2000 ford focus. Key would not turn in the ignition. It left my 19 year old daughter stranded after work as a hostess at a restaurant. This could and has happened on two occasions. The key finally turned after nearly two hours of attempting to get it to work. We have discovered by banging on the key it helps sometimes. This is a costly repair that has been reported numerous times and other consumers say it happens repeatedly.
2000 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 4 of 46: complaints 71 to 100 of 1,343, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Key will not turn in ignition and gets stuck.
2000 ford focus zx3 battery cables. Not included by ford in VIN range for current recall 02v288000 " cause the battery cables to short resulting in heat damage to the cables. Besides heat damage, the "check engine" light may illuminate, the vehicle may fail to start, or smoke, melting, or fire could also occur." although this vehicle suffers identical symptoms plus stalling in traffic which puts operators life at risk..
I have a ford focus 2000 model and the key would not turn in the ignition. This is a common problem among ford focus models of 2000-2003. Due to this defect I got stuck on the highway and had to be towed. This is a serious defect and can cause serious accidents.
Key would not turn. Seems like there is problem with ignition cylinder.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact stated that when inserting the key into the ignition, it will not turn to start the vehicle. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 95000.
This is the fourth time that the ignition switch has failed on the ford focus. The key will go into the ignition but will not turn leaving us stranded. We were lucky this time as the failure occurred at home. One of the previous times was in the middle of winter when my elderly mother was driving the car and was stranded in the country side without cell phone service. She was helped by a passerby that took her to a service station. This problem has been brought to the attention of the dealer and we have been told that it is our problem and poses no safety issues. Fords attitude towards this problem has been that the ignition switch is a consumable part (e.g. Tires, brakepads etc.) and you should be happily to get more than the 12000 mile warranty on the part. Sooner or later someone will be stranded by this sub-standard part and it cause them harm or death. Ford needs to be held accountable before this happens.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact is unable to place the key into the ignition without force. After adding oil into the cylinder the key can be placed into the ignition normally; however, after a short time the failure recurred. The dealer stated that the ignition cylinder would have to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer stated that the ignition cylinder would have to replaced and because there are no current recalls no compensation would be offered. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 109,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving approximately 25 MPH on normal road conditions, the instrument panel failed to illuminate and the parking lamp and tail lamps were nonfunctional. The contact replaced the fuse on five separate occasions and the failure recurred. The vehicle's power lock system also failed to operate. She discovered the failure was contributed to the deck lid harness. The vehicle has not been inspected by a certified technician. The federal safety agency campaign id number 00v411000 - electrical system;wiring is related to the failure; however, the VIN number was excluded from the recall. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 50,300. Updated 11/06/09. *lj the consumer stated while driving, she noticed the dashboard was not lit and she was unable to read the speedometer. The headlights were working. The consumer replaced the fuse and the dashboard lit up properly. However, a short while later the fuse blew again. The consumer also discovered the tail lights and parking lights were not working as well. Also, the power door locks failed. The consumer discovered 4 wires had been completely severed, and all the others had bare patches where the insulation had rubbed off. The consumer stated a recall had been issued for the exact problem, but her VIN was not included. Updated 11/10/09.
Key won't turn 2000 ford focus.
Ignition was working fine. Twenty minutes later, the key would go in the ignition, but would not turn. My vehicle is in process of being repaired. I found out this is a chronic problem with 2000-2004 ford focus. Mine is a 2000. Aggravated that ford has not been made responsible to recall these vehicles. Not only do I have an expensive repair, I missed a day of work because I was stranded.
My key won't turn in the ignition of my 2000 ford focus.
Car key gets stuck in ignition. Will not come out.
After stalling out the engine of my 5 speed transmission in 1st gear, the car wouldn't start again and in fact lost all power. It was jump started, but in 1st and 2nd gear, it sputtered and lurched forward, then died again. We had to have the car towed to the shop as it was undrivable. Lucky we were just in a parking lot and not out on the road or it could have been disastrous. Even the emergency flashers would not turn on due to no power. The repair shop said that the battery is completely dead and that the battery cables were melted.
