Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
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 consumer stated there were multiple problems with the vehicle. The brakes make noises and pulsated when the pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer where the brake light switch and ignition cylinder switches were replaced. The dealer also turned the drums, replaced the brake pads and resurfaced the front rotors. There was a vibration in the front end when braking. The lower ball joint, right wheel bearings, right front sway bar link, bone socket, steering rack column and tie rod ends were replaced in an attempt to remedy the problem. The tail light covers retained moisture and condensation built up. The dealer replaced the tail light covers and fuses that were blown due to the moisture. Lastly, the contact noticed the rear seat was loose and upon inspection the dealer discovered an anchor and hinge problem. The back hinge and pillar were replaced.
A hole appeared in the driver's seat upholstery, near the drivers left hip. Disassembly of the seat cushion revealed a broken weld which allowed a sharp metal piece to puncture the upholstery. I also observed this on replacement seats I purchased from a 2002 svt Focus. Photos (of the 2000 seat) at https://flic.kr/p/mle2fp; https://flic.kr/p/mlduyh; https://flic.kr/p/mle5w6. I was aware of the hole when I purchased this car in 2005, but did not discover the cause until recently, when the seat folding mechanism failed, and I had to replace the seats, and noticed a similar hole in several that I saw. I then disassembled the original seat and found the cause of the problem. This issue is dangerous in that it exposes the driver's body to a sharp metal projection.
The front drivers seatback has completely failed: I.e. The right side of the seat back has collapsed with no warning, while driving, which almost caused an accident! After reviewing the NHTSA listing of customer complaints I realized this is not the first complaint of this kind.
My Focus was struck from the rear on I-75 by a large pickup truck. At the instant of collision, the drivers seat collapsed. The seat belt system worked perfectly, but the collapse of the seat result in whiplash and loss of control of the vehicle.
Both front seats completely collapsed backwards when vehicle was struck from rear. Dealer was notified. Consumer was pushed into an intersection, had no control over steering wheel, 2 people were injured in accident.
The rear middle seat belt is jamming for the fourth time. The belt will not retract out which is a safety issue. The dealership has replaced the belt three times now and going back for the fourth on febuary 11 2005.
There is a very bad squeaking noise when braking, and when consumer lets off the brake there is a grinding noise. Driver states more than twice brake pedal was applied, and pedal went to the floor. Ford has been contacted.also consumer was complaining of the transmission slipping, the cigarette lighter was not working, cup holder bubbling, serpentine belt was replaced due to a squeal coming from under the hood, gas light was coming on when the tank was full of gas, door ajar light was coming on, starter and battery were replaced, driver sider mirror knob fell off, RPM runs high, headlamp molding was replaced, sunvisor was broke, rear child seat latch cover was broke, air conditioner and heater were replaced, passenger door trim, driver seat metal bar, rewind button for am/fm cassette was inoperative, carpet loose, pillar trim was coming off, ticking noise was coming from the front of …
When applying brake pedal it would go to the floor, also brakes will grind. Rotors had to be turned, and brakes were replaced 7 times, but the problem reoccurred. Transmission slips and jerks and rpms jump. No problem found. Consumer hears loose gravel sound from right front wheel area. Dealer found wheel well loose. Dealer found serpentine belt failed causing whistle squeal under hood. Gas light on with full tank and door ajar light is on. Dealer replaced battery. Evaporative hose loose. Dealer removed and installed fuel tank. Cigarette lighter not working. R-cup hold bubbling. Driver side mirror knob falls off. Rear child seat latch cover in broke. Front driver seat metal fell out. Both headlamps moulding fall out. Sunvisor mirror/bracket moulding on passenger side between door / dash loose. Broken. Right outer ac vent broken. Loose carpet on right front floor. Pillar trim coming off. …
Re: NHTSA campaign: 00v-418 - - in July 2007 we bought a 2000 Ford Focus wagon as a 2nd car. Upon lowering the back seat to load items, the seat separated from the hinge. Researching this problem on the internet I learned of the above NHTSA recall campaign and contacted Ford. They state that no recall was issued for my vehicle and refuse any further comment, even though the defect in my car is exactly as described in the recall notice. I even referred their "customer relations" office to your website as an "fyi" but they adamantly refuse to reply with any meaningful response. …
Was traveling approximately 65mph when vehicle went out of control. Wheels had felt wobblely and loose. Had to swerve to miss several vehicles. Managed to get off freeway and stopped vehicle. Had vehicle towed to dealership. Was informed by mechanic wheel bearings went out. Dealership has to order parts. Vehicle was repaired previously under recall. Screws keep falling out of seat belt and has happened two times. Drivers side seat lever keeps breaking and has happened three times. Windshield wipers failed while driving during a heavy rain storm, received recall two weeks later, 01V258, dealer replaced wiper motor. Turn signal failed, dealer replaced bulb. Problems with brakes, rear drum assembly bearing wore into wheel spindle, front brake pads replaced, front rotors resurfaced. Consumer feels every bump in the road. Bearings have failed twice. Side mirror broke. …
Related recalls
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Vehicle description: station wagons and 3-door vehicles. The subject vehicles have a folding 60/40 second seat that becomes a load floor in the folded position. When the 60% portion of the seat is folded down and a load is applied to the front edge of the load floor, the outboard hinge pivot could disengage from the hinge.
Remedy: Dealers will install a revised seat back hinge pivot.
Seat complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2000 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the seats of the 2000 Ford Focus, 1% of the model year's 3,686 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › recliner (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Focus seat problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-418 (recliner, Dec 14, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Focus seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to seats 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.