Ignition lock failed. Unable to insert kit all the way and had to have car towed to dealer.

- Los Banos, CA, USA

The key in my 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 will not turn in the ignition. I have to take it to the dealership to fix. I have read so many accounts of this same problem I cannot believe there has not been a recall. (there have been so many already.)

- Portland, ME, USA

I went out to my car after work and tried to start my car. The key would not go all the way into the ignition so I could not turn the key. After trying a few times, I called Ford roadside assistance and had it towed to my dealership, gaudin Ford in las vegas on a Wednesday night. The tow truck driver said that he's seen a lot of focuses with the same problem. They did not work on it on Thursday as they had other cars in front of it. Friday they figured out that the ignition cylinder was binding. They did not have the part in stock, so it had to be ordered. Finally on Tuesday it was done. It was under warranty as I had opted for the extended warranty plan, but I did have a $100 deductible. Also, I had rental coverage, but was made to pay for the taxes on the rental car, about $20.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

I have had my Ford Focus for two years. I will never buy another Ford again. The time I have had my Ford I've received about 3 or 4 recall notices for my car. Just recently I had another problem. The ignition on my car completely locked, you couldn't even turn the key. After talking to the person that towed my car and was told that they have seen this on so many of the Focus cars I did a search on the internet and found out it is a major problem. It cost me about $450 just to have them fix the ignition. This is a major concern and I feel there should be a recall on this.

- Victorville, CA, USA

Over time, my ignition lock has been freezing up and not allowing my to start the car. Now it will not work at all and am forced to replace ignition cylinder my self. There seem to be many reports of the same problem with other owners as well. Ford needs to recall this car completely until they work out all bugs.

- Newark, OH, USA

I have a 2000 Ford Focus. It has a recurring problem where the ignition cylinder locks up and the car cannot not be started, requiring towing to the nearest Ford dealer. The ignition cylinder has had to be replaced June 2001, Feb 2003, March 2004, and now for the forth time in June 2004. This is a serious and costly problem. If one were to stall in traffic on the highway, and then could not start, the car will be locked in park and would be dangerous. Upon picking up the car this time, after putting in the key, the key got stuck and I pulled out the whole cylinder and key together. I was told I am not using my key properly! Ford know they have a problem with Focus ignitions and will not address or recognize it. In addition, the dealer is tired of dealing with this problem.

- Waldwick, NJ, USA

I am a victim of Ford failing to do something about their ignition locking problem. My ignition locked up on me. This is a well documented and known problem. The design is flawed. The consumer is being taken for a ride. Even the replacement part has the failed design. Please do something!

- Shoreline, WA, USA

Ignition cylinder locks, key gets stuck and will not turn or come out.

- Mount Vernon, NY, USA

Put key in ignition and would not turn over car. Locked in park position and could not get it to unlock the steering wheel. Key would not turn. Dealer claims that this is an ongoing problem with the Ford Focus, could you please tell me what if any thing I can do to prevent this from happening again, since the car dealer said it's not guaranteed not to happen again. This I S costing me $500 plus towing and I'm not even sure it is going to be okay.

- Millsboro, DE, USA

Key would jam in ignition. Then yesterday the key wouldn't start veh. Now I am having to tap on the end of key to get the ignition to start due to faulty cylinders in the ignition. I have found numerous complaints regarding this on the web.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

When inserting the key into the ignition the key will only enter half-way and the key cannot be turned or the key can be fully inserted, but cannot be turned.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

As I tried to leave my house on 6/18/04, I found that my key would only go into my ignition a quarter of the way. Despite trying several ideas suggested, my husband and I ended up contacting a locksmith who fortunately was able to fix the problem in our driveway instead of having it towed. He had to drill out the ignition and replace it with a new one. All together, it ended up costing us $170. My 2000 Ford Focus only has 70,000 miles on it, and I don't feel this type of problem should be occurring. I understand it is a consistent problem by reading items on the internet as well as the information presented by the locksmith. He said that he has worked on 6 focuses in the past year including one just last week. I am truly concerned about this possibly happening again. Ford should be recalling the ignition and replacing them with ones that will last.

