8.7
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$364.00
Average Mileage:
95,596 miles
Total Complaints:
70 complaints
Most common solutions:
- ford should issue a recall (26 reports)
- not sure (25 reports)
- replace ignition switch (3 reports)
- replace the steering column and ignition switch (3 reports)
- drill a hole into the ignition to drop the tumblers (2 reports)
- hit back of key with palm of your hand (2 reports)
accessories - interior problem
Search for Problems, Recalls & Defects
Find a good Ford mechanic
A free service from MechanicAdvisor.comHelpful websites
- Fix Your Focus Yourself And Save - Common problem for Ford Focus and other models. This new Strattec 707592 ignition kit will solve your problems. You will need to have the old ignition turned to remove old cylinder. Try lubricating right in the key hole and tapping on key with handle of screwdriver to get it to "jar" the tumblers into position. This new kit eliminates the sidebar mechanism which is the source of the problem for the OEM switch. We can assemble for you with provided key code (you get key code from local dealer). Any questions feel free to call.
2012Apr 06
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 17,000 miles
So,I have read over and over again how the ignition switch locks up on you.I drove my car with no problem,got out ran upstairs came back to leave and key went in fine, but would not turn igintion switch to start the car.Had my car towed,they changed the ignition out but they now have to wait for locksmith to come out so,far its 260.00,you know will be more when locksmith comes out.Ford should of done something about this problem.
2012Mar 12
Focus SE V4
- Automatic transmission
- 114,000 miles
Ignition stopped turning when I put in the key. Had to leave my car in a parking lot overnight, miss work and call a locksmith in the morning to replace for 280 bucks. He said he changes the ignition for a focus an average of 5 times per week! Completely irresponsible for Ford to ignore this problem. This will absolutely affect my decision making when choosing a vehicle in the future.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2012Feb 22
Focus ZTS 2.0L V4
- Manual transmission
- 131,500 miles
Nothing bothers me more than spending money on my car on something that is expected to last the life of the car. It conveys a lack of integrity that Ford dealerships won't repair this issue free of charge. I commute 40 miles a day in this car and my last class is at 10pm... Worst part is I am broke.
I have found that after about 3 to 5 minutes of working at it, that it finally turns. Ever since it happened, every single time I try to turn the key it locks. If I leave the key in it can turn back and forth. If I take the key out and put it back in it gets stuck instantly.
Pisses me off because Ford probably wants 500 to fix this.
2012Feb 28
Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 160,000 miles
This morning my husband was getting ready to leave for work, and when he went to start the car the key wouldnt turn. He had his mother take him in, and I have had no success with trying to get it to turn today. It is a huge inoconvinience. Turnign the steering wheel and banging the key into the ignition that has worked in the past decided not to work this morning. I know this is a common problem.
http://www.change.org/petitions/ford-recall-faulty-ignigtion-switch-in-ford-focus
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
2012Jan 09
Focus LX 4 cyl
- Manual transmission
- 90,000 miles
I have a 2000 ford focus and I went to get in it and go to the store. The steering wheel is locked and the key will not turn. I dont have the money to fix it and I dont know what to do. I see that there is alot of problems with them but there is not a recall. THERE SHOULD BE. Someone please help.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2012Jan 05
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 260,000 miles
Okay, Ford. Listen up. This is ridiculous! I have been visiting many many MANY websites and this seems to be a very common problem with your Focus cars. One day the car works beautifully and then *WHAM* key won't turn in the ignition. This forced me to walk to daycare and preschool with two boys who were both down with colds. In January. In Pennsylvania. I was also late for work. Then I had to have said car towed, only to be told by my mechanic that it had to be towed AGAIN to the dealer.
If this is such a problem and there are so many complaints and websites devoted to the issue, why hasn't there been a recall? This seems like it would be a relatively easy fix, so just do it already!
2011Nov 07
Focus LX
- Automatic transmission
- 107,890 miles
This happened at 6:45 in the morning on my way to work. My Focus had to be towed in park onto a flatbed and then taken off the truck with a forklift at the Ford dealership. I saw online that a number of people have complained about this issue, so I asked after the repair how this could be prevented in the future with the new ignition chamber. The service sales rep had the nerve to tell me that this was just mother nature and that I should appreciate the fact that I had 107,000 miles without this problem. Then I asked if this has the chamber freeze up has the possibility of happening again, and he said yes (YES!). So I got pissed and told him how I've driven cars with way more miles on them and never saw anything as ridiculous as a key not fitting in the ignition. He said it happens all the time, just happened to his Buick with 50,000 miles on it. I called BS on that, and this is why I will never buy a Ford again. Enjoy that $500 dollars because its that last cash you are getting from me. This should have been recalled and has the potential to be a safety issue if I were to get stranded in the middle of nowhere just because someway, somehow my ignition chamber refuses my key.
