The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. When the key was placed in the ignition, it would not turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they replaced the ignition switch. The current and failure mileages were 76,000.

- Albright , WV, USA

2000 Ford Focus ignition lock problem. I have replace the ignition lock cylinder in my year 2000 Ford foucs, twice. Each time I was stranded because the lock jammed and I could not start the car. My main complaint is that apparently no better part is available and I am forced to install another one of these defective locks just to get back on the road. Being stranded double parked in New York city, or out in the countryside on the weekend is a serious problem. I don't want money compensation - I want the problem fixed, I will gladly pay for an new lock that will not fail in this way again. On every other car I owned the ignition lock out lasted the engine.

- Long Island City, NY, USA

Ignition assembly failed. The car was parked and left to sit for a couple of hours. Upon return, the key could not be fully inserted into the ignition. My 3-year-old son and I were stranded. Car had to be towed about 7 miles to the dealer. Dealer replaced the ignition assembly at a cost of about $348. The old part is not available.

- Torrance, CA, USA

Failed ignition cylinder lock. Upon entry into vehicle I proceeded to attempt to start vehicle. Key would not turn in ignition. Tried moving steering wheel slightly which sometimes allows ignition to turn. However this time, the steering wheel locked and key would still not turn. Spent about 30 minutes trying to get key to turn. Stranded, had to call for transportation and towing. Cylinder lock replaced by dealer. Expensive repair. No discount. Known issue with Focus vehicles widely reported within the internet community.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

Our 2000 Ford Focus station wagon ignition lock "froze" so that we couldn't drive the car. When I spoke with a locksmith and said the words "2000 Ford Focus" he said "don't tell me, the ignition lock won't turn, will it." He indicated that he alone is called out on one or two Ford Focus ignition lock failures every week. While this was an incident in which nobody was injured and no property damage other than the lock having to be destroyed as part of the repair by being drilled out of the steering column. The locksmith charge for the service call and repair was $186.81. We spent two and a half hours stuck in a shopping center mall waiting for the repair. In my opinion since many of these ignition locks have failed based on a number of internet sites carrying reports of failures similar to ours, it is my opinion that Ford should order a recall in order to replace sub-standard ignition locks, and should reimburse owners such as us for expense we've undergone having their dub-standard locks repaired or replaced.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

Key will not insert into the ignition. Repeated attempts with no success.

- Poplar Bluff, MO, USA

I have been having issues out of my ignition/steering. The events leading to this issue has been the key going in the ignition and sometimes only going in half way...yesterday as I was in the middle of no where the key goes in the ignition but wont turn...the ignition/steering is locked on position. This seems to be a common problem with the Ford Focus because of faulty ignition (key area). To my knowledge and research Ford has not issued any kind of safety recall because this is not deemed a safety matter...well my question is what if I was in the middle of no where, or in a unsafe area" I get in my car and the key will go in the ignition but the key wont turn so I can't start my car...what if someone was trying to mug me and I finally was able to get in my car but I couldn't get my car to start to safely get away because the key wouldn't turn the ignition switch so I could start my car??" this seems like a big safety issue. Please help!!!

- Oak Island, NC, USA

Key stuck in 2000 Ford Focus, unable to remove key from ignition, unable to turn key in ignition. Thus, leaving 17 year old daughter stranded. Pop a lock was called, and cost $275.

- Merritt Island, FL, USA

Ignition lock will not turn in my 2000 Ford Focus

- New Milford, NJ, USA

The ignition key failed to turn when inserted into the steering column. My son was stranded, alone with no way to get home except from my driving to get him. Fortunately, he was only five miles away from home, but he could have been stranded much further away and in a dangerous location.

- Frederick, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the key failed to turn in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the ignition cylinder, the tumbler, and the pass key point. The repair was performed on May 29, 2007. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 58,395 and failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 07/06/07.

- Auston Town, OH, USA

Ignition switch wore out on 2001 Focus, happened at about 75,000 miles. Happened while Ford mechanics were on strike. Had to have lock smith repair. Kept key in ignition at all times when started getting hard to use again. Just this week the 2000 Focus wagon ignition would not allow key to go in all the way. Went on line to determine how to fix myself, saw hundreds of complaints about same problem.

- House Springs, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The contact stated that it is difficult to insert the key into the ignition. Once inserted, it is difficult to turn the ignition. The mechanic stated that the ignition switch locked due to a manufacturer's defect. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage is 86,000 and failure mileage was 80,000.

- Matthews, NC, USA

Ignition key will not turn, cannot start car and stranded. Second occurrence after previously repairing same problem with a new lock cylinder from Ford.

- Centerport, NY, USA

2000 Ford Focus ignition switch failure. When key is inserted in ignition switch it fails to turn and car will not start.

- Macomb, MI, USA

I got into my car to go on a business call and the key, when inserted, would not turn the cylinder. After trying for some time to get the key turned, I began a search on the internet to see if there had been yet another recall on the Focus (I have learned that this car has had numerous problems). I found that it was not recalled, although it certainly was a known issue. I found many accounts of this problem and many suggested remedies. I chose to use the "hammer method." This worked. It takes four hard raps with a rubber mallet on the end of the key (into the cylinder) to get it to then turn. If I take the key out, even once, the process must be repeated. I park the car with the key in the ignition, using my non-coded spare or the remote unlock to get into the car. This is a safety issue - if there were an emergency of some type or some type of personal threat and I were unable to leave quickly due to this ignition problem, where would I be? also, my car (as undesirable as I'm sure it is due to its many problems) sits at risk of being stolen - the key is easily visible in the ignition if I leave it there to avoid having to use a hammer to start the cat. I'm listing the failures as 100 - I've had to use the hammer at least that many times over the last year, but I can re-create the issue any time by simply pulling the key out.

- Le Mars, IA, USA

I parked my car and took the key out as usual. When I got back in a few minutes later and tried to start it the ignition cylinder was inexplicably seized up. This left me stranded, in a snow storm, several miles from my home late at night. In researching the problem I'm seeing it's a common problem for my model of vehicle. If I had been made aware of the problem, as an owner, I could have been aware of the possibility of it happening.

- Watertown, NY, USA

Failure of ignition key to turn in ignition lock. Left me stranded. Called locksmith to have whole ignition drilled out and replaced. Locksmith informed me that Ford Motor Company has issued a technical service bulletin about the problem but has refused to recall the defective part.

- Westland, MI, USA

My 2000 Ford Focus ignition switch failed and from what I am reading on the internet the Ford Focus is known for this issue, and I am letting ricart Ford know that I will not pay in anyway for this defected part. If I have to I will get my lawyer involved.

- Galloway, OH, USA

The ignition switch on my 2000 Ford Focus, tend to stick and you cannot remove the key without jerking hard on the key to remove. Now the key is stuck in the switch and will not turn on. It stranded me 5 miles from home.

- Waynesboro, VA, USA