Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 3,881 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Ford Focus, and it carries 18 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1,097 | 28% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 329 | 8% |
| Suspension | 261 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 244 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 241 | 6% |
| Air bags | 158 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 134 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 125 | 3% |
| Power train | 114 | 3% |
| Steering | 93 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power in the middle of the road. The contact allowed the vehicle to sit for several minutes and t
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
I've been experiencing an electrical issue. I have lost power to my break lights completely. There was no warning lights or signs at all. I was pulled over and made aware by a police officer that my break light were out.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
WHEN IN IDLE, THE VEHICLE SHAKES, AND SOMETIMES STALLS. SOMETIMES I'M ABLE TO GET POWER BACK IN IT IF I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TAP THE GAS PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
MY CAR IS STALLING ITS JUMPING WHEN I TAKE OFF. I GET STRANDED AT CONVIENT STORES, DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS. AFTER I GET IT UP TO 60 MPH ITS OK
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 SAM
NHTSA complaint: Power train
2000 FORD FOCUS SE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *LD *JS *BF
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THE WHOLE CAR JOLTS WHEN YOU GO OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR OF THE STEERING SHAKES I'VE ALREADY REPLACED THE SAFETY NEUTRAL SWITCH ON A TRANSMISSION NOW MY CAR WILL NOT START IT JUST MAKES A CLICKING NOI
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARMS AND CRADLES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for the 2000 Ford Focus. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD
Risk: IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE
Fix: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CO
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
| Reliability raw | 50 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 65 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 97 | excellent |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 3,881 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 1,097 of them (28%). There are 18 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 50/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 65/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.