Antitheft has car locking up while driving

- Williamsport, PA, USA

Ignition key will not turn! they have known (Ford) about this issue and are refusing to issue a recall.

- Kennebunk, ME, USA

Was driving my car when passenger side window shattered and covered my passenger with glass.window was in halfway between up and down position. No evidence of anything thrown at window and passenger was not messing with window in any way. No injury to this passenger. Almost caused an accident. Window was repaired and replaced at my expense and a month later it happened a second time in a drive-thru. My window shattered again when the passenger went to roll up the window with the automatic switch and it covered him in glass and his hand was cut.

- Toledo, OH, USA

After 2 complaints to dealer about rear brake vibration/noise, they found noting wrong. On our trip going down interstate 40 at 70 mph the back wheel comes off my car. The wheel and hub are broken, cuts the brake line and I lose my brake fluid. No brakes and trying to keep it out of the ditch. If there would of been a car on the side of me. I am positive there would have been injury/death. Had extended warranty. Ford paid 0. said I hit something in road. Now at the repair shop again. The wheel bearings on the rear are frozen. I have to buy new drums for both side again.

- Mount Juliet, TN, USA

2002 Focus, stalling out at high speed with no warning. When it happens it's like trying to drive a car without a battery. Nothing works. Happened 10 times in a car with less than 70K miles. We replaced fuel pump, fuel filters, coil, spark plugs and wires, and car will not stay running. Keeps stalling. How many complaints before this model is recalled. Someone is going to die at some point since the car cannot be controlled by the driver when this phenomenom occurs. Ford says there is no known problem with this model. I shouldn't have to replace a fuel pump on a car with less than 70kon it. Ford did change the fuel delivery module for other years but says the problem was not on 2002 model. Obviously they changed it for a reason. This model needs to be recalled and have the "new" fuel delivery module installed.

- Marysville, CA, USA

Two nights ago I drove my 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 to a nearby bank to use the walk-up atm. Since it was after business hours, I parked along a curb, but not in a parking space. I used the atm and upon returning to the car, my key refused to turn in the ignition cylinder. It was as if all of the sudden my key was the wrong key for the vehicle. Since I was not in a parking spot, I put on my hazard lights and ran a half mile to my home to retreive my spare key. Upon returning, I found that it did not work either. No matter what I tried, the key would not turn in the ignition cylinder. I wanted to get the car to a parking space so I put the car (a manual transmission) into neutral and began pushing it forward. The steering wheel was locked, and because I could not move the key, I had two options - move the car straight forward, or move the car straight back. I moved the car forward to a slightly better spot, but could not maneuver it into a true parking spot. I called for a tow truck since the car would surely be towed at the start of business hours the next day. When the tow truck operator arrived he told me he had seen this problem before in Ford, and said that I was lucky to have a manual transmission, otherwise he would likely not be able to tow it (it was a flatbed tow truck). I had him tow the car to a local Ford dealership. That night I looked up information online and found that many Ford 2000-2003 have had this problem - some people even said the key would get stuck in the ignition. The next day the dealership informed me that there were no recalls on the key cylinder issue, but that they would fix the problem for $501.56. I saw no alternative and had them put in a new ignition cylinder and issue 2 new keys. The dealer kept the old parts (old ignition cylinder and keys). The new ignition cylinder appears to be working fine (but keep in mind the old one appeared to be working fine as well before malfunctioning).

- Denver, CO, USA

I bought a 2002 Ford fozus ZX3 with automatic transmission in the fall of 2010. I found myself having trouble with the ignition key not turning once inserted into the ignition cylinder. This occurred quite frequently (approximately once every two weeks) and I had to play with the steering wheel and the key for at least five minutes every time. I did not consider it to be a substantial problem until last night. I was at my friend's apartment and around 1:30 am I decided to leave. I got in my car, inserted the key in the ignition and could not turn it at all and the steering wheel was locked. I was in my friend's driveway for about a half hour, trying everything I could possibly think of to get the steering wheel to unlock and the key to turn. I engaged the gear release and manually put the car into neutral, I blew on the ignition with my hand cupped over it, as I thought this issue may have been caused due to the cold weather. I locked and unlocked the doors, because I thought it may have been a safety feature. After a half hour of effort with no results I had to call my parents and ask them to come pick me up, both of them had to work in the morning and my 62 year old father had to get out of bed, and come get me at 2 in the morning in the middle of Jan. I was ten minutes from my house, but every other time this has happened I've been approximately 30 minutes from my house or more. This has been a major disappointment and cause for concern, especially since my family and I have grown to trust and depend on Ford vehicles. My oldest brother's first car was a mustang, my other brother's first car was a thunderbird and he now drives and escape. My father currently drives a Ranger, my mother's last vehicle was a Windstar, and my first car was an Explorer. It served me well and when I had the opportunity to buy another Ford I didn't have to think twice, but this latest experience has made me seriously second guess what I had thought to be an american name I could trust.

