Consumer stated ignition switch was defective. Consumer indicated that the previous owner had the ignition switch replaced once. When the key was placed in the ignition and turned nothing happened.

- Rio Linda, CA, USA

It was difficult for the consumer to turn key in the ignition switch. On numerous occasions consumer was unable to start the vehicle. The dealership was notified, but was unable to resolve the problem. Problems with vehicle tires/ tires have cuts in tread.

- Fountain Inn, SC, USA

Ignition switch locks up & won't turn. See many more complaints on identical issue with 2000 Ford Focus at ww.automotivetalk.net/showmessages.php"id=1275. We all can't be crazy and we're all going broke over the same problem? shouldn't Ford take care of their own defaults? help"

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

While vacationing in Michigan, I found my self locked out of the car. My key wouldn't even go into the ignition. I tried and tried then called the nearest Ford dealership. They said I could have it towed to their facility and they may get to it tomorrow. I'm on vacation! they advised me to get a locksmith to fix it. So I called someone from the phone book. He came and broke apart my ignition and gave me a key. Now my ignition is loose and the key only goes in part way. The key won't unlock the drivers door...it just keeps relocking it as fast as I unlock it. Which brings me to my other complaint....I had the dealer replace the door-lock switch twice because it would lock/unlock several times in a row when I started the car. It still does it.

- Granby, MO, USA

Ignition lock cylander jammed, inserted key, cannot turn key. Had to replace lock cylander. This is the second such incident in six months.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

Ford Focus 2000 ignition locks for the 15th time. I went to dealer and they charged me $450 to fix my well known problem. People from the dealer told me that it is common that people bring their Ford Focus to repair the ignition. I would not recomend buying car from Ford. I had a Ford escort once that I had to replace the computer because I went on reverse for more than 150 yards. It seems like I never learn.

- South San Franscisco, CA, USA

Ignition switch failed. Key would only advance halfway. Finally able to insert key, but could not turn to unlock steering column.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

Ignition switch failure.

- Portland, ME, USA

The key would not turn after pulling it out of ignition. It was below zero that day. It was night time and I was stranded several miles from my home. I called home to have the spare sent along with a ride and the spare would not work either. I had to leave my car where it was for 2 days until I could pay a locksmith to put in a new ignition switch (keyed and installed).

- Gary, IN, USA

I placed my key in the ignition and it would not turn to the start position.

- Rochester, NY, USA

On an extremely cold day I was unable to turn the key in the ignition of my 2000 Ford Focus zts. I had to contact roadside assistance and wait for a tow truck to bring my vehicle to the dealer. The dealer in turn replaced the faulty ignition lock cylinder.

- St. Louis Park, MN, USA

Ignition switch locked without warning.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Ignition lock has broken twice, stranding me and requiring a tow to the dealer and over $300 in repair costs.a search of the web shows that this is a very common failure on 2000 and 2001 Ford Focus.

- Teaneck, NJ, USA

The "securikey" ignition cylinder is subject to repeated failures. Initially the ignition will not turn until the steering wheel is "wiggled." Then after a time, the unit fails completely. This does pose a problem when attempting to restart the vehicle after a "panic stop, " where the engine stall/stops. Especially un-nerving in traffice. 1st failure 9/30/2001 at 18,990 miles. Lock cylinder was replaced. 2nd complete failure 1/9/2004 at 49,400 miles. Currently the vehicle is experiencing the same problems and I am returning it to the Ford service shop for another repair. The manager of the same shop stated that this is a common problem with this model year, 2000 Ford Focus, but that one replacement usually fixes the problem. I suspect there are no return visits since the prudent consumer would probably dump the vehicle in favor of a more reliable auto.

- Arnold, MO, USA

2000 Ford Focus ZX3. 111,000 miles. Could not get key to go into ignition smoothly. When I finally did, it would not turn. Finally got started and had dealer repair. Dealer replaced ignition lock. Service advisor said this was a frequent problem with this model and suggested I contact Ford. Same night, new lock also failed. Dealer had to replace a second time. Ford customer relationship center said they could not help me recover repair expense. Internet searches clearly identify this as a known problem by Ford with numerous complaints and failures as early as 10 to 15 thousand miles. Ford should reimburse customers for this known defect just as they did with the fuel pump on this same model.

- Houston, TX, USA

I have been having consistent difficulties and problems with the ignition switch/ ignition lock cylinder on my 200 Ford Focus. Sometimes the key will not go in all the way, other times it will not turn. This has caused me to be stranded several times. I went to my Ford dealership and was told that they have replaced tons of them. Also, this is clearly a common problem when researching it online and at various newsgroups.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

Ignition locked up and would not allow key to turn. Paid through my extended warranty to have it repaired. They installed a new key cylinder and now the new one is locking up. The local Ford dealer heber springs Ford said that Ford is aware of the problem but there were not enough compaints yet to warrant a recall on the item.

- Heber Springs, AR, USA

I have had numerous problems with the ignition not wanting to turn with the 2 keys I have. 1 is original, the other was made by the dealer I purchased the car from. It appears to be an issue with the ignition key cylinder. Searching for information I have found numerous references to this problem, and there are over 150 current complaints that when searched for this part are returned on this site.*

- Davis, CA, USA

The vehicle experienced a problem with the ignition switch. It was replaced on three separate occasions.

- Klamath Falls, OR, USA

Ignition switch lock up of my 2000 Ford Focus sw.

- Oxford, AL, USA