2000 Ford Focus Electrical Problems

Your 2000 Ford Focus is experiencing problems with both the engine and electrical system. The specific symptoms aren't detailed in your report, but these combined issues could affect engine performance and vehicle reliability. A mechanic will need to diagnose which electrical components (battery, alternator, wiring) or engine parts (ignition system, fuel delivery) are failing.

Your ignition key got stuck and wouldn't turn in the lock, leaving you unable to start the car. When you returned to your parked vehicle, you found yourself stranded because the ignition lock wouldn't operate. This appears to be a recurring issue with Ford Focus ignition locks. The fix will likely involve replacing the ignition lock cylinder or having a locksmith service the lock mechanism.

I WAS DRIVING AND MY HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE CAR JUST QUIT RUNNING AFTER 10 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND GET HOME I HAVE HAD THIS CAR (2000 FORD FOCUS) FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR THE PLACE I PURCHASED IT FROM DID NOT TELL ME ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS BUT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FOR THE WHOLE TIME AND THEY HAVE ONLY GOTTEN WORSE I HAVE PUT AN ALTERNATOR ON IT AND CHANGED A COUPLE OF WIRES THAT WERE MELTED BUT IT DID NOT HELP! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW ESPECIALLY WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD IN IT WITH ME THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE!!!

THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER (WHERE THE KEY INSERTS/TURNS ON THE STEERING COLUMN) LOCKED UP ON ME WITHOUT WARNING, STRANDING ME WHERE I LAST PARKED THE CAR. NO AMOUNT OF LUBRICATION OR QUICK FIXES HELPED. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS IN THAT YEAR RANGE. I'M GETTING QUOTES FROM LOCKSMITHS IN THE $250 RANGE. LUCKILY I WASN'T STRANDED IN A BAD PLACE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER CLOSING THE REAR HATCH, THE RUNNING LIGHTS, POWER LOCKS, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ELECTRIC DASH CLUSTER QUIT WORKING AND THE VEHICLE CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED THEN THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE BATTERY CABLES WERE REPLACED AND THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED AS A PRECAUTION. THE VEHICLE AFTER 4 DAYS AND NO DRIVING LONGER THAT 35 MILES A DAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. *TR

THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION ARE LOCKED. *TR

CAR WAS DRIVING NORMALLY, PARKED MY CAR, TRIED TO RESTART IT AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN. POSSIBLY A BROKEN IGNITION SWITCH. *TR

I WAS PULLED OVER ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ALMOST MIDNIGHT, AND WAS NOTIFIED BY THE OFFICER THAT I HAD NO TAILLIGHTS, BUT MY TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WERE WORKING. THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND RUNNING LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING EITHER. IN ADDITION, SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS BLEW A FUSE, AND HAVE REPEATEDLY BLOWN THE SAME FUSE. I SAW THAT THE WIRES ON TOP OF THE HATCHBACK, INSIDE THE RUBBER TUBE, ARE CRACKED AND BROKEN. I SAW ONLINE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT, AS I WORK SECOND SHIFT AND ALWAYS DRIVE IN THE DARK. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE BULB WAS CHANGED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURED WAS NOTIFIED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 224,000.

VERY HARD TO PUT KEY INTO OR REMOVE FROM IGNITION, HAVE NOT REMOVED KEY IN 8 YEARS. *TR

I WAS STARTING MY CAR, ON FIRST START DID NOT START WHEN RETRIED STARTING THERE WAS NOTHING TRIED AGAIN NOTHING OPENED HOOD AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM BATTERY COVER. REMOVED COVER AND BATTERY CABLES AND BATTERY WERE VERY HOT THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CABLES STARTED MELTING. WHEN HAD COOLED ENOUGH TO TOUCH REMOVED POSITIVE CABLE AND WHEN TRIED REPLACING CABLE THERE WAS A LOT OF SPARKING, CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO PICKED THE CAR UP INSPECTED CABLES FOUND THEM TO BE DEFECTIVE CONTACTED FORD AND THE SAID THEY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE OF THE DATE AND MANUFACTURING PLACE OF THE CAR IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 01/09/13*LJ

THE BATTERY CABLE COMING FROM THE POSITIVE TERMINAL IS MELTED. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN #02V288000. HOWEVER FORD IS CLAIMING THAT MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT IS SPECIFIC FOR MY MODEL AND YEAR, AND EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT ISSUE THAT THE RECALL IS FOR: FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING THAT CAN LEAD TO A FIRE. I HAVE NOT HAD A FIRE IN MY VEHICLE, BUT A MELTED CABLE IS CLOSE ENOUGH FOR MY LIKING. BATTERY TERMINAL CABLES SHOULD NOT BE MELTING, PERIOD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER?S DOOR HANDLE WAS LOOSE AND ABOUT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. ....UPDATED 08-24-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR HANDLES BROKE. UPDATED 08/30/2012 *JS

THE IGNITION SWITCH JAMMED AS I HEAR HAPPENS ALOT WITH THESE FORDS DUE TO INFERIOR PARTS . THE DEALER CHARGED ME WITH 3.5 HOURS SHOP TIME TO FIX THIS WHEN FORD HAS ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLITAN # 02-18-2 WHICH CALLS FOR 1.1 HOURS TO FIX AS WELL AS THE $135.05 LIST PRICE OF THE REPLACEMENT CYLINDER KIT. IF THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM KNOWN TO FORD SHOULDN'T IT BE SUBJECT TO A NTSB RECALL? *TR

PLASTIC INSULATION OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR THAT CONNECTS RIGHT HEADLIGHT BULB WITH WIRING OVERHEATED, MELTED AND CAUSED SMOLDERING FIRE THAT LED TO DAMAGING SMOKE DEPOSITS IN HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. FIRE STAYED CONTAINED TO HEADLIGHT HOUSING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY WIRING AND CASE WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,650 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,400.

THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER IN MY CAR FAILED TO TURN OVER ONE DAY. I WAS STRANDED FOR 3 HOURS DUE TO A FAULTY LOCK CYLINDER AND HAD TO PAY $540 DOLLARS TO GET THE PART REPAIRED. I CALLED THE FORD DIRECT LINE FOR ASSISTANCE AND THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED TO ME ON THE PHONE THAT THEY KNOW THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, YET NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNTIL A LAWSUIT, OR RECALL IS ISSUED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS WERE DEFECTIVE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 02/03/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ALL OF THE DOORS BECAME SLUGGISH. THE FUSE FOR THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE FUSE WAS REPLACED AND FAILED AGAIN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR STOPPED OPENING AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. UPDATED 02/10/12