2011Jun 18
Focus
- Manual transmission
- 100,000 miles
I bought this 2000 ford focus in february of this year. Saturday I drove it, everything was fine. When I wanted to start my car later, I could barely get the key in. Finally, the key went in, but will not turn at all. Yes, I tried turning the steering wheel, checked fuses, jacked the car up to take pressure off the tires, and tried wd-40. It is completely locked. From the research I have done on this problem since, it is a VERY common problem with the focus, but has not been recalled. Thankfully, this is a fairly expensive problem to fix. Quotes I have received so far have been upwards of $500, this includes a tow, since I obviously can't start my car. I'm sure glad I paid $4000 for a car, that I've had for 4 months, only to have it break down already. Why has this faulty ignition cylinder not been recalled?
2011Jun 11
Focus
- Manual transmission
- 100,000 miles
Stuck with my two teenage girls in the middle of the night on a saturday night in a dark park with no one around for hours. Two truck took forever. Very unsafe.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Aug 12
Focus SE 4
- Manual transmission
- 100,000 miles
I had a hard time getting my key in and when I finally did it won't turn. I have called around and it is a common problem. I don't understand if it was faulty why i am having to fix it. Why when they found out it was messed up I wasn't notified so I could get it done before it broke and now my car is stuck in my driveway until I can come up with the money to get a problem fixed that Ford new was going to be an issue.
2011Jun 05
Focus V6
- Manual transmission
- 120,000 miles
My sixteen year old daughter has been stranded three times due to her ignition switch . Her key goes in but will not turn. The first two times we all took turns working the key and steering wheels for hours until it finally turned. I MEAN HOURS!!!!!!!!! This time she was stranded on a side street late at night and once again, we all tried for several hours but with no luck. Not sure what to do. Just bought this car for our daughter and have already had to replace the clutch and now this. Not a happy family!!!!!!!!!
2011Jun 29
Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 61,345 miles
Ignition switch will not turn. So windows will not go up or down, can't put car in neutral to be towed. Got stuck and could not leave car where it was because the frekin windows would not go up because I could not turn the key. BIG PAIN IN THE ASS!!!
From research Ford has known about this problem with the focus since 2000 the first year the focus came out. They won't issue a recall so we are stuck paying for the fix.
2011May 20
Focus
- Manual transmission
- 73,000 miles
This is a well documented defect in this model of Focuses. This should be recalled and not left to the owner to front the costs to fix. The locksmith that fixed it for me at 3am last night said he had already done 4 that week. Ford needs to acknowledge this problem and rectify it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Apr 04
Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
This is was a pain because I commute to school every day, after my night class my keys would not turn the car on. They would go in and it would not turn over. Therefore being stuck at school I needed a ride home. I called a locksmith he came right out to campus took the old cylinder out put a new one in, and I was on my merry way! Easy quick fix, if you see that your keys are getting stuck or the cylinder stuck I suggest ordering a new cylinder pronto! This will avoid a pointless break down at the worst possible time, and may leave you stranded. All in all for 125 bucks it was cheap fix, pointless but cheap.
2011Feb 20
Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 150,000 miles
This is the second ignition replacement that had to be completed because of the issue of not being able to turn the key. They key had been "sticking" for at least a year now, but hadn't happened every time I went to start the car. It happened intermittently, but at least, it would eventually "give" and I could start the car (with a lot of key jiggling and turning of the steering wheel).
I was at the Detroit Zoo on Sunday, and that is when I went to start my car, and the key once again would not turn the ignition. I tried every trick I knew to get it to turn. And I also had a friend try too, and nothing. After looking up solutions on the internet, I am also going to try some silicone spray and using a hammer to lightly tap the key into the ignition to see if this would work.
Thankfully this forum also gave me the idea to call a locksmith vs taking the car to a mechanic to be fixed. I just got off the phone with a locksmith who said he would fix the problem for $225. I think this is a deal because it would save me from paying a tow truck to take the car to a shop to be fixed - the locksmith will come to me.
