I own a 2000 Ford Focus. My ignition locked. Initally, my key would only go in half way, but would not turn. After finally getting my key in, it still would not turn. I have researched this exact indicent, and I have found this to be a common fairlure. There are over 150 postings on automotivetalk.net alone. I paid $65 to have the car towed and $310 to have it fixed at the dealer. Clearly, this is a defective part, but Ford has done nothing to compensate the out of pocket costs to the owners.

- New Baltimore, MI, USA

We had occasional difficulty inserting the key into our 2000 Ford Focus, and then one day we were completely unable to get the key in. We have a key that is rarely used and that doesn't work either. We are stuck and will have to call a tow truck to take our car to the shop. My husband missed a day of work and we don't know yet how much this whole thing will cost us. I want to know why there is not a recall on this since it is obviously a problem for Ford Focus cars.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

The consumer owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The ignition locks up. From what she has seen this is a common problem for the Ford Focus. The dealership stated that there were three other vehicles that they are fixing for the same problem. The manufacturer stated that there was no other complaints.

- Scranton, PA, USA

I've had the car for over 3 years now and always had problems inserting the key into the ignition. One day, I drove the car to my friend's house and was ready to leave and inserted the key into the ignition. The key would not go into the ignition and therefore, I was unable to turn the key. The steering wheel was also locked. I had to call a locksmith and he had to drill into the ignition to remove it and replace it with a new one. He also had to program a new key. The locksmith told me that this is a common problem with the Ford Focus. I am surprised that there has been no recall as of yet for this problem. I feel that Ford needs to take responsibility for their product and issue a recall. We as consumers should not have to foot the bill for this problem. By not solving this issue, this allows others to benefit from repair costs to these vehicles everytime they are stranded and have no one else to turn to except the only locksmith in the area who can charge whatever to repair the ignition.

- Glendale, CA, USA

The ignition "froze" so that I could not turn the car on and the steering wheel was locked. I have since read many complaints about this failure.

- Goshen, KY, USA

My car was driving/starting just fine until one night I tried to start my car and the ignitioon and steering wheel locked up and wouldn't turn. I had to have it towed to a dealership. They replaced the ignition cylinder in my car which cost about $300.

- Morgantown, WV, USA

Yesterday, all of a sudden my key did not want to turn the ignition to start the car. A couple of times I was able to get it started by playing with it and then when I needed the car a couple of minutes later it would not work. I am now finding alot of complaints on the internet in relation to Ford Focus 2000-2003 models have bad ignitions and subjects having to have the ignition replaced multiple times and Ford not recalling them. Websites: www.automotivetalk.net and www.edmunds.com, etc. I am a single mom, with only the Ford Focus to drive and I can't afford to be stalled out somewhere with my young child, because Ford has decided not to fix a constant problem.

- West Branch, IA, USA

Key stuck in ignition, after repeatedly jiggling key, could turn on electrical, but could not turn on engine. Finally could remove key with difficulty, but electrical stayed on even with key removed. Tried repeatedly for more than an hour and a half, but could not turn engine on. Had to have car towed to mechanic for repair. This same problem occurred once before in May 2002. At that time (2002) the key cylinder was replaced and the ignition cylinder was recoded under warranty by Ford dealership.

- Bronx, NY, USA

My Ford Focus 2000 ZX3 was working fine. When I went to drive home from work the key jammed in the ignition. I could not get the key to turn. I tried and tried but it would not turn. I had to get my wife to pick me up. I tried it the next day, still jammed. I read on the internet that this is a common problem with Ford Focus models. I called the dealership and was told $350- $650 to replace it. Very expensive I thought. I called aaa, they sent a lock smith and it cost me $185. Not only is this a problem that should be added to the 12 already listed recall items on this model but the price at the Ford dealer was well inflated!!!! I would like to see this item added to the recall list as it is a manufacturing default. I would also like to be rembursed for the locksmith charge.

- Newbury Park, CA, USA

1: one incident of inserting key into ignition 2: total lock up of ignition, no injury loss of money to fix the problem 3: replace ignition, ignition drilled and new one instsalled, have old part.

- Reno, NV, USA

Ignition switch failure. Car unable to start. Had to be towed to dealer to have ignition switch replaced.

- Truro, 00, USA

I have a lot of problems with my Ford Focus. The inginiton froze up on me and I couldn't get the key out. It cost $500 to get it fixed,

- Millington, MI, USA

There was no prior problems with the key and the ignition, then on 5/4/05 the key went into the ignition and would not turn or start the car, I tried my second key and that also would not turn. I had to have the car towed to local dealer, total cost for repair and tow was a wooping $350.the dealer did not seem surprised that my Ford Focus had this defect, the tow driver said it is common to have this problem with Focus and I spoke to a few local locksmiths and they also say it is common for Focus. I see on the internet that hundreds of people also endured this high expense for the same repair. It does not seem fair that there is a defect and Ford does not have a recall for this issue, plese help all us owners and push for a recall.. thank you

- Yonkers, NY, USA

Ford Focus 2000 ignition problems. First, the key would not insert fully into the ignition and would get stuck preventing it to turn. When the mechanic shook the key around a bit it would loosen up and would then insert fully allowing the car to be started. That was only a temporary solution. The second problem was when the key would insert fully but would not turn the ignition. After hearing that two of my friends who own Ford Focus' from the same year had the same exact problem, I began to research. I have found that this is not an isolated incident, or normal "wear and tear." This seems to be a widespread problem within vehicles of this year, make and model. I feel that it is unfair that the consumer must pay for a problem that existed when the car was on the showroom floor. Having an ignition replaced is not cheap considering the labor and part charges combined.

- East Stroudsburg, PA, USA

Frozen ignition lock, tumblers fall into lock space and prevent key from entering.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

The ignition lock seized. Consumer put the key into the ignition but it would not turn over. The floor shifts was still in park. Consumer had the vehicle towed home because of this defect.

- Saugus, MA, USA

The ignition lock is hard to turn and hard to remove the key. You have to jiggle the key to get it to work. It has nearly left me stranded several times. I was quoted a price to fix it at $300. I have yet to fix it due to financal difficulties.

- Chesterton, IN, USA

'recall campaign' Ford Focus 2000, has had 6 recalls. The tumbler in the ignition failed.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

2000 Ford Focus - key will not go into ignition and start car

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Ignition in 2000 Ford Focus has failed. We started to experience problems with turn the key--we often experienced problems with turning the key to on position. The problem has now progressed and we are unable to even turn the car on at all. We are told that the ignition will have to be replaced. We contacted the local Ford dealership and we were told by their service department that they have seen this problem occuring more and more, and they have already had several cars of this make and model come in with this problem. We were also told that it will cost almost $400 to replace this part. I've researched this problem, and it seems there are people from all over the us who are having this issue. I contact Ford customer service directly and they were of no assistance.

- Quantico, VA, USA