I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE AND WHILE IT DOESN'T FIT WITHIN THE TRADITIONAL CONSTRAINTS OF A SAFETY COMPLAINT, IT IS INDEED A SAFETY HAZARD. THE IGNITION COLUMN OF THE 2000 FORD FOCUS WILL "LOCK" AS I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. LUCKILY, THIS HAPPENED TO ME IN MY DRIVEWAY. HOWEVER, IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE IN A REMOTE AREA, THEY WOULD BE STRANDED BY A PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OF OR ANY IDEA THAT IT MAY HAPPEN. THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM, AND THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD FIX UNLESS I CAME TO A DEALERSHIP. IF SOMEONE HAS A FAMILY OF FOUR (SUCH AS THE PEOPLE I BOUGHT THIS FROM) AND THEY ARE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, BASICALLY A DEFAULT WITH A KEY TUMBLER IS TO BLAME. THIS SEEMS UNFAIR TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

PUT THE KEY IN IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. TRIED FOR OVER 2 HOURS. HAD CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER. AFTERWARD SAW ONLINE THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ALOT ON THIS MODEL. THIS IS A USED CAR WE BOUGHT FOR OUR DAUGHTER. SHE WAS STRANDED OVER 3 HOURS AND 50 MILES AWAY. FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND DOES NOT ADDRESS IT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BATTERY CABLES HAD MELTED. AFTER MOVING THE BATTERY CABLES THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITH CONSTANT DECELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRES HAD COMPLETELY BURNT WITH TIME AND HE HAD THE WIRES REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE EXTENDING INTO PASSENGER AREA, FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT. *TR

I DROVE MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 TO WORK AND BACK WITH NO PROBLEM. I PARKED IT AT MY HOUSE AND LATER THAT NIGHT WHEN I WENT TO TAKE MY CAR OUT THE KEY WOULD NOT COMPLETELY FIT INTO THE IGNITION. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED THE KEY IS ALMOST COMPLETELY IN AND I CANT GET IT IN ANY FARTHER. I'M EITHER GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER OR A LOCKSMITH MOST LIKELY. I'M LUCKY I WASN'T OUT LATE OR FAR FROM HOME. *TR

MY SIXTEEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAS BEEN STRANDED THREE TIMES BECAUSE HER KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION. THE FIRST TWO TIMES SHE WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND WAS WITH A FRIEND, SO SHE CALLED MY HUSBAND AND WE MET HER AND TOOK TURNS JIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KEY UNTIL, FINALLY AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES, THE KEY TURNED, SO THE SECOND TIME, IT TOOK OVER AN HOUR, BUT DID NOT GIVE UP BECAUSE OF THE FIRST TIME. THE LAST TIME, MY DAUGHTER WAS ALONE,LATE AT NIGHT AND FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS ABLE TO CALL US ON HER CELL, BUT WE HAD TO GET UP OUT OF BED, TO RESCUE HER AND AFTER OVER TWO HOURS OF TRYING TO GET THAT KEY TO WORK, WE GAVE UP. WE HAD TO ABANDON THE CAR AND I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO CALL A LOCKSMITH, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY HAVE TO USE THE SAME IGNITION AND IT WILL MOST LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

IGNITION LOCKING MECHANISM NOT WORKING - CAN NOT START CAR. KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS 2000 - 2003. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, FORD SEEMS TO DENY THE PROBLEM AND IS LINING THEIR POCKETS STILL WITH THE REPAIR MONEY ($400 +). ONE DAY SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET STRANDED AND GET SERIOUSLY HURT. (THANK GOD FOR THAT CELL PHONE). IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. CROOKED AMERICAN CAR COMPANIES - I DID NOT BUY THIS CAR IT WAS GIVEN TO US WITH ONLY 26,000 MILES ON IT AND IT ONLY PROVES I WOULD NOT BUY AMERICAN CARS. HOW SAD FOR ECONOMY AND LACK OF DOING THE RIGHT THING. *TR

THE KEY WOULD NOT FIT INTO THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT TURN MAKING THE CAR UNUSABLE AND STRANDING ME FOR 5 HOURS WHILE WAITING FOR A LOCKSMITH. THERE WAS NO WARNING THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THE IGNITION JUST STOPPED WORKING. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENT DEFECT IN FORD FOCUS MODELS. THE LOCKSMITH REPLACED THE IGNITION FOR $300. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO START HIS VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE TUMBLERS HAD COLLAPSED AND THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 102,000. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN UPDATED 06/23/11

MY WIFE DROVE TO THE MOVIES. AFTER THE MOVIES SHE FOUND SHE COULDN'T TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. SHE JIGGLED IT AND TRIED FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE CALLING ME. THE CAR IS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. MY WIFE AND HER FRIEND WERE STRANDED IN A BAD PART OF TOWN DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. WHEN I CALLED MY DAD ABOUT IT (HE IS A SERVICE MANAGER FOR A CHRYSLER/JEEP DEALERSHIP) HE TOLD ME IT'S A TERRIBLY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2000-2003 FOCUS. I CALLED FORD. THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. SAYS THE FIX THEM ALL THE TIME. I ASKED WHY IT WASN'T RECALLED SINCE MY WIFE WAS LEFT STRANDED AND THEY WOULDN'T ANSWER. I AM JUST GLAD THAT MY KIDS WEREN'T IN THE CAR. IT WAS ONLY 20 DEGREES OUTSIDE. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS! *TR

IGNITION SWITCH IN 2000 FORD FOCUS LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE WERE THAT I MISSED A VERY IMPORTANT DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE THE $400.00 THE FORD PLACE SAID IT WOULD COST TO FIX IT. WHY HAS THIS PART NOT BEEN RECALLED? IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN ON OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE LUBRICATED THE LOCK MECHANISM FOR SEVERAL YEARS AFTER LEARNING OF THIS PROBLEM, PRIOR TO HAVING MINE OCCUR. SOMETIMES KEY WILL INSERT BUT NOT TURN. OTHER TIMES KEY WILL NOT FULLY INSERT. IN BOTH CASES I AM LEFT STRANDED. KEY PROBLEM IS NOT AFFECTED BY POSITION OF STEERING WHEEL, SHIFT LEVER INTERLOCK POSITION, ETC. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WITHIN THE KEY-TUMBLER MECHANISM. WITH SUCH WIDE SPREAD KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM, WHY HASN'T FORD DONE A VOLUNTARY RECALL? THIS PROBLEM COULD OCCUR DURING A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION E.G. RUSH TO HOSPITAL., ROBBERY ATTEMPT, ETC. THE REPORTED FREQUENCY OF INCIDENTS, AS VIEWED ON INTERNET SITES, WOULD INDICATE A MAGNITUDE IN EXCESS OF FORD'S PREVIOUS SUV-TIRE FAILURE ROLLOVERS. THE KEY ISSUE IS MORE THAN AN INCONVENIENCE, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TRIES TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WON'T TURN. SHE HAS TO HIT IT WITH A MALLET TO GET IT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT STATED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

