Ignition Switch problems of the 2001 Ford Focus - part 1

Ignition switch on the vehicle is completely locked up and will not turn. My wife is a diabetic and has numerous health complications due to her diabetes. If we were out and became stranded it could have cost us her life. I am disappointed with Ford for not fixing this issue.

Went to start my car this morning and the key would not turn in the ignition. After doing some google research, found that this is a very common issue with the Focus, and has to do with parts in the ignition switch becoming stuck. I was able to get the key to turn eventually by banging on it, and have now left the key in the ignition to avoid the problem occurring again.

The ignition on this car has been replaced already by the first owner. Well, the key cannot not be removed from the ignition. Now the key has broken off in the ignition. The key stub can be removed and the engine will still run. This morning I moved the 01 Focus and I shut off the car and took the key out but the shifter was still in drive. I locked the door, walked behind the car and it rolled backwards into me. Lucky my neighbor was there to help me stop the car. There are many complaints from other Focus owners regarding the failure of the ignition switches and Ford will not recall the car and fix this dangerous problem. Thanks for any help in this matter.

Ignition switch wont turn.

My key gets stuck in ignition and won't turn on the car. Already got stuck and had to keep messing with it for an hour until I was able to jiggle it and unlock the steering wheel to start the car. There is definitely a problem with the ignition switch. I don't want to end up stranded somewhere and not be able to get my car started due to this defect.

The ignition switch so called 'safety' lock on my 2001 Ford Focus wagon refused to release, after repeated tries, so I couldn't start my car, the wheel wouldn't turn, and I was left stranded away from home. These cars should be recalled and Ford made to repair the defective merchandise that they pumped out into the market. This is a safety hazard and apparently a common complaint with Focus owners.

2001 Ford Focus ignition switch not turning when trying to start vehicle. My started early morning after work -20 outside. Lucky I was home. Googled and somebody said hit it with hammer and it will turn or replace new ignition switch. Hit it many times and now it got worse. Fix is not cheap and it is a very common complaints from many people all over the country. This is a safety issue due to it could happen while driving or in severe weather condition or safety evacuation that would not be possible if you can't start your vehicle. Can somebody do something about this because Ford is getting away with negligence or I suppose will just bail them out so they can keep ripping people off with expensive vehicles and faulty equipments. Is that how this works. Screw the tax payers and consumers who keep this country productive. Ford needs to be responsible for their products and their commitments to their customers. Please recall this defect.

This is the 2nd time my ignition in my 2001 Ford Focus has had to be replaced. I called the dealership they acknowledged this is a recurring problem with Ford Focuses. I have been stranded with out resources and this happens at random with no warning. The cost of towing, parts, and labor cost around 500. 00. I find this very frustrating that Ford will not recall the ignition switch, full well knowing this is a problem. I find this to be a safety issue, not knowing if you are going to be stranded in the middle of no where. It is a financial burden as well as an inconvenience, that after being fixed once should not occur again with in 2 years, my car only has 66,000 miles on it.

Ignition switch wont turned on.

Ignition switch locked up leaving us stranded. Called Ford customer service, they claim they could do nothing and told me to call a dealer and have it fixed. This call was made at around 9pm so there were no dealerships open. My fiance hit the key while in the ignition several times and was finally able to get the key to turn and unlock the ignition. I am unable to remove my key from the ignition for fear it might do this again when I am alone.

Key will not turn. . . Can't start car. . Key tumbler defective.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, the key became stuck in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. Prior to the failure, the contact noticed that the key would occasionaly become stuck in the ignition, but could be removed. The current mileage was 97,000 and failure mileage was 75,000.

Ignition switch seizing, unable to start vehicle. 2001 Ford Focus wagon. Has happened, and been replaced 2 times. I understand this has happened to thousands of Ford owners, yet Ford refuses to acknowledge it as they do not see it as a 'safety issue'. The second time it happened to me, it was around 11pm on a Friday night, on a small side road near mack and woodward, downtown detroit. There's no way in hell anyone can convince me my safety was not in jeopardy because of this faulty part!.

Ignition switch- my key won't enter the ignition. I have read hundreds of complaints online about this defective part. Ford needs to issue a recall on this faulty part.

Ignition switch locked up beyond a mere steering lockup and could not be started. I had to pay to have the vehicle towed to the local Ford dealership. Vehicle has 84k miles. I hope I won't be paying for a repair that is likely to break again soon.

2001 Ford Focus zx3 ignition failure the key gets stuck in the ignition and does not turn and the car I guess is known for it and the company does nothing about the problem the customer has to pay for the new ignition every time it happens and the car is known for doing this.

I own a 2001 Ford Focus and within the last month it has become increasingly more difficult to turn the key in the ignition. I did some research and found that this is due to a substandard/defective ignition switch cylinder. I also found that this is not an uncommon problem, quite the contrary; there are several car forums that have complaint after complaint specifically about this issue. For example, here is one at consumeraffairs. . Read more...

