accessories - interior problem
8.9
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$420.00
Average Mileage:
85,122 miles
Number of complaints:
23 complaints
Most common solutions:
- ford should issue a recall (9 reports)
- not sure (9 reports)
- replace locks with something not made with plastic parts (2 reports)
- drill a hole into the ignition to drop the tumblers (1 reports)
- hit back of key with palm of your hand (1 reports)
- replace the steering column and ignition switch (1 reports)
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.
2007May 16
(reported on)Focus ZX3 2.0
- Automatic transmission
- 110,000 miles
I have the same problem… The Key will not go in to the ignition. It started about a month ago my wife got stranded, I futsed around with it for a few minuets and got the key to work and it never happed again… Until Mothers Day 07, the same thing only this time the would not go in to the ignition.
I screwed around with it for 45min and still nothing, then I got out a hammer and large screw driver proceeded to beat the SH*T out of it… And needless to say the key definitely will not turn the ignition now…
I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD CAR AGAIN…
They have lost me as a customer for life.. And especially PERRY FORD in San Luis Obispo, CA and even if they open a PERRY CHEVY or NISSAN…
I’m only forty, and I have a few more autos to purchase for Me and my Wife and two kid’s… And not one of them will be a FORD or purchased from any make affiliated with the PERRY out of San Luis Obispo, CA…
2008Feb 29
Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 105,000 miles
OKAY EVERYBODY I HAVE THE ANSWER TO YOUR KEY NOT WANTING TO TURN IN THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEING LOCKED.
I have little patience and this has happened to me several times in the past.
ALL you have to do is take the palm of your hand with the key in the ignition and slam into the back of the key with your palm (hard but not overly hard). AND BAM the key will then turn and so will the steering wheel.
IT WORKS FOR ME EVERYTIME :)
HOPE THIS HELPS YOU ALL
I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU ALL WHO HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION FOR THIS EASY TO FIX PROBLEM & YOU DON'T NEED A LOCKSMITH :D
Please let me know if this helps anyone!
2006Oct 01
Focus ZX
- Manual transmission
- 80,000 miles
Similar complaint.. and it happened to me twice, two years apart. First time I was stranded in a parking lot after work, I had to have it towed because the key would not turn in the ignition, I thought I had bent my key. Turns out I needed a new ignition... and this happened AGAIN two years later. AGAIN I needed to replace the ignition.
2007May 08
(reported on)Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 57,500 miles
Had to keep trying to turn the key for a minute or so.
2008Jan 29
Focus ZX3 2.0L Dohc
- Automatic transmission
- 79,800 miles
Well it was 7:40am and I was getting ready to go to school. I had a long day ahead of me and just wanted to get it over with. My day hit rock bottom when I sat in my car put the key in the ignition and NOTHING! The steering wheel was locked and the key would not turn no matter how hard I tried. It was the most frustrating moment I have experienced in a long time. I felt useless. I couldn't do anything to fix the problem. I tried for over 2 HOURS to fix it. Luckily I was @ home and I also drive a motorcycle. However, it was FREEZING weather, just my luck. I just got if fixed at a Ford Dealership and I had to shell out $330. I was irate but was left with no other options. With so many people having the same problem you would think a company whose success relies on it customers would do what it had to in order to ensure customer satisfaction. Clearly, this is not the case.
2008Jan 02
Focus ZX3
- Automatic transmission
- 103,000 miles
My key will go into the ignition, but it will not turn. Luckily this happened at home and my wife and I share another car. This has still been a big pain in the ass, and I have been having a hard time finding a locksmith that will fix it outside of their regular hours (when most people are working!). Does anybody know of any good locksmiths in north Seattle?
2008Jan 09
Focus SE
- Manual transmission
- 79,000 miles
This is terrible! When I turn the key it won't quit engaging the starter and now I have to have that replaced! Why won't Ford issue a recall if there is an obvious issue with the ignition?
2007Dec 17
Focus SE V4
- Manual transmission
- 71,500 miles
Has anyone else had a problem with their key going bad? There seems to be a problem with my key as well as the ignition. I haven't got the problem fixed yet do to the holidays. I'll update this as soon as I have it fixed.
2007Nov 03
(reported on)Focus Hatchback
- Automatic transmission
- 53,000 miles
We could not find a "release" button anywhere on the car. It was parked in the garage, and of course, facing the wrong direction in order to be towed to the mechanic. Steering wheel would not budge, ignition key did not turn car on, car was in park, we could not disengage and the wheels were locked.
