Ignition Problems of Ford Focus - part 1

The contact owns a 2007 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key ceased in the ignition when the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed nor repaired. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the ignition switch. The key fob was replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.

See all problems of the 2007 Ford Focus 🔎.

Constituent writes in regards to switch asy ignition failure on 2008 Ford Focus. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the cost of the repairs for the ignition assembly.

See all problems of the 2008 Ford Focus 🔎.

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start-up after multiple attempts without warning. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the ignition switch and housing were replaced. A few months later, the failure recurred, and the contact took the vehicle back to the same mechanic and had the starter replaced. A few months later after the repair, the failure recurred, and the contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic who replaced the ignition switch and housing for a second time. After the failure occurred for the fourth time, the initial independent mechanic instructed her to place the vehicle in neutral to see if the restarted. The vehicle was started in neutral and the mechanic replaced the neutral safety switch. Despite the repair, the failure recurred. A dealer was notified of the failure and a representative acknowledged that the failure was a known issue; however, there were no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as the dealer. The manufacturer was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

See all problems of the 2009 Ford Focus 🔎.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. While attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition failed. The failure recurred several times. A local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 23,700. The VIN was not available.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Focus 🔎.

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact¿s residence where a certified mechanic replaced the ignition cylinder. The failure recurred four weeks after the repair was performed. The dealer then replaced the ignition for the second time. Most recently, the engine failed to start due to the faulty ignition lock module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,421.

Key will not turn in ignition.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the piston valves and the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 125,000. Updated 10/29/lj.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the key broke off in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was stated that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the problem recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Focus 🔎.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that all attempts to start the vehicle failed. The contact also stated that the key was unable to be removed from the ignition and the contact had to use excessive force to retrieve the key. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they stated that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer. The failure mileage was 43,000. . . . . Updated 03-28-13 updated 04/22/2013.

Attempted to start my car. Inserted key into the ignition and a warning chime began. Steering wheel was locked and I cannot move it. Ignition will not turn. Cannot drive at this time.

The ignition key fails to turn. Keys are fine and hitting the key worked a few times to get the key to turn. With this problem, a person can easily become stranded in unfavorable conditions. Also, should anything happen where the engine dies while driving, the steering could become locked with no way to turn key.

Ignition key will not turn in lock. Unable to start car. Wife stranded. Brought her other keys, same problem. Finally got lock to turn by viloently wiggling and pounding on key. Drove car home. Internet search seems to indicate this is a very common problem. We are the original vehicle purchasers.

Key will not remove from ignition. This is a know problem with the Focus because I have searched the internet and found hundreds of complaints.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. While parked, the contact inserted the key into the ignition but was unable to start the vehicle because the ignition cylinder would not turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the keys became stuck in the ignition cylinder and could not be used to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a repair shop or to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was repaired by a locksmith who replaced the ignition cylinder and issued a new key. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the problem could have been related to a defective side bar in the ignition cylinder lock. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was 140,000. The failure mileage was 130,000. . . . Updated 08-10-12 the consumer stated the cost of the repair was 177. 00. Updated 08/13/2012.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While parked, the contact placed the key in the igintion and was unable to turn the key. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for a diagnotic test. The technician stated that the ignition would have to be replaced. The contact also noticed the front driver’s door handle was loose and about to fracture. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Focus 🔎.

When I try to start my car, the key won't turn when I put it in the ignition. This happened three times just today. I can wiggle the key back and forth and luckily it's ended up working, but this is not the first time this has happened. I've read online that this is a problem with the Focus. This should be recalled.

Vehicle central locking system locked the car while parked with the keys in the ignition. Locksmith was called to force entry. Alarm did not activate when door was opened.

See all problems of the 2012 Ford Focus 🔎.

The ignition wouldn't turn, although the key can go in and out of it. Hired a locksmith before I knew the dealership might fix it for free because I needed it fixed quickly.

