3.4
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 39,532 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.
This is for all the people who had problems with their key being stuck in the ignition. I had the same problem, and I discovered that if the floor shifter is not locked the key won't come out. Make sure the floor shifter is locked in park and the key should come right out...if it doesn't work then you obviously have other issues with the problem.
- Cochranton, PA, USA
Key got stuck in ignition and won't come out of the ignition. Had to lock key in car and use remote to lock car. Second incidence of this on here so looks like it could be a recall in the future for the 2005 Ford Focus.
- Levittown, NY, USA
Key stuck in ignition and will not lock into key position #; therefore, gear shift will not lock appropriately when car is off.
- Lockhart, TX, USA
2005 Focus key stuck in the ignition. I disconnected the negative side of the battery and the key came out.
- Broken Arrow, OK, USA
Key won't turn in the ignition. Can no remove key.
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
My 2005 Ford Focus has been having issues with key not turning in the ignition. I have been stranded twice due to this problem. In the past three months I have had this occur over 8 times but until recently the car has eventually started. This last time the car would not start and had to be towed to a shop. I am currently awaiting the correct actions to take inorder to fix this problem.
- Hillsborough, NC, USA
The keys will not come out of the ignition. The car is not registering that it is in park.
- Congerville, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition. Whenever she drives her vehicle, she has to lock it with another key since the ignition key cannot be removed. The Ford manufacturer informed her to take the vehicle to the dealer, but she has not done so at this time. The manufacturer further stated that the contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 66,000.
- Louisville, KY, USA
My keys are stuck in the ignition of my 2005 Ford Focus. This just happened today and they are still in there. I will have to lock my car with the keys in it and pray no one steals it. This has happened once before and was stuck for 2-3 days. The keys often act like they are going to stick, then, thankfully they come out. This is such a nuisance and a risk. I asked my dealership would the problem be fixed if I had it repaired and was told that it might still happen and that this is a common problem with the Focus. Not so good news since, I am sure this would not be cheap.
- Medina, TN, USA
Key locked in ignition occurred once before, and key came out after 3 days. This time key has been locked for 5 days. Can't lock car. Dealer explained the need to change ignition for $500!! admitted that this is a problem with various Ford Focus models.
- Athens, GA, USA
I cannot remove the key from the ignition on my 2005 Ford Focus. This happened suddenly without warning. I turned the ignition off and tried to remove the key and it will not come out. I have seen that several other Ford Focus owners have had the same problem and Ford refuses to do a recall, claiming that this is not a safety issue. A couple of weeks ago, I also noticed that I cannot lock the passenger side rear door, either manually or electronically. I think this is a big safety issue as anyone could get into my car and drive off since the key is still in the ignition and the door will not lock. I will try taking the car to a locksmith to get the ignition lock replaced as I have heard that this is cheaper and more reliable than getting this problem fixed by the dealer.
- Durham, NC, USA
Ignition key is stuck in my 2005 Ford Focus. Over 2200 people have already signed petition with the same issue on Ford Focus vehicles. Some vehicles the key doesn't turn and can leave them stranded. Mine turns but you can't take the key out.
- Naperville, IL, USA
We bought this car brand-new in Dec. 2004. We had not had any problems with the key getting stuck in the ignition until today, when we arrived at our house after church. We now have the key stuck in the ignition with no way to get it out - hopefully our car is still sitting in our driveway in the morning.... I called our dealership and no one had any helpful information or ideas, they just told me I needed to wait until the morning and talk to people in their parts dept.
- Gardner, KS, USA
With no previous events, my key became stuck in the ignition.
- Atlanta, GA, USA
Nothing in particular happened I just parked my car yesterday and my key has not been able to come out of the ignition since. I work at a car dealership and they could not correct the problem(not a Ford dealer) and I called Ford and they said it would cost $100 to look at it and they even said it is very common in Focus'...yet it is not a recall and covered my warranty ended a month ago also..
- Santee, CA, USA
When I purchased my 2005 Ford Focus, I had noticed that my key would not come out of the ignition. Later I discovered, that if you "cannot" push the button in on the automatic shifter on the floor to put it into gear, the shifter therefore is locked and then you should be able to pull your key out. This works for me, hopefully it helps someone else who is having the same problem.
- Cochranton, PA, USA
I attempted to exit my car (a 2005 Ford Focus) however the key cannot be removed from the ignition. I have not been able to remove the key from the ignition and will have to take it in for repair. It seems as though this is a common complaint among Ford Focus owners. It's problematic because if it happens repeatedly, it can leave the car prone to theft.
- Vero Beach, FL, USA
2005 Ford Focus with air bag light on, and other problems. Customer states that along with the airbag light on the passenger side window will not close and the key would not come out of the ignition.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
Driving the car (Ford Focus 2005 - 52000 miles) in residential neighborhood. Stopped the car to get out, key would not release from the ignition. Unable to leave the car until we got back into secure parking garage at home. Key has been left in the ignition & is vulnerable to theft. I am currently in the process of finding a way to get it repaired. Initially told by Ford dealer that ignition needs to be replaced, approx $400.
- Seattle, WA, USA
- Zion, IL, USA