10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 51,152 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
The consumer stated the ignition locked without warning. The part has been replaced, however the problem still existed. Please provide additional information.
- Akron, OH, USA
The ignition on my 2001 Ford Focus "stuck" on me this past July. I entered my vehicle and inserted the key. The steering wheel would not turn...it remained in the locked position. On 7/3/04, I had to have the ignition replaced on my 2001 Ford Focus. The dealership informed me that this was a very common problem on the Focus, however they still charged me over $500 to fix the problem. I had to have my ignition drilled out and replaced. They said that even thought they had had many vehicles returned for this problem, that Ford had not issued a recall on it.
- Griffin, GA, USA
No events lead up to failure. The tumblers in the lock keep getting stuck making it almost impossible to start the car. We tried to take it to the dealer, but it wasn't covered on the extended warranty I purchased. They wanted $260 to replace it, but it will continue to break over and over. From people I have spoken to online, and in person, this problem happens a lot with the Ford Focus. Seems to me that there should be a recall.
- Orient, OH, USA
I put the key in the ignition of my 2001 Ford Focus and it wouldn't turn. The steering column/ wheel is locked up.
- Malden, MA, USA
Complaint involves 2001 Ford Focus station wagon. Left turn signal malfunctioned for a few days, and then the ignition froze. Unable to release the steering wheel, I had the car towed and sustained damage from the towing. Apparently this defect is well known to dealers and to Ford. My car has 49K miles on it and is never abused.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
Consumer stated that ignition locked on its own. The conusmer stated that he could not turn key to start the vehicle.
- Omaha, NE, USA
We own a 2001 Ford Focus. We went out to start it 2 days ago and they key would not turn in the ignition. Apparently this is a common problem for Ford Focus cars.
- Logan, UT, USA
I am the owner of a 2001 Ford Focus and have always had problems with it. On 10/28/2004 I stopped for gas with my two small children. After re-fueling, we all got back into the car to leave and the key wouldn't turn. My whole stering column had locked up-the steering wheel wouldn't budge, the shifter was locked as well as the brake pedel. Although many strangers tried to help me start my car, me adn my children were stuck at the gas pump for over an hour. After having my car towed the driver told me that this was his seond Focus that day with the same problem and his company tows several a month.
- Kingston, WA, USA
Without warning, ignition locks up and key will not turn. The car cannot be started and must be towed in for repair. The same problem has occurred on three separate occasions over the life of the vehicle. Since the car cannot be started, the driver has been stranded until the car can be towed in and repaired. To repair the failure, the lock cylinder must be drilled out of the steering column and replaced completely.
- Bloomington, IN, USA
My steering wheel locked and I was unable to turn my key when trying to start my 2001 Ford Focus LX. I tried all the usual, pull the wheel this way, turn the key that way, even tapping the key, and nothing worked. I had to have it towed to the dealer to replace the ignitiion tumblers, or whatever, and it cost $300.
- Austin, TX, USA
The ignition lock failed to accept the ignition key. I manipulated the key for about 15 minutes before the lock would accept the key. It finally accepted the key after jarring the car by slamming the door. I can never be sure the car is available in an emergency.
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
I bought a used 2001 Ford Focus in febuary of 2004. The ignition jammed and was replaced in March 2004. I went to the Ford dealership and paid 300 dollars to get a new one. On September 27, 2004 my ignition got jammed again. I am sapposed to have a 12 month warrenty or 12,000 whatever comes first, so its in the shop now being repaired. I have read alot on this and it seems this is a common problem and is very expensive to replace.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
I have a 2001 Ford Focus LX sedan. The ignition lock mysteriously locks up about once a year and the car has to be taken to the dealer to be fixed. This will be the fourth time the ignition has locked up. Can you say "lemon law"" I have read literally hundreds and hundreds of posts on the internet about this problem. My Ford roadside would not cover the tow and I had to use my insurance roadside assistance to tow it this time. Anyhow, the tow truck driver shows up at my house and states that "he has towed at least 50 of these cars, " and every one of them was for the same exact problem. He stated that he never towed one for any other problems. Why is this not a recall yet??" the design is piss poor and something needs to be done about it! please help us.
- Yucca Valley, CA, USA
I have had my car in 5 times to fix the ignition. The first two times I believe the a cylinder in the ignition was replaced, the third time the same part was replaced and I was given a new key. The four time the car started at the dealership and I was told I just didn't try to start my car properly and did I know how to start a stick shift (I have had a stick for the last 14 years). The fifth time they replaced the whole ignition system. Nothing happened to cause any of these problems I would just go out to start my car and the key would not turn all the way and the vehicle would not start and would have to be towed. All of these have happened in less than one year. Also periodically thought out this whole time the ignition would stick and the car would not start, after several attempts however it would work. The incident date I am using is this fifth time.
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Consumer placed the key in the ignition and it was locked. Ignition would not accept the key. She called the lock smith, and was told that they have at least one of this type of problem with the Focus a week. Lock smith could not make the ignition accept the key. Had towed vehicle to the dealership.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
Problems with ignition being jammed on 2002 Ford Focus. The ignition lock cylinder would not turn and was seized.
- San Antonio , TX, USA
2001 Ford Focus - purchased 3/2001, has 31000 miles on it. Lock pin fell into ignition, key got stuck in ignition and would not turn. Estimated to cost me minimum $290 - up to $500+. the mechanic at Ford dealership said that 2000 & 2001 Focus cars are being towed in all the time with the same problem.
- Roseville, MN, USA
October 14 2003, without any warning the key stopped turning, vehicle had 64 035 km or 4 035 km over warranty -ignition cylinder assembly replaced (cost 554.41$ cdn) June 12 2004, again without any warning the key stopped turning in the switch. Vehicle mileage approximately. 89 000 km or roughly 5 000km after part warranty -ignition cylinder to be replace (estimated cost 341.51$ cdn)
- Washington, DC, USA
1. Ford Focus ignition locks. 2. could not turn key to start car. I was stranded on the 4th of July weekend. 3. car had to be towed. Dealership service dept. Was closed. Locksmith had to replace ignition cylinder. Also, the ignition key was well worn even though it's a fairly new automobile.
- Oakland, CA, USA
- San Diego, CA, USA