I also tried to call the ford customer service line to see if they would cover the cost of repair for this oh-so-obvious ignition problem, and I was denied. Bastards.
My goal is to move somewhere I will not have to own a car. They are way more time, trouble and money than they are worth.
2011Mar 17
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
The car key will just not turn. I found some info on the internet regarding this problem and seems that its a huge problem for ford focus 2000-2003 and there has been no recall. Im not sure if getting it fixed by ford will be a good idea since they quoted me at about 500.00 and the problem can occur again from what I have read online.
2011Mar 14
Focus SE 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 92,000 miles
fix the problem, stop playing games with the consumer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2010Nov 03
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 157,000 miles
I have had my car (a 2000 Ford Focus named Hubebe) since 2005, happy graduation to me! He has had his share of problems, faulty brake lines, rough idling, the drivers side door handle on the inside stopped opening the door, but the ignition locking up is the worst. The key won't turn in the ignition, I have been late to appointments, work and picking people up from events because of it. Sometimes it will start the first try, sometimes it takes me an hour, and other times I have just left the dang thing sit. It is very frustrating. I don't trust this car for much other than trips within the cities where I know people who can pick me up.
Safety concern? Hell yes!
2010Apr 04
Focus SE 2.0L 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 52,400 miles
We've had this "key won't turn" problem for several years but it just keeps getting more frequent. I've know of the key problem in Fords for a few years but it never bothered our individual car. I've lubed the tumbler mechanism for years with spray silicone to keep the problem from occurring but it finally must have worn out. I've owned at least 30 cars over the years and have NEVER had a key mechanism "wear out". With the huge, wide-spread occurrence & knowledge of this fault I would have hoped that Ford would have done a recall by now. This will keep me from buying a Ford product in the future, and I've always wanted to buy another Ford as I have previously had VERY good experiences with their vehicles. My pastor has a Volvo (model built by Ford) and guess what… she has the SAME problem! You'd think they'd solve the problem before transmitting their 'virus' to other brands!
2010Sep 17
Focus 2.0L 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 76,188 miles
Ignition / tumbler mechanism [ side bar ] would NOT drop down to proper position.. to allow inserted key to turn... in either direction.... preventing me from being able to start the car.... according to lock smith.. who replaced the entire mechanism with a replacement unit that does NOT have a side bar. He stated that Ford has a terrible problem with these OEM ignition / tumbler devices [ which Ford refuses to admit ] .... he has replaced over 200 of these defective units within the first 6 months of 2010 , in our area..... GREAT business for the lock smith !!!
This malfunction completely disrupted my personal / business day activities... I estimate that I lost over $500.00 in [ business ] profit... and the repair FIX cost me $152.00 ...which I do not think is an excessive charge... from the lock smith. I had called 3 local Ford Dealerships.... looking for... options... to get the car back in service.... and the last dealership service- person suggested I call a ' certain ' lock smith.... for " prompt " assistance.
Ford should be held accountable for ALL costs... associated with one having to fix THEIR problem. I will NEVER purchase any FORD product... ever again !!!.... and will ' spread ' my tale-of-woe....far and wide !!!
2008Oct 08
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 124,274 miles
Looked on the net and found that this was a really common problem with these cars. Was recommended to replace the cylinder and have it keyed by a locksmith. About $400-500 to have this done. I called Ford Canada Customer service to see if I could get a goodwill repair as this problem seemed to be so common and I was told as there is not recall nor customer satisfaction program in place for that particular issue they would no be able to help me at all.
2009Sep 11
Focus 4 Door V6
- Automatic transmission
- 109,000 miles
This is become a common problem with the focus made by ford, but they refuse to re-call. The ignition switch locks up and you can't turn the key at all. Only solution is to replace the switch.
2010Aug 17
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 140,000 miles
Drove to work this morning just fine. Went to go to lunch and key would not turn. I'll update when I have a solution
2010Aug 14
Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 122,000 miles
Much like the other Ford Focus' my ignition key locked up and I could not start my car. This is a common problem. Apparently a slide that most cars don't have to lock the steering wheel and to prevent theft. The locksmith said do not take it to Ford because they will replace it with another defective part. You should make sure that a locksmith does it and he uses an aftermarket one because those are the ones that work. The locksmith generally costs you approximately $150 to $165 compared to the $500 price tag from Ford. If you live in the Phoenix area call Ignition Magician at 6024100321. He charges $150 and drives to your location. Your best bet to not have to replace the ignition again, and again and again...
