2000 Ford Focus Steering Problems
Owners have filed 168 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2000 Ford Focus, 5% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 61,574 miles. The words owners use most often: “steering column” (16% of reports).
- 168steering complaints
- 61,574median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $620typical repair cost reported by owners
- 30%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering column: mentioned in 27 of 168 complaints (16%)
- Wheel locked: mentioned in 22 of 168 complaints (13%)
- Key turn: mentioned in 20 of 168 complaints (12%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the 2000 Ford Focus at $620, and half of them between $450 and $880.
Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2006), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 72 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 168 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 3 an injury.
Ford Focus steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Focus | 30 | 4% | 47,500 |
| 2017 Focus | 20 | 2% | 61,800 |
| 2016 Focus | 45 | 4% | 48,000 |
| 2015 Focus | 93 | 9% | 61,610 |
| 2014 Focus | 221 | 8% | 51,000 |
| 2013 Focus | 273 | 13% | 74,000 |
| 2012 Focus | 927 | 25% | 78,000 |
| 2011 Focus | 10 | 9% | 40,000 |
| 2010 Focus | 13 | 5% | 58,000 |
| 2009 Focus | 9 | 4% | 6,500 |
| 2008 Focus | 12 | 5% | 23,000 |
| 2007 Focus | 13 | 3% | 59,360 |
| 2006 Focus | 5 | 2% | 47,073 |
| 2005 Focus | 18 | 4% | 60,133 |
| 2004 Focus | 29 | 7% | 54,111 |
| 2003 Focus | 73 | 7% | 70,500 |
| 2002 Focus | 53 | 6% | 44,586 |
| 2001 Focus | 86 | 5% | 41,000 |
| 2000 Focus | 168 | 5% | 61,574 |
| 1999 Focus | 1 | 9% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Steering:linkages
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles have loose pinch bolts that secure the lower control arm to the steering knuckle have been reported.
Risk: Loose pinch bolts could exhibit noise, vibration and, in extreme cases if left uncorrected, separation of the joint or fracture of the ball joint stud, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering knuckle pinch bolt for tightness and correct as necessary. Owner notification began february 10, 2003. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Key wont go into ignition, wheel locked up, have to get locksmith to fix...barely affordable. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized without warning while driving on the highway. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was…
I was on my way to work when thankfully i decided to stop at the gas station and get gas. As i was getting out of my car i lightly tapped the steering wheel and it popped off. I freaked out and looked at was happened all my steering wheel was hanging by was the wires to my horn and airbag. I had to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2000 Ford Focuss have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 168 owner complaints about steering for the 2000 Ford Focus (5% of the 3,686 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2000 Ford Focus steering?
Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 61,574 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the 2000 Ford Focus?
Owners report a typical cost of $620 (half paid between $450 and $880), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2000 Ford Focus?
The most frequent phrase is “steering column”, in 27 of 168 complaints, followed by “wheel locked” (22).
Other 2000 Ford Focus problems
See all 2000 Ford Focus problems or steering problems across all Focus years.