again died. The car was cutting out, dash lights flashing on and off, the speedometer would peg out at 140 MPH (traveling at 35), etc. The car was unable to restart. We towed the car to the ford dealership where we purchased the car new in 2000. They diagnosed the problem as a faulty, melted heater switch, along with the wiring harness burning up near the alternator, causing complete failure of the alternator. Wiring was completely replaced at the alternator. Also the car needed a new alternator and heater switch. The car still has less than 90,000 miles on it, this should not happen with a 3 year old vehicle! What investigations are ongoing with wiring issues? Why is ford not being held accountable for this. After being a "ford man" for 50 years, I will never buy another ford car. The dealerships service departments and customer service departments are condescending and disrespectful. It is time they are made to produce a product that is not dangerous.
Engine check light illuminated, and vehicle hesitated when trying to accelerate. Dealer determined that there was an electronic malfunction within the vehicle which was sending incorrect codes to the electronic control module.
When key was inserted in the ignition key would not go all the way into the ignition switch. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership. Mechanic replaced ignition switch.
The ignition/steering locked up in my ford focus station wagon. The car has only 18,000 miles on it; it is out of warranty; aaa and the towing people told me that this locking up of the ignition system in the 2000 ford focus is a frequent problem. The lady at aaa thought that there is a recall, but ford motor co. Said that there is no recall. The ignition lock and the keys had to be replaced at a cost of more than $500. The work is being done by the dealer, pacifico ford. If it is true that there are lots of people who have this happening to their ford focus 2000, the automaker should do something to correct this defect.
Water leak in my 2000 ford focus. Upon reading this website I realize the other problems I've had are similar to this car. Car stalling, fuel gauge sticking, radio going out, carpet being replaced,wiper problems etc. When it rains the water can fill the passenger floorboard 2-3 inches. I've had the leak checked at several different places and so far no one can find the leak. According to this website the dealer can't find the problem either. My car is not under warranty any more, and I was informed if the leaking continues it will damage the "brain" computer or electrical system. If that happens and I have to spend a couple thousand to fix, but if the leaking is not found it will just happen again. I feel this car is unsafe and should have a recall. Also, I have not received notice of all the recalls that pertains to this car. I have received only one pertaining to the back real wheel bearing, which was replaced at dealer. But I see that there have been others. Why was I not notified?
The consumer stated the dealer replaced the ignition switch. *jb the key would not turn in the ignition and as a result the driver was stranded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replaced the ignition cylinder. *ts
Ignition switch locked up. Turned car off in normal manner, returned and unable to turn key, unlock sterring column, etc..
Upon attempting to start vehicle key would not turn. The ignition switch was locked, and it would not be moved. Vehicle was towed to independent mechanic, who replaced the inside cylinder.
At idle the head lights, dash board lights, and internal dome light flicker with cycle of engine. Ford certified mechanic does not acknowledge the problem, nor a remedy to the flickering. Flickering still exists!
Upon leaving work, entered car and inserted key into ignition. Key would not turn. Spent about 45 minutes jiggling and tapping key in attempts to start car. This was is my first encounter with this problem. The aaa tow truck driver made mention of the "famous ford ignition system" upon arrival at my request. When asked what that meant, he stated that a number of ford products are having similar problems. I paid for the car to be towed home as it was late at night. The next day, a co-worker informed me that his wife had the same problem with her focus too. I have endured recalls with this car, and am shocked that an ignition system may not have issues sorted out. If this is a trend that merits an investigation. I hope consumers can be relieved of most of their repair costs. Meanwhile I probably have quite a repair bill to look forward to.
Ignition locked without warning.
Put key in ignition and it will not turn at all. Steering wheel and shift lever are locked and vehicle had to be towed to dealer with wheels off ground. Dealer say no recall or service bulletins have been issued but this is not true as I found several service bulletin on this web site.
In april of 2003, I went outside to start my car, the key went into the ignition and the chimes sounded (indicating electrical connection/activity); however, my key was not able to turn the ignition switch. I am being charged $273.00 for the problem, that is clearly a manufacturer's defect. If there is ever a recall or any legal justification with the "lemon" please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you.
Ignition cylinder locked at 36,800 miles. It is my understanding that this is a common occurrence. I have owned several cars and driven hundreds of thousands of miles and never has an ignition cylinder lock. Ford should recall these things and repair them without charge.
Ignition core comes completely out when removing key. Difficult to correctly realign into steering column. Have read other complaints about same problem from multiple consumers.
While driving at night time headlights failed, only the high beam worked. Also, this vehicle had a problem with misrouted battery cables. Dealer not notified. Vehicle's warranty expired.
The consumer was unable to start the vehicle because the key failed to go into the ignition. Dealership had to replaced the ignition cylinder. Also, the left turn signal did not cancel once the turn was complete. The dealership replaced the turn signal switch. *ak. The dome light failed to come when the door was opened, the dealer replaced a burned out bulb.
The key could not be inserted into the ignition. The dealer stated the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The switch was not covered under the extended warranty. In addition to not being able to start the vehicle, the power windows could not be rolled down. *ak *nlm
Upon entering the vehicle key would not turn the ignition. Vehicle had to be towed to the dealer.
Key would not go into the ignition. Stranded. Had to have vehicle towed and ignition lock cylinder had to be replaced
Defective vehicle - numerous major problem and defective parts, recalls
Key ignition and steering wheel is locked, cannot turn key to start car. When I called the ford help line, I was told that this was new, nothing they've heard of before. However, when I called the dealership they referred me to the mechanic asked me what I drove. I said ford focus. He asked what year, I said 2000. Then he said that key ignition is a common problem with the 2000 focus and that they've had to fix several focus' for that specific reason alone. Ford needs to do a census of how many of their dealership have logged in this problem because the complaints are all over the internet, too many to ignore!!! This needs to be a recall issue.
Ignition lock fails to turn when key is inserted. Steering remains locked and car will not start. First time this occurred was june 2001 while car was under warranty. Lock was drilled out and replaced. Ignition has locked up for the second time today with no warning. Will have to have the car towed 30 miles to dealer.
The ignition switch on our 2000 ford focus locked up. The key would not turn in the ignition and stranded my wife and children. The ignition switch had to be replaced by the ford dealership. The car is 4 months out of warranty and only has 22,000 miles. After complaining to the dealer, they reduced the repair price to ~1/2 of estimate and told me to hold the receipt in case there is a recall.
Consumer went out to start car and key would not turn, ignition was locked in place, it would not move. Also, steering wheel was locked. Consumer took vehicle to dealership, and they said they never heard off such occurrences.
Key would not go into ignition, car towed to dealer they replaced at cost of 350+ would not cover under extended warranty.
Consumer states that she is having problems with her vehicle's ignition switch again. She states that last year this time the key would go in the ignition but it would not unlock and turn. The mechanic repaired it, she had another switch put in. This year the same thing is happening. The key will go in the ignition, but it will not turn the auto on. It is like the switch is frozen in place. Consumer states when she spoke with the mechanic about the part that is now defective, and the year's warranty is not up, the mechanic says he will have to charge her again. He does not want to honor her warranty on the part which he put on the vehicle. She states she still has a couple of weeks left before the warranty expires.
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.
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