My key won't turn in the ignition. Therefore I had to pay $140 to tow my car back home. I researched the problem and I see that there are thousands of the same complaints all over the internet with the same make and model of my vehicle. 2000 Ford Focus. I haven't taken it to the dealership yet, because it is not under warranty anymore, and according to the stories that I have read, they will not do anything about it, except charge me for a new one. I honestly think that there should be a factory recall on this part, because of me and the thousands of people that this has affected.

- Panama City Beach, FL, USA

Consumer would be unable to turn the key inside the ignition switch. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Consumer adds ignition is stuck when attempting to start vehicle. Both rear doors will not open due to vehicle not starting. Clock spring and steering lock assembly were replaced.

- Grand Chain, IL, USA

The vehicle's steering wheel came off twice while driving. Campaign id number : 02V289000. The consumer stated that she was almost killed three times while driving this vehicle. Transmission failed three times. The vehicle had been in an accident and the information was not given at time of purchase.

- Washington, DC, USA

Defective front brake rotor. During the inspection the consumer was told that the defect was not covered under the vehicle's warranty. Other vehicle components also malfunctioned. The vehicle's trunk latch broke, the check engine light illuminated twice, the cd player became inoperative and the steering wheel locked up.

- Washington, DC, USA

While driving steering wheel had a lot of play, the steering is very loose, which made it hard to keep vehicle in its lane upon making a left or right turn. Also, when making left or right turns vehicle made a squeaking noise. Contacted the dealer along with the manufacturer.

- Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, USA

First one: Ignition locked. One night after classes, I went to start my car and the key would not go into or turn the ignition lock. I called my Ford warranty and they sent a tow truck. The tow truck driver informed me that he is familiar with the problem on the Ford Focus, as he had had many calls to pick up cars with the same problem. Second one: After returning home from driving to the store one Saturday, I parked as usual and tried to pull up my hand brake which would not go up or lock into place. I then noticed that the little button you push in the release the handbrake was located all the way into the assembly not allow it to lock. I plan on taking my car in November to be repaired. My Ford warranty will cover it since its a few thousand miles under warranty.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

At the end of February I was involved in an accident due to the steering locking up my Ford has never ran the same since our local Ford dealer sent a mechanic out to do a report on my vehicle and nothing was ever resolved now I am stuck with this car that seems to be the next Ford joke. I have made several complaints since the accident and thanks to a possible steering knuckle problem in which was worked on previously to the accident it looks like Ford really should consider selling to a reputable company.

- Eloy, AZ, USA

Extreme amount of problems and recalls, vehicle has low mileage. In addition to listed problems, severe rear tire cupping at 7000 miles, may be attributed to loose rear wheel bearing. Power steering pressure hose leaking, A/C still not fixed correctly cold lasted for about a month drivers door lock wont lock interm. Rear trunk latch wont release from inside car. Fuel gauge erratic, caused driver to run out of gas on a bridge. Maf sensor failure, caused driver to be limited to 15 mph on freeway till next exit. Vheicles radio stuck on with key removed causing battery drain---happened twice and was fixed. Vehicle is a lease due back for return in August. Cant wait to be rid of this headache but feel sorry for whoever buys it... I would still like Ford Motor Co to reimburse me for the lease payments made for the amount of downtime and time vehicle spent at the dealership to fix some of these problems......thankyou

- San Diego, CA, USA

I drive 25000 miles a year to and from work approximtly 115 miles a day and 70% of that is on open interstate hiway. Stop and go is less than 20 miles a day. Tires completely wore out at 41000 miles. Tires started humming at 10 to 15000 miles. I constly complained about front end and tire noise. I put a set of Goodyear aquatred tires on at 41476 miles. They also started humming, so the front end was lined up. This did not stop the tires from humming. Now car has 80000 miles, tires are scarming go down the road fast or slow. Frontend suspension has been making clanking or thud type noise. Just recently turing left geting off interstate it felles like the right front is changing geomitry. Car turns left vilently - must corect stering. This will happens without notice. This car is extmly dangeras. When driven on ice and snow, it will brake lose when going staright for no reason and start to spin out. Brakes wore out at 45000 miles. $400 to fix front brakes only. I have never had to put brakes and tires on a car at less than 50000 miles. More like 65 to 75000 miles.

