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
The ignition lock cyl in my 2000 Ford Focus locked up and will not turn.
- Dewitt, IA, USA
My 2000 Ford Focus has less than 55 thousand miles which I just purchased 3 months ago. My ignition froze, key would not turn. Thank goodness it was home in the garage. I could have been at the lake or anywhere and been stranded. The tow truck just hauled it off. This seems to be a recurring problem with Ford Focus I have learned. Why is this not a recall problem. This will be my last Ford.
- Arlington, TX, USA
I own a 2000 Ford Focus. I inserted the key into the ignition and the key would not turn. I tried again several times, but did not work. Had to end up getting the car towed to a mechanic where they replaced the ignition lock cylinder. Did I mention this is the second time this has happened in the last three years" I did an online search with the words Focus and ignition and got numerous other reports of similar incidents. Do you even read these things? how long do you allow a company to get away with this type of thing"
- Rosemount, MN, USA
I cannot insert the key into the ignition of 2000 Ford Focus. Never had a problem like it before. Called locksmith and was told this is a very common problem with my make/model. Tumbler has to be replaced, at a cost of approximately $150.
- Lawrenceville, GA, USA
I purchased a Ford Focus 2003, the car had 18,000 miles. I paid pacific coast Ford seven thousand dollars cash for the car, two day later I brought it back because the car just shut down while I was driving it. They ran tests told me nothing was wrong with the car. A couple of days later it was back for the same reason. Ultimately I had to bring it to lakewood transmission where after two attempts it was finally fixed it. I've had to get my ignition done two times and is ready for a third. Mallionn Ford fixed that for me. Now three weeks ago I roll into a lady doing 5-10 miles an hour. The police are called but since there is no injuries or damage to either parties the police say they won't come. No police report. Im driving home and my air bags deploy smashing out my windshield. A little ate you think. I cut one air bag out and continue to drive home. My car never shut down, the only thing that happened is the seat belt locked. I came home and took pic of the car not a scratch on my car one air bag still deployed the other you can see I cut it out and of coarse the smashed windshield. I contacted Ford they said it was an insurance problem not theirs, how could it be there was no police report my car malfunctioned.
- Tacoma, WA, USA
I own a 2000 Ford Focus and among all the recalled parts I've fixed the car continues to have problems. The car jumps either when I press the gas or if the car is in idle. I've brought it to a mechanic and they thought it had to do with the oil leaking in my spark plugs which they fixed and gave me a tune up with all Ford parts. Of course now they suggest bringing it to the dealer and have Ford run tests. I've probably have gotten something fixed on my car every 6 months for the past 3 years. Also I've had to replace 3 windows due to the device that pulls it up and down broke. And now my key won't start the car. I can't start my ignition because of the key lock/pin is defective. What more do I have to go through for Ford to recall or fix this car, get in an accident and get hurt myself.
- Miramar, FL, USA
Ignition lock failure: Had problems inserting the key into ignition and turning. Problem worsened quickly so that the key could be inserted into the ignition but would not turn. Ignition completely locked up. Could not start the car and was stranded. Tow required for repair. This is the second time this failure has occurred on my 2000 Ford Focus ZX3. The first time Ford replaced under warranty with similarly inferior parts.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
I own a 2000 Ford Focus. I have recently been having problems with my ignition sticking and just today it completely locked up. I found on the internet where this has happened to hundreds of people. Is there any info regarding a recall on this problem?
- Louisville , KY, USA
: the contact stated the ignition locked and will not turn with the key inserted. The ignition intermittently would not turn however if the contact waited for a short period of time the ignition would start. In October 2004 the ignition locked, a lock smith was contacted who temporarily corrected the vehicle. Afterwards in November 2005 the ignition locked again where it has been parked ever since. The dealership was alerted and instructed the contact to alert the manufacturer for recall information. The manufacturer determined the vehicle was not included in any recalls concerning the ignition.
- San Jose, CA, USA
Went to get into my car after working a night shift and put the key in the ignition of my car. The ignition would not turn and the key could not be removed from the ignition. Had the car towed to the dealership and paid to have the ignition drilled out and replaced. Almost exactly a year later the same thing happened with the ignition. Had the car towed to a locksmith and paid him to replace the ignition. Have heard of a lot of complaints about this!!!
- Calgary, 00, USA
On 2/27/06 I traveled 35 miles from tucson to green valley. There I stopped to get coffee. When I returned to the Focus, I could not turn the ignition key. I was unable to contact a locksmith because it was a Sunday. I had to spend the night in green valley. On the 27th I got a locksmith who worked on the ignition and could not get it to un-lock. I then had the car towed to jim click Ford in green valley. As I was discussing the ignition problem with the service manager another Focus owner showed up complaining of the same problem. My problem was solved by the replacement of the ignition lock assembly. The total bill for the towing and repair was $346.93.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
: the contact stated when the key was inserted into the ignition assembly; the ignition tumbler fractured which prevented the engine from being started. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for replacement of the ignition. Afterwards, the same incident occurred and the vehicle was seen for another ignition replacement.
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
: the contact stated while attempting to start the engine, the key would not turn in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The dealer replaced the entire ignition cylinder and lock, a new key was provided. However, the problem has reoccurred.
- Wyoming, OH, USA
I try to turn the key in the ignition and it will not turn. This has happened 3 times in the last 3 years. I also had to get it towed all 3 times to the dealer to be repaired. I have spent a little over $500 for these repairs.
- Hartford, WI, USA
Key and ignition cylinder on steering column getting hot. Ignition locked up for the second time. Repaired 1st time with motorcraft part. Also maybe not relevant but it's like there is no braking system without the key in the ignition. Upon loading car onto trailer, foot on brake took key out of ignition briefly and car rolled back missing ramps falling on end of trailer and damaged front bumper.
- Splendora, TX, USA
The ignition won't turn so the vehicle won't start. It left me stranded at work and now down to one car for me and my wife. We have not been able to repair it yet due to the cost of a replacement part and to get it towed to a service station.
- Grand Rapids, MI, USA
I bought my Ford Focus with 19 miles on it in June of 2000 from the time I bought it I had issues with the key getting stuck in the ignition or failing to turn, or requiring excessive pressure to get it to turn. After many minutes of work I was generally able to force the ignition to turn. Eventually I could no longer force the system to work. I have asked several dealerships about this issue and they state it is a known problem but Ford does not acknowledge responsibility. To repair this issue I must have the car towed to the dealership and have the ignition replaced.
- Lawrence, KS, USA
I have a 2000 Focus. The problem with this is car is that recently the ignition cylinder locked up. I have been reading on forums, and have talked to my mechanic about this, and they say that this is a common thing on Ford Focus models 2000 and 2001. Its incredible Ford has not done a recall. I really need my car for work and other tasks I must do, but there's nothing I can do but wasted over 400 dollars to get it fixed. Its ridiculous. I hope you all can do something about this. This is getting frustrating.
- Houston, TX, USA
1. I drove to a restaurant and turned off my car, which is a Ford Focus year 2000. Later when I came back to start my car I could not get the key all the way into the ignition. 2. I tried so many things to get my key into the ignition, but I had to leave it there overnight in the parking lot and then had it towed the next day. 3. at the moment I am looking into either a locksmith or seeing if such a replacement will be under warranty. I have read that this is a common problem and it has to do with the ignition switch.
- Eau Claire, WI, USA
- Pensacola, FL, USA