Ignition Switch problems of the 2003 Ford Focus - part 2

Second time having problem with ignition on 2003 Ford Focus. The key won't turn and have been left stranded on the highway and missed days of work to get the replacement ignition switch. This is a problem that Ford needs to acknowledge and recall. Thousands of Ford Focus owners have had the same problem. Not only is it costly and is a repair that is Fords' responsibility to fix due to faulty ignitions but also a safety hazard.

On 5 different occasions the key / ignition switch has stuck and not allowed me to start my can. This problem has left me stranded 2 times where I was unable to receive help for more than 8 hours. I contacted a Ford dealership and was told that this was a common problem and that there was no safety recall for this and it would cost $400 to $600 to repair it. I did find a locksmith to repair it for $250. 00 and was told by the tech that he repairs this problem on the Ford Focus 2 to 3 times a week.

Place key into the ignition and the key would not turn. There is only 50k on the car.

Ignition switch won't turn in my 2003 Ford Focus. Left me stranded in the parking lot at the airport.

I got in my car and placed the key in to start yesterday and the key would not turn. The ignition had locked up. After several tries I was able to turn the key, it happened again, however, this morning. I was trying to return home and unable to start my car, I had to wait in my car for an hour until someone could bring me the key (it is currently 22⺠out). The key still will not turn after several tries. I am currently waiting to get it fixed to see if there is any other way. I have researched online and apparently hundreds of 2003 Ford Focus owners have the exact same problem.

Key will not turn in the ignition of my 2003 Ford Focus.

Ignition switch won't turn. It's like the key is from the wrong car or something. I was stuck in 5 degree weather while waiting for a tow-truck driver to take my car to the dealership, which was closed anyway. The two-truck driver told me that he's personally seen about a hundred Focuses (foci?) with the same problem, and that they are "notorious" among the tow-truck drivers for this problem. He was able to get the key to turn, and I was able to get home, but now I have looked on the web and seen that there are hundreds or thousands of owners with the same exact problem. There is a class-action lawsuit in California over it.

Ignition switch would not turn. Left stranded.

The entire steering wheel and ignition cylinder locked on my 2003 Ford Focus ztw. Apparently, this is a big problem, requiring replacement of the cylinder. This has left me stranded without a car.

My mother purchased a new 2003 Ford Focus from lofink's Ford in carthage, NY late in 2003 several times over the first three years she had the car, there was a problem with the ignition switch/steering column. She was unable to turn the key to start the vehicle. She repeatedly tried the key/steering wheel and was eventually able to get the key to turn. When she reported this to the dealership within the warranty period, she was told that sometimes this happened, that she should just jiggle the key/etc. She relocated to belton, TX in Jun 07 to be near me, her daughter. On 30 Sep 07 the car had the same issue, except that no amount of jiggling the key/steering column would allow the key to turn. The car was towed to johnson brothers Ford in temple, TX. The dealership diagnostics read as follows: ignition system diag found ignition switch binding replaced ignition switch, retest sytem ok. The ignition switch would not turn had to drill out ign lock cylinder to remove. This cost: $474. 67 which was not covered because the car had 16,505 miles on it at that time and was out of warranty. I pursued this issue with the repairing dealership, the selling dealership, and Ford motor company (in writing) to no avail, requesting a good faith reimbursment. Today the switch failed again and the car is now being towed for repair.

The ignition on our 2003 Ford Focus failed. I was out of town visiting relatives in omaha and stopped at the omaha sams club. When I came out of the store to go home, the ignition would not turn. It was frozen so the key could not move it at all. As a result, I was stuck at a store. I called relatives and we arranged for a tow truck to take it to the Ford dealership. The ignition cylinder was replaced and we were billed $339. 00 for the repair. I have never heard of this type of failure on any vehicle yet it is supposedly a common problem with the Ford Focus.

Ignition switch lock barrel failure. This is an ongoing well-known problem about the Ford Focus that Ford seems happy to ignore.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The ignition switch locked up constantly and the contact can no longer drive the vehicle because the steering cannot be unlocked. The dealer stated that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced at the cost of $375. The part is not under warranty and there is no recall. The current mileage was 57,000 and failure mileage was 55,000.

