2000 FORD FOCUS Electrical Systemignition Problems

KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO IGNITION. CALLED EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE. THEY COULD NOT HELP. THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THEY WERE CONSIDERING A RECALL. WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REGISTERED AND THE NUMBER OF ISSUES ON THE INTERNET, I AM SURPRISED IT HAS NOT BEEN DONE. IGNITION ALREADY REPLACED ONCE. THIS IS STARTING TO GET TO BE RIDICULOUS. FINALLY TAPPED THE KEY IN THE CAR STARTS BUT THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH RESULTING IN A SECURITY PROBLEM. *JB

KEY WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION. I HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. *JB

KEY HARD TO INSERT INTO IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN. CAN NOT START THE CAR. ONLY 37,000 MILES. IF CAR STALLS ON A RAIL ROAD TRACK OR A BUSY INTERSECTION WILL BE DOOMED. THIS IS UNSAFE. *NLM

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE. CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. *JB

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS. I HAD MY IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED IN JUNE 2002. THEN ON MARCH 2, 2003 IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAVE SPENT NEARLY $600 ON THIS PART IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS AND I AM STILL PAYING FOR MY CAR. AN IGNITION SHOULD USUALLY OUT LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE I AM RECEIVING FROM FORD AND I KNOW THIS WILL BE A RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM. THEY ALSO HAD TO SHAVE MY KEY A LITTLE TO MAKE IT WORK BUT IT DOES NOT FEEL THE WAY IT USED TO AND IT REALLY BOTHERS ME BECAUSE I KNOW IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *JB

FORD IGNITION CYLINDER DEFECT. KEY WILL NOT INSERT ALL THE WAY, IT TAKES NUMEROUS TRIES, ONCE INSERTED WILL NOT ROTATE TO START POSITION. *JB

REPLACED IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER TWICE ON A 2000 FORD FOCUS. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THE STEERING WHEEL OCCASIONALLY LOCKS. HAVE AROUND 46338 MILES ON THE AUTOMOBILE. THE BILL WAS $215.52. PURCHASED THE AUTOMOBILE FROM TEAM FORD IN TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA. *NLM

THE VEHICLE DID NOT START, WHEN CONSUMER INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE. *JB

THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED TWICE, IT TOOK NUMEROUS TRIES BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED.*JB

2000 FOCUS WITH IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. CAR IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY (39000 MILES). FORD WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. ALSO FRONT SWAY BARS LOOSE.

IGNITION FAILED, HAD TO BE REPLACED, TIRES WEAR INCREDIBLY FAST (4 SETS OF TIRES AT 45000 MILES), RADIO CUT OUT, HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE, BRAKES FAILED AT LEAST THREE TIMES CAUSING TWO ACCIDENTS, DEALERSHIP SAID THEY REPLACED THEM, BUT LIED AND NEVER DID, WAS FORCED TO SPEND $500 HAVING THEM REPLACED, TRUNK DOESN'T CLOSE, BAD SUSPENSION, SPUN OUT ON AN EXIT RAMP

WENT TO NE FROM MN FOR XMAS. PARKED FOCUS IN PARKING GARAGE. CAME OUT ON XMAS EVE; PUT KEY IN IGNITION, WOULD NOT TURN. WHEN TRYING TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN; LOCKED UP. CALLED FORD MOTOR AND NONE OF THEIR SUGGESTIONS WORKED. HAD TO HAVE FOCUS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER TO REPAIR AND REKEY IGNITION CYLINDER. TOTAL COST $260+ (WHICH IS LOW FROM WHAT I HEAR). TOW DRIVER MENTIONED SOMETHING VERY FISHY,"I'VE TOWED MORE THAN 12 FOCUS'S AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAD THIS SAME IGNITION/KEY PROBLEM... ...FORD WONT RECALL UNTIL THIS IGNITION/KEY PROBLEM BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN SOMEONE FREEZES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE THEY CANNOT START THEIR CAR." INTERESTING. FORD MUST BE REQUIRED TO RECAL FOR THIS PROBLEM. ITS A TRAP FOR DEALERS TO MAKE MONEY OFF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FOLLOW UP!

THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN ONCE IN THE IGNITION AND WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION TUMBLER. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKES, TIRES AND RADIATOR DEFLECTOR. *NLM

CONSUMER WAS EXITING A PARKING GARAGE AND PLACED VEHICLE IN REVERSE. WITHOUT WARNING, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND REAR TAIL SPUN AROUND 2 TIMES THEN HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. CONSUMER DID APPLY BRAKES WITH NO SUCCESS. PH INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WERE TWO RECALLS THAT DEALT WITH A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE AND SPEED CONTROL WHICH WAS NOT PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDED WEEZING NOISE WHILE TURNING. POWER STEERING RACKED FAILED AND REPLACED. LACK OF POWER STEERING IN STEERING WHEEL. REAR BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT. REAR WHEEL BEARING NOISE. DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. TIRE PUNCTURED AND REPLACED. HESITATION ON ACCELERATION. FUEL PUMP AND GASKET REPLACED. TIRES ROTTED OUT. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. REPLACED MALFUNCTIONED SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. TRUNK LID WOULDN'T LATCH. LATCH REPLACED. *TT

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION.DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPAIRED, 14,000 MILES LATER PROBLEM REOCCURRED. PH

THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED IN PLACE IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, IN FACT, THEY TOLD ME WHAT KIND OF CAR I HAD BEFORE I TOLD THEM, AND THEY SAID THEY NO LONGER COME OUT ON THAT DEFECT. THEY SAID THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS AND THEY HAD MANY CALLS ON THE FORD FOCUS . I AM JUST OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD WHICH IS 36000. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS MY FAULT. I FEEL IT IS A DEFECT WITH THE PRODUCT. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS FOR WHICH FORD REFUSES TO OWN UP TO, AND I FEEL THE PUBLIC IS BEING SHAMMED WITH THEIR CLAIMS THAT THIS IS THE #1 CAR THEY SELL. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND I AM...

THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY CAR IS NOT WORKING. IF IT HAS TO BE REPLACED, IT WILL BE THE THIRD TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. WHICH WAS IN FEBUARY OF 2002. IF A LOCKSMITH SHOP CAN REPAIR THE PROBLEM, WHY IS IT THAT A FORD DEALERSHIP CAN'T?

1 WEEK AFTER PURCHASE TOOK IN FOR BRAKES AND ROTORS, 3 MONTHS LATER SAME THING, TWO MONTHS FOLLOWING IGNITION LOCKED ALONG WITH A/C NOT WORKING NEED ANOTHER LINING, RIGHT NOW IGNITION IS TRYING TO LOCK AGAIN NEEDS CALIPERS BRAKES ROTORS CAR IS STALLING MECHANIC JUST MADE ME AWARE THAT THE TWO TIRES ON THE RIGHT HAS FOUR LUG WHEELS TWO TIRES ON THE LEFT HAS FIVE LUG WHEELS. THE CAR SOUNDS HORRIBLE NO MONEY TO REPAIR ALL THESE PROBLEMS FELL LIKE I HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT EVEN DRIVABLE FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING OR DEALER STILL COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY I BELIEVE DEEP IN MY HEART THEY SOLD ME A LEMON I KNOW THERE'S NO WAY A CAR SHOULD HAVE FOUR, FIVE LUGS IT MEANS THAT THEY SALVAGE THE CAR THREW IT BACK TOGETHER AND HAD IT SITTING WAITING FOR THE FIRST SUCKER! ME BUT I'M GOING...

NO SUMMARY. DT

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE JUST LAST MONTH THE CABLE AND MOTOR IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WINDOW BURNED UP AND NOW WILL COST OVER $600. TO FIX I CAN NOT GET THE FRONT RACK & PINION FIXED BECAUSE IT WILL COST $1800.00. THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT NOW IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. I JUST GOT THE BRAKES REPAIRED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN MAY AND THEY ARE AGAIN SQUEAKING. I HAVE ALL OF MY RECEIPTS FOR WORK DONE TO THIS CAR. I AM NOW HAVING TO PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS ON THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL THE TIME, AND THE ELECTRIC INSTRUMENTS TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES. (RADIO) THE DRIVING LIGHTS GO OUT AT TIMES AND WILL NOT COME BACK ON. PLEASE HELP ME, I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND...

CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED.*YH

THE ENGINE ON MY FORD FOCUS HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING 4 SEPERATE TIMES SINCE PURCHASING IT 2 YEARS AGO, IT HAPPENS WHEN I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND PUSH IN THE CLUTCH WHILE TURNING. I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT YET ONLY BY PURE LUCK ON MY PART. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS MY IGNITION WENT BAD WHEN THE KEYING MECHANISM IN THE IGNITION LOCKED UP NOT ALLOWING MY KEY TO ENTER, AFTER TALKING TO THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER HE SAID THAT HE GETS CALL ALL THE TIME ABOUT FOCUS IGNITIONS GOING BAD. IT COST ME ALMOST $500 FOR THE TOW AND REPAIR WORK. DT

THIS CAR HAS MORE RECALLS THAN I EVER SEEN. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND GAVE ME SECOND DEGREE BURNS. THE BRAKES ARE SHOT AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH I ONLY HAVE 29,940 MILES. THE KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK EVEN THOUGH ITS BEEN FIXED 2 TIMES THE IGNITION LOCKED UP AND THEY CHANGE IT THE AIR CONDITIONER LEAKS BUT THEY SAY ITS FINE. MR

I SENT A FORM IN YESTERDAY BUT DID NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER. THIS CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW. MR

ON SUNDAY, 21 JULY 2002, THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY FOCUS WENT OUT. AT FIRST, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE LOCK, THEN IT WOULD NOT TURN. THIS RAISED THREE MAJOR CONCERNS: ONE IN THE MID 90'S, FORD US RECALLED OVER 8 MILLION CARS AND TRUCKS THAT HAD FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES. SOME OF THOSE DEFECTIVE SWITCHES RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRES. TWO ALTHOUGH I WASN'T MOVING WHEN THE DEFECT HAPPENED, WHAT IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING AND THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH HAD LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL OR LEFT ME STRANDED SOMEPLACE LESS SAFE THAN MY OWN DRIVEWAY? THREE MY FOCUS HAS BEEN RECALLED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE 27 MONTHS I'VE OWNED IT, AND THIS INCIDENT ADDS TO MY CONCERNS OVER THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY/RELIABILITY. DT

THE CONSUMER INSERTED THE KEY AND COULD NOT TURN THE KEY. WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN OR COME OUT. THE REASON WAS DUE TO THE TUMBLERS IN THE LOCK HAD DROPPED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *SCC *JB

ENTIRE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD PART XS4Z*11582*AA CYL ASSY STRG COL IGN LOCK. WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36K MILES - CAR IS ONLY 26 MONTHS OLD! MR

THE VEHICLE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO PARK. THE KEY WAS NOT COMING OUT WHEN IN PARK. THE DEALER SAID BECAUSE OF A SPILL ON THE SHIFTER IT CAUSE IT TO FAIL. WHILE I WAS AT THE DEALER ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP THREE TIMES, EACH TIME VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, BECAUSE IGNITION DOES NOT RECOGNIZE KEY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

UNABLE TO PUT KEY IN IGNITION. 2 DEALERS SAID ITS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. TOWED TO DEALER AND IT HAS TEAKEN 2.5 DAYS TO GET DONE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS. NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE IGNITION KEEPS LOCKING UP. *MR

CONSUMER HAS HARD TIME STARTING UP VEHICLE. *MR

IGNITION TUMBLER BREAKS AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. CAN NOT START CAR. HAPPENED AROUND 29,000 MILES FIRST TIME AND 60,000 MILES THE NEXT TIME. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING. GOING AROUND CORNERS AND UP HILLS IT IS LIKE THE CAR HAS RUN OUT OF GAS. YOU THEN SLOW DOWN AND IT WILL RETURN TO NORMAL. ALSO HAPPENS ON THE ON AND OFF RAMPS OF HIGHWAYS. VERY DANGEROUS.*AK

THE PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION HAPPEN TWICE A YEAR APART. I WAS NOT COMPENSATED FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANT; HOWEVER THE FORD RELATIOIN DEPARTMETN AND THE DEALERSHIP AGREED THAT THIS IS A DEFECT. I WAS COMPENSATED THE A YEAR AGO THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN. I AM REQUESTING THAT I BE REFUNDED THE AMONUT OF 368.65. THIS WAS THE FEE FOR THE REPAIR. I ALSO WANT FOR FORD TO BUY THE CAR BACK BECAUSE THERE ARE MANNY REPORTED DEFECTS.

WHEN I GET CLOSE TO 1/4 OF A TANK OF GASOLINE, MY CAR BEGINS TO DIE OR SPUTTER. IT HAS DIED SEVERAL TIMES AND WONT RESTART. THE OTHER DAY I WAS COMING OFF AN EXIT RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY AND IT DIED COMING AROUND THE SHARP TURN. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY SEVERAL CARS WHILE TRYING TO GET THE CAR STARTED LONG ENOUGH TO MOVE IT OFF THE RAMP. AFTER ABOUT 20 OR SO TIMES OF TURNING THE IGNITION AND GUNNING THE PEDAL, I GOT IT MOVED INTO A SAFE AREA OFF THE HIGHWAY. IT TOOK ABOUT 45 MINUTES AND A LOT OF CONK OUTS TO GET IT MOVED. I WAS STRANDED AND VERY ANGRY. I WAS EVEN MORE ANGRY WHEN I GOT HOME AND DID A LITTLE RESEARCH TO FIND THAT THIS SAME COMPLAINT HAS BEEN MADE TO FORD/NHTSA AND NEVER REPORTED TO THE PUBLIC. I HAVE HAD 6...

