The key would no longer turn in the ignition, leaving me and my baby niece stranded far away from home. We parked the vehicle and when we returned, we found ourselves stranded, because the ignition lock could no longer be operated. Apparently this is a known problem with Ford Focus locks!

- Makawao, HI, USA

The key has gotten stuck in the ignition three time now. The first time we could not get the car started in a rough neighborhood, and had to leave it over night. The second time I had to remove the battery cable in order to shut the car off. This last time I also had to remove the battery cable to shut the car off.

- Arvada, CO, USA

I cannot even begin to explain the issues I have had with my 2000 Ford Focus zts. This car needs to be taken off the market and Ford needs to reimburse all owners... my engine is now cutting off with no warning at any speed and I am afraid for not only my own life but my 7 year old and newborn daughters as well.... cannot find a problem with the car and after all the problems before this such as overheating, smoking engine, fried fuel system, valves, sensors, resistors, motors, hoses, wires, fuses, cooling/heating, door latches and this car practically speeding up on its own and not stopping... I feel someone needs to help us all.... please... I am begging!!!!

- Canton, PA, USA

In my 2000 Ford Focus SE wagon the key in my ignition refuses to allow me to remove the key and then re-insert the key to start the engine. I am able to put the key in the lock but not turn it. It has happen numerous times a couple of times during the winter after I had went to town to get supplies. It usually takes 1 to 2 hours to get it wiggled enough to let the key turn to the aux, and start positions. It seams that I will have to pay $400 to $500 to get it repaired or replaced. There were no events leading up to the first failure it simply refused to let me turn the ignition after I inserted the key into the ignition. This last time after 4 hours of working with it and having a locksmith come out and determine if it could be fixed he said it would need to be totally replaced.

- Brittion, SD, USA

It started with a ticking noise I could hear when it just idled, then I got home started it back up and it made a loud noise like something had fallen into the engine. I shut the car off and then we had somebody look at it they said there was no compression in the # 4 piston. They had said something had fallen off the piston and made a bunch of dents and dangs so now we have to replace the engine. It is in my driveway now waiting to be repaired.

- Chillicothe, MO, USA

2000 Ford Focus ignition cylinder failed twice in 4yrs. This last time I was stranded in the cold, by myself at 1am. Missing work, spending money on tows, parts and labor adds up. Not to mention the danger involved with being stranded, all because your key wont turn.

- Sycamore, IL, USA

When air conditioner is running can not put car in park or the car stalls...this starting happening after a hose of some type was replaced at the back of the engine.

- St.Thomas, 00, USA

The ignition of my 2000 Ford Focus I was stuck at dallas airport after a job interview for about three hours in 90 degree heat. It was repaired and locked up again this time in front of my hours.

- Landover, MD, USA

In July 2005 myself and my children were driving my 2000 Ford Focus LX on the freeway and we were in the fast lane when our car started to stall and were unable to get gas to the car. We later took it to be checked and found out the fuel pump module was not putting fuel into the car and we had to replace it. We later found out that it had been replaced once before. So we had it fixed and on May 30 2006 also driving on the freeway by car began to stall and not want to move well. So once again I took it to be looked at and found out that the same problem as before with the fuel pump module was acting up again and needed to be replaced. I have not fixed it yet due to already fixing it within a years time and have found out that there was a recall on my car and found out the recall was not done on my car due to the VIN # not being included in the original recall bulletin.

- Olympia, WA, USA

There is a leak in the resevoir for the radiator, electrical problem with the radio. The radio keeps losing power when going down the road. The master switch for the passenger window does not work, the rear passenger window assembly is broke leaving the window not able to stay up. There is a funny noise when driving down the road. It sounds like a crackly noise. Half of the time the heat will not work.

- King, NC, USA

Wheel bearings in my 2000 Ford Focus have been replaced 8 times already. All parts have been Ford factory parts. Recall from 2000 on the wheel bearings had been performed in 2001 but problem has persisted. Ford Motor Co. Has been contacted repeatedly in regards to this but no action has been taken. Dealership has also been contacted but the keep referring back to Ford. Copies of all repair bills is available. It appears that wheel bearing #9 is about to go also. Breakdown as follows: Right rear 3 times left rear 2 times right front 2 times left front 1 time in addition, rear drums have been replaced 3 times already (on the average of every 18-20 months). Most recent replacement of wheel bearing on 3/4/05 can you please help!

- Bethel, VT, USA

While driving my 2000 Ford Focus, I came to a four way stop and the car ceased to work, as if I had turned off the key...no sputtering, just stopped. I restarted the vehicle and it lurched forward, died again, just as before. As I looked out the front windshield, I observed smoke coming from the hood of the car. I exited the car and flames were coming from the wheel wells. I immediately called 911. People began spraying water on the car from garden hoses, two people stopped with fire extinguishers and nothing put out the flames. When the fire department arrived, within 10 minutes, the entire front of the car was destroyed. Pieces in the engine compartment were melting and falling off the engine onto the ground. Police arrived to direct traffic. The car was towed to wendle Ford, and my insurance company removed the vehicle to their premises the next day. I still have no idea what could have caused this problem in a five year old vehicle with no prior problems. As I have seen several other incidents of fire in this vehicle, the government should make Ford Motor Company investigate why this is happening before someone gets killed!

- Spokane, WA, USA

I went to insurt my key into the started and my car would not turnover after the wrong key was partly insurted, I thought that that pats system tripped, but after researching the issue further, I realised that numerious people ahve been having this issue with Ford focuses, that their is a know problem with this part of the car, I am going to have to pay 300 dollars or more to fix a known issue from Ford.

