Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Car was being driven to work when engine began to hesitate and eventually stalled. Due to loss of power steering, driver lost control of the car and collided with concrete median barrier. Accident caused aesthetic damage to front and rear bumpers. The car was rarely driven after the accident since it would only drive for a few miles before stalling and I didn't want it to cause another accident. I couldn't afford to have the car fixed. I have recently discovered Ford's recall #03n01 - fuel delivery module on the vehicle [redacted] when doing research about how to fix the problem with the car stalling. This was found on the following website: http://www.escortfocus.com/html/focus_111903.html . The recall was issued in nov. 2003 but I was never notified. I have a screen capture of the my Ford vehicle home website where it lists recalls for my vehicle. …
My complaint deals with the 2000 Ford Focus . I purchased this vehicle in June of 2001 with 100 miles on the odometer. Since then I have had to bring my car back for a few recals. One of the recals was the rear suspension where my car lost control and I veered off the road....luckily noone was hurt. The reason why I am writing this complaint is because I understand that there is a investigation on the Focus for various problems. I wanted to add to the investigation by saying that I just spent 340 bucks on my ignition switch because it wouldn't turn which I understand is a common problem and I also had problems with my car stalling in the middle of the thruway. I almost crashed into an eighteen wheeler! I have had the fuel pump replaced and my car still idols very rough and occasionaly stalls out when I am stopped. …
In July 2015 I started to notice a smell of gas whenever I was outside my car whether driving or not. I live in central california where the summer temps are typically over 100 degrees and can go as high as 114 (or more, on rare occasions). My mechanic went over the vehicle twice in aug and sept. They pressurized the fuel system and did not find any leaks. As the weather cooled in winter the smell went away. In January 2016 we had an unusually hot week, at first I did not use the ac. I noticed that the gas smell was back...but only when the ac was not on. If the ac is on I do not smell gas. During the summer I only smelled the gas when outside the vehicle. This year I also smell it inside the car. I have not been to the dealer. I have looked for recall info regarding this and do not find any.
My car suddenly stall when I am stop in a ligth or when I am driving, it has been 4 times at dealer but they can find the problem, this morning I was hit by a car I was driving and my car suddenly stalled the car behind me wasn't able to stop and hit me, thanks god nothing happened it was just a small scratch, so when NHTSA is going to do something about this, are you waiting for some one to die in a crash accident, please do something about it.
Normal driving when accelerating or going on ramps onto the hwy. Also it happens when making left turns onto street etc. Car stalls, or the power gets caught off. This problem LED to oncoming traffic car hit my car as the car stalled when I was making left hand turn. It occurs often when below 1/3 fuel tank of fuel. Ford had issued extended warranty on the fuel delivery module 10 years only since initial purchase date.
While driving at any speed on the highway vehicle stalls intermittently, and by doing so, it causes steering wheel to lock. Vehicle had been in dealer's shop for fuel pump replacement. At the time of fuel pump replacement mechanic broke the plastic coupling that connected the fuel line to the fuel tank. The breaking of the coupling caused an explosion to occur in the fuel tank.
My 2000 Ford Focus stalls whenever I come to a stop, it occurs everyday and at times my car has shut off right in the middle of traffic almost causing collisions. Nothing has been done to correct the failure, Ford has not contacted me in regards to the recall nor have they return any of my attempts to get the problem solved.
While driving vehicle started to leak fuel in the engine, then, vehicle caught on fire. As a result vehicle was totaled. Consumer states Ford motor company refuses to tell her what exactly happened. Dealer notified.
Nov of 2002 took to dealer the car was purchased from, told them it was running sluggish and the gas guage didn't always register. Told nothing wrong, could not dulpiate problem. Took to neighborhood dealer for same problem, replace fuel filter. Had all this work done before warranty expired in feb 2003. Never was notified about possible fuel pump. I feel this was left out so the Ford deaership and company didn't have to cover this part. I have had problems with both locate dealership on getting repairs completed. Having to return the car two or three times to one dealers. I have filed complaints about the leak of service with Ford. My milage is 39,400, I have my service done regularly by Ford. Went to take my daughter to school on June 27th,2003. My car started then died, them wouldn't start again for about 30 minutes. Drove to dealer very sluggish. …
Fuel delivery problem, possibly vapor lock/fuel pump related (a common $450-$600 repair way too early in the life of the 2000 & 2001 Ford Focus according to anecdotal e-mail evidence on internet chat sites), but equally likely to be related to ea02-022. 1st symptom was loss of power upon shifting into 2nd gear. Speed there was acceleration from 12 MPH up into 2nd gear. The car recovered after a near stall with oncoming traffic approaching. 2nd incident was the next day (today) where I was shifting from around 25 MPH into third gear in morning rush hour traffic and was nearly rear-ended because the vehicle stalled. Fortunately I was albe to pull over to the shoulder, whereupon the vehicle would not accelerate in any gear/was completely asthmatic. After two minutes in place the vehicle recovered and I was able to proceed. …
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
On certain passenger vehicles, contamination of the filter in the fuel delivery module (fdm) can reduce, and eventually block, the flow of fuel to the engine.
Remedy: This action is deemed a safety improvement campaign and is not being conducted under the safety act. All owners will be notified of the problem, and dealers will replace the fdm with a new design at no charge if the…
NHTSA investigations
Engine stalling
Clogging of the fuel delivery module (fdm) filters in the subject vehicles can lead to stalling and other related symptoms.these symptoms become increasingly obvious to the driver as the clogging gradually increases over extended periods of driving.stalling in these vehicles is most likely to occur when accelerating through a right hand turn such as merging into freeway traffic when the fuel level in the fuel tank…
Fuel System complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2000 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 411 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2000 Ford Focus, 11% of the model year's 3,686 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (195 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Focus fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-482 (fuel system, gasoline, Nov 19, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Focus fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 8 fires and 3 injuries and 6 deaths to fuel & propulsion system 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.