- Napanoch, NY, USA

1. 2002 Ford Focus ignition switch problems. For a while my 2002 Focus has been giving me ignition switch problems. Either the key is stuck in the ignition switch and won't come out, or the key will not be able to turn the ignition switch. I bought the car when it had 48,000 miles on it, it now has around 67,000. 2. it happens on a fairly regular basis. Although usually the key will eventually turn, simply by removing it and putting it back in the opposite way. If they key is stuck in the switch, usually restarting it or reversing and going back into drive will allow you to get the key out. 3. now I am currently stuck at work because the key will not turn in my Focus at all! after researching the problem online, I have seen many complaints about the same thing. Referenced here: autoforum.classifieds1000.com/Ford-Focus/ford_focus_ignition_cylinder_breaks_for_second_time and here: www.fordproblems.com/Focus/key-wont-turn-in-the-ignition.shtml

- Palos Hills, IL, USA

I have a 2002 Ford Focus and my ignition won't turn. It just froze. It was ok. All of a sudden, I had an interview to get to and got in my car and it wouldn't start. The key just wouldn't turn. I am very grateful that I was at home when it happened. I think it is a disgrace that Ford knows there is a problem and won't do a recall. A recall should not be completely about a safety issue but about providing the public with quality in the cars. Obviously, the consumer is of no importance to Ford. I think this whole experience has made me decide to never trust a Ford again. I took the car in to two mechanics which told me it would be a few days to get the dealer parts and the repair will cost over $400. It is a disgrace that Ford knows the problem exists and has done nothing to fix it.

- Phila, PA, USA

1. I was driving my 2002 Ford Focus wagon back from a camping trip and I was going about 60 mph on the freeway 2. all of a sudden there was a "crack"/"bang" from the back of the car, drivers side, the car continued without jolting/swerving (I.e. no affect to the driving of the vehicle), however, after another few miles the rear drivers side wheel was making a high pitched sound, plus cracking, plus some jolting as the bearing realigned itself at times. I stopped the car and the heat from the wheel was incredible, one could have fried an egg on it (this wheel was much hotter than the others). Unfortunately this happened on a stretch of road where there are no towns, no cell phone signal, etc, I was forced to drive the car to a town, max of 40 mph on a 60 mph stretch of road, I had a baby in the car and was scarred that something would happen to her. In the town, I left the car, had to call a friend to drive me home. I must say it was the most unpleasant feeling in the world. In addition, this happened on a Saturday night, where all car shops are closed! 3. repair shops open tomorrow, the repair is yet to take place.

- Kirkland, WA, USA

Paint cracking underneath clear coat.

- Bremen, IN, USA

Maybe one year or so after I bought my brand new 2002 Ford Focus zts there was a really bad storm one night and the next day my floor board on the passenger side was soaked in water almost like a puddle. Then the past couple of years it's happened again at least five more times. After taking out the floor mat an actual puddle of water gathers on my floor board when it storms. It doesn't seem to happen every single time it storms but it's happened quite a few times already. My car is only going on four years old (and I keep it clean all the time as I'm the only one in my car, I don't have any children nor am I married and therefore I am the only one in my car and take really good care of it) but it smells like it's really old with a strong mildew odor. This is very upseting, I've had so many problems with this Ford including an electrical system issue which I've already made a complaint about. I called a Ford dealership to tell them about my floor board issue and they said there is a recall for the Ford Focus 2001 but not a 2002 for this problem. This problem apparently was not fixed on the 2002's because mine is still leaking.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

All four studs on the right front broke off and caused damage to the brakes, front bumper, along with a few other things. The dealer said it was my fault because I had a mechanic besides them change the brakes on it. I had my 2 month baby niece in the back along with 3 other people. The other problem I have is the seal on the windshield is coming out near the roof.