2010Feb 02
Focus LX 2.0L 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
I have had this problem a month after i bought this car in January 2010.. It worsened gradually, and has gotten to the point where I have to turn my key partially off, i can't lock my iginition otherwise it will get stuck and the ignition wont turn on anymore.. now i have to buy a new battery because doing that killed it.. ford needs to recall this asap!
2008Sep 10
Focus SE 1.6L
- Automatic transmission
- 78,000 miles
Could not get the car started at 2:00am had to leave the car over night in a rough neighborhood
2010Jul 29
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
ignition locked, cant turn the key..need to have locksmith come out or towed to Ford dealership
2010Jun 28
Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 134,838 miles
Daughter had her prom today, at the hair salon, this car which has had every problem known to man would not turn on, lots of people helped we tried everything. Did I mention years ago I sent a letter to the President no response. We had to get a taxi, meanwhile while trying to get the car started my daughters makeup and hair got wrecked. The horn does not work, The tie rods have gone several times and one time the Ford dealership fixed the car by taking the tires off and putting the bolt on backwards. Cost me thousands of dollars while still under warranty but at the time Ford did nothing and I had my second bout of cancer. Ford really sucks, I could go on but I will not. Only to say tomorrow is my daughter's graduation not sure how I am going to get this lemon working!!!! Forget about getting it from the hairdressers.
2008Oct 25
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
I was at a party trying to leave, but the key would not turn. After about an hour of trying it finally worked. I had it replaced at the dealership.
2010Jul 11
Focus LX 2.0L
- Manual transmission
- 110,000 miles
Car has been great for 8 years. No problems what so ever. Then on the way home from a family vacation the ignition key and lock failed not letting us start our car! It stranded us three hours from home at 8pm on a Sunday night. There have been numerous problems with the focus and this, hell even a class action lawsuit from the state of CA, but they will not recall it? What happened if we where at a rest stop in the middle of no where? Come on Ford.
2007Dec 15
Focus ZX3
- Automatic transmission
- 102,000 miles
I bought my Focus used with 102,000 miles on it. The day after I bought it the key wouldnt turn in the ignition, Found out the ignition switch broke and after a towing fee and $360 repair after a few days waiting for the part to order at the dealership I got the ignition switch and steering column replaced and it works fine now.
2009Nov 26
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 74,565 miles
I am really fed up with Ford. since I bought that vehicle, I have changed coil . a hose in the engine that was cut bu rubbing on some other thing,this is the second time the steering lock and the key will not turn in the ignition to unlock the steering, I have , had to travel to work, and I am so fed up, with this I wish I never bought a Ford vehicle, I will never buy a Ford again .of course you do repairs on your vehicle , this vehicle is 10 years doing 120,000k and dont really drive often, and I am having so much problem , with the steering lock and will npt open ,
2009Sep 16
Focus SE Stn Wagon 2.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 47,000 miles
I parked my car inside my garage (of course, facing the wrong way!) last evening and when I tried to start it this morning, the key won't turn! I gave up after several try's and all other efforts. After I made a call to the dealer who suggested getting the car towed to their garage, I checked with some local places: everyone first wanted me to bring the car there! I then did a Google search on "2000 FORD FOCUS PROBLEMS-IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN" and saw several grudging postings but one suggested "pushing the key further down with hand pressure and turning the key worked every time" and I tried it (after first spraying some WD-40 into the key hole) and BRAVO, the key turned and the engine started! I tried it a few times just to make sure it was not an one-shot fix! Before anyone shells big bucks to the greedy dealers, try the above!
2009Apr 20
Focus ZX3 2.0L 4-cyl 3dohc
- Manual transmission
- 61,120 miles
I've read all of the complaints; wished I knew about this website before hand...$579.00 later of part of $1291.00 I paid; of part of $3400.00 estimated repairs for this car; for a Kelly Blue Book Value of $2400.00 (I will write on other issues)...If I didn't love this car so much - I would really be pissed - but, it's time for a different vehicle - FOCUS was my car of choice; but reading all of the same issues; I am really thinking about a different vehicle...
