2000 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 3,738 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2000 reports, 252 involved a crash and 127 involved a fire. 158 people were injured and 9 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EquipmentFeb 24, 2012
RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2000 THROUGH 2005 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NUT WITHOUT THE NECESSARY WASHER. THE ABSENCE OF THE WASHER CAN ALLOW THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLY TO PULL APART THE TOP MOUNT.
IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903.
Campaign 12E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchFeb 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 05V030000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineNov 19, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.
THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 03V482000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, linkagesNov 6, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE PINCH BOLTS THAT SECURE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
LOOSE PINCH BOLTS COULD EXHIBIT NOISE, VIBRATION AND, IN EXTREME CASES IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, SEPARATION OF THE JOINT OR FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLE PINCH BOLT FOR TIGHTNESS AND CORRECT AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 02V289000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v battery, cablesNov 6, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ZETEC ENGINES, LOOSE OR BROKEN ATTACHMENTS AND MISROUTED BATTERY CABLES COULD LEAD TO CABLE INSULATION DAMAGE.
THIS, IN TURN, COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY CABLES TO SHORT RESULTING IN HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CABLES. BESIDES HEAT DAMAGE, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO START, OR SMOKE, MELTING, OR FIRE COULD ALSO OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLES FOR THE CONDITION OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND PROPER TIGHTENING OF THE TERMINAL ENDS. AS NECESSARY, CABLES WILL BE REROUTED, RETAINING CLIPS INSTALLED, AND DAMAGED BATTERY CABLES REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 02V288000 on NHTSA.gov
Wheels, lugs/nuts/bolts/studsNov 29, 2001
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2000-2001 FORD FOCUS PASSENGER VEHICLES, ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIOM, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. IN HIGH CORROSION AREAS, WHERE SALT IS USED ON ROADWAYS IN THE WINTER, THE REAR WHEEL BEARING SEAL RACE CAN EXPERIENCE SURFACE CORROSION. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE WHEEL BEARING SEALS COULD BECOME DAMAGED AND ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE WHEEL BEARINGS.
THE WHEEL BEARINGS COULD PREMATURELY WEAR AND CAUSE A NOTICEABLE NOISE. IF NOT REPAIRED, THIS CONDITION COULD PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE WHEEL BEGINS TO WOBBLE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. ADDITIONAL BEARING SEALS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED TO ENSURE A SMOOTH RIDE. THIS PROGRAM WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2002, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. EVEN IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN SERVICED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 00S31, FORD HAS TAKEN ADDITIONAL STEPS TO KEEP THE WHEEL BEARINGS IN TOP SHAPE. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.
Campaign 01I017000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshield wiper/washer, motorAug 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.
LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 01V258000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, reclinerDec 14, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS AND 3-DOOR VEHICLES. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A FOLDING 60/40 SECOND SEAT THAT BECOMES A LOAD FLOOR IN THE FOLDED POSITION. WHEN THE 60% PORTION OF THE SEAT IS FOLDED DOWN AND A LOAD IS APPLIED TO THE FRONT EDGE OF THE LOAD FLOOR, THE OUTBOARD HINGE PIVOT COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE HINGE.
IF THE SEAT IS THEN RETURNED TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT RE-ENGAGING THE HINGE PIVOT, THE SEAT AND SEAT BELTS MAY NOT PROVIDE THE INTENDED LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED SEAT BACK HINGE PIVOT.
Campaign 00V418000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringDec 6, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DECKLID WIRE HARNESS CAN FATIGUE AND DEVELOP BROKEN WIRES IN THE BEND AREA OF THE WIRE HARNESS.
THIS COULD RESULT IN EITHER A LOSS OF INDIVIDUAL LAMP FUNCTIONS, OR IN THE CASE OF A SHORT OF THE BROKEN WIRES THAT CAUSES A FUSE TO OPEN, IN THE LOSS OF STOP LAMP OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION. LOSS OF STOP LAMP OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DECKLID WIRE HARNESS.
