10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 7 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 3
- Average Mileage:
- 36,886 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
The ignition cylinder on my 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 is a source of constant headaches. This is not a new problem to me...I've had my ignition cylinder replaced 4 times in 4 years on my car. It is always the same problem, and Ford knows about the difficulty with this part....I am not the only Focus owner with this problem. This part needs to be recalled.
- Daytona Beach, FL, USA
Vehicle: Ford Focus ZX3. My: 2000, purchased in: San gabriel, ca currently in: Dublin, oh. Events: I went to my car one evening, sat in the driver's seat, pulled my key out and it would not go in the ignition cylinder. It was if something were stuck in it and the tip of the key was the only part that would go in. No amount of pushing seemed to help. The steering wheel was in the locked position and I even attempted to turn it to see if it would free whatever was stopping the key from going in. Consequences: I was stranded. The tires were turned to the left and the steering wheel was locked. To have it loaded onto a flatbed tow truck was impossible without causing more damage to the body of the car or wheels. It took over an hour to get it loaded on a tow truck. Correction: I took the car to germain Ford for service and they replaced the ignition cylinder in the steering column. The service technicians said they had seen this on other Ford Focus. Other comments: I researched this online some and others have experienced the same issue.
- Dublin, OH, USA
Without warning or prior problems and while parked, the ignition and steering column locked up. I was not able to turn the key nor the steering wheel. All attempts to do so failed. Had vehicle towed to Ford dealership where the old ignition was drilled and a new one isntalled. The service manager comfirmed that this is a known issue with the Ford Focus.
- Hampton, VA, USA
I parked my car one night, nothing unusual, no previous difficulties with the ignition. The next day I get in and can not insert key fully into the ignition. After jiggling it around, I could finally fully insert key but am unable to turn it to start the vehicle. Although no injury occured, this is an expensive repair (over $300 in addition to the towing fees). I have found numerous complaints of the same problem on the web and in my discussion with other Focus owners; and think Ford is to blame. I only have 2 keys on my key ring along with the remote keyless entry; therefore, this was nothing I've done to impair the daily performance.
- St. Louis, MO, USA
I was leaving work late the other night and my key would not turn over in order to start my car. I had a friend pick me up and I called a locksmith the next day. I had my ignition replaced, then three days later I could not take my key out of the ignition. I once again called the locksmith he came back out and replaced my ignition once again, yet the key got stuck again. The third time I called him he told me this is a problem with focous and it was going to cost me an additional $250. To fix, on top of the $190. I had already spent to replace the ignition.
- Fresno, CA, USA
My 2000 Ford Focus was working fine. About 5 minutes after parking the car, I returned to the car to start it up, and my key, which had just worked fine, would not start the car. The steering column and the ignition were locked. My key would no longer go all the way into the ignition cylinder, which seemed to be jammed in some way. I called aaa, who said they see this all the time in the Ford Focus. They banged on the column trying to release the cylinder, but to no avail. Stranded, I took a $35 cab ride home and have to return today to have it towed off a downtown street to the dealers service center, which is closed on Sunday and has no emergency number...I guess I just leave it there with the hopes that they will look at it tomorrow. I have no idea how I'll get to work tomorrow, how long this will take to fix, nor how much it will cost--- but I've read other similar complaints that this happens repeatedly with the ignition cylinder due to weak metals used in the manufacturing of the ignition cylinder. This is not due to normal wear and tear. This is a faulty part and should be recalled!
- Medford, MA, USA
Ignition randomly locked up. I had some problems while driving. After I parked and turned off the car, removed the key, I could no longer turn the ignition cylinder with the key. Had to replace ignition cylinder and key for a cost of $350. I have read many complaints of similar happenings by other Focus owners. Also received anecdotal evidence from tow truck driver and mechanic of frequency of this occurring with Ford focuses.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
Key goes in ignition, but won't turn. Requires wiggling and multiple tries to get car to turn over and start. Common problem on Ford focuses. Making appointment to have ignition replaced.
- Allentown, PA, USA
I parked my car. Upon coming back to the car the key would not work in the ignition at all. The dealer indicated that the tumbler mechanism failed and that this is a common defect. My car is a stick shift, and if I stalled the car in traffic and the ignition switch failed that time, I would have been put in a very dangerous situation.
- Dover, PA, USA
This complaint is concerning clarification of our previous complaints to NHTSA regarding the 2000 Ford Focus : #10104088 and #10107840. I am extremely concerned about the misinterpretation of data collected by your Agency and posted for public review. Deaths are not posted, nor are they included as injuries. This misrepresents the seriousness of the vehicle and equipment failures reported.
