Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt: the contact stated the ignition switch failed three times within a year and a half. The first time, she went to start the car, the ignition would not turn over. The car was towed and repaired. The second failure was approximately one year later and the same thing happened. The car was towed and repaired for the second time. The third failure happened this week, went to start the car and it would not start again. It is being repaired now. The dealership stated it could possibly be the starter along with the ignition switch. In dec 2001 the consumer was involved in an accident due to a problem with the tires and the rear axle. The transmission cooler lines were replaced. The brake lights and heater did not work. The EGR tube was replaced. The wiper arm was broken. The engine light stayed on all time. The driver side mirror had to be replaced. Updated 01/11/06.
Many problems, the radio started shorting out almost immediately. I have to replace my tires at least once a year (10,000 miles.) at 37000 miles after the bumper to bumper ran out, my air conditioner and heater fan only worked on 4, 1, 2, and 3 did not. I took it to Ford, the diagnosis was an open circuit which cost me $409.00. ( I think I was ripped off) last month I took a road trip and whenever I would climb steep inclines the car sputtered and eventually died. There was no indication of my car overheating. After about 5 minutes or so the car would start and continue to sputter up the hill. This made it extremely unsafe for me and my family resulting in a near collision with a truck. This week, my car wouldn't start at all, there was some corrosion on the battery terminals so I cleaned them w/a wire brush. I also noticed that the cables looked burned. …
Fatality vehicle fire, dec. 8 2004. My husband is the original owner of a 2000 Ford Focus, subject to numerous service visits to bill brown Ford, livonia mi for: ignition, steering column, wheel bearing, brake, rear window control, seat belt &trunk latches, overhead light and engine light. The vacuum line & fuel pump & valve assembly were replaced 2/03, followed by stalling. In 6/03, A/C compressor & manifold line replaced. Fuel line & pump failure in 8/03, resulted in gasoline spill on residential street minutes after parking. Bogging followed repairs, PCM reprogrammed & leaking pvc tube replaced 1/04. Fuel pump again replaced. In 8/04, our 24 year old son took ownership of this problematic car. We are uncertain as to whether vehicle malfunction caused a 35 MPH collision with a fire hydrant. An immediate engine explosion and fuel fed fire trapped my son and his passenger. …
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.
I bought my Focus in 2000. Since then I have suffered 2 blowouts that neither Ford or Firestone would fix. I've had brake pads replaced once and now have to have brakepads and rotor replaced. Sometimes the key won't turn the ignition. And of course this morning (one of the coldest days we've had) something has gone wrong with the heater.
Interior lights come on intermittently. Brakes make noise when applied/ radio will come on intermittently, and dome lights work intermittently. . Right front light is brighter than left light. Defroster malfunctions. Front tires makes squeaking noise, key get stuck in ignition and truck lock when trying to get out.
Ignition doesn't work, steering wheel locks and ignition cylinder occasionally comes out. Also while driving, the steering wheel fell off. The vehicle overheated when the air condition was turned on, the dealer replaced a pinched wire behind the dash, the air condition was not cool enough, the evaporator core had a leak.
My 2000 Ford Focus has major problems for a car that has only 57,000 miles. The engine will stall and die about every 10 seconds. The gauges and all of the front and rear exterior lights will go dead and the car will jump out of gear. The air compressor for the air conditioner is also shot.
The air conditioner unit failed, water drained in the cabin from underneath the dashboard. When this occurred, mold started to develop on the carpet, which made the occupants sick. The dealership had blown out the pipes, but the problem remained.
I own a 2000 Ford Focus. Currently I am experiencing several problems. The first is the air conditioning A/C. The A/C works on the #4 setting but doesn't work on #1, #2, or #3. No air comes from the air vents when the fan is set to 1, 2, or 3 whether the A/C is on or not. The second problem is the brakes. I have less than 46,000 miles on the car, and the brakes feel like they are going out. I've never had to replace the brakes on a car before 70,000 miles. The third problem is comprised of the gauges. When I start my car, all the gauges go immediately to the right. After a few moments they return to their proper position, but I'm not sure what is going on. I feel that if I put the car in gear during this period, that I will lose control of the vehicle and it May surge forward. The fourth problem is that I have already had to replace all of the tires on this vehicle. …
AC & Heater complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 2000 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 2000 Ford Focus, 1% of the model year's 3,686 complaints. The component named most often is appliance › air conditioner (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Focus ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 2000 Ford Focus, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Focus ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury and 2 deaths to a/c & heater problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.