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.
My Ford Focus ignition just stopped working! no problems before, the key would only go in half way, then I got it to go in with a slight tap of a hammer! then the key would not turn over! this is a major problem!! got it towed to the dealership, they said this problem is very common! a common problem that cost me $426.27!
Ignition lock broke and the car would not start. This left me stranded in a pretty rough neighborhood. After getting a lift home, I see this is an incredibly common problem with the 2001 Ford Focus, leaving people stranded in some pretty dangerous places.
The Ford Focus 2001 key will not turn in the ignition, I have spent many hours, and a large sum of money trying to repair the problem to no avail. I have gotten stranded at night alone, many hours from home on more than one occasion. It is frightening to drive my car any long distance for fear of being stranded.
Key will not turn in ignition. Car had to be towed to hertrich in milford de and ignition replaced and key programmed to new ignition. The first time happened at approx 30,000 miles and the second time at 87,000 miles. Service tech said cylinders were jammed and it took beating it with a hammer to release them to unlock the steering wheel. My daughter had driven to walmart to have her oil changed. They called her back to tell her they could not start her car to drive it into the service bay. Called Ford to report their problem as my daughters friend also has had the same problem with her Ford Focus.
- Felton, DE, USA
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The ignition switch so called 'safety' lock on my 2001 Ford Focus wagon refused to release, after repeated tries, so I couldn't start my car, the wheel wouldn't turn, and I was left stranded away from home. These cars should be recalled and Ford made to repair the defective merchandise that they pumped out into the market. This is a safety hazard and apparently a common complaint with Focus owners.
Key keeps getting stuck in ignition, having to leave key in car. Happens multiple times during the day and during the week. Will have the ignition replaced.
Out of nowhere the key would not turn in my ignition. I have had my car for 3 years and never had a problem, I stopped to buy xmas gifts at the mall, and when I returned, I could not turn the key in my ignition. And now every day I spend 20 minutes or more just trying to start my car. I have been late for work on several occasions since this happened. And the worst thing is never knowing when it will be really bad, or if I will end up stranded in the middle of nowhere! being that this could end up in being stranded, I believe that this should be a safety recall on the 2001 Ford Focus.
This came out of nowhere. One day the key would not turn over. It was as if the steering column was locked. We googled the problem and found that it is very common in Ford Focus's built between 2000-2003. The quick fix was to carry a hammer around and give it a hit when the key gets stuck. This has worked pretty well until this morning. It took me 15 minutes to start the car.
I have a 2001 Ford Focus and as I was leaving work one day, I went to start my car and the key wouldn't fit in the ignition. After I was finally able to put my key in it would not turn. I had to call Ford and they told me that this is common with Ford Focus' and told me to hammer in my key because a barrel was defective in the ignition. I hammered in my key and was able to start my car; however, this is an ongoing problem.
The problem I'm have with my 2001 is my key will not turning my ignition. After review the complaints I see several people is having the same problem. Can you review the complaints with the ignitions.
This is the 2nd time my ignition in my 2001 Ford Focus has had to be replaced. I called the dealership they acknowledged this is a recurring problem with Ford focuses. I have been stranded with out resources and this happens at random with no warning. The cost of towing, parts, and labor cost around $500. I find this very frustrating that Ford will not recall the ignition switch, full well knowing this is a problem. I find this to be a safety issue, not knowing if you are going to be stranded in the middle of no where. It is a financial burden as well as an inconvenience, that after being fixed once should not occur again with in 2 years, my car only has 66,000 miles on it.
I was trying to leave work to go home. I put the key in the ignition and the key would not turn. I was told to take it to a Ford dealership, where they told me I needed to replace the ignition, a cost of $500.
My daughter tried to start the car to go to school and couldn't get the key to turn in the ignition. Fortunately, she was at home when it happened, unlike the many others that have had the same problem at a repair cost of over $300, and the number of bad ignitions that are in the Ford Focus cars, it should be Ford's responsibility to replace the defective ignitions. We have had many cars that were older than our Focus and have never had this happen before.
My ignition locked up. I had to have my car towed home. I searched the internet to find repair methods and found tons of complaints from fellow Focus owners. This problem is extremely common and cannot be fixed, it has to be replaced adding up to a total of $500. My car is no longer under warranty, but I have found that Ford is aware of the situation and is doing nothing about it. My wife also owns a Focus and I'm just waiting for that phone call. Hopefully she's not stranded in a bad neighborhood. Please do something about this. Search focaljet.com and focusfanatics.com for complaints. Theres also an online petition for Ford that has been signed by over 2,000 Focus owners to date. Thank you.
The ignition lock cylinder on my 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 locked up, left me stranded. Unable to start the car. Ignition lock cylinder had to be replaced. The mechanic stated to me this is a very common problem with Ford Focus 2000 -2003 models. Ford refuses to admit to a problem. I have the old part if needed. Repair cost $333.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Blue Springs, MO, USA