2000 Ford Focus: check engine light

Filed Feb 2, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 70 miles · MI

While in motion on a busy highway, driving 70 MPH, my 2000 ford focus (62,000 orig miles) began downshifting; the engine light illuminated. Replacement of the neutral drive sensor was completed. Now, six months later same thing happening. Driving on a busy highway at speeds of 65 MPH the '00 ford focus begins downshifting causing a decrease in speed at an alarming rate, rpms increase, engine light illuminates making the vehicle unsafe.

Filed May 12, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · GA

I was driving and my headlights and interior lights started to flicker and the check engine light came on and then the car just quit running after 10 minutes I was able to start the car and get home I have had this car (2000 ford focus) for a little over a year the place I purchased it from did not tell me about any problems but I have had problems for the whole time and they have only gotten worse I have put an alternator on it and changed a couple of wires that were melted but it did not help! I am afraid to drive the car now especially with my 2 year old in it with me this car is not safe to drive!!!

Filed Aug 26, 2011 · Electrical · 175,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the battery cables had melted. After moving the battery cables the vehicle restarted and the contact was able to drive with constant deceleration. The check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. The contact stated that the wires had completely burnt with time and he had the wires replaced. The failure continued. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated there was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 02v288000 (electrical system:battery:cables) but the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2011 · Fuel system · 165,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle began to jerk abnormally as the speedometer failed. The vehicle later stalled yet the contact was able to restart the vehicle and it was taken to an authorized dealer. The dealer performed a diagnostic and advised that the fuel delivery modular would need replacing. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v482000 (fuel system, gasoline) and was advised by the dealer that the recall had expired. She called the manufacturer and was advised that the recall was only effective for ten years and the vehicle was outside of the ten year limitation. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 165,000 and the current mileage was 167,913.

Filed Mar 11, 2011 · Engine · 130,000 miles · OK

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving approximately 25 MPH there was knocking sound coming in the engine. There was also hesitation while accelerating. The contact stated that the engine light also illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice and the engine was replaced. The failure continued to occur after the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage 130,000.

Filed Oct 4, 2009 · Electrical · 49,000 miles · TX

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..

Filed Apr 7, 2009 · Engine, Transmission · 100,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle would not pass inspection. The dealer performed over $500 worth of repairs to the vehicle and stated that they passed it for inspection. They even placed their own inspection sticker on the vehicle. Less than a week later, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Later, the vehicle still would not pass state inspection. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and they discovered a hole in the engine and that the transmission was twisted. While driving the vehicle home at an unknown speed, it stalled. No repairs have been made to the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were over 100,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2008 · Engine · 35,842 miles · GA

I had the oil changed and fuel system service. The check engine light came on the next day. The shop reset the code several times and finally told me the catalytic converter was bad. The car only has 36000 miles. The dealer said the car is out of warranty by 5 months. I have had the maintenance done and have records stating dates and miles on the car.

Filed Sep 3, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 73,450 miles · RI · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact smelled a burning odor in the vehicle. He pulled the vehicle over and opened the hood, but did not find any smoke. In addition, the coolant temperature was fine; however, he felt is was extremely hot under the hood. He entered the vehicle and noticed that the service engine light was illuminated on the instrument panel. He has not taken the vehicle to be diagnosed by a mechanic. Through online research, the contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v288000 (electrical system:battery:cables) for the same symptoms he was experiencing in his vehicle. He had also been experiencing loss of power and hesitation in the vehicle while traveling at low speeds. He discovered the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v030000 (latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch). The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in either recall. The contact believes the vehicle should be included since he is experiencing identical failures. The current and failure mileages were 73,450.

Filed May 29, 2008 · Engine · 87,000 miles · NJ · fire

My son was driving a 2000 focus hatchback. Just entered into a jughandle to make a turn engine light and oil lights went on, car locked up and smoke entered inside the car. He was able to get out of the vehicle and car was on fire. Vehicle was totaled in the fire.

Filed May 8, 2008 · Fuel system · 120,692 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact could not accelerate over 20 MPH, even after she shifted into third gear. She also noticed that the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v482000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The failure and current mileages were 120,692.

Filed Apr 14, 2008 · Engine · 100,757 miles · TX · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. When the contact started the vehicle, all of the instrument panel lights illuminated as normal, including the check engine light. She stated that the check engine light illuminated a few days after purchasing the vehicle and has remained on ever since. The dealer stated that there was failure with the fuel tank. When the gas tank cap is not secured properly, the check engine light will illuminate. The dealer removed and replaced the gas tank cap and the check engine light dimmed; however, it illuminated again a couple of days later. The last time the contact attempted to start her vehicle, it would not start. She waited a couple of hours and when the vehicle finally restarted, it made a loud rumbling noise. White smoke appeared under the hood and the vehicle failed to restart. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 100,757.