RoadVitals

2000 Ford Focus Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3,686
Latest Feb 5, 2024
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
367
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Oct 29, 1999

What this page shows

Our database holds 3,686 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Ford Focus. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 3,686 · page 1 of 148

Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 5, 2024

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power in the middle of the road. The contact allowed the vehicle to sit for several minutes and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed passenger’s side rear-wheel bearing, and a failed brake drum. The contact was informed that the passenger’s side rear-wheel bearing, and brake drum needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that within a week the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times, and two times the vehicle had to be towed. The contact stated that a local dealer owner went to the residence and inspected the vehicle. The contact was informed that the rear passenger’s side wheel had a lot of play. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 202,000.

NHTSA ID
11570096
Incident
Feb 13, 2023
Mileage
202,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Aug 20, 2021

I've been experiencing an electrical issue. I have lost power to my break lights completely. There was no warning lights or signs at all. I was pulled over and made aware by a police officer that my break light were out. I proceeded to try to replace the light itself which did not work, it only continues to blow the dust when I try. I had a mechanic inspect it and he told me there seems to be a short or possible broken wire somewhere in the wiring harness.

NHTSA ID
11429848
Incident
Jun 1, 2021
Filed Nov 6, 2020

WHEN IN IDLE, THE VEHICLE SHAKES, AND SOMETIMES STALLS. SOMETIMES I'M ABLE TO GET POWER BACK IN IT IF I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TAP THE GAS PEDAL.

NHTSA ID
11373508
Incident
Oct 1, 2020
Mileage
112,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2020

MY CAR IS STALLING ITS JUMPING WHEN I TAKE OFF. I GET STRANDED AT CONVIENT STORES, DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS. AFTER I GET IT UP TO 60 MPH ITS OK

NHTSA ID
11349061
Incident
Apr 12, 2015
Mileage
45 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 2, 2020

WHILE IN MOTION ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, DRIVING 70 MPH, MY 2000 FORD FOCUS (62,000 ORIG MILES) BEGAN DOWNSHIFTING; THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. REPLACEMENT OF THE NEUTRAL DRIVE SENSOR WAS COMPLETED. NOW, SIX MONTHS LATER SAME THING HAPPENING. DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH THE '00 FORD FOCUS BEGINS DOWNSHIFTING CAUSING A DECREASE IN SPEED AT AN ALARMING RATE, RPMS INCREASE, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE.

NHTSA ID
11306556
Incident
Apr 1, 2019
Mileage
70 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 27, 2020

2000 FORD FOCUS SE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *LD *JS *BF

NHTSA ID
11302010
Incident
Jan 27, 2020
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 17, 2020

WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THE WHOLE CAR JOLTS WHEN YOU GO OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR OF THE STEERING SHAKES I'VE ALREADY REPLACED THE SAFETY NEUTRAL SWITCH ON A TRANSMISSION NOW MY CAR WILL NOT START IT JUST MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AND WHEN IT DOES TURN OVER IT IMMEDIATELY STALLS OUT MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER ALSO LIT A SPARK IN THE BACK OF IT GO OFF AND THE BRAKES SOMETIMES HAVE GRATE BRAKES OTHER TINES I HAVE TO SLAM THE BRAKES DOWN TO GET ANY BRAKES.

NHTSA ID
11300181
Incident
Sep 26, 2019
Mileage
135,962 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 11, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARMS AND CRADLES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11267970
Incident
Oct 11, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Oct 18, 2018

THE REAR PASSENGER BEARING HAS FAILED ON MY VEHICLE. THE BEARINGS APPEAR TO BE RECALLED ON THE YEAR AND MAKE OF MY VEHICLE BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM. NHTSA CAMPAIGN #01I017000,

NHTSA ID
11141194
Incident
Oct 18, 2017
Mileage
145,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 18, 2018

THE REAR DOOR LATCHES ON MY CAR HAVE FAILED. THE CAR'S YEAR AND MAKE WAS RECALLED UNDER RECALL: 05S27, NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 05V030000 HOWEVER MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN. I NOW HAVE REAR DOORS TIED TOGETHER USING A ROPE.