OEM IGNITION / TUMBLER MECHANISM LOCKED UP... PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING VEHICLE. *TR

I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WONT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE MET 50 MORE PEOPLE SINCE YESTERDAY WHO HAVE ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE AN IGNITION ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A FORD MISTAKE. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. AFTER DRIVING IT TO A GAS STATION I PUMPED MY GAS AND GOT BACK INTO THE CAR TO LEAVE. I PUT MY KEYS INTO THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN AT ALL. SEVERAL PEOPLE TIRED TO GET IT TO TURN INCLUDING A TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND A MECHANIC. ALL SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD FOCUS'. *TR

THE KEY HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN THE IGNITION THREE TIME NOW. THE FIRST TIME WE COULD NOT GET THE CAR STARTED IN A ROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD, AND HAD TO LEAVE IT OVER NIGHT. THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE IN ORDER TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. THIS LAST TIME I ALSO HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM FAMILY VACATION. IGNITION KEY/LOCK FAILED NOT LETTING US START OUT CAR AFTER STOPPING FOR A REST. LEAVING US STRANDED THREE HOURS FROM HOME ON A SUNDAY NIGHT. MASSIVE REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO THE FORD FOCUS 2000-2003 BUT WHY HAVEN'T THEY RECALLED IT? *TR

MY YEAR 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME IGNITION ISSUES. I COULD PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY THE CASE IF THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED. USUALLY AFTER SOME JIGGLING OF THE KEY IT WOULD TURN AND I COULD START THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN AUGUST OF 2004. IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN ABOUT TWICE A MONTH. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN FIX THE ISSUE, BY RE-MAKING THE KEY AND PROGRAMMING THE NOW THE KEY WON'T TURN AT ALL. IN SHOPPING AROUND DEALERSHIPS THEY BELIEVE THE PRICE WILL BE AROUND $300 IF THE CYLINDER IS NOT DAMAGED (BY THEIR OWN KEY?) FOR $500, PLUS THE COST TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THEM SO THEY CAN PROGRAM THE KEY. A LOCAL LOCKSMITH HAS TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS. IF SO, WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED? *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION DOESN'T WORK. KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. IN 2003 WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THE IGNITION LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T TURN THE KEY. THAT HAPPENED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHILE GETTING OTHER RECALLED PARTS REPLACED. YESTERDAY 5-25-10 AT 9:00PM I RETURNED TO MY CAR AND THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T TURN THE KEY. FORD REFUSES TO COVER IT AS DEFECT EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND IT LEFT ME STRANDED AT NIGHT TIME. *TR

THERE ARE NO INDICATORS THAT THE PROBLEM IS ABOUT TO OCCUR. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION OF 2000 FORD FOCUS. REPAIRED ONCE ALREADY. PROBLEM OCCURRING AGAIN. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME AFTER BEING STRANDED WHEN THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. INITIAL REPAIR BILL WAS AROUND $400. *TR

I HAVE OWNED A 2000 FORD FOCUS FOR OVER 9 YEARS. I HAVE HAD 3 IGNITIONS INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT THE MECHANICS AWAITING A 4TH. AS A SINGLE WOMAN, I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I DON'T KNOW WHERE OR WHEN THIS IGNITION WILL LOCK UP AND LEAVE ME STRANDED. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AFTER INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK IF TURNED AND TOWTRUCK MUST BE CALLED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT NIGHT AFTER A BABY SHOWER, LUCKILY FRIENDS WERE NEAR TO HELP ME. ANOTHER TIME IT WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AFTER WORK, I HAD TO WALK SEVERAL BLOCKS TO REACH A PHONE TO CALL FOR HELP. THE THIRD TIME WAS LATE AT NIGHT ON A CITY STREET...AGAIN I HAD TO WALK A COUPLE OF BLOCKS IN BELOW FREEZING WEATHER TO REACH A PHONE. AND NOW THIS TIME I RECOGNIZED THE "SYMPTOMS" AND WAS ABLE TO REACH A GARAGE BEFORE I WAS STRANDED. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW YOU THAT MANY FORD FOCUS OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED FORDS ALL MY LIFE, BUT THIS WILL BE MY LAST. I SHIVER TO THINK OF WHERE I MIGHT BE SOMEDAY WHEN IT DECIDES TO QUIT WORKING...AGAIN. I WILL LIST THE LAST INCIDENT DATE AT THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR SO FAR DATING BACK SIX YEARS. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND DOES NOT TURN LEAVING THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGERS STRANDED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOCKED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ONE ADDITIONAL TIME FOLLOWING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 233,000.

FORD FOCUS 2000. 63,000 MILES. KEY WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO IGNITION (ORIGINAL KEY) ALSO TRIED SECOND KEY (ORIGINAL KEY, NOT USED MUCH). FORTUNATELY, CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. IGNITION REPLACED. THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION OF A PENDING PROBLEM. *TR

THE IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. TO START THE CAR. FORD FOCUS 2000. *TR

KEY WILL NOT TURN TO ON POSITION. *TR

I DRIVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK AFTER MY SHIFT AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO START MY FORD FOCUS. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS ISSUE IS COMMON WITH THE FOCUS AND THAT FORD HAS STILL NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR FIXED THE ISSUE. AS WE SPEAK, A LOCKSMITH IS HAVING TO REMOVE THE IGNITION AND REPLACE IT. IT IS GOING TO COST ME CLOSE TO $300. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I WAS SOMEWHERE SAFE WITH CELL PHONE SERVICE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ANY OTHER TIME, I COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITH NO CELL PHONE SERVICE AND NO HOPE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD AND A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATORY FOR FORD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 HATCH BACK. SHE STATED THE FACTORY KEY FOR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER GAVE HER A SECOND KEY THAT ALSO DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO PLACE THE OLD KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY THEN REMOVING IT, AND REPLACING IT WITH THE NEW KEY. THE KEY FAILED TO TURN THE IGNITION ON. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 106,000.

KEY IGNITION PROBLEM. KEY WOULDN'T TURN / STUCK IN IGNITION. *TR

IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN IN FORD FOCUS 2000 ZX3. IT LEFT ME STRANDED IN COLLEGE HAD TO TOW MY CAR HOME. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO BE TOWED AND HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED. 598.00, INCLUDING THE 125. TOW CHARGE. *TR

THE KEY WON'T RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION ALSO THE IGNITION WON'T TURN OFF AND IF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE OR MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE YOU COULD NOT TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. *TR

THE IGNITION SWITCH, ON OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS, QUIT WORKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR. THE LAST TIME, I HAD A LOCKSMITH REPAIR IT. NOW IT ISN'T WORKING AGAIN. I "GOOGLED" IT AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH 2000-2003 MODELS BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I WILL CALL THE LOCKSMITH FOR ANOTHER COSTLY REPAIR BUT WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE LOOKED AT POSSIBLY FOR SOME KIND OF LIABILITY BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THANK YOU. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 MY ISSUE WAS THAT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN CAR IGNITION AND THEREFORE I CANNOT START CAR. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM APPARENTLY IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN TO OWNERS OF A FORD FOCUS AND I'M LODGING A COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT A RECALL WILL BE MADE. *TR

