Ignition problems of the 2002 Ford Focus - part 1

I have had my 2002 Ford Focus for 2 months. The key has always gave me problems with not wanting to turn. Today though I went to go to my college classes and the key will not turn at all. I have tried to get it to turn for 2 hours. Untill I said [xxx] it before I break the key and that I had already missed my class that I couldn't miss because of a test. Now I get a zero. I like Ford vehicles but if they cant even fix a small igntion defect for thier customers[xxx] Ford. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Complete ignition lock failure. Can not turn key in ignition to start the car.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact stated that when the key was in the ignition, it would not turn the engine on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the cylinder and the key switch at the contacts expense. The manufacturer was contacted who offered no assistance with the failure. The vehicle was being repaired by the dealer. The failure mileage was 22,000. Updated 1/21/11 the key would not turn the ignition. The dealer replaced the ignition lock cylinder updated 04/18/11.

Key won't turn in the ignition of my 2002 Ford Focus -- it's locked.

I own a 2002 Ford Focus se and for the past three weeks we've been forced to "entice" our key into the ignition and to turn in the ignition to start the car. Finally, today, 07/25/2010, we had to leave it while visiting a friend because it would not start, no matter what we did. We will be towing it and fixing the problem and, through research, we have came to the conclusion that it would cost $300+ to do so.

The ignition on my 2002 Ford Focus will not work and my understanding that this is happening to many people also. This issue will leave you stranded and unable to leave your current destination. In the event of an emergency it is unreliable. I work for a fire and rescue agency which requires me to make quick response and with this defect I cannot. Imagine if a female is in a domestic issue and need to get away or is out shopping late and need to leave the area she is left vulnerable and alone with no way of leaving. This defect need to be addressed ASAP. I have researched this issue and found that after replacing the defected part you still will have the same issue because of poor design. Your attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Ford Focus zx5 2002 power cut out completely while I sat in vehicle with air conditioning running; smoke billowed out from under the hood. I turned off the ignition immediately and pulled the key out of the ignition. The car ignition turned the vehicle back on all by itself. The car began to rumble and smoke spewed from under the hood everywhere. I jumped out of the vehicle and grabbed my two dogs from the back seat. I ran into the lawn care business and announced "my car is on fire -- call 911. " two employees came out, one with a fire extinguisher; the other asked me for the ignition key who jumped in the vehicle and tried to turn the car ignition off--the car ignition went off but turned on again even after the key had been removed. He pulled the hood latch so the other employee with the extinguisher could use the fire extinguisher. When that person opened the hood, flames shot everywhere. The fire department and police came. The fire department said that the car would have exploded within 2 minutes had the employees not used the fire extinguisher. The fire department sprayed the vehicle with additional fire retardant and stated that the vehicle is "totaled. ".

2002 Ford Focus the key will not come out of the ignition.

Key sticks in ignition. 2002 Ford Focus, 83,000 miles. We just purchased this car used on Saturday and have already experienced this problem.

I bought my 2002 Ford Focus just 5 months ago (December 2009). When trying to start my car at a restaurant the steering wheel was completely locked, and the key would not turn in the ignition. After a full hour of trying to fix it, I had to have the car towed to a Ford dealer, who replaced the ignition with a Ford part that I fear has the same problem. The replacement ignition cost me over $400, and does not appear to be a long-term solution. According to many online complaints, the new ignition will fail to the same problem in time. I am limited by other options, as non-Ford parts and locksmith work does not come with the 12 month-warranty that Ford offers. My best option is to sell the car again before it happens, or before my warranty is up-- neither of which are a solution, but putting the problem onto someone else. This is a serious tragedy and in faulty design. I was lucky to have friends to help me in this situation, but the embarrassment and fear of it happening again are not worth it. This part needs to be recalled!.

We just recently bought this car (2002 Ford Focus) and so I do not know the history of it, however the car just started locking up out of nowhere. The first time it happened was with my husband and luckily he did not have any of our children with him. The ignition keeps locking and we have to keep on having it towed home. We have had this car for about 2 and 1/2 months and so far it has happened 4 times. So we have had to pay $160 in towing costs. We have a friend that somehow fixed it and my husband spends hours outside messing with it to get it working. This time is wont start at all and its the worst timing ever we have a premature baby and 4 other children that need to get to school and daycare.

Ignition locks up, will not turn regardless of effort, pushing, pulling, beating, or twisting your tongue just the right way. However, one tap on the edge of the key while it is in the ignition works. No amount of wd-40 or parts cleaner fixes the problem though.

Faulty ignition in 2002 Ford Focus was stranded for five hours have not yet fixed the problem due to Fords high cost to fix there defect.

My 2002 Ford Focus key will not turn in the ignition! I see that this is an ongoing problem with thousands of people. It should be a recall as it could be a safety issue especially when you are stranded with young children in the car on a blustery winter day! I called Ford motor company and they basically said it was my responsibility to fix it.

