10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 7 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 3
- Average Mileage:
- 36,886 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Put key into ignition but key will not move at all and vehicle will not start.
- Napervill, IL, USA
The ignition lock set for my 2000 Ford Focus zts had to be replaced. It cost $315.
- Colts Neck, NJ, USA
Ignition cylinder froze on 2000 Ford Focus SE requiring car to be towed to dealer to have lock cylinder replaced as the key could not be inserted into the lock. This was covered by warranty at the time. In December 2005, ignition would periodically freeze with key inserted requiring several attempts to turn the key to start the car. Car was taken to dealer on January 17, 2006 and cylinder has to be replaced again at a cost of $453 since the car is now out of warranty. I've noted numerous complaints on the internet about other Ford Focus owners with the same problem. I called Ford customer service and they would not do anything other than note the complaint. This is a safety issue if the lock fails when the car is needed in an emergency situation. Since this is a recurring problem, why has Ford not been required to fix the problem?
- Arlington, VA, USA
Ignition lock failure. The first issue is that I tried to take the key out of the ignition and the entire ignition cylinder came out on the key. This happened several times randomly. The second issue is the failure for the key to turn in the ignition. It was initially an inconsistent problem that steadily got worse and worse until finally it just became a matter of chance and a battle of patience to get it started. This started happening at 40K miles which is ridiculous. The worst case took 30 minutes of twisting, jingling, turning the wheel, pushing the key in and out and fiddling with it until it finally turned. I have since had the cylinder replaced and a new key made for about $250 out of my pocket. After a little research I realized that I am one of thousands of people with the same problem, but Ford apparently feels the problem doesn't exist. Ford should make each one of their engineers drive a Focus and count the number of days they come in late or miss work.
- Santa Barbara, CA, USA
2000 Ford Focus ignition seized.
- North Blenheim, NY, USA
Focus ignition locks up, contacted dealer about problem and they informed me this is a very common problem, Ford knows about it but it is not a recall item. If Ford is aware of a defect why is there no recall!!
- Litchfield Park, AZ, USA
Ignition switch defective. The key wouldn't turn into the ignition lock.
- Rolla, MO, USA
Since I have owned the vehicle I have had problems with the ignition. It would stick after I had removed the key, and the chime would sound when I opened the door. Then starting about 2 or 3 weeks ago, my husband attempted to put the key in and it would not go into the ignition completely. He finally worked it in and we had trouble getting the key out and putting it back in since that day. The incident that happened on this date is that the key, even though it goes all the way into the ignition, it will not turn the cylinder. I cannot drive my car, and it must be towed to the dealership to have the cylinder replaced.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
Key keeps getting stuck in ignition, now the key won't even go into the ignition, will have to replace (right before christmas!) the ignition switch for $400, plus towing costs.
- Bolingbrook, IL, USA
I went to start my car and the key would not turn over. The ignition was locked up and nothing I did would release it. I try to move that steering wheel, step on the brakes, move the gear shift, nothing. It has done it before but I was able to get it to steering wheel to move and the car start. But not now. Now it is being tow to get it fix. I also have had problems with the radio not working because the front of the radio becomes warped. And will not touch the prongs inside the radio. Had it replace one time before and now I brought one to put in there.
- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA
Brakes will not work when car first driven in morning. Have to stand on the brakes to avoid hitting someone. Ford will not fix this. This car is extremely dangerous along with the water leak, bad ignition key tumbler and poor gas mileage. It has been rotten from the get go. Needs to be recalled!
- Louisville, KY, USA
2000 Ford Focus ignition problems.
- Stanton, CA, USA
My key would no longer fit in the ignition leaving the car undrivable with the wheels locked which made towing near impossible. In the first instance the Ford service department replaced the ignition and advised me I was starting my car incorrectly. They said I needed to fully depress the key in the ignition before turning it. It is not possible to do otherwise. 17 months later it has failed again. They have just replaced my second ignition in 2 years and I was now told that this is not a faulty part but due to the weather in northeast Ohio.
- Mentor, OH, USA
The replacement of the ignition on my 2000 Ford Focus should have been a recall. It has left me stranded on various occasions. I had to pay over two hundred dollars to correct a manufacturer failure within the ignition.
- Sterling Heights, MI, USA
My ignition locked up and left me stranded for a few hours. I could barely put the key in, and when I did get it in, it would not turn. It caused me to miss 4 hours of work. I called a Ford service technician, and he told me this is a common problem with the Focus. How come there is not a recall. I have researched the issue, and it seems like everyone that owns a Ford Focus, has had this issue happen to them.
- Grandview, MO, USA
Ignition defect. Ignition mechanism failed - key will not turn move or engine over.
- Zanesville, OH, USA
I have a 2000 Ford Focus, and would like to make a complaint about the ignition switch locking up and preventing the car from turning on. I researched this, and it is a common problem among Focus owners. Ford may say that this is not a safety concern, but being the father of a 3 month old baby, I strongly disagree. Luckily, the ignition locked up in our driveway. What if this were to happen in the middle of nowhere, during the winter. Now, that is my safety concern.
- Moline, IL, USA
On occasion, ignition will not turn. Happens at least one to two times per month on the average. In August, could not start car for 4 days. Dealer says new ignition will cost around $300.
- St. Peters, MO, USA
My car ran fine until one morning (first day of college, no less!) the key would not insert into the ignition. Repeated attempts were made to insert it--jiggling, cleaning the key, blowing out the cylinder--with no luck. Car had to be towed to the dealership where the ignition barrel had to be replaced. I was just a hair out of warranty so the expense came out of my pocket. The tow truck driver said this was a very common problem with Focus'. what a pain!
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Stuyvesant Falls, NY, USA