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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
18 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,995 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2000 Ford Focus engine problems

engine problem

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2000 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #78

Nov 122003

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,776 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Leaking water into passenger foot-compartment. Isolated problem to plastic cover that sits beneath windshield, and is mostly accessible with hood open. The problem is that the plastic comes away from windshield due to some buckling in the plastic. Fixed problem by applying pressure to plastic to bend it back to shape so it snagged-up closer to windshield. Not seen problem since. Mastic to adhere plastic to windshield might be an option to other people. The fuel gauge sometimes refuses to work. Found this to be case when key is put into ignition and key-turned to start engine was done too quickly. If entering key into ignition and then turning key each click, giving each click a half-second, then gauge appears to be more reliable. When engine goes into slow-idling state, engine idles very erratically and is not smooth. Sounds like only some of cylinders are firing. This has only started to occur today and since reading comments on this website, I'm concerned. Have tried adding fuel-injector-cleaner to fuel tank, awaiting results of that. The trunk would not close. The problem here was fixed by removing the locking assembly from the trunk-lid and simply dowsing the mechanisms with WD40 and then bending some spring-loaded components.. there are 2 moving components in the lock. First is shape of a loop that you can easily move with finger/screwdriver. This component locks onto stub that you can see when opening trunk. The other component is hidden within casing and moves in front of other component to hold it in a locked position. Problem was with this component. Problem was component had "somehow" gotten bent and not free to leave casing and block other component. Bending this to a position freeing it of casing fixed problem. Engine lacked power when under load when accelerating, vehicle would shudder and decelerate instead of accelerate. Problem resolved when Ford dealer replaced spark-plugs plus leads and a full engine tune-up. $230 plus but fixed problem.

- Mint Hill, NC, USA

problem #77

Oct 092003

(reported on)

Focus

  • miles
When shifting in between gears vehicle suddenly accelerated. Vehicle had to be shut off to stop. The cause of the problem has not been determined.

- Millburn, NJ, USA

problem #76

Aug 082003

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,875 miles
For the second time since June 2003 my car drove sluggishly with poor acceleration and stalling. It was repaired by the dealership in June. As I was taking it back to the dealer while turning into their driveway I took my foot off the gas to brake to slow down. My car surged forward and the spedometer shot up to 140 and back down as I applied the brake.

- Huntington Woods, MI, USA

problem #75

Mar 292003

Focus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 42,450 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ford Focus 2000 sputters and lunges on right hand turns. Sometimes stalling and dying. This is a potential safety hazard if your car dies right in the middle of the road.

- South Jordan, UT, USA

problem #74

Apr 162003

Focus

  • 35,000 miles
While driving 5-10 mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a very high speed.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #73

Mar 122003

Focus

  • miles
Consumer received poor service from Ford Motor Company, as well as from following local Ford dealers morande Ford of berlin, ct and ray seraphin Ford of vernon ct, and different opinions from Ford employees concerning multiple recalls on A-frame/stereo/windshield wiper motor/rear wheel bearings, electrical system, and sudden acceleration/lurching.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

problem #72

Apr 022003

(reported on)

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle experienced problems with the wiring, transmission-(jump out of gear), fuel gauge level is inoperative, and the motor would race. The shifter and cable was removed, and the center console was removed to replace the shifter assembly. The dealer could not duplicate the fuel gauge problem. Mr scc

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #71

Jan 082003

(reported on)

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer has experienced many problems with this vehicle. There is occasional grinding noises when braking suddenly, the brake pedals squeak, the transmission jumps out of gear, there are problems when accelerating, the vehicle stalls when driving above 55 mph, the cruise control is inoperative, and various electrical problems.

- Tarpon Springs, FL, USA

problem #70

Sep 052002

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When entering a driveway owner proceeded forward when vehicle accelerated out of control, striking a wall. Both air bags deployed from extent of impact.

- Medford, NJ, USA

problem #69

Aug 122002

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine revved and vehicle jerked 4 times, vehicle is at dealership at this time. Please provide additional information.

- Delwood, MO, USA

problem #68

Jan 022001

Focus

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The consumer reported to the dealer that the gas pedal was sticking but the delaer was unable to duplicate the problem, the throttle body also sticks. Nlm

- Wentzville, MO, USA

problem #67

Jul 172002

Focus

  • miles
Vehicle will lose power when accelerating. Dealer has been notified. Please provide additional information.