Key stuck in ignition, unable to remove it. This is a huge problem for the Ford Focus cars, resulting in not being able to lock you car having to leave the key in the ignition. Replacement ignitions don't fix the problem, they fail also.

The ignition in my 2002 Ford Focus is locked up and I cannot turn it over at all. This is the second time this has happened in the past year now! the first time this occurred, my husband bought a new ignition online from an authorized Ford dealership, drilled out the old one and installed the new one himself. The new ignition we bought was supposedly free of the defect that was causing the ignition failure. We have thoroughly researched the issue and the amount of Focus owners affected by this is widespread. The second time this happened I was left stranded on one of the coldest days of winter with my 4 year old son. Ford will not cover these repairs because my car is obviously out of the standard warranty period, however, I'm left to pay for the same costly repair time and time again. Meanwhile, remaining constantly worried all the time if my car will leave me stranded. Please help us Ford Focus owners and push Ford to recall this apparent and immediate safety defect!!!.

I drove my car (a 2002 Ford Focus) to a restaurant on Dec. 28th, 2009 at 7:15 pm. When I got back into my car, the key would not turn in the ignition. I turned the wheel to release it from the "locked" wheel position, but the key still would not turn. I waited in my car for several minutes, then attempted to turn the key once more in the ignition with the same results. I was forced to call a friend and wait in my car with no heat. The temperature was approximately 27 degrees fahrenheit as I waited for nearly half an hour to be picked up, then dropped off at home by a coworker. He will have to pick me up for work tomorrow as all repair facilities are closed for the evening. I did some research online once I got home and found that this is a common problem with Fords and specifically Ford Focus models from 2000-2003 yet there has been no recall posted and I will have to pay for repairs to an inferior part that is out of warranty.

Parked my 2002 Ford Focus on the street, when I came back the key wouldn't turn in the ignition and the wheels were completely locked up. Called the Ford dealer and they told me to yank on the wheel as hard as I could while turning the key, this worked after about 10 minutes, but after I turned it off, it happened again, yanking the wheel for 10 mins it worked. Now I have to leave the keys in the ignition so it wont lock up on me. I am literally scared to turn on my car because when I turn a corner it feels like I have to turn the wheel way around. I am a young woman who works late, and I rely on my car to get me home safely. . I am very upset because I cant afford to get it fixed. Never buy a Ford again!.

The ignition on my 2002 Ford Focus locked up. It happened out of nowhere. I was completely stranded and it took me a while to get someone to come help me. After some investigation on the internet, it became clear that this problem is well documented and known about. I would hope this would be considered for a recall since it poses the potential to strand people in less than desirable conditions when the only problem present is the ignition.

I went to my babysitters to pick up my child and I turn off my car which is a 2002 Ford Focus tot go inside. I come back out 5 mins later and try to start it and the ignition was stuck. So it was towed and fixed for 400 dollars. And just a big pain in the !@#$%.

Ignition is locked. Key will not turn, brakes are locked, gears are locked. Costs hundreds of dollars to be replaced and I was stranded for hours waiting for someone to help me. Ford replaces the ignition key with the exact ignition key as before, creating dejavu for most customers.

The key in my Ford Focus will not turn in the ignition. This has happened once before and was fixed after hours of playing around with it. Now it has happened again, without as much luck. Luckily, I have been close to or at home when this has occurred. However, I am concerned that this could easily make me stranded one day. No warranty is available and my only option is to have the ignition replaced.

I own a 2002 Ford Focus. Last night I was at school , a very late class that ends at 10:15pm, and when I went to turn my key it was stuck. After many failed attempts in a parking lot that is basically empty by that time and being so close to downtown and the light rail I was very afraid of being stranded in alone as I did not have my cell phone on me. Finally security came around after about 1/2 hour and let me call my husband and also looked on the internet to see if this had been reported before by any car owners. Turns out that this is the most common problem in 90% of Ford Focus years 2000-2003. I am amazed that this is public knowledge and Ford themselves even acknowledge this and there has been no recall? maybe it will take something really bad to happen to someone before Ford realizes how dangerous this can be? I sure hope that someone will realize this is a huge issue because had that security officer not come buy I would have been stuck there since my husband works nights. The next day ,today, I am not able to turn the switch once again but this time I am in the comfort of my own home. Please I hope you are able to see the safety hazard in this issue that Ford fails to see and ask that a recall be made.

