The 2000 Ford Focus has 20 recalls, the most serious including a battery cable short that can cause smoke or fire, a lower control arm ball joint that can separate and cause loss of steering control, and a rear wheel that can detach while driving.
Several recalls affect throttle and speed control on equipped vehicles: corrosion inside the speed control servo can cause the throttle to stick open unexpectedly, and a separate cable defect on automatic transmission models can also prevent the throttle from returning to idle, both raising the risk of uncontrolled acceleration. Door latch corrosion on certain vehicles registered in northern and mid-Atlantic states and Canadian provinces can cause rear doors to open while the vehicle is in motion. On station wagon and three-door models, the rear seat's outboard hinge can disengage when weight is placed on the folded load floor, and if the seat is raised without re-engaging the hinge, it may not restrain an occupant properly in a crash. Front wheel bearings can wear prematurely and eventually allow a wheel to wobble, and fuel filter contamination in the delivery module can reduce fuel flow and cause engine hesitation or power loss. A trim panel junction at the A-pillar may not absorb head impact energy as intended in a crash. The trunk lid wiring harness can develop broken wires from repeated flexing, which can knock out brake lights or taillights.