MANY, MANY PROBLEMS AND DEFECTS WITH THIS CAR...ALL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN TWICE AND STILL FAULTY. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED.*JG

WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED INTO IGNITION SWITCH IGNITION IT FAILED TO TURN. 0WNER INDICATED THAT SOMETIMES IGNITION WOULD TURN, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. OWNER WAS AWARE OF OTHER VEHICLES WITH SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK

ENGINE WILL CUT OUT WHEN ACCELERATING AND RPMS REACH APPROXIMATELY 3200. THIS PROBLEM OCURRED AFTER RECENT RECALL WORK TO REPLACE INJECTOR PRESSURE SENSOR. I DISCOVERED THAT IT IS PARTICULARY DANGEROUS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AND PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE ON TWO LANE ROAD ONLY TO HAVE YOUR ENGINE QUIT PROVIDING POWER.

VEHICLE CONSTANTLY STALLS. SOMETIMES SHE CANNOT TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. THEN, SOMETIMES CANNOT PUT KEY IN IGNITION. ALSO, FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE. WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE BEGINS TO VIBRATE.*AK

VEHICLE WOULD NTERMITTENTLY NOT RESTART WITHIN 10 MINUTES OR MORE AFTER TURNING OFF VEHICLE. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

SINCE PURCHASED. ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY CAR HAS STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. HERE IS A BRIEF RUNDOWN OF ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL PROBLEMS IVE HAD WITH THE CAR, WHICH INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:3 MONTHS: THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WENT OUT. THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED (2 TIMES). THE GAS GAUGE STUCK ON EMPTY (TWICE). I FELT A CONSTANT PULSATING ON THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT ALL NEW CARS HAVE THAT FOR UP TO 3 MONTHS WHILE THEY GET USED TO NEW CHEMICALS RUNNING THROUGH THEIR SYSTEM. NEARLY 2 YEARS LATER, THE PULSATING IS STILL THERE. THE CAR EXPLODED. I PARKED MY CAR ON A HILL, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP. THEN I HEARD SOME CLICKING AND A LARGE BOOM. I TURNED AROUND TO SEE SPARKS AND SMOKE POURING OUT OF MY HOOD, A HORRIBLE SMELL ENGULFED THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND MY CAR (WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP) WAS ROLLING...

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING MANY PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION, KEY WILL NOT TURN WHEN INSERTED IN IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION. *TT

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWO TIME ALREADY. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH ENGINE STALLING AND OTHER TROUBLING REPORTS.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THE IGNITION LOCK/SWITCH MECHANISM FAILED, CAUSING IGNITION KEY TO GET STUCK AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. *YD

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTED BLINKING. VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND ENGINE DIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THIS CAR HAS HAD 4 RECALLS SO FAR. IN ADDITION TO THE RECALLS I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THE GAS LIGHT FAILED TO TO WORK, THE IGNTION PART AFTER TURNING CAR OFF WOULD ACT LIKE THE KEY WAS STILL IN. THE BIGGEST COMPLAINT I HAVE IS THE BRAKES AT 9000 MILES I HAD IT IN TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND THEN 8000 MILES LATER MY ROTERS WENT BAD. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AT ALL.*AK

IGNITION FREEZES AFTER INSERTING KEY; AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT TURNS OVER. *AK

CAR STALLED. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP (APPLE FORD), REPLACED FUSE. STALLED AGAIN. THIS TIME ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACED. GAS GUAGE READ INACURATE. ANOTHER NEW FUEL SYSTEM. STILL READ INACURRATE. A NEW CONSOLE. STILL READS INACCURATE TO THIS DAY. JUST GAVE UP TRYING TO GET IT FIXED. *AK

ON TWO OCASIONS THE CAR STALLED WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION. CAR THEN RESTARTED AND CONTINUED ON. BOTH CAME WITHIN A WEEK OF EACH OTHER. REPORTING BECAUSE OF ARTICLE I SAW IN USA TODAY DATED 6-7-2002.*AK