There was a short in one of the locks on my 2000 Ford Focus. This caused the passenger side door to be unable to be opened either manually or electrically, from the inside or the outside. This seems to be a common problem in the Focus, and has the potential to result in being trapped in the car in a dangerous situation. The manual locks should at least be able to override the electrical ones, so that the doors could be opened in case of a short.

- Columbia , MD, USA

The owner could not unlock the front passenger side or rear driver side doors from the inside or outside of the vehicle. The dealer was notified.

- Round Lake, IL, USA

When the vehicle was parked or running, the front driver and passenger door locks did not unlock.

- Richardson, TX, USA

I noticed the doors squeaking soon after I purchased the car. The noise became progressively worse over the next year. The dealership brushed off my questions telling me the doors just needed grease. Now that the warranty is up they tell me it will cost $405 for them to fix. The doors have not squeaked for over a year, now they don't lock and both rear doors fly open when I take a corner so I keep them tied shut with bungee cords and ropes. All the junk I used to keep in the back seat is now gone, it flew out of the car while I was getting on the highway. Thank god I didn't have passengers. I have had trouble with the gas gauge since I bought the car, and the ignition locked and had to be replaced. The tow truck driver knew what kind of car I had before I told him-he said they pick up a few Ford Focus's every week due to the ignition problems. I have also gone through brakes and tires at an alarming rate. The accumulation of brake dust on the front panels is unreal all I do now is wash this car and write checks to pay for repairs.

- Buzzards Bay, MA, USA

I had two problems occur concurrently on my 46,000 mile car--and the mechanics at the dealership I brought it to told me that they're seeing a large number of these same problems. 1) the ignition barrel goes stiff with little warning, and apparently leads to a jam, early in the useful life of the car. 2) the automatic door lock suddenly stops working, apparently due to the defective actuactor in one of the rear doors, so that the car no longer locks

- Davis, CA, USA

Both rear door locks do not latch and swing open when rounding a corner. Must tie down with bungee cord. Mechanic shows locks corroded and defective. Locks replace for $350. A very dangerous failure which could have caused serious injuries to rear seat occupants.

- Tomah, WI, USA

I have had this Focus for about 2 years. When I purchased it, I was not told of any of the possible mechanical problems that may be associated with the model. Since then, I have had 4 recalls repaired. Recently, the door handle on the driver's side door was getting stuck. Now, the factory installed security system will not work. I cannot lock the driver's side door at all and I must lock the other 3 doors manually. My key chain door locker does not work at all. The inside button for unlocking the trunk will not work either. The front console is too big for the car and coffee cups will not fit into it. I also seem to have trouble seeing behind me when trying to look to the left from the driver's side due to the placement of the headrest.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Rear passenger door on driver's side inadvertently opened while driving on the freeway at approximately 55 mph. Rear passenger door also opened inadvertently while vehicle was turning onto the off ramp. Although the child safety latch was on, the rear passenger door again came ajar. Child hit door with elbow causing the door to open, also a bag of groceries fell against the door causing the door to open. Tire rolled against the door while on the off ramp and rolled out the door onto the highway. Consumer had to stop and chase it down.

- Mount Braddock, PA, USA

Two rear doors do not close all the way and pop open. Dealer attempted to fix the problem by lubricating the latch, but the problem has returned.

- Gloversville, NY, USA

Both rear door latches are not working. Door flew open while driving on a highway. Consumer has to use rope to tie both doors. Dealer notified, it will cost $450 to fix problem. My son changed the latches and found that they were heavily corroded.

- Hopedale, MA, USA

Consumer stated that while driving and without warning door would automatic lock, and it would be hard to unlock the doors to enter or exit the vehicle. Dealer notified.

- Elizabeth City, NC, USA

Consumer states while turning a corner rear passenger side door flew open. No warning chime illuminated. Consumer feels very unsafe when small passengers are riding in the rear.

- Westland, MI, USA

2000 Ford Focus LX 4-door sedan - numerous complaints: 1) currently have 75,200 miles on car and have gone through 5 (yes five!) complete sets of tires.2) engine stalls at any speed with no warning lights or indications, car bucks and gas pedal can be depressed to floorboard and car will not move - barely avoided three accidents (two of which would have involved my two small children) 3) all four doors will stick - really need to pull to open - and once open, they will not close again (you need to try to close the doors repeatedly before they finally latch). They also popped opened while driving. Afraid one day one of my children or a passenger or myself may be injured. They are manual door locks and latches. 4) same with trunk - often needs repeated tries to close and latch 5) leak in front passenger footwell - when it rains, or when going through carwash 6) front brakes have been replaced twice at my cost - horrendous, irritating, embarassing squealing is incessant - brake dust accumulates every day! in some instances, brakes need to be applied very firmly to stop vehicle (again, I do not feel safe with my children in car). 7) extremely foul smell when air conditioning use is attempted. 8) stereo was replaced - original factory installed would not work after 2 months of ownership. 9) paint is flaking off of skirts - I was informed by Ford that this is "sandblasting" and that I must drive on dirt roads all of the time - I live on an asphalt street, drive on asphalt roads and asphalt highways - not dirt! 10) fuel pump was replaced once already - was told I must be buying "dirty" gas - if it is dirty gas, is that my fault? I don't exactly run the gas stations, and I don't buy fro one specific station - I fuel up when I'm low, wherever it is convenient. 11) I have had three alignments to try to stop the horrible shaking of the car - the steering wheel vibrates so badly that my arms are sore by the time I get to my destination.

- Effort, PA, USA

Vehicle has a major electrical problem. While driving vehicle gauges will go "beserk". door chime activates, all lights flicker on and off, transmission changes gears, and the vehicle stalls.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

While driving driver's side back door came open. Latch broke, and the door will not close.

- North Ridgeville, OH, USA

The drivers side rear door failed to stay closed. The door flew open while driving. The consumer had to purchase a new latch.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Ignition won turn and rewire and replaced passenger door power latch.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

The door locks failed to unlock.

- Burbank, CA, USA

The door lock failed to unlock.

- Burbank, CA, USA

The door lock failed to unlock.

- Burbank, CA, USA