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS 2000 WAGON WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE PAST THREE WEEKS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BECAUSE I CAN NOT TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I AM NOW WAITING FOR IT TO BE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC TO FIX THE IGNITION. LOOKING ONLINE I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WONDER WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS IGNITION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. HE STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CUT ON AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 160,000. UPDATED 02/03/10 *BF UPDATED 02/11/10.*JB

2000 FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $400.00 TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED TO GET THE CYLINDER REPAIRED. IF THE DEALER FOUND THE CYLINDER WAS COMPLETELY RUINED, IT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL $300.00. *JB

MY DAUGHTER WAS AWAY AT COLLEGE WHEN HER 2000 FORD FOCUS WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. SHE WAS STRANDED WITH NO WAY TO GET HOME. A MECHANIC AT SCHOOL WORKED ON IT FOR AN HOUR AND GOT THE KEY IN AND SUGGESTED LEAVING IT IN PERMANENTLY UNTIL IT IS FIXED. WE GOT THE CAR HOME, TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER FOR OVER $400. THEY HAD THE PARTS AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY SERVICE THIS PROBLEM ALOT ON FORD FOCUS'. OUR FEAR IS THAT HER CAR WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE DARK FARM ROADS THAT SHE HAS TO TAKE TO HER SCHOOL. SOME REPORTS I HAVE READ HAD THAT HAPPEN TO THEM WITH FORD FOCUS. *TR

FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR, THE REAR TAIL 'RUNNING' LIGHTS HAVE BLACKED OUT. AT THE SAME TIME, DASHBOARD LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION. NHTSA CAMPAIGN 00V411000 COVERS THIS FOR ABOUT 75,000 FOCUSES IDENTICAL TO MINE, BUT FOR SOME REASON, MINE IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THREE TIMES. EACH TIME, THE WIRING HARNESS AND FUSES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ONCE, THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH NEEDED REPLACING, TOO. THE REPAIRS HAVE COST ME NEARLY $1,500. I CONTACTED FORD THE THIRD TIME, BUT THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING FORD COULD DO TO HELP WITH REPAIR COSTS, AS MY SPECIFIC VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. MY CONCERN IS THE RANDOM NATURE OF THE TAIL LIGHT LOSS. IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT, AND I NEED TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON ANY TIME I DRIVE AFTER DARK. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AND I AM AFRAID OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND. *TR

WITH KEY IN THE IGNITION THE KEY WILL NOT TURN, THUS THE CAR WILL NOT START. WE HAD TO WALK A MILE HOME LAST NIGHT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T START. WE HAVE DISCOVERED IT WILL BE 150 TO 250 TO HAVE A LOCKSMITH LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND UPWARDS OF 450 FOR THE DEALERSHIP. IT'S THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND WE ARE POOR AND CAN NOT AFFORD 450 TO REPLACE A POSSIBLE DEFECT. *TR

FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEYLOCK WILL NOT TURN. WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THIS 2000 FORD FOCUS SE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT MAY STRAND A DRIVER IN AN UNDESIRABLE LOCATION OR CONDITIONS. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION IS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION WONT TURN ON. STOPPED AT A REST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IN MIDDLE OF NOW WHERE AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN LOW 30'S. CAME BACK TO CAR IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN LOCKED UP. NO PHONE SERVICE IN THE AREA AND NO PAY PHONES, HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT PERSON TO STOP, SINCE WAS NOT A HOLIDAY I HAD TO WAIT TILL MORNING WHICH WAS 41/2 HOUR WAY WHEN A LOCAL COMMUTER STOPPED AND WAS WILLING TO GIVE ME A RIDE TO NEAREST GAS STATION 25 MILES AWAY. THEN I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL THE GAS STATION WHERE IT WAS FIX THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE PART ARRIVED. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE AND FINDING OUT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS VERY LIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN SINCE IT DEFECT HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED IN THE IGNITION MAKES ME VERY WORRIED THAT IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON MY WIFE, DAUGHTER AND I WERE ON OUR WAY TO MY WIFE'S SISTER HOUSE. EARLIER THAT MORNING I WENT OUT AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TRIED TO TURN BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN. I TRIED TURNING 8 DIFFERENT TIMES WITH 2 DIFFERENT ORIGINAL KEYS THAT CAME WITH CAR BUT STILL WOULDN'T TURN. FINALLY ON THE 9TH TRY IT TURNED RIGHT ON. WE WENT HER HOUSE FOR DINNER BUT I HAD TO LEAVE AFTER GETTING THERE BECAUSE I FORGOT THE DESSERT AT HOME. I GOT INTO THE CAR TURNED IT ON NO PROBLEM, GOT HOME WENT INSIDE CAME BACK OUT TURNED ON THE CAR NO PROBLEM, WENT BACK TO SISTER IN LAW HOUSE WAS THERE ABOUT 3 HOURS WENT TO LEAVE WILL NOT TURN. TRIED AND TRIED FOR ABOUT A HOUR TURNING BEFORE GIVING UP. SISTER IN LAW HAS NO CAR AND LIVED TO FAR AWAY FROM MY HOME TO WALK ESPECIALLY WITH A YOUNG CHILD. SO WE HAD TO CALL AROUND FOR A RIDE. FINALLY RETURNED HOME ALMOST 3 HOURS AFTER WE FIRST TRIED TO LEAVE. NOW WE ARE DOWN TO ONE CAR WHEN WE NEED TWO FOR BOTH OF US TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I HAVE NOT HAD ANYTHING FIXED ON IT YET. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE'S TWO CHOICES I HAVE ONE IS TO TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND PAY $500.00 OR MORE FOR A NEW IGNITION JUST FOR IT TO POSSIBLY HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE FORD HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION YET OR TWO PAY $150.00 OR MORE FOR A LOCKSMITH TO COME AND FIX IT, WITH CONSEQUENCES UNKNOWN. SO AT THE MOMENT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I COULD PAY FOR A NEW ONE BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE IF THE PROBLEM WITH THE FORD IGNITION HASN'T BEEN FIXED BY FORD, ALL THAT DOES IS PUT OFF THE PROBLEM FOR A YEAR OR MAYBE A FEW YEARS JUST FOR THE SAME PROBLEM TO COME BACK. THE LOCKSMITH IS CHEAPER BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEM DOING SOMETHING TO THE IGNITION WOULD DAMAGE MY IGNITION OR MY SECURITY SYSTEM. I THINK IS WRONG FOR FORD TO DO NOTHING ABOUT A PROBLEM THEY KNEW ABOUT FOR YEARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. HIS VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION FOR POOR EXTERIOR LIGHTING FUNCTIONALITY. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 00V411000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING). UPON CONTACT HE WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $179.00. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 165,000.

