Car Will Not Start problems of the 2003 Ford Focus

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key did not start the vehicle. The driver contacted an independent mechanic who gently tapped the key several times until it turned. The technician diagnosed that the ignition was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was driven home and parked. The vehicle would not restart. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after the ignition key was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. It was unknown if the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 76,000.

The ignition cylinder will not turn it is locked and the car will not start. Key get stuck in the cylinder. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus se. The contact stated that the key could not be turned while in the ignition and the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 102,000 and the current mileage was 102,542.

Key cannot turn - vehicle cannot be started. Unacceptable and hazardous condition with a poorly designed and/or low quality part on all Ford Focus and likely other Ford products. I got around this by pounding on the key with a small hammer I keep in the glove box - I had lived with this for more than 3 years. Same thing happened to my brother-in-law's car (he removed all the tumblers so any key can start his car). It is obvious from reading through the complaints that this is a very significant percentage (>50%?) of all of the numerous complaints against this vehicle. Dealerships want $400 to fix it - that's bs. Actions by NHTSA or a class action lawsuit against Ford is appropriate. It appears that Ford is using this design defect as an opportunity to profit after having put 1000s of consumers in dangerous situations.

The key would not turn in the ignition of my 2003 Ford Focus zts, thus, the vehicle would not start. After a call to the local locksmith, I was surprised to hear "this is a common problem for a Ford Focus". When arriving, the locksmith proceeded to explain to me why the stock ignition switch of my car is a defective design, comparing to a new switch they were about to install. Upon further research online, I could not find any information about a recall for the defective item. I did find, however, plenty of complains of Ford owners having the exact same problem. I am surprised such a critical component has not been recalled since it jeopardizes the reliability of the vehicle.

Ignition key will not turn, and vehicle can not be started, removing key and inserting again and again would allow it to start this happened every time. Now it will not turn at all.

I was preparing to run some errands on a Saturday, but when I went out to start my car, the steering wheel was locked and I could not get the key to turn in the ignition. After around 15 minutes of working the steering wheel I was able to get the key to turn so I could start the car. This kept happening all day off and on, until finally the next day I was out at the grocery store with my mother and when we went to go home, the key would not turn no matter how much I moved the steering wheel. After spending an hour and a half trying everything I could to start the car, I finally had to call a tow truck driver who was able to start the car. The next morning the car would not start and I had to have someone help me get it to a mechanic. The mechanic told me that I needed a new key cylinder and new keys (which have to be programmed because the keys are coded) which would cost over $300. Since this just happened out of the blue without any warning and can cause me to be stranded by not being able to start my car, I think that this is a safety issue that needs to be addressed. I tried contacting Ford directly, but was basically told they could do nothing about this. From what I have read on this, it seems to be a fairly common problem with the Focus (I have a 2003 Ford Focus zx5) and I believe something needs to be done.

My car key would always go in but no turn. Once in a while if I jiggled it, it would turn over and be okay. But I was shopping and the car would not start at all, so I called aaa. They had me try a couple of things and it didn't work so it was towed to my car dealer. Heir they said that the ignition went and they would have to replace it at the cost of $350. Shocked because it was nothing that I could have broken. So I think that Ford should recall this as a recurring problem that keeps happening and just fix the problem. My car is always in the shop every 3,000 miles for oil changes it is very well taken care of and I would like to keep it and in the future buy more Ford products so I hope that this problem is taken into consideration and fixed.

Had to have ignition lock cylinder replaced on an emergency basis in my 2003 Ford Focus; car wouldn't start (I. E. , key wouldn't turn in the ignition) with either one of the two keys I have (both original keys).

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. After leaving the grocery store, the contact placed the key into the ignition but could not turn the key. She attempted to wiggle the key in the ignition to start the vehicle; however,the vehicle failed to start even after several attempts. The contact's friend owns a Ford Focus and instructed her to tap on the key while it is in the ignition. The contact heeded this advice and, after a few attempts, she was able to start the vehicle. She took the vehicle to the nearest dealer, where it is currently being repaired. The failure and current mileages were 80,000. Updated 10/07/08.

I tried to leave my best friends house but my 2003 Ford Focus would not start. Apparently I need a whole new ignition. So I began surfing the net for prices and quotes but instead I've stumbled upon hundreds of complaint from across the country. I was told the part I will need cost $70. Plus $50 to tow the car since I cannot get the car started. So far I've only missed one day of work but I might miss many more because I can't afford to get the car fixed right now. When I spoke to the Ford company they told me that my total bill will be around $230. I am so frustrated with this car. I'm not sure if I will even get the car fixed. I plan to invest in a new Nissan.

Steering wheel locks and car will not start. I am finding out this is a common problem with the Ford Focus. This could leave us stranded. It happens more often as times passes. As this seems to be a common problem, I feel the repair should be covered by Ford.

Ignition cylinder locks when turning the key on a 2003 Ford Focus zx3. The car cannot be started most of the time. This is dangerous if the car stalls.