2007Feb 01
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
The tumblers for the car ignition broke, of course I was in a parking lot leaving a store that just closed with no cell phone battery left, in a really bad part of town. I had it towed to my house because my boyfriends thought he could maybe fix this. He had to take apart the whole steering wheel column, drill a hole in the column, disable the airbag, but the tumbler only cost me maybe $50 bucks, if he wasn't there to help this would have cost be a devastating $500 bucks
2009Feb 18
Focus ZTS
- Manual transmission
- 120,000 miles
When I put my key in the ignition it won't turn. It is completely jammed. There was nothing to warn me this would happen....it just happened...I will take it in tomorrow but I'm irritated...I see this has happened to many other people and Ford hasn't recalled it...ridiculous.
2008Dec 11
Focus SD
- Automatic transmission
- 100,200 miles
I got off work and was heading home. I stopped by a store about 4 miles from my home. I went in got what I needed and left. Got in my car and the bloody key would not move. I tried everything that I know to get the key to turn, but nothing. I made the mistake of buying a used car now I am find I should not have gotten a focus. I am single and I do not have the extra money to dump into this car. I just got out of school and I have that bill to pay and I have not found the money tree so I don't have it laying around. I feel that Ford should do something about this. How many more people will be left stranded because of their mistake that we have to pay for. I think I will go back to GM. I never have had an issue with them.
2006Dec 28
Focus 2.0L
- Manual transmission
- 100,000 miles
Ford's estimate to replace cylinder and re-do keys is over $500.00.
Called Customer Service and got nowhere. No current recall and cannot afford to replace car.
2008Oct 28
Focus SE 2.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I am a service member living over seas in Italy. I live about 50km out side the base, while I was on my way home from work at 0330 I stopped at the gas station to get some fuel for my car, after the guy pumped my gas I went in side to get a drink, when I returned to my car I tried to start the car but my key would not turn. So there I was, stuck in a foreign country 25km from my home and 25km from work at 0330 in the morning. My car would not start and I was blocking the only fuel pump for about 30 mins. before my car was pushed out of the way by the locals. In that process of them pushing my car out of the way, my steering wheel locked up, and my car was stuck there for 2 weeks before my friend was able to get it fixed (so i thought) because once I got it home and turned off the car, my key again would not turn. And they don't have the part that I need over in this country. Thank you ford for the quality car that you sell to your service men and women.
2008Nov 10
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
So yeah I went to lunch today and went to go get back in my car and my key wouldn't turn! I my steering wheel wasn't looked and I even unlocked the over drive and put the car in neutral and it still won't turn! If that isn't enough I'm 6 months pregnant setting in my hot ass car at a store having a panic attack waiting on someone to come and get me! NOt to mention I have just gotten my car back from where I had to replace the fuel filter, spark plugs and wires, coal pac, and the radiator (which was HELL) might I add! I am so pissed off with this car I used to love it you know good gas mileage and all but then as I am bragging on my car it goes to SH*T!!! And now I'm about to have a new baby and I'm not even going to have a car because I can't afford to keep fixing this one and I sure as hell can't afford to buy a new one!!! So PISSED!!!
2006Jun 15
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
So, for almost two years I have been screwing with my ignition problem. When it first started I got so mad at the car that I hit the steering column with my fist, and all of a sudden it turned. After doing this several times, I decided to keep the key in the ignition. Being in Maine, it is safe enough to leave your key in the car...... I could only wish someone would steal it! We went to New York for the weekend and decided that we couldn't leave the key in it. Again, with some hitting, it worked. Yesterday when I was getting the kids in the car to go to work/school..... it locked completely up!!!!!! WTF And to find that all over the country thousands of other Ford Focus owners are having the same problem..... and there is no recall on this issue???? I am wondering where the class action law suit is. It is a safety issue. It is not safe to be stranded. Is it going to take a person being hurt while trying to get there ignition to start before Ford will address this problem? I would think they would show some respect to the thousands of people who pay their salary, and if nothing else... make the part so that it will work, so we are not fixing our cars with more crap ignitions.
2008Sep 04
Focus LX 2.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 125,000 miles
If I can't fix this myself, I'll have to get it towed to a garage!
2008Jun 04
Focus ZTS
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
The ignition in my car stopped working last summer (2007). I was at Target in the parking lot when it happened. I had went shopping and when I came back out (this was on my lunch break) to start the car, the key would not turn. I thought maybe I had accidentally put the wheel on lock- but no sir-e... I had to call a tow-truck to pick it up the following morning (because they wouldn't be able to tow it during the day when it's busy in the parking lot). We had it towed to my church parking lot (which is big) that way a mechanic could come look at it. He looked at it and played around with it and then said that I needed a new ignition. So I had to buy a new ignition. Shortly after the ignition was replaced I had the SAME issue again. (I guess the mechanic hadn't put the new ignition in correctly, or it wasn't a good one) SO...I had to get it replaced AGAIN! (this time only the cost of the part). I haven't any issues since last year- but I'm just praying I don't...This car has been nothing but trouble since the first month I've had it. I bought it used with 70kmi on it (in 2006). And since I've had it, almost put in $3000!
