10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 19
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 2
Average Mileage:
56,186 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #137

Jun 152011

Focus

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While driving at approximately 40 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the battery cables had melted. After moving the battery cables the vehicle restarted and the contact was able to drive with constant deceleration. The check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. The contact stated that the wires had completely burnt with time and he had the wires replaced. The failure continued. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 02V288000 (electrical system:battery:cables) but the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #136

Jun 282011

Focus 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Engine compartment fire extending into passenger area, fire had started in the area of the driver side headlight.

- Smithfield, RI, USA

problem #135

Jun 182011

Focus

  • miles
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

problem #134

Jun 062011

Focus 4-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
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

problem #133

May 252011

Focus 4-cyl

  • 28,000 miles
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

problem #132

May 202011

Focus 4-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
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

problem #131

Jan 042011

Focus 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
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

problem #130

Dec 292010

Focus 4-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
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

problem #129

Jan 042009

Focus 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
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

problem #128

Sep 062010

Focus

  • miles
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

problem #127

Aug 142010

Focus

  • 122,000 miles
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

problem #126

Jun 052010

Focus 4-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
2000 Ford Focus ignition doesn't work. Key won't turn in ignition.

- Peachtree City, GA, USA

problem #125

Dec 012009

Focus 4-cyl

  • 63,000 miles
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

problem #124

Dec 212009

Focus

  • 170,000 miles
Key will not turn to on position.

- Salt Lake City , UT, USA

problem #123

Jan 292010

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
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

problem #122

Oct 142009

Focus

  • miles
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

problem #121

Oct 012008

Focus

  • 49,000 miles
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

problem #120

Sep 202009

Focus

  • 107,000 miles
Key would not turn. Seems like there is problem with ignition cylinder.

- Sherman, TX, USA

problem #119

Jul 232009

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
My key won't turn in the ignition of my 2000 Ford Focus.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #118

Jul 172009

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
Car key gets stuck in ignition. Will not come out.

- Mount Orab, OH, USA

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