Ignition key would not turn. I was stranded away form home, had to call a tow truck and have the care towed to the dealer. Internet research shows that this is a common problem with the 2000-2003 Ford Focus cars and Ford has not issued a re-call, although they have issue a TSB 05-21-17 in reference to the ignition switch problems.

After fueling, my daughter tried to start the car (2003 Ford Focus wagon), but the key would not turn. We got the car to the dealership where we purchased it, and the key cylinder had to be replaced by a locksmith. The total cost of the repair, plus the towing, cost over $200. 00. Meanwhile my daughter's car was stuck at the gas pump, where other customers wanted to fuel, but could not do so. I'm glad my daughter had not run over a nail, like I did the other day, having to pull over to the side of a busy interstate highway, and then have this problem occur. Depending on where this kind of thing happens, this could be a very serious safety concern. Not only with the vehicle, but with the place the vehicle is stranded when it occurs. I have found out that Ford has known for quite some time about this problem, but they refuse to recall cars to fix this problem, and continue to use this defective part in their Ford Focus vehicles. The extended warranty I bought was the most expensive one, and yet it covers everything but the ignition switch, it seems. Unless Ford decides to reimburse me, I will never purchase another Ford product. This is the fourth Ford Focus we have purchased. If I don't find satisfaction with this problem, it will certainly be the last. On top of all of that, my Focus has had squealing brakes since the day I bought it, and Ford has refused to repair this, as well, saying that it's "normal. " no way this noise is normal. I'm fed up with Ford at the moment.

In July 2007 the ignition key locked up and could not be turned to start the engine. I managed to get it to turn (no, it was because the steering wheel was holding) and drove it to the Ford dealership. They had to replace the key cylinder for nearly $400. Despite numerous complaints and a 100,000-mile warranty, this service was not covered. The mechanic suggested that the keys were worn out and that I needed to make a new key to prevent future failure. I did so and only use the new key to start the car. Now, only 3 months later, the ignition periodically sticks as if it is about to start locking up again. If I push the key in firmly, it will turn normally. This is a poor quality mechanism and Ford should recall this before it happens to someone on a 40-below winter night. I will never buy another Ford because of this issue.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key would not turn when it was inserted in the ignition. He had to shake the steering wheel and move it for 15 - 30 minutes before the vehicle would start. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the ignition cylinder switch needed to be replaced at the cost of $512. The current mileage was 93,000 and failure mileage was 92,500.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. When attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch failed. It took the contact approximately 20 attempts to start the vehicle. The ignition cylinder is currently being repaired by a local mechanic. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were 59,000. Updated 03/14/08.

The ignition on my Ford Focus 2003 has locked up for the second time in 75,000 miles, and this is getting to be a huge problem to have replaced. Ford actually has the balls to charge me for this defect in their craftsmanship, using substandard parts in their ignition switches, and making me pay to cover up their faulty workmanship when getting it repaired.

Without warning, and with no prior occurrence, the key would not turn in the ignition of my 2003 Focus. A friend rescued me and drove me back to work the next morning. I contacted my local Ford dealer, where I had purchased this car brand new - along with a 7 year extended warranty. First, the service department rep tried to play "dumb' when I stated that I'm having the "ignition problem" and he later told me that it's not covered by my warranty. I have pulled out and read the warranty. Ignition switch is covered by my basecare policy. (I will bring it in hand when I have the car serviced in 2 days. ) meanwhile, another person at the service desk hinted that I may be able to tap it with a hammer so that it will turn and could drive to the dealer and not have to be towed. Sure enough, a tap of the hammer allowed me to turn the key. I will leave the key in the ignition through the weekend and am struggling with the thought that a replacement from Ford will be another defective part. Whether my warranty covers it or not, I don't want another bad ignition switch! from all that I have read, it seems that a locksmith would replace it with a better quality device than Ford dealers service departments are using.