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND MY KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENS LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, FORD MUST TAKE ACTION! *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. IT LEFT MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER STRANDED AFTER WORK AS A HOSTESS AT A RESTAURANT. THIS COULD AND HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE KEY FINALLY TURNED AFTER NEARLY TWO HOURS OF ATTEMPTING TO GET IT TO WORK. WE HAVE DISCOVERED BY BANGING ON THE KEY IT HELPS SOMETIMES. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND OTHER CONSUMERS SAY IT HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. *TR

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION AND GETS STUCK. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 BATTERY CABLES. NOT INCLUDED BY FORD IN VIN RANGE FOR CURRENT RECALL 02V288000 " CAUSE THE BATTERY CABLES TO SHORT RESULTING IN HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CABLES. BESIDES HEAT DAMAGE, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO START, OR SMOKE, MELTING, OR FIRE COULD ALSO OCCUR." ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE SUFFERS IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS PLUS STALLING IN TRAFFIC WHICH PUTS OPERATORS LIFE AT RISK.. *TR

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS 2000 MODEL AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORD FOCUS MODELS OF 2000-2003. DUE TO THIS DEFECT I GOT STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. *TR

KEY WOULD NOT TURN. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS PROBLEM WITH IGNITION CYLINDER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, IT WILL NOT TURN TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95000.

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED ON THE FORD FOCUS. THE KEY WILL GO INTO THE IGNITION BUT WILL NOT TURN LEAVING US STRANDED. WE WERE LUCKY THIS TIME AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT HOME. ONE OF THE PREVIOUS TIMES WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER WHEN MY ELDERLY MOTHER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WAS STRANDED IN THE COUNTRY SIDE WITHOUT CELL PHONE SERVICE. SHE WAS HELPED BY A PASSERBY THAT TOOK HER TO A SERVICE STATION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER AND WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS OUR PROBLEM AND POSES NO SAFETY ISSUES. FORDS ATTITUDE TOWARDS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS A CONSUMABLE PART (E.G. TIRES, BRAKEPADS ETC.) AND YOU SHOULD BE HAPPILY TO GET MORE THAN THE 12000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE PART. SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE WILL BE STRANDED BY THIS SUB-STANDARD PART AND IT CAUSE THEM HARM OR DEATH. FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO PLACE THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION WITHOUT FORCE. AFTER ADDING OIL INTO THE CYLINDER THE KEY CAN BE PLACED INTO THE IGNITION NORMALLY; HOWEVER, AFTER A SHORT TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD HAVE TO REPLACED AND BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE PARKING LAMP AND TAIL LAMPS WERE NONFUNCTIONAL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSE ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE'S POWER LOCK SYSTEM ALSO FAILED TO OPERATE. SHE DISCOVERED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DECK LID HARNESS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V411000 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM;WIRING IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,300. UPDATED 11/06/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, SHE NOTICED THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT LIT AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUSE AND THE DASHBOARD LIT UP PROPERLY. HOWEVER, A SHORT WHILE LATER THE FUSE BLEW AGAIN. THE CONSUMER ALSO DISCOVERED THE TAIL LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AS WELL. ALSO, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED 4 WIRES HAD BEEN COMPLETELY SEVERED, AND ALL THE OTHERS HAD BARE PATCHES WHERE THE INSULATION HAD RUBBED OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM, BUT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED 11/10/09.*JB

KEY WON'T TURN 2000 FORD FOCUS. *TR

IGNITION WAS WORKING FINE. TWENTY MINUTES LATER, THE KEY WOULD GO IN THE IGNITION, BUT WOULD NOT TURN. MY VEHICLE IS IN PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. I FOUND OUT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH 2000-2004 FORD FOCUS. MINE IS A 2000. AGGRAVATED THAT FORD HAS NOT BEEN MADE RESPONSIBLE TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. NOT ONLY DO I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, I MISSED A DAY OF WORK BECAUSE I WAS STRANDED. *TR

MY KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. *TR

CAR KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. WILL NOT COME OUT. *TR

AFTER STALLING OUT THE ENGINE OF MY 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION IN 1ST GEAR, THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN AND IN FACT LOST ALL POWER. IT WAS JUMP STARTED, BUT IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, IT SPUTTERED AND LURCHED FORWARD, THEN DIED AGAIN. WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP AS IT WAS UNDRIVABLE. LUCKY WE WERE JUST IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT OUT ON THE ROAD OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. EVEN THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS WOULD NOT TURN ON DUE TO NO POWER. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE MELTED. *TR

I BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A 2000 FORD FOCUS IN 2008, IN FEB 2009 THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AT ALL. WE PLAYED WITH THIS FOR ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR AND IT FINAL TURNED OVER. THEN IN JUNE OF 2009 SAME THING HAPPEN TO MY DAUGHTER. WENT ON LINE TO READ OTHER PEOPLES REVIEWS AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF THEM ABOUT THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK. ONE VERY HELPFUL WHICH SAVED ME A TOWING BILL OF TELLING ME TO HIT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WITH THE PALM OF MY HAND AND IT WORKED, SO WAS ABLE TO GET THE DAUGHTERS CAR HOME. 300 AND SOME ODD DOLLARS I HAVE REPLACE THE CYLINDER LOCK AND HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T FELL HER AGAIN. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM FOR THERE IS MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. LIKE I SAID I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER AND GLAD THAT IT DIDN'T BREAK DOWN IN AN UNSAFE PART OF TOWN. SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT THEY DIDN'T GREASE THEM ENOUGH, I'M NOT SURE OF THE PROBLEM BUT FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THIS PART OR AT LEAST GIVE A GOOD EXPLANATION OF WHY IT IS HAPPENING TO SO MANY FORD FOCUSES. THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 COMPLAINTS ON THIS ON A SITE CALLED FOCAL JET, WHICH WAS VERY HELPFUL TO ME. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. OTHER THAN THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN GREAT FOR THE DAUGHTER. *TR

HEAT DAMAGE TO BATTERY CABLE, SMOKE WAS COMING OFF OF BATTERY CABLES, THE CABLES WERE SO HOT THEY MELTED. CAR NOW WILL NOT START BUT OCCASIONALLY CRANKS VERY SLOWLY.. THIS IS EXACTLY AS THE RECALL ISSUED BY NHTSA IN 2003 ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. YOUR CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V288000. MY CAR IS NOW A FIRE HAZARD AND CAN'T BE DRIVEN. NEED HELP. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS - YET ANOTHER FAILED IGNITION CYLINDER ISSUE; THE SAME FAULTY PART ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR NEARLY A DECADE NOW. STRANDED WITH TOWING COSTS AND LARGE REPLACEMENT COST FOR PART KNOWN BY FORD, ET AL, TO BE A DEFECT PROBLEM...NOT NORMAL WEAR-AND-TEAR. IN SHOP BEING REPLACED...CONCERN OF FUTURE STRANDED AS PART IS STILL CONSIDERED DEFECTIVE. *TR

THE IGNITION SYSTEM IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IS NOW LOCKED AND THE KEY WON'T TURN THE CYLINDER. THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVE PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THIS. THE KEY STARTED NOT TO TURN THE CYLINDER AT ALL THEN WOULD. FURTHER INVESTIGATION ONLINE SAYS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ON ALL MODEL FOCUS' WITHIN THE YEARS OF 2000-2005. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DECK-LID WIRE HARNESS FATIGUED AND DEVELOPED DAMAGED WIRES IN THE BEND AREA OF THE WIRE HARNESS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V411000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 188,000. UPDATED 06/03/09 *BF UPDATED 06/04/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. HE STRUCK THE KEY WITH A HAMMER UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS ABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ALMOST DAILY EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000.