Campaign 00V411000 on NHTSA.gov
Wheels, lugs/nuts/bolts/studsOct 12, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR WHEEL HUB RETAINING NUTS CAN LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AND BRAKE DRUM ASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND INSTALL A REAR WHEEL RETENTION CAP TO PREVENT LEFT REAR WHEEL SEPARATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 12, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 00V303000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, cablesOct 12, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. A SPEED CONTROL CABLE COULD HAVE A CORE WIRE THAT IS LONG ENOUGH TO CATCH ON THE SLEEVE AT THE THROTTLE BODY END OF THE CABLE DURING WIDE-OPEN THROTTLE ACCELERATION.
A THROTTLE THAT DOES NOT RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED VEHICLE CONTROL AND, POTENTIALLY, A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 12, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 00V302000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, frame and membersAug 11, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE RESULTANT HIC(D) VALUE AT ONE TARGET LOCATION AP1, LOCATED ON THE TRIM PANEL AT THE JUNCTURE OF THE A-PILLAR AND ROOF SIDE RAIL, MAY BE GREATER THAN DESIGN INTENT.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT CONTACTING THAT LOCATION MAY NOT BE PROVIDED THE INTERIOR IMPACT PROTECTION INTENDED.
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE B-PILLAR AND A-PILLAR TRIM PANELS, REVISE THE HEADLINER EDGE NEAR THE TOPS OF THE A-PILLARS TO ACCEPT THE NEW A-PILLAR TRIM PANELS WITH THEIR ENERGY ABSORBING TUBES, AND INSTALL THE NEW A-PILLAR AND THE OLD B-PILLAR TRIM PANELS.
Campaign 00V218000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed controlDec 3, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL. THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE END FITTING CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO ASSEMBLY. IF THIS OCCURS, CORROSION IN THE SERVO ASSEMBLY COULD DEVELOP AND CAUSE INTERMITTENT SPEED CONTROL OPERATION OR PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.
A THROTTLE THAT DOES NOT RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE (WITH A NEW CABLE THAT INCORPORATES A GLASS-FILLED END CAP) AND INSPECT THE ASSEMBLY FOR INTERNAL CORROSION. SERVOS WITH EVIDENCE OF CORROSION WILL ALSO BE REPLACED. OWNERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE THE SPEED CONTROL UNTIL THE VEHICLES ARE REPAIRED.
Campaign 99V346000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
1,346 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Wheels, May 19, 2008
2000 FORD FOCUS #1 CAR HAS BEEN OWNED BY ME SINCE 2001 (BOUGHT FROM A DEALER WITH 13K MILES ON IT), IT GETS USED LIGHTLY AND NEVER GOES ON LONG TRIPS. I USE IT JUST FOR LOCAL DRIVING, TO AND FROM WORK. (ABOUT 5 MILES A DAY, CAR HAS 80K MILES ON IT) THIS CAR IS A LEMON! I HAVE HAD SOME OF THE STRANGEST PROBLEMS AND GONE THROUGH MORE RECALLS THEN ANYONE SHOULD HAVE TO. #2 PROBLEMS I'M HAVING CURRENTLY: SUSPENSION CAR'S FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING HAS BROKEN, MAKES VERY LOUD CRUNCHING NOISES WHEN TURNING, NEEDS REPAIR. ELECTRICAL CAR HAS SMELLED OF BURNING RUBBER, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS STARTED SMOKING ON MORE THEN ONE OCCASION, HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO GOING UP IN FLAMES. TURNING THE CAR OFF THEN DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY TERMINAL CURES THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. WAS ALSO TOLD BY LOCAL MECHANIC FRONT AXLES ARE BAD, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON BUT DO NOT KNOW MUCH MORE ABOUT IT. PROBLEMS I'VE HAD: FUEL PUMP RECALL, DOOR LATCH RECALL, AND BATTERY CABLE RECALL. HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BEARINGS OF THE CAR, PAID OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THOSE, BECAUSE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THEM. AFTER READING NHTSA CAMPAIGN #01I017000 I HAVE SINCE LEARNED OTHERWISE. #3 ALL THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING WITH THE CAR CURRENTLY ARE NOT FIXED. ALL THE OTHER ONES WERE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. THE FRONT SPRING IS STILL AVAILABLE AS IS STILL ON THE CAR, AND HE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS STILL INTACT. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE SPRING SOON BUT I'LL HOLD ON TO IT. THE SAME GOES FOR THE FRONT AXLE'S. *TR
