3.4
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 39,319 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
I couldn't start my car after putting gas in at a gas station. The key would not turn in the ignition. After trying for over 10 minutes, I called for help. My daughter went on line and found that Ford Focus have this problem and you need to tap the key to get it to turn. I tapped it and was able to start my car. This has been going on now for about 18 months and I decided to have it looked at today at the Ford dealer. They said it is common in the Ford Focus but their was not a recall on it. They said I need to have it replaced for $375 w/O keys or $525 with new keys. I don't think I should have to pay for this defect, Ford should replace it for free.
- Norwalk, CA, USA
Ford Focus key will not turn in ignition. I was stranded at night with 2 children for over an hour due to this problem! this has occurred more than a handful of times in the last 2 weeks which is unacceptable. This defective part should be recalled and replaced immediately!!
- Aubrey, TX, USA
Key stuck in ignition switch. Cannot turn. Cannot be removed.
- Wynnewood, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. When the contact inserted the key into the ignition, he was unable to start the vehicle. He was also unable to remove the key from the ignition. The dealer stated that they have had many similar complaints related to ignition failure for the Ford Focus. Depending on the severity of the failure, the repair could cost between $300-$600. Through online research, the contact discovered other complaints related to the Ford Focus and ignition failures. The failure and current mileages were 49,000.
- Wynnewood, PA, USA
Had to have the ignition lock on a 2004 Ford Focus replaced. Consumer states that he was informed that it is a frequent problem.
- Cayucos, CA, USA
I was getting into my 2004 Ford Focus and put the key in and tried to turn it. The key would not turn. The ignition switch is broken. I researched it online and found numerous consumers with the same problem. Ford is not issuing a recall for this problem and they should. I called Ford and they said there is nothing they can do. I was left stranded at work and late for my second job because of the car trouble. I am having my car fixed today. I called a dealership and barely got two words out about the ignition and they knew exactly what I was talking about. They said that it has been happening to a lot of focuses. This has left many people stranded and in dangerous places. Ford needs to issue a recall and fix this issue so that they do not have any more unhappy customers.
- Hudson, WI, USA
Ignition cylinder locked up occasionally. After wiggling the key, it would always crank eventually. Cylinder would not turn and therefore car would not start. Cylinder is a "dealer only" part. Ford will not let others sell this part because then no one would buy their defective part.
- Orange Park, FL, USA
My horn stop working a little after I got the car back in 04. Ford has put about 5 new horns in still nothing. It works for a bit, then out of no were it stops. Then around 34,000 mi my car was in the shop for 33 days. At the time no one told me that my car was a lemon if its in the shop for that long under 36,000 mi then its a lemon. Then at 58,000 my engine starts to make a noise. So I take it to Ford, yep it needs a new engine, so they put a new one in there. Well at 67,00 guess what, my ignition has locked up, so now I'm screwed. I can barley make my payments and now I can't even drive my car.....again.
- Menlo Park, CA, USA
Event: Ignition key would not turn and start the car. Consequence: Handicap equipped car: Event left my wife helpless in her car in a hazardous situation for more than an hour (winter cold) (3) towing service required, cylinder had to be drilled out, replacement costs at Ford car dealership about 500 usd.
- Schaumburg, IL, USA
My 2004 Ford Focus ignition lock cylinder failed (it wouldn't turn) leaving me stranded and requiring a tow and nearly $300 in repairs. I've since discovered that this problem is wide-spread and was identified by Ford over 7 years ago and yet no steps have been taken to correct it. The fact that this defect can leave you stranded pretty much at random (anywhere at anytime) makes this a safety issue. Among other things, not being able to turn the key also means I couldn't put the car in neutral to push it out of the way of traffic. That this has not been addressed is simply appalling.
- Taylor, MI, USA
2004 Focus has a defective ignition tumbler. Over a course of a few days the key began to get stuck in the ignition and would only turn after several attempts. After a few days, it stopped working all together. I was stranded in a dark parking lot after work for nearly an hour until someone could get me. I then had to get a ride to work the following day (50 mi each way). Before having the car towed to a garage, I contacted someone at a Ford dealer who said this was a common problem. He suggested tapping on the key with a hard object (I used a pocket knife) while turning the key and it worked! so the car is now sitting in my driveway until I can get it started again to take it into the shop. Estimated repair cost $450 and this doesn't include the cost to re-key. My husband also has 2004 Ford Focus (we bought them on the same day) and is also having problems with the ignition tumbler--how coincidental is that? sounds like a serious defect to me. I can't believe the Ford company isn't taking any responsibility for this issue. I own 3 Ford and will never buy one again!
- Paso Robles, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. While stopped, the vehicle stalled and shut off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the key would not turn in the ignition. The failure occurred several times before, but the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic. The mechanic stated that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $150 for the part. The purchase date and dealer information were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 50,000.
- Hayward, CA, USA
Ford Focus ignition key won't turn.
- Geneva, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. The key failed to turn in the ignition to start the vehicle. The dealer stated that the ignition cylinder had failed. The vehicle is currently being repaired. The current and failure mileages were 36,000. Updated 09/05/07.
- Waipahu, HI, USA
2004 Ford Focus. Ignition got stuck key won't turn.
- Lowell, MA, USA
Ignition lock on 2004 Ford Focus failed (froze up). This is the same scenario that has been widely reported on the internet for which Ford has not done a recall. Ford did repair this under warranty at no charge to me, but since this problem appears to be chronic, I want to be sure that the incidence of the problem is recorded.
- Safety Harbor, FL, USA
I have had my 2004 Ford Focus for about 6 months, and I had boughten it used. It has run very well with no problems at all up until recently. I have gone to start my car, and the key would get stuck and not turn over and the wheel would lock up. After several attempts, the car would start and run fine. Yesterday it took me almost 2 hours to turn the key over to get my car to start. Today I called a Ford dealership, because they think that I need a new ignition.
- Nashua, NH, USA
Locking of ignition in Ford Focus.
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
Ignition started getting hard to turn, eventually it wouldn't turn at all. Leaving me stranded out of town. Had to spend 350$ to have it replaced. Then it happened again 9 months later. And now it's beginning again, when I take the key out it keeps beeping like I haven't.
- Alden, NY, USA
- Stanley, NC, USA