- Redford, MI, USA
Ignition lock failure on my 2000 Ford Focus. This I am told is a major problem by the dealer and aaa. Please help. Ford needs to recall these vehicles. Thank you. Cindy drohan
- Niagara Falls, NY, USA
1- this specific failure, there were no events leading to it, it just happened. The ignition switch just locked. Previously there were little events with the car leading up to its failure. 2- it stalled and wouldn't start, fuel wasn't getting to the engine and would lead to power failure. 3- after repeated trips to the garage and told there was nothing wrong with it. They did replace the plugs and wires and fuel pump again. Now the problem is the ignition switch.
- Barto, PA, USA
About 8 months ago I purchased a 2000 Ford Focus. This past weekend my steering wheel locked up. I couldn't even get the key all the way into the ignition. I tried several times to start the car to no avail. I went online to find out if there were any other techniques I could try and came across several websites with disgruntled consumers who are also owners of the Ford Focus. They all are experiencing the same problem. I've been told by both the dealership and locksmith that the problem is the tumblers and a failed cylinder due to Ford. Apparently Ford used a substandard manufactured cylinder which rapidly deteriorates with use and eventually fractures thus locking the wheel. I was told at the dealership that the repair would be close to $400 so I opted instead to have a locksmith come out. That cost me $60. I'm told though that it's only a matter of time before it happens again and even a new cylinder will not prevent it from happening again because the part itself is defective. Apparently Ford is well aware of this problem but will not do a recall which I find absurd. This is not only an annoying situation but also a dangerous one. I've had other Ford owners tell me that they've had this problem happen to them while driving, at stop lights, in a parking lot etc. That is dangerous and something should be done about it. I am writing a personal letter to Ford...and I plan to take this as far as I possibly can legally. Thank you. Amy kennedy winston salem,
- Winston Salem, NC, USA
(1) I parked my 2000 Ford Focus on a hill with the wheels turned (2) the key ignition would not turn even after playing around with it for 4 hours! I had to leave my vehicle behind. There was no advance signs that this problem was about to occur. While this is not a moving safety issue, this can be a very serious problem since it can strand you without any warning in an unsafe area. (I carry spare gas, jumper cables, car jacks, antifreeze, extra oil etc.. I even had enough tools to take apart the steering column and try hot wiring the car, but to no avail.) this is a serious mechanical defect. (3) I later bought an owners manual to try fixing the problem myself. But the first step to removing the broken ignition cylinder is to turn the key!! a catch 22.
- Lenox, MA, USA
Steering wheel ignition locks and will not allow the key to turn and start the car.
- Medina, OH, USA
Key will not turn the ingintion switch on, and sometimes can barely be removed from switch.
- Nashua, NH, USA
There is no event leading up to failure that was recognizable. When you put key in the ignition, it seizes and will not turn to start the car. This has happened to me twice now!! in a year and a half. The first time it occurred was 6-27-03 and I had it fixed. The tumbler and ignition switch had to be replaced. I thought it may be a one off--I had bought the car used from the dealership. However, this has now occured again 1-25-05 and I will now have to pay again for something that should never have happened once--nevermind twice! I called Ford and they were very uninterested and said there was no recall--but I bet there are other with this problem. It mean is takes 2 weeks to order the parts and fix so it is a hugh inconvenience because I have a small child and am pregnant again. I have to have the car towed to be serviced and am very upset and feel this needs loked into further since Ford dont really seem to give a toss.
- Newark, OH, USA
At 9:00 am my wife drove to work and parked her car in the employee parking lot. At approximately 6:00 pm when she was leaving the office, she was not able to get the key to go into the ignition switch. She was stranded. When I arrived at her office about 6:45 pm, I tried but was also unable to get the key into the ignition. On 1/22/05 8:00 am I called our local Ford dealer who said to try some wd-40. If that doesn't work we would have to tow it in to let them take a look. Tried wd-40, didn't work, had vehicle towed to Ford dealer at 9:45 am same day. While at the dealer, I asked service mgr if this is a common problem - he said it happens once in a while and it is usually caused by having too many keys on the key ring. When I gave him my keys, we was surprised there were no other keys on the same key ring. Dealer called Monday 1/24 and said they have to drill out the old lock cylinder and replace - it will cost $285 + the tow was $75, total U.S. $360. Our concern is we do not feel not safe driving a car that we cannot be confident that the key will work as intended. Imagine the potential danger a person could be left in not being able to start their car. We were amazed to find out the large number of owners of this same vehicle that have had the same problem and there has not been a recall issued for this defective part. We plan on repairing this vehicle and replacing it as soon as practical.
- Columbia, MD, USA
The ignition cylinder on my 2000 Ford Focus has locked up several times, but now it is completely gone. The key will not turn for anything. I have been informed that Ford will charge around $450 to fix this problem. It is an ongoing problem with many Focus owners. The car has done this before but it just did it for the first time in months last night, leaving my husband stranded. Ford has corrected this problem on the 2005 models but what about the rest of us! my husband was late for work because of it and I myself had to leave work to go pick him up.
- Jefferson City, TN, USA
- Teaneck, NJ, USA