Ignition problems of the 2004 Ford Focus - part 1

The key will not turn in the ignition. This has been ongoing for two months. It takes several minutes of jiggling to finally get the ignition lock to release. I drive this car on business, including in remote areas. It is scary to try to start the car and have the key not turn. So far, I've always been able to get it to eventually work, but this is ridiculous. We've just started experiencing the same issue on my wife's 2007 Ford Focus. In researching this, it has been a problem on the Focus since the beginning and apparently Ford has refused to acknowledge the issue or change the ignition lock mechanisms on later Focus models. Potentially getting stranded at night or in a remote area due to a faulty ignition lock is a serious safety issue. One should never have a problem in turning the key in the ignition. For what it is worth, I am a career safety and risk management consultant working in the commercial insurance industry with 35 years experience.

The key would no longer turn in the ignition (but operated door and hatch without difficulty), creating an unsafe condition in which the car could not be driven and the owner was stranded with an inoperable vehicle. The local Ford dealership required $400 for a replacement ignition cylinder. . Read more...

We have a 2004 Ford Focus 2. 3l. Key wont turn in the ignition. The steering wheel is locked. We had to call a lock smith out to replace the ignintion cylinder assembly. The lock smith said that he replaces two to three every week on the Ford Focus model. Lucky for us we were at home when the ignition failed. I read other stories where others were not so fortunate. It is unfortunate that Ford still to this day dose not have a recall on this issue. Even a curtosey alert would be better then sitting in the dark and having to do your own research to discover wht the fix is.

Parked car as always. Came out to start car to leave and key will not turn in ignition. Had to have it towed. The tow truck driver said they tow Ford Focus models with bad ignitions quite often. A woman in a Focus wagon pulled up in the lot where I was stranded before the tow truck arrived. I asked her to not park there since a tow truck was coming; I also told her why. She said she had several times where her key would get stuck in her Focus. Mine had done that a few times over the past 3 months, it appears based on the internet searches, and just my conversations in one day that this is a major issue. Mine is a 2004 model Focus. So it goes beyond the thinking that it is only 2000 to 2003 models. This past weekend I could have been stranded in the henry m. Jackson wilderness area in wa. State, possibly with no cell phone service available either. Luckily this problem happened when I was in civilization. I was in the middle of nowhere this past weekend, in black bear & grizzly bear country.

My key ignition has locked up on my 2004 Ford Focus leaving me stranded and costing me time from work not to mention the cost its going to be to fix it. I have read many many complaints on this problem and as of yet there is no recall. But I strongly suggest Ford considering a recall because it is a safety issue. . . . Who feels safe stranded on interstate, bad area of town, at night or whatever the case may be!.

2004 for Focus. Ignition occasionally won't start with the key. Got stranded a few times. It seems something is wrong either with the keys or the ignition area where you place the key.

Yesterday evening, 6/22/10, after playing tennis at a local park, I got into my '04 Ford Focus wagon, put the key in the ignition, and the key would not turn. The steering wheel was locked, and no matter how I tried, the key would not work. I called my wife to come after me with her key. With some difficulty she was able to unlock the steering wheel and start the car with her key. I drove the car home and left the key in the ignition. Today, I drove the car to a local Ford dealer. I was told that the Focus ignition lock was a known problem. The ignition lock would have to be replaced at a cost of over $410. 00. I googled 'Ford Focus ignition lock problem' and came back with numerous hits of people describing similar incidents. I believe this is a safety issue, and there should be a recall to fix it. Fortunately, I was not left stranded by this problem, but it has happened so many times to so many people, it should be recognized as a defect and a recall issued.

My Ford Focus svt 2004 ingintion key will not turn and the steering wheel is locked. I had problems starting 4 months ago and now it is worst.

The ignition lock cylinder failed suddenly without a gradual increase of symptoms. The cylinder would not allow the key to turn, unlock the steering wheel and allowing the car to start. A new ignition lock cylinder was installed and rekeyed at a price of $171. 18 for the part and $142. 50 for the labor.

