10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 56,798 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
Ignition switch wont turn which prevents the car from starting this happens on a daily basis, for way over a yr now. Tow truck driver told me this is common problem with this 2004 ZX3 Focus. He said to hit the key a couple of times with your hand and it will turn, and it does. Only way the car will start. Called my local Ford dealer and was told $550 to replace. So still not replaced.
- Vacaville, CA, USA
Upon leaving a grocery store the ignition key wouldn't turn. I was unable to start the car and called the local Ford dealership. They responded by saying that they would charge $391 plus tax, and that if they damaged the steering column in the process I would be liable for the repair or replacement cost of the column as well. Not willing to take my chances with such an expensive repair that would leave me with a new part that would possibly fail in the same manner, not to mention possible additional costs of repairing or replacing the column I conducted a brief internet search I found that this was an ongoing problem with 1999 through 2007 Ford Focus cars. I also learned that a competent locksmith could repair the switch for between $150 and $200. I was able to get my vehicle repaired for $152, and there was no possibility of damaging the steering column. The original part was removed by the locksmith, rebuilt the switch and replaced it thus repairing the vehicle.
- Searcy, AR, USA
For about a month now, the ignition and/or steering wheel locks up when I try to put the key in to start my 2004 Ford Focus. I initially spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to start the car. Now I realize I have to jiggle, turn, & finagle everything just right & I can get it the ignition to turn in a few minutes. It is ridiculous that I now think getting my car started in under 5 minutes is "good." This happens 9 out of 10 times that I try to start the car. I have seen many similar complaints. Seems like Ford needs to fix this problem. I am not impressed.
- Muncie, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. When the contact removes and re-inserts the key from the ignition, the ignition locks. He was unable to start the vehicle and it was towed to the dealer. He is in the process of having the ignition cylinder replaced. The manufacturer stated that they would not provide financial assistance because his vehicle exceeded the warranty. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 57,000.
- Ellicott City, MD, USA
Got into the car put the key in the ignition and it would not turn. A locksmith hit it with a hammer and it turned, now to get it started I have to hit the key with a hammer but I don't know how long that will last.
- Marietta, OH, USA
I have a 2004 Ford Focus. Intermittently I have had difficulty turning the key in the ignition. I place the key in the ignition but the ignition does not move. Generally if I wait and try again several minute later the key will turn. Tonight I left work and attempted to start my car. The key would not turn. I called home and attempted with spare key with similar results. I left car in parking lot until able to call service in morning. Fortunately it was not an emergency and I was able to contact family to obtain alternative transportation.
- Haverhill, MA, USA
Occasional erratic instrument display operation with periods of instrument panel outage.
- Buffalo, NY, USA
I got in my car after lunch on day to return to work and when I put my key in the ignition, it would not turn. I kept trying for approximately 30 minutes and could not get it to turn. This is the second Ford Focus I have owned and the 2nd time this event has occurred. I had to pay $473.20 to have the car towed, the ignition lock replaced, and a new key fitted for the car. The lady at the Ford dealership informed us before we took the car in that there was a possibility of the part being recalled since this happens often. When we took the car in and they began work on it we discovered this was not true. I am just thankful I was not coming back from court or it was late at night or else I would have been stranded on the road.
- Texarkana, AR, USA
My car (2004 Ford Focus) was just about due for its 30,000 mile tune up when it first acted up. It stopped while driving on the freeway-no power, nothing. We took it to a local Toyota dealer service center and had it checked and the 30,000 mile tune up done. No problems for 1 month. While driving it did the same thing when I exited my driveway. After stopping the car, taking out the key, then re-starting the engine it seemed to be ok so I headed out on the highway. Fortunately while driving at the back of a line of traffic, including 2 fully loaded logging trucks, it happened when I had slowed down to about 50 mph. I got it over to the Toyota service station and again they checked it out and couldn't figure it out. This time they couldn't get it to start for about 10 minutes. The service manager called me the next day to tell me that Ford had a bulletin on fixing this type of issue, apparently the computer needed to be re-programmed! so I called the closest Ford dealership 29 miles away and tried to discuss the situation with them. I called another Ford dealer and was quoted 3 times as much. I called the Ford customer service to make a complaint and got the same blase attitude about the situation. No one thought it was a safety issue and that owners needed to be notified. But 4 times in total, my life and my fiance's life were in danger. This is another issue of Ford's negligence. Remember the Firestone tires"?"
