IllustrationI 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
2000 Ford Focus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Focus years
Owner complaints for the 2000 Ford Focus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 864.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Focus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1300–25K
41325–50K
44950–75K
28875–100K
238100–150K
52150K+
1,570 reports with mileage · 2,116 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 1,343 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 474 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 406 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
248 crash reports118 fire reports129 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
1,343 reportsKEY 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
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
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 …
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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
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…
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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
2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH IGNITION PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. SHE SAYS THAT THE DEALER CHARGED HER FOR THE REPAIR. SHE BELIEVES THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *KB THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. *JB
ONE DAY I GOT INTO MY 2000 FORD FOCUS AND HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. ONCE IT WAS IN THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IT TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR OF TURNING THE WHEEL, JIGGLING THE KEY, AND TAPPING ON THE KEY TO GET IT TO ENGAGE THE LOCK CYLINDER AND START THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I LEFT THE KEY …
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ONE DAY I GOT INTO MY 2000 FORD FOCUS AND HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. ONCE IT WAS IN THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IT TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR OF TURNING THE WHEEL, JIGGLING THE KEY, AND TAPPING ON THE KEY TO GET IT TO ENGAGE THE LOCK CYLINDER AND START THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I LEFT THE KEY IN LONG ENOUGH TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE IS PERVASIVE ON THIS MODEL AND COST ABOUT $400 TO FIX. A SIMPLE SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS WITH 2000 FORD FOCUSES THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE IT IS A FAILURE SUITABLE FOR RECALL. *TR
SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM VEHICLE AND UPON EXITING VEHICLE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE UNDERNEATH OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
2000 FORD FOCUS WITH IGNITION FAILURE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. WHEN THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM SHE ENDED UP PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. AND THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED 6 WEEKS LATER. *KB
THE KEY SUDDENLY WON'T FIT INTO THE IGNITION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2000 FORD FOCUS AND IT COST CLOSE TO $500 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE SINCE I FOUND OUT A LOT OF CONSUMERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Official recalls
1105V030000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Feb 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
03V482000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Nov 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
02V288000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
Nov 6, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ZETEC ENGINES, LOOSE OR BROKEN ATTACHMENTS AND MISROUTED BATTERY CABLES COULD LEAD TO CABLE INSULATION DAMAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
02V289000 · Steering:linkages
Nov 6, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE PINCH BOLTS THAT SECURE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
01V258000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Aug 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
00V418000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Dec 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED SEAT BACK HINGE PIVOT.
00V411000 · Electrical System:wiring
Dec 6, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DECKLID WIRE HARNESS CAN FATIGUE AND DEVELOP BROKEN WIRES IN THE BEND AREA OF THE WIRE HARNESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DECKLID WIRE HARNESS.
00V302000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Oct 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A THROTTLE THAT DOES NOT RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED VEHICLE CONTROL AND, POTENTIALLY, A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
00V303000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Oct 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
00V218000 · Structure:frame And Members
Aug 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT CONTACTING THAT LOCATION MAY NOT BE PROVIDED THE INTERIOR IMPACT PROTECTION INTENDED.
Remedy: 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.
99V346000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Dec 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A THROTTLE THAT DOES NOT RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
13AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
EA04023 · Rear Door Latch Failure
Opened Aug 18, 2004 · Closed Feb 4, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON APRIL 8, 2004 AS PE04-033 AND UPGRADED ON AUGUST 18, 2004 TO EA04-023.THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCHES FAILED TO KEEP THE DOORS IN A CLOSED POSITION, RESULTING IN REAR DOORS COMING OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE BEING DRIVEN.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT AT TIMESA REAR DOOR, OR DOORS, COULD BE DIFFICULT TO CLOSE.OTHERS REPORTED THAT CORROSION OF THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM CAUSED BINDING OF THE LATCH.FORD HAS IDENTIFIED A CONDITION OF CORROSION IN THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT PREVENTS PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE DOOR LATCH CATCH TO THE LATCH STRIKER ON THE VEHICLE BODY.BY LETTER OF FEBRUARY 1, 2005, FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 FOUR AND FIVE-DOOR FOCUS VEHICLES REGISTERED IN, OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. DEALERS WILL INSPECT REAR DOOR LATCHES AND REPLACE BINDING LATCHES AS REQUIRED.DEALERS WILL ALSO LUBRICATE ALL REAR DOOR LATCHES TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION AND BINDING.A LOWER ROCKER SEAL WILL ALSO BE ADDED TO THE REAR DOORS. SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V030 FOR DETAILS.