I own a 2004 Ford Focus, I've had an issue with the ignition sticking for about 4 months, usually being able to jiggle it and get it to turn. Now it is stuck completely, I've read tons and tons of articles about this being a problem, my car is now parked in my driveway because I don't feel this is my responsibility to fix.

Ford Focus 2004 ignition locked. Opened car as usual, inserted key in ignition to turn and steering wheel appeared to be locked. Tried to turn key and move steering wheel but both wouldn't move. Called dealership and was told the ignition was locked and that it was a common problem. Car now needs to be towed to be fixed.

2004 Ford Focus ignition problem. Could not put my key in the ignition and was stranded.

2004 Ford Focus-- ignition key won`t turn leaving the driver stranded.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. While attempting to start the vehicle the key would not turn in the ignition. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. The current and failure mileages were 86000.

On a Saturday evening I drove to grocery store. After I had finished shopping I tried to start vehicle. I could not turn key in ignition and the steering column remained in the locked position. The vehicle had 67787 miles. I had car towed to Ford dealer and they drilled out lock cylinder and replaced with a new one at a cost of $385. 34. Tow truck driver stated that he had towed the same model before with an identical problem. The service manager at dealer stated that he had several of the same model with identical problem. He also stated that the part had been updated a few times. I am 53 and have driven many vehicles, some with over 240,000 miles and have never before had this problem. I feel it was manufactured with a defect and it failed prematurely.

I own a 2004 Ford Focus zx5, I went into work, came out and found my ignition would not turn. The steering wheel was locked, the key would not budge, the brake wouldn't even push in all the way, as well as my car wouldn't come out of park. I looked up the problem online and saw it was a very common problem and I'm very displease that this would happen. I bought this car about a year ago from a dealership! I'm going to have to take my car to a locksmith or dealership and have the entire ignition system replaced.

My 17 year old daughter was left stranded one evening when the key wouldn't turn in the ignition of her 2004 Ford Focus so she couldn't get the car started. I had just signed up for a class at our local community college at a campus 25+ miles away. I was in class with my phone off, so I couldn't help her. It is a dangerous situation for a young girl to be stranded anywhere. In addition, we live in texas where we're up to 65 days of temperatures in the triple digits. This could be a major health concern for anyone who became stranded in the heat of the day. I understand this problem is quite common in 2000-2004 models. We were finally able to get someone to get the key to turn so she could drive home. However, once there, the same thing happened. We had to have the car towed to the dealership for service. Then I learned that the part wasn't even covered under the warranty I had purchased. For whatever reason, Ford doesn't consider this to be a safety issue and has failed to issue a recall.

Ignition and steering wheel completely locked up when I put the key in while heading out on my lunch break. I'm really disturbed that the NHTSA has not done anything to make the Ford motor company fix this problem which is a chronic, well-documented safety hazard. My car is now completely immobile and had to be towed back to my residence. Luckily my father is going to be able to fix it, but there are many people that don't have this option and have to spend hundreds of dollars to fix a problem caused by faulty materials knowingly used by Ford. I will never buy a Ford again.

2004 Ford Focus key ignition is a faulty design in seemingly all Focus models according to my dealer and many sources. This left me stranded in 100 degree weather with my pet and no idea what to do. The repair is quoted at $550 to replace it at the dealer and Ford has done nothing to recall their poorly designed ignition. My dealer said every Ford Focus will eventually need this repaired, why then isn't Ford accountable?.

1. There was no warning sign 2. My key wouldn't turn the ignition, I was stuck at my job 11:00 pm. 3. I had the car towed to the nearest Ford dealerships and had the ignition replaced costing me $382. 00.

I tried to start my 2004 Ford Focus zx3 one night only to find that the steering wheel and ignition were locked up. It felt as if the whole steering mechanism was frozen. I'm still researching how to deal with this issues since I can't drive my car. On-line resources have taught me that this is a common problem with the Ford Focus' yet there is no recall available and we are stuck paying hundreds of dollars to fix a manufacturer defect.

There is a defect which causes the ignition lock to fail, making it impossible to turn the key or start the vehicle's engine. The form says it's invalid but I checked both places in the car and that is what it says. The form did not have, "electrical system:ignition," as an option for component name which better describes the problem area.

