The consumer could not start the vehicle due to ignition switch failure. The dealer installed new key lock assembly and repaired the vehicle several times, but the ignition problem reoccurs. *yh
2000 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 40 of 46: complaints 1,151 to 1,180 of 1,343, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The vehicle experienced a low speed tire blow out.
On sunday, 21 july 2002, the ignition switch on my focus went out. At first, the key would not go into the lock, then it would not turn. This raised three major concerns: one in the mid 90's, ford us recalled over 8 million cars and trucks that had faulty ignition switches. Some of those defective switches resulted in vehicle fires. Two although I wasn't moving when the defect happened, what if I had been driving and the defective switch had locked the steering wheel or left me stranded someplace less safe than my own driveway? Three my focus has been recalled several times in the 27 months I've owned it, and this incident adds to my concerns over the vehicle's safety/reliability. Dt
Consumer states of having problems with the ignition swich. Dealer was contacted. Mr
Consumer states that the some wires melted on the battery causing the car to start. Mr
I sent a form in yesterday but did not have the VIN number. This car is in the shop right now. Mr
This car has more recalls than I ever seen. The air bags deployed and gave me second degree burns. The brakes are shot and I have to pay for repairs even though I only have 29,940 miles. The keyless entry does not work even though its been fixed 2 times the ignition locked up and they change it the air conditioner leaks but they say its fine. Mr
Consumer states that ignition has locked up three times, each time vehicle had to be towed, because ignition does not recognize key. Please provide any further information. Mr
The vehicle car will not go into park. The key was not coming out when in park. The dealer said because of a spill on the shifter it cause it to fail. While I was at the dealer another customer had the same problem. Mr
Entire ignition needed to be replaced. Ford part xs4z*11582*aa cyl assy strg col ign lock. Warranty expired at 36k miles - car is only 26 months old! Mr
Consumer states that the ignition keeps locking up.
Consumer has hard time starting up vehicle.
Unable to put key in ignition. 2 dealers said its happens all the time. Towed to dealer and it has teaken 2.5 days to get done. There is a technical service bulletin out on this. Nlm
While driving the vehicle at any speed, strong chemical fumes spread through out the vehicle. The dealer has been made aware of the problem. Nlm the tire rod has loosened, the battery had blown, and the engine light had stayed illuminated. Scc
Ignition switch is not working properly. At times consumer is not able to put key into ignition, other times vehicle will not start or able to put out of gear. Contacted dealer, and dealer is not willing to do anything. Please provide further information.
When driving vehicle and turning off ignition will lock itself, preventing key from being turned to restart. Vehicle has been repaired 4 times, and problem still occurring.
Vehicle stalled twice, then engine caught fire in battery area. Please note that I live in canada, and site does not permit canadian address. Actual zip is m4k 1m6 in toronto ontario, canada. Vehicle is total writeoff. Ford dealership denied knowledge of fire or stalling problems with focus.
When putting key into the igntion key will not turn, it will not come out of locked position. Contacted dealer.
Multiple problems: replaced cd player once, three brake jobs, multiple trunk latch repairs, replaced transmission at 40000, 3 recalls, ignition switch locked up. The 2000 focus is clearly a lemon!
Rear brake lights went out. Consumer replaced fuse, and while driving started smelling smoke. Consumer had to use excessive effort in order to stop vehicle. Once stopped, consumer turned key to off position and engine kept running. Consumer then removed "replaced" brake fuse, and engine stopped. With fuse removed brake lights worked. But, consumer will occasionally smell smoke from fuse box.
Ignition tumbler breaks and steering wheel locks up. Can not start car. Happened around 29,000 miles first time and 60,000 miles the next time. I also have a problem with the car stalling. Going around corners and up hills it is like the car has run out of gas. You then slow down and it will return to normal. Also happens on the on and off ramps of highways. Very dangerous.
Ignition switch locked up on start up of vehicle. Dealer replaced ignition switch.*jb consumer states the key has always been hard to fit and turn.
When removing key form ignition, it stuck. Even a locksmith could not remove key.contacted dealership. This was a common problem.
Consumer was unable to turn key in ignition, it had stuck.contacted dealer. Ignition switch cylinder had broken. Replaced part.but problem reoccurred.
The problem with my ignition happen twice a year apart. I was not compensated for the repair because my car was not under warrant; however the ford relatioin departmetn and the dealership agreed that this is a defect. I was compensated the a year ago the first time it happen. I am requesting that I be refunded the amonut of 368.65. This was the fee for the repair. I also want for ford to buy the car back because there are manny reported defects.
Consumer unable to turn key in ignition switch as a result of key cylinder locking up. Contacted dealer.replaced parts 3 times; but problem reoccurred.
In april of 2000 the first problem was encountered when the car lost electrical power and went on auxillary power- I was towed to the dealer and the alternator was found to be the cause of the power failure - both alternator and battery were replaced with no further problems to report as of yet. Second problem encountered while idling I noticed the fan was not turning on to cool the engine down- I brought car to dealer in january of 2002 where I was told that there was a problem with the fan relay switch which was replaced to my satisfaction. No further problems have surfaced with cooling system. Thirdly and most troubling is my experience with the automatic transmission. I had noticed the transmission slipping in early 2002 (jan) and had the dealer look at it- they told me the fluid level was low and added a quart and test drove - immediate afterwards changed gears great - as time went on I noticed it again- I made an appointment with the dealer- before the appointment the car started worsening until complete transmisiion failure occured. The car was towed to dealer wher it was worked on for about 3-5 days - a new transmission was supposed to be installed (4/2002). 2000 miles later and 4 months same problem surfacing again!! I have an appointment in the morning hopefully the problem will be addressed. I believe this problem is a safety concern and an accident waiting to happen- so far I have been lucky enough to escape injury or death. There are over 60 incident reports listed on the federal safety agency 's web site for transmission failures and I believe someone needs to look into this matter further. I am considering legal options as well as a simple yet effective way of voicing my opinions through never purchasing a ford again!!!
Ignition locked up, and consumer could not turn the key. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.
When I get close to 1/4 of a tank of gasoline, my car begins to die or sputter. It has died several times and wont restart. The other day I was coming off an exit ramp from the highway and it died coming around the sharp turn. I was almost hit by several cars while trying to get the car started long enough to move it off the ramp. After about 20 or so times of turning the ignition and gunning the pedal, I got it moved into a safe area off the highway. It took about 45 minutes and a lot of conk outs to get it moved. I was stranded and very angry. I was even more angry when I got home and did a little research to find that this same complaint has been made to ford/the federal safety agency and never reported to the public. I have had 6 recalls this year on this [xxx] car and I am very concerned for my safety now. I got the car because of its great ratings for safety- now I am afraid everytime I put my son in the car of it blowing up on me. I want to get rid of it but I cant because I owe more on the loan then I can get for trade in (my guess is the value of the car has totally fallen because of all these recalls). I am so angry with ford and I am afraid for my safety while driving this car. Please do something about this! Thank you. Oh and the gas gauge never reads correctly. I have to count my miles to make sure I am okay on gas between fill ups. The gauge will just drop to below e and the light comes on for no reason. Then after a bit of driving it will go back to normal. Very odd.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Vehicle was going 40mph and shut down without warning. After vehicle pulled over consumer heard a boom explosion noise, and vehicle caught on fire. The battery/ alternator, and cable wires were burned. The dealer gave no explanation to what the fire was caused by. Please provide more information.
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