2000 Ford Focus Electrical System Problems
- 157
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 157 stored complaint records:
- 5 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 19 indicate fire
- 1 indicate a death
What owners report
- Ignition · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 41 |
| 100–150k mi | 24 |
| 30–60k mi | 18 |
| 1–30k mi | 10 |
| 150–400k mi | 9 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Engine
2000 ford focus se. Consumer writes in regards to engine and electrical problems. *ld *js *bf
ODI 11302010
Electrical System · Equipment
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! *tr
ODI 10935305
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Vehicle Speed Control
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…
ODI 10716002
Electrical System
Tl* 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.
ODI 10650480
Electrical System
The key will not turn. The steering wheel and ignition are locked. *tr
ODI 10596505
Clutch Assembly · Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Fuel/Propulsion System · Latch
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…
ODI 10585519
Electrical System · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
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…
ODI 10621334
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Unknown Or Other
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…
ODI 10536860
Electrical System
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…
ODI 10493397
Electrical System
Tl* 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…
ODI 10486107
Electrical System · Tail Lights
Tl* 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…
ODI 10505391
Cables · Electrical System
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…
ODI 10465847
Electrical System · Ignition · Latch
Tl* 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.…
ODI 10463117
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
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. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10449286
Electrical System
Tl* 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.…
Fire reported
ODI 10448343
Electrical System
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…
ODI 10443934
Electrical System
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. *tr
ODI 10430907
Electrical System · Steering
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…
ODI 10432279
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Tl* 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*lj the consumer stated all of the doors…
ODI 10439445
Electrical System
Engine compartment fire extending into passenger area, fire had started in the area of the driver side headlight. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10410801
Electrical System
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. *tr
ODI 10407424
Electrical System
Tl* 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…
Fire reported
ODI 10421542
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
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…
ODI 10405304
Electrical System
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.…
ODI 10402669
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
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. *tr
ODI 10402292
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2000 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.