Sudden onset, got in my car, put my key in the ignition and the key would not turn to start the car no matter what I did. Researched the problem, tens of thousands of complaints from 1999 to present, owners are stranded in diff. Situations, freezing cold, extreme heat, with babies/children, stranded without the ability to communicate, young women (as in my case), at night, etc. Cost to repair up to $750. Am trying to fix it on my own, can't afford a dealer repair! Ford is aware the problem is with poor quality metal used to make the part. I wrote to Ford, they say bring my car in to "have it looked at" but qualify, saying: it is not a warranty repair and to have it examined may cost me. Many other owners have posted temporary and lower cost fixes on-line as Ford is not willing to do a recall stating it is "not a safety issue". This is a safety issue. If someone is stranded in extreme heat or cold or a young woman is stranded because a key won't work, we are at risk and unsafe. A young child could die from exposure, become sick, a young woman could be raped or killed. Ford is risking our safety and is at fault particularly because they are aware there is a problem and can do something proactively to fix the situation. That this documented situation has gone on for years is outrageous. It's frightening to get in your car at night, not have your key work, not know what's wrong or be able to do anything! when we are stranded because Ford willingly put substandard parts in a vehicle, we are unsafe. Prior to owning this car I had a 1973 vw bug, my key always worked with the original parts. To be expected to pay upwards of $750 for a part and labor for something that should last the life of the vehicle, that's tied to safety is unacceptable. Our cars are unsafe, risking damage waiting for repair depending on where they are stranded! my safety is not important nor an issue for Ford, they don't care about my car, my trust was misplaced, my car was not built tough.

A little over a month ago on August 23, 2009, we purchased a used 2002 Ford Focus from a Ford dealership on oahu, hawaii. On the night of August 28, 2009, after filling the car with gas, we tried to start the car, but the key just wouldn't turn. We tried for about 2 hours to get the car started to get home (and to move out of the way of the gas pumps so other people could pump gas). We had several people help us, but the key just wouldn't turn, and we couldn't push the car because the wheels were locked. We finally called a tow truck, but luckily, my husband was able to whack the key real hard (for the umteenth time) and turn the ignition, at which time the car finally started. We got home, searched online and found out that this was a common problem with these cars. Now it'll cost us about $200 to get the ignition replaced at a locksmith. I will not return to Ford to do this as it'll cost double what the locksmith cost. What's sad is that Ford knows that this is a common problem, yet they won't do recalls to fix it. We used to be a Ford family (purchased at least three Ford explorers), but I don't think we'll be buying anymore Ford cars.

Ford Focus 2002 zts key ignition failed at 80,000 miles for over a year before the total failure there were at least 12 times that the ignition failed but finally worked after a few tries. I was left stranded on more then on occasion due to this failure and last time had to have my car towed to the dealership. The problem was fixed at the Ford deal ship and cost me 450. 00. I had to get a new key and a new ignition. I can feel that once again the key is rubbing the ignition the way it was before this problem was fixed and am sure that in the future I will have to replace the part once again. I just hope this time I won't be stranded.

I own a 2002 Ford Focus , the key fails to turn in the ignition over and over again. I'm a young woman working late hours 45 miles away from home 5 times a week and I've been stranded several times. I've been dealing with this problem for years. To my knowledge, there are over 3, 045 complaints online. There is also a petition. This is a safety hazard and should be recalled. It's dangerous not being able to start your car late at night or anywhere at anytime for that matter. Even when you replace the ignition cylinder, it happens again and again. It's a defect. Please help us! it's really inconvenient , unsafe and very disappointing.

2002 Ford Focus, key would not turn in the ignition, stranding my son some distance from home. Had to have the car towed to a dealer and paid $285 to have this fixed (not including towing).

Drove to the store, turned the car off but the key was stuck in the ignition.

The ignition lock on my 2002 Ford Focus is defective. It takes a lot of jiggling of the key to get it to turn. Sometimes it takes up to 10 minutes to get the key turned. I'm afraid at some point I won't be able to turn it period. I have read many reports online about Ford Focus between 2000 and 2003 having the same problem.

Faulty ignition cylinder lock, fails without warning. I had it replaced 12/15/07 and it is now defective again on 4/6/09. I had it fixed last time for $200, but it can cost up to $400. How this isn't a safety issue is beyond me. Then again the pinto's exploding gas tank wasn't deemed a "safety issue" by Ford, either.

The key does not turn in the ignition so the car won't start. My teenage daughter drives this vehicle which can be very dangerous if it occurs in an remote area especially on a cold day/night such as tonight. Fortunately, the car is in our driveway but it was pure luck that it happened there instead of somewhere else that could have left her stranded indefinitely in sub-freezing temperatures or in a secluded area.

I own a 2002 Ford Focus and my ignition has locked up and I have to leave my key in the ignition or it will lock up. I am presently searching for a mechanic or locksmith who can help in fixing this problem.

No hint the ignition was going to lock up. Stranded my wife in freezing weather until I get there. Thank god for cell phones. This ignition issue is well documented with Ford Focus vehicles 2000 to 2003.

The key ignition locks up and will not turn. There have been several complaints online. This should be considered a manufactured problem. The lock will not recognize the key and turn. I am stuck.