7.9
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$247.00
Average Mileage:
83,465 miles
Total Complaints:
17 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (14 reports)
- new tumbler (2 reports)
- replace the ignition (1 reports)
accessories - interior problem
Helpful Websites About 2002 Ford Focus key won't turn in the ignition
2009Jul 15
Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
you see that this is a problem...... why is it not taken care of by Ford..... Definitely something wrong with the manufacturing of the vehicle... this has happened prior to the current problem... again why should you have to beat on the key to make it turn over...
2007Apr 03
(reported on)Focus ZX3
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
The ignition on the Focus is infamous for just locking up all of a sudden. It locks the steering wheel and no amount of banging, hitting, swearing, or prying will release it. The only thing you can do is replace it. Of course mine went out on a Sunday evening during a rain storm. Thank God for Auto Club but it still cost me a bundle to have it replaced in my own driveway in the rain on a Sunday Night. When I asked people about the problem, everyone I talked to knew of the Focus Ignition problem and said that it was inevitable. It will freeze up on you if you haven't replaced it. Oh, and one more thing, when you have it replaced, don't take it to a Ford dealer. They will replace it with the same lousy ignition. Take it to a locksmith or mechanic. They will know all about the Ford Focus.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Mar 11
Focus 1.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
This problem has happened dozens of times. Pounding on the key while in the ignition is only a temporary fix and you can also break off your key if you're not careful. It's unbelievable that Ford is unwilling to take care of its customers and fix this without a recall or a class action lawsuit. It makes it easy to understand why they're in financial trouble. I won't be buying another Ford anytime soon.
2009Jan 16
Focus LX
- Manual transmission
- 60,000 miles
I have a 02 lx and this has happen several times. i am not the one currently driving the car I have been letting my brother use it as i have another car.. thank goodness its not another ford. so he calls me today and tells me that once again it has locked up the steering wheel is also locked in place. this only happening to me once before i went to see if i could get it to work.. YEAH UMM NO.. i shook shaked and all kinds of other things to get it to work.. not happening.. so my car is currently sitting in a bar parking lot where my brother left it last night.. My dad who is retired military mechanic tells me all kinds of stuff that mighty be wrong with it.. telling me it could be this or that.. simply gives me the spare key saying maybe the key is worn.. if not he will have to come tomorrow and tar it apart.. seeing how he cant just pop it out because it will not turn to get to the ignition.. so my car might be torn apart yay.. i dont have the money to fix it right now.. i was trying to fix the windows first.. BECAUSE OF COURSE ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS the windows break.. I have 3 that currently do not work and it will cost 1000 to have them fixed if not more.. so im reading about this whole tap the key and leave it in there thing.. well YEAH i would if the windows worked and weren't wedged up.. I know i sure as hell will never ever get a ford again... so now i guess i will have to drive my brother around until this problem is fixed YAY ME
2009Jan 01
Focus LX
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
I just had this problem and the AAA tow truck driver told me about hitting my key while in the ignition to get it to start. It works and I drove my car to my mechanic who was going to order a new ignition cylinder for me which would have cost $60, but the parts store told him the dealer needs to program the new key to get it to work. But I'm reading about getting a locksmith to fix it, but I'm wondering how the locksmith can program the new key. I really do not want to take this to the dealer because I know they will charge several hundred dollars.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Dec 23
Focus SE 2.4L V4
- Automatic transmission
- 97,000 miles
Several instances of ignition problem with key not working, which seems a common occurrence with any Ford Focus. And Ford wants taxpayers to bail them out! The suckers! They won't be around to fix this problem, even after so many complaints that go 'way back to earlier models and continues right through to latest models. At least a California judge held Ford accountable. It won't help current Focus owners, but it will stop us from ever buying Ford again!
2008Nov 07
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
Happened to my son late last night as he finished his work shift.
Had to get out of bed and pick him up.
Went this morning & tried WD-40.
Didn't work.
After seeing these previous posts on the same problem, it gets me p o'd that Ford doesn't seem to address this.
I'm gonna go try the WD-40 thing (and a hammer) again before I call a locksmith.
Thanks everyone for posting your experiences with this.
2008Aug 15
Focus LX
- Manual transmission
- 150,000 miles
I love my car. I do not want to get rid of it. Lately the key will not turn to start the car. Have to play with it quite a while to get it started. Read where several people have the same problem. So I am not alone. May think about talking to a locksmith.