My 2003 Ford Focus will not start because the key will not turn. I've tried a number of tactics to get the car to start but failed. After much research online, I've learned that this is a very common problem any my problem has all the same symptoms. Luckily, the problem has occurred at home and as only left me with one very inconvenient problem; however, it could have happened where personal safety could have been an issue.

: the contact stated upon placing the key in the ignition, the key would not turn and the engine would not start. The contact applied pressure with a pair of pliers, which allowed the key to turn and start the engine. The dealer and manufacturer were notified. Updated 10/25/2006 -.

Ford Focus 2003: the ignition mechanism stopped working with no warning. The key could not be fully inserted into the ignition or turned. Subsequently, the car could not be started. At first, the key could be tapped into the ignition, but that only worked a few times. Eventually I had to have the whole tumbler mechanisms replaced in the ignition.

I have an 03 Focus with just over 40k mileage, and not even 3 years old yet, just out of warranty. This morning I tried to start the car and the key cylinder tumbler was mechanically frozen and the car would not start. I had the car towed to the dealership, paying $55. 50. The dealership told me they would have to drill out the key cylinder and replace the whole unit since the tumblers froze. The dealership also mentioned they were aware of the same problem in other Focuses. I believe I should not have to pay a dime and that this is purely a mechanical/warranty/recall issue. I do not know what I will have to pay for this, since the car is still in the shop, but they said I would bear a partial burden.

: the contact stated when attempting to start to the engine, the ignition locked. The vehicle could not be started and a lock smith was called. The lock smith removed the old ignition and replaced it with a new one and the vehicle starts normally.

Starting approx. 7 month's after I purchased my brand new 2003 Ford Focus from jack byrne Ford in mecanicville, NY I started to have problems with my car starting (feburary of 2004). I would place the key in the ignition and attempt to start the car. Upon turning the key in the ignition - nothing would happen. The radio would turn on and so would the heat blowers and I would also get some dinging. But, the car failed to start. I have since brought the car to the dealership approx. 4 - 5 times. Each time I had gone through an episode of the car not starting and then when it finally started I brought it to the dealership. The unfortunate part is I should have had it towed to the dealership so they can see first hand - how the ignition doesn't turn over. This has happened to me about 2 dozen times. Each time Ford would return the car to me and it would run for a couple weeks problem free. Then sure enough it would start again. Anyhow, this past weekend I was at a friends house with my two children - ages 6 and 3 month's. The car would not start. Thank god I was at someone's house and I wasn't stuck out in my car in December in the cold with my children!! I appreciate that Ford was kind enough to look at my vehicle and attempt to make a correction - but after researching this problem I feel like more should be done about this. I mean I bought a new car so I wouldn't have to deal with things like this. I would hate to feel like I wouldn't ever want to own a Ford again. I think they need to rectify this situation and correct this problem. I would write a more aggressive letter - but at the moment the car is starting - so I am not feeling hostile!! please assist.

One day may car just didn't start, the ignition cylinder has been replaced- the car has under 49000- and it has already had several problems! the master cylinder( for the brakes) , the ignition cylinder, and several pieces have already had to be replaced on my 2003 Ford Focus!!! please recall this car! the parts put in the Ford Focus 2003 during the manufacturing are obviously defective!!!! at the consumers expense they must replace these parts and deal with all the consequences. The Ford company should take responsibility for their mistakes! details on problems: 1- my car shuttered started smoking from the hood a bit- and smelled as if something had burned underneath the hood. ( the ignition light came on ) at almost 30000 miles. Took it into the deal- they replaced a coil- name unknown. 2- this took several trips into the Ford service dept- because it kept happening- before they would actually replace the coil!!! 3- the master cylinder ( brake system) malfunctioned within 30000 miles as well!!! and had to be replaced. 4- the ignition cylinder- with 49000 miles on the car- now has been replaced- no thanks to Ford!!! 5- the trunk has never closed properly. I slam it once to close, then I pull up on it to check it's actually locked, it hasn't- maybe on the third time after slamming it shut- it will actually catch and close. These parts are all defective, and it's unjust to the consumers!!!!!.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start when he turned the ignition. She called her insurance company and they advised her to strike the ignition with something, however, the vehicle was able to start moments later. The failure began in 2005 and has occurred six times. The contact took the vehicle to the mechanic and they stated that the ignition switch needed replacing. The current mileage was approximately 60,000 and failure mileage was 40,000.

I started my car normally and drove to the store. When I came out from the store I got in my car, inserted my key in the ignition and attempted to start my car. The car would not start and my sterring wheel stayed in a locked position. I toggled my key in the ignition to no avail my car would not start. I ended up have to call a tow truck , who was the driver saw the model car immediately tapped on the ignition cylinder with a ball peen hammer and was able to start the car. What he said is this is common in Ford Focus.

~tl the contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. On several occasions, the key could not be inserted into the ignition switch and the vehicle could not be started immediately. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer (parks Ford of gainsville) and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.