8.4
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $310
- Average Mileage:
- 83,500 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 249 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (84 reports)
- replace the ignition (37 reports)
- insert the key and lightly tap the key with a hammer (28 reports)
- must go to dealership for high priced repair (28 reports)
- call a locksmith (25 reports)
- replace ignition lock cylinder (19 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
It's hard to explain how annoying it is to slide the key into the ignition and then not be able to turn it. It's almost as annoying as going to the dealership and having them say that it's a known problem that is NOT covered under the standard warranty.
$385 to replace the ignition? Thanks, but no thanks - we traded in the Ford for a nicer car which actually let's us drive it.
- Scott M., Williston, VT, US
i seem to have the same problem. the ignition key will not turn and could not start my car. and i had to pay the expensive price to fix it
- marcela0717, Houston, TX, US
We just got the transmission replaced on this car and now the key wont' turn in the ignition. The steering wheel is locked and the key won't turn at all. What a piece of junk car. I am very disappointed and would like Ford to do something about this problem because it seems to be something that needs to be recalled.
- lacey, Osceola, WI, US
I was parking my car one day when I pulled into my parking space, shifted the car into park and then turned it off. I could not get the key out of the ignition. I tried everything.. I almost bent the key. I know a little about cars and thought that maybe the shifter was stuck. It looked like it was in park but then I pushed on it really really hard after an hour of trying to rip the key out of the ignition and the key came out. This car has so many recall issues, I consider this car to be a recall on wheels. I am letting the thing get reposessed this month. I called Ford about all the problems I was having with this car and they said that the problems I am having are all recall issues but not for my cars year. They explained to me that even though I was having the same recall issues at the 2000-2001 ford focuses that my cars year did not seem to have those problems and that my car has not been recalled except for the front clips. I could not believe it.
- Ann D., Pittsburgh, PA, US
I had the same problem everyone else has with the ford focus. Got in the car, went to turn the key in the ignition and nothing, the key wont even turn. The ford focus should be recalled. The locksmith who fixed my problem said he has had to fix several other focuses. Why dont the dealers or FORD itself report this frequent problem of the ford focus?
- Renee P., Berkeley Springs, WV, US
key goes into ignition but doesnt turn/start? i can buy an ignition cylinder from local store but the car has to be towed to dealer to have the key programmed. so its safe against theft but it cost a lot if you have no warranty and run into problems.
- John A., Urbana, IL, US
Something like this should be under warranty. There are also electrical issues, trunk lock issues and the interior is basically falling apart. I took the car to one mechanic who would fix it for less than $100., but Ford would not give him my security codes for the ignition lock, so I was forced to go to Ford for a repair THREE TIMES what I should be charged. It was not under warranty or recall, but I still owe another year and a half payments on this piece of junk.
- hollywood38, Los Angeles, CA, US
I seem to have the SAME problem that EVERYONE else had!!!! The ignition key will not turn and could not start my car. I could not get to work. Ford fix the ignition key, but left me without a horn and my airbag feature. They said that because they could not start my car before fixing the ignition key. There's no way to prove that my airbags were working fine and they could not deny that the horn was working but still refused to fix my car at their cost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Leidy H., Danville, CA, US
The car is just beyond 3 years old. Intermittent problem has started to occur where the key can only be inserted into the ignition and it then it doesn't turn at all. I spent 10 minutes at a gas station after refueling trying to jiggle it around to start it up until I finally lucked out into getting it to turn. A few days later it had the same problem in the parking lot while the wind was blowing (-20F). A real nuisance and both Ford Dealers I called said it would probably be about $400 to fix - what a rip-off for basically a new, low mileage car, just beyond warranty. Sounds like something Ford should recall and reimburse owners for that have already experienced this apparently common problem.
- yogi, Wasilla, AK, US