2008Aug 19
Focus ZX3
- Automatic transmission
- 164,000 miles
I missed work last night, and so I lost about $90 in wages, because the key wouldn't turn the ignition. I spent most of the night looking for solutions on the internet. Found one that suggested hitting the key while in the ignition and that worked for me. I'm going to get this fixed when I can because who knows how long the above solution will work.
How can we get Ford to listen? I have read so many complaints about this problem. When does it become an issue with Ford? Keep your receipts, you never know if Ford will own up to crappy parts.
Ford. Fix One.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Apr 26
Focus ZX3
- Automatic transmission
- 62,500 miles
This is a very common problem I have noticed here.... Im glad I found this website because if I didn't, I would have paid the 350 dollars my dealership quoted me, instead I learned here that this can easily be fixed by a locksmith, I got it done for 145 dollars.. it works perfectly, and he didn't put in the same defective tumbler that FORD is putting in.. my car is back to normal now for HALF the cost...
2008Apr 01
Focus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 99,000 miles
I see I'm not alone in this. I just don't know if I am willing to spend 300 bucks on this.
2007Dec 13
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 49,410 miles
This started out as a minor complaint, now it is a big problem. I just hit it on the key and it turns. I shouldn't have to start the car that way. It is now in the shop, since it is almost time for the oil change anyway. The Ford Dealer is going to be calling me to tell me the damages (price tag). I had called a tow truck driver out on Thursday, after about 15 minutes of trying to turn the damn thing over. When he showed up, he told opened the door, and what do you know it turned right away for him. He told me that it is a common problem in Focus. He also said that hitting the key makes it turn over. He recommended I get it fixed, and said that it is probably an ignition switch. The tow truck drivers know what they are talking about, so I drove it over last night, and am awaiting a phone call from my local Ford Dealer!
2007Aug 01
(reported on)Focus ZTW 4cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 53,000 miles
steering wheel locks and can't start the car the usual way. Key won't release the locked wheel. Very common problem but Ford is not recalling the cars. Had car towed away to the dealer for ignition replacement. No doubt the new ignition is another piece of crap that will leave stranded when I least expect. I'm done with FORDs and other american made cars. I'll go back to Honda, Toyota or Nissan.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2006Sep 15
Focus
- Automatic transmission
- 95,000 miles
The ignition key gets stuck. My passenger's rear window came off track yesterday, 3 months ago the rear drivers passenger window came off track too. The back door has locking issues along with the trunk. The radio comes off and on. FORD is living up to it's name "FIXED ON ROAD DAILY"!
2007Nov 12
Focus SVT
- Manual transmission
- 75,000 miles
This is ridiculous!! Why is this problem not being taken care of by Ford? I have defended Ford the whole time I have owned this car, but I don't think I can do it any more. This need to be recalled, no questions asked!
2007Oct 09
(reported on)Focus LX 3.2L
- Manual transmission
- 95,000 miles
I loved this car. Wanted to drive it constantly as does my son. The issue is, it sits in my yard with the ignition locked... IT started a little at a time in August just not working then in a few minutes it did. So it is now October and my husband is driving his sons truck. It is estimated to cost $95 for parts and $100-$400 for labor.. The thing is this little car is great on gas and is quiet as all get out. But this has burnt us on Fords. The other issue is no one is turning this in so that we can get a recall going. Save your receipts so that you can get reimbursed for it when and if they do recall it....
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your accessories - interior problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Sep 03
Focus
First - sign the petition for a recall -
http://www.petitiononline.com/FocusIC/petition-sign.html
Ford needs to take care of this, it's a safety issue!
Save time and money - Read about various options for repairs - don't go to Ford if you can . . .
Ford Focus section 2003 #98 for one fix
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Focus/2003/accessories-interior/key_wont_turn_in_the_ignition.shtml
Another web site shows exactly how to remove the column to access the part to repair
http://www.mbremerart.com/misc/Focus%20Manual/2003%20Focus%20Ignition%20Lock%20Cylinder.htm
Yet another shows pics, offers tips and advice:
http://forums.focaljet.com/team-tech/497529-new-ignition-cylinder-help.html
The hammer trick worked to get the car started, we're getting the cylinder cleaned and hope that will hold until we can buy a cheaper replacement - hopefully NOT through Ford. In writing to Ford they want us to bring the car in to have it "looked at" - but "there may be a charge" just to have it looked at? . . .we already KNOW it's broken - and THEY know it's a problem - if you sign the recall petition perhaps we can get Ford to do the right thing.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_focus.html
M C.
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
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