Had ignition lock up. Vehicle had to be towed. Found out on internet a lot of people having the same trouble.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

1/25/04 parked at meter in stamford ct, key wouldn't come out of ignition. Got it out, then wouldn't go back in. 20 minutes of sweating/swearing, got key back in. Had to leave it in the ignition (dangerous) until 2/12/04. Car to dillon Ford, who replaced key cylinder for $210. Mileage 76,489. I saved broken ignition switch, if you want it. Replacement was a Ford motorcraftco. Ignition switch sw-5997 xs4Z-11582-aa. January 2005 broke again! broadway auto replaced key ignition lock cylinder again for $250. Mileage 96,000. They gave me a copy of "ignition switch lock cylinder: All technical service bulletins, interior- ignition lock cylinder hard to turn. Posted 09/16/02. Article no. 02-18-2 2000 Ford Focus L4-121 2.0L SOHC VIN P sfi copyright 2004 alldata 8.30 "use lock cylinder repair kit (xs4Z-11582-aa)" this is the same cylinder that broke in my first replacement. I saved broken cylinder. Both cylinders have the code S 38 kb on barrel. Ford's aware of the problem, I.e., technical bulletin. Ford's using the same inferior part to replace the defective key cylinder, making over $200 each time. Nhts complaint site has 291 complaints electrical system: Ignition switch; 277 complaints electrical system, ignition; 4 complaints electrical system anti-theft controller; 2 complaints electrical system: Starter assemby. Numerous complaints "automotive talk.net" 114 complaints topic: 2000 Ford Focus ignition lock cylinder. This is dangerous, highly proiftable for Ford Motor Company. Ford should reimburse for the over $500 spent so far on this problem.

- Colchester, CT, USA

Key gets stuck in ignition and car won't crank. This just happened to me again and it's 17 degrees outside and icy.

- Hendersonville, TN, USA

Ignition cylinder failed and was replaced. This is the third replacement of the ignition cylinder for this vehicle in a 36 month period. Even after the second replacement the cylinder "catches" when attempting to start the vehicle. The dealership claimed to find no problem when returned for correction. This latest failure fortunately occurred in a parking lot and not on the street. Failures have now occurred at milages and dates of: 4 October 2001- 18990 miles, 6 January 2004- 48926 miles, and 15 October 2004- 61543 miles. Part was retained by dealership.

- Arnold, MO, USA

In aprox. 09-2003 my 2000 Ford Focus's ignition cylinder locked up due to manufacturer default. I know this because I personally know of hundreds of people that this has happened to.this should be recalled and new ones should be installed to prevent stranding.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

I bought my Ford Focus 2000, brand new in July of 2000. Since then, I've had the wheel bearings replaced twice, the rear door stopped latching and I had to drive it to the dealer with my son holding the door shut, my alternator had to be replaced and still the lights get dim when I turn on the heater, the plastic and rubber door molding started coming loose and falling off right after I bought the car, the brakes have never stopped squealing, and now my key is stuck in the ignition and it won't come out. Every time I take my car to a dealer, they always say the same thing "oh, that is common with the Ford Focus". after reading all of the consumer complaints, I guess you could say these problems are common with the Ford Focus. I've had nothing but problems with this car and expect to experience many more because so far the track record for the Ford Focus is extremely poor. After reading the numerous complaints, I hope Ford is forced into recalling the ignition cynlinder or switch whichever is to blame for the key to becoming stuck in the ignition and the wheel not locking while the car is in park.

- Webster, NY, USA