- Roseto, PA, USA

We own a 2000 Ford Focus 4dr LX. On 2/18/2004 and again on 6/20/2004, we put a key in the ignition, and it would not turn at all. We tried everyting, including jiggling the steering wheel. The first time, we had three keys for the car and found that one worked, but the others didn't. it was under an extended warranty (not Ford's), which covered replacement of the entire ignition assembly. It is now in the shop again, 4 months later, under a parts warranty (less than 1 year/ 12,000 miles since the last time). There is absolutely no warning that this is about to happen. This time, we were out of town on a holiday Sunday (fathers' day), no rental cars available anywhere, no place to stay. Neither key worked (had two). We had it towed back to the dealership that worked on it the last time. It is there now. A tow truck driver said he sees this often/ this is a common problem, as do some of the websites listing complaints about his make/model car. This time it should be under Ford's parts warranty, but we are concerned this will happen again and again. I am terrified that this will happen again and one of us will be stranded someplace and not able to get help. Please investigate, and if you find that this is a chronic problem with the car, as it appears to be, please make Ford recall this part and fix the problem. Our car only has approximately 52,000 miles on it. We previously had problems with the front suspension and 3 major problems with the fuel system (had to be towed to the dealer 3 times). It is now outside the manufacturer's warranty, and it did not fall within the lemon law. We can't afford to replace the car now, nor should we have to, but we're going to try (but we don't know who will buy it, knowing that they could get stranded somewhere, too). Thank you for your consideration.

- Catonsville, MD, USA

No sign of anything wrong - then key will not turn in ignition and the steering wheel is locked up.

- Edmond, OK, USA

My 2000 Ford Focus SE was having problems with the steering wheel locking up and ignition key not turning, on 06/08/04 car was towed to pacific Ford. Ford said that it was not covered under extended warranty, that the problem is wear and tear. Ignition cylinder was replaced, cost me $380.25. Now key does not open driver side of door, will open trunk and passenger side of door. Took back the car to pacific Ford, now they are saying that is has to do with my cylinder lock on door (wear and tear)and if would cost me about $300 to have it replaced. Did not have problem with any of the doors or trunk not opening up before they serviced the car.

- Monterey Park, CA, USA

The ignition cynlinder on my 2000 Focus has collapsed for the second time, leaving me stranded without transportation. The key will not turn to crank up the car. I had this problem fixed by the dealership in 2002, but it just broke again. I have found hundreds of other complaints filed and posted online about this same problem and repeated occurances. Now my dealership is charging me $250 to fix it again because the part is no longer under warrantee. This is disgusting. I would like reimbursement, and Ford should issue a recall, as this is obviously an ongoing problem.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

Consumer was unable to turn the key in the ignition switch. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- New Berlin, WI, USA

Ignition key failed and locked the steering wheel on my 2000 Ford Focus ZX3.

- Lawrenceville , GA, USA

It was hard for the consumer to start the vehicle due to ignition problem. In some cases the vehicle would not start at all. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Houston, TX, USA

I had been having some slight problem getting my key to turn thought nothing of it until today (6/7/2004) went to store and got out went in came back out and low and behold my ignition would not accept my key. Finally got key in the ignition and could not get it to move. It is frozen up completely. This is terrible how can there be so many complaints on this problem and nothing be done about it.Ford has to know that they have a defective part on these cars...... is there not anything a person can do abouit this kind of thing? is there a certain number of recalls before there is something done...if there is any thing a person can do to get Ford to correct this "defect" and it is a defect I am certain after reviewing your complaint site it is amazing how many people have went through this same thing alot more than one time, some people said they had to fix theirs more than one but three and four times.. please help !

- Hartford, KY, USA