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 AND WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY TRANSMISSION WILL REV ALL THE GAUGES IN THE CAR WILL GO UP AND DOWN AND MY HEADLIGHTS FLASH. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THEY FIX THE PROBLEM AND AS I PULL AWAY THE SAME THING HAPPENS. SO WHY IS IT THAT FORD THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE MY CAR CAN'T EVEN TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. SO HAVING TAKEN MY CAR TO FOUR DIFFERENT PLACES AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS HAPPENING, NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO GET ANOTHER CAR (IT WILL NOT BE A FORD). THIS IS REALLY GREAT TIMING WITH THE ECONOMY AND ALL. I MEAN I PUT A NEW ALTERNATOR ON, A NEW BATTERY, I HAD THE GROUND WIRES CLEANED, A NEW IGNITION SWITCH PUT ON. OH YEAH IT ALWAYS SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING UNDER MY HOOD (LIKE WHEN YOU BLOW A CANDLE OUT). IT'S PRETTY BAD WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND BASICALLY YOUR CAR DIES,SOMEBODY COULD SMASH INTO YOU CAUSING A PILE-UP. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. I JUST THINK IF YOU MAKE A PRODUCT YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS SO YOU HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE. *TR

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND I WENT TO START IT, AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER A FEW TRIES, IT FINALLY TURNED. WENT TO THE STORE, PARKED AND WENT IN, CAME BACK OUT, AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER 1/2 HOUR, IT FINALLY TURNED. THIS HAS BEEN REPEATED ABOUT 15 TIMES AND IT'S BEYOND FRUSTRATING. THE CAR RUNS FINE OTHERWISE. IT'S NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, I KEEP IT MAINTAINED, AND IT SITS IN THE GARAGE WHEN IT'S NOT BEING DRIVEN. I TRIED TO START IT YESTERDAY, AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TODAY AND IT WILL NOT TURN. I HAVE AN ENGAGEMENT IN 2 HOURS AND I NEED THE CAR. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE FORD FOCUS, WHICH IS WHAT I DRIVE (2000 ZTS). I LOVE THIS CAR, BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE A DEAL BREAKER WHEN I GET READY TO TRADE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WOULD BEND, FRAY AND BREAK WHEN CLOSING THE REAR LIFTGATE. WHILE CLOSING THE LIFTGATE, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE REAR WIPER, WASHER AND THE TOP REAR BRAKE LIGHT WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. HE REMOVED THE SLEEVE AND MENDED THE WIRES TOGETHER WHICH CAUSED THE COMPONENTS TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FELT THAT IF THE WIRES CONTINUED TO BEND, THE FAILURE WOULD RECURR. HE CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT RECALL 00V411000 BUT WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,766 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT WITH MY 16 MONTH OLD SON AFTER I RETURNED TO MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AND I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN I PARKED MY CAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND I HAD NO TROUBLE REMOVING THE KEY. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AFTER SHOPPING FOR AN HOUR AT FIRST I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION. I KEPT TRYING AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND I COULD NOT START MY CAR. MY HUSBAND WENT TO THE CAR LATER TO SEE IF HE COULD GET IT TO WORK AND HE COULD NOT. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS THAT MY FORD FOCUS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED AND RATHER THAN PAY FOR TOWING & REPAIRS WE DECIDED TO DONATE THE CAR TO CHARITY (WHO WOULD TOW IT FOR FREE) AND BUY OURSELVES A NEW CAR. *TR

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. UNSAFE, LEAVES DRIVER STRANDED. INTENDED TO BUY NEW PART, BUT RESEARCHED FIRST, FINDING THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AMONG FOCUS OWNERS. *TR

THE IGNITION TUMBLER IN MY 2000 FOCUS SE HAS FAILED TO THE POINT THAT NOW IT WON'T TURN UNLESS I SPEND 10-15 MINUTES JIGGLING IT AND PLAYING WITH IT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT MANY FOCUS ENTHUSIAST SITES HAVE REPORT. FORD HAS EVEN REDESIGNED THE TUMBLER IN NEWER VERSIONS IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, SO THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS, BUT HAVEN'T ISSUED A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $160-220 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A KEY TUMBLER SHOULD HAVE A LIFESPAN OF MUCH MORE THAN 9 YEARS. THAT IS SHAMEFUL, FORD. I WISH I COULD'VE CONVINCED MY WIFE TO GET THE CIVIC INSTEAD. *TR

I'VE HAD 2 MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SE. MY IGNITION IS LOCKED. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL, THE KEY WILL GO IN BUT WILL NOT TURN WITH MUCH RESEARCH ONLINE I'M SEEING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND THE PROBLEM IS THE IGNITION CYLINDER. 2ND- I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN MY CAR, AND ONCE AGAIN WITH ALOT OF RESEARCH I'M SEEING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM ANYWAY. *TR

LIKE SO MANY OTHERS MY KEY GETS JAMMED UP IT WONT TURN WONT START THE CAR AND YOU GET STUCK WHERE EVER YOU HAPPEN TO BE AT THE TIME. *TR

I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES IN MY FOCUS. HOPING THAT EVERY TIME I GET IN MY CAR THAT TODAY IS NOT THE DAY. THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE LOCK AND AFTER SO MANY FAILED ATTEMPTS, WORRYING ABOUT THE COST OF REPAIR. THE CAR SAT FOR TWO MONTHS AND KILLED THE BATTERY. UNFORTUNATELY THE CAR HAS BECOME SUCH A HASSLE TO DRIVE. I WAS LATE TO WORK AND GOT A POINT ON MY SUPER STRICT ATTENDANCE POLICY. THIS PROBLEM HAS PUT MY EMPLOYMENT AT RISK. THE CAR HAS ALSO BEEN FIXED PREVIOUSLY FOR THE SAME ISSUE BY THE PAST OWNER, I FOUND OUT. CALLED THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FIXED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN HEFTY COST. WHY WON'T FORD STAND UP, AND SAY THEY PUT UNRELIABLE PARTS INSIDE WHAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE A RELIABLE CAR. *TR

