Ignition failed, had to be replaced, tires wear incredibly fast (4 sets of tires at 45000 miles), radio cut out, had to be replaced twice, brakes failed at least three times causing two accidents, dealership said they replaced them, but lied and never did, was forced to spend $500 having them replaced, trunk doesn't close, bad suspension, spun out on an exit ramp

- Columbia, MD, USA

Went to ne from mn for xmas. Parked Focus in parking garage. Came out on xmas eve; put key in ignition, would not turn. When trying to get the steering wheel to turn; locked up. Called Ford motor and none of their suggestions worked. Had to have Focus towed to local dealer to repair and rekey ignition cylinder. Total cost $260+ (which is low from what I hear). Tow driver mentioned something very fishy, "I've towed more than 12 Focus's and every single one of them had this same ignition/key problem......Ford wont recall until this ignition/key problem becomes a safety issue when someone freezes on the side of the road because they cannot start their car." Interesting. Ford must be required to recal for this problem. Its a trap for dealers to make money off this problem. Please follow up!

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

The key would not turn once in the ignition and was difficult to remove, the dealer replaced the ignition tumbler. The consumer has also replaced the brakes, tires and radiator deflector.

- Hampton, IN, USA

The key would not turn the ignition was locked in place it would not move at all and the steering wheel was locked. I called roadside assistance and they told me it was a common problem, in fact, they told me what kind of car I had before I told them, and they said they no longer come out on that defect. They said there are a lot of problem with these models and they had many calls on the Ford Focus. I am just out of warranty period which is 36000. I don't feel this is my fault. I feel it is a defect with the product. I have had several other problems for which Ford refuses to own up to, and I feel the public is being shammed with their claims that this is the #1 car they sell. The steering wheel is locked and I am stuck without being able to move my car. How could I expect this to happen, I feel this is a Ford problem, I don't feel that I should have to pay (note: This happened Jan 6, 2003, but your site only goes to 2002, therefore, I had to use Dec 31, otherwise I could not continue).

- Miramar, FL, USA

Consumer states that the key will not come out of the ignition.dealer notified and repaired, 14,000 miles later problem reoccurred.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

Consumer was exiting a parking garage and placed vehicle in reverse. Without warning, car suddenly accelerated and rear tail spun around 2 times then hit a parked vehicle. Consumer did apply brakes with no success. Ph insurance company informed dealership that there were two recalls that dealt with a defective throttle and speed control which was not performed on the vehicle prior to the accident. Other problems included weezing noise while turning. Power steering racked failed and replaced. Lack of power steering in steering wheel. Rear brake pad replacement. Rear wheel bearing noise. Defective wheel bearings replaced. Tire punctured and replaced. Hesitation on acceleration. Fuel pump and gasket replaced. Tires rotted out. Key stuck in ignition. Replaced malfunctioned shifter assembly. Trunk lid wouldn't latch. Latch replaced.

- Massillon, OH, USA

The ignition switch on my car is not working. If it has to be replaced, it will be the third time since I bought the car. Which was in febuary of 2002. If a locksmith shop can repair the problem, why is it that a Ford dealership can't?

- Kansas City, MO, USA

1 week after purchase took in for brakes and rotors, 3 months later same thing, two months following ignition locked along with A/C not working need another lining, right now ignition is trying to lock again needs calipers brakes rotors car is stalling mechanic just made me aware that the two tires on the right has four lug wheels two tires on the left has five lug wheels. The car sounds horrible no money to repair all these problems fell like I have to pay for something that's not even drivable Ford will not do anything or dealer still covered under factory warranty I believe deep in my heart they sold me a lemon I know there's no way a car should have four, five lugs it means that they salvage the car threw it back together and had it sitting waiting for the first sucker! me but I'm going to try to fight this all the way no matter what it takes.

- Chicago, IL, USA

No summary.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

Consumer stated the ignition cylinder was replaced.

- Tracy, CA, USA

I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle just last month the cable and motor in the rear passenger side door window burned up and now will cost over $600. To fix I can not get the front rack & pinion fixed because it will cost $1800. The transmission is going out now it slips out of gear sometimes not at all. I just got the brakes repaired for the third time in may and they are again squeaking. I have all of my receipts for work done to this car. I am now having to put power steering fluid in once or twice a week. The automatic locks on the doors lock and unlock all the time, and the electric instruments turn off by themselves. (radio) the driving lights go out at times and will not come back on. Please help me, I am a single mother and have complained to courtesy Ford they want to charge me diagnostic $90 for each item I am complaining about and then the amount it will take to fix all of the things wrong. This vehicle I just recently found out has had six different owners before me and one was rental car company. I do not know who the rest of them were. Courtesy Ford had said there was only one owner. They will not listen to me and now the Focus' have a front suspension recall that may have been the problem the whole time with the brakes and the tire replacements and the power steering problems.!!! please help me.

- Littleton, CO, USA

The engine on my Ford Focus has stalled while driving 4 seperate times since purchasing it 2 years ago, it happens when I let off the accelerator and push in the clutch while turning. I haven't had an accident yet only by pure luck on my part. The other problem is my ignition went bad when the keying mechanism in the ignition locked up not allowing my key to enter, after talking to the tow truck driver he said that he gets call all the time about Focus ignitions going bad. It cost me almost $500 for the tow and repair work.

- Beale Afb, CA, USA

On Sunday, 21 July 2002, the ignition switch on my Focus went out. At first, the key would not go into the lock, then it would not turn. This raised three major concerns: One in the mid 90's, Ford us recalled over 8 million cars and trucks that had faulty ignition switches. Some of those defective switches resulted in vehicle fires. Two although I wasn't moving when the defect happened, what if I had been driving and the defective switch had locked the steering wheel or left me stranded someplace less safe than my own driveway? three my Focus has been recalled several times in the 27 months I've owned it, and this incident adds to my concerns over the vehicle's safety/reliability.

- Nashville, TN, USA

I sent a form in yesterday but did not have the VIN number. This car is in the shop right now.

- Robertsdale, AL, USA

This car has more recalls than I ever seen. The air bags deployed and gave me second degree burns. The brakes are shot and I have to pay for repairs even though I only have 29,940 miles. The keyless entry does not work even though its been fixed 2 times the ignition locked up and they change it the air conditioner leaks but they say its fine.

- Robertsdale, AL, USA

The consumer inserted the key and could not turn the key. When the consumer tried to remove the key from the ignition, the key wouldn't turn or come out. The reason was due to the tumblers in the lock had dropped. The consumer was told the entire steering column assembly needed to be replaced.

- Groveport, OH, USA

The vehicle car will not go into park. The key was not coming out when in park. The dealer said because of a spill on the shifter it cause it to fail. While I was at the dealer another customer had the same problem.

- Ware, MA, USA

Entire ignition needed to be replaced. Ford part xs4Z*11582 cyl assy strg col ign lock. Warranty expired at 36K miles - car is only 26 months old!

- Tracy, CA, USA

Consumer states that ignition has locked up three times, each time vehicle had to be towed, because ignition does not recognize key.

- San Angelo, TX, USA

Unable to put key in ignition. 2 dealers said its happens all the time. Towed to dealer and it has teaken 2.5 days to get done. There is a technical service bulletin out on this. Nlm

- Detroit, MI, USA