- Auburn, NY, USA

I bought the car on Oct 29, 2002. Since day one the car has consumed way too much gas. It is outrageous! it has become a mortgage pmt! my car pmt is $344 a month I pay the same in gas a month. I use to own a 1993 Ford escort, stick,4 cyc and never did I ever spend so much gas. I am 49 yrs old, don"T speed, and know the difference. I have also owned many stick,4 cyl cars and none have ever spend so much gas. There has got to be a problem with the car in that respect. Second: A couple of months ago the "check engine" light came on, ever since then, my car won't start in the mornings, and when it has been sitting for a awhile. I have brought my car to the dealer 4 times already, they have changed the fuel pump 3 times, still having the same problem, this last time in which I picked up the car yesterday, Nov. 11, nothing was done! I ask questions but all I get is there is nothing wrong! but something is happening...nowadays, everything is computerized, one thing goes bad and it affects the entire car. Something is not being check, but I am informed, everything is being checked! I have had it with the car! with the amount of gas that is being consumed & the not starting just don?T know what to do! there is something majorly wrong with this car! I can't stay this way, it is not fair, it?S so expensive to own a car nowadays. The stress of being left anywhere, being late for work most of the time due to the car not starting. Why should I pay for something that is not working properly" I work, living pay check to pay check, I am having way too much stress & now I am @ a point where it has effected my work, possibly I will loose my job.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

There is a line that went straight into the engine's intake that has been leaking fluid since 2,000 miles and was inspected by deler who told to me that it was nothing. But the engine case should not have a large leak of fluid that soon. Finally now, they have done something on this and replaced the hose, as it was seen once more and knows of all the times reported. I hope this is just not a easy fix or this now hasn't caused any damange to the inside of the engine itself, as the engine has been in the shop for riding rough. They told me last time that the part of the transmission that was fixed would fix this. I think it is due to the oil leak on the top of the engine case since it was new. A new car should never have a oil leak on a engine case.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

I have had the car. For only 4 months. I had problem with it in October it was the car moving when I am driving it moves like a swerving motion and then in December 13, 2002. I took it back in with the same problem of the back sways when hitting bumps and the tire rod was loose. The repair was 1,140 on a new car. I had water coming in the passenger side and they said they fixed the problem. On Dec 31, 2002 it rained and my whole floor is wet. I am very discussed with this car. Because it is a brand new car. And I have the same problem out of it going on two times with the water, two times with the hitting of bumps and the car moving side ways almost into another lane, and one more thing I took the car in to Ford on 12/26/02 to talk to the sales person about my problems I have been dealing with and how very dissatisfied I am the car has been still swaying when I am driving and coming across bumps railroad tracks and on the expressway. They said I would have to put money down for another car, which is so unfair because it is a new car and they should put me in another car if they see the problems. I will never send any one to but a car from them because they should stand behind there promise when they express the importance of customer satiation when they see that the car is a problem

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

I bought this car brand new in September. The first problem the car had was that the pollen filter became blocked and it had been raining out so all the water from outside came right into my car and I got about an inch of water in the passenger side of my car all over the floor. The enxt thing that happened was my driver side front tire blew while driving down a road, there were no potholes and no curbs that I could have hit for this to happen. About a month after this I noticed that the plastic had started bubbling up and peeling on the lower B pillar on the passenger side of the car, also the carpet had come unglued (from when my car flooded) and had now pulled away from the sill. Also, the wetherstripping had come unglued from the windshiel and you can now see the sharp edge of the windsheild. My car is in service today getting that fixed. There is also, still a rattling noise coming from where the speedometer is. This has been going on since I bought the car and has not stopped. However, every time I take it to the dealership, it does not make this noise, so they cannot fix it.

- Alloway, NJ, USA

1)earlier this year we took our Focus in to the dealer to check the power steering. They said it just needed power steering fluid. I have been putting ps fluid in every two to three weeks. 2)we have had difficulties with our brakes, the lights staying on and then the fuses burning out. 3)then today(8-5-03) the gear shift interlock got stuck and it only works if it is pushed in to release.

- Arvada, CO, USA

Other - lose fender wheelshield/told part on recall as defective body - dings in fender panel/told part defective replaced under warranty

- Pendleton, OR, USA

Key does not want to come out of steering column. You have to wriggle the steering wheel and the key. You never know when this is going to happen. It has happened from day 1. it has been into parr Ford in bremerton Washington 4 times for this problem, they can not find it. They have verified that it sticks.

- Allyn, WA, USA