My Focus's ignition froze up and was unable to operate. The dealer said they had been replacing alot of ignition cylinders lately. The extended warranty I bought from Ford did not cover the problem. Every other Ford I have owned has had to have the ignition replaced as well.

- South Portland, ME, USA

We have had several problems with the car since we purchased it.our battery died at 25000 miles, had to be replaced no explanation given. The ignition tumbler had to be replaced be cause it broke, when I took it to the dealership they gave no explanation for it. *akalso we have had our brakes replaced twice within 1 year and need to have them done again(last done in July 2003).and we have been having a problem with the car stalling while driving at various speeds.

- Portland, OR, USA

Ignition lock has broken.

- Philomath, OR, USA

200 Ford Focus ZX3: Ignition is locked in position. Key will not turn. Steering is locked up also. This has happend 2 times before. There is a website dedicated to addressing this issue. This needs to ba a recall because it is obviously a manufacturer defect that is affecting the Ford Focus.

- Naperville, IL, USA

Ford Focus 2000. Squeaky brakes, ignition problems - locked up -? can't turn key.

- Alexandria, LA, USA

Last weekend after I parked my car I forgot to lock the doors after half hour I went out again and I could not even put the key into ignition I called Ford dealer and they told me that I should try to move the steering wheel, so I tried many times, finally the key went in but it could not turn the key to start the car, nothing moves, no even the gearshift to shift to neutral and move the vehicle, so I went to the dealer and they told me it's a vehicle defect and also they told me they did have 2 more cases same as mine. So I asked them what I can do... they said I have to towed the car there and to check and fix it is around 400 dollars. My complain is because I think is very dangerous for a woman to have this kind of problem. The systems in their cars because if you are alone and you leave your vehicle in a parking lot said at night and you comeback what you are going to do if it is complete lock" you can be raped if you are alone late in a dark spot or anything can happen to you... now if Ford knows this kind the cars have this problem why they do not do something about it " they can recall the cars. Please help me because I think is not fear I have to pay 400 dollar for a car defect and also because my warranty is over. Thank you so much for help. Samantha vidal.

- Lindenhurst, NY, USA

Ignition locked, was unable to insert key, after hour of trial. Key finally got into the ignition, but could not turn to any direction. Had to tow vehicle to dealership, let dealership fix it. Total cost was over $450.

- Kent, WA, USA

Hi, I own a 2000 Ford Focus and it has been nothing but trouble. I purchased the car brand new in 2000 and have had it in the shop so many times. I have had my rear passenger side window mechanism replaced by Ford, then personally replaced the driver front window mechanism and the driver back mechanism due to cable breaks. I have had it in with the radio 3 times and it still does not work correctly. I have had to have the brakes replaced, the ignition block replaced, the struts and shocks. The trunk release has never worked. Now it keeps breaking down on me if I drive for more than 1 hour non stop. This weekend I went to san antonio from corpus, it died on the highway 3 times going to sa and coming home 4 times & how safe is that! Ford said they cannot do anything for me unless it is messing up when I bring it in while it is acting up, however it always happens when I am away from town. They told me that if they hook it up to the machine it will not tell them anything. Also, on several occasions my accelerator has stuck and I cannot brake, I have to put the car in neutral and press on the brake hard while the RPM's are still revving and pull the emergency brake, the first time this happened I was pulling into a parking spot and went over the yellow divider. Is there anything I can do?

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

Ignition would not turn so key is stuck inside.

- Gary, IN, USA

Technical bulletin no. 15421 my ignition switch failed, preventing me from being able to turn my key in the ignition. I had to call a locksmith who replaced the swith for $275. The locksmith said he had seen dozens of Ford focuses with similar problems, something he blame on a defective set of tumblers within the switch.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Ignition locked up. This is the second incident in 2.5 years.

- Cedar Hill, TX, USA

Numerous problems with Focus. Bought car in 2001. Since the day that I drove off the lot I had squeaky brakes. Took to servicer and was told dust on brakes & it was normal. After three attempts, they changed pads & rotors. Now I hear the squeak again. Car cut off while going up a hill. Was told by the servicer that it happened because the weather had recently gotten hot and it "shocked" the car. Key wouldn't enter the ignition. Had to have the car towed to servicer. Car shuts off if under half a tank. Servicer told me " keep the gas over half a tank". sometimes I smell something burning while heat on in car. On 2 occassions saw smoke coming from the vents while A/C on ( didn't take to servicer for these problems because they never occured again). Today 11/10/03 the check engine light came on and the car started shaking and stalling eventually cutting off. Took to the servicer and explained the problem, without even mentioning the make and model of my car the technician said, " you must have a Focus". no longer under factory warranty and can't afford to pay for these defects that Ford is very much aware of. Also, the car no longer has value. Tried to trade it in before factory warranty ran out last year, and was told car only worth $4,000 while I still owed $10,000, which means I would have had to come up with the $6,000 difference to be free from the car. The car was only 2 yrs old when I tried to trade it in! so, I feel I got ripped off with a lemon that I can't even get rid of. I am seriously considering calling the finance company and voluntarily giving the car back, but then my credit will show a repossession, which is not fair being that the consumers were never told about the history of problems with the Focus before we bought them.

