Ignition problems of the 2001 Ford Focus - part 1

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the key broke off in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was stated that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the problem recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000.

Attempted to start my car. Inserted key into the ignition and a warning chime began. Steering wheel was locked and I cannot move it. Ignition will not turn. Cannot drive at this time.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the keys became stuck in the ignition cylinder and could not be used to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a repair shop or to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was repaired by a locksmith who replaced the ignition cylinder and issued a new key. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the problem could have been related to a defective side bar in the ignition cylinder lock. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was 140,000. The failure mileage was 130,000. . . . Updated 08-10-12 the consumer stated the cost of the repair was 177. 00. Updated 08/13/2012.

The key for my Ford Focus will go into the ignition but not turn. I have tried to turn the steering wheel but it still won't get the key to turn in the ignition. After doing some research, I am finding that this is a major and very common complaint with Ford Focus owners and Ford will not issue a recall. The car is not drivable and in order to get it to a repair shop we will have to tow it which will be another expense. If Ford is aware of this problem and will not do anything to recall it, something needs to be done.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the ignition cylinder would not release the key. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic to have the ignition cylinder repaired. The contact stated the ignition cylinder had no problems after the repair. The failure mileage was 148,000.

The ignition will not turn without large amounts of spray lubricant and pummeling the key while in the ignition to cause the tumblers in the cylinder to fall into place. This is a major safety issue, because it happens without warning, and right now, during these epic blizzards we are experiencing, it has caused me to be in danger. This problem is common among owners of this vehicle. Many people have developed ways to temporarily fix it since they don't have money available fix this unexpected safety issue, which is not part of preventative maintenance of an automobile. . . . While others have opted to just get the car towed to a dealership, which replaces the ignition assembly with the same faulty parts, and then charges up to $500. This ignition needs to be recalled by Ford, and it needs to be replaced free of charge with a reliable ignition assembly. This morning, after having to find other transportation to work for two days, I finally dedicated three hours to getting the ignition to turn. I had to leave the key in the ignition, because I cannot afford to lose my job by being absent or tardy. I am in an initial probationary period at my job, and I think it goes without saying that if I had enough money to fix Ford's mistakes, I would probably just go and buy a different car altogether.

The events leading up were intermittently spaced this has been happening since I purchased the vehicle from a private owner in 2004. When I would put the key in the ignition the wheel would not turn and feel locked I would sit for 10-20 minutes and work on it by pushing the key in hard and turning the wheel as hard it would come loose and the ignition would turn. This impacted my life as a nuisance. Recently in Dec of 2010 the occurrences became more frequent two to four times a week constantly being stranded until I could get the ignition and wheel to turn. Happening frequently while at the store, work or somewhere away from home and again causing a great nuisance and frustration as it has made me late for work several times, allowed me to be vulnerable in situations that could have been avoided with proper recall. Then around Dec 20th 2010 the ignition stopped working. I was at work leaving for the day and I sat there for over an hour, not knowing any of this was a normal recurrence with other Ford Focus owners. After working on this myself I had to contact my spouse to come and try and he was unsuccessful as well. I have kept up the maintenance on my Focus and it is in very good condition for the year. Currently it has not been fixed only towed to my home residence. The cost is so high for the ignition replaced I have been given estimates of $500 plus extra for towing. This cost comes after months previous I had replaced the radiator tank at a $400 cost. This car seems to have some of the highest amount of recalls and service bulletins and I do not understand how the main power to the car, the ignition, is not seen as a hazard to the public who purchased these vehicles.

Ford Focus 2001. Ignition locks up requiring new tumbler. Key won't turn in the ignition. The car won't start nor can you get it in neutral to push it off the road. It is a known defect but not remedied by Ford.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The vehicle was parked when the contact attempted to turn the ignition on but it would not respond. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The approximate failure mileage 100,000.

My 17 year old daughters' 2001 Ford Focus had her stranded after work August 13 when she put her key in the ignition, but it wouldn't turn. We called aaa, and they couldn't 'fix' it, so we had it towed to the nearest Ford dealer only to be told the repair will cost between $450. 00 and 1000. 00!!! I'm a single mom and my daughters' still in high school for gosh sake. I thought this vehicle would be a safe and dependable one. I spent a lot of my savings on this car and insurance for her. I don't know what to do now, I've got a vehicle we can't start.

Having problems when I put my key in the ignition (2001 Ford Focus). My steering wheel gets locked or something. I would get this problem every so often no I've had it since Friday. It is very frustrating!!!.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key would not turn when she tried to turn on the ignition. The contact called roadside assistance who slammed the key into the ignition to start the vehicle; the key had to be slammed everytime to start the vehicle. The vehicle had not been taken to an authorized dealership at the time of the complaint. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were approximately 82,000.

I tried to start my car and the key wouldn't turn in the ignition, therefore I was unable to start my car. It has only occurred this one time, I am having the ignition replaced.

I parked my car on the side of the street and turned it off. When I came back to it about 20 minutes later I put the key in the ignition but it would not turn. The key would not turn forward or backward at all. I tried moving the steering wheel back and forth to try and get the key to move but then my steering wheel completely locked up as well. I was then unable to move anything on my car and it was stuck on the side of the road in a metered parking space. I had to call a tow truck which cost $69. I had it taken to the nearest Ford dealership and they replaced the ignition lock which cost me $530. 73. This is the second time my ignition has been locked up.

Key won't turn in the ignition. Has gotten progressively worse over a week and now won't turn at all.

