2000 Ford Focus ZX3 from North America - Comments

The car has left me broke down and towed three times.

The passenger cowl needed replaced after water began to leak into the passenger well at 25,000 miles. (and by water, I mean plenty of it) I applied an adhesive and secured the cowl.

The ignition button sticks when the key is removed and the chime sounds around 20,000 miles.

The wheels have excessive dust on them from about 20,000 miles.

I barely have 30,000 miles on the car and I have gone through three sets of tires. (each tire costs about 55.00)

The battery terminals and rear passenger wheel were recalled and replaced.

At 18,000 miles the passenger rear strut insert needed replaced after it blew out.

The paint is chipping off in the front and rust is beginning to appear on the driver's door at around 28,000 miles.

The battery died once for reasons unknown and I was jumped by a friend at about 12,000 miles. The battery tested normal at Auto Zone.

Then the car began hesitating and trying to stall at around 27,000 miles. I thought perhaps there is water in the gas. I dumped dry gas in and it did not correct the problem.

Last night, the car stalled and I was left stranded along side a highway in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately, the cell phone had signal. When I called the tow truck and she asked what year/model, I told her, and she said "Wow, that's such a new car. That's weird to have problems with it."

It is currently in the garage and no one knows the problem. Any fellow focuser's have any suggestions?

I think the car looks hot and is really comfortable.

It handles extremely well and parking is easy in tight spaces.

Riders in the car always comment on how much space there is. The Zx3's exterior is deceiving to how roomy the car is.

The focus was also a college graduation gift from my dad, so even though it has cost me lots and lots of money to keep fixing, it was still free.

I take good care of my focus and keep it maintained. I don't understand all the problems I have been having.

I would like to modify the car, but, with all of its problems, its not a good idea.

Yeah a good rule of thumb is never buy a first model year ford, nothing, but problems. I have a 2003 ZX3 that I bought in April, so far it hasn't had a single problem. the reliability is much better on the newer models, I haven't herd any complaints from 03 focus owners. if I were you id seek legal advice and see if you can use the lemon law to get the dealer to buy back the car or offer a newer replacement. it sounds like its worth looking into in your case. anyways, good luck!

I have a '03 Focus ZX3 I bought in July and have had it now for over 4 months and the only things I've taken mine in for is, for some reason, my car will sometimes stall out when I start it after a short trip. And when I come to a stop the idle drops too low, or at least I think it does, and you can feel a slight "shudder" in the steering wheel, seat, floorboard, etc. I've taken it in 4 times or so and no one can find a problem. No check engine light or anything comes on to let me or them know there's a problem.

I think I will try another out of town dealer to see if they may know about this problem.

This is my first new car and I do not want a new car that may leave me stranded in a parking lot 'cause it don't feel like running.

But, I agree with the other person who posted about you going to a legal service and seeing what you can do.

It's worth a shot 'cause you can't keep getting stranded with a new car right? I don't care if a car is as much as 4 years old, it's still a new or newer car.

I too have a 2000 Focus and it has been fine, for the most part. Last year, the ignition cylinder froze leaving me stranded late at night in a bad area of town. I had the car towed and the cylinder had to be replaced for $430. I complained to Ford and they paid for half. Less than a year later, the same thing happened again. I had no choice, but to replace it again and this time Ford will do nothing to help. This is above and beyond regular car care... any ideas what can be done? thanks jobean222@aol.com.

I have a 2000 Focus ZX3, and I too have had quite a bit of problems. Right now I need to fix my brakes again, and I have a coolant leak somewhere. Also, my ignition has locked up twice. First time it was covered under warranty, but ford kept the car for almost 2 weeks and when I picked it up it had a flat tire and the dealership refused to help me. The second time my fiance's Dad, who is a mechanic and car dealer, had his locksmith friend help me. He said that the problem is very common in the Focus. A trick we used to get the car up and running, was to squirt WD-40 into the ignition a wiggle the key till it starts. He then had to clean or replace, can't remember, the discs within the ignition, took him about 30 minutes and charged us nothing. So I now keep a can of WD-40 with me, and since the car is paid for, I will just keep fixing it.

Stalling problem solved! I have a 2000 ZX3 as well and I've had some problems. So if your car has similar problems it could be... (drum roll)...the fuel pump. These problems include, but are not limited to, stalling, loss of power, a sort of chugging once reaching a certain RPMs (like a loss of power), car not starting in general- feels like its choking or flooding with gas (sometimes you can smell excess gas) - I would bet its the fuel pump. But no fear, the fuel pump for this model is under warranty. Simply call your local Ford dealer and tell them you believe your fuel pump has gone bad and they shall fix it for free. Be warned, they will have you replace the filter which runs about $60 and you will have to pay for the tow. But that saves you the $400-$800 on the pump.