1. Ford Focus
  2. Problems
  3. 2000
  4. Ignition

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

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
30–60k mi108
60–100k mi107
100–150k mi33
1–30k mi27
150–400k mi4

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • March 20, 2004 · 38,500 miles

    Ignition

    Ignition lock cylinder malfunction ford motor company is aware of faulty part. Locks up, you can not start vehicle. *ak

    ODI 10063606

  • March 1, 2004 · 34,000 miles

    Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mechanical

    Ignition cylinder froze on 2000 ford focus se requiring car to be towed to dealer to have lock cylinder replaced as the key could not be inserted into the lock. This was covered by warranty at the time. In december 2005, ignition would periodically freeze with key inserted requiring several attempts to turn the key to start the car. Car was taken to dealer on january 17, 2006 and cylinder has to be replaced again at…

    ODI 10147884

  • February 18, 2004 · 52,000 miles

    Electrical · Ignition

    We own a 2000 ford focus 4dr lx. On 2/18/2004 and again on 6/20/2004, we put a key in the ignition, and it would not turn at all. We tried everyting, including jiggling the steering wheel. The first time, we had three keys for the car and found that one worked, but the others didn't. It was under an extended warranty (not ford's), which covered replacement of the entire ignition assembly. It is now in the shop…

    ODI 10078542

  • February 13, 2004

    Ignition

    While driving vehicle stalled. Driver was able to restart vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. However, mechanic was not able to resolve the problem. *ak

    ODI 10059128

  • February 13, 2004 · 26,000 miles

    Ignition

    June 2003 & february 2004: ignition key would not turn ignition cylinder nor would the steering wheel unlock. Ford dealer stated they have contacted the manufacturer numerous times due to this problem occuring alot and the dealer stated that the manufacturer was not concerned and would not be doing anything about this. Dealership is standing behind initial repair in 2003 as starting date of 1 year warranty even…

    ODI 10058269

  • February 6, 2004

    Ignition

    The key would turn to the off position and the car wouldn't shut off. They replaced the ignition cylinder, but since it was fixed in february of 2004 it has since done the same things 2 more times. These 2 times, however, the car would turn off, but i couldn't get the key to go to the off position and i couldn't get the key out of the ignition. I took it to the dealership 2 times after they replaced the ignition…

    ODI 10102938

  • February 4, 2004 · 47,000 miles

    Electrical · Ignition

    I tried to start my car and the key would not turn. The ignition was locked. I tried several times and it would not turn. I read on a ford focus forum online that several other focus owners have experienced this same problem and one tow truck driver hit the key in the ignition to get it started. I had to result to doing the same and it worked. The other problem now is that my key is now stuck in the ignition and…

    ODI 10056520

  • February 3, 2004

    Ignition

    I was unable to insert the key into the ignition and therefore unable to start the vehicle. Neither of the two key i had would work. According to my limited web research, this is not an uncommon occurrence for ford focus owners. Unfortunately, no recall currently addresses this exceptionally inconvenient $400-$500 repair.

    ODI 10056885

  • February 1, 2004 · 15,000 miles

    Air Conditioner · Cables · Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Lugs/Nuts/Bolts · Pads · Rotor · Wiring

    While driving the dash light began to flicker then the vehicle shut down suddenly while in gear. *nm campaign id number : 00v411000. The consumer was told that the power cable to the battery was the result of the problem. Campaign id number : 02v288000. The consumer was told by the service department that this is a problem because the vehicle could explode. The warranty company turned the consumer down stating that…

    ODI 10101459

  • January 18, 2004

    Ignition

    Ingition stuck. Key will not go in fully. Steering wheel locked. The rarely used spare key doesn't work either. Dealer expects to have to replace cylinder. *ak

    ODI 10054601

  • January 12, 2004 · 46,000 miles

    Ignition

    IGNITION LOCKED UP, WILL NOT TURN. *AK

    ODI 10106239

  • January 9, 2004

    Ignition

    While driving 65 mph vehicle stalled. Driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic could not resolve the problem.*ak

    ODI 10053771

  • January 9, 2004 · 56,000 miles

    Ignition

    Ford focus 2000 zx3 ignition lock cylinder became jammed unexpectedly. Key enters lock but lock will not release, and so car will not start. Results in stranded motorist with no warning signs beforehand, hence safety issue. Requires either tow to repair shop or site visit from locksmith. Many references to this problem on the web, and every dealer or locksmith i contacted had seen this problem multiple times.*ak