- Paterson, NJ, USA

I had two problems occur concurrently on my 46,000 mile car--and the mechanics at the dealership I brought it to told me that they're seeing a large number of these same problems. 1) the ignition barrel goes stiff with little warning, and apparently leads to a jam, early in the useful life of the car. 2) the automatic door lock suddenly stops working, apparently due to the defective actuactor in one of the rear doors, so that the car no longer locks

- Davis, CA, USA

1st recall,6/2000 shop for A/C problem,9/2000 shop for 7 days for ac problem,1/2002 shop 7days for engine work, recalls X 4 or 5 not sure about dates there has been so many on this car, problems with not starting, gas gauge, tire replacement 3 sets in less then 3 years, hesitation, poor gas milage, brakes squealing, trunk does not close properly,10/2003 has been in shop for 3 weeks for possible engine work. Dealer can not seem to find or repair the problem, I am not happy with this car it has had serious problems from day one there are more to mention can not list them all I need help.

- Shelbyville, TX, USA

Like many people who have sent complaints to this sight, I too have had several problems with my 2000 Ford Focus. The latest problem is what set me over the edge with Ford though. I tried putting my key in the ignition to start my car today and it wouldn't go in. After several attempts, I gave up and called a towing company. Once I got my car to a Ford service center, I learned that the tumbler was bad and the whole ignition piece needed to be replaced. What was I to do" I need my car to run, so at a replacement fee of $430 dollars, my ignition was working once again. As soon as I got home, I called Ford customer svs. And made my 2nd formal complaint about the car. I was dismissed as usual and decided to contact your site. After reviewing 50 plus complaints, I noticed that at least 5 also complained of the same problem that I had. How many cars does this have to happen to for this to become a recalled item"

- Hackettstown, NJ, USA

We have had the ignition freeze up on us three times in the past two years, the last time being yesterday. The first happened when the car had approximately 25,000 mi. (I can't find the original receipts, but it is on file at harrold Ford in sacramento, ca). The second occurred when the car had a little over 40,000 miles (November of 2002). Now the car has about 53,000 miles, and it has happened again. Each time, we have been stranded and have had to have the car towed. The first time we were trapped in a parking garage at a med clinic with a very sick baby. The second time we were trapped for the entire weekend in lake Tahoe before the car could be towed to a Ford dealership on Monday. Given the frequency of the repairs required on this same exact item, it is hard for me to believe that this is not a design flaw. Unfortunately, we have to pay about $150 per occurence to Ford to fix it and aaa has to assume the cost for towing the vehicle and putting us up, if we are stranded out of town (we have a aaa plus membership). This does not seem right to me. Has anyone else reported this same thing happening frequently on their focuses? I would recommend that this be investigated.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

2000 Ford Focus zts: The ignition cylinder locked on my car and my key won't slide in. I am going to have to have the car towed and fixed to the tune of about $400. This is potentially a dangerous situation, and one that occurs frequently from what I've been reading. This could have happened at any time and in any place. I am 7 months pregnant...what if I had been stranded and needed to get to the hospital in an emergency?

- Vienna, VA, USA

The ignition/steering locked up in my Ford Focus station wagon. The car has only 18,000 miles on it; it is out of warranty; aaa and the towing people told me that this locking up of the ignition system in the 2000 Ford Focus is a frequent problem. The lady at aaa thought that there is a recall, but Ford Motor Co. Said that there is no recall. The ignition lock and the keys had to be replaced at a cost of more than $500. The work is being done by the dealer, pacifico Ford. If it is true that there are lots of people who have this happening to their Ford Focus 2000, the automaker should do something to correct this defect.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

Ignition locked without warning.

- Chicago, IL, USA

In April of 2003, I went outside to start my car, the key went into the ignition and the chimes sounded (indicating electrical connection/activity); however, my key was not able to turn the ignition switch. I am being charged $273 for the problem, that is clearly a manufacturer's defect. If there is ever a recall or any legal justification with the "lemon" please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you.

- E.Lansing,, MI, USA