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.
Electrical · Engine · Ignition
Recently the vehicle started to idle erratically sometimes dying, i took it to the dealership and they told me the bosch platinum spark plugs were not compatible with ford vehicles and sold me new spark plugs. The problem seemed to go away but about 30 days later it started again. Frustrated with the dealers performance i checked the vehicle myself and found that the crankcase vent between the engine and firewall…
ODI 10182237
Ignition
I own a 2000 ford focus. I have recently been having problems with my ignition sticking and just today it completely locked up. I found on the internet where this has happened to hundreds of people. Is there any info regarding a recall on this problem?*jb
ODI 10156088
Ignition
Ignition lock failure (key could not be put into lock) due to ignition lock cylinder failure. This left car and driver in a dangerous situation where car was very difficult to retrieve by tow truck (turned-over front wheels locked, no steering possible). Repair is extremely expensive. Ford declined participation in repair cost. Many complaints about this problem can be found on the internet (for example,…
ODI 10168441
Ignition
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the engine, the key would not turn in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The dealer replaced the entire ignition cylinder and lock, a new key was provided. However, the problem has reoccurred.
ODI 10154838
Air Bags · Ignition
I purchased a ford focus 2003, the car had 18,000 miles. I paid pacific coast ford seven thousand dollars cash for the car, two day later i brought it back because the car just shut down while i was driving it. They ran tests told me nothing was wrong with the car. A couple of days later it was back for the same reason. Ultimately i had to bring it to lakewood transmission where after two attempts it was finally…
Crash reported
ODI 10157928
Ignition
I try to turn the key in the ignition and it will not turn. This has happened 3 times in the last 3 years. I also had to get it towed all 3 times to the dealer to be repaired. I have spent a little over $500 for these repairs. *nm
ODI 10154326
Ignition
Key and ignition cylinder on steering column getting hot. Ignition locked up for the second time. Repaired 1st time with motorcraft part. Also maybe not relevant but it's like there is no braking system without the key in the ignition. Upon loading car onto trailer, foot on brake took key out of ignition briefly and car rolled back missing ramps falling on end of trailer and damaged front bumper. *jb
ODI 10153602
Ignition
The ignition won't turn so the vehicle won't start. It left me stranded at work and now down to one car for me and my wife. We have not been able to repair it yet due to the cost of a replacement part and to get it towed to a service station. *nm
ODI 10152939
Ignition
I bought my ford focus with 19 miles on it in june of 2000 from the time i bought it i had issues with the key getting stuck in the ignition or failing to turn, or requiring excessive pressure to get it to turn. After many minutes of work i was generally able to force the ignition to turn. Eventually i could no longer force the system to work. I have asked several dealerships about this issue and they state it is a…
ODI 10152741
Ignition
Dt*: the contact stated when the key was inserted into the ignition assembly; the ignition tumbler fractured which prevented the engine from being started. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for replacement of the ignition. Afterwards, the same incident occurred and the vehicle was seen for another ignition replacement.
ODI 10155083
Ignition
On 2/27/06 i traveled 35 miles from tucson to green valley. There i stopped to get coffee. When i returned to the focus, i could not turn the ignition key. I was unable to contact a locksmith because it was a sunday. I had to spend the night in green valley. On the 27th i got a locksmith who worked on the ignition and could not get it to un-lock. I then had the car towed to jim click ford in green valley. As i was…
ODI 10155838
Ignition
I have a 2000 focus. The problem with this is car is that recently the ignition cylinder locked up. I have been reading on forums, and have talked to my mechanic about this, and they say that this is a common thing on ford focus models 2000 and 2001. Its incredible ford has not done a recall. I really need my car for work and other tasks i must do, but there's nothing i can do but wasted over 400 dollars to get it…
ODI 10151276
Ignition
1. I drove to a restaurant and turned off my car, which is a ford focus year 2000. Later when i came back to start my car i could not get the key all the way into the ignition. 2. I tried so many things to get my key into the ignition, but i had to leave it there overnight in the parking lot and then had it towed the next day. 3. At the moment i am looking into either a locksmith or seeing if such a replacement will…
ODI 10149502
Ignition
This is about my 2000 ford focus. 1. Key is fitted in to the ignition but will not start the car or come out of the ignition. 2. Consequences are that i was stranded until the tow truck came to haul the car away. 3. I new ignition had to be installed for $400. *nm
ODI 10160269
Ignition
Ignition will not turn. The vehicle must be towed and a new ignition cylinder installed before the vehicle can move. An internet search reveals that this is a very common problem with the ford focus. It is obviously very dangerous, especially in winter--people could be stranded in a dangerous location or exposed to extremes for a long period of time. *jb
ODI 10149333
Ignition
Put key into ignition but key will not move at all and vehicle will not start. *nm
ODI 10149098
Ignition
Key won't go into ignition all the way and will not allow me to turn my car on. Contacted ford and they are aware of the problem but it is not a safety hazard so it is not under a recall yet. So i will now have to have my car towed to the dealership and fixed out of my pocket. *nm
ODI 10179469
Ignition
The ignition lock set for my 2000 ford focus zts had to be replaced. It cost $315. *nm
ODI 10148110
Fuel Pump · Ignition
I bought my 2000 ford focus in october 2005; in january i had to have the ignition cylinder replaced. This was after i had to have the fuel pump replaced after it went out. I was at school in another county when the ignition locked up. I had to get the car towed to the local ford dealership to get it replaced along with another key. I did not think any thing about it until i found a receipt from the previous owner…
ODI 10160781
Ignition
Ignition lock failure. The first issue is that i tried to take the key out of the ignition and the entire ignition cylinder came out on the key. This happened several times randomly. The second issue is the failure for the key to turn in the ignition. It was initially an inconsistent problem that steadily got worse and worse until finally it just became a matter of chance and a battle of patience to get it started.…
ODI 10147659
Ignition
Ignition switch defective. The key wouldn't turn into the ignition lock. *nm
ODI 10146017
Ignition
Since i have owned the vehicle i have had problems with the ignition. It would stick after i had removed the key, and the chime would sound when i opened the door. Then starting about 2 or 3 weeks ago, my husband attempted to put the key in and it would not go into the ignition completely. He finally worked it in and we had trouble getting the key out and putting it back in since that day. The incident that happened…
ODI 10145278
Ignition
Key keeps getting stuck in ignition, now the key won't even go into the ignition, will have to replace (right before christmas!) the ignition switch for $400, plus towing costs. *nm
ODI 10145063
Ignition
I went to start my car and the key would not turn over. The ignition was locked up and nothing i did would release it. I try to move that steering wheel, step on the brakes, move the gear shift, nothing. It has done it before but i was able to get it to steering wheel to move and the car start. But not now. Now it is being tow to get it fix. I also have had problems with the radio not working because the front of…
ODI 10145059
Fuel System, Gasoline · Ignition · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Structure
Brakes will not work when car first driven in morning. Have to stand on the brakes to avoid hitting someone. Ford will not fix this. This car is extremely dangerous along with the water leak, bad ignition key tumbler and poor gas mileage. It has been rotten from the get go. Needs to be recalled! *nm
ODI 10145048
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2000 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.