2000 Ford Focus: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Feb 12, 2006 · Electrical · 92,000 miles · AL

Ford focus se ignition key switch lock-up. This is the second time I have had this problem -- key won't turn, steering wheel is locked, and the gear shift won't move. The first time, I was able to manipulate the key and finally start the car. This time, it is sunday and I am stranded. A locksmith told me that ford is the only one who has parts and it will be a very expensive repair. So tomorrow, I will have to rent a car to keep a doctor's appointment and have the focus towed to the dealership to have the ignition replaced. I understand that this is a very common problem with ford (I just checked the internet) and they refuse to recall these cars to fix this very dangerous problem. Thankfully, I was in a well-lighted, safe area of the city. I shudder to think of what may have happened if I had been stranded in a high-risk area. The founder of ford motor company built the company on reputation and high standards with customer satisfaction always in mind. What has happened to this greedy organization now run by mr. Bill ford who cares nothing about the safety and quality of its cars as his ancestors did? Recall this car now -- enough is enough!.

Filed Nov 12, 2003 · Acceleration, Body · 58,776 miles · NC

Leaking water into passenger foot-compartment. Isolated problem to plastic cover that sits beneath windshield, and is mostly accessible with hood open. The problem is that the plastic comes away from windshield due to some buckling in the plastic. Fixed problem by applying pressure to plastic to bend it back to shape so it snagged-up closer to windshield. Not seen problem since. Mastic to adhere plastic to windshield might be an option to other people. The fuel gauge sometimes refuses to work. Found this to be case when key is put into ignition and key-turned to start engine was done too quickly. If entering key into ignition and then turning key each click, giving each click a half-second, then gauge appears to be more reliable. When engine goes into slow-idling state, engine idles very erratically and is not smooth. Sounds like only some of cylinders are firing. This has only started to occur today and since reading comments on this website, I'm concerned. Have tried adding fuel-injector-cleaner to fuel tank, awaiting results of that. The trunk would not close. The problem here was fixed by removing the locking assembly from the trunk-lid and simply dowsing the mechanisms with wd40 and then bending some spring-loaded components.. There are 2 moving components in the lock. First is shape of a loop that you can easily move with finger/screwdriver. This component locks onto stub that you can see when opening trunk. The other component is hidden within casing and moves in front of other component to hold it in a locked position. Problem was with this component. Problem was component had "somehow" gotten bent and not free to leave casing and block other component. Bending this to a position freeing it of casing fixed problem. Engine lacked power when under load when accelerating, vehicle would shudder and decelerate instead of accelerate. Problem resolved when ford dealer replaced spark-plugs plus leads and a full engine tune-up. $230 plus but fixed problem.

Filed Jul 24, 2003 · Electrical · TX

Battery light goes on and off at will - no apparent pattern - car also shudders and stalls when idling in gear - does this on a daily basis several times a day and has done this since purchase! Dealership could find no reason for this while under initial warranty - on second attempt to fix the computer was replaced (under 80,000 warranty) due to 'wrong chip for this car' - when car was picked up it was running - after parking at home could not restart car had it towed back to dealership and all car keys had to be re-programmed at our cost 'because you must have done something to them'! Within 2 days car was once again flashing it's battery light and shuddering/stalling!

Filed Apr 13, 2003 · Fuel system · 20,756 miles · NY

Engine stalls or shudders when fuel level reaches a quarter of a tank.

Filed Mar 24, 2003 · Engine · 58,000 miles · OR

While idling or engaged, car frequently/periodically shudders as if the engine would die, loss of power during acceleration followed by gradual surge, engine light would flash. Took vehicle to dealer 3 times with complaint over 8-9 mos, symptoms could not be duplicated, codes not recorded, could not find issue on computer diagnostic. 3-17 car stalled repeatedly, engine light on (constant). Codes recorded, diagnosed - cylinder head needs to be replaced. When asked what would cause failure, tech stated carbon build-up.

Filed Aug 30, 2000 · Engine · CA

This engine problem is constant since the time I bought it. Engine vibrates from slight to severe when at an idle. Sometimes when coming to a stop it threatens to stall, but does not, but vibrates and shudders constantly. I've taken it several times to the dealer and no help or solutions have been made. I'm afraid that this will turn into a safety hazard for me and other drivers, because it is getting worse and could end up stalling.