2003 Ford Focus.

Ignition cylinder total failure. Key would not turn at all. Search term "ignition cylinder""Ford Focus" on the net and you will be amazed how big of a problem this. Why a safety issue. Well, what would happen if I stopped the car somewhere and was stuck in the desert in the 112 degree heat, which by the way is the temperature that existed when it happened in mesa az. I was lucky the car was home. Updated 12/12/07.

My car was running fine then suddenly the ignition switch won't turn. Tumbler broke $350 at dealership. Common problem with these cars, yet dealer won't warranty.

2003 Ford Focus ignition switch failed, causing the tires, steering wheel and ignition to lock. Therefore, car became inoperable. A subsequent tow damaged the car before being taken to repair shop.

The ignition won't work. I cannot turn the key in the ignition. I have had trouble turning it before, but usually after turning the steering wheel or jiggling the gear shift it would work. Nothing is working today.

Ignition switch failed.

A Ford Focus wagon 2003. When I trying to start the vehicle the ignition switch cylinder lockede, would not engage. The key would not turn when inserted in the lock & icould not turn on the car. The vehiclewas just over three years old. This problem happened two days in a row. Called Ford & they said there is no recall. I searched google for ã‚Ford Focus ignition locksã‚쳜. Please note the following results copied from this google search ã‚results 1 - 10 of about 455,000 for Ford Focus ignition locks . (0. 39 seconds)ã‚쳜. I was concerned that a faulty ignition would be used if Ford replaced it so I called a local locksmith. The owner was very familiar with the problem & has replaced a number of Ford vehicle ignition locks. I had the locksmith replaced my Focus ignition. The cost was $240. 75. I am 59 years old. My family has owned numerous cars & trucks. I have never had to replace an ignition key switch in any other vehicle especially one just over three years old. Ironically to add to my frustration, I just paid off the 36 month car loan on this Focus. Also, sent a letter to Ford motor company about this problem to attn: alan mulally, president & ceo plus cc'ed to william clay Ford, jr. , executive chairman & NHTSA headquarters, 400 seventh street, sw, washington, DC 20590 (sending via mail & email to NHTSA).

I have owned 3 Ford Focus: one 2000 and two 2003. All three vehicles have had an ignition cylinder failure which cost in excess of $300 each time. The key will not turn in the ignition and this happens without warning. On three occasions I have been stranded and had to call aaa to get be to a garage for repair. I have cited only the most recent incident in this complaint. This is a known problem and I fail to see why a recall was never issued. Ford should be held accountable.

Key will not turn inside the ignition. This happened several weeks ago as well, but I was able to jiggle it loose. This time it is stuck and 40 minutes of jiggling, wd40, and frustration did not work. I am still working on what to do about it.

Ford Focus 2003 for several occasions the ignition lock key cylinder had not worked, I was not able to turn the key and get the car to start. Consequences, first I was not able to take my child to the emergency room until another vehicle arrived, another consequence, I was late to work, then it was in the middle of the night on a dangerous area of town, risking my life. Finally it got stuck at the airport and had to call a tow truck.

Key gets stuck in ignition.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the ignition switch would lock up and the key was unable to be turned. A mechanic diagnosed the vehicle as needing a new ignition cylinder. The ignition cylinder has been replaced. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 39,035 and failure mileage was 25,700.

Ignition lock of Ford Focus 2003 broke and we were unable to move the car away from a driveway that was blocked since it was not possible to turn the ignition key. One mechanic was paid to try to start the car but he was not successful (but he was still paid). Eventually, we learned from the www that this was a wide-spread problem. A locksmith was called who replaced the lock and was paid. In addition to the financial expense, transportation to and from the location of the car and the time spent were significant costs.

: the contact stated the ignition switch jammed and the switch would not turn. The service dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

Ignition key switch would not turn to start key. I had to replace the lock assembly on 2003 Ford Focus I bought brand new 12/31/2003. Told by scott reynolds of reynold's Ford that even one of his mechanic's wife had same problem as a number of people have.