Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
I've been experiencing an electrical issue. I have lost power to my break lights completely. There was no warning lights or signs at all. I was pulled over and made aware by a police officer that my break light were out. I proceeded to try to replace the light itself which did not work, it only continues to blow the dust when I try. I had a mechanic inspect it and he told me there seems to be a short or possible broken wire somewhere in the wiring harness.
Consumer complained about brake failure. While driving on the freeway consumer put foot on the brakes to slow down, but the vehicle did not stop. Consumer lifted foot, then touched the brakes again, and vehicle did not stop. After being able to stop consumer got off the freeway and traveled on a main street, and vehicle was doing the same thing. While on the way to the dealer consumer attempted to stop at a traffic light, but could not stop, vehicle kept going and went through a red light, resulting in a broad side collision. There were no injuries. Consumer received information from insurance saying that there was recall in regards to the power failure of vehicle. Consumer called Ford motor company to check vehicle but they refused.
My car was kept up to date on maintenance and recalls. Approximately 2 days before my accident, my husband experienced a slight delay in brake response on one occasion while driving. He checked all fluids and looked for leaks. Everything seemed good. No indicator lights or warning lights indicated a problem. On the day of my accident, I drove to work and most of the way home. I was less than a mile from my destination when I applied my brakes to make a 90 degree turn. This is the first and only time that I had knowledge of a total loss of brakes, with no indicator or warning lights being activated to alert me of a brake problem. As a result, I crashed into a utility pole, injuring myself and my passenger. My 2000 Ford Focus se is totaled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, a growling noise was heard coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact continued to drive and then began to hear a clunking sound as the vehicle began to shake. The contact was able to stop the vehicle on the shoulder of the road and noticed smoke coming from the rear driver's side brake drum. A few moments later, the drum caught on fire due to the grease igniting. The contact used water and was able to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was then towed to contact's home. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
For the events of the final failure; I was attempting to stop at a red light that I did not see at first. Though I had plenty of room to stop my vehicle before hitting someone I was not able to stop due to the brakes locking up. I had at least two and a half car lenghts between me and the intersection. I believe as a result in the brakes locking up I was unable to stop and t-boned another car. My car was totalled. I have had other problems with the brakes locking up and nothing was done to repair the problem because the service people could not duplicate the problem so they did not know what to fix.
Dt: the contact stated while waiting at a stop light the vehicle in front of put on the brakes, this in turn caused the contact's vehicle to rear end the other vehicle. The seat belt did not restrain the contact. She hit her chest on the steering wheel. The vehicle was driven to the dealership to have this problem checked. No repairs were made. Updated 1/25/2006 - the dealer determined that the passenger side seat belt was also faulty.
I was driving ny car about 25-30 MPH when I heard a noise. Low and behold my right wheel was wobbling back and forth. Then it stopped for a moment so I decided to take car to shop. On my way to the shop my barring went completely out. My ABS light came on the everything locked up,got to shop right rear wheel was smoking bad. Shop told me everything burned up coast me 1,200.00 to get back on road. Just one of the many things fixed.
Has been to shop for 26 days in the past 4 months. Repeated failure of clutch (manual transmission), failure of brake pads, resulting in minor crash. Have had to had ball joints replaced. Cruise control was disconnected from accerator/brake. Key would not go into ignition and resulted in key ignition switch having to be replaced. Numerous recalls and trips to shop since bought brand new in August 2003
Ignition failed, had to be replaced, tires wear incredibly fast (4 sets of tires at 45000 miles), radio cut out, had to be replaced twice, brakes failed at least three times causing two accidents, dealership said they replaced them, but lied and never did, was forced to spend $500 having them replaced, trunk doesn't close, bad suspension, spun out on an exit ramp
I have a 2000 Ford Focus that I have had allot of problems with. I specially ordered this car to have all the safety features including side impact air bags, and anti loc brakes. We originally had bought the car in ca. The first problem happened at 3000 miles the rear brakes started squealing, and the seat belt buzzer wont go off. We took it to Ford were they said nothing was wrong. We moved to nc were we now live. Took it back to Ford with the same complaint this now 30,000 miles. They said they were defective, they had the car over night for the seat belt buzzer, still no problem found. So they replaced the brakes. When we picked up the car the seat belt buzzer did the job of staying on for us. It stopped the squeal problem with the brakes. 1 1/2 weeks later we had an accident. Whitch I might add the air bags did not go off. …
Brake complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 424 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Ford Focus, 12% of the model year's 3,686 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc (84 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Focus brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 31 crashes, 5 fires and 14 injuries and 2 deaths to brakes 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.