Electrical system, May 15, 2008
I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS . I AMONG SEVERAL CO-WORKERS WHO CAR POOL BECAME STRANDED DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE KEY LOCK IGNITION SWITCH. THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN. MY KIDS HAD TO SIT AFTER SCHOOL FOR 2 1/2 HOURS TILL I COULD PICK THEM UP IN ANOTHER VEHICLE ONCE I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED. ADDITIONALLY MY CO-WORKERS WERE DELAYED TO THEIR FAMILIES AND SEVERAL OF THEIR CHILDREN MISSED IMPORTANT AFTER SCHOOLS ACTIVITIES. IN REVIEW OF OTHER TESTIMONIALS ONLINE THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THIS FORD VEHICLE AND APPEARS TO BE ITS NUMBER 1 COMPLAINT IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION..IF THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE FORD SHOULD FIX THIS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER..SO NOW I TOW IT TO THEM SO THEY CAN REPLACE WITH ANOTHER FAILING PART FOR 500.00...IT'S NOT RIGHT..IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY KIDS WERE LEFT UN ATTENDED FOR 2 1/2 HOURS. *TR
Electrical system, May 7, 2008
2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY STUCK. VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *TR
Electrical system, May 5, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION PIN INSIDE THE IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED. HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL OR MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED TWO YEARS AGO. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE BECAUSE THE WORK THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY DONE WAS ONLY FOR A YEAR. THEY ARE NOW CHARGING THE CONTACT THE SAME PRICE FOR THE REPAIR, BUT HE REFUSES TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Electrical system, May 3, 2008
KEY WONT TURN IN IGNITION. ITS LOCKED UP PUT KEY IN AND TRIED TO TURN WITH NO LUCK. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, May 2, 2008
WELL, BASICALLY, MY IGNITION HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS FOR THE THIRD TIME. I'VE GONE ON THE WEB AND HAVE READ THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION AND IT WILL NOT START. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED DUE TO A SAFETY HAZARD. IMAGINE BEING IN A REMOTE LOCATION AND BEING IN NEED OF MEDICAL ATTENTION AND YOUR CAR NOT STARTING? IMAGING GOING HIKING AND TWISTING YOUR ANKLE, AFTER SUFFERING THROUGH AGONIZING PAIN, YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE TO SUFFER MUCH LONGER BECAUSE YOU CAN'T TURN THE KEY IN YOU IGNITION. I'VE NEVER HAD TO EXPERIENCE ANY OF THESE SITUATIONS, BUT I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY THIRD IGNITION FAILURE. THE FIRST TWO WERE $300 EACH, AND I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $600?? PRICE GOUGING IN OUR TIME OF HIGH GASOLINE COSTS?? I BELIEVE THESE FAULTY PARTS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Electrical system, May 1, 2008
UNABLE TO TURN IGNITION TO START CAR WITH KEY, REGULAR MECHANIC UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM, HAD TO BE SENT TO A FORD DEALER TO REPLACE THE LOCK CYLINDER AT A COST OF 350.00. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2008
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION IN MY CAR 3 TIMES....EVERY YEAR AT THE EXACT SAME TIME ITS GOES OUT....I THINK EVERYBODY WITH A FOCUS IS TIRED OF PAYING TONS OF MONEY TO GET THIS FIXED WHEN ITS NOT EVEN OUR FAULT.....SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE, THIS HAS TO B MAD INTO A RECALL.... *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 28, 2008
IGNITION LOCKS UP AND KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOCKED. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2008
