This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Ignition cylinder on my 2000 Ford Focus has been replaced two times by a local Ford dealer. In the first instance (approximately August, 2004, key could not be removed from the lock. This required towing the vehicle to the dealership for repair. The most recent incident (February, 2007) the key would not turn the ignition switch unless the tilt steering was bounced forward and back for approximately 10 minutes.
Revised to fit web complaint form. Webform requires manufacturer of ignition cylinder from Ford. Called Ford at 1800-392-Ford and shaun-central Florida states proprietary information. Ford is not a choice in the drop down menu at https://www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/IVOQ/equipment.cfm"tostep=4&cfid=1748899&cftoken=17655993 guessed on info to turn in following complaint. Ignition locked up on Ford Focus. Steering wheel locked. Had to tow airline wrecker, dubs garage and locksmith told me extremely common for Ford Focus. Petition for ignition cylinder recall at www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi"focusic even when the part is replaced, it happens again. I just pray next time it happens (and from what I've read it will) I am in a safe, well lit area where my cell phone can get service; and not the beach or somewhere that tow trucks charge over $500. But mostly I pray Ford is forced to fix this known issue and stop creating a financial burden on people just so they can profit from their faulty ignition cylinders. Please do something about this issue. It's obvious that Ford has no intentions to resolve their locking ignition since the part has to be ordered from them for at least $100 per incident and if the person has their vehicle fixed at Ford it could cost up to $500. I have called Ford locally and corporate, they state there is no recall for an ignition cylinder. What has happened to dealerships accountability that they are allowed to get away with such an action for 7 years" is the accountability only when there is death? is that why Ford continues to install and sell the faulty ignition cylinder? what's to stop them from continuing if they profit from the problem" I think that personnel taking complaints should give the 800 number and/or exact website to register complaints to NHTSA and/or list this info on car dealers websites.
Ignition is locked up again on my 200 Ford Focus. This has happened twice since I bought the car. It hasn't happened in a couple of years though. Suddenly, it's happening again.
Key won't go into ignition all the way and will not allow me to turn my car on. Contacted Ford and they are aware of the problem but it is not a safety hazard so it is not under a recall yet. So I will now have to have my car towed to the dealership and fixed out of my pocket.
This past weekend my ignition cylinder failed in my 2000 Ford Focus. Researching the topic online revealed that this is a widespread problem that Ford chooses to ignore, therefore they should be forced to address the issue.
- Middleburg, PA, USA
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I parked my Ford Focus in a parking space at a taco bell. The wheels were slightly turned to the left and the key would not turn forwards or backwards in the ignition so I began wiggling the steering wheel back and forth, continuing to try the key. Eventually, I'd turned the wheel so far that it stuck in the lock position, cranked to one direction. Nothing worked. A half hour passed. I assumed that the direction of wheels and the steering wheel being turned like it was had something to do with the ignition not working. So I jacked up the front end of the car to try to straighten my wheels out by hand but they too were locked and were not going to budge. I continued to try different combinations of applying the brake, trying to turn the steering wheel, adjusting the tilt of the steering wheel column, and trying to turn the key. I called a taxi cab to take me back to work, 25 minutes late, minus 7 dollars. At work, I began to research this problem and found websites, such as consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_focus, where I began to learn tips to get the key to turn and suggestions for repair. I was able to avoid a tow truck fee by using one of the suggested quick fixes, which basically consists of pounding the key into the ignition with a hammer, preferably a rummer mallot. From that same site, I learned that the problem has been pinpointed to the german-made huf lock that Ford puts in the Ford Focus. The best suggestion is to have an automotive locksmith replace it with a non-Ford or non-huf part. Going to a Ford dealer is strongly discouraged. The part has not been recalled so it costs the consumer. For me, around $400.
Ignition lock cylinder won't turn, front tires locked, car had to be towed in. Dealership had to put the car on a jack to get it into the shop, removed steering column trim, had to drill out broken ignition lock cylinder assembly, had to set up new lock cylinder so the same keys would work. So not only am I stuck without a vehicle till after christmas, I had to pay a towing charge, plus the cost to have the car fixed. Back car door latch on passenger side continually stuck and does not allow anyone to exit the vehicle from that side. Rattling noise under the carriage is unexplainable - what is next?
Key would not turn when put in ignition. Have read that 100's of people with my vehicle are experiencing same problem, but Ford will not admit wrongdoing.
: the contact stated the key did not go in the ignition cylinder. The nature of the failure was permanent. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer, who replaced the ignition cylinder.
My daughter tried to start the 2000 Ford Focus this morning and couldn't insert the key. It won't insert all the way and won't turn. The steering wheel is locked up. We have to have the car towed to the dealership now and they've quoted us more than $300 to replace the faulty cylinder. The Ford tech said this happens quite frequently!
1. no events leading to failure. Failed with no warning. 2. key would not turn in the ignition. Left stranded 30 minutes from home town in the middle of the night. Wait until morning to seek help. 3. still seeking the best solution to the issue.
: the contact stated the ignition locking mechanism failed to disengage from the locked position. Both keys were tried, but the vehicle could not be started. The service dealer was contacted, but the manufacturer was not.
: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the key would not fit into the ignition. After several attempts, the key was inserted into the ignition without further incident, and the engine started. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who determined the ignition needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not alerted. The consumer experienced the problem happened again. Updated 12/15/06.
Ignition lock failure (key could not be put into lock) due to ignition lock cylinder failure. This left car and driver in a dangerous situation where car was very difficult to retrieve by tow truck (turned-over front wheels locked, no steering possible). Repair is extremely expensive. Ford declined participation in repair cost. Many complaints about this problem can be found on the internet (for example, cbs5.com/investigates/local_story_041015136.html, or class action law suit at www.fazmiclaw.com/Focus.html, or excerpt "...Ford has conceded that it has a problem with the ignition locks, but the company has not ordered a recall.").
Key will not turn in ignition, steering wheel is locked. Had to have ignition cylinder replaced. This appears to be a common problem in 2000 Focus - perhaps a redesign of the cylinder is required.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Warren, MI, USA