NHTSA ID
11141190
Incident
Oct 10, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 26, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED COURTESY FORD LINCOLN OF ROME, INC. AT 888-258-1265 (LOCATED AT 101 US-411, ROME, GA 30161) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID
11113844
Incident
Apr 15, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
Filed Apr 20, 2017

KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION

NHTSA ID
10979464
Incident
Apr 11, 2017
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2017

2000 FORD FOCUS LX SEDAN - WELL MAINTAINED AND CARED FOR. AT APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES AND WITHOUT WARNING WENT TO START UP AND HEARD A LOUD BANG UNDER THE HOOD FOLLOWED BY A LOT OF METALLIC SOUND AND THEN STALLED. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART AND HEARD MORE METALLIC SOUND. TURNED OFF ENGINE HAD TOWED TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS IS #4 VALVE SEAT DROP FAILURE CAUSING EXTENSIVE SHRAPNEL DAMAGE. ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH SEE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE FOCUS SOHC 2L ENGINE VALVE SEAT DEFECT AND THEY WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ID
10970846
Incident
Apr 4, 2017
Mileage
58,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 16, 2016

WE PURCHASED A VEHICLE ON 09/03/2016 FROM GRASS VALLEY AUTO WHOLESALE BROKERS, GRASS VALLEY, CA. THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A TICKING NOISE AND SEEMED TO HAVE A POWER ISSUE, IT KEPT LOSING IT. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE LOT AND TOLD THEM. THEY SAID THEY HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND NOT TO WORRY. I DID. IT KEPT HAPPENING SPORADICALLY. I HAD A 3 MONTH/3K MILES WARRANTY. AFTER CALLING THE LOT AGAIN, I RELAYED THE SAME SYMPTOMS THE CAR WAS HAVING. I WANTED TO KNOW DID THEY THINK IF IT COULD BE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, COULD BE, WAS THE ANSWER I GOT.. IN NOVEMBER I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO JR'S TRANSMISSION, CAME RECOMMENDED. THEY SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION, IT WAS GOOD. IT WAS STILL HAPPENING. TWO DAYS AGO, COMING OFF A STOPLIGHT, I PUT THE GAS DOWN AND IT MADE A LOUD KNOCK . I HOBBLED TO THE CORNER, APPROX 100 YARDS. IT WAS TOWED TO THE AUTO LOT SUGGESTED MECHANIC, WHO PROBABLY WORKED ON THE VEHICLE IN THE BEGINNING. HE TOLD ME IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. WHEN I CALLED GRASS VALLEY WHOLESALE AUTO BROKERS, THE OWNERS SON, WHO IS ALSO A SALESMAN THERE, TOLD ME WE WILL WORK SOMETHING OUT. MAYBE MY DAD COULD TAKE CARE OF HALF OF (REFERRING TO THE ANTICIPATED COST OF REPAIRS). TODAY, THE OWNER WOULD NOT TALK TO ME, NOR ANSWER THE PHONE. I LEFT A MESSAGE WITH THE OWNERS SON. I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK. I SOUGHT OUT HELP TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE STRAIGHT AWAY FROM THE DEALER AND REPAIR BUT THE DEALER BRUSHED ME OFF. THAT WAS WHEN MY WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT. NOW IM TWO WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY SHOULD HAD CHECKED THE VEHICLE WHEN I HAD ORIGINALLY WANTED ANSWERS ABOUT WHAT WAS CAUSING IT. AS ACCORDING TO THE OWNER, HIS MECHANIC KNOWS HIS CARS INSIDE AND OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10935931
Incident
Dec 13, 2016
Mileage
146,000 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 14, 2016

THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER TURN IN THE IGNITION, LEAVING ME AND MY BABY NIECE STRANDED FAR AWAY FROM HOME. WE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN WE RETURNED, WE FOUND OURSELVES STRANDED, BECAUSE THE IGNITION LOCK COULD NO LONGER BE OPERATED. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS LOCKS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10935305
Incident
Dec 11, 2016
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 27, 2016

