Ignition Switch problems of the 2000 Ford Focus - part 2

Ignition key will not turn, cannot start car and stranded. Second occurrence after previously repairing same problem with a new lock cylinder from Ford.

I have a 2000 Ford Focus. The ignition switch will not turn, as a result, the steering wheel will not turn. I am unable to start the car. This is the second time this has happen to me.

I parked my car and took the key out as usual. When I got back in a few minutes later and tried to start it the ignition cylinder was inexplicably seized up. This left me stranded, in a snow storm, several miles from my home late at night. In researching the problem I'm seeing it's a common problem for my model of vehicle. If I had been made aware of the problem, as an owner, I could have been aware of the possibility of it happening.

Failure of ignition key to turn in ignition lock. Left me stranded. Called locksmith to have whole ignition drilled out and replaced. Locksmith informed me that Ford motor company has issued a technical service bulletin about the problem but has refused to recall the defective part.

My 2000 Ford Focus ignition switch failed and from what I am reading on the internet the Ford Focus is known for this issue, and I am letting ricart Ford know that I will not pay in anyway for this defected part. If I have to I will get my lawyer involved.

The ignition switch on my 2000 Ford Focus, tend to stick and you cannot remove the key without jerking hard on the key to remove . Now the key is stuck in the switch and will not turn on. It stranded me 5 miles from home.

Was stranded with baby when unable to insert key into ignition and start vehicle (2000 Ford Focus) which locksmith tells me is common defect in this make and model. Ignition switch replaced with cost of $180.

Key locking up in ignition. Car only has 50,000 miles. $500 repair bill plus towing charge and left me stranded in snow storm.

1) I parked in a redzone to let my friend out of the vehicle and then I loaded something into my car. 2) I went to restart my vehicle and the ignition mechanism failed- couldn't insert the key properly and was unable to start the car. So it was late at night and I was unable to move my car to a safer location. Luckily I had aaa in addition to two generous friends who were able to help me with the cost- $265!!! because I didn't have the money to pay the man up front. Otherwise my car would've been ticketed and towed. 3) he drilled out the old ignition mechanism and replaced it. 2 hours of my life and $265 later!!.

There has been an ongoing problem with my ignition switch in my 2000 Ford Focus. The steering column seems to lock up on me and the key wont turn to unlock it. This problem has been ongoing for a while now. I know I am not the first person this has happen to. I just hope something can be done about this. Ford wants almost 400. 00 dollars to fix this problem and it isn't even a guaranteed fix. I don't think this is right for Ford to charge that kind of money for something that will happen again down the road.

The ignition switch locked in my 2000 Ford Focus, first the key did not go in all the way and when it did, the switch did no turn. The repaid costs 400. 00.

Ignition switch failure. Key will not turn when fully inserted in ignition switch.

Ford Focus 2000 ignition broke causing my key not to go in right and not to turn. I was forced to call a lock smith and have the lock replaced.

On numerous occasions while attempting to start my 2000 Ford Focus the key will not turn. Initially thinking it was a key issue I researched the internet to find numerous issues surrounding the 2000 Ford Focus and poor quality of the tumbler assembly leaving people stranded and/or keys stuck in the ignition. Ford has also issued a service bulletin to their dealers in regard to this issue. I contacted my local dealership and also dealt with Ford corporate looking for a solution. They say there isn't a safety issue even though they issued the service bulletin. At this time my only solution to have Ford replace to prevent my family from being stranded.

The car has 32000 miles after 6 years. In December 2006 the ignition failed catastrophically and without warning. I could not insert the key. I called the dealer and was told that the car would have to be towed and that my extended warranty had expired. I was able the restart the car, but it failed again on December 11, 2006, stranding me. I had the car towed and the mechanic informed me that this problem is common on this model, to the extend that Ford keeps the requisite parts in stock. He attributed it to a design fault. My concern is that if this problem indeed is common a driver could be stranded and helpless in a dangerous situation, with serious risk to safety and possibly life. If the mechanic's opinion that there is a design fault is correct, Ford should recall the car.

I own a 2000 Ford Focus and I am experiencing the ignition key lock. This is the second time this happen to this car, but there are numerous cases logged on the internet. Ford denied the problem and does not make itself responsible for this defective part. Texas is a big state with miles of empty road and if this problem happen while driving on theses road on a winter or a very hot summer a person can die.

2000 Focus wagon key doesn't turn in ignition this is the second time this has happened, which cost me money in time loss from work and having a locksmith come and fix it until I can get it to a dealership to repair it again!.

Ford Focus 2000 steering wheel locked, at any given time. I spent 4 hours five different people trying to get this thing unlocked. This is a major problem, it has locked up on me more than 50 times. This needs to be fixed!!!! recalled by Ford ASAP.

Like many people, my 2000 Ford Focus is having a problem with the ignition cylinder locking up. It's happened many times before but corrected itself after many tries. However, it locked up again this past Saturday and has yet to unlock.

Without premonitory warning or observed marginal behavior, ignition lock failed and key could not be inserted fully or turned to start engine. Key finally turned after a few minutes of re-trying, banging on steering column, etc. Loss: time spent retrying, and intangible anxiety concerning having to leave key in ignition over a weekend while investigating options for replacement during regular business hours to reduce cost relative to replacement in the field. Problem solved by purchasing non-oem aftermarket ignition lock cylinder at an independent automotive locksmith, after online literature search indicated that despite 4 related tsbs (14533,15421,02182,13968) and thousands of owner reports, Ford has not issued a recall - so full-cost service work done at a dealer would probably result in replacement with another instance of the faulty original part. I performed all labor except for setting new lock to existing key profile. Old part retained.

