Throughout the 2000s, the Ford Focus was the subject of several recalls. According to the Insideline website, there were eight recalls during the model's first year on the market alone. Ford officials deemed the reports as sufficient grounds for launching recalls between 2000 to 2009, for varying reasons.
According to the Auto Mall USA website, on October 12, 2000, Ford Motor Company recalled about 28,800 model year 2000 Focuses due to a defect with a certain cable. One of the cables had a wire that was long enough to catch onto the sleeve during wide-open throttle acceleration. The concern was that the throttle would be unable to return to idle. That would result in reduced vehicle control, and possibly a crash.
On many Focuses, the door latch malfunctioned. On February 1, 2005, the automaker recalled 589,932 Focuses. The Automall USA website attributes the problem that led to the recall to a buildup of corrosion on the back door of the car. This caused the back door latch not to open and close properly. The result of this would be that the door could open while the car was in motion, potentially causing an occupant to fall out.
On November 19, 2003, the auto company recalled 671,000 2000 Ford Focuses due to fuel filter contamination. This problem can reduce the flow of fuel to the engine. Failure to diagnose and treat this condition can block the fuel flow to the engine sufficiently to cause a crash. The Carcomplaints website mentions fuel delivery issues as the seventh most common consumer complaint concerning this car.
On December 6, 2000, Ford recalled about 74,500 Focuses. According to the Auto Mall USA website, a decklid wire harness wore out, developing broken wires in the bend area of the wire harness. The concern was that a short could occur, which could cause a fuse to open. This, in turn, could cause a stop lamp or a taillight to quit functioning. The website points out that this could increase the risk of a crash. According to the Carcomplaints website, this is the 13th most common consumer complaint against the 2000 Ford Focus.
The Auto Mall USA website reports that a recall of over 1,000,000 Focuses took place on August 8, 2001, because the switch in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear malfunctioned on some 2000 Ford Focuses and overheated. The company saw the potential for the loss of windshield wiper function, which could lead to decreased visibility during a rainstorm or snow and ice buildup and potentially an accident. The Autobeef website lists this as the fourth most common complaint against the car.