The key for my Ford Focus will go into the ignition but not turn. I have tried to turn the steering wheel but it still won't get the key to turn in the ignition. After doing some research, I am finding that this is a major and very common complaint with Ford Focus owners and Ford will not issue a recall. The car is not drivable and in order to get it to a repair shop we will have to tow it which will be another expense. If Ford is aware of this problem and will not do anything to recall it, something needs to be done.

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.

See all problems of the 2004 Ford Focus 🔎.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the ignition cylinder would not release the key. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic to have the ignition cylinder repaired. The contact stated the ignition cylinder had no problems after the repair. The failure mileage was 148,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the ignition locked and prevented her from inserting the key to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 85,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key could not be turned in the ignition. The dealer was notified of the failure who advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was also contacted who offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 114,000.

After starting the car when it has set a few hours the overdrive off light is flashes yellow, odometer just shows dashes, and speedometer dosent work. Car still operates but shifts gears hard, when it reaches the speed for door to lock everything starts working. I have had multiple problems with the engine mgmt fuse, and have had 3 altenators changed out in the last 2 years. Also I had a problem with key not coming out of ignition and found out that a peice of the shifter had broke off and slid down and kept it from going all the way into park, after removing part I have had no problem with the key. Also engine light stays on was told by auto zone it was vaccum system took it to Ford place they said it was motor mounts, they were replaced 20,000 miles ago and it still hasnt helped.

See all problems of the 2005 Ford Focus 🔎.

Went to pick my son up from school. Could not get key out of ignition. Took to a local mechanic and cylinders were replaced. That was in March. Got home today (may) and the same problem. Luckily have a driveway but I am annoyed and nervous about keeping this car. Fearful that the key may get stuck at an inopportune time.

Leaving work at the end of the day I went to start my vehicle and the key would not turn in the ignition. It was very cold and after adjusting the steering wheel several time for about 5 minutes I was able to start the car. I have since had difficulty turning the key in the ignition of my vehicle everyday. The last incident was while at the gas station, which took almost 15 minutes to get the vehicle started again. I have researched the issue online and found that many other people have also had this issue, with no recall placed on the vehicle as it is not an immediate risk to safety. Although I have now found my self uncomfortably attempting to start my car in less that safe environments on more than one occasion.

I was on my way to work when I stopped to get gas, I got back in my car and the ignition would not turn to star the engine. I was stuck at a gas station in the winter and no one was able to help me. After twenty minutes of trying different things to get it to start it worked. The next day I got in my car and the same thing happened, except this time nothing I did would start it. I ended up paying $112 for a locksmith to replace the ignition in my car. I have read on several forums that this is a common problem with this year of Ford Focus and there has yet to be a recall. This could be a dangerous situation if someone has children and is stranded and unable to move their vehicle to a safe location.

Key will not turn in ignition after multiple attempts by more then one person. Called Ford dealership and they said the problem is really common and to tap the key with a hammer and it will turn and that I need to go in and have the ignition replaced for $500!!! tried their hammering suggestion and the lock still won't turn! because of this I have missed a whole day of school.

The ignition cylinder will not turn. A key can be inserted into the ignition, but it can not be set into the "on or acc" position. The car cant be started and is now, in effect, a one ton paper weight. After researching the problem online, it seems to be very common.

Key won't turn in ignition/ ignition stuck.

Key froze solid in the ignition . Steering wheel would not turn nor the key. Left stranded and had to call a locksmith to physically drill out the factory installed ignition and replace it with a strattec replacement part # 707592. Locksmith reiterated what I read on the internet with this being a known problem with the Ford Focus.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that in an attempt to turn the key in order to start the vehicle, it refused to turn. A local mechanic replaced the ignition and reprogrammed the key and door locks. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was notified, but denied any assistance with repairing the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000 and the approximate current mileage was 25,200.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key could be inserted into the ignition would could not be turned to start the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure, nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and the failure mileages were 134,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key became locked in the ignition and would not allow her to start the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised her to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 80,000.