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN AND CAN NOT BE REMOVED. CAR MUST BE TOWED AND IGNITION REPLACED. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, 110000MILES I HAVE HAD TO MAKE THIS REPAIR 6 TIMES AT $200 EACH TIME. TYPICALLY, THIS SORT OF PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE COME UP ONLY ONCE IF AT ALL WITH MY MILEAGE. IF FORD IS GOING TO GET MY TAX DOLLARS, THEY SHOULD NOT BUILD A LOW QUALITY CAR. THIS CAR IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I WILL NEVER BUY AN AMERICAN CAR AGAIN. *TR

I WAS STRANDED UNABLE TO PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. I S/W A FORD SERVICE REP WHO STATED IGNITION CYLINDERS WEAR OUT. MY CAR ONLY HAS 86K MILES AND IS MAINTAINED AND GARAGE KEPT. THIS IS A HAZARD TO BE UNABLE TO START YOUR CAR! *TR

ON 3-2-06 I WAS UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN..I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REMOVED, THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REMOVED, NEW IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO GO TO LOCKSMITH TO BE KEY CODED, THEN A NEW INSTALLATION SWITCH WAS INSTALLED. THE COST WAS ABOUT $300 PLUS TOWING PLUS INCONVENIENCE...TOO MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS..FORD SHOULD RECALL PROBLEM/REIMBURSE PEOPLE WHO PD. *TR

KEY IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. *TR

1-2. IGNITION ON MY FORD FOCUS HAS LOCKED UP; APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT ALMOST EVERY FOCUS OWNER HAS. THE KEY CANNOT BE TURNED, SO THE CAR WILL NOT START, LEAVING ME STRANDED WHEREVER MY CAR HAPPENS TO BE. SINCE I DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR (A 4 HOUR DRIVE) THIS LEAVES THE POTENTIAL TO BE STRANDED IN BACKCOUNTRY INDIANA AT ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT, WITH NO WAY TO START MY CAR AND NO ONE I KNOW NEARBY TO PICK ME UP. 3. I WILL BE REPLACING THE IGNITION CYLINDER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, SINCE ALL FORD FOCUS 2000-2003 IGNITION CYLINDERS ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, IT IS VERY LIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN, AND INSTEAD OF BEING STRANDED AT A FRIEND'S APARTMENT, I MIGHT BE STRANDED MUCH FARTHER FROM HOME. *TR

YESTERDAY, FEB. 11, 2009, I CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL, PARKED, AND TURNED OFF MY CAR(2000 FORD FOCUS) ONLY TO FIND THAT MY KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. SO IN TURN I JUST LEFT THE KEY THERE OBVIOUSLY AND WENT IN MY HOUSE. FOLLOWING DAY BEFORE SCHOOL I TRY ONCE MORE TO REMOVE THE KEY, NO LUCK, I DRIVE TO SCHOOL, PARK, TURN OFF CAR AND AGAIN TRIED REMOVING THE KEY AND ONCE AGAIN NO LUCK. LATER ON I CAR PULLED WITH MY FRIEND IN HIS CAR TO WORK, AFTER WORK HE DROPPED ME OFF AT MY CAR TO GO HOME. I GET IN MY CAR ONLY TO FIND THAT NOW IT WONT EVEN START. I CALLED MY FRIEND WITH MY CELL PHONE THAT I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE AND HE CAME BACK SO I WAS SPARED FROM BEING STRANDED. WE HOOKED UP THE CABLES TO JUMP THE CAR AND NO LUCK WHAT SO EVER, ALL WE MERELY GOT WAS A NICE CLICKING SOUND. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, ALL BECAUSE THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THANKS TO FORD'S SELFISHNESS AND NOT ISSUING A RECALL. ALL IN ALL MY CAR REMAINS IN THAT PARKING LOT AND I AM LEFT WITHOUT A CAR. THANK YOU FORD. *TR

THIS MORNING I TRIED TO START MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FOUR YEARS THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE READ THERE ARE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FOCUS AND YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AND THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED LAST TIME CONTINUES TO HAVE TO THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION IN MY FORD FOCUS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT TOOK ME ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF CONSISTENTLY JIGGLING THE KEY AND STEERING WHEEL SIMULTANEOUSLY TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. SINCE THIS HAS OCCURRED THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS IN BEING ABLE TO GET THE IGNITION TO BUDGE AND MY CAR IS NOW UNABLE TO START. I HAVE ATTEMPTED MANY OF THE SUGGESTIONS FOUND ONLINE AND NOTHING HAS WORKED. I AM REPORTING THIS PER THE SUGGESTION OF A DISCUSSION BOARD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYS HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE IGNITION FOR OVER A WEEK AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. HE WENT TO A LOCKSMITH AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION AT THE COST OF $125; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS STILL NOT CORRECTED. HE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE LOCK. REQUIRED TOW IN AND DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH @ $600. *TR

ON THE FORD FOCUS, THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION LOCK NEEDS TOTALLY REPLACED. *TR

CAR KEY WON'T TURN IGNITION SWITCH. TRIED BOTH KEYS. EACH ONE IS ABLE TO BE PUT IN THE SWITCH BUT THE SWITCH STAYS LOCKED. *TR

NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY KEY WONT TURN AND THE WHEEL LOCKS UP WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. HAVE NOT FIXED IT YET. *TR

DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE POWER LOCK ACTUATORS IN A 2000 FORD FOCUS SE (S/W), THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAVE JAMMED DOOR LOCKS. THE DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED ANY LONGER BY KEY, BY INSIDE DOOR OPENING HANDLE OR BY THE REMOTE FOB. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT THE ONLY EGRESS FROM THE PARTICULAR CAR IS VIA THE 2 DRIVER SIDE DOORS, MAKING HALF OF THE CAR UNUSABLE. PASSENGERS WHO SHOULD ENTER VIA THE FUNCTIONING DOORS OF THE VEHICLE INTO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE JAMMED DOORS DO NOT HAVE AN ESCAPE ROUTE IN CASE OF ACCIDENTS THAT INVOLVE THE FUNCTIONING SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANY DRIVER OR PASSENGER. AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR "FOCUS JAMMED DOOR" OR "FOCUS JAMMED DOOR LOCK" RETURNS NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THE SAME PROBLEM, OCCURRING ON ALL FORD FOCUS DOORS INCLUDING TRUNK/HATCH. DRIVERS ENTER THEIR VEHICLES THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE OR EVEN THROUGH THE TRUNK BECAUSE SOME DOOR LOCKS ARE JAMMED DUE TO FAILED POWER LOCK ACTUATORS, WITH ALL SAFETY-RELATED HAZARDS AND CONSEQUENCES. THE JAMMING CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME; THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT IT AND TO TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES. A REPAIR IS EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED BY KEY OR DOOR OPENING HANDLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO AND REPLACE THE POWER DOOR ACTUATOR THAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE JAMMING. FORD IS NEITHER WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM NOR PARTICIPATE IN THE COST OF REPAIRS, THUS FORCING PEOPLE TO TAKE UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY RISKS. BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT THE JAMMED DOORS PRESENT AND THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF AN OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM, A SAFETY RECALL ACTION SHOULD BE INITIATED BY THE NHTSA TO FORCE FORD TO MAKE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS- THE IGNITION LOCKED UP, THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND IT CANNOT BE PUT INTO GEAR. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AND FORD IS IGNORING THIS AND LETTING THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY FOR AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WENT TO DROP OFF LUNCH TO MY OTHER DAUGHTER AND THE IGNITION LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN. ACCORDING TO CLARENCE DITLOW WITH AUTO SAFETY .ORG THIS IS THE NUMBER 1 REPORTED DEFECT IN THE 2000-2003 FORD FOCUS, SO WHY ISN'T FORD RECALLING THIS VEHICLE PROBLEM??? MY DAUGHTER CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE REP TOLD HER THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AND THAT THEY WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO RECALL THIS ISSUE. I THEN CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL DAYS LATER AND THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECORD OF ANY PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE KEY LOCKING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I WAS VERY UPSET AND SAID GOODBYE AND WENT ON THE INTERNET TO DO MY RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD IF THIS IS THE WAY THEY REPRESENT THEIR VEHICLES. I THEN CALLED FORD BACK AFTER MY RESEARCH AND INQUIRED WHY THE OTHER REP HAD TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF ANY ISSUES OF THIS TYPE WITH THE FOCUS. ALL I WANT IS FOR FORD TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. NOTHING MY DAUGHTER SIS COULD OF PREVENTED THIS ISSUE AND NOW FORD WANTS ME TO PAY FOR THE IGNITION TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $400 TO $500 ACCORDING TO RESEARCH SHOWN. UNBELIEVABLE... PLEASE HELP... *TR

IGNITION FAILURE AFTER REPLACING IT ROUGHLY 1 YEAR AGO. 2ND IGNITION CYLINDER TO BE REPLACED IN THIS CAR. *TR

I AM WRITING REGARDING MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A TOWN 50 MILES FROM MY HOMETOWN. THE KEY WENT IN AND WOULDN'T TURN. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 3 TIMES TO GET IT TO A FORD DEALER ( WHO IS THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD FIX THE PROBLEM). IT COST ME 380.52 TO GET THE CAR FIXED, IN WHICH 221 OF THAT WAS JUST LABOR! BUT SINCE THEY HAD TO PROGRAM THE IGNITION, THEY WERE THE ONLY ONES TO DO IT. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVERS SAID THEY TOW 2 OR 3 OF THESE A MONTH BECAUSE OF THIS. FORD HAS TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT IS UNFAIR THAT THEY HAVE NOT AT LEAST RECALLED THE PART. AS A CONSUMER, I CAN SAFELY SAY I HAVE LOST A LOT OF RESPECT FOR FORD. AS A CHILD I GREW UP A "FORD FANATIC", HOWEVER DUE TO THE PURCHASE OF MY FOCUS AND THE CARELESSNESS OF THE COMPANY TO TAKE CARE OF THE MINOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, THAT HAS CHANGED. FORD NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE WARNED ALL OF MY FRIENDS WITH FOCUSES OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY ARE JUST PREPARING THEMSELVES FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM! UNTIL THEN, I AM UNSATISFIED WITH FORD'S SERVICE, AND PRODUCT. *TR

THERE IS NO INDICATION OR WARNING TO WHEN THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR--IT IS PURELY RANDOM. IT HAS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE THREE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. WHEN THE KEY IS PUT INTO THE IGNITION, IT WILL NOT TURN. THUS, LEAVING THE DRIVER STRANDED. A LOCKSMITH HAD TO BE CALLED TO WORK ON THE IGNITION. FORTUNATELY, THIS TIME SHE WAS STRANDED AT CHURCH (THE FIRST TIME WAS AT A SHOPPING MALL AND THE SECOND AT WORK). BUT, SHOULD SHE HAVE BEEN SOMEWHERE UNFAMILIAR OR ISOLATED, THIS WOULD HAVE MADE HER QUITE UNCOMFORTABLE BEING ALONE. *TR

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE KEY STICKING IN MY IGNITION, BUT LAST NIGHT MY KEY REFUSED TO START THE CAR AT ALL. LEAVING ME STRANDED MILES FROM HOME. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THAT HE HAD TOWED 3 FORD FOCUSES IN THE LAST 2 DAYS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN 2003. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW IGNITION LOCK IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESOLVED THE ISSUE. CURRENTLY, FIVE YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HER PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

STARTING 2 YEARS AGO REAR HATCH WOULD INTERMITTENTLY UNLOCK WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. PROBLEM WAS WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. WITHIN LAST TWO WEEKS, REAR BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. ALL SYMPTOMS POINT TO A FAILURE IN THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING FROM THE CAR BODY TO THE REAR HATCH LID. ONLINE FORUMS OF FOCUS OWNERS DOCUMENT BROKEN INSULATION AND WIRES IN THIS WIRING HARNESS. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS THE TARGET OF A NHTSA RECALL OF FOCUSES FROM THIS MODEL YEAR, BUT APPARENTLY ONLY APPLIED TO THE SEDANS. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY FORD DEALER TO REPAIR, BUT WITHOUT A RECALL I WILL BE FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND REPORT A RECALL SOON IF APPROPRIATE. THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE AND SPONTANEOUS OPENING OF THE REAR HATCH WHILE DRIVING ARE SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF OTHER OWNERS REPORTING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE: HTTP://FORUMS.FOCALJET.COM/TEAM-PIT-STOP/457417-ALL-ZX3-OWNERS-PLEASE-READ-POTENTIAL-SAFETY-HAZARD.HTML. *TR

AFTER MONTHS OF ISSUES STARTING THE CAR AND THE KEY NOT TURNING, THE IGNITION NOW IS COMPLETELY LOCKED. THE KEY...BOTH KEYS PROVIDED BY THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE...WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION. *TR

THIS WILL BE OUR 5TH IGNITION REPLACEMENT SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR NEW IN 2000. THE FIRST THREE WERE COVERED. SINCE WE HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER 500 FOR THIS ONE WE HAVE BEEN MAKING DUE BY LEAVING THE KEY IN AND NOT COMPLETELY TURNED OFF BY JUST A HAIR. OR ON THE OCCASION WE FORGET AND TAKE IT OUT WE HAVE TO BEAT IT WITH THE BACK OF A SCREWDRIVER TO GET IT TO ENGAGE. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO GET OUT AND LEAVE THE CAR IN DRIVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE I GOT USE TO PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY I CAN NO LONGER REMOVE THE KEY SO I AM DISTRACTED BY DIGGING OUT THE CLICKER SO I CAN GET BACK INTO MY CAR. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS! MY CAR ROLLED ACROSS THE LIBRARY PARKING LOT AