2000 Ford Focus Acceleration Problems

Which parts fail

• Accelerator pedal
  23
• Cables
  18
• Linkages
  11
• Cruise control
  8

Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  917%
• 25k–50k
  47%
• 50k–75k
  2037%
• 75k–100k
  713%
• 100k–150k
  917%
• 150k+
  59%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While attempting to park the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and the rpms increased. The vehicle independently accelerated over a curb and crashed into a house. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the insurance facility and the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.

I bought a 2000 Ford Focus on March 11 of 2004 for my daughter, I asked for a repair to be made on the vehicle from the dealership I bought it from before buying the car, it was surging and hesitating. I was told it was repaired, the vehicle didn't do this the next day when I bought it, on March 31 my daughter pulled in to jack in the box, parked her car, put the car in park, took her foot off the brake, the car surged forward throwing her into a concrete wall, the airbags deployed, the windsheild shattered, the fron bumper is totalled, my daughter has a third degree burn on her right forearm resulting from the air bag.

Dt: the turn signal do not cancel after a turn. The spring broke three times. The trunk does not latch properly. Dealership has taken care of both issues, but the problem recurred. In cold weather the idle speed was too high. When put into reverse it backed out like a rocket. This caused an accident on April 9, 2000. The consumer was backing out with the back door open. It happened so fast he did not have a chance to put on the brakes. The car door hit the garage post. There was no police report. Consumer stated he had mental injuries and lost his job. Vehicle was still idling high in cold weather.

The consumer found that recently a problem with his vehicle when accelerating it doesn't slow down once the consumers foot was off of the gas. The vehicle was in an accident and the consumer believed that the acceleration problem contributed to the accident. When the vehicle was taken to the dealer he was told there was a recall on throttle cable. Then he was told that the vehicle was not recalled due to the VIN. The consumer stated that there have been complaints of this particular vehicle. Recall campaign #00V302000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The vehicle independently accelerated without warning at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence, parked, and then taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle needed to be taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer and the manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 00V302000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle accelerated without warning several times. The contact called courtesy Ford Lincoln of rome, inc. At [phone] (located at 101 us-411, rome, ga 30161) and was informed that there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floorboard. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence and a tree. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to the arms and body. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Dt*: the contact stated while placing the vehicle in reverse, the vehicle lurched backwards and struck a concrete pillar in a parking lot. The contact was wearing a seat belt, but no injuries were sustained. There was minor damage to the rear of the vehicle. The police was not contacted. Additionally, the engine revved while driving various speeds. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer and the manufacturer was not contacted.

When I hit the brakes the whole car jolts when you go over 40 miles per hour of the steering shakes I've already replaced the safety neutral switch on a transmission now my car will not start it just makes a clicking noise and when it does turn over it immediately stalls out my cigarette lighter also lit a spark in the back of it go off and the brakes sometimes have grate brakes other tines I have to slam the brakes down to get any brakes.

While in motion on a busy highway, driving 70 MPH, my 2000 Ford Focus (62,000 orig miles) began downshifting; the engine light illuminated. Replacement of the neutral drive sensor was completed. Now, six months later same thing happening. Driving on a busy highway at speeds of 65 MPH the '00 Ford Focus begins downshifting causing a decrease in speed at an alarming rate, rpms increase, engine light illuminates making the vehicle unsafe.

Related recalls

Acceleration complaints in other Focus years