2001 Ford Focus. Key won't turn in ignition, won't budge. I tried moving the steering wheel, tried using the other key, tried pressing the key in harder- nothing. Ignition has given me problems before: it would take two or three tries before it would turn, but it's never refused to move like this. Also, there were times when it didn't want to give the key back; I would have to jiggle and turn it, but it always came out after a few seconds of struggling.

Key will not come out of ignition of my 2001 Ford Focus. The key will turn the car on, but will not come back out of the ignition. I fear that at some point the key will not turn the engine over, leaving me stranded during winter weather. At this point I cannot get it fixed due to the high cost of having it replaced. I have found numerous complaints about this same problem, which tells me Ford has a faulty mechanism. Why hasn't a recall been made?.

I inserted the key into the ignition of my 2001 Ford Focus zx3 and the steering wheel locked up and the ignition would not turn.

No events to indicate failure. Went to vehicle after working to after dark. Put key into ignition and key would not turn. Simply would not turn! several attempts were made over a 20 minute period. I, fortunately, was leaving my place of employment. However, it was still cold outside, dark and not a safe environmental situation. I feel fortunate that I was not stranded.

Key won't turn in ignition of 2001 Ford Focus. It was difficult to turn for a while and now simply won't at all. My baby and I were stranded out shopping. Called a locksmith and had the ignition lock replaced.

The ignition on our 2001 Ford Focus has locked up and will not turn at all.

Issue: keys stuck in the ignition. Vehicle: 2001 Ford Focus se failure occurs intermittently, car will start if you jiggle the keys however keys remain in the ignition. I have tried moving the tilt steering, attempted to remove the key in every gear, ensured that the car was in park by parking on a hill with the wheels straight, nothing will allow me to remove the key. This is a safety issue as you could be stranded anywhere if jiggling the key does not consistently work to start the vehicle. Additionally I am forced to leave my key in the ignition and use the spare to reenter the vehicle which leaves me at a high risk for vehicular theft. I have had to have the tumbler in my ignition replaced which will hopefully resolve the issue. Costs: $105 labor/hr plus $115 plus taxes in parts (prices in cad). No aftermarket parts available.

On 10/7/2009 my 2001 Ford Focus se wagon ilc (ignition lock cylinder) would not break to start car. I have tried everything and still will not budge. I just found out on many web forums that this is a common problem and needs to be recalled by the Ford manufacturing dealerships. Now my car is stuck up at the billings airport at wok and I don't have the time or money to get this fixed. I feel and all Ford Focus owners from year 2000 to 2003. Need this repaired fast. It is totally !@#$%!!.

The ignition in my 2001 Ford Focus needs to be replaced again. I first had it replaced in sept of 2004 with only 36000 miles on it. Now with 93,000 miles it will have to be replaced again.

Ignition lock won't turn, key goes in but does not turn the ignition, couple of days of jiggling the key to get it to turn and now it won't turn at all.

My Ford Focus ignition just stopped working! no problems before, the key would only go in half way, then I got it to go in with a slight tap of a hammer! then the key would not turn over! this is a major problem!! got it towed to the dealership, they said this problem is very common! a common problem that cost me $426. 27!.

2001 Ford Focus ignition lock up.

1. I own a 2001 Ford Focus. 2. The ignition locked. There was no indication that anything was going wrong. As a result, I could not go to work, as I work an hour away. 3. Ford is not willing to extend a "goodwill repair or warranty" on my behalf, and so I will have to pay to replace the ignition. Research has proven that in some cases, the replacement will result in the same problem. Also, this is a frequent problem in Ford Focus models from 2000-2003 and yet Ford has not taken ownership of the problem. I will ultimately have to have my car towed at my own expense and the ignition repaired at my own expense, for a manufactured problem. The total of both will likely be more than half of the current blue-book value of my car.

Key will not turn in ignition. Car had to be towed to hertrich in milford DE and ignition replaced and key programmed to new ignition. The first time happened at approx 30,000 miles and the second time at 87,000 miles. Service tech said cylinders were jammed and it took beating it with a hammer to release them to unlock the steering wheel. My daughter had driven to walmart to have her oil changed. They called her back to tell her they could not start her car to drive it into the service bay. Called Ford to report their problem as my daughters friend also has had the same problem with her Ford Focus.

Just paid 401. 00 at the dealership to create a new tumber on a key ignition.

I own a Ford Focus and the ignition would not turn on. It just locked up for no reason. Had to have ignition replaced at 85,000. Miles.

I have a 2001 Ford Focus and as I was leaving work one day, I went to start my car and the key wouldn't fit in the ignition. After I was finally able to put my key in it would not turn. I had to call Ford and they told me that this is common with Ford Focus' and told me to hammer in my key because a barrel was defective in the ignition. I hammered in my key and was able to start my car; however, this is an ongoing problem.

2001 Ford Focus iginition key does not turn to start vehicle.

Out of nowhere the key would not turn in my ignition. I have had my car for 3 years and never had a problem, I stopped to buy xmas gifts at the mall, and when I returned, I could not turn the key in my ignition. And now every day I spend 20 minutes or more just trying to start my car. I have been late for work on several occasions since this happened. And the worst thing is never knowing when it will be really bad, or if I will end up stranded in the middle of nowhere! being that this could end up in being stranded, I believe that this should be a safety recall on the 2001 Ford Focus.

This came out of nowhere. One day the key would not turn over. It was as if the steering column was locked. We googled the problem and found that it is very common in Ford Focus's built between 2000-2003. The quick fix was to carry a hammer around and give it a hit when the key gets stuck. This has worked pretty well until this morning. It took me 15 minutes to start the car.