I had to have my ignition switch replaced because the key would not turn in the ignition. The mechanic indicated that this is a common problem with the 2001 Focus.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact was unable to turn the key and unlock the steering wheel when he attempted to start the vehicle. The dealer stated that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. As of July 16, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 53,000. Updated 09/05/07.

My wife owns a 2001 Ford Focus lx,we have been having intermittent ignition problem with this car for months where the key did not turn the ignition. I called Ford service , and they advised to replace the ignition which will cost between $380 and $480. I could not afford this,, and lost time at work to go and mess with the ignition. I had to wiggle it back and forth ,sometimes taking me 2 hours, to get the key to turn. I read forums on the internet that many people had the same problem. Why could not Ford reimburse any cost or do this for cheaper then the amount I was quoted. The cars will sit in the driveway until I could get enough money for repairs. The car wont even turn now even after wiggling it back and forth, so I may have to get the car towed to the dealership.

Ford Focus ignition key will not insert. This is a safety problem because I am stranded with an immobile car.

My ignition and steering wheel locked when I was trying to leave work. After having the car towed to a garage, I found out it is going to cost me about $400 to replace the ignition switch. My problem is the gentleman who towed my car told me this was the third Focus he towed this week for the same problem. The mechanic told me that this is a common occurrence in Focuse's. I worked really hard to pay for the car and expect better service from Ford. If this a common occurrence, I feel it should be a recall.

- the contact stated that the ignition cylinder switch has seized. He could not put the key in the ignition. This was the first time the contact had a problem with the ignition switch. The vehicle has 40,000 miles. The contact has not contacted a repair shop. He was going to contact a locksmith. The vehicle was operable on 1/3/06. There were no warning signals.

- the contact stated that ignition will not turn with the key. This happened four times , and shetook the vehicle to the dealership on 1-3-07. The contact stated that the weather was not a factor, and she will have the repair order from the work done.

When I tried to start my 2001 Ford Focus this morning to return home, the ignition locked. I had this problem fixed 2ce before while under warranty. It is no longer under warranty. When I went on the web for info I spent hrs reading of all the other consumers with the same problem and that Ford has done nothing to solve this. It was suggested I write to this site.

2001 Ford Focus: ignition key will not turn after insertion, so the car won't start. Jamming key hard into column and maybe rocking the steering wheel eventually enables the key to turn and start the vehicle. Intermittent, but now becoming more frequent. Last time it took 40 minutes to start car - could be personal danger.

Ignition lock failure. Key will not turn in ignition.

: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the key would not turn the ignition switch. A locksmith was called and the ignition switch was replaced. The dealer was not alerted.

Ignition switch deteriorated resulting in a failure; there were no prior indications of the imminency of this failure. Ignition subsequently completely failed to turn. Entire ignition switch system replaced. The keys will be the next to fail, as they are wearing down in a much more substantial manner than I have ever seen an automobile key deteriorate.

Concern: 2001 Ford Focus zx3 (ignition switch stuck) this car has only 35000 miles. As I have searched for repair instruction for this problem I know it is wide spread. My daughter drives this car everyday to college and the ignition switch stuck and left her stranded. The key would go into the cylinder but would not turn. This could be very dangerous if she were alone and stuck in a parking lot in the dark!!! I believe the scenarios are significant enough that Ford needs to remedy this as soon as possible. Winter is setting in and people all over the country are going to be getting stranded in their Ford Focus'. This won't get attention until someone dies! Ford is all about the money!.

Ignition switch on my 2001 Ford Focus locked. Unable to put key all the way into ignition switch.

: the contact stated the key became stuck in the ignition on several occasions. The key was able to be turned, however it was not removable. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer on several occasions, where the ignition switch was replaced twice. The problem was not corrected, and the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the defect.

: the contact stated the ignition cylinder locked completely, and would not move. The key was also not able to be inserted all the way in to the ignition. The vehicle was not able to be started, and no electrical components engaged. The vehicle was towed to a service dealer, who drilled out the ignition cylinder, and replaced the cylinder and ignition switch. The dealer cited a faulty ignition switch as the cause of the problem.

Key will not turn in the switch , replaced switch one time, the next time I had to have the keys reprogrammed one time and now my pos is sitting across town will not crank because the key will not turn. If I sit in the car and bang around on the key while in the ignition for 3 or 4 hours I might accidentally get the car to crank. Now once the vehicle ( I don't know why I call it a vehicle its more like nightmare ) does get started up and as long as I leave the key in the ignition switch it will re-start. This has been an on going problem for 4 years.

2001 Ford Focus. Key ( ignition switch) failed. Key won't turn .