Ignition core comes completely out when removing key. Difficult to correctly realign into steering column. Have read other complaints about same problem from multiple consumers.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

Consumer went out to start car and key would not turn, ignition was locked in place, it would not move. Also, steering wheel was locked. Consumer took vehicle to dealership, and they said they never heard off such occurrences.

- Roxbury, MA, USA

Consumer states that she is having problems with her vehicle's ignition switch again. She states that last year this time the key would go in the ignition but it would not unlock and turn. The mechanic repaired it, she had another switch put in. This year the same thing is happening. The key will go in the ignition, but it will not turn the auto on. It is like the switch is frozen in place. Consumer states when she spoke with the mechanic about the part that is now defective, and the year's warranty is not up, the mechanic says he will have to charge her again. He does not want to honor her warranty on the part which he put on the vehicle. She states she still has a couple of weeks left before the warranty expires.

- Jackson, MS, USA

The consumer stated the dealer replaced the ignition switch. The key would not turn in the ignition and as a result the driver was stranded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replaced the ignition cylinder.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Ignition locked up and won't start. Dealer stated this problem was common and consumer should contact a locksmith to remedy the problem.

- Goose Creek, SC, USA

The consumer was unable to start the vehicle because the key failed to go into the ignition. Dealership had to replaced the ignition cylinder. Also, the left turn signal did not cancel once the turn was complete. The dealership replaced the turn signal switch.. the dome light failed to come when the door was opened, the dealer replaced a burned out bulb.

- Mount Vernon, WA, USA

When attempting to restart vehicle ignition locked without warning. Dealer notified.

- Apo, AE, USA

Consumer was on 7th set of tires at 60,000, an alignment with each set. Radio had been replaced twice/ brakes had been completely replaced twice/ wheel bearings had been replaced, and ignition was replaced once after vehicle had been towed. Low and behold, consumer's Focus was sitting in driveway needed to be towed for the same problem again. Car was getting horrible gas mileage, sometimes had brake failure which caused 2 accidents. Also, lugs:nuts had been replaced. The car would sometimes stall for no apparent reason, and was in need of an alternator.

- Columbia, MD, USA

Consumer stated the ignition locked up. Dealer notified. Please provide any additional information.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

Consumer states when turning corners vehicles stalls. Cause unkwown.

- Galion, OH, USA

Constant squeaking noise when the brakes are applied. I've already replaced the rotors, brakes, brake pads, and drums on several occasions since buying this Focus about 3 years ago. Also my steering wheel locked on me one day in April of 2002 the key would not fit into the ignition to start the car I have no idea why this would happen from one day to another. I had my vehicle towed to the Ford dealership and they didn't know what the problem was caused by. They said that they needed to update the lock cylinder. Luckily I purchased the api extended warranty that cover the car for 100,000 miles. So the cost of the work done for this was $427.20. All but $50 of which was my deductible was cover by this warranty. The problems didn't stop here. I also have had to get the cd systems that came installed in the car replaced. The was a constant clicking noise with the cd player and 90% of the time the cd's wouldn't even play. I called the dealership and they said that they could replace it for me but that it wouldn't be coverer by the warranty so I would have to pay for it out of my pocket. I ended up having a new system installed but not from the Ford dealership, I took it to circuit city. Recently this month July 2003, my car has been staling and shutting off at stop signals and stop light also just shut completely off on the freeway thank god no accident occurred. I called the dealership to report this problem also my check engine light would come on and off several times and they said to bring it in and they would check the engine light but that I would have to pay $165. 00 just for them to check the light and it would be more $$$ to repair what ever problem it was. I was fed up by then.

- San Jose, CA, USA

Battery light goes on and off at will - no apparent pattern - car also shudders and stalls when idling in gear - does this on a daily basis several times a day and has done this since purchase! dealership could find no reason for this while under initial warranty - on second attempt to fix the computer was replaced (under 80,000 warranty) due to 'wrong chip for this car' - when car was picked up it was running - after parking at home could not restart car had it towed back to dealership and all car keys had to be re-programmed at our cost 'because you must have done something to them'! within 2 days car was once again flashing it's battery light and shuddering/stalling!

- Denton, TX, USA

The ignition housing locked up and as a result the vehicle could not be moved. The front axles on the right side fell off. The dealer refused to repair them. The front brake calipers fell off. The rear end slid while driving on a wet surface.

- Victorville, CA, USA

Problem with the ignitioin cylinder. I have been informed by Ford that no one has reported a problem with this, but I find that to be extremely contrary noting the excessive complaints on just this website alone. The key will not turn in the ignition. They are asking no less than $300, and I find if you multiply that estimation by the number of complaints they know nothing about, they have quite the racket going on.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Ignition key does not turn. With only 55144 miles the ignition key should not be a problem. Dealer stated they have several cars with the same problem so is obviously a defective part. I feel the dealer should pay for this type of repairs, there are at least 50 other consumers complaining of the same problem right on this site. Please conduct and investigation as soon as posible, sooner or later someone will be injured as a result of this faulty ignition.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

Ignition cylinder pin defect. Had to replace this item 5 times underwarranty.

- Houston, TX, USA

Went to turn car on, key would not go into ignition switch, then after a few tries it went in but the ignition would not turn. At all. Called five lock smiths, all refused to come out to attempt to fix my jammed ignition switch, all five stated they have this type of call on this car (2000 Ford Focus) all the time and that they can't fix it, I need to bring it to the dealership and have the ignition cylinder replaced. Had car towed to dealership - $80 - dealership said that the ignition cylinder needed replacing, that yes, it is a very common problem, that there is a service bulletin out on it but no recall (said to me they felt it should be recalled), and that it was going to run me about $475 to get it fixed!! I purchased the car used, contacted the prior owner, they said the same problem happened to them with the car around 15,000-16,000 miles ago and they had the ignition cylinder replaced at that time and that they were told by dealership that it was an "improved" cylinder and that it should not go bad again. Well, it's gone "bad" again, and now I'm having to pay to have something fixed that should last many thousands of miles. This is ridiculous. I've owned other brands of cars for 200,000+ and 300,000+ miles and never had to replace ignition cylinder on any of those cars, this car has 55,000 miles and it's the second time! I say defect!! :)

- Calhan, CO, USA

This morning my ignition cylinder went bad. Went to go start the car and it wouldn't turn.

- Johnson City, NY, USA

On June 1, 2003, my car had to be towed to the dealer for replacement of the ignition cylinder which was done on June 2, 2003 at stoneham motor co. I previously had the car towed to the dealer for the same problem and same repair on two other occasions -- February 11, 2003 and April 21, 2003. This was previously reported in a complaint to your Agency (confirmation no. 10018431). The dealer attempted to replace the steering column so that I would not have this problem again, but was unable to accomplish this successfully. Although a new ignition cylinder was installed, I understand that this problem may continue to occur repeatedly because of a design defect which does not require the key to be inserted fully. The tow truck driver told me that one consumer with a similar problem leaves his key in the ignition, thinking that if the car gets stolen that will solve the problem. He said that another consumer has a hammer in his car which he uses to tap the key before turning it. I have no complaint with the dealer who performed all three repairs at no charge, but I believe that the manufacturer should have some responsibility for this problem, both to me and my dealer.

- Framingham, MA, USA

After recall repairs were performed vehicle would not start. Dealer stated it was not their problem.

- Washington, DC, USA