Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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.
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.
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
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in a public parking area, another vehicle hit the front end of the parked vehicle causing it to be moved ten feet onto the road. On another occasion, while parked, the vehicle moved on its own hitting another parked vehicle. The vehicle was taken into a local independent body shop for body work. There were no further examination or repairs made.
Nov 2002 took to dealer the car was purchased from, told them it was sluggish and gas guage didn't always register. I thought at that time it was maybe the transmission. I was told nothing wrong, could not duplicate problem. Took to neighborhood dealer for the same problem replaced fuel filter. Had all this work before warranty expired in feb 2003. Never notified about possible fuel pump. June 27th started car and engine died. It then wouldn't start again for about 30 minutes. I took it immediately to my neighborhood Ford dealership. Who told me it was the fuel pump and strongly suggest not to drive the car until repair. So the car was left there for repairs. After listen to the service people at the dealership, it came to my attention this was a common problem. I started to invesigate this myself and find 67 cases listed on the NHTSA website. …
2000 Ford Focus #1 car has been owned by me since 2001 (bought from a dealer with 13K miles on it), it gets used lightly and never goes on long trips. I use it just for local driving, to and from work. (about 5 miles a day, car has 80K miles on it) this car is a lemon! I have had some of the strangest problems and gone through more recalls then anyone should have to. #2 problems I'm having currently: suspension car's front passenger side spring has broken, makes very loud crunching noises when turning, needs repair. Electrical car has smelled of burning rubber, and electrical system has started smoking on more then one occasion, have come very close to going up in flames. Turning the car off then disconnecting the battery terminal cures the problem temporarily. Was also told by local mechanic front axles are bad, and need to be replaced soon but do not know much more about it. …
I have owned this car since December of 2003 and it has been a very large money pit. This time the car just stopped running. I had taken it to autozone and they told me it need an EGR sensor or hosing for it. When I was turning at a light the car just stopped running when I had just turned onto a main highway. There has been major electrical problems with it since day one. This car has had 5 clutches in it and I have complained about that all in itself because a car should never need that many clutches within 100,000 miles. That is ridiculous and very expensive and I have gotten no where with that even though there are other 2000 Ford Focus's with the same issue. My one head light is not right it never has been there is corrosion on the inside of the headlamp. The rear door latch does not work on the passenger side of the vehicle. …
We purchased a vehicle on 09/03/2016 from grass valley auto wholesale brokers, grass valley, ca. The vehicle was making a ticking noise and seemed to have a power issue, it kept losing it. The next day I called the lot and told them. They said they had it checked out and not to worry. I did. It kept happening sporadically. I had a 3 month/3K miles warranty. After calling the lot again, I relayed the same symptoms the car was having. I wanted to know did they think if it could be a transmission issue, could be, was the answer I got.. In November I took the vehicle into jr's transmission, came recommended. They serviced the transmission, it was good. It was still happening. Two days ago, coming off a stoplight, I put the gas down and it made a loud knock . I hobbled to the corner, approx 100 yards. …
Gas mileage is poor on this size veh--motor kicks into neutral while driving at higher speeds. Dealer keeps telling me there is no problem/cannot duplicate, 4 incidents, this is very freighting. Especially in heavy traffic & cannot get off the road fast. Brakes wear between 16000 and 18000 miles with normal driving. The motor belt had to be replaced at 22000 miles. This never happened so soon with any vehicle I have ever owned. Repairs and services are very expensive, many safety recalls and product warnings that take time to repair. The dealer has a problem making sure the parts are available when I make an appointment. The wheel bearings have been replaced several times and sound like they May be going bad again! I do not feel safe in this vehicle. What if something fails while myself or my family are in this vehicle. …
On aug 31, 2001 at approxametly 1:40 pm, while on my way to work my speedometer, and tachometer topped out. And all dash electrical systems began flashing. My car began excelerating and stopping on its own, and I imedeiately noticed smoke pouring from under the hood and from the vents. I pulled into parking lot at work, I poped the hood and called the fire department, becuase there were flames coming from the battery area. The fire depr't came and put out the fire, the car was towed to the nearest Ford dealer (purvis Ford, fredericksburg va). I have only had the car 28 days and have not paid a payment as yet when this occured. If you can contact me at work perferably, or home, please enter the following code when calling our house ([redacted]). Any thing you can do to help is appreciated as no one will look at my vechile (indlucing Ford and the dealer where purchased.) thank you. …
Transmission complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 225 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Ford Focus, 6% of the model year's 3,686 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (95 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Focus transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 3 fires and 6 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.