THERE WAS NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. ON 4/26/08 I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS TO START IT, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM, WHICH ID A COMMON PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE FIXED "TOO MANY OF THESE IGNITION PROBLEMS TO COUNT". HOWEVER THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE WOULD NOT DO A "GOODWILL REPAIR". SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE OR WHO WHERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THEIR FORD FOCUSES. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE ARE THAT IT HAS COST ME MY JOB, AND MY FIANCE HER JOB, AMOUNTING TO APPROXIMATELY 52 THOUSAND DOLLARS YEARLY IN INCOME. I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY KIND OF REPAIR ACTION TO REMEDY THIS AS OF YET, AS IT COSTS 400-500 DOLLARS WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2008
2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION FAILURE. CAR IGNITION LOCKED/FROZE UP AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND THE IGNITION REPLACED AT A COST OF SOME $500. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS AND FORD REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ME AND HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM WITH A RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 27, 2008
00 FORD FOCUS SE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION WIFE WAS ON HER WAY HOME FROM WORK STOP FOR GAS GOT INTO THE CAR KEY WILL NOT TURN $200.00 TO FIX. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 13, 2008
MY IGNITION ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WONT TURN. I HAD TO FORCE THE KEY IN AND HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SO I CAN START MY CAR. CALLED FORD THEY WERE NO HELP AT ALL. FOR FEAR OF MY CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO START I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THERE AND KEEP A SPARE KEY ON ME SO I CAN LOCK THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 9, 2008, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. HE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED TWO WIRES WERE MELTED IN THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE ORIGINATED FROM THE REAR DECK LID. TWO WIRES WERE FUSED TOGETHER DUE TO FATIGUE, ONE WIRE BEING 7.5 AMPS AND THE OTHER BEING 15 AMPS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V411000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,679 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,670.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 3, 2008
1. THERE WERE TWO INSTANCES OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS WHERE MY CAR WOULDN'T START INITIALLY AND IT TOOK 15 MINUTES TO FINALLY BE ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. 2. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY CAR WHICH IS A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I HAD MAY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WITH ME AND WHEN WE WENT TO LEAVE MY IGNITION LOCKED UP. AFTER AN HOUR I HAD TO CALL SOMEONE TO COME GET MY DAUGHTER AS IT WAS 9PM AND SHE HAD SCHOOL IN THE MORNING. I HAD SOMEONE ELSE COME BY TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX IT BUT THAT WAS TO NO AVAIL. FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 3 HOURS TOTAL I HAD TO CALL A FOR A TOW BACK TO MY HOUSE AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT EVEN ROLL THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY BECAUSE I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL TO GET AROUND THE GAS PUMPS. I SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE ABOUT A RECALL DUE TO THIS CARS HISTORY AND TO MY AMAZEMENT I FOUND WEB FORUM AFTER WEB FORUM OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SEARCH THE WEB FOR "FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK" AND YOU'LL SEE WHAT I MEAN. THIS IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE AND CAN BE POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. BEING STUCK AND UNABLE TO PUT YOUR CAR IN NEUTRAL AND MOVE IT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND OUT OF THE WAY, BEING STUCK IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS...POSSIBLY WITH A CHILD OR EVEN JUST BEING STUCK FOR HOURS AT A TIME. I READ ON INSTANCE WERE A WOMEN WASN'T ABLE TO GET TOWED FOR 6 HOURS AND READ ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A MAN WHO HAD RENTED A FOCUS ONLY TO HAVE IT LOCK UP WHILE AT A REST AREA ON THE HIGHWAY. IT APPEARS THAT FORD IS SIMPLY IGNORING THIS FAULT AND IT'S COSTING PEOPLE $400-$500 EVERY OCCURRENCE. SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED 3 TIMES OR MORE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND TRY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IT HAS BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE. 3. I HAVE GET THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER TO PAY THE $400 TO HAVE IT FIXED AND HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN OR I CAN FIND A LOCKSMITH WHO CAN COME TO MY HOUSE, DRILL OUT THE IGNITION AND REPLACE IT WHICH IS CHEAPER THAN THE DEALERSHIP BUT NOT BY MUCH. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 1, 2008
MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAD A KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS CAUSED ME TO DRIVE A CAR WITH A KEY THAT WOULD NOT COME OUT CAUSING A THEFT ISSUE AS I LIVE IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. THERE WAS FEAR OF GOING OUT TO START MY CAR AND HAVING IT BREAK OR NOT TURN LEAVING ME STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FORD WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM FOR LESS THEN $500 WHICH IS A TOTAL JOKE AS THIS IS A FAULTY PART THAT THEY PUT IN THE CAR. I HAD TO PAY $385 DOLLARS TO HAVE A GOOD LOCKSMITH REPLACE THE PART FOR ME. FORD SHOULD BACK UP THE PRODUCT THAT MAKE AND SHOULD PAY BACK ANY FOCUS OWNER THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WILL NOT SUPPORT A COMPANY THAT WILL NOT SUPPORT THEIR OWN PRODUCT. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 23, 2008
KEY IGNITION SWITCH BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS. FIRST THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION ONE DAY. IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY ONE HAD TO PUSH THE CYLINDER IN WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PULLING THE KEY. IT SEEMED STRANGE AT THE TIME THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN OUT OF THE BLUE ONE DAY, BUT THE NEW METHOD OF REMOVING THE KEY WORKED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR LEAVING MY WIFE STRANDED OUT LATE ONE NIGHT. LUCKILY, HER FRIEND WHO ALSO OWNED A FORD MUSTANG, WAS WITH HER AND HAD EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH HER CAR. THEY WERE ABLE TO START THE CAR BUY SIMULTANEOUSLY PUSHING IN THE CYLINDER WHILE TURNING THE KEY AND IT STARTED. AGAIN STRANGE BUT IT WORKED. WE CONTINUED THIS ROUTINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL YESTERDAY, WHILE JUST SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS CHANGING TIRES THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED TO REMOVE IT FROM THE GARAGE. NOW FACED WITH MORE COST THE ONLY THING I COULD BE HAPPY ABOUT WAS THAT IT WAS ME STRANDED AND NOT MY WIFE AND MY SON. IT IS EVEN MORE FRUSTRATING TO LEARN NOW THAT THIS IS AND HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF FORD AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT. I CAN PAY HUNDREDS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART THAT MANY SAY WILL FAIL AGAIN. THIS TIME ON ONE OF MY WIFE'S MANY TRIPS WITH MY SON IN THE CAR SEAT. NOTHING ABOUT THAT SCENARIO SOUNDS SAFE TO ME. FORD NEEDS TO BE PROMPTED TO FIX THIS RECURRING PROBLEM TO PREVENT FUTURE SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 23, 2008
I RECENTLY WAS STRANDED 30 MILES FROM MY HOME DUE TO MY IGNITION LOCKING UP. MY KEYS WOULD NOT EVEN BUDGE AND I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED AND PAID FOR THE REPAIR ($400). THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 21, 2008
KEY WON'T TURN IGNITION AND COULD NOT START CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2008
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY DROPS TO 0 WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THE ODOMETER READS ALL DASH MARKS AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTS ROUGHLY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE SPEED SENSOR BEING BAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS GIVEN A DIFFERENT EXCUSE WHY THE SENSOR FAILED EACH TIME. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2008
I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AT WALGREENS. 10 MIN LATER I TRIED TO PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION. IT WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT SLID IN BUN MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON. IT COST ME 200 TO HAVE A LOCKSMITH COME OUT AND REPLACE THE IGNITION. APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THE 2000 FORD FOCUS. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2008
KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO IGNITION SWITCH. CALLED FORD DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCHES BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. HAD TO PAY $65 TO HAVE CAR TOWED AND $314 FOR IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2008
KEY IS HARD TO GET INTO IGNITION. THEN, IT WON'T TURN. AFTER TAPPING, I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT ON BUT I DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF HOPING THE CAR WILL WORK OR NOT. WHAT IF I'M LATE TO WORK? *TR
Electrical system, Mar 9, 2008
I WAS LEFT STRANDED AT NIGHT WHEN MY KEY WOULD NO LONGER FIT ALL THE WAY INTO MY IGNITION, LEAVING ME UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A FLAT PARKING LOT. THE KEY WAS NOT EXCESSIVELY WORN NOR WAS IT BENT. THE VEHICLE STARTED FINE ONLY AN HOUR BEFORE. LUCKILY, I WAS IN AN URBAN AREA WITH CELLULAR SERVICE AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTACT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO LOAD THE CAR ON THE FLATBED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE TURNED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. SINCE I COULD NOT INSERT THE KEY ALL THE WAY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK ALLOWING THE WHEELS TO STRAIGHTEN. I THEN HAD TO CONTACT A LOCKSMITH WHO ADVISED HE COULD REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. HE ADVISED THAT HE WOULD REPLACE THE PART WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL THAN THE OEM BECAUSE IF THE OEM MODEL WAS INSTALLED, IT COULD FAIL AGAIN. THANK GOODNESS MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PLAN COVERED MOST OF THE COST FOR THE FAILED TOW ATTEMPT AND THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT. A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF CARS OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL TYPE. THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS RETURNED IN MY SEARCH RESULTS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!! I DO LOTS OF STATE TO STATE TRAVELING AND I COULD HAVE BEEN ABANDONED IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION WITH NO CELLULAR SERVICE IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS! WHAT IF I HAVE CHILDREN OR ELDERLY PASSENGERS IN THE CAR??? THIS IS EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE TO HAVE A KNOWN PROBLEM GO UNCOMMUNICATIVE TO FORD OWNERS. PEOPLE RELY ON THEIR VEHICLES TO START AND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING IS SCARY. I CAN THINK OF A DOZEN OF "WHAT IF" SCENARIOS THAT COULD PUT DRIVERS IN DANGER. THIS PART CAN BE REPLACED QUICKLY AND RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVELY (UNLESS YOU GO THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP IT SEEMS) WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL IGNITION SWITCH TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IF FORD WOULD JUST COMMUNICATE THIS KNOWN PROBLEM TO ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 6, 2008
THE IGNITION KEY LOCK CYLINDER IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE KEY CYLINDER DOES NOT TURN PROPERLY WHEN THE FACTORY KEY IS PROPERLY INSERTED. I HAVE TWO SETS OF KEYS, THEY ARE NOT TERRIBLY WORN AND THE CYLINDER WORKS THE SAME WAY WITH BOTH KEYS. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE KEY, TAKE IT OUT AND FLIP IT OVER, WIGGLE THE KEY SOME MORE AND IT STILL MAY NOT WORK. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES, WHERE I WAS LEFT STRANDED, BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET THE IGNITION CYLINDER TO WORK. IT IS ALWAYS A GAMBLE AS TO WHETHER THE KEY IS GOING TO WORK IN THE CAR OR NOT. I'VE BEEN INFORMED BY THE LOCAL LOCKSMITH THAT HE HAS NOTICED THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS MODEL CARS. HE HAS HAD TO FIX QUITE A FEW WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THIS IS THE CASE, I FEEL THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THIS MAY BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND ALL CUSTOMERS NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT. I'D ALSO LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE FUNDS I HAD TO SHELL OUT, BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. THANK YOU. *TR