After work the tow truck was called and after about an hour and a letter opener later (which we stuck into the area that the key would have been inserted) we managed to unlock the steering column and wheels. Then we slowly pushed the car out of the garage, trying to miss the house across from us(rear alley entry and sloped driveway)until the tow truck could attach and drag the car into position to be towed.
Called the dealership and was told "oh, this is a common problem with the Focus". Occasionally you have to replace the steering problem but that's rare. Well, not rare enough for us!!!! The garage we towed our truck to has replaced many ignition switches on the Focus, and two steering columns. If this little garage has replaced "two" can you imagine how many all over the country.
If the dealer says it's common why hasn't there been a recall, or some kind of dealer rebate to have this problem fixed? It's almost XMAS and income tax time and we're out 1200 for the repair and another 200 for rental car. Thank God for triple A!!
2007Oct 21
(reported on)Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 110,000 miles
on top of our home burning down due to an x-box game system two weeks ago. I almost lost my job over that then i go out to go to work and the damn key won't turn. It is saturday night we need 2 vehicles because i work nights and the husband works days. if this has been such a problem why won't they fix it.
2007Aug 29
(reported on)Focus ZX3 2.0L V4
- Manual transmission
- 49,000 miles
With no previous problems with the key, it suddenly wouldn't turn this morning. I went online only to find a zillion other Focus owners have had this problem. I was "lucky" I was at home at the time. I tried some graphite and liquid wrench, and tried tapping on the key while trying to turn it as some people have suggested. I walked over to a locksmith who has a shop about 200 yards from my house, just to see if he would give me any advice and to get a quote. Having dealt with Ford Dealers numerous times for the numerous recalls, I was determined to avoid the dealer if possible.
The locksmith said $220 for his guy to drive over and replace the cylinder with one that would last (he claimed Ford Dealers still sell inferior replacement ignition cylinders.) Of course, $40 of the $220 was for his guy having to drive 200 yards to my house--can't expect him to walk back and forth to his shop or carry his tools! Argh. I probably should have called around for a cheaper locksmith, but I figured since he was so close I might need him again in the future and I could start a relationship. It took him about 20 minutes to build the new cylinder to my old keys, 5 minutes to drill out my old cylinder and install a new one, and about 15 minutes to cut and program a new key. Don't try to program a new key yourself following the Owner's manual. You will suffer. He had some handheld computer thingy do it.
My advice is if you can get the key to turn/car to start, drive it to a locksmith. Then at least your save the ~$40 fee. Thinking that some lubricant or tapping the key will work for long is foolish--go ahead and replace the cylinder with a high quality (=not Ford) part before you find your car won't start at some inconvenient time or place.
The only other option that I found on the Internet that some say works is to pull your existing cylinder (have fun with that) and remove the tumblers, springs and sidebar, replace it in the same position and then just count on the transponder antitheft part of the key to start your car and keep it safe. The website is http://possumblog. blogspot.com/2004/09/special-possumblog-weekend-edition. html
The locksmith told me he had to help several Focus owners that tried to replace the cylinder them selves ($$$$). He also said that all American cars (particularly Saturns and Chrysler Town cars) along with Nissans have inferior ignition cylinders that cause similar problems (also Toyota before 1998). He said he has put his kids through college on replacing cylinders for Ford Focus's and Saturns.
Hummmmffff!
2007Sep 20
(reported on)Focus LX 2.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
I am so upset with Ford right now I can hardly stand it. I have been stranded at work twice now, and late for work three times because the damn key won't turn!!!! Every time I try to start my car, I have to either pound on the steering column or hit the key with a pair of pliers, it takes up to 10 minutes to start the piece of shit!! Ford tells me it's going to be around 300.00 to fix, and I have to do it soon, before pounding on it no longer works. This isn't the only problem I have had with this car, and I've only had it 7 months!! My advice... DO NOT EVER BUY A FORD!!!!!