- Kankakee, IL, USA

Car is only 2yrs,8mo. Have currently expended over $4000 on repairs. Problem with seals allowing fumes in car from other vehicles running beside mine. The noise and wind shear level is very unsatisfactory. Squeal noise and thumping feeling from pressing on brake pedal. Hesitation on accelerating into traffic flow. Poor quality on parts and workmanship from manufacturer

- Killeen, TX, USA

The brakes have been looked at three time because of noise and it's been serviced several times. It's in service right now and has been there for two weeks. I don't know if they are working on it or if they are repairing other things or what. I haven't had heat throughout the coldest part of the winter. The seat belts don't work and the paint is peeling. The car has locked up not letting me start the engine twice, then just out of the blue it decided to start. I tried to turn in and the car dealer at Ford said he wouldn't touch it, didn't want it. We bought it Aug. 9 2000-Ford credit, simple interest 6.5 --first payment September $456.99 a month they say we owe too much to trade in "?"this made no since. Now I know what's been going on. My husband has been out to sea usnavy for almost a year and I'm scared to drive it I'm a nervous wreck about this car and I don't know what to do. There has been is so many recalls on this car I don't know if they have fixed them or not

- Oak Harbor, WA, USA

Have had nothing but trouble with my Focus the brakes wore down while I was on vacation and I was stuck driving for a bit on metal to metal....which ruined my rotor.....then the battery after almost 3yrs. Has caused my car to not want to start twice......each time I have had to clean off the built up acid on the battery so that a clean connection can be made.....the paint keeps on chipping, my anteena has become frayed, just recently my car's steering wheel locked up on me and the key wouldn't turn in the ignition......it is in the shop as I write this.....and from what I have heard I am not the first person to have had a problem with the cylinder.......the car seems to be slugish when on the inerstate.......the Focus is a dangerous car and Ford co. Needs to do something about it..... jeremy

- Essex, VT, USA

Steering wheel is locked and key will not turn so car will not start. After doing research I have found that this is very common and may even happen again after being repaired - typical cost is $250 - 300..

- Binghamton, NY, USA

The consumer experienced two defects with her vehicle. The back passenger seat belt was placed in backwards per manufacturer, the volume on the radio increased and decreased without control, the gear stick slid off the post, the vehicle stalled when going to a complete stop, the power knob to the radio would become sticky whenever the sun was present, the trunk would not open, the ignition switch jammed twice, the rear view mirror was stuck in the open position, and the steering wheel adjuster did not exist. The consumer requested compensation.

- Hayneville, AL, USA

I have a 2000 Ford Focus and my steering column locked up in December of 2002. I took it to a Ford dealership and they replaced the ignition. I have been having on and off problems with my steering wheel locking and the key not turning to unlock it. Luckily before February 16, 2004 I was able to keep trying and finally unlock it. It is now locked again and the same Ford dealership is saying that I will have to pay again to get it fixed and that the part was had a warranty of 12 months or 12000 miles. My parents have a 1988 Ford escort GT my father has a 1994 Ford mustang GT and my mother has a 1997 Acura and haven't had any problems with the steering locking up. I believe that something is defective in the 2000 Ford Focus causing the lock up and that Ford should have a recall on this because I shouldn't have to replace the ignition every year.

- Rex, GA, USA

Vehicle hesitated/stalled. Also, a steering problem and a burning smell. This vehicle was recalled for these defects. However, the same problems continue to exist.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

Various problems with 2000 Ford Focus. While driving the steering wheel almost came off in the driver's hand. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer refused to give the consumer a loaner while the vehicle was being repaired. The steering wheel separated from the steering column due to a bolt breaking when the vehicle was making a left turn at approx. 25 mph.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Constant squeaking noise when the brakes are applied. I've already replaced the rotors, brakes, brake pads, and drums on several occasions since buying this Focus about 3 years ago. Also my steering wheel locked on me one day in April of 2002 the key would not fit into the ignition to start the car I have no idea why this would happen from one day to another. I had my vehicle towed to the Ford dealership and they didn't know what the problem was caused by. They said that they needed to update the lock cylinder. Luckily I purchased the api extended warranty that cover the car for 100,000 miles. So the cost of the work done for this was $427.20. All but $50 of which was my deductible was cover by this warranty. The problems didn't stop here. I also have had to get the cd systems that came installed in the car replaced. The was a constant clicking noise with the cd player and 90% of the time the cd's wouldn't even play. I called the dealership and they said that they could replace it for me but that it wouldn't be coverer by the warranty so I would have to pay for it out of my pocket. I ended up having a new system installed but not from the Ford dealership, I took it to circuit city. Recently this month July 2003, my car has been staling and shutting off at stop signals and stop light also just shut completely off on the freeway thank god no accident occurred. I called the dealership to report this problem also my check engine light would come on and off several times and they said to bring it in and they would check the engine light but that I would have to pay $165. 00 just for them to check the light and it would be more $$$ to repair what ever problem it was. I was fed up by then.

- San Jose, CA, USA

While driving, the steering wheel locked up, which caused the vehicle to veer into a ditch.

- Fulshear, TX, USA

The vehicles steering failed.

- Port Allen, LA, USA