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
I had purchased a 2000 Ford Focus. I have had the car less then 5 years and the ignition cylinder had fail twice. Ford Motor Co. Has not admitted and fault in either occurrence.
- Sacramento, CA, USA
2000 Ford Focus ignition locked up. Unable to turn key in the ignition, making it impossible to start the vehicle. This was the 4th occurrence of the same problem. Each time the car had to be towed to the dealership. Each time the cylinder had to be replaced. The third time it was done the service tech neglected to tighten the master nut on the steering column (which was replaced...too badly worn from removing the cylinder the previous times), and the steering wheel nearly came off in my hands while driving. The dealerships have replaced the cylinders at no cost to me thus far, but having to go thru this about every nine to twelve months is quite annoying, not to mention extremely inconvenient. This time I will ask that they save the old part and give it to me.
- Lisle, IL, USA
The ignition cylinder of my 2000 Ford Focus was faulty. This recent repair was the second time I had to repair this faulty component. The key wouldn't even go into the ignition before the repair. The dealership cut me two new keys and rebuilt the ignition cylinder. I would like to know why this faulty component has not been recalled by Ford?
- Tucson, AZ, USA
When placing vehicle key in the ignition switch, consumer noticed that the key would only fit half way resulting in the consumer being unable to turn switch to start vehicle engine. The dealer and manufacturer were notified. The dealer replaced the lock cylinder free of charge.
- Dallas, TX, USA
Ignition is getting stuck more and more often. The key won't turn, steering wheel is locked.
- Berwyn Heights, MD, USA
In March 2002, my 2000 Ford Focus LX had the steering wheel lock up and the ignition lock up so that I could not turn the key or start my car. It had to be towed to the dealership and they ended up having to drill out the ignition lock cylinder, rebuild it, and replace broken steering column parts. Now yesterday, May 23, 2004, the same thing occurred - steering wheel locked, key would not turn, car would not start. I had to tow it again to the same dealership, and get the parts replaced again.
- Ames, IA, USA
Ford Focus 2000 ignition key would not start car....big problem.
- Hewlett, NY, USA
Second ignition key cylinder has gone out on auto w/less than 28,000 miles. Both were expensive out of warranty repairs and occurred within one year. Appears you have about 150 complaints re: The same problem. What does it take to get a recall?
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
I had to have my ignition switch drilled out of my 2000 Ford Focus last year since the key would not even enter. Less than one year later I had to get the switch replaced again since I could not turn it.
- Sherwood Park, 00, USA
My key got stuck in my ignition, but I finally got it out but then could not insert key. Had to get it towed and was told by tow driver that was his 4th pickup that week of the same type car and same problem. I had to get it fixed myself.
- Mantua, NJ, USA
When I put the key in my ignition, it will not turn. I cannot unlock my steering wheel or start my car.
- Westminster, MD, USA
Key can be inserted into ignition, ignition cylinder frozen, unable to turn key at all. Towed to garage. Replaced with new cylinder. Tow truck driver told me this was the 4th Focus that he has towed this week with the same problem.
- Winchendon, MA, USA
Vehicle failed after being repaired. Ph the vehicle was side swiped in Chicago where the sales dealer claimed to have made repairs. The vehicle was transported to Florida where it failed. The vehicle was barely driven, and had only 10 miles on it when it was purchased. The consumer was unable to turn the ignition. The cylinder was replaced. The left front strut and sway bar link was replaced.
- Hypoluxo, FL, USA
2000 Ford Focus. My key has gotten stuck in the ignition and has had to be reparied three times in the past three years. Each time I am stranded and need to be towed. Once I paid $700 and this current fixing will be $450 at the dealer.
- Goleta , CA, USA
2000 Ford Focus: 1/04 and 3/04 the ignition locked and would not turn; ignition cylinder replaced in 1/04 and second occurence blamed on "worn" key. Had to pay for new key. On 1/04 service manager hit the key while in the ignition and released the cylinder. Will see if key is the problem on second incident.
- Houston, TX, USA
First ignition key could not be inserted into ignition, after 30 minutes of finagling, it forcefully let me put it in (we were on vacation and not near home) now the key can not be removed from the ignition. I don't want to force it because then I probably can't get it back in, at least this way I can drive. I called the Ford dealership and they said the tumblers are locked on and it would have to be replaced at $89 an hour for labor, $100+ for parts at 2-3 hours of labor, so that is a grand total of $350 to $420 for a problem that seems to be a common occurence. This needs to be a recall issue. My Focus is 4 years old and only has 32000 miles on it, I have never heard of anything so absurd as this. Interestingly enough, the locksmith can do it for $98 for parts and $20 for labor, which he said takes about 45 minutes. Go figure, looks like Ford has a real racket on repairs, I think they are crooks. I just had it in for fuel pump related inssues and the fuel pump has been recalled. It has been over 3 months waiting on parts to fix this recall - again, a bunch of crooks, when it's coming out of their pocket!
- Rockford, IL, USA
The consumer was not able to remove the key from the ignition switch, when the vehicle was on park. Dealer notified.
- Stone Mountain, GA, USA
I have to have my car towed twice to the dealerhip because the ignition would not turn. The dealership cut out the cylinder and replaces it with a new one.
- Bryant, AR, USA
Steering wheel is locked and key will not turn so car will not start. After doing research I have found that this is very common and may even happen again after being repaired - typical cost is $250 - 300..
- Binghamton, NY, USA
- Denver, CO, USA