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
Ignition locked, was unable to insert key, after hour of trial. Key finally got into the ignition, but could not turn to any direction. Had to tow vehicle to dealership, let dealership fix it. Total cost was over $450. *ak
ODI 10047204
Electrical · Ignition
Ignition locked up. This is the second incident in 2.5 years. *la
ODI 10046752
Antilock · Fuel System, Gasoline · Ignition · Tires
Numerous problems with focus. Bought car in 2001. Since the day that i drove off the lot i had squeaky brakes. Took to servicer and was told dust on brakes & it was normal. After three attempts, they changed pads & rotors. Now i hear the squeak again. Car cut off while going up a hill. Was told by the servicer that it happened because the weather had recently gotten hot and it "shocked" the car. Key wouldn't enter…
ODI 10045994
Ignition
Technical bulletin no. 15421 my ignition switch failed, preventing me from being able to turn my key in the ignition. I had to call a locksmith who replaced the swith for $275. The locksmith said he had seen dozens of ford focuses with similar problems, something he blame on a defective set of tumblers within the switch.
ODI 10046762
Ignition · Latch
I had two problems occur concurrently on my 46,000 mile car--and the mechanics at the dealership i brought it to told me that they're seeing a large number of these same problems. 1) the ignition barrel goes stiff with little warning, and apparently leads to a jam, early in the useful life of the car. 2) the automatic door lock suddenly stops working, apparently due to the defective actuactor in one of the rear…
ODI 10045709
Ignition
Like many people who have sent complaints to this sight, i too have had several problems with my 2000 ford focus. The latest problem is what set me over the edge with ford though. I tried putting my key in the ignition to start my car today and it wouldn't go in. After several attempts, i gave up and called a towing company. Once i got my car to a ford service center, i learned that the tumbler was bad and the whole…
ODI 10045139
Ignition
We have had the ignition freeze up on us three times in the past two years, the last time being yesterday. The first happened when the car had approximately 25,000 mi. (i can't find the original receipts, but it is on file at harrold ford in sacramento, ca). The second occurred when the car had a little over 40,000 miles (november of 2002). Now the car has about 53,000 miles, and it has happened again. Each time, we…
ODI 10043559
Ignition
2000 ford focus zts: the ignition cylinder locked on my car and my key won't slide in. I am going to have to have the car towed and fixed to the tune of about $400. This is potentially a dangerous situation, and one that occurs frequently from what i've been reading. This could have happened at any time and in any place. I am 7 months pregnant...what if i had been stranded and needed to get to the hospital in an…
ODI 10043537
Ignition
The ignition/steering locked up in my ford focus station wagon. The car has only 18,000 miles on it; it is out of warranty; aaa and the towing people told me that this locking up of the ignition system in the 2000 ford focus is a frequent problem. The lady at aaa thought that there is a recall, but ford motor co. Said that there is no recall. The ignition lock and the keys had to be replaced at a cost of more than…
ODI 10043231
Ignition
Ignition-the key will not turn when entered into the ignition the cylinder needs to be replaced. When i contacted ford service deparment i was advised that this is a very common problem in these cars. Ford motor company denies to recognize this as recall which i believe they should since they are having so many of these problems with this car.*ak
ODI 10095761
Ignition
IGNITION LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
ODI 10042723
Ignition
Ignition core comes completely out when removing key. Difficult to correctly realign into steering column. Have read other complaints about same problem from multiple consumers. *jb
ODI 10041210
Ignition
Ignition would not turn so key is stuck inside. *la
ODI 10046873
Anti-Theft Device · Ignition
Consumer went out to start car and key would not turn, ignition was locked in place, it would not move. Also, steering wheel was locked. Consumer took vehicle to dealership, and they said they never heard off such occurrences. *ak
ODI 10039965
Ignition
Consumer states that she is having problems with her vehicle's ignition switch again. She states that last year this time the key would go in the ignition but it would not unlock and turn. The mechanic repaired it, she had another switch put in. This year the same thing is happening. The key will go in the ignition, but it will not turn the auto on. It is like the switch is frozen in place. Consumer states when she…
ODI 10039912
Ignition
My key got stuck in my ignition, but i finally got it out but then could not insert key. Had to get it towed and was told by tow driver that was his 4th pickup that week of the same type car and same problem. I had to get it fixed myself.*ak
ODI 10072612
Ignition
The consumer stated the dealer replaced the ignition switch. *jb the key would not turn in the ignition and as a result the driver was stranded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replaced the ignition cylinder. *ts *nlm
ODI 10038602
Cables · Ignition
Various problems involving 2000 ford focus.*mr recall campaign #02542 was issued for the vehicle in reference to defective battery cables. *cb
ODI 10046264
Ignition
Ignition locked up and won't start. Dealer stated this problem was common and consumer should contact a locksmith to remedy the problem. *ak
ODI 10037910
Ignition
When attempting to restart vehicle ignition locked without warning. Dealer notified. *ak
ODI 10034269
Ignition
Key had trouble going in to ignition switch, when key finally did go in, key will not turn. Car will not start. Car towed to dealer, tow truck driver said my car was 5 or 6th this week with same problem! Dealer informed problem was not under warranty and there was no recall for the problem. Total cost was almost $600 including tow bill!*ak
ODI 10054700
Ignition
My focus's ignition froze up and was unable to operate. The dealer said they had been replacing alot of ignition cylinders lately. The extended warranty i bought from ford did not cover the problem. Every other ford i have owned has had to have the ignition replaced as well.*ak
ODI 10050772
Ignition
2000 ford focus ignition locked up. Unable to turn key in the ignition, making it impossible to start the vehicle. This was the 4th occurrence of the same problem. Each time the car had to be towed to the dealership. Each time the cylinder had to be replaced. The third time it was done the service tech neglected to tighten the master nut on the steering column (which was replaced...too badly worn from removing the…
ODI 10074464
Ignition · Switch
The consumer was unable to start the vehicle because the key failed to go into the ignition. Dealership had to replaced the ignition cylinder. Also, the left turn signal did not cancel once the turn was complete. The dealership replaced the turn signal switch. *ak. The dome light failed to come when the door was opened, the dealer replaced a burned out bulb. *jb
ODI 10037785
Drum · Engine · Ignition · Pads · Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. · Rotor · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Steering
Constant squeaking noise when the brakes are applied. I've already replaced the rotors, brakes, brake pads, and drums on several occasions since buying this focus about 3 years ago. Also my steering wheel locked on me one day in april of 2002 the key would not fit into the ignition to start the car i have no idea why this would happen from one day to another. I had my vehicle towed to the ford dealership and they…
ODI 10030509
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2000 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.