- Placerville, CA, USA
I have a 2004 Ford Focus that is having major issues with the ignition. The key will not turn in the ignition in order to start the car, and has left me stranded on several occasions.
- Redondo Beach, CA, USA
Ignition switch frozen, the cost to repair/replace quoted by Ford dealership was $361, the cost by a locksmith is $300-$350. 2004 Ford Focus Z3.
- Riverside, CA, USA
I was stranded over the weekend at a gas station in the middle of nowhere because my key wouldn't turn, it seemed locked in my ignition. I really needed my car to start to get out of there but couldn't and was approached by a mentally insane man asking me for a ride. Nothing has been done to fix my car because they aren't open until Monday.
- Lagrange, IL, USA
The shifter, steering wheel and ignition key all lock up on my 2004 Ford Focus. I simply guide my car to where I want to park it. Stop, put the car in park and turn off the car. When I go to start my car again, everything is locked up and takes a long time to get it unlocked. I almost have to break off the key to get it started.
- Crozet, VA, USA
Car stalls without notice. Sent daughter to emergency room one time. Stalls 2 different ways, while driving and sometimes when coming to a stop. Total loss of control happens. Has been in shop many, many times and they can't figure out problem. Started when car was 7 months old. Also, clutch prematurely went out. Has been replaced 2 or 3 times. (car has 26,000 miles currently). Also, thermostat has gone out many, many times- daughter has driven most of winter with no heat.
- Ft. Wayne, IN, USA
: the contact stated the ignition switch failed to turn when the key was inserted into the ignition, thus failing to start the vehicle. This was the 4th failure. Metal shavings were seen falling out of the ignition when the key was removed. The service dealer had the vehicle towed to the service repair shop for investigation. The manufacturer was not notified.
- Douglasville, GA, USA
My high beam is always on. My low beam and fog light do not work. The low beam and fog light are independent switch.
- Birch Run , MI, USA
Contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. While driving on the highway the car shut down without warning. No particular speed or circumstance. This incident happened several times on interstate. While going 70 to 75 mph. The car shut down, no battery, no lights, and it was very hard to steer. It happened at stop sign or at speeds of 35 to 45 mph.after putting vehicle in park then in neutral or park it will start back up. Vehicle was taken back to dealership 3 times in the last 3 weeks. Mechanic recalibrated the automatic transmission control module (PCM),and was told it would be okay. Took it off the dealership and within 10 miles incident started happening again. Flight recorder was installed on October 6, 2005 was told to push a button every time the vehicle shut off, but the problem was that there was electricity going to anything to make the flight recorder show the problem.
- Woodstock , GA, USA
Contact states daughter came home from work on 7-15-05 and she had not had any problems with the car prior to this. The next day on 7-16-05 she noticed the car had caught on fire while it was parked in the driveway. The fire had already gone out. She had the car towed to the dealership, and the mechanic said Ford was coming on 7-19-05 to inspect the car. She talked to someone who had just retired from wayne assembly plant and he said they had been having a lot of problems with the fuel line coming off due to increased pressure on the Ford focuses. She has never received any recall notices. She does not know where the fire originated. The car is at the clinton Michigan Ford dealership.
- Clinton, MI, USA
Vehicle hesitated/stalled when applying the accelerator pedal from a stop position. Vehicle had been to the dealer on three separate occasions. The first time dealer replaced the coil assembly, spark plugs and spark plug wiring. Within two weeks or less the problem recurred. The last two times dealer informed the consumer that they could not duplicate the problem.
- Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA
- Janesville, WI, USA