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE ONE AFTERNOON DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL ALMOST AS IF IT WERE OUT OF GAS BUT IT WASN'T. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO RIGHT HAND LANE AND INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER SITTING IN THE EMERGENCY LANE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES THE CAR STARTED. I BEGAN TO MAKE MY WAY BACK IN TRAFFIC WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE AND VEHICLE AGAIN STARTED TO STALL. I WAS TERRIFIED. I FINALLY MADE IT TO THE NEXT EXIT WHERE I LEFT THE CAR AND HAD A MECHANIC PICK IT UP. NO TROUBLE CODES WERE DETECTED. THIS WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING. IT SEEM TO GET A LOT WORSE DURING SUMMER MONTHS. I HAVE REPLACED SO MANY PARTS ON THIS CAR AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY NUMEROUS TECHNICIANS BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS WITH THE SAME YEAR,MAKE, AND MODEL BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR ISN'T LISTED IN THE RECALL. EVERY TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR I AM NERVOUS WRECK. HOPING AND PRAYING THAT I WILL MAKE IT SAFELY.

NHTSA ID
10928129
Incident
Jun 30, 2010
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10925063
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
109,000 mi
Filed Aug 18, 2016

TAKATA RECALL I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ALL DOOR AND TRUNK LATCHES. THE LEFT REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. THE RIGHT REAR DOOR WILL ONLY OPEN SOMETIMES FROM THE INSIDE BUT IT IS A STRUGGLE. THIS IS ALSO THE CASE WITH PASSENGER FRONT DOOR AND DRIVER DOOR. RECENTLY (4 DAYS AGO) THE DRIVER DOOR STARTED NOT OPENING. TRUNK WILL SOMETIMES OPEN WITH KEY AND WILL NOT SHUT ALL THE WAY.

NHTSA ID
10896803
Incident
Aug 15, 2016
Engine
Filed May 10, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE WHERE THE BATTERY WAS CONNECTED. AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HAD ITS BATTERY REPLACED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE BATTERY CABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10864169
Incident
May 8, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Filed Apr 29, 2016

THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAD TO BE TOWED.

NHTSA ID
10862213
Incident
Apr 28, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 6, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE COIL SPRINGS HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND DETERMINED THAT BOTH COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,604.

NHTSA ID
10853757
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Mileage
112,604 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, PARKED, AND THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V302000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10839189
Incident
Feb 26, 2016
Mileage
105,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 17, 2016

IN JULY 2015 I STARTED TO NOTICE A SMELL OF GAS WHENEVER I WAS OUTSIDE MY CAR WHETHER DRIVING OR NOT. I LIVE IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA WHERE THE SUMMER TEMPS ARE TYPICALLY OVER 100 DEGREES AND CAN GO AS HIGH AS 114 (OR MORE, ON RARE OCCASIONS). MY MECHANIC WENT OVER THE VEHICLE TWICE IN AUG AND SEPT. THEY PRESSURIZED THE FUEL SYSTEM AND DID NOT FIND ANY LEAKS. AS THE WEATHER COOLED IN WINTER THE SMELL WENT AWAY. IN JANUARY 2016 WE HAD AN UNUSUALLY HOT WEEK, AT FIRST I DID NOT USE THE AC. I NOTICED THAT THE GAS SMELL WAS BACK...BUT ONLY WHEN THE AC WAS NOT ON. IF THE AC IS ON I DO NOT SMELL GAS. DURING THE SUMMER I ONLY SMELLED THE GAS WHEN OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS YEAR I ALSO SMELL IT INSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. I HAVE LOOKED FOR RECALL INFO REGARDING THIS AND DO NOT FIND ANY.

NHTSA ID
10836789
Incident
Jul 1, 2015
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 27, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE FACILITY AND THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA ID
10786291
Incident
Sep 26, 2015
Mileage
24,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 19, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND HEAVY SMOKE APPEARED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND JUMPED OUT. THERE WERE FLAMES UNDER THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE ENGINE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

NHTSA ID
10783298
Incident
Oct 18, 2015
Mileage
160,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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