Ignition Switch Problems of Ford Focus - part 2

Went to start my car this morning and the key would not turn in the ignition. After doing some google research, found that this is a very common issue with the Focus, and has to do with parts in the ignition switch becoming stuck. I was able to get the key to turn eventually by banging on it, and have now left the key in the ignition to avoid the problem occurring again.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Focus 🔎.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact attempted to start the ignition numerous times however, the ignition key failed to turn in any direction. The key was eventually released from the ignition switch. The contact planned to have the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and repair. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Focus 🔎.

I had my 81 yearold mother with me, I turned off the car and when I tried to start it the key would not turn. It was not until 5 days later that my mechanic son in law was able to look at it and tell me the problem and that a Ford garage had to fixit. Their prices vary from 350. 00 to 450. 00 to replace my ignition switch assembly. It is a 48. 00 part. Ford refuses to recall because they claim it is not a safety issue. It is if someone has a heart attack or a stroke because of the stress of being stranded in the middle of nowhere or because it is over 100 degrees and you can't walk to a phone or turn on the air conditioner. Not everyone has a cell phone. It is covered under warranty but the problem does not occur until it is out of warranty and it has to be repaired every time by Ford. It is a safety hazard especially for the elderly.

Vehicle began having trouble with the key having contact with the ignition. When key is turned, it does nothing to start the engine. Key must be pushed in while turning for it to start. Problem kept getting worse until the key would not work at all. Replaced the ignition switch, the cylinder and the tumbler and the entire set of keys. Problem solved for one year, then began again. Working on second repair in about a year- replacing ignition switch and the cylinder. The mechanic and locksmith who are working on this repair, say they fix about 6-7 Ford Focus' per month with the same problem.

See all problems of the 2008 Ford Focus 🔎.

Ignition switch locks and cannot turn key to start vehicle. Have to use hand or something to hit the key to start the car. Happens at random and without warning. Get in the car and can't start it. Understand that this is a very common problem but Ford refuses to do anything about it.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Focus 🔎.

The ignition on this car has been replaced already by the first owner. Well, the key cannot not be removed from the ignition. Now the key has broken off in the ignition. The key stub can be removed and the engine will still run. This morning I moved the 01 Focus and I shut off the car and took the key out but the shifter was still in drive. I locked the door, walked behind the car and it rolled backwards into me. Lucky my neighbor was there to help me stop the car. There are many complaints from other Focus owners regarding the failure of the ignition switches and Ford will not recall the car and fix this dangerous problem. Thanks for any help in this matter.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact attempted to start the vehicle but the key would not turn within the ignition switch. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The authorized dealer was notified and they informed that the ignition switch would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 59,000.

Ignition switch in 2000 Ford Focus locked up and would not turn. The consequences of this failure were that I missed a very important doctors appointment. Nothing has been done to fix this problem because I do not have the $400. 00 the Ford place said it would cost to fix it. Why has this part not been recalled? it has been an ongoing problem.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Focus 🔎.

Failure to turn ignition switch with key. . . Takes several attempts (at times for 1/2 an hour) and happens several times a day and getting worse. After a quick search on-line, I noticed that their was a class action lawsuit in California and that many other Focus owners have had similar problems. I will first contact Ford customer service, but based on other Focus owners, I do not expect much and hopefully soon will be contacting a locksmith to replace the switch.

The ignition switch failed to turn in my 2004 Ford Focus leaving me stranded. This was the first time this had happened and to temporarily remedy the situation I had to take a hammer and tap the key into the ignition and turn at the same time to start the car. The key must remain in the ignition at all times now to prevent a recurrence.

See all problems of the 2004 Ford Focus 🔎.

2002 Ford Focus ignition problem. I purchased this car two months ago and it works great. Problem is sometimes ignition switch get stuck and wont turn. Now my husband is stuck in another state and stranded due to this problem. Very disappointed with Ford.

There are no indicators that the problem is about to occur. Key stuck in ignition of 2000 Ford Focus. Repaired once already. Problem occurring again. Ignition switch was replaced the first time after being stranded when the key would not turn in any direction. Initial repair bill was around $400.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch became stuck and she was unable to start the vehicle for three hours; she also noted that the steering wheel would not move. The steering column had to be taken apart so that the steering wheel would move so the wheels could line up in order for the vehicle to be towed home. The contact had not called the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. The contact stated while trying to start the vehicle, the key would not turn in the ignition. After repeated attempts, the contact banged on the key and the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the ignition switch was replaced. The failure did not recur. The failure mileage was 77,139 and the current mileage was 77,673. Updated 11/9/10.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated when he placed his key in the ignition, the ignition switch locked and would not turn over. The dealer was contacted and advised him to bang on the steering column to allow the key to turn the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the ignition switch was replaced. The failure mileage was 53,600 and the current mileage was 53,850. Updated 7/20/10 updated 07/23/jb.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated the steering wheel became locked and he was unable to turn the key in the ignition. The dealer replaced the ignition switch to correct the failure. The failure had occurred one additional time following repairs. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 233,000.

2000 Ford Focus se wagon key gets stuck in the ignition switch and does not turn leaving the driver and/or passengers stranded.

My 2003 Ford Focus has a ignition switch problem all of a sudden the key will not start the car it has left us stranded and has taken us as long as 30 minutes to start car. We have tried several remedies like silicone spray, tapping on key so it will start this problem has effected a host of Focus owners with costly repairs and we will soon have to spend money to repair this obviously flawed design.

2003 Ford Focus zx5--key won't turn in the ignition, so can't start car. Steering wheel locked up and no amount of cranking, jiggling, etc. , would allow me to turn the key in the ignition and start the car. Was an intermittent problem for about two months, then tonight I couldn't get the car started at all; neither could a kind stranger; neither could my husband. Snowing and cold. I had to leave the car in a grocery store parking lot overnight and hope it will be unharmed in the morning. Will probably have to have car towed to a dealership. Could have been worse: two weeks ago I was 120 miles from home for three days and would have been terribly stranded. I understand that Ford will replace this defective part (ignition switch) with the same switch, which will also be defective, and that I can look forward to getting stranded again when the key will not turn in the ignition switch again. Cost will be between $350 and $400, plus time away from teaching school (not a good idea and frowned upon by administration). The $350-$400 will only buy me another faulty ignition switch. This is potentially a life-threatening situation. . Read more...

The issue I would like to report is in regard to Ford Focus automobiles from 2000 to current date 2010. There is a know defect with the ignition switch which is made with inferior metal parts in the ignition lock. What happens is that metal shavings are produced inside the lock and after time these metal shavings cause the lock to jam. Thousands of people have been affected by this problem and have been stranded because they cannot turn the ignition key. Ford denies this problem. Just go to any locksmith or tow truck driver or google Ford Focus ignition on the internet. Everybody knows about the problem. Everytime this happens it costs the owner between $500 and $800 to have this fixed at a Ford dealership. My 2004 for Focus currently has this problem. This should be a recall by Ford and I think this is the biggest scam since bernie madoff. Please do something about this. Thanks frustrated Ford owner.

First occurrence,without warning,(had never happened before) car shut off, ignition switch would not turn, resulting in vehicle no start condition. (original manufacturers key and ignition switch) contacted aaa auto club, tow truck dispatched, tow truck driver states garage has seen many 2003, 2004,2005 Focus with this problem. Also should be noted numerous similar complaints on file with all model years of this vehicle. Ford dealer that sold me the car and extended warranty claims repair not covered by warranty. Feel this is a serious safety issue as car can stall and fail to restart !!!!!!. Also feel that I was sold an overpriced "warranty" which I am told will not cover repair !!! will retain old part for investigation and possible class action. Note : vehicle mileage at failure 43,205.

The key is stuck in the ignition switch . I think the gear shifter button has broke some how now willnot release the key this has been a ongoing prob. With Fords . . . . Fix it please!.

See all problems of the 2007 Ford Focus 🔎.

To whom it may concern,recently I was stranded on the road late at night when the ignition switch on my 2003 Ford Focus failed to turn over. I later found out this is an all too common problem with the Ford Focus. As a female stranded alone this could have led dire consequences! now I find that the Ford dealership wants to charge me some$500 to repair the switch. . To be put in jeopardy then charged an obscene amount for their design flaw is outrageous. Please help.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact attempted to start the vehicle; however, the ignition remained locked. The contact tried moving the steering wheel to unlock the ignition and was unsuccessful. The tow truck driver tapped on the ignition and unlocked the steering wheel. The contact drove the vehicle to a local mechanic who lubricated the ignition switch; yet, the ignition locked again. The mechanic could not order the part for the ignition and the contact took the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding a good faith repair. The manufacturer stated that since the vehicle warranty was not valid that they would not repair the vehicle at no charge. The contact is concerned about the safety risk and the possibility of being stranded if the failure recurs. The failure mileage was 135,000.

Ignition switch in lock position freezes and refuses to unlock when ignition key is inserted, causing an inability to start engine or unlock steering wheel to move vehicle. This problem strands motorists wherever they are when the ignition key was switched off and removed from the ignition.

The ignition switch, on our 2000 Ford Focus, quit working. This is the second time in less than a year. The last time, I had a locksmith repair it. Now it isn't working again. I "googled" it and found that this is a problem with 2000-2003 models but no recall has been issued. I will call the locksmith for another costly repair but would like this issue looked at possibly for some kind of liability by Ford motor company. Thank you.

I'm unable to turn the key in the ignition switch, which left me stranded at work after 5:00pm at night. When this happens, the car becomes inoperable until repairs are made. This did happen to me once before around 09/2009. I had my car towed to a locksmith and they were able to fix it. They told me this was a known issue with my car. I looked this issue up online and there are thousands of people who are having the same issue with the Ford Focus. This issue should be rectified by Ford through a recall. I called Ford customer service and they said all we can do at this point is log your call. Because of this issue I've been stranded twice in the pm. This is a safety issue that should be rectified by Ford.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. He stated that upon starting the vehicle, the key would not turn. The vehicle would not cut on and the key would not turn in the ignition switch. The vehicle was towed to his home. The dealer stated that he did not know the reason for the failure. No repairs were made to date. The current and failure mileages were under 160,000. Updated 02/03/10 updated 02/11/10.

I own a 2003 Ford Focus zx5 that has an issue with the key turning in the ignition. At random times and locations when returning to the car, I will find that I am no longer able to turn the key in the ignition. I must work at it (longest has been an hour) to get the key to turn. This creates really big problems when you are stranded with kids at different locations and you never know when it is going to occur. From my research on the internet, many other Ford Focus owners have experienced the same issue and the fix has been to replace ignition switch (something about tumblers not engaging) and the Ford service teams are very aware of the issue and the repairs. What I don't understand is why consumers must pay for a wide reaching manufacturer's defect.

The ignition switch (that is, where the key goes to start the car) would not turn. I was stuck and had to have the car towed. There had been no warning, that is, the key was never hard to turn, I never had to jiggle the steering column, or anything liked that. I just parked the car in front of a store, and five mints later, went out and found out they key would not turn. (I could remove and re-insert the key, it would not turn) . Further more, the dealer and aaa, of course, say to try jiggling the steering wheel. All that did was lock the front wheels in a turned position and made it very hard to move the car get it to a position to be towed. Having the wheels lock in a turned position, as is common, could be a hazard too. The aaa guy could not free (turn) the ignition switch it either. I had first cell-phoned called the dealer, they had no suggestions. I see I had the same problem so many other 2003 Focuses have reported. The dealer guessed that the cause was that one of the pins in the lock just slipped out of place. The Ford dealer had to replace the ignition switch. It was not cheap. I called Ford motor company they would not pay for it, or part of it.

The ignition switch on my Ford Focus wagon (2003) jammed. Ford charged me $430 to fix it, even though the part is defective and needs to be replaced in many, many vehicles.

Ignition switch wont turn.

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Focus. The contact stated that he can not remove the key from the ignition. The dealer was contacted. Upon contact a technician stated that he would have to pay $300. 00 to replace the ignition switch. No repairs were made. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided because the warranty expired. The failure and current mileages were 32000.

See all problems of the 2006 Ford Focus 🔎.

Ignition switch will not turn.

This is the fourth time that the ignition switch has failed on the Ford Focus. The key will go into the ignition but will not turn leaving us stranded. We were lucky this time as the failure occurred at home. One of the previous times was in the middle of winter when my elderly mother was driving the car and was stranded in the country side without cell phone service. She was helped by a passerby that took her to a service station. This problem has been brought to the attention of the dealer and we have been told that it is our problem and poses no safety issues. Fords attitude towards this problem has been that the ignition switch is a consumable part (e. G. Tires, brakepads etc. ) and you should be happily to get more than the 12000 mile warranty on the part. Sooner or later someone will be stranded by this sub-standard part and it cause them harm or death. Ford needs to be held accountable before this happens.