- Schenectady , NY, USA

1/25/04 parked at meter in stamford ct, key wouldn't come out of ignition. Got it out, then wouldn't go back in. 20 minutes of sweating/swearing, got key back in. Had to leave it in the ignition (dangerous) until 2/12/04. Car to dillon Ford, who replaced key cylinder for $210. Mileage 76,489. I saved broken ignition switch, if you want it. Replacement was a Ford motorcraftco. Ignition switch sw-5997 xs4Z-11582-aa. January 2005 broke again! broadway auto replaced key ignition lock cylinder again for $250. Mileage 96,000. They gave me a copy of "ignition switch lock cylinder: All technical service bulletins, interior- ignition lock cylinder hard to turn. Posted 09/16/02. Article no. 02-18-2 2000 Ford Focus L4-121 2.0L SOHC VIN P sfi copyright 2004 alldata 8.30 "use lock cylinder repair kit (xs4Z-11582-aa)" this is the same cylinder that broke in my first replacement. I saved broken cylinder. Both cylinders have the code S 38 kb on barrel. Ford's aware of the problem, I.e., technical bulletin. Ford's using the same inferior part to replace the defective key cylinder, making over $200 each time. Nhts complaint site has 291 complaints electrical system: Ignition switch; 277 complaints electrical system, ignition; 4 complaints electrical system anti-theft controller; 2 complaints electrical system: Starter assemby. Numerous complaints "automotive talk.net" 114 complaints topic: 2000 Ford Focus ignition lock cylinder. This is dangerous, highly proiftable for Ford Motor Company. Ford should reimburse for the over $500 spent so far on this problem.

- Colchester, CT, USA

There is no event leading up to failure that was recognizable. When you put key in the ignition, it seizes and will not turn to start the car. This has happened to me twice now!! in a year and a half. The first time it occurred was 6-27-03 and I had it fixed. The tumbler and ignition switch had to be replaced. I thought it may be a one off--I had bought the car used from the dealership. However, this has now occured again 1-25-05 and I will now have to pay again for something that should never have happened once--nevermind twice! I called Ford and they were very uninterested and said there was no recall--but I bet there are other with this problem. It mean is takes 2 weeks to order the parts and fix so it is a hugh inconvenience because I have a small child and am pregnant again. I have to have the car towed to be serviced and am very upset and feel this needs loked into further since Ford dont really seem to give a toss.

- Newark, OH, USA

Fatality vehicle fire, Dec. 8 2004. My husband is the original owner of a 2000 Ford Focus, subject to numerous service visits to bill brown Ford, livonia mi for: Ignition, steering column, wheel bearing, brake, rear window control, seat belt &trunk latches, overhead light and engine light. The vacuum line & fuel pump & valve assembly were replaced 2/03, followed by stalling. In 6/03, A/C compressor & manifold line replaced. Fuel line & pump failure in 8/03, resulted in gasoline spill on residential street minutes after parking. Bogging followed repairs, PCM reprogrammed & leaking pvc tube replaced 1/04. Fuel pump again replaced. In 8/04, our 24 year old son took ownership of this problematic car. We are uncertain as to whether vehicle malfunction caused a 35 mph collision with a fire hydrant. An immediate engine explosion and fuel fed fire trapped my son and his passenger. Described by police as a relatively minor crash which would not be expected to claim lives, the subsequent unexplained engine fire claimed two young lives. A malfunctioning driver's airbag was also detected. This incident was originally reported to NHTSA by my husband (#10104088). I am supplying these additional facts for your clarification. Please correct your posting of "0" injuries as there were 2 fatalities. Please take effective action to save lives, as these trouble plagued vehicles seem to become more lethal as they age. Confirmation of receipt of this information is requested.

- Redford, MI, USA

While leaving work a little over a year ago, my 2000 Ford Focus' key became stuck in the ignition. Upon inserting the key in the ignition, I could neither get it to turn in the cylinder nor remove it. The car was towed to airport marina Ford in los angeles and repaired free of charge, as it was still covered under it's standard 3 year/30,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. (unfortunately, I have lost my service paperwork during a recent move. I will attempt to retrieve the information from either airport marina Ford or Ford Motor Company to confirm the date, work performed and the mileage of my car at the time.) my car had not given any indication of possible failure prior to this event. On January 6, 2005, while on an errand for work, the ignition cylinder became stuck. This time, I was able to remove the key and reinsert freely but could not turn the key. The car was towed to sopp Ford in los angeles and repaired at my expense. The old ignition cylinder was removed and a new cylinder was installed. I also received a new key and was advised not to use the old one. Parts and labor resulted in a bill for $400.39. I called Ford Motor Company's customer service hotline to find out if there had been a recall for this defect and to find out if I was eligible for any remuneration. The operator took my information, told me that there was no recall for this defect (which they officially do not recognize) and informed me that I might be eligible for remuneration if a recall was issued at a later date. I was also informed that repairs provided by Ford are warrantied for either 12 months or 12,000 miles. I did not ask for nor was given the old ignition cylinder due to the fact that the process of removing it required drilling it out; there was not much left of the old cylinder except for some metal filings. I lost a day's wage as a result of not having transportation.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Just had our second $350 ignition lock replacement in 2000 Ford Focus w/ 44000 miles on it. I talked to the service manager at sarasota Ford who stated that "honestly, you're the first one I've seen". well, I've been (belatedly) reading through web sites with loads of the same complaint!!!

- Sarasota, FL, USA

The door latch on the rear driver's side seized up and the door would not open. Due to this the latch, the door handle and reinforcement had to be replaced. The handle still would not open the door due to Ford providing them the wrong part number to be ordered for the latch. Once the car dealership was able to find the correct part number to order the latch the door was fixed, but the handle still comes lose on the inside of the door. The only way to fix this is to hit the handle.

- Cumberland, MD, USA

Hesitation with acceleration, stalling.

- Shelby Twp., MI, USA