Three problems related to anti-theft controller have been reported for the 2002 Ford Focus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Ford Focus based on all problems reported for the 2002 Focus.
I was leaving work late one night and could not get my 2002 Ford Focus zx3 to start. The ignition was locked and so was the steering wheel. No amount of turning the wheel or jingling the key worked. The car recognized that there was a key in the ignition as it began to 'ding' but no matter what I did the key would not turn in the ignition. Luckily there was a company car available that I could take home. I commute over 50 miles one way to work. Walking, bus and taxi are not available options for me. I am a young woman working in downtown phoenix and I no longer feel secure in my vehicle. I have researched this extensively on the internet. It could be a worn key tip, the keys are microchipped for anti-theft security so a new one can only be made at the dealership and must be the same number as your key. It could be faulty tumblers, Ford created their own ignition to save money and the tumblers may not fall correctly, or fall to far in to allow the key to fit! there is no current recall, a p05 is in progress, and there are no technical service bulletins listed. If my car is no longer under warranty, despite my purchase of the extended warranty it will cost anywhere from $35. 00 for a new microchipped key, to $500 for drilling a new ignition and new keys, a tow, and labor. Automotivetalk. Net has been the most helpful website so far, but I wanted to add my voice to the list in order to get a recall rolling and have Ford pay for this cheap ignition that fails repeatedly. I will refuse to pay for the replacement cost on this obviously poorly engineered part.
2002 Ford Focus sedan - the key will go into the ignition , but the key will not turn and my steering wheell is locked, have to have it tow to the dealer.
Ignition lock on the 2002 Ford Focus is faulty. The cylinders become damaged over time (short duration of time) due to wear preventing the lock from turning. Also there is a defect in the passive anti-theft device connected to the ignition switch. It will fail over time and cannot be easily repaired. The lock has malfunctioned on my wife and myself multiple times and has even cost us ten minutes of "haggling" before the switch would engage. I do not care to have my wife stranded, especially late at night, due to a part which is known by the manufacturer to be defective.