2000 ford focus se, purchased new 04/2001 --- 06/02 - car died on fathers day, replaced battery with one from auto zone; ?/03 - at service call for recall of harness wiring, complained about LED lights flickering, no problem found; 10/05 - car died, towed to ford, battery replaced; 12/06 - service at ford, complained about LED lights flickering again, no remedy; 06/07 - car died, towed to chrysler dealer (my employer), could not locate prob, charged battery, 06/07 car died, replaced battery; 06/07 car died, towed to chrysler - replaced alternator; 09/08, ignition locked/replaced; 02/09 car died, towed to ford, replaced battery; 06/09, electrical system warning light illuminates at 35-40 MPH. Positive battery cable insulation melted. Service at dodge (employer) - reroute positive cable directly to bolt on connector to battery, problem continues - carried to ford, they advise alternator is bad and must be replaced. ---- 9 years, 5 batteries, 3 alternators, problem not corrected. Dealer continues to treat the symptoms, not cure the disease. Something is causing this to happen continuously. Numerous focus owners at least through 2003 experience same issues. Service advisor admitted to me that they "replace a lot of batteries and alternators in focuses" and that "it seems to be inordinately high numbers". Other problems with this car include 3 sets of inferior brake pads (finally had a good set installed by an independent mechanic) and cracked motor mounts causing intense vibration especially when engine is cold. Seeking remedy for electrical issues - considering consulting attorney to start class action lawsuit. Concerned about potential fire hazard. My daughter was driving this car for past 2 years, finally knuckled and bought her a great chrysler pt cruiser for her personal safety. I am not in a position to acquire another vehicle for myself and must continue to drive the focus until otherwise capable of another vehicle. Will never buy ford again.
I bought my daughter a 2000 ford focus in 2008, in feb 2009 the key would not turn in the ignition at all. We played with this for about a half an hour and it final turned over. Then in june of 2009 same thing happen to my daughter. Went on line to read other peoples reviews and there was plenty of them about the ignition cylinder lock. One very helpful which saved me a towing bill of telling me to hit the key in the ignition with the palm of my hand and it worked, so was able to get the daughters car home. 300 and some odd dollars I have replace the cylinder lock and hope that it doesn't fell her again. I feel that ford should look into this problem for there is many people that have had the same problem. Like I said I bought the car for my daughter and glad that it didn't break down in an unsafe part of town. Some people say that they didn't grease them enough, I'm not sure of the problem but feel that it should be ford's responsibility to replace this part or at least give a good explanation of why it is happening to so many ford focuses. There are at least 50 complaints on this on a site called focal jet, which was very helpful to me. Please take a look into this problem. Other than that the car has been great for the daughter.
Heat damage to battery cable, smoke was coming off of battery cables, the cables were so hot they melted. Car now will not start but occasionally cranks very slowly.. This is exactly as the recall issued by the federal safety agency in 2003 on the same make and model. Your campaign number 02v288000. My car is now a fire hazard and can't be driven. Need help.
2000 ford focus - yet another failed ignition cylinder issue; the same faulty part issue that has been reported for nearly a decade now. Stranded with towing costs and large replacement cost for part known by ford, et al, to be a defect problem...not normal wear-and-tear. In shop being replaced...concern of future stranded as part is still considered defective.
I purchased a ford focus 2000 from john thorton on thorton road in lithia springs on or about 7/2005. I also traded in my lexus 1991 vehicle which I had just fixed up for 2000.00 and plus the dealer asked for a down payment of 1200.00 which I gave, and I requested them to add a warranty which they did not in the contract. The vehicle was white and black inside. I drove smooth for about 4 months until one day as I was driving the vehicle cut off. I had the brakes redone, and some other work. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and they worked on it and charged me some more. Until I realized the mechanic called me name for pick up and he stated to me thinking I was another person, my vehicle is ready and it had 3 recalls on it in the past. I assume he meant me, and come to realize it was my car he was speaking about. Every since then, my car would cut off at stop lights and while I was driving. I was told by the dealer mechanic it has a short wire that can cause a fire and there is nothing they can do. I placed the car in ch 7 in bankruptcy in 10/05 and he no transportation except by bus and cab. Ford dealer in lithia springs, ga 30122 sold me a car with 3 recalls as part of the car's history. I don't know what else it involved.
