Went to the garage to head to my company paid training class out of town, and could not get the key to go into the ignition. I tried and tried, for almost 15 minutes. Desperate, and starting to stress over being late for my class. I finally was able to get the key in the ignition, and unable to get the key to budge at that point. I called the ford dealership, and they stated that aside from towing, it will cost $350.00 just to replace, and if the ignition cylinder has to be tapped out, could possibly cost upwardly of up to $600.00! I am a working mom of three, and this is an expense, that is kind of ridiculous. I have owned many cars, and NEVER had this problem. Even for a vehicle I have owned from over 10 years. NO IGNITION PROBLEMS! Until this car, a 2000 Ford Focus

Last night, 6/29/07, My wife and my 12 and 10 year old daughters were stuck in a dark rest area on New York HWY 81 when they needed to take a toilet break on a state rest area. It was close to midnight and when it was time to go, She was unable to get the key into the ignition. Needless to say, she was extremely anxious being stuck about 100 miles from nowhere when this problem occurred.

Fortunately we have roadside emergency insurance, however after a 90 minute wait for the tow truck to arrive, she began to get pretty scared as the time got later, and the people got stranger. The driver said "I sees these problems all of the time on the focuses." He simply squirted liquid graphite in the ignition and the key went right in. Soon my wife and daughter were on their way home. Today, (6/30/07) I still have the same problem as I have to jiggle the key when I need to drive. So for the rest of the day I just left the key in the ignition and parked in the garage.

Bottom line, if it takes ford to wait until someone is raped or killed as a result of a stuck ignition, shame on them.

The car apparently ran out of gas in the driveway upon returning home. Gas (it is "good" gas, just recently purchased) was put in and it will not start. The battery is strong, turns over, but won't start. This car has had electrical problems, and we replaced the starter recently (now THAT was an almost impossible task due to the tight spaces). The car has been nothing but a problem since driven off the dealership lot brand new in 2001. Replaced engine (under warranty), transmission (which is going out again... no reverse), can't get an ignition key made, as we are off the road system and it costs $2000 to have the car flown to the nearest dealer. Can't replace the ignition system, as that requires the fuel line work at the dealership. The key turning problem is the same as others complain about. It has had all kinds of other work done, that I cannot even remember the details of. It's "theft prevention" features are such a farce.... as WHO would want to steal a Ford Focus???? Locking hub nuts that if you lose the key, as we did, you have a terrible problem getting the right tool and "know how" to get them off and replace with regular ones. A necessity where we have to put studded tires on in winter and take them off in spring.

If anyone has heard of problem with it starting after running out of gas and knows what to look for to get it to start... please let us know. We've heard that these cars that have electronic ignition and a ton of "stuff" jammed in the engine area under the hood, are notorious for not being able to get them started after running out of gas.

Any ideas or suggestions?

NatalieB