    ODI 10053186

  • January 6, 2004

    Electrical · Ignition

    The ignition cylinder on my 2000 ford focus zx3 is a source of constant headaches. This is not a new problem to me...i've had my ignition cylinder replaced 4 times in 4 years on my car. It is always the same problem, and ford knows about the difficulty with this part....i am not the only focus owner with this problem. This part needs to be recalled.*ak

    ODI 10114062

  • January 4, 2004 · 37,826 miles

    Ignition

    Car would not accept key after turning off ignition. Had to have towed to ford dealership. They said ignition lock broke and replaced it car only had 39000 miles on it. 284.39 cost of replacement plus towing charges. *nm

    ODI 10093769

  • December 26, 2003 · 38,400 miles

    Ignition

    Went to start my car but the key would not go into ignition. I tried every possible way to get the key in. I ended up calling two dealerships who both said it was a common problem with the 2000 focus. When i spoke with the mechanic i asked if there was a recall he said he was very suprised that there hadn't been one. I also asked if the new cylinder would have the same problem he replied that it was an updated model…

    ODI 10052769

  • December 18, 2003

    12v/24v/48v Battery · Ignition

    We have had several problems with the car since we purchased it.our battery died at 25000 miles, had to be replaced no explanation given. The ignition tumbler had to be replaced be cause it broke, when i took it to the dealership they gave no explanation for it. *akalso we have had our brakes replaced twice within 1 year and need to have them done again(last done in july 2003).and we have been having a problem with…

    ODI 10050757

  • December 15, 2003

    Ignition

    IGNITION LOCK HAS BROKEN.*AK

    ODI 10049770

  • December 11, 2003

    Ignition

    200 ford focus zx3: ignition is locked in position. Key will not turn. Steering is locked up also. This has happend 2 times before. There is a website dedicated to addressing this issue. This needs to ba a recall because it is obviously a manufacturer defect that is affecting the ford focus. *ak

    ODI 10049620

  • December 3, 2003

    Ignition · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

    Ford focus 2000. Squeaky brakes, ignition problems - locked up -? Can't turn key. *la

    ODI 10049311

  • November 21, 2003

    Ignition

    Key stuck in the ignition and would not turn. I had a flat tire on the highway and i turned off the car to change the tire. When returning to the car to start the car the key would not turn. I had to pay for a tow truck and a ford dealer bill of over $250 to replace the entire ignition.

    ODI 10135219

  • November 18, 2003 · 65,000 miles

    Ignition

    Recently had to have ignition replaced by a locksmith. I could not place the key into the ignition. Something was wrong with the tumbler, i believe. The locksmith said this happened on several ford focus vehicles.*ak

    ODI 10050935

  • November 15, 2003 · 34,000 miles

    Ignition

    Last weekend after i parked my car i forgot to lock the doors after half hour i went out again and i could not even put the key into ignition i called ford dealer and they told me that i should try to move the steering wheel, so i tried many times, finally the key went in but it could not turn the key to start the car, nothing moves , no even the gearshift to shift to neutral and move the vehicle, so i went to the…

    ODI 10047341

  • November 15, 2003 · 43,000 miles

    Accelerator Pedal · Engine · Equipment · Front · Ignition · Power Window Devices And Controls · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

    Hi, i own a 2000 ford focus and it has been nothing but trouble. I purchased the car brand new in 2000 and have had it in the shop so many times. I have had my rear passenger side window mechanism replaced by ford, then personally replaced the driver front window mechanism and the driver back mechanism due to cable breaks. I have had it in with the radio 3 times and it still does not work correctly. I have had to…

    ODI 10047047

  • November 11, 2003

    Automatic Transmission · Ignition

    I purchased a ford focus wagon (2000) from rowan lincoln mercury in winter haven florida in november 2003. Since that time this "checked out" vehicle has had the following repairs: a new ignition lock (twice), a new battery, new spark plugs & wires, new vacuum hose, and new alternator. Now the transmission is going out on the vehicle. Do i have any recourse against the dealership for selling me an obviously messed…

    ODI 10100337

Catalog parts for this system

Catalog year/make/model rows for 2000 Ford Focus.

Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.