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.

  • December 9, 2005

    Ignition

    2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION PROBLEMS. *NM

    ODI 10145028

  • December 8, 2005

    Ignition

    The replacement of the ignition on my 2000 ford focus should have been a recall. It has left me stranded on various occasions. I had to pay over two hundred dollars to correct a manufacturer failure within the ignition. *jb

    ODI 10144748

  • December 6, 2005

    Ignition

    My ignition locked up and left me stranded for a few hours. I could barely put the key in, and when i did get it in, it would not turn. It caused me to miss 4 hours of work. I called a ford service technician, and he told me this is a common problem with the focus. How come there is not a recall. I have researched the issue, and it seems like everyone that owns a ford focus, has had this issue happen to them. *jb

    ODI 10144714

  • December 4, 2005 · 86,000 miles

    Ignition

    Ignition defect. Ignition mechanism failed - key will not turn move or engine over. *nm

    ODI 10144411

  • November 27, 2005

    Ignition

    I have a 2000 ford focus, and would like to make a complaint about the ignition switch locking up and preventing the car from turning on. I researched this, and it is a common problem among focus owners. Ford may say that this is not a safety concern, but being the father of a 3 month old baby, i strongly disagree. Luckily, the ignition locked up in our driveway. What if this were to happen in the middle of nowhere,…

    ODI 10143736

  • November 23, 2005 · 79,614 miles

    Ignition

    On occasion, ignition will not turn. Happens at least one to two times per month on the average. In august, could not start car for 4 days. Dealer says new ignition will cost around $300. *jb

    ODI 10143606

  • November 18, 2005

    Ignition

    Focus ignition locks up, contacted dealer about problem and they informed me this is a very common problem, ford knows about it but it is not a recall item. If ford is aware of a defect why is there no recall!! *jb

    ODI 10146728

  • November 15, 2005 · 59,000 miles

    Ignition

    I purchased a used 2000 ford focus from a private owner, 2 days ago i was on my way home after work, i put the key in and it would not turn and the steering wheel in completly locked up. I looked it up on the net and have come to the conclusion that this happens regularly. I called the dealer at friendly ford to ask him what was up and he said i was on my own. The cost is $400.i called the ford company to file a…

    ODI 10143051

  • October 30, 2005 · 69,000 miles

    Ignition

    Ignition switch failure in 2000 ford focus left me and my three children stranded in secluded area at dark. At this point nothing has been done to repair the problem although i have researched this issue and it is apparent that it seems to be a common problem for the ford focus. *nm

    ODI 10141245

  • October 28, 2005 · 60,000 miles

    Ignition

    2000 ford focus ignition cylinder would not turn when key was inserted. I had to have the car towed to a dealer, who charged $350 to drill out the cylinder and replace it with a new one. *nm

    ODI 10141292

  • October 25, 2005

    Ignition

    2000 ford focus ignition. Key starts to get stuck in ignition no warning ignition locks and car will not start. To fix the problem ignition gets drilled out and costs $175.31. This seems to be a national problem with the make, model and year of this car and should be recalled. *nm

    ODI 10140871

  • October 8, 2005 · 85,300 miles

    Ignition

    The ignition on my 2000 ford focus locked up. With some wd-40 and a few taps with a hammer, we were able to get the key to turn again, but i didn't take the key out of the ignition again for 2 days until i could get it replaced -- for fear i would get stranded somewhere again. After doing some online research i learned this is a common problem for other ford focus owners and wanted to report it with hopes that a…

    ODI 10139378

  • October 7, 2005 · 65,000 miles

    Ignition

    Ignition sticks. Won't let me turn key or sometimes even put key in ignition. *jb

    ODI 10140742

  • September 17, 2005

    Ignition

    2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SEIZED. *TS *JB

    ODI 10147513

  • September 15, 2005

    Ignition

    2000 ignition issue - i can place the key in the ignition, however i can not turn the vehicle over. I have been told that my ignition switch would have to be replaced at an overwhelming $350.00. Ford has been aware of this issue and has not done anything about it. *nm

    ODI 10138341

  • September 15, 2005

    Ignition

    Daughter was attempting to start her car and could not get the key to turn. After trying different keys. We called the ford dealer was informed that the key cylinder needed to be replaced. A little research into this shows this to be an ongoing problem with these cars. And at 400 a shot ford should show a profit. *jb

    ODI 10136651

  • September 9, 2005 · 83,451 miles

    Ignition · Master Cylinder · Sensor/Control Module

    Within two weeks of purchasing the 2000 ford focus the air bag sensor broke, the brakes began to squeal and less than a month later the ignition locked. The car cannot be started or moved due to the locked ignition. Nothing was done about the brakes. The airbag light was replaced at a cost to me of $280.27. The ignition has not been repaired or addressed by the dealer. *nm

    ODI 10137360

  • September 9, 2005 · 60,000 miles

    Ignition

    2000 ford focus zx3. Unable to insert key into ignition. Stranded far from home at night. Had to have the car towed to dealership and the ignition replaced. *nm

    ODI 10135957

  • August 30, 2005

    Ignition · Radiator Assembly

    I have a ford focus 2000, my complaint is i have put new parts on this car , a new engine, fuel pump, parts on the front end and a lot more. Plus making a car payment. When i take it to the ford shop i don't like the way i am treaded. I still have all my receipts for my car i feel ford should care about their cars and the buyers. *nm

    ODI 10134707

  • August 22, 2005 · 62,000 miles

    Ignition

    Car was starting & running fine ... Stopped by my mother's house; came out, placed key into ignition, key refused to turn. Tried all the regular tricks (turnign the wheel to the stops, pressing brake, cluthc, accelerator, etc. To no effect) called towing service - they could not make the key turn either and commented that this was "common" in ford focus. Towed vehicle to balise ford - agreed it's a common failure…

    ODI 10133897

  • August 20, 2005

    Equipment · Ignition

    The ignition of my 2000 ford focus i was stuck at dallas airport after a job interview for about three hours in 90 degree heat. It was repaired and locked up again this time in front of my hours. *nm

    ODI 10164103

  • August 18, 2005 · 68,180 miles

    Ignition

    My 2000 ford focus zx3 ignition system will not turn. I tried everything to get it fixed. Aaa sent a locksmith out and her told me that this is the 10th ford focus this week with the exact same problem. He said he has to replace the entire ignition system. He said he has done over 150 in the last year. I searched online an found over 5000 people with the exact same problem. I called ford and they acted as if they…

    ODI 10133406

  • August 16, 2005

    Ignition

    My car was not showing signs of any problems before the incident. My 2000 ford focus zx3 was parked in a local restaurant parking lot for about 3 hours. When i returned to my car, the key would not go into the ignition. We played with it enough to get it in half way and then the whole way, but the key will not turn. I called for a ride at 12:00am because a cop informed me it was most likely my tumbler or ignition…

    ODI 10133394

  • August 16, 2005 · 54,627 miles

    Ignition

    Ignition lock cylinder failure. I could not get the key to go in the ignition. After 1/2 hour of pushing, pulling, rocking, tilting, in out, back forth, i got the key in. Upon advice of my mechanic at woody sander ford in cincinnati, oh, i was told to leave the key in the ignition until i could deliver it to them for replacement. They say the problem is very common but ford won't recall because it isn't a safety…

    1 death

    ODI 10133330

  • August 15, 2005

    Ignition

    I have a 2000 ford focus and my key would not turn in the ignition. Needless to say i was stranded with the two preschool children at night. I took it to get it fixed and it is costing my $510 to fix the problem. *jb

    ODI 10133117

Catalog parts for this system

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

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