The ignition switch cylinder locked and I was unable to turn the switch or remove the key. Switch cylinder had to be replaced. I understand this is a recurring problem and has not been addressed by a Ford recall.

2000 Ford Focus; ignition cylinder failure.

(1) normal operation of vehicle - no indications of problems or issues (2) ignition cylinder failure causing inability to start vehicle and inability to operate steering mechanisms to direct vehicle to a location outside of traffic flow. Vehicle was left stranded and unable to start in a relatively safe location, however, if failure had occurred while vehicle was in right of way (if engine had been turned off to save fuel during traffic jam - for instance ) could have presented safety issue. (3) repairs in progress - required drilling out ignition cylinder and complete replacement.

2000 Ford Focus se ignition switch failure. Key will not turn in ignition, becomes locked up and car will never start. I have to leave a key in ignition constantly so that I can drive it and not be stranded. Single mother of 2 children who would prefer to have a safe car.

I purchased a 2000 Ford Focus se new in 2000. Since then I have been minimally satisfied with its performance despite a string of recalls. This week, I went to start my car and the ignition lock seized. I tried to turn it multiple times, bumping the steering wheel to release the lock, and eventually the key broke off in the ignition. I had to tow the car to a dealer, who could not get the lock cylinder removed without drilling it out. The dealer installed an aftermarket ignition as per Ford's service bulletin on this problem. The total repair, including tow, cost me $500. I am very upset that this problem happened to me despite NHTSA and Ford's knowledge of its prevalence (bulletins and complaints). I ask Ford to initiate a recall and reimburse me for my repair expense. In the least, I ask NHTSA to investigate this problem and force a mandatory recall. Thank you for your time. Tudor hampton chicago, IL. * nm.

I have had my 2000 Ford Focus for 1 year, purchased used from a dealer. It had 60,000 miles on it. Although I realize that it's an older car it's in great shape. I'm now having ignition lock-up problems, like so many other Focus owners I know. It's sitting in my driveway, and I'm going to have to have it towed because there's no other recourse. The key won't go all the way in for any of my keys, and the steering wheel is locked.

2000 Ford Focus ignition switch problem (~48,000 miles). For the 2nd time since we purchased the car, the ignition switch has failed. The first time it failed, we could not turn the key to start the car and could not remove the key. This time when it failed, the switch froze in the on position, and we were not able to shut the car off. Since it is an automatic transmission, we were not even able to "kill" the engine. It happened at night, but fortunately, we were able to find an open service station. . . They were able stop the engine by pulling spark plug wires. Not being able to shut off the engine sure seems a safety issue to me. I understand many other people are having repeated problems with ignition switches on Ford Focus models. This switch is currently being replaced again for a cost of ~$300. 00. Can anything be done to force Ford to rectify this problem?.

My 2000 Ford Focus has repeated episodes of ignition key being unable to turn in the switch and occasionally not able to insert key into switch. I have had the tumbler assembly replaced and after eight months the new unit has failed.

Hello, we have a 2000 Ford Focus, and have had the lock cylinder freeze up for the second time in two years. Ford says this is a defect, yet there is no recall. Looking on the internet, there are many, buyers who are experiencing the same problem. Shouldn't Ford be forced to recall a defective product? I am not sure I have the correct agency, so please tell me who I would need to contact if not. If so, what can we do about this? sincerely,.

My Ford Focus ignition switch wont turn. I stopped in the middle of the dessert about 400 miles from home to fill the gas. I had to pay $140 the tow truck to get to the nearest village, and $400 for a new ignition switch and night at a cheap hotel ($60) I have read a lot about these kind of crappy cars having the exactly same problem. Please call it a recall :(.

My 2000 Ford Focus has less than 26,000 miles on the clock and the ignition lock has jammed and had to be replaced twice. Second time was after warranty expired. Aaa certified locksmith told me he replaces hundreds of these locks a year, because Ford is still using the same defective oem lock made in germany by huf. Locksmith installed a strattec #707592 which he said is very reliable and in fact oem equipment on other Ford vehicles such as explorer. He said Ford dealers are still installing the defective huf lock as a replacement.

The ignition switch on my 2000 Ford Focus locked up this week, preventing me from turning the key. I could insert the key into the ignition, but it refused to turn. After trying for the better part of an hour, I had to have it towed to the Ford dealership. Ford put in a new ignition the following day, which is a completely different mechanism from the previous one. This leads me to believe they found the original part was flawed, and are now using an upgraded ignition switch to replace the ones that fail. It cost me $403. 38 to have the new one put in. So far, Ford has refused to issue a recall or extended warranty on the part.

The ignition switch on my 2000 Ford Focus is periodically locking up. I've had it happen where you put the key in and it won't turn. Tonight, the key wouldn't even go in all the way, it would only take about 1/3 of the key and no more. It eventually took the key after about a half hour of trying. This seems to be a common complaint, but one that Ford so far has refused to issue a recall on.

Ignition switch on 2000 Ford Focus locked up, almost $600 to replace.

Toward the end of July, 2006, I started having difficulty being able to turn my key in the ignition. I would have to jiggle it a little for it to turn. On August 1st my key would not turn at all and have not been able to drive my car since.