VehicleVerdict

2000 Ford Focus steering problems

The 2000 Ford Focus has 173 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 3% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

173

Steering complaints

3%

Share of year

13

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Steering complaints by year

Focus steering complaints by model year927 complaints1999: 2 complaints2000: 173 complaints2001: 86 complaints2002: 53 complaints2003: 76 complaints2004: 29 complaints2005: 18 complaints2006: 5 complaints2007: 13 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 9 complaints2010: 13 complaints2011: 10 complaints2012: 927 complaints2013: 274 complaints2014: 219 complaints2015: 94 complaints2016: 45 complaints2017: 20 complaints2018: 30 complaints
Focus steering complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

02V289000SteeringNovember 6, 2002 · 446,569 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE PINCH BOLTS THAT SECURE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Common questions

How many steering complaints does the 2000 Ford Focus have?

NHTSA has 173 complaints about the 2000 Ford Focus steering — 3% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2000 Ford Focus steering?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the steering: 02V289000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.