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.
For the third time since I've owned the car, the rear tail 'running' lights have blacked out. At the same time, dashboard lights do not function. NHTSA campaign 00V411000 covers this for about 75,000 focuses identical to mine, but for some reason, mine is not covered by the recall. I've had the same problem three times. Each time, the wiring harness and fuses have to be replaced. Once, the multifunction switch needed replacing, too. The repairs have cost me nearly $1,500. I contacted Ford the third time, but the representative said there was nothing Ford could do to help with repair costs, as my specific VIN did not fall under the recall. My concern is the random nature of the tail light loss. It happens when I'm driving home at night, and I need to put my hazards on any time I drive after dark. It is extremely dangerous, and I am afraid of being struck from behind.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. His vehicle failed state inspection for poor exterior lighting functionality. He contacted the dealer in reference to recall # 00V411000 (electrical system:wiring). Upon contact he was advised that since his vehicle identification number was excluded from the recall, he was ineligible for a free remedy. The vehicle was taken to another dealer and was in the process of being repaired at an expense of $179. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. The failure and current mileages were 165,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 25 mph on normal road conditions, the instrument panel failed to illuminate and the parking lamp and tail lamps were nonfunctional. The contact replaced the fuse on five separate occasions and the failure recurred. The vehicle's power lock system also failed to operate. She discovered the failure was contributed to the deck lid harness. The vehicle has not been inspected by a certified technician. NHTSA campaign id number 00V411000 - electrical system;wiring is related to the failure; however, the VIN number was excluded from the recall. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 50,300. Updated 11/06/09. The consumer stated while driving, she noticed the dashboard was not lit and she was unable to read the speedometer. The headlights were working. The consumer replaced the fuse and the dashboard lit up properly. However, a short while later the fuse blew again. The consumer also discovered the tail lights and parking lights were not working as well. Also, the power door locks failed. The consumer discovered 4 wires had been completely severed, and all the others had bare patches where the insulation had rubbed off. The consumer stated a recall had been issued for the exact problem, but her VIN was not included. Updated 11/10/09.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact took her vehicle for routine inspection and was informed that the deck-lid wire harness fatigued and developed damaged wires in the bend area of the wire harness. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 00V411000 (electrical system:wiring); therefore, they would not assume any responsibility for the repairs. She is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 188,000. Updated 06/03/09 updated 06/04/09.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the rear tail lights failed on his vehicle. There is a safety recall # 00V411000 (electrical system:wiring). The recall repairs were performed two years ago. The manufacturer stated that the recall does not apply to his VIN. The contact is currently experiencing loud noises and vibrations in the engine. The failure occurred at speeds of 60 mph and greater. There is also a related service bulletin for the failure. The VIN is unavailable. The current mileage is 107,000 and failure mileage was 80,000.
- Durham, NC, USA
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I own a 2000 Ford Focus. For about 18 months I have been experiencing a fuse blowing which runs my brake lights. I continue to replace the fuse, but now it won't hold anymore. There is a recall #02313: Deck lid wire harness fatigue, but my VIN didn't get recalled. My car is experiencing these recall 'symptoms' and should be covered!
The contact stated the deck lid wiring harness wires of the electrical system fatigued and broke. There was NHTSA recall campaign 00V411000, regarding the electrical system wiring. The vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The vehicle was seen by a dealer, and the deck lid wiring harness was replaced. Ford was unwilling to pay for repairs. The contact agreed that it was the exact same problem as the other 2000 Ford, Focus, but they would not comply as it was made shortly after they ended the recall date for this particular problem.
My 2000 Ford Focus would not start on 6/29/05 so I had it towed to Town & Country Ford on 6/30/05. Prior to the tow truck leaving, I checked the lights, horn, etc to make sure all worked before Ford worked on the car. They did. When they service man johnny gardner called me that afternoon to tell me what was wrong with the vehicle he stated " the ground scrap wire, and ignition switch need to be repaired" I told him that was impossible about the ignition switch when I had it repaired 1 month earlier. Johnny then changed the story stating " just the ground scrap wire needs to be repaired". I had them fix that part and went to pick up the car. While driving down the street a car swerved into my lane and when I went to blow my horn it did not work. I slowed down and my brakes made a hard grinding noise. I immediately called Town & Country Ford asking them why was my car horn not working, and the brakes were making a grinding noise. They replied " I could bring the car back and pay to have it fixed". I took the car to an independent auto repair shop who stated the horn could not be fixed because someone unhooked the componets under the hood, and to fix it Ford can only get the parts. They also told me that the axle on my right brake wheel was split. Prior to taking this car to Town & Country Ford I had no brake problems. I was told by Town & Country Ford to check my replace the relay switch to the horn. I did and the headlights, interior lights, and windshield wipers do not work. The car will not go in reverse. My car was fine prior to Town & Country Ford's work.
12/03 -- rear driver side window regulator broke on a 2000 Ford Focus; window not used much 9/7/05 -- rear passenger side window regulator failed on same car as rolling down to clear morning condensation off and on since I've had the car, the driver side window and rear driver's side window have not worked due to a so called "short" the 2 regulators were replaced; the short has never been found or repaired and is a nuisance.
While driving the dash light began to flicker then the vehicle shut down suddenly while in gear. Campaign id number : 00V411000. The consumer was told that the power cable to the battery was the result of the problem. Campaign id number : 02V288000. The consumer was told by the service department that this is a problem because the vehicle could explode. The warranty company turned the consumer down stating that the problem was not part of the warranty. The key gets stuck in the vehicles ignition and would not come out. The doors would not close properly and remained open while the vehicle was in gear. When the tire was removed the consumer noticed that the wheel was missing a lug nut. Campaign id number : 00V303000 the air vent did not stay open when the A/C was on high. The brakes howled like a wounded dog from the time of purchase. Pads and rotors needed to be replaced.
When turning the vehicle off consumer smelled smoke coming from inside of the vehicle. Consumer towed the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that the wiring harness melted.
While driving vehicle stalled. When this occurred vehicle lost power. Also, at 54,000 miles brake light continuously stayed on, even if the brake pedal hasn't been depressed. Recall 03V482000 was issued for fuel system, and recall 00V411000 for the wiring harness. However, this vehicle was not involved in the recalls due to VIN.
In the last six months the transmission has started to leak fluid (paid to fix that), I get a letter about a recall for the fuel pump take it in and get that fixed on the way to work straight from the dealership one of the guys I work with comments on my brake lights staying on, my brake lights will now not go off and my cruise control will not go on (paid to fix that), then a few weeks later the front wheel fell off! I was pulling into my parents driveway and the wheel just fell off then spent the entire day getting it on a tow truck and getting it off at the dealership. Then the technician kept asking me what I hit. Repeatedly I told him what happened and he finally said that that couldn't have happened unless I hit something (paid to fix that), now I get in my car to get me something to eat and my key will not turn.
On Wednesday March 31 2004 my husband noticed that our parking lights and dashboard lights were not coming on. Then we discovered that they would work only if the rear defroster was on. We took the car to our mechanic who suspected a short and discovered broken and exposed wires in the hatch. He rewired the car. I went on line and found that 2000 Ford focuses had been recalled for this type of problem (NHTSA campaign id number: 00V411000). I called Ford's customer service hotline and was told that this recall did not apply to my vehicle's VIN number but to hold on to my receipt in case the recall was broadened. When I asked him why my car wasn't included even though other Ford focuses had the same problem he said that it was probably just a coincidence.
While driving 65 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted vehicle, and drove it to the dealer. The mechanic noticed that wires and spark plugs needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.
While driving on interstate 5, in the greater seattle area, the electrical system in our 2000 Ford Focus failed. Dash lights, including the air bag light came on inappropriately. I began immediately to move from the left traffic lane to the right to exit the interstate. Before I was completely off of the exit, the car died. I sat for a couple of minutes then was able to restart the car and travel a couple of miles to a safe parking lot before the car again died. The car was cutting out, dash lights flashing on and off, the speedometer would peg out at 140 mph (traveling at 35), etc. The car was unable to restart. We towed the car to the Ford dealership where we purchased the car new in 2000. They diagnosed the problem as a faulty, melted heater switch, along with the wiring harness burning up near the alternator, causing complete failure of the alternator. Wiring was completely replaced at the alternator. Also the car needed a new alternator and heater switch. The car still has less than 90,000 miles on it, this should not happen with a 3 year old vehicle! what investigations are ongoing with wiring issues? why is Ford not being held accountable for this. After being a "Ford man" for 50 years, I will never buy another Ford car. The dealerships service departments and customer service departments are condescending and disrespectful. It is time they are made to produce a product that is not dangerous.
NHTSA 00-V-411-000 vehicle description: Passenger vehicles. A deck lid wire harness can fatigue and develop broken wires in the bend area of the wire harness. Consumer has the same problem. However this vehicle was not part of recall due to VIN.
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
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- Decatur, GA, USA