2000 Ford Focus: won't start

Filed Jan 17, 2020 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 135,962 miles · MD

When I hit the brakes the whole car jolts when you go over 40 miles per hour of the steering shakes I've already replaced the safety neutral switch on a transmission now my car will not start it just makes a clicking noise and when it does turn over it immediately stalls out my cigarette lighter also lit a spark in the back of it go off and the brakes sometimes have grate brakes other tines I have to slam the brakes down to get any brakes.

Filed Jan 18, 2013 · Electrical · 108,235 miles · IL

I was starting my car, on first start did not start when retried starting there was nothing tried again nothing opened hood and smoke was coming out from battery cover. Removed cover and battery cables and battery were very hot the positive and negative cables started melting. When had cooled enough to touch removed positive cable and when tried replacing cable there was a lot of sparking, called my mechanic who picked the car up inspected cables found them to be defective contacted ford and the said they knew of this problem but because of the date and manufacturing place of the car it is not covered under the recall for this problem.

Filed Feb 6, 2012 · Fuel system · WY

Stalled then would not crank over. Mechanic said they would need to replace the fuel pump.

Filed Sep 30, 2011 · Engine · 130,327 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While the vehicle was parked the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated there were fractures in the head gasket and the engine would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 130,327.

Filed Feb 2, 2010 · Fuel system · 48,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus which was purchased in 2009. She stated that the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt. The dealer replaced the idle arms to no avail. On a separate occasion, the vehicle would not start after several attempts and an independent mechanic stated the fuel pump needed to be replaced; although, there was a previous safety improvement campaign initiated by ford (the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v482000; component: fuel system, gasoline); however, her vehicle was over the ten year threshold. No repairs were made to the vehicle, to date. The failure and current mileage was 48,000 and the current was 53,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2010 · Electrical · 43,000 miles · NJ

2000 ford focus. Key would not turn in the ignition. Car would not start. I had to be towed and had to have it fixed. 598.00, including the 125. Tow charge.

Filed Dec 15, 2009 · Electrical · 159,350 miles · AZ

With key in the ignition the key will not turn, thus the car will not start. We had to walk a mile home last night because the car wouldn't start. We have discovered it will be 150 to 250 to have a locksmith look at the problem and upwards of 450 for the dealership. It's the week before christmas and we are poor and can not afford 450 to replace a possible defect.

Filed Jul 16, 2009 · Electrical · 107,560 miles · TX

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.

Filed Jun 11, 2009 · Electrical · 114,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed May 26, 2009 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 15, 2009 · Electrical · 149,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Feb 13, 2009 · Electrical · IN

1-2. Ignition on my ford focus has locked up; apparently this is a widespread problem that almost every focus owner has. The key cannot be turned, so the car will not start, leaving me stranded wherever my car happens to be. Since I drive back and forth to school several times a year (a 4 hour drive) this leaves the potential to be stranded in backcountry indiana at all hours of the night, with no way to start my car and no one I know nearby to pick me up. 3. I will be replacing the ignition cylinder to correct this problem. However, since all ford focus 2000-2003 ignition cylinders are defective and have this same problem, it is very likely to happen again, and instead of being stranded at a friend's apartment, I might be stranded much farther from home.