PE04033 · Rear Door Latch Failure
Opened Apr 8, 2004 · Closed Aug 20, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON APRIL 8, 2004, BASED ON 17 REPORTS THAT ONE OR BOTH REAR DOOR LATCHES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THAT THE DOORS WERE DIFFICULT TO CLOSEAND THAT THE DOOR LATCHES WOULD NOT REMAIN LATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE BEING DRIVEN, RESULTING IN A DOOR COMING OPEN.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT CORROSION OF THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM CAUSED BINDING OF THE LATCH.FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION INFORMATION REQUEST PROVIDED 19 CONSUMER REPORTS AND 28 WARRANTY CLAIMS ATTRIBUTED TO THE DOOR LATCH WHERE THE DOORS CAME OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE BEING DRIVEN.THREE (3) OF THE 17 OPENING ODI REPORTS WERE DUPLICATED IN FORD'S RESPONSE.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA04-023 FOR FURTHER STUDY.
EA02022 · Engine Stalling
Opened Sep 9, 2002 · Closed Jan 16, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
EA02023 · Front Susp Collapse/wheel Separation
Opened Sep 9, 2002 · Closed Feb 19, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Suspension:front:control Arm
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Suspension:front
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
EA02017 · Burn Injuries Due To Air Bag Deployment
Opened Aug 16, 2002 · Closed Aug 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
ALL OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGE AN INCIDENT IN WHICH DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG CAUSED SOME TYPE OF BURN INJURY.MOST OF THESE INJURIES ARE DUE TO CONTACT AND/OR ABRASION WITH THE AIR BAG AND ARE OF RELATIVELY MINOR TO MODERATE SEVERITY.IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME DRIVERS MAY HAVE SUSTAINED BURN INJURIES TO THE SKIN AS A RESULT OF HOT GASES EXHAUSTING FROM THE VENTS OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, BUT THE NUMBER OF SUCH INCIDENTS APPEARS TO BE LOW.FURTHER DETAILS OF THE INVESTIGATION ARE CONTAINED IN SUBSEQUENT PAGES OF THIS REPORT.BASED ON THE ABOVE, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA02014 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jul 31, 2002 · Closed Nov 13, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE02044 · Front Suspension Lower Control Arm
Opened May 1, 2002 · Closed Sep 9, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE02040 · Engine Stalling
Opened Apr 4, 2002 · Closed Sep 9, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
THE PRIMARY CONCERN OF THIS PE IS LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.STALLING MAY OCCUR AT LOW SPEED OR HIGH SPEED.AT THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE THE AVERAGE VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 30,000 MILES.BECAUSE THESE VEHICLES STALL AND/OR HESITATE UNPREDICTABLY, AN INCREASED RISK IS INHERENT TO THESE VEHICLES.IF A DRIVER EXPECTING THIS VEHICLE TO PERFORM AS DESIGNED, IS TRYING TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION OR MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS IT PLACES ALL MOTORISTS WITHIN THE AREA AT RISK.A DISABLED VEHICLE IS VULNERABLE TO COLLISIONS NOT ONLY WITHIN THE ROADWAY, BUT ALSO ALONG SIDE THE ROAD AS IT WAITS FOR ASSISTANCE.
PE02032 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Mar 12, 2002 · Closed Jul 31, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.
PE02026 · Inappropriate Air Bag Deployment
Opened Feb 28, 2002 · Closed Sep 18, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
PE02020 · Air Bag Burn Injuries/vehicle Fires
Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 16, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
INFORMATION DISCLOSED DURING THIS PE SHOWS ALLEGATIONS OF BURN INJURIES RESULTING FROM ABRASION AND/OR TERMAL CAUSES.ALLEGATIONS OF CHEMICAL BURNS ALSO EXIST.SEVERAL INCIDENTS ALLEGE VEHICLES FIRES RESULTING FROM DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO FACILITATE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE COMPLEX ISSUES IN THIS MATTER.
PE02016 · Rear Wheel Bearing
Opened Feb 8, 2002 · Closed Nov 8, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
There is no summary currently available