2001 Ford Focus ignition key will not turn to start car. Elderly wife was forced to wait in car in below freezing temps. Until help arrived. We have scheduled the car to be repaired at a cost of approx. $400. This presents a financial burden that we cannot afford.

- Pinckney, MI, USA

Ignition key will not go into ignition. Had to have car towed to local mechanic.

- Bainbridge Island, WA, USA

Ignition cylinder Ford Focus LX 2001 93,980 miles like so many other complaints I have read on the internet. Insert key - ignition locksup you're stranded and have to call a tow truck. Cost for repair by Ford dealership $489.20. When we first started noticing ignition problem - we called Ford to get a price on the part as my husband was going to replace himself. Was told by parts gal that he could not perform this himself - it's not like the old days - there are now special instructions regarding the wiring and insulation it has to be done by Ford. About a week later the ignition was completely locked we had no choice but to call tow truck and take to Ford. Tow truck driver informs us this is common defect with all 2001-2006 Ford Focus and tempos. Before we had it towed my husband thought maybe the key was just worn out - Ford said the key did look worn and the key did need replacing but it had to be done special because key contains a chip and it takes special programming - key cost $35 P/key labor would cost $50 - we decided to go ahead and have it towed in case this wasn't the problem. (don't want to be throwing away money) next day I confronted Ford mechanic about this being a known cylinder defect and asked why it wasn't a recall - mechanic says he agrees it should be a recall - but instead it was a tsb telling techs how to fix and to my horror fix it with another identical faulty part. I asked if there was special pricing since it was Ford's fault. Answer no. Asked if new keys were included in price - answer no. I asked if problem could reappear. Answer yes. Imagine if my daughter or I were out in the middle of no where or on a road trip - what could have happened or the expense for towing. I am scared to drive it out of town now and I am horrified that I had to pay out of pocket $489.20 for a known defect that will more than likely happen again and again. Why is Ford fixing the problem with another faulty part -rip off scam?

- Napa, CA, USA

Ford Focus ignition won't turn.

- Logan, UT, USA

The ignition cylinder failed twice. It failed in 2003 and in 2005. Ford tels me there is high failure rate on these cylinders. The key locks up, and you can't get the key out. And you can't turn the wheel.

- Apex, NC, USA

3 times in 1 week, my ignition key gets stuck. The key turns, the car starts, but will not come out. I have only had the car 1 month and it was purchased with 48K miles on it. After extensive internet research and speaking with several dealerships, I have found that this is a very common Focus problem.

- Marydel, DE, 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

Key will not turn in ignition, steering wheel locked, brake petal locked, gear shift locked. Car out of warrenty. Ford emergency road service won't help because of expired warrenty. Called nearest Ford dealershop (tom holzer), gave me the phone number of their "towing" person, tried 12 times, got voice mail, no call was ever returned. (I was "stuck" in a bank parking lot.. and they were ready to close) the bank personel were kind enough to let me use their phone and provided a phone book, besides every male in the building individually tried anything they could think of to get my car to start... with no luck. After calling @ 6 lock smiths with 24 hour emergency road servie, I finally found one that knew exactly what I was talking about... he informed me that he gets a call on the same problem approx. Once a week on Ford Focus's. even he can't understand why there hasn't been a "recall" on this defective part"? he also told me what the dealership would have charged me to replace it... @$550!! fortunately for me there are still honest and kind people around, Ford did "nothing" to help me!! I can't imagine I'm the "only" person that has complained about this problem, why hasn't anything been done about it" when this happens, you're definately stranded!!

- Commerce Township, MI, USA

Consumer complained about ignition switch problem. Consumer had vehicle towed, and was told that the tumbler fell out of the ignition module.

- San Jose, CA, USA

2001 Ford Focus key will not turn in ignition and steering locks. Dealer wants $410 or more to fix. Just off warranty.

- Mclean, VA, USA

Ignition cylinder broke without any signs, and was stuck without a car for a week.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

The engine light came on exactly 1 week after I bought the car. It was returned to me 2 days later and 1 week after that the light came on. Both times the car stopped cut off. The dealer replaced the the main computer. I returned the vehicle in November of 2001 for the same problem. They said they fixed it and I returned again in another week same problem. This time they said there was a leak around the seal on the gas tank. They returned it to me. In February or March, I brought it back again (the engine light comes on the car cuts off). Again they said it was the main computer and they replaced it and returned it to me. I have talked to a Ford rep and they refuse to acknowledge there is a serious problem with this vehicle and even offered to sell me another one! this is my first and last Ford!

- New Orleans, LA, USA

Vehicle has stalled twice at 65 mph. Dealer has replaced computer chip and fuel pump. Both times cruise was on, but not set.

- Lorranie, OH, USA

Purchased car in December 2000 within days brakes squealing and grinding..called dealer said to let wear in..problem persisted..engine light came on..took car to nearest D dealership..in January 2001..brakes shoes back and pads on front replaced. Oxygen sensor, and parking brake replaced..brakes still had problem engine light still on..took to dealership where purchased..kept 12 days..brakes adjusted and computor and ignition were replaced..light off..brakes still trouble..took back numerous times..for check-ups..at 16,000 told brakes need to be replaced in front and tires where all worn away on inside of tire..bald!!..manufactor and dealer would not pay for..replaced all four tires, alignment, and new brakes put on front brakes..car still not right with brakes..shaking violently of car while braking at any speed. Or going downhill.took back to dealership rotors were no good as well as front brakes. They replaced..inner tires already wearing out...brakes still giving noise and grinding..took back within month..they said fine..took back again when oil changed..brakes where said to be fine..brakes noisy and grinding as usual..3 weeks later brakes failed..had car towed to dealership....they state needs new brakes on front and backshoes cracked and need new rotors...they keep saying its the way we drive car...no way..never had this much problem with any brakes in any car we have owned...car is very unsafe and made with inferior products.. (tiresize: 15)

- Middletown, CA, USA