2000 Ford Focus SE. Consumer writes in regards to engine and electrical problems.

- Riverdale, MD, USA

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

I was driving and my headlights and interior lights started to flicker and the check engine light came on and then the car just quit running after 10 minutes I was able to start the car and get home I have had this car (2000 Ford Focus) for a little over a year the place I purchased it from did not tell me about any problems but I have had problems for the whole time and they have only gotten worse I have put an alternator on it and changed a couple of wires that were melted but it did not help! I am afraid to drive the car now especially with my 2 year old in it with me this car is not safe to drive!!!

- Rockmart, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after closing the rear hatch, the running lights, power locks, and the instrument panel lights failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 214,000.

- Buhl, ID, USA

While driving the vehicle the electric dash cluster quit working and the vehicle cut off in the middle of traffic. The alternator was replaced then the vehicle did the same thing a few months later. The battery cables were replaced and the battery and the alternator were replaced as a precaution. The vehicle after 4 days and no driving longer that 35 miles a day the same thing happened again while traveling down the interstate.

- Madison, TN, USA

The key will not turn. The steering wheel and ignition are locked.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

I have owned this car since December of 2003 and it has been a very large money pit. This time the car just stopped running. I had taken it to autozone and they told me it need an egr sensor or hosing for it. When I was turning at a light the car just stopped running when I had just turned onto a main highway. There has been major electrical problems with it since day one. This car has had 5 clutches in it and I have complained about that all in itself because a car should never need that many clutches within 100,000 miles. That is ridiculous and very expensive and I have gotten no where with that even though there are other 2000 Ford Focus's with the same issue. My one head light is not right it never has been there is corrosion on the inside of the headlamp. The rear door latch does not work on the passenger side of the vehicle. The passenger side front door also does not latch correctly and no longer locks at all. The trunk latch is not right either. It will not always unlatch and then close again. It often requires several more times of pushing the trunk release and it will finally unlock after several attempts. I have put thousands of dollars into this lemon. I have all the repair paperwork, it has a brand new breaking system, brand new transmission, brand new engine, brand new clutch, battery. We have replaced everything in this car and here we go again....this car has sat more than it has been driven!!! I honestly feel that we should be reimbursed for the money we spent on buying the car because it was and is still a lemon since day one......

- Pennsburg, PA, USA

I was pulled over on my way home from work almost midnight, and was notified by the officer that I had no taillights, but my turn signals and hazard lights were working. The license plate light and running lights are not working either. In addition, several months ago the dashboard lights blew a fuse, and have repeatedly blown the same fuse. I saw that the wires on top of the hatchback, inside the rubber tube, are cracked and broken. I saw online that this is a recurring problem. There could have been an accident, as I work second shift and always drive in the dark. I don't know how long the lights have been out.

- Mantua, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the passenger side tail light would not illuminate. She also experienced other electrical failures on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the bulb was changed but the failure recurred. The manufactured was notified but they offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 224,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

Very hard to put key into or remove from ignition, have not removed key in 8 years.

- Lancaster, OH, USA

I was starting my car, on first start did not start when retried starting there was nothing tried again nothing opened hood and smoke was coming out from battery cover. Removed cover and battery cables and battery were very hot the positive and negative cables started melting. When had cooled enough to touch removed positive cable and when tried replacing cable there was a lot of sparking, called my mechanic who picked the car up inspected cables found them to be defective contacted Ford and the said they knew of this problem but because of the date and manufacturing place of the car it is not covered under the recall for this problem.

- Machesney Park, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While parked, the contact inserted the key in the ignition but the key could not be turned. The vehicle was towed an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing however, the mechanic advised that the vehicle would have to be taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 01/09/13

- Knoxsville, TN, USA

The battery cable coming from the positive terminal is melted. Upon investigation I found that this was a recall: NHTSA campaign #02V288000. However Ford is claiming that my VIN is not part of the recall, even though it is specific for my model and year, and even though my car is experiencing the exact issue that the recall is for: Faulty electrical wiring that can lead to a fire. I have not had a fire in my vehicle, but a melted cable is close enough for my liking. Battery terminal cables should not be melting, period.

- Miami Beach, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While parked, the contact placed the key in the ignition and was unable to turn the key. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The technician stated that the ignition would have to be replaced. The contact also noticed the front driver?S door handle was loose and about to fracture. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.....updated 08-24-12 the consumer stated the door handles broke. Updated 08/30/2012

- Rushford, NY, USA

Plastic insulation of electrical connector that connects right headlight bulb with wiring overheated, melted and caused smoldering fire that led to damaging smoke deposits in headlight assembly. Fire stayed contained to headlight housing.

- Snohomish, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact noticed that the battery wiring and case were melted. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 02V288000 (electrical system:battery:cables) but was advised by the dealer that the VIN was not included in the recall and offered no further assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 42,650 and the failure mileage was 42,400.

- Medford, MA, USA

The key lock cylinder in my car failed to turn over one day. I was stranded for 3 hours due to a faulty lock cylinder and had to pay $540 dollars to get the part repaired. I called the Ford direct line for assistance and they refuse to accept responsibility for the issue. They acknowledged to me on the phone that they know this is a common issue, yet nothing can be done until a lawsuit, or recall is issued. I will never buy another Ford vehicle.

- Evansville, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the automatic locks were defective and the rear driver side door could not be opened. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 103,000. Updated 02/03/12 the consumer stated all of the doors became sluggish. The fuse for the power door locks failed. The fuse was replaced and failed again. The driver's side door stopped opening and would not unlock. Updated 02/10/12

- Ithaca, NY, USA

The ignition on my 2000 Ford Focus is defective in that the key does not go all the way into the ignition. This problem appears to be systemic with the Focus. The car is stranded in the path of oncoming cars and presents a danger to the public. Systemic issues across a large span of VIN numbers present a safety issue and a general public nuisance. Cars are stranded in intersections and places of business because of defective ignitions that are known to Ford. These issues are on blog sites in large numbers. I trust the transportation and safety board will recognize the significance of this problem. I am requesting an investigation that I am sure will reveal public safety concerns by the sheer number of incidents of this ignition failure.

- Moncks Corner, SC, USA

Put the key in ignition would not turn. Tried for over 2 hours. Had car towed to Ford dealer. Afterward saw online this problem happens alot on this model. This is a used car we bought for our daughter. She was stranded over 3 hours and 50 miles away. Ford knows of this problem and does not address it. This is unacceptable.

- Windermere, FL, USA