Ignition switch went out while my wife was at work. Had to get the ignition switch replaced. Ford dealer wanted at min. Of $100 plus parts independent mechanic replaced it for $65 plus parts.

- Starkville, MS, USA

I have a Focus Ford 2003. I had problems with my ignition, my key will not turn to start my car, I took it to replace the ignition cylinder. After few months it did happen again. I just tapped the top of the key and will turn, but today it did not turn at all. I think is not right to pay extra for that expense, when the first think a car is supposed to do is start!!!

- El Paso , TX, USA

Can't turn car on, ignition switch lock. Asking $350 to repair this defect.

- Glenpool, OK, USA

With just 43,500 miles on the car my ignition locked up and I could not turn the key to start the engine. The car had to be towed to a dealers repair shop to be fixed.

- Tewksbury, MA, USA

2003 Ford Focus. The consumer stated the key in the ignition switch lock got stuck. The vehicle will not go anywhere. This happend when the vehicle stopped and then started again. The dealership doid not know why this happened. This problem was first noticed on September 9, 2004. Then it happened again on August 20, 2005. Both times.gnition switch was replaced. The vehicle had to be towed both times. There were other times when the vehicle was very hard to start but it did start.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Our 2003 Ford Focus has had to have the ignition switch replaced twice. Parked the car, turned off the car, came back to start later and the ignition swith would ot turn. First switch was replaced in July 2004 and the second one in March 2005. Today while driving the car on a city street the steering wheel became so loose it is not safe to drive and will have to be towed for the third time to the dealer to be repaired. The first ignition swith was covered under warranty. We had to pay for the second switch. Apparently this is a common failure on the Ford Focus and I believe a recall should be done. Of major concern is this is the third failure on a steering column in a new vehicle.

- Easley, SC, USA

Upon starting the vehicle, the key failed to turn in the ignition, and the steering wheel locked up. Dealership indicated that the ignition froze. This was a common occurrence with these vehicles.

- Jackson, MS, USA

2003 Ford Focus LX sedan - my wife went to walmart on the way home from work, and upon returning to the car the key would no longer unlock the ignition switch. Despite many attempts (a locksmith was unable to come up with anything) we ended up having the car towed. The quoted repair price is roughly $400. There are seemingly endless accounts of this very situation with the Ford Focus ignition on forums all over the internet. There should be a recall or Ford should extend the warranty coverage on this device.

- Moore, OK, USA

When attempting to start the vehicle consumer noticed that the the ignition locked and key will not turn. Vehicle was towed to the dealer.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

I put my key in the ignition and it would not start steering wheel locked and car would not turn on towed to dealer cost was 50 dollars w/ extended warrant also happened to my sisters 2003 Ford Focus.the ignition was replaced.

- El Cajon , CA, USA

Nothing lead up to the failure, it just happened quite abruptly. I put my key in the ignition and it wouldn't turn forward. Also, the steering wheel is locked in place.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Ignition lock cylinder would not turn after the key was inserted the key was hard to get into the cylinder before it seized. I did some research and on the automotive talk net I was able to print out 35 pages of the same complaints with 3 to 4 complaints on each page. A few of the complaints said that tow truck drivers had told them they have had several calls with the same problem, as did the lock smith I called to fix mine. The cost was $200

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

Ignition switch on an 03 Ford Focus ZX3 locks up. It was fine one day and the next it wasn't. the car will start but it takes time and fiddling with the key in the ignition before it clicks and unlocks and starts.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

2003 Ford Focus ignition cylinder locked up. Key will not turn, leaving me with towing costs to get it to the dealership.

- Kent, WA, USA

Consumer put the key into the ignition and the key will not turn. Vehicle had to be towed to the dealer, and consumer was told that although the vehicle was under warranty it did not cover what was wrong with the vehicle.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

While driving and upon stopping the vehicle consumer was unable to get the key out of the ignition.

- Kankakee, IL, USA

1. several times within the past 3 or 4 days, the key in the ignition would not turn. After taking the key out and try again a couple time, it would turn. However, today as I put my key in, it did not turn; tried fixing it and turning it for several hours. No luck. Must call mechanic or locksmith. Car not functional at this point.

- West Lafayette, IN, USA

When attempting to start ignition switch locks intermittently.

- Baytown, TX, USA