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 switch locked up and I cannot start the car because the key wont turn this is the second time it has done this I was lucky the first time it came loose and allowed the car to start
2001 Ford Focus ignition lock cylinder will not turn. This has happened numerous times. It failed last year, and left my wife stranded. It then worked perfectly. About a year later, it failed again. I now have to beat the key into the cylinder to get it to start.
While placing the key inside the ignition switch vehicle failed to start. When the key was removed from the ignition switch a loud noise was heard coming from the ignition. Consumer contacted a lock smith, and also will contact the dealer in the morning.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
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When attempting to brake, the consumer down shifted and the safety ignition switch malfunctioned and was caught under the clutch, causing the relay to slow down. The consumer pulled the emergency brake to stop the lurching, but it was too late and the consumer scraped another vehicle in a parking lot.
While driving and upon stepping on the brakes front wheels moved back three to four inches. The bushings were too small. Upon turning the steering wheel left one could see the front wheels moving back. Consumer stated vehicle had been to the dealer fifteen times. Dealer put replacement parts five times. Tires had to be changed between ten to thirteen thousand miles, and tires were under warranty for 30000 miles. Also, ignition switch had been changed twice, but problem recurred.
My 2001 Ford Focus ZX3's ignition switch failed. When you put the key into the ignition cylinder, it doesn't turn. I tried the usual things like jiggling the key while moving the steering wheel, and I tried a spare key.
I have driven my car for 3 years and about 45,000 miles. I attempted to start the car after having no issues, and the key would not turn in the ignition. After reviewing problems I have found this to be a common problem with the Focus. Currently the car is not corrected. I have to replace the ignition cylinder which will cost me between 285 and 350 dollars. This part is not able to be replaced by a unsed part.
Upon starting vehicle steering column locked up. Vehicle was towed the dealership, who replaced the ignition switch. This failure recurred twice, and the ignition switch was replaced twice.
Consumer looked at the internet and saw that there were recalls on the Ford Focus ignition key switch. His vehicle had one of those defective switches. The switch would not accept the key, so he had it repaired. Dealer claimed he had to reassemble the lock, and that cost him $286.
Key will not turn in ignition, steering wheel locked, brake petal locked, gear shift locked. Car out of warrenty. Ford emergency road service won't help because of expired warrenty. Called nearest Ford dealershop (tom holzer), gave me the phone number of their "towing" person, tried 12 times, got voice mail, no call was ever returned. (I was "stuck" in a bank parking lot.. and they were ready to close) the bank personel were kind enough to let me use their phone and provided a phone book, besides every male in the building individually tried anything they could think of to get my car to start... with no luck. After calling @ 6 lock smiths with 24 hour emergency road servie, I finally found one that knew exactly what I was talking about... he informed me that he gets a call on the same problem approx. Once a week on Ford Focus's. even he can't understand why there hasn't been a "recall" on this defective part"? he also told me what the dealership would have charged me to replace it... @$550!! fortunately for me there are still honest and kind people around, Ford did "nothing" to help me!! I can't imagine I'm the "only" person that has complained about this problem, why hasn't anything been done about it" when this happens, you're definately stranded!!
Upon starting the vehicle, the keys failed to turn in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, who indicated that the ignition switch locked up. The dealership will have to drill the ignition switch out, to replace it. This was a widespread problem that Ford will not respond to.
I just bought a used 2001 Ford Focus and had to pay to replace the ignition cylinder. The car only has 40,000 miles and I think that a part this expensive should last longer. I searched for other people with the same problem and found many frustrated Focus owners who are having the same problem. I think this part should have a longer warranty.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus, OH, USA