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.
At a glance
What can fail
Rust buildup at the latch pivot can cause rear doors to stick or fail to latch. An unlatched door may open while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect rear door latches, lubricate those that pass inspection, and replace those that fail.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
Corrosion buildup at the rear door latch pivot can cause the latch mechanism to bind, making the rear door difficult to open or close and preventing it from latching securely.
What the fix does
Dealers will add a lower rocker seal, inspect rear door latches, lubricate passing latches to prevent corrosion, and replace latches that fail inspection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Contamination can build up in the fuel delivery module's filter, restricting and potentially blocking fuel flow to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module with an improved design at no cost if you report symptoms.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolt connecting the lower control arm ball joint to the steering knuckle may not be tightened enough, causing the joint to separate or the ball joint stud to crack while driving.
What the fix does
The dealer will check and tighten the steering knuckle pinch bolt to the correct tightness.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Battery cable insulation can be damaged when attachments are loose or broken and cables are misrouted. Damaged insulation may cause cables to short, creating heat that can damage components.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect cable insulation and terminal torque, reroute cables as needed, install retaining clips, and replace damaged cables.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that secure the lower control arm to the steering knuckle may be loose, potentially affecting steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect these bolts for tightness and tighten them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Battery cables may be loose, broken, or incorrectly routed, causing damage to the cable insulation on certain vehicles with Zetec engines.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect battery cables, tighten terminal ends, reroute cables as needed, install retaining clips, and replace damaged cables.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In high-salt areas, the rear wheel bearing seal race can corrode. Damaged seals allow dirt and moisture into the wheel bearings.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear wheel bearings and install additional seals at no cost to prevent contamination.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The decklid wiring harness can break at the bend where it passes through the grommet due to a rigid vinyl sleeve. Broken wires may cause rear lamps to stop working or blow a fuse.
What the fix does
The decklid wiring harness will be replaced with one that has a longer, more flexible sleeve.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 60% section of the folding second seat can have its hinge pivot disengage from the hinge when weight is applied to the front edge of the load floor. If the seat is raised again without re-engaging the hinge, it may not work properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a revised seat back hinge to prevent the hinge pivot from disengaging.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The outboard hinge pivot on the 60% portion of the folding second seat can disengage from the hinge when the seat is folded down and weight is applied to the front edge of the load floor.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a revised seat back hinge pivot to prevent disengagement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wire harness in the decklid can develop broken wires in the bend area due to fatigue over time.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the decklid wire harness with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The speed control cable's inner wire may be too long and catch on the sleeve at the throttle body during hard acceleration, causing the throttle to stick open instead of returning to idle when you release the accelerator pedal.
What the fix does
Your vehicle will be inspected and the speed control cable will be replaced if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left rear wheel hub may loosen, allowing the rear wheel and brake drum to separate from the vehicle, which reduces control and risks a crash.
What the fix does
The rear wheel hub and bearing assembly will be inspected and replaced if needed. A backup wheel retention device will be added to the left rear spindle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The nuts that hold the left rear wheel and brake drum to the vehicle can loosen, allowing the wheel and brake drum assembly to separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear wheel bearings and install a rear wheel retention cap to prevent the left rear wheel from separating.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The speed control cable's inner wire may be too long and catch on the cable sleeve at the throttle body during full acceleration, potentially affecting throttle operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and replace it if necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trim panel where the A-pillar meets the roof side rail may not adequately absorb impact force, potentially exceeding safety standards for interior head protection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the A-pillar trim panels with new ones containing energy-absorbing tubes and adjust the headliner to fit properly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Injector Pressure Sensor on the fuel rail may have water contamination from shipping. In cold temperatures, this water can freeze and crack the sensor membrane, potentially causing the check engine light to come on, engine starting problems, or engine damage.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Injector Pressure Sensor with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The speed control cable connection may let water into the servo assembly, causing corrosion. This can make speed control work intermittently or prevent the throttle from returning to idle, risking unexpected acceleration.
What the fix does
The speed control cable will be replaced. The servo will be inspected for corrosion and replaced if damage is found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can enter the speed control system through the cable end fitting. This causes corrosion inside the servo assembly, leading to intermittent speed control operation or a throttle that won't return to idle.
What the fix does
Replace the speed control cable with one that has a sealed end cap. Inspect the servo assembly for corrosion and replace it if corrosion is found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
