10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 40,125 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Ignition switch has to be replaced for the second time.the first one was covered by warrenty.the second one isn't.
- Southaven, MS, USA
I just purchased a Ford Focus SE station wagon from a private party. The car is in pristine shape with only 54,000 miles on it. There's just one slight problem.... the key doesn't turn in the ignition. This problem has been recorded a number of times.(see complaint section of this web site) why no recalls"????"
- Pasco, WA, USA
My wife was leaving work at night alone. She got in our 2000 Ford Focus and tried to start it. The key wouldnt turn. I guess it is an ignition cylinder failure. If my wife was in danger of her life or hurt she would not have been able to get anywhere. I am outraged that this is not a recall
- Lakeside, CA, USA
2000-2001 Ford Focus wagon - ignition cylinder failure. Was in a very hot parking lot and key would go in but not turn. This is a reoccuring problem with all Focus models.
- Trinity, NC, USA
I arrived home on Saturday morning, parked in the drive midway, took the key out and went into the house. Later in the afternoon, I tried with no success to move the car all the way up into the drive. The ignition would not turn. I moved the wheel, which was lock, back and forth and even tried yanking it. It would not move. I called my friend to come and look at it. He was unable to move it and couldn't figure out why it had locked. There is no release on the vehicle, so I couldn't even move the steering wheel. Every thing is locked in place. We pushed the car manually up into the driveway where it has been sitting with the windows down for 3 days. I looked into getting it fixed and found several websites with hundreds of complaints about this problem. The dealership I called for service said it would be roughly around $280 to fix but couldn't quote until the car had been in for inspection. I am really upset with Ford for not recalling this item years ago. It is such a small fix for them but costs us alot. Then when you get the reimbursement for you recall, they try to eliminate the labor costs, but isn't that part of the recall. My last reimbursement was much less than I actually paid for the service.
- Detroit, MI, USA
Ignition cylinder failed. Had to have replaced. Have two such vehicles and experienced failure on both. Quite costly.
- Chelsea, MI, USA
Ignition switch failure. Could not remove or turn key. Had to have cylinder replaced in both vehicles that we own. Quite costly and very inconvenient.
- Chelsea, MI, USA
2000 Ford Focus ignition problem.** answer required***. ignition switch will not work. This is a very common problem and should be considered a safety issue.
- Unknown, DC, USA
The ignition lock cylinder failed on my Ford Focus (2000 model). The steering wheel locked up and I was unable to turn the key to start the car. I had to have the car towed to the dealer where they replaced the defective part for an "improved ignition lock cylinder kit" for a cost of $456. Clearly, the original part was defective. I read dozens of other complaints about the same problem for other Ford Focus drivers. Many had to replace the ignition lock cylinder multiple times. Ford should pay for these repairs.
- Pleasanton, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. The problem with the vehicle is that once consumer sticks the key into the ignition the key would get stuck and would not turn. After numerous attempts it would eventually start before, but now it will not start at all.
- Beltre, OH, USA
This will be the second time I've had to replace the ingnition switch after a failure. It locks up/breaks and the key will not turn. The repair again is costing me $300 for something I feel should be recalled. It was not covered under my extended warranty when I was at 40K miles. I'm out of warranty now at 60K miles 2 years later. I have found so many other complaints on the internet in various places to know this problem is widespread. Several employees at my dealership and tow truck drivers are even aware of it and admit that it's a big problem. This time my dealership is using a different part that *should* not have the same problem. I am patiently waiting for a recall to happen and to be reimbursed for these repairs. If it's a matter of Ford not feeling that it is a "safety" issue, I would strongly disagree. I live in a dangerous city where I can be stranded with this problem at any given moment. Luckily this time I was only out shopping locally during the day. Ford has lost me as a customer unless they can show good faith and fix this problem for everyone.
- New Orleans, LA, USA
Contact states the key will not turn to start the ignition. Vehicle had to be towed, and the service dealer had to drill the ignition cylinder lock, install a new key cylinder, and remake keys to fit into this new key cylinder.
- Wenatchee, WA, USA
Ignition lock up necessitating tow and costly repair.
- Mine Hill, NJ, USA
Contact states when she puts the key in the ignition it will not move.. she has reported the problem to the dealership. This has been happened since 2000, and it has gotten worse.. it just locks up and contact can't turn the ignition. It sometimes takes up to 5 minutes to get the ignition to turn over.
- Southfield, MI, USA
Over a period of time my key was sticking in the ignition more frequently. It then got to the point that I couldnt get the key all the way in unless I messed around with the steering wheel for a while. Once I got the key in there was no guarantee that it would turn so I could start the car. I eventually ended up leaving my key in the ignition and covering up the steering wheel before I got out of my car. I have two kids, I can not afford to get stuck anywhere.I took my car to a repair shop where the mechanic proceeded to tell me that this was the 9th Ford Focus that he had repaired that month for the same problem. "a consumer had just picked one up this morning as a matter of fact", he said.so I had the problem corrected, he had to replace a part that was in the ignition. He had told me that the piece was like a puzzle and that when these cars were made the manufacturer had put the wrong size in. I do not have the old part, the repair center kept it.
- Easton, PA, USA
The owner had to replace the ignition switch that locked up twice in less than one year. The key and cylinder had to be drilled out, and all parts replaced. There have been a couple of times that the key would not turn, but evidently it would. Then, one day the key would not turn at all, and the column had locked up. Vehicle was then towed to the garage. Everything has been replaced.
- Hillsville, VA, USA
I am a college student and I have a 2000 Ford Focus. The steering wheel is locking and I can't start the car. My mother, father, boyfriend and I have tried over and over turning the key and the steering wheel but it does not work. This is the third time this has happened and my car is no longer under warranty. This is a major problem with the Ford Focus and somthing needs to be done, the car needs to be recalled. This is very unsafe, and the dealerships are not much of any help. Pleaseeeeeeeeeee help
- Houston, TX, USA
Ignition failure, can not remove or turn key
- Emmett, ID, USA
Consumer stated ignition lock broke/froze. Key would not go in ignition, sometimes it would go half way in, and sometimes all the way in. But even when it went all the way in ignition would not turn. Vehicle was sitting in driveway when this happened. There were previous problems with ignition. But consumer was eventually be able to get ignition to work. This happened several times over the last two or three years. Had no problem in the last year until now. Vehicle was serviced regularly.
- Islip, NY, USA
- Federal Way, WA, USA