- West Lake, OH, USA

problem #66

Jul 182002

(reported on)

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was going 50mph on highway in rush hour traffic and stalled. Air conditioner/ radio cut off, and rpms went to zero. Vehicle had no power, and gave no warning. Dealer was notified.

- Belleville, MI, USA

problem #65

Jul 132002

Focus

  • miles
For the past two weeks my 2002 Ford Focus SE has been running rough when RPM exceed 3500. Yesterday this problem became worse while I was travaling on I-94 East bound. While trying to accelerate to maintain the speed of the freeway the car begain to stall out. It stayed running but I could no longer press the gas pedal without the motor wanting to stall. Finally after a the car slowed down to 40mph I was able to make my way to the shoulder. I was in the middle lane where posted speed is 70mph. Car where franticlly trying to avoid hitting me while I limped my way over to the side of the road. After letting the car sit for 15 minutes I tried restarting and it appeared to be running better. I got off at the next exit and it started doing the same thing. However this time it would not even ideal and completely stalled while I was traveling at a speed of 40mph. I have been told by others who own this same vehicle that they too are having simular problems. I also read that you may have other complaints on this matter. Thank you for your help in keeping us safe and holding the manufactor to the standards they should be at. I'm a employee of Ford Motor Company and have always defended there position, but as a consumer this problem is very serious and need your attention.

- New Baltimore, MI, USA

problem #64

May 072002

Focus

  • miles
While driving cruise control will lock up and could cause an accident. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.

- Campbell, OH, USA

problem #63

Jun 082002

(reported on)

Focus

  • miles
Brakes squealing - took to local Ford dealership- nothing wrong with my brakes this was on Jan. 18, 2002- had to have front pads and rotors replaced on 5/31/2002. Throttle stuck in Jan 2002.

- Los Banos, CA, USA

problem #62

Jun 032002

Focus

  • miles
6/3/02 : my Ford Focus was accelerating on an entrance ramp to interstate 70 in abilene, Kansas, and upon reaching about 40 mph it suddenly stalled. Fortunately, there was plenty of shoulder to pull off onto. After about 20 minutes, the car was able to continue on to manhattan, Kansas, without further problem. Later that evening when attempting to move the Focus from my driveway into my garage, it started up ok, but then stalled after about 5 seconds. It stalled about 5 seconds after each time it started. I made an appointment with the dealer, dick edwards Ford, in manhattan, Kansas, for 6/5/02. I did not drive the vehicle on 6/4/02. On 6/5/02, I started the vehicle and began driving to the dealer to have the problem checked/fixed. About 2 miles from my house, the Focus suddenly stalled again. I had the car towed the remaining 3 miles to the dealer. 6/6/02 : the Focus is currently sitting in the service bay at dick edwards Ford in manhattan, Kansas. Tomorrow (6/7/02) the fuel pump and fuel filter are supposed to be replaced at the cost of $500 (estimate). Tonight (6/6/02) I saw a report on the cbs evening news about Ford focuses being investigated for stalling problems. Perhaps it is mere coincidence, perhaps not. The report alleged that the problem might be a result of debris accumulating in the fuel tank. Also noteworthy is the fact that my Focus had its 100,000 mile maintenance performed on 4/19/02, including a new fuel filter and tune-up. I would also like to say that dick edwards Ford has done all the maintenance on this vehicle at 5000 mile intervals. I am filing this report because I happened to see the evening news tonight. How many people did not see the report and have had, or are experiencing the same problem as I am now? thank you very much. I look forward to hearing from you.

- Manhattan, KS, USA

problem #61

May 242002

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle accelerates on its own, engine revs. Throttle recall was done first in October of 2001, then a second time.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #60

Nov 282001

(reported on)

Focus

  • miles
Consumer states that the vehicle experiences runaway acceleration, this sometimes will occur while vehicle is in reverse, consumer states that the only way to get vehicle back to normal is by pulling over, putting her left foot on the brake, and then punching the gas with her right foot.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #59

Apr 232002

Focus

  • miles
Car sometimes stalls or experiences hesitation when accelerating...such as merging onto a freeway during rush hour and having cars swerve around you. Only notice the acceleration and stalling problems when gas goes below half a tank. Afraid to merge onto freeway for fear of accident and being stranded.

- Canton, MI, USA

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