It was hard for the consumer to turn the key in the ignition switch. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Vineland, NJ, USA

I have 46,000 miles on my Focus and the ignition switch will let me insert the key but will not let turn the ignition on, I have personally read hundreds of forums posts with this problem occuring..... I should not have to pay $300+ to have this repaired. The extremly bad part is that my wife was trying to start the car up at the time.... she had noticed someone following her to the car and when she got in the car and locked the door behind her, he started trying to break in, and lone and behold she tried to start the car but the igntion would not turn. Thankfully I was only a few blocks away and she called me in a panic, when I arrived to where she was I seen the man trying to get in the car, he seen me coming up to the only car in the parking lot (my Focus) and started running he jumped over a fence and I could not catch him...... whats to stop this from happening again? I have seen numerous posts on forums about people who have taken their car in had the ignition "fixed" only for them to come across this problem again. I cannot keep my family safe all the time. I guess I just need to trade my Focus in for a reliable vehicle!

- Louisville, CO, USA

I own a 2000 Ford Focus coupe with 119000 miles. Although this is high mileage, my normal drive is 30-60 miles. On 7-27-04 I attempted to start the car and was unable to get the key to turn in the ignition. The tow driver from aaa was also initially unsuccessful, but after consulting with a locksmith he said that the lock tumblers were stuck; he got it to turn by hitting the butt of the key. This was obviously not something to continue doing, so I took the car the next morning to Ford of upland, where the service writer told me they had seen many focuses with the same problem. I asked if there had been a service memo from Ford and he said no. Not wanting to risk the car having a disabled ignition while an hour from home, I had the dealer install a new ignition for $318. However, I told him that this was the first time I'd ever seen a problem with an ignition switch on any car I've owned, including the last three cars I've owned, which all lasted over 160000 miles, and that even though my car had a lot of miles, because of my long average trip, the number of starts was equivalent to a car with 40000 miles driven locally. I then did an internet search and found literally dozens of similar complaints, some by people who had had multiple ignition replacements. Also, in a previous problem with this car, Ford had denied that there was any problem with the fuel pump when I inquired about a problem with the car dying on hard right turns, only to see a recall two months later, so my suspicion is that they are also well aware of this ignition problem (the dealer said as much).

- Ontario, CA, USA

The ignition was locked in place and it would not move at all. Also, steering wheel was locked. Dealerships replaced twice the ignition switch at consumer's expense.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

Ford Focus ignition will not accept key. Known manufacturer issue. Manufacturer will not cover expense of repair.

- Maineville, OH, USA

The ignition switch was defective. The consumer inserted the key in the ignition and the ignition key failed to turn. Provide further details.

- Los Banos, CA, USA

1. really hard to turn key and sometimes hard to put key inside the ignition. 2. failure of the ignition switch lets you sit wherever you are 3. replace of ignition switch.

- Jonestown, PA, USA

At first could not get key into ignition, then after wiggling it in, ignition will not turn with key in it. This is on a 2000 Ford Focus. Had to have vehicle towed. I understand now that this is a common problem with Focus now by hearing from the tow truck driver and others with Focus'. this should definitely be a recall issue as so many others have had this happen.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

At 6 months, the ignition switch (and all door locks, tailgate lock) was replaced due to the inability to remove the key from the ignition. 10/29/03 - igntion switch replaced due to broken tumbler assy - cost almost $300 07/16/04 - unable to turn key in ignition - again - same as problem on 10/29/03.

- Pequannock, NJ, USA

I own a 2000 Ford Focus that has recently developed a problem with the ignition. When the key is inserted in the ignition, the ignition switch will not turn to start the car or to the auxillary power position. The problem has not stranded me or my wife, but it has been a concern. The problem has been irregular as to when it occurs and usually corrects itself with patience and several attempets. I am submitting this problem because our neighbor has the same car and was stranded. She had to have her car towed to the dealership and $600 dollars of work done to solve the problem. The mechanica at the Ford dealership told her that he has seen a lot of these problems and that he expects Ford to issue a recall.

- Greencastle, PA, USA

Consumer placed key inside of the ignition switch and key would not insert properly inside the switch, and vehicle failed to start. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic stated that this warranty expired.

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

Consumer went out to start the vehicle and key would not turn. The ignition was locked in place, it would not move at all, and the steering wheel was locked. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, technician replaced the ignition switch.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

Ignition lock failure. Yet another person with a bad ignion, tumblers fell inside lock could'nt get the key back into ignion. We had the car towed.

- Clinton, MA, USA

2000 Ford Focus, second incident involving the faulty ignition tumbler, stranded on vacation. Have replaced the ignition/linkage once already, now car disabled by same situation. Sitting in car trying to get ignition to turn over while 80 mile an hour winds rocking the car side to side. Had no choice but to sit there and fret. Car works fine if you can start it.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

Initially, the key would not go into the ignition switch all the way. When the key finally did go in, the switch would not turn. In the process the steering wheel locked. Tow truck was called, and vehicle towed to nearest dealership, olympic Ford in marysville, wa. Tow truck driver stated that they had 4 Ford Focus' with the identical ignition issues to tow that week alone. Reported that this was a rampant failure in recent weeks. As result, husband was left stranded over 35 miles from home.

- Clearlake, WA, USA

When the consumer placed the key in ignition switch, the switch did not turn. The vehicle is now on its 2nd ignition switch.

- Fort Campbell, KY, USA

Once the key was in the ignition the ignition switch failed to turn. Three times in two years ignition cylinder had to be replaced.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

Vehicle will not start when the ignition switch is turned. Vehicle had to be towed to dealer due to malfunction of the ignition switch.

- Tallulah, LA, USA

We have had three separate occasions where the ignition switch locks up and will either fail to accept the key or fail to rotate to start the car. The first two occasions were during the warranty period the third was outside of the warranty period. This ignition failure seems to happen every 12-18 months. Although this may not be a safety problem, it clearly is a manufacture defect.

- New Caney, TX, USA

When inserting the key into the ignition the key will only enter half-way and the key cannot be turned or the key can be fully inserted, but cannot be turned.

- Kansas City, MO, USA