Check Engine Light On problems of the 2000 Ford Focus

My son was driving a 2000 Focus hatchback. Just entered into a jughandle to make a turn engine light and oil lights went on, car locked up and smoke entered inside the car. He was able to get out of the vehicle and car was on fire. Vehicle was totaled in the fire.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. When the contact started the vehicle, all of the instrument panel lights illuminated as normal, including the check engine light. She stated that the check engine light illuminated a few days after purchasing the vehicle and has remained on ever since. The dealer stated that there was failure with the fuel tank. When the gas tank cap is not secured properly, the check engine light will illuminate. The dealer removed and replaced the gas tank cap and the check engine light dimmed; however, it illuminated again a couple of days later. The last time the contact attempted to start her vehicle, it would not start. She waited a couple of hours and when the vehicle finally restarted, it made a loud rumbling noise. White smoke appeared under the hood and the vehicle failed to restart. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 100,757.

1) rear wheel bearings. . Both needed to be replaced on car with less than 62,000 miles. Ford said not their problem. 2) thermostat housing made out of plastic, needs to be replaced due to cracking (Ford know about this problem will not do a recall). Engine light comes on every 3 months. Will never buy another Ford again. Tired of putting money into what we thought was going to be a good car.

2000 Ford Focus died while driving and the engine light illuminated on the dash. Consumer was told that possibly the motor needed to be replaced.

Took my 2000 Ford Focus to dealer for 30,000 mile service, and to have them fix whatever was causing the engine light to blink and the car to idle roughly, and to fix the problem with the car engine turning off while driving. The service was done and the fuel filter "recall" would fix the engine problem. Was told the computer did not register an error code and that the rough idleengine light problem was likely fixed as a result of the fuel filter replacement. The next morning, the engine light came on and stayed on and the car was still idling rough. Drove straight to the dealer and was told that my car had excessive carbon in the cylinder head and that the cylinder head might need to be replaced. They would try to clean the carbon, which they did and billed me $205. Don't understand why such a problem wasn't noticed the day before when I spent over $500. The problem is that this car has less than 30,000 miles on it and it makes no sense that not only do I possibly face having an expensive cylinder head repair, but I have already replaced the front pads and rotors (at 25,000 miles) and have had numerous recalls. I have consistently followed the scheduled maintenance plan and am concerned that not only is this car defective, but that it is unsafe. What are my options and what can be done to ensure Focus owners that the car is safe? is there some way to make this car reliable? it has some really great features (like the interior roominess), but it is proving to be a major disappointment.

My car has a constant bad vibration that intensifies on right turns, going up grades, and over bumps. I have taken it to jim click Ford in tucson, az for a total of three times. Each time they come up with a different excuse and it never fixes the problem. I have been told at first it was, my tires, I replaced all four tires with top of the line michelins, then I was told that my fuel pump was going out and that is the cause of the vibration, now it is the coils. Not one of these has fixed the problem, I am still waiting on the pump to get in stock at jim click, and they did replace the coils at a charge of $370. 88. In addition to the vibration it sporadically tries to stall and hesitates when turning. I also have my taillights, and back up lights constantly burning out, I have replaced them 3 times and the last time I had jim click replace them. (the back up light, passenger side is out again) I was also told the first time I took in my car to jim click Ford (before the fuel pump recall), I needed to replace a failing fuel pump and that would cost $680. 00 to replace. (parts and labor) I could not afford it and took it out of their shop, I then brought it in after the recall and they told me that the fuel pump was not the problem that it was the coil and they could not replace the fuel pump since it was not failing. I then fought it out with them and they said they would replace the fuel pump when it came in stock late January 2004. They did replace the coils and the engine check light was on when I brought it in and that is how they determined that it was the coils. They fixed that problem and I got my car back and guess again the engine light came on the very next day and the vibrations are getting worse. I am starting to feel that this car is a lemon my car only has 64,000 miles and has so many recalls and service bulletins it is scary.

My engine light kept coming on even after 5 failed attempts to fix the problem. My car company does not want to pay even though the problem happened before the warranty ran out.

Stalling problem-check engine light-cracked cylinder head at 32655 miles also leaking transmission line, brake dust, broken trunk lock and malfunctioning keyless entry on driver door.

