2000 Ford Focus ignition lock cylinder failure. Ignition switch won't turn when trying to start vehicle. Vehicle had to be towed to Ford dealership to have ignition lock cylinder replaced. This cylinder was replaced in 2003 at the cost of $200 and had to recently be replaced again. This defect leaves the owner stranded. I have never heard of anyone having to replace this cylinder in a vehicle - let alone having to replace one twice in the same vehicle. When paying for my second replacement in June 2006 the cashier at the dealership said that all of the early year Focus models seem to have this issue. Cashier said that they knew what was wrong when they saw a Focus being towed in - ignition lock cylinder.

- Morganton, NC, USA

: the contact stated after parking the vehicle the ignition failed to release the key. There were no previous problems with the ignition. Upon inspection the dealership determined the ignition switch needed to be replaced.

- Guston, KY, USA

For the second time my wife has been stranded because the ignition lock cylinder on our 2000 Ford Focus locked up and the key would not turn resulting in the car having to be towed and the cylinder replaced at a cost of $349 to me. The dealer denies that any service bulletin was ever issued by Ford concerning this problem and that is not true.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

Ignition switch failed, could not turn key to start vehicle. Vehicle had to be towed. This is the 2nd time this has happened. I'm the original purchaser of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the cylinder the first time with oem stock. First time was $250. This time is $283. Ford owns this problem. I will never buy another Ford, and neither will anyone in my family, until this is reimbursed.

- Olathe, KS, USA

2000 Ford Focus zts exhibiting problems since October 2005. Two mechanics unable to identify problem. In may the car stalled while cruising and was unable to start. It was towed to mechanic. Mechanic diagnosed with a failed starter switch, which had been replaced over a year before. If this incident had happened on a busier road it may have resulted in a serious accident.

- Mexico, MO, USA

Ignition switch failed, could not turn key to start vehicle. Vehicle had to be towed. This is the fourth time this has happened since I've owned the vehicle.

- Tempe, AZ, USA

The ignition switch/lock cylinder is difficult to turn key. There is a tsb listed with this company for after the switch/cylinder locks up creating an expensive tow etc. I have seen several web sites listing numerous problems with the ignition locking up. I was fortunate enough to take car in prior to total lockup. Apparently the ignition switch/lock cylinder is faulty to the point of excessive wear on the keys. I tried a different key and it worked better. I believe an ignition lock cylinder should have a longer life expectancy than a few years. I have seen posts for cars as new as 2003 with the same problem. I understand the car company has finally bought a revised/improved lock cylinder.

- Westerville, OH, USA

Ignition lock fails without any warning. The ignition key just wont turn and the lock has to be repaired. The dealer repaired it the first time for no charge the other two repairs were on me. The paper work says that the ignition tumbler had to be drilled out and the new tumbler rekeyed and installed. At least one of these failures occurred less than a year from a previous failure.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

I could not insert my key into the ignition switch. I also could not turn the steering wheel or move the car into neutral gear. The service tech at Ford said "it was a very common and widespread problem with the Focus and that they repair many more Ford Focus ignitions than any other model of Ford cars. This should be a recall repair and the owner of the Ford Focus (I) should not be financially liable for the repair. I would like for Ford Motor Company to reimburse me for the cost of the repair $269.32 and the fee I paid to the towing company $35 a total of the two is $304.32.

- East Lansing, MI, USA

After finishing work, I went out to my car and the key would not turn. I tried for an hour to get the key to turn but it never did. Since I am new to the area, and I do not know anyone, I ended up having the car towed to the Ford dealership. They told me the ignition switch would have to be drilled out and replaced. I was billed $325.

- Blue Earth, MN, USA

I have a 2000 Ford Focus and have had nothing but problems with the car. I've had most (8 of 12) of the recall services done to the car. Now the key won't turn because the ignition is jammed. I searched the web and found literally hundreds of posts on websites regarding the same problem with all years of the Ford Focus. On many sites, people are describing the same problem of the ignition problem and paying $350+ at the dealers to get it fixed. These same sites have many people hoping that NHTSA will force Ford to do a recall on the ignition. It is a defect when it's this common. People describe tow truck operators saying they tow a number of Ford Focus to the dealer for the ignition problem each month. Please do something!!

