10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 19
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 2
- Average Mileage:
- 56,186 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Engine compartment fire extending into passenger area, fire had started in the area of the driver side headlight.
- Smithfield, RI, USA
I drove my 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 to work and back with no problem. I parked it at my house and later that night when I went to take my car out the key would not completely fit into the ignition. The steering wheel is locked the key is almost completely in and I cant get it in any farther. I'm either going to have to take it to a dealer or a locksmith most likely. I'm lucky I wasn't out late or far from home.
- Lansdale, PA, USA
My sixteen year old daughter has been stranded three times because her key would not turn the ignition. The first two times she was close to home and was with a friend, so she called my husband and we met her and took turns jiggling the steering wheel and the key until, finally after about ten minutes, the key turned, so the second time, it took over an hour, but did not give up because of the first time. The last time, my daughter was alone, late at night and fortunately, she was able to call us on her cell, but we had to get up out of bed, to rescue her and after over two hours of trying to get that key to work, we gave up. We had to abandon the car and I guess we will have to call a locksmith, but have been told that they have to use the same ignition and it will most likely happen again.
- Albany, OR, USA
Ignition locking mechanism not working - can not start car. Key will not turn at all. A known problem with Ford Focus 2000 - 2003. This problem should be investigated, Ford seems to deny the problem and is lining their pockets still with the repair money ($400 +). one day somebody is going to get stranded and get seriously hurt. (thank god for that cell phone). It is absolutely ridiculous this has not been recalled. Crooked american car companies - I did not buy this car it was given to us with only 26,000 miles on it and it only proves I would not buy american cars. How sad for economy and lack of doing the right thing.
- Port Orange, FL, USA
The key would not fit into the ignition and would not turn making the car unusable and stranding me for 5 hours while waiting for a locksmith. There was no warning this would happen. The ignition just stopped working. This is a well document defect in Ford Focus models. The locksmith replaced the ignition for $300.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
I have a 2000 Ford Focus. Without warning, the key could not be inserted into the ignition and rendered the vehicle useless this evening. It appears Ford knows about this very common failure according to many owners (via online forums) with the same issue. Ford doesn't consider it a safety issue and hence not recall worthy. Consider this, when the failure occurred to my wife this evening after work, it was 6 degrees Fahrenheit outside and dark too (and well into the negative digits with the wind-chill). This clearly seems like a safety issue in this regard for anyone...luckily our 5 & 3 year old children were in the safety of indoor daycare at the time (what would have happened with two small kids late at night in a parking lot with sub zero temps?) according to a professional locksmith, this is a known issue and he fixed the same thing on another Focus this morning. He will be replacing the ignition cylinder with a non oem cylinder which will remedy the issue. The oem cylinder has known issues. The replacement cylinder (made by a different manufacturer does not) does not have the faulty mechanism the oem cylinder has. The steering wheel is also "locked" as a result of this failure to the ignition cylinder. I would "hope" that this failure wouldn't occur while the vehicle is driving down the road. Catastrophe could be the result.
- Marshfield, WI, USA
My wife drove to the movies. After the movies she found she couldn't turn the key in the ignition. She jiggled it and tried for 20 minutes before calling me. The car is a 2000 Ford Focus. My wife and her friend were stranded in a bad part of town due to a malfunction. When I called my dad about it (he is a service manager for a Chrysler/Jeep dealership) he told me it's a terribly common problem for the 2000-2003 Focus. I called Ford. They told me the same thing. Says the fix them all the time. I asked why it wasn't recalled since my wife was left stranded and they wouldn't answer. I am just glad that my kids weren't in the car. It was only 20 degrees outside. Ford needs to fix this!
- Galloway, OH, USA
Ignition key will not turn on our 2000 Ford Focus. I have lubricated the lock mechanism for several years after learning of this problem, prior to having mine occur. Sometimes key will insert but not turn. Other times key will not fully insert. In both cases I am left stranded. Key problem is not affected by position of steering wheel, shift lever interlock position, etc. Problem appears to be within the key-tumbler mechanism. With such wide spread knowledge of this problem, why hasn't Ford done a voluntary recall? this problem could occur during a life-threatening situation e.g. rush to hospital., robbery attempt, etc. The reported frequency of incidents, as viewed on internet sites, would indicate a magnitude in excess of Ford's previous SUV-tire failure rollovers. The key issue is more than an inconvenience, it is a safety issue!
- Ocala, FL, USA
I tried to start my car and the key wont turn in the ignition. I have met 50 more people since yesterday who have also had this problem. I cannot afford to replace an ignition especially if it's a Ford mistake. Ford should be held responsible for the defect.
- Mine Hill, NJ, USA
I have a 2000 Ford Focus. After driving it to a gas station I pumped my gas and got back into the car to leave. I put my keys into the ignition and the key would not turn and the wheel was locked. I could not get it to turn at all. Several people tired to get it to turn including a tow truck driver and a mechanic. All said it is a common problem in Ford Focus'.
- Tempe, AZ, USA
2000 Ford Focus ignition doesn't work. Key won't turn in ignition.
- Peachtree City, GA, USA
Ford Focus 2000. 63,000 miles. Key would not go all the way into ignition (original key) also tried second key (original key, not used much). Fortunately, car was in my driveway. Had car towed to dealership. Ignition replaced. There had been no indication of a pending problem.
- Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA
Key will not turn to on position.
- Salt Lake City , UT, USA
Ignition key won't turn in Ford Focus 2000 ZX3. It left me stranded in college had to tow my car home.
- Kalamazoo, MI, USA
The key won't release from the ignition also the ignition won't turn off and if the car was on fire or motor caught on fire you could not turn off the ignition to shut the car off.
- Bangor, ME, USA
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..
- San Antonio, TX, USA
Key would not turn. Seems like there is problem with ignition cylinder.
- Sherman, TX, USA
My key won't turn in the ignition of my 2000 Ford Focus.
- Palm Bay, FL, USA
Car key gets stuck in ignition. Will not come out.
- Mount Orab, OH, USA
- Dallas, GA, USA