Our 17 year old daughter stopped at a seven-eleven store and when she tried to return home the ignition key in our 2004 Ford Focus would not turn. This left our daughter stranded and required her to wait for a tow truck. Being a 17 year old girl stranded outside a seven-eleven was not a good feeling! I believe Ford is aware of many complaints about their Focus ignition locks.

2004 Ford Focus. The key will not turn in the ignition and the ignition needs to be replaced. This has happened to tons of other people with the same car and issue and Ford has not recalled it because they are cheap.

The key will not turn the ignition. This has happened several times. Usually I can get it to work after about an hour or two of repeatedly putting the key in & out, but today I cannot get it working. I have been stranded in the dead of winter with my daughter out at midnight, on the side of a major busy highway (rt 94 west to chicago), and several other locations. It's usually late at night and freezing cold out when this happens to me. It is definitely a safety hazard for me as well as when I have my daughter with me.

Ignition system failed for 2004 Ford Focus 2 dr coupe. Car now needs a new system which Ford estimates at $450. Google "Ford Focus ignition" and see hundreds of exact same complaint. Ford will not recall since not "safety" issue, how about integrity. They know of the problem but will not fix it. California has a class action law suit, but what about me?? Ford should be held accountable for this problem that they know exists for older models, especially in this time of need. No confidence left in Ford, I will buy foreign cars from now on. Please help!!!.

My ignition lock froze up and I was unable to drive my car. Key wouldn't turn and the steering wheel was locked. I had to have my car towed to a shop for repairs. I called Ford and asked them to correct the problem and they declined. I own a 2004 Ford Focus zx5. I checked the internet and this is a common problem.

Ignition completely locked up. I could not start car. I was stranded and had to get towed to a Ford dealer. Cost was $500 to fix.

2004 Ford Focus - key will not turn in ignition. The first occurrence was 6/27/09 @ 1:15 am, leaving movie theater, had to leave vehicle there. Again @ 7 am (finally got car cranked after 15 minutes). When got home this occurred again. Repeated times. Cannot crank vehicle with key in ignition.

Upon leaving a grocery store the ignition key wouldn't turn. I was unable to start the car and called the local Ford dealership. They responded by saying that they would charge $391 plus tax, and that if they damaged the steering column in the process I would be liable for the repair or replacement cost of the column as well. Not willing to take my chances with such an expensive repair that would leave me with a new part that would possibly fail in the same manner, not to mention possible additional costs of repairing or replacing the column I conducted a brief internet search I found that this was an ongoing problem with 1999 through 2007 Ford Focus cars. I also learned that a competent locksmith could repair the switch for between $150 and $200. I was able to get my vehicle repaired for $152, and there was no possibility of damaging the steering column. The original part was removed by the locksmith, rebuilt the switch and replaced it thus repairing the vehicle.

2004 Ford Focus - ignition problems. Came to find out this is a well known, documented problem. "the Ford Focus' most common problem, according complaints from Focus owners, is the key won't turn in the ignition, or the key gets stuck in the ignition. ".

2004 Ford Focus key gets stuck in the ignition and will not turn. It occurs frequently.

For about a month now, the ignition and/or steering wheel locks up when I try to put the key in to start my 2004 Ford Focus. I initially spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to start the car. Now I realize I have to jiggle, turn, & finagle everything just right & I can get it the ignition to turn in a few minutes. It is ridiculous that I now think getting my car started in under 5 minutes is "good. " this happens 9 out of 10 times that I try to start the car. I have seen many similar complaints. Seems like Ford needs to fix this problem. I am not impressed.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. When the contact removes and re-inserts the key from the ignition, the ignition locks. He was unable to start the vehicle and it was towed to the dealer. He is in the process of having the ignition cylinder replaced. The manufacturer stated that they would not provide financial assistance because his vehicle exceeded the warranty. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 57,000.

Got into the car put the key in the ignition and it would not turn. A locksmith hit it with a hammer and it turned, now to get it started I have to hit the key with a hammer but I don't know how long that will last.