The ignition system in my 2000 ford focus zx3 is now locked and the key won't turn the cylinder. There has been progressive problems leading up to this. The key started not to turn the cylinder at all then would. Further investigation online says that this is a major problem on all model focus' within the years of 2000-2005.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact took her vehicle for routine inspection and was informed that the deck-lid wire harness fatigued and developed damaged wires in the bend area of the wire harness. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v411000 (electrical system:wiring); therefore, they would not assume any responsibility for the repairs. She is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 188,000. Updated 06/03/09 *bf updated 06/04/09.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact stated that the engine would not start when the ignition was turned. In addition, the steering column locked. He struck the key with a hammer until the engine was able to start. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. Through research, the contact found numerous complaints regarding the same issue. The failure has occurred almost daily ever since the vehicle was purchased. The current and failure mileages were 98,000.
I have a 2000 ford focus zx3 and while I am driving down the highway my transmission will rev all the gauges in the car will go up and down and my headlights flash. I have taken it to a ford dealership they say they fix the problem and as I pull away the same thing happens. So why is it that ford the people that make my car can't even tell me what's wrong with it. So having taken my car to four different places and the problem keeps happening, nobody seems to know how to fix it, I guess I will have to get another car (it will not be a ford). This is really great timing with the economy and all. I mean I put a new alternator on, a new battery, I had the ground wires cleaned, a new ignition switch put on. Oh yeah it always smells like something is burning under my hood (like when you blow a candle out). It's pretty bad when you're driving on the highway and basically your car dies,somebody could smash into you causing a pile-up. I am afraid to drive my car who knows what will happen next. I just think if you make a product you should know how to correct the problems so you have a safe vehicle.
My car was parked in my garage and I went to start it, and the key wouldn't turn in the ignition. After a few tries, it finally turned. Went to the store, parked and went in, came back out, and the same thing happened again. After 1/2 hour, it finally turned. This has been repeated about 15 times and it's beyond frustrating. The car runs fine otherwise. It's not been in any accidents, I keep it maintained, and it sits in the garage when it's not being driven. I tried to start it yesterday, and the key will not turn. I have tried numerous times today and it will not turn. I have an engagement in 2 hours and I need the car. After researching this on the internet, it seems to be a common problem in the ford focus, which is what I drive (2000 zts). I love this car, but this is going to be a deal breaker when I get ready to trade.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. He noticed that the wires would bend, fray and break when closing the rear liftgate. While closing the liftgate, the vehicle lost all electrical power to the rear wiper, washer and the top rear brake light which also caused the cruise control to become inoperative. He removed the sleeve and mended the wires together which caused the components to function correctly; however, the contact felt that if the wires continued to bend, the failure would recurr. He consulted the manufacturer about recall 00v411000 but was told that his vehicle was not included. The current mileage was 47,766 and the failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
I was left stranded in a parking lot with my 16 month old son after I returned to my car and the key would not turn in the ignition and I was unable to start my car. This happened without warning. When I parked my car everything was fine and I had no trouble removing the key. When I returned to my car after shopping for an hour at first I was unable to get my key into the ignition. I kept trying and was finally able to get the key in the ignition but the key would not turn and I could not start my car. My husband went to the car later to see if he could get it to work and he could not. This was the second time in 6 months that my ford focus has left me stranded and rather than pay for towing & repairs we decided to donate the car to charity (who would tow it for free) and buy ourselves a new car.
Key will not turn in ignition. Unsafe, leaves driver stranded. Intended to buy new part, but researched first, finding this is a recurring problem among focus owners.
The ignition tumbler in my 2000 focus se has failed to the point that now it won't turn unless I spend 10-15 minutes jiggling it and playing with it. This is a known problem that many focus enthusiast sites have report. Ford has even redesigned the tumbler in newer versions in order to fix the problem, so they know the problem exists, but haven't issued a recall. The dealership wants $160-220 to fix the problem. A key tumbler should have a lifespan of much more than 9 years. That is shameful, ford. I wish I could've convinced my wife to get the civic instead.
I've had 2 major problems with my 2000 ford focus se. My ignition is locked. The key will not turn at all, the key will go in but will not turn with much research online I'm seeing that I am not the only person that has had this problem, and the problem is the ignition cylinder. 2nd- I've been having problems with the instrument cluster in my car, and once again with alot of research I'm seeing that I am not the only one with this problem anyway.
Like so many others my key gets jammed up it wont turn wont start the car and you get stuck where ever you happen to be at the time.
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