2008Jun 10
Focus LX
- Automatic transmission
- 91,578 miles
This is the second time it happens to my car, the first time was on 3/18/02 and the cost to repair it was $124.00. the car warranty covered it. but now it won't and llovio ford in south gate California is charging me $547.00 to fix it. its ridiculous!. so was checking the prices of the ignition cylinder in the internet, and I'm found that that there is more people with this same problem, we all should request FORD for recall for ignition cylinder. that lock smith repairs.
I had the invoice for the first time that happens and the cost of the is $49.00 and for the work is $75.00. now is $400.00 dlls more.. for a existing problem that FORD must fixed for free..
2008Jun 02
Focus SE 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
I've had many cars in my lifetime and right now I have a total of 5 vehicles. I've never had a problem with not being able to turn the ignition switch, unless it was locked of coarse. The car work fine that morning and returned to start it and couldn't turn it. I banged it, turned it, unlock the gear shift and put it in neutral and to no avail. It was hottest day in June 103 degrees. I had it towed to home after finding that I could have bought the cylinder lock switch and replaced myself, but it would not work because I need to have the keys programed to make it work. DDD! called the dealership and they quoted $389.00 just for a cylinder lock. WHAT IN THE WORLD!
2008May 14
Focus SE 2.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 107,000 miles
The dealer said this wasn't a safety issue which is why no recall was issued..I car pool to work with several others and we were all stranded for 2 hours..Could go nowhere..Co-workers all had family to get home too and kids with activities to get too and my kids sat at school for 2 hours after school until I could get a ride to another vehicle of mine.They should fix this issue for free..Dealer will repair for 432.00 plus 65.00 for the damn tow bill. Its B.S..In reviewing the other testimonials online this is a chronic issue..Most parts manufacturers generally provide low cost components to the manufacturers that are designed with a life expectancy to get you to at least the end of warranty..Sounds like this ignition lock is one of them..
2006Jul 18
(reported on)Focus LX
- 58,000 miles
This is the worst car ever made!! The ignition had to be replaced twice already!! At my cost
2008Mar 24
Focus ZX3
- Automatic transmission
- 89,000 miles
This is the second time this has happened with this car. The car was all packed and ready to go for a snowboard trip up at Mt. Hood- and the key wouldn't turn in the ignition. After my husband and I both struggled with it for about an hour-it finally turned...but now the ?-do we go to the Mountain and risk this happening again? Well, we love snowboarding-what can I say-so we went and didn't have a problem with it. Then we get back home and have the same problem again, on and off, for the next couple days. Now I have been using my spare key-because this seems to work better than the other- and the key turns after some wiggling and what not...but now nothing seems to be working!!! I've put off fixing it because last time this happened it cost me around $400+ to get it towed and the part replaced. The crazy thing was that the dealer said this happened all the time with these cars and he was surprised that it wasn't recalled! So...now I'm at the point where I will have to replace it if I want to get back up to the Mountain this weekend and I'm pretty upset since I know it's gonna cost quite a bit. Why isn't this part recalled??? I think it's time Ford owned up since this seems to be an ongoing problem with this car! This isn't the only problem I've had with this car either---just another thing to add to the running list!
2008Mar 16
Focus Z3
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
Why wouldn't Ford issue a recall here? Jumping on the bandwagon...I am 23, gainfully employed, and will probably NEVER buy a Ford again--definitely not in the near future.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2012Apr 14
Focus
About a week ago, I would go to put the key in ignition to leave, and it would not turn. RANDOMLY. No forewarning. I would hit the key and wiggle the steering wheel and it would finally turn.
Not today though. Got stranded downtown in the pouring rain because key will not turn in ignition. I have had a Honda and a Chevy, and NEVER had as many problems as I have had with this crap car. Had to have it towed to the mechanic by my work and find a ride home. Hope I can find a ride on Monday to work. No idea how much this will cost.
Ridiculous, as my car only has 45,000 miles on it.
Chelsea B.
Columbus, OH, USA
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