Key wont go into ignition, wheel locked up, have to get locksmith to fix...barely affordable.

- Westland, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized without warning while driving on the highway. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 132,000.

- Pace, FL, USA

I was on my way to work when thankfully I decided to stop at the gas station and get gas. As I was getting out of my car I lightly tapped the steering wheel and it popped off. I freaked out and looked at was happened all my steering wheel was hanging by was the wires to my horn and airbag. I had to get it towed back to my house. I called Ford headquarters and took it to the dealership and asked if they could fix it for free since there are recalls on that car. They refused and stated its my responsibility to fix the car outside of the warranty stage. I understand that but it's not like it's something little that broke or something inside the engine. It's the steering wheel. You can't drive without that and that's never supposed to break. I'm so upset no body even tried to help me at Ford. I'm never buying one again.

- Miami, FL, USA

Steering column locked up and will not allow key to turn in ignition, cannot get steering column to unlock no matter what is done.

- Columbus, OH, USA

The ignition on my 2000 Ford Focus is defective in that the key does not go all the way into the ignition. This problem appears to be systemic with the Focus. The car is stranded in the path of oncoming cars and presents a danger to the public. Systemic issues across a large span of VIN numbers present a safety issue and a general public nuisance. Cars are stranded in intersections and places of business because of defective ignitions that are known to Ford. These issues are on blog sites in large numbers. I trust the transportation and safety board will recognize the significance of this problem. I am requesting an investigation that I am sure will reveal public safety concerns by the sheer number of incidents of this ignition failure.

- Moncks Corner, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the front end of the vehicle began shaking severely. The contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle as a tire blew and the contact barely missed crashing into a tree. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the tire and hub bearing. The repair did not correct the failure and the vehicle would continue to wobble excessively. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 125,196.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

I have a 2000 Ford Focus. Without warning, the key could not be inserted into the ignition and rendered the vehicle useless this evening. It appears Ford knows about this very common failure according to many owners (via online forums) with the same issue. Ford doesn't consider it a safety issue and hence not recall worthy. Consider this, when the failure occurred to my wife this evening after work, it was 6 degrees Fahrenheit outside and dark too (and well into the negative digits with the wind-chill). This clearly seems like a safety issue in this regard for anyone...luckily our 5 & 3 year old children were in the safety of indoor daycare at the time (what would have happened with two small kids late at night in a parking lot with sub zero temps?) according to a professional locksmith, this is a known issue and he fixed the same thing on another Focus this morning. He will be replacing the ignition cylinder with a non oem cylinder which will remedy the issue. The oem cylinder has known issues. The replacement cylinder (made by a different manufacturer does not) does not have the faulty mechanism the oem cylinder has. The steering wheel is also "locked" as a result of this failure to the ignition cylinder. I would "hope" that this failure wouldn't occur while the vehicle is driving down the road. Catastrophe could be the result.

- Marshfield, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While stopped at a traffic light the contact noticed that the steering wheel had suddenly locked without warning and could not be moved in any direction, the contact also noticed that the key would not release from the ignition. Seconds later, the contact was able to remove the key from the ignition and restart the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle the contact noticed that the vehicle began to function normally. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 106000.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

The key will not turn in the ignition for no reason, steering wheel is locked and unable to turn key on a 2000 Ford Focus.

- Marysville, WA, USA

Key will not turn in ignition. Apparently, this is a known defect with Ford Focus models from the year 2000. There is nothing that precipitates the problem- it just doesn't work all of a sudden. Luckily, the car was parked at my office building- but it could have happened anywhere. I called a locksmith and he came and replaced the ignition. He said that there is no guarantee that it won't happen again.

- Elkins Park , PA, USA

Faulty ignition switch. The same major problem everyone else is having with the Ford focuses. Ignition cylinder locked up on me without warning. Stopped to get gas and when I went to put key back into ignition it wouldn't even go in at first. I though I was in the wrong car. Finally forced key in ignition. It took me a long time but I fortunately was able to finally jiggle it free and get engine started. First warning sign was in 2006 when it temporarily gave me a problem, but now it was being a constant problem. I had done my research on the internet as well and called around to different locksmiths. I was able to drive veh to a locksmith and have a new ignition cylinder replaced. They did not have to reprogram the keys as I see Ford is charging all of these people besides their ridiculous labor on their defective parts, in which they are still replacing defective parts. It cost me under $100 to have repaired with reassurance the ignition would outlast any keys that I have to the veh. Ford is pathetic for not admitting this defect and having a recall. Yes it is a safety issue!!!!!! when you never know that unsuspecting your keys lock up and won't turn the ignition.

- Louisville, KY, USA

The steering column locked. Dealer says the tumbler lock fell apart so a new lock and keys are necessary. Mid 400 dollar cost.

- Summerville, SC, USA

2000 Ford Focus ignition cylinder failed twice in 4yrs. This last time I was stranded in the cold, by myself at 1am. Missing work, spending money on tows, parts and labor adds up. Not to mention the danger involved with being stranded, all because your key wont turn.

- Sycamore, IL, USA

This incident is not all too tragic, no injuries or deaths. My 2000 Ford Focus hatchback has a steering wheel lock problem. A horribly common problem. It's based on a design flaw that the Ford Motor Company has done nothing to rectify and are now looking for a tax payer funded bailout from congress. This problem has become costly for many and in virtually all cases I've heard, repairs haven't worked. Please help us.

- East Wareham, MA, USA

Last night I drove my car to work just fine and this morning when I tried to start my car my ignition wouldn't turn and the break and shifter felt like it locked up! it was just fine until this morning and I hear it is a common thing!

- Elmira, NY, USA

The ignition locked up on my wife's Ford Focus for the umpteenth time and had to be replaced due to the tumblers and other parts breaking. This is the second ignition that we have had to replace since we bought the car in 2000.

- Shawnee, OK, USA

Ignition locks up and key will not turn. The steering column is locked.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While driving 35 mph, the contact could physically move the steering column up and down through the steering wheel. The steering wheel was loose and was tightened at an independent mechanic's shop. Most recently, the contact discovered that the steering column needed to be replaced. The Ford dealer was unable to find any failures, but an independent auto shop performed a diagnostic. Ford informed the contact that the vehicle was too old for them to assist, despite its low mileage. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

- Washington, DC, USA

I parked my car one night in a parking lot. The car was parked for less than 10 minutes. When I came back my steering wheel was locked and I could not turn the ignition to start the car. The lights and radio work so the battery is not dead. Two aaa roadside workers tried to turn the ignition and it did not work.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

When steering to the right the steering catches then suddenly releases resulting in temporary loss of control. I have spoken with the local Ford service department about this issue and they told me it was nothing to worry about but may have something to do with the power steering.

- Ariel, WA, USA