2000 Ford Focus Ignition Problems
- 536
- 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 536 stored complaint records:
- 7 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 4 indicate fire
- 2 indicate a death
What owners report
- Switch · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 108 |
| 60–100k mi | 107 |
| 100–150k mi | 33 |
| 1–30k mi | 27 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Ignition
Ford focus 2000 ignition problems. First, the key would not insert fully into the ignition and would get stuck preventing it to turn. When the mechanic shook the key around a bit it would loosen up and would then insert fully allowing the car to be started. That was only a temporary solution. The second problem was when the key would insert fully but would not turn the ignition. After hearing that two of my friends…
ODI 10119859
Ignition
Frozen ignition lock, tumblers fall into lock space and prevent key from entering. *ak
ODI 10118003
Ignition
The ignition lock seized. Consumer put the key into the ignition but it would not turn over. The floor shifts was still in park. Consumer had the vehicle towed home because of this defect. *ak *bf *nm
ODI 10118882
Ignition
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact stated that when she tries to turn the key in the ignition it won't turn. She has to hit it with a mallet to get it to turn. The contact stated there are numerous complaints online about this failure. The manufacturer was contacted and they are aware of the failure but stated there is nothing they can do. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10356931
Ignition
I've had the car for over 3 years now and always had problems inserting the key into the ignition. One day, i drove the car to my friend's house and was ready to leave and inserted the key into the ignition. The key would not go into the ignition and therefore, i was unable to turn the key. The steering wheel was also locked. I had to call a locksmith and he had to drill into the ignition to remove it and replace it…
1 injury
ODI 10126278
Ignition
Ford focus ignition locks fail at very high rates. Our's failed for the third time this week, stranding us and requiring a tow. Our ford dealer again charged us more than $300.*ak the web is full of reports of these failures. Search google: ford focus ignition lock
ODI 10114281
Ignition
Ignition in 2000 ford focus has failed. We started to experience problems with turn the key--we often experienced problems with turning the key to on position. The problem has now progressed and we are unable to even turn the car on at all. We are told that the ignition will have to be replaced. We contacted the local ford dealership and we were told by their service department that they have seen this problem…
ODI 10114619
Ignition
I parked my car one night, nothing unusual, no previous difficulties with the ignition. The next day i get in and can not insert key fully into the ignition. After jiggling it around, i could finally fully insert key but am unable to turn it to start the vehicle. *ak although no injury occured, this is an expensive repair (over $300 in addition to the towing fees). I have found numerous complaints of the same…
ODI 10112666
Ignition
Without warning or prior problems and while parked, the ignition and steering column locked up. I was not able to turn the key nor the steering wheel. All attempts to do so failed. Had vehicle towed to ford dealership where the old ignition was drilled and a new one isntalled. The service manager comfirmed that this is a known issue with the ford focus.*ak
ODI 10112764
Ignition
'recall campaign' ford focus 2000, has had 6 recalls. *bf the tumbler in the ignition failed. *jb
ODI 10117167
Ignition
My 2000 ford focus was working fine. About 5 minutes after parking the car, i returned to the car to start it up, and my key, which had just worked fine, would not start the car. The steering column and the ignition were locked. My key would no longer go all the way into the ignition cylinder, which seemed to be jammed in some way. I called aaa, who said they see this all the time in the ford focus. They banged on…
ODI 10112227
Ignition · Lock
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. When the key was placed in the ignition, it would not turn at all. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the ignition was replaced. The cause of the malfunction was unknown. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was experiencing difficulty starting and the key had to be turned several times. The trunk lock failed and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 70,000 and…
ODI 10210813
Ignition
1) no known events lead up to the failure. 2) when heading to work in the morning one day, i had difficulty inserting the key into the ignition. Once i got the key in the ignition, it would not unlock. I could not start my car and could not get to work 3) we had to pay $70 to have the vehicle towed to the nearest ford dealership in buffalo, mn. We then had to pay them to drill out ignition cylinder and remove it.…
ODI 10131501
Ignition
Ignition randomly locked up. I had some problems while driving. After i parked and turned off the car, removed the key, i could no longer turn the ignition cylinder with the key. Had to replace ignition cylinder and key for a cost of $350. I have read many complaints of similar happenings by other focus owners. Also received anecdotal evidence from tow truck driver and mechanic of frequency of this occurring with…
ODI 10112097
Ignition
Key goes in ignition, but won't turn. Requires wiggling and multiple tries to get car to turn over and start. Common problem on ford focuses. Making appointment to have ignition replaced.
ODI 10111899
Ignition
2000 ford focus - key will not go into ignition and start car
ODI 10116160
Ignition
I parked my car. Upon coming back to the car the key would not work in the ignition at all. The dealer indicated that the tumbler mechanism failed and that this is a common defect. My car is a stick shift, and if i stalled the car in traffic and the ignition switch failed that time, i would have been put in a very dangerous situation.*ak
ODI 10110618
Ignition
Ignition lock failure on my 2000 ford focus. This i am told is a major problem by the dealer and aaa. Please help. Ford needs to recall these vehicles. Thank you. *jb cindy drohan
ODI 10110159
Ignition · Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
1- this specific failure, there were no events leading to it, it just happened. The ignition switch just locked. Previously there were little events with the car leading up to its failure. 2- it stalled and wouldn't start, fuel wasn't getting to the engine and would lead to power failure. 3- after repeated trips to the garage and told there was nothing wrong with it. They did replace the plugs and wires and fuel…
ODI 10110078
Ignition
About 8 months ago i purchased a 2000 ford focus. This past weekend my steering wheel locked up. I couldn't even get the key all the way into the ignition. I tried several times to start the car to no avail. I went online to find out if there were any other techniques i could try and came across several websites with disgruntled consumers who are also owners of the ford focus. They all are experiencing the same…
ODI 10110014
Ignition
(1) i parked my 2000 ford focus on a hill with the wheels turned (2) the key ignition would not turn even after playing around with it for 4 hours! I had to leave my vehicle behind. There was no advance signs that this problem was about to occur. While this is not a moving safety issue, this can be a very serious problem since it can strand you without any warning in an unsafe area. (i carry spare gas, jumper…
ODI 10109975
Ignition · Switch
Steering wheel ignition locks and will not allow the key to turn and start the car. *ak
ODI 10108350
Ignition
Key will not turn the ingintion switch on, and sometimes can barely be removed from switch.*ak
ODI 10108294
Equipment · Ignition
There is no event leading up to failure that was recognizable. When you put key in the ignition, it seizes and will not turn to start the car. This has happened to me twice now!! In a year and a half. The first time it occurred was 6-27-03 and i had it fixed. The tumbler and ignition switch had to be replaced. I thought it may be a one off--i had bought the car used from the dealership. However, this has now occured…
ODI 10107933
Ignition
At 9:00 am my wife drove to work and parked her car in the employee parking lot. At approximately 6:00 pm when she was leaving the office, she was not able to get the key to go into the ignition switch. She was stranded. When i arrived at her office about 6:45 pm, i tried but was also unable to get the key into the ignition. On 1/22/05 8:00 am i called our local ford dealer who said to try some wd-40. If that…
ODI 10107817
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2000 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.