2000 Ford Focus from North America - Comments

My daughter has a 2000 Ford Focus, just had the ignition switch fixed for the 2nd time in less than two years. Brakes replaced 3 times, 3 sets of tires replaced, leaking on passenger floorboard and cannot find the leak and now the airbag light has come on. This car has less than 80,000 miles on it!!! Ford should be ashamed.

Sorry that the figures from the Ford Technical Service Bulletin did not paste with the rest of the information. Good Luck.

Article No.

02-25-1 WATER LEAKS - WATER LEAK AT FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AREA - SERVICE TIPS.

Publication Date: December 5, 2002.

FORD: 2000-2003 FOCUS.

ISSUE:

Some vehicles may exhibit a difficult to diagnose or difficult to repair water leak condition in the front passenger floor area. This may be caused by sealer skips, loose grommets, mis-positioned seals, etc.

ACTION:

Some common water leak locations and repair recommendations are listed below to help reduce repair time and increase repair effectiveness.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Using a high-pressure water hose or a pressure washer, run water over the roof onto the windshield being sure to direct water over the roof ditch mouldings, and down onto the cowl (Figure 1). From the side of the car with the hood open, direct water into the base of the A-pillar in the hood hinge area (Figure 2). With the right inner fender splash shield removed, direct water into the back of the right front wheel well area (Figure 3).

After Water testing is complete, inspect the following areas for visible signs of leaks.

NOTE: IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO FULLY ACCESS AND REPAIR SOME LEAK SOURCES. FOLLOW WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION 501-12 IF INSTRUMENT PANEL REMOVAL IS NECESSARY.

If Water Is Visible At Blower Motor Connector, Blower Motor Resistor, Blower Motor Mounting Flange, Or Foot Air Duct:

The most likely source of the leak is the fresh air intake. (Water entry into the air inlet housing may be visible by looking through the recirculation door as it is opened or closed. To do this, remove the glove box, turn the ignition key to the on position and push the recirculation button.)

Inspect for the following:

Inspect for visible gaps between the windshield and the cowl grille (Figure 4). If gaps are present remove and replace the cowl grille, (1S4Z-5402228-CA) per Workshop Manual Section 501-02.

Remove cowl panel, inspect for gaps between pollen filter housing gasket and sheet metal plenum. If present, inspect for studs bent or off center. If off center, use a drill to slot the housing (Figure 5).

Inspect for bent plenum sheet metal flanges - repair as necessary.

Inspect Pollen Filter Housing gasket for damage. If damaged, replace Pollen filter housing (YS4Z-19N619-EA).

If Water Is Visible On Evaporator Case Seal At The Heater Core Inlet/Outlet (Figure 6) :

Inspect for a mis-positioned evaporator case seal at the heater core inlet/outlet. Repair as necessary.

Inspect for loose evaporator case housing nuts. Repair as necessary.

If Water Is Visible In The Right Kick Panel/A-Post Area:

Inspect for sealer skip behind windshield roof ditch mouldings. Fold the ditch moulding back and inspect for pinhole in the body seal just above the windshield. Reseal as necessary (Figure 7).

Inspect for wire harness body grommet loose or mis-positioned. Reposition or reinstall grommet as necessary (Figure 8).

Skip in windshield urethane. Reseal as necessary.

Inspect for sealer skip in A-post to cowl joint. Reseal as necessary (Figure 9).

Inspect for sealer skips between the cowl top to bulk head, just above the main harness grommet. (Figure 10).

Rerun water test after repairs, to verify all possible leak sources are sealed.

PART NUMBER PART NAME

YS4Z-19N619-EA Pollen Filter Housing

1S4Z-5402228-CA Cowl Grille

F7AZ-19554-CA Clear Silicone Rubber.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:

01-9-2, 02-15-6.

SUPERSEDES:

01-9-2.

Warranty STATUS:

INFORMATION ONLY.

OASIS CODES:

110000, 111000.

Figure 1 - Article 02-25-1.

Figure 2 - Article 02-25-1.

Figure 3 - Article 02-25-1.

Figure 4 - Article 02-25-1.

Figure 5 - Article 02-25-1.

Figure 6 - Article 02-25-1.

Figure 7 - Article 02-25-1.

Figure 8 - Article 02-25-1.

Figure 9 - Article 02-25-1.

Figure 10 - Article 02-25-1.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle.

Copyright © 2002 Ford Motor Company.

I dunno what to do!!! Mine is leaking. I tried changing the cowl panel - that doesn't work. I've sealed round the thing that holds pollen filter, and it's not coming through the blowers, it's coming down right at the back off the footwell.

I park my car facing downhill with drivers side up on the curb (steering wheel on the right side off car). I dunno what else there is left to do. I might cover the pollen filter completely over with something and see if anything still comes through. I best make sure I don't turn blowers on!

Can anyone help???

I have a 2000 Focus here in the UK and bought it about 6 months ago with no problems to date.

However, I drove through a ford last night after going through a flooded area and this morning have found the now-notorious wet passenger footwell! Lots of rain recently though and the car has not been used much.

Thanks for all the postings. I've had a look at the cowl under the wiper and it's well away from the windscreen with remnants of old sealant visible. Stuck down with electrical tape for tonight!! I have had the carpets up and drying with a hair-dryer today (what fun...) and I will try to pick up sealant, cowl and filter tomorrow from my friendly local ford dealer... and DIY it. I'll post my results on here.

Rich, Reading, England.

Hi, I live in the UK and have a Y reg Focus, and have been having water in the passenger foot well for a while now. I've just bought a new blower resistor as the water seems to have damaged this, and I've also bought some windscreen sealant. Do I just have to put a bead of this sealant across the bottom of the windscreen to stop the water coming in, or do I need to actually do something with the pollen filter cover. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Steven.

I have a 2003 Focus SVT that I purchased used now with 45,000 miles on it. I had to replace the battery and fix the drivers side seat heater in the year that I've owned it. Nothing overly problematic I'd say. Seat heaters burn out eventually. The brakes look like new and everything works as it should. I got the detailed history using the vin # from the dealer and found a rear hatch lock replaced, shifter cable replaced, and rear spring shields replaced all under warranty before I bought it. I don't think any of those things are a major hassle. It would be great if all cars never broke down, fact is all cars do, even Lexus, Honda, and other Japanese cars. As long as it continues to run and doesn't strand you, some problems should just be considered what they are, a nuisance. So let's all take a deep breath and relax a little!

I have been having problems with my 2000 Focus SE since the day I drove it off the lot. I was in a head on car accident. So, I only was able to drive to and from doctor a few times a week. 30 miles round trip.

Well, in 3 months my car had 12,000 miles on it. I was told by Ford my kids were taking my car at night for joy rides.

I have had everything possible happen to my car that everyone else has had. I have had a ticking in my engine since I bought the car and was told that was weather related or that they could not hear it. Finally when my warranty was 5 days within running out, Ford told me I had the best insurance out there and it was only 50.00 co-pay and everything in the car was covered. Why did they not tell me this when I first started having problems, and when I told them I couldn't afford the monies to have the problem analysed.

Anyway, they didn't fix my car entirely like they were suppose to and the warranty ran out. I still had the ticking. Brake problems, underbody problems. Lots of clunking.

And just lately the ignition went and I can't take the key out, or I won't get the car started as well, as all my door locks stopped.

And now, it flat out blew up.

I have complained to Ford locally and the corporate office several times, and they just don't want to step up to the plate. I feel violated by Ford. My car was truly a lemon and they did nothing to help me. And now they want to charge me $100.00 or more and hour to determine if a timing belt was put in properly or not. Does this just not take the cake.

My biggest wish is that Ford would apologize to me for all that they have put me through. If they would have done the right thing back in 2000, I would not be in this spot today.

Does anyone have lawsuits or anything that I can be in on? They really do take advantage of women.

I was also told that my car may have blown up by driving high speed. Going up a hill less than 40 mile an hour. Any advice would be of big help. Thanks sjwymore1@yahoo.com