2007Jun 09
(reported on)Focus LX 2.0L SOHC SPI
- Manual transmission
- 122,000 miles
BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!! thats all i have to say. i am a fucking mechanic and i still cant even fix this without going to the dealership and paying 220 for the ignition and 110 for a new key. what fuckin horse shit. i drove my car to autozone to get brakes and i come out and try to start my piece of shit focus and it wont turn. i was ULTRAPISSED!!! i had to wait 2 hrs for AAA and then they had to call the cops to look at my licence and registration to make sure it was mine before they towed it because i had my ignition switch on the ground with the steering wheel trim ripped off. i'm so fuckin pissed
2007May 02
(reported on)Focus SE V6
- Automatic transmission
- 79,000 miles
Cost me 315.00 to repair thanks to AAA because it would have been 365.00 if aaa didnt pay the $50.00. If I took it to the dealer it would have cost 450.00 not including the cost to tow it to the dealer and the cost of my time for them to take two days to do a 15 minute job. I will never purchase a ford again or any other American car for that matter, Im tired of the cheap thrown together vehicles. I am going European next time for sure. Thanks
2007Apr 30
(reported on)Focus SE V6
- Automatic transmission
- 79,000 miles
Okay stuck six miles from my house at 10:00pm. With three kids crying in the back seat cause they are tired and cant get the key to turn. Called AAA who cant send a lock smith, all they can send is a tow truck, so now I need a ride home. Luckily I have the greatest father in the entire world. He came and got me, we were stranded in the middle of the woods so at first the tow truck couldnt even find us... now have to call a locksmith to help so I can turn the car on. Im going to buy another car TODAY!!
2007Apr 23
(reported on)Focus SE 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 51,000 miles
I will call the dealer and find out estimate of repair. From what I've seen in the internet, the cost to fix Ford Focus key won't turn is around 300 U. S. Dollars.
2007Apr 11
(reported on)Focus SE 1.9
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
At around 70,000 miles and again about 40,000 miles the ignition tumblers failed. I could not turn the key to start the vehicle. It left me stranded with a hefty tow bill both times! Ford knows this is a defective part and will do nothing to help. I firmly believe it should be recalled and I am not giving up yet! E-mail me if you have had any success in recovering any expenses related to this problem. - Craigsin1968@yahoo.com - P. S. Stay away from this car if you can, it has been bleeding my pocket book dry ever since about 70,000 miles! It's a disposable car!
2007Apr 01
(reported on)Focus SE ZX4
- Manual transmission
- 166,000 miles
Ford thinks this isn't a problem- there were 34 incidences on NHTSA site in 2001 when this happened. People don't even know how to gripe about their problem so the only real record is Ford's maintenance records- and they say it isn't a problem
2007Apr 01
(reported on)Focus SE ZX4
- Manual transmission
- 54,000 miles
Ford thinks this isn't a problem- there were 34 incidences on NHTSA site in 2001 when this happened. People don't even know how to gripe about their problem so the only real record is Ford's maintenance records- and they say it isn't a problem
2007Mar 07
(reported on)Focus LX 2L
- Manual transmission
- 102,000 miles
Ok. Because of this crap, my girlfriend and myself had to miss work the whole next day. I am trying to pay off a ring, so this didn't help at all. We were in Moose Jaw at the tunnels at about 10 to 5pm, and we were about to go back to the spa (late valentines day). I was having trouble turning my key in the ignition for the past month or so; the wheel would lock, key wouldn't turn, so i'd have to use a lot of force to turn it. Eventually it turned and started every time. This significant time, it wouldn't turn, the wheel was locked, and it was the end of the work week at 5:00. We were screwed. We were stuck in Moose Jaw, and we had to be home that night in Saskatoon, which is 2 1/2 hrs away, and work the next day. Both Ford dealerships couldn't do anything for me, because nobody would be in all weekend. We eventually got a locksmith the next day mid afternoon to come to our rescue. All he did was drill a hole into the ignition to drop all of the tumblers, the key fit in with ease, and i could start my car! Only thing, is that i have a second hole in my ignition, and i can drive without a key in it. Ford quoted me at $350(can) for the part. I went to my trusted Auto body shop here in Saskatoon, and when i decide to change it, i can be in and out of there for less than $200(can).
To anyone reading this, the best advice i can give at this point and time, is to not purchase a vehicle through Ford, or any Ford vehicle to be blunt. There are various other problems with this car, and countless others with the fords that i have owned in the past... just words of advice;)
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2006Jul 18
(reported on)Focus LX
This is the worst car ever made!! The ignition had to be replaced twice already!! At my cost
Stephanie M.
Maple Shade, NJ, USA
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