I purchased a 2000 Focus se on June 5, 2001 with 23,000 miles. I was told that I would be covered under the original factory warranty 3yr. /36,000. I also purchased an extended warranty from the api company at the cost of $1,069 to cover 6yr. /60,000. I thought I'd be protected. Wrong ! the vehicle always had horrendous brake dust but the worst was yet to come. In December 2002, my husband and I were in the process of moving and began to notice a rough idle. Well, it's cold in buffalo, NY so we thought it just needed more time to warm up. By early March we experienced stalling problems and the check engine light was on. After stalling at 45mph we had enough. The car was taken to basil Ford. With only 32,000 miles on it we were informed that the cylinder head was cracked and the original warranty ran out on 1/29/03. Ford wanted about $1,700. 00 to replace it. Well, we thought if Ford wouldn't cover the repair that the api extended warranty would. Another error in judgment ! api said there was carbon in the cylinder and they wouldn't cover. Finally, after threats to leave the car at the dealer or seek legal advice to remedy, basil replaced the cylinder head for $400. 00. Who ever heard of a cracked head at 32,000 miles ? we had only put about 10,000 miles on it ! also the keyless entry on the driver door would only work on occasion and the key never did work on the trunk (told the lock needed replacement) which we would have to pay for if we wanted fixed. Since the inspection was coming up in June 2003 and the brakes and rotors would probably need replacement just like all Focus's do, we traded in the car to avoid the money trap. That car was the worst hunk of junk I've ever heard of! I paid $10,500. 00 for the car in June 2001 with 23,000 miles on it and had a hard time getting $5,000. 00 as a trade with 33,000 miles in may 2003 ! it was the biggest rip off of my life also I lost out when I cashed in the worthless api warranty.

While idling or engaged, car frequently/periodically shudders as if the engine would die, loss of power during acceleration followed by gradual surge, engine light would flash. Took vehicle to dealer 3 times with complaint over 8-9 mos, symptoms could not be duplicated, codes not recorded, could not find issue on computer diagnostic. 3-17 car stalled repeatedly, engine light on (constant). Codes recorded, diagnosed - cylinder head needs to be replaced. When asked what would cause failure, tech stated carbon build-up.

The vehicle stalled, consumer was informed the problem was due to a faulty engine light.

The engine light illuminated on the dashboard, on several occasions, however the dealer could not duplicate the problem.

While traveling on highway vehicle will stall, and engine light will appear on dashboard. Dealership is aware of problem.

The engine hesitates, idles and fluctuates from 4000 to 5000 rpm, then drops to 0. Everything on the control panel starts signaling, including the check engine light. Head lights go on and off. In general, the whole electrical system of the car goes off and on; it flashes. .

My car started by losing power and the the engine would race up in any gear. The lights on the dash would dim along with the radio and the headlights. Then on oct 31 2002, the gages went crazy. I parked the car and called Ford and asked if they would run a test to see what was wrong. They said I would have to pay for the test and I told them I could not afford it. Since then I only drive the car to the store about 5 miles from my house and back. Now the engine is stalling again in any gear. The engine light is on. I again asked the dealership and Ford if they could run the test to see what is wrong with car again they refused. I just now wrote a e-mail to Ford. I just want my car that only has about 49000 miles to run. Ford is offering a longer warranty on the newer Focus why not offer it to us that owner the piece of junk older Focus.

When vehicle comes to a complete stop, it will stall out , engine check light comes on which was caused by a defect in the cylinder head.

Vehicle was going 45mph on a bridge and stalled as vehicle was shifting to 4th gear. Steering locked and brakes failed while motor shutdown. Air conditioner and radio continued to work. Vehicle restarted, but the engine check light came on, and vehicle stalled again. Crankshaft was replaced by Ford dealer.

Defective front brake rotor. During the inspection the consumer was told that the defect was not covered under the vehicle's warranty. Other vehicle components also malfunctioned. The vehicle's trunk latch broke, the check engine light illuminated twice, the cd player became inoperative and the steering wheel locked up.

Consumers vehicle jerks and surged while being driven and the check engine light illuminates, the dealer has replaced the trans rang sensor 3 times and the entire transmission once but the problen reoccurs, possibly related to the engine. (attorney for client). Nlm.

I have totally lost power too many times to count. It seems to happen without rhyme or reason. It can happen at any speed, 25mph to 75mph. It can happen when the engine is hot or cold. If going at faster speeds, I may drop to 20mph, at slower speeds, I come to a complete stop. On 2 occasions, at faster speeds, the entire front of the car was shaking as I lost power. On 3 occasions the check engine light flickered. This can happen tomorrow and then not happen for days or even weeks. I have had the car into the dealer at least 5 times. They, however, only have 2 of them recorded. The other times when I had it in, I was taking it in for re-calls, so they oviously didn't record the engine problem. They have no clue what is wrong. I've been told I bought bad gas. I've been told to let the engine warm up longer - although that is clearly not the problem. I've been told more or less, that I am nuts, nothing was wrong. I was also told the check engine light can not flicker, either it is on or off. It flickered! the last time I had it in I was told not to bring it back in again, unless one of the following occurred #1 the loss of power occurs as I am driving by the dealership or #2 the car totally breaks down. I was told that would be the best thing that could happen! they said they could figure out the problem then! a couple of times when this has happened, I've been on the highway, with my 5yo in the back seat. I nearly got rear ended both times. I also asked the dealer if other owners of the Focus had similar problems. I was told "no, you are the only one we are aware of. " I have found out since then, through others, such as yourself, that this is not true. I hope that you can help find and reslove the problem before someone loses a life. Thanks.