- Ormond Beach, FL, USA

I had my ignition switch replace once already, having to pay $300 the first time, and know just the other day I went to visit my brother, and when I got ready to leave, my key would not start, my brother had left before me, so I was stranded, me and my boys for 45 minutes in 20 degree weather, I was so upset, I can not believe Ford is not doing a recall, im selling this piece a crap of a car, and will never again by a Ford car, and im going to spread the word on how horrible there service and cars are.

- Gahanna, OH, USA

I drove home from school parked my 2000 Ford Focus LX in the driveway and on my way out to work found that my ignition would not turn and my steering wheel was locked into place. After 2 days of having to find an alternative way to work I called a locksmith who said they have several complaints about this happening a week and to lightly tap on the key while it is in the ignition, after trying that I found it works but has to be done everytime I want to start the car.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

1) ignition stuck, and can't start vehicle. 2) stepdaughter was stranded, by side of road. Car had to be towed home, and then dealer. 3) drilled ignition tumbler from and re-keyed. Re-keyed new ignition cylinder.

- Camano Island, WA, USA

My ignition is jammed and will not turn the car on. I have read numerous complaints regarding this problem and think that it should be a recall. I have not fixed the problems because I have put too much money into this "lemon" of a car already! I need a recall to pay for Ford's mistake!

- Dublin, OH, USA

Couldn't turn the key in the ignition to start the car. Had car towed and the ignition switch replaced at a cost of more than $300. The car is 5 years old with only 43,000 miles on it.

- Danbury , CT, USA

Our year 2000 Ford Focus has a faulty ignition cylinder that frequently jams. My wife has been left stranded twice as a result. We recently saw a public advocate program that indicated these cars from year 2000-20005 are having an epidemic of the same problem but Ford is refusing to replace the parts if they are not under warranty. Our car is still under warranty because we bought the very expensive 7 year warranty. A great majority of people buying at this price point wouldn't be able to afford that kind of warranty or the +$500 repair.

- Sebastopol, CA, USA

Ford Focus SE ignition key switch lock-up. This is the second time I have had this problem -- key won't turn, steering wheel is locked, and the gear shift won't move. The first time, I was able to manipulate the key and finally start the car. This time, it is Sunday and I am stranded. A locksmith told me that Ford is the only one who has parts and it will be a very expensive repair. So tomorrow, I will have to rent a car to keep a doctor's appointment and have the Focus towed to the dealership to have the ignition replaced. I understand that this is a very common problem with Ford (I just checked the internet) and they refuse to recall these cars to fix this very dangerous problem. Thankfully, I was in a well-lighted, safe area of the city. I shudder to think of what may have happened if I had been stranded in a high-risk area. The founder of Ford Motor Company built the company on reputation and high standards with customer satisfaction always in mind. What has happened to this greedy organization now run by Mr. Bill Ford who cares nothing about the safety and quality of its cars as his ancestors did? recall this car now -- enough is enough!.

- Mobile, AL, USA

: the vehicle's check engine light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be inspected. The dealer determined that there was a recall on the vehicle regarding the fuel tank assembly (NHTSA recall, #06V025000). The parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available at the local dealership. The manufacturer confirmed that the parts were not available. The fuel pump has been replaced twice. The ignition switch has been replaced three times. Updated 3/9/2006 -

- Farmersville, CA, USA

This is the third time that I will have to get my ignition switch replaced on my 2000 Ford Focus because it will not turn. The first time the switch was drilled out on warranty. The second time the key would not turn and the replaced it under the repair warranty. It happened again a little over a year later. This time I was told by the tow truck driver to hit it with something. I have used this method to turn the key every day for the last 2 years. This worked until now.

- Sherwood Park, 00, USA