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
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…
ODI 10358821
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Due to a failure of the power lock actuators in a 2000 ford focus se (s/w), the passenger door and the rear passenger door have jammed door locks. The doors can not be opened any longer by key, by inside door opening handle or by the remote fob. The consequences are that the only egress from the particular car is via the 2 driver side doors, making half of the car unusable. Passengers who should enter via the…
ODI 10251912
Electrical System
2000 ford focus- the ignition locked up, the car cannot be started, the steering wheel is locked and it cannot be put into gear. After looking on the internet, it is apparent that this is a wide spread problem with this year, make and model and ford is ignoring this and letting their customers pay for an obvious manufacturer defect. *tr
ODI 10251461
Electrical System
Ignition failure after replacing it roughly 1 year ago. 2nd ignition cylinder to be replaced in this car. *tr
ODI 10251223
Electrical System
There is no indication or warning to when this problem will occur--it is purely random. It has happened to my wife three times in the past year. When the key is put into the ignition, it will not turn. Thus, leaving the driver stranded. A locksmith had to be called to work on the ignition. Fortunately, this time she was stranded at church (the first time was at a shopping mall and the second at work). But, should…
ODI 10251007
Electrical System
My daughter went to drop off lunch to my other daughter and the ignition locked and the key wouldn't turn. According to clarence ditlow with auto safety .org this is the number 1 reported defect in the 2000-2003 ford focus, so why isn't ford recalling this vehicle problem??? My daughter called ford customer service about this issue and the rep told her that this is a problem that has been happening and that they…
ODI 10251203
Electrical System
I am writing regarding my 2000 ford focus zx3. I was left stranded in a town 50 miles from my hometown. The key went in and wouldn't turn. I had to have it towed 3 times to get it to a ford dealer ( who is the only one who could fix the problem). It cost me 380.52 to get the car fixed, in which 221 of that was just labor! But since they had to program the ignition, they were the only ones to do it. After researching…
ODI 10250982
Electrical System
After months of issues starting the car and the key not turning, the ignition now is completely locked. The key...both keys provided by the dealer at the time of purchase...will not turn the ignition. *tr
ODI 10250168
Electrical System
Starting 2 years ago rear hatch would intermittently unlock when brake pedal was depressed. Problem was worse in cold weather. Within last two weeks, rear brake lights no longer work when brake pedal is depressed, and the rear windshield wiper no longer functions. All symptoms point to a failure in the wiring harness leading from the car body to the rear hatch lid. Online forums of focus owners document broken…
ODI 10250355
Electrical System
Turning the key in the ignition has become more and more difficult. To where it has taken up to a half an hour to actually get it to turn. It is most certainly a safety concern where in there is the possibly of becoming stranded somewhere. *tr
ODI 10244453
Cables · Electrical System
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…
ODI 10286240
Electrical System
FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. *TR
ODI 10245616
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving approximately 15 mph, the contact smelled a burning odor in the vehicle. He pulled the vehicle over and opened the hood, but did not find any smoke. In addition, the coolant temperature was fine; however, he felt is was extremely hot under the hood. He entered the vehicle and noticed that the service engine light was illuminated on the instrument panel. He has not…
Fire reported
ODI 10240749
Electrical System
2000 ford focus, ignition cylinder locks up and cannot turn key to turn on car. I see that there has been a lot of reported incidents of the same. *tr
ODI 10240227
Electrical System
2000 ford focus the car was being driven and had just pulled into our neighborhood when the ac fan stopped running and i noticed the smell of smoke. The car was pulled over immediately and turned off. Smoke started pouring out from under the dash board and burst into flames. 911 was called the fire trucks came and put the fire out. The entire interior is gone while the engine and drive train are fine. The car is…
Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 10239134
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Mechanical
This will be our 5th ignition replacement since purchasing this car new in 2000. The first three were covered. Since we have to pay another 500 for this one we have been making due by leaving the key in and not completely turned off by just a hair. Or on the occasion we forget and take it out we have to beat it with the back of a screwdriver to get it to engage. This has caused me to get out and leave the car in…
Crash reported
ODI 10250185
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Exterior Lighting
00 ford focus taillights not working. Found that ford has a recall for the wire harness decklid. Took vehicle to a ford dealership was told that my vehicle is not part of the recall. I've numerous recalls on this vehicle already. Vehicle was overheating. Was told by ford dealership that needed a new radiator, cost me $800. When i picked up the vehicle it was still overheating, come to find out i only needed a new…
ODI 10245257
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact stated that the instrument panel lights illuminate intermittently. In addition, the speedometer does not work properly at times. The vehicle will idle roughly or fast and has to be shut off in order for the idling to stop. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 00v302000 (vehicle speed control:cables). The current mileage was 106,000 and failure…
ODI 10236976
Electrical System
I am experiencing what thousands of others have experienced with the 2000 ford focus. For the past year, we have intermittently had the ignition switch lock up, unable to turn the key and start the car. I have been stranded many times. My mechanic told me this is a overwhelmingly common problem with the 2000 focus and suggested tapping and banging on the ignition switch to get it to turn. This worked for about a…
ODI 10231931
Electrical System
Unable to turn ignition to start car with key, regular mechanic unable to fix problem, had to be sent to a ford dealer to replace the lock cylinder at a cost of 350.00. *tr
ODI 10226421
Electrical System · Mechanical
Well, basically, my ignition has gone out on my 2000 ford focus for the third time. I've gone on the web and have read the same problem happening to other people. The key will not turn the ignition and it will not start. I think this should be investigated due to a safety hazard. Imagine being in a remote location and being in need of medical attention and your car not starting? Imaging going hiking and twisting…
ODI 10226517
Electrical System
2000 ford focus ignition failure. Car ignition locked/froze up and i had to have the car towed and the ignition replaced at a cost of some $500. This is a widespread problem with the ford focus and ford refuses to reimburse me and has not addressed the problem with a recall. *tr
ODI 10225877
Driveline · Electrical System · Front · Wheels
2000 ford focus #1 car has been owned by me since 2001 (bought from a dealer with 13k miles on it), it gets used lightly and never goes on long trips. I use it just for local driving, to and from work. (about 5 miles a day, car has 80k miles on it) this car is a lemon! I have had some of the strangest problems and gone through more recalls then anyone should have to. #2 problems i'm having currently: suspension…
ODI 10228223
Cables · Electrical System
Smelled smoke coming from vehicle and upon exiting vehicle fire was coming from the underneath of the engine compartment. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10220004
Electrical System
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. In july of 2007, the door locks on the vehicle began to malfunction. The contact changed the fuse, but this did not correct the failure. The tail and brake lights also began to malfunction, followed by the rear hatch. The dealer advised him not to drive the vehicle because a fire had taken place in the wiring. The contact is currently awaiting the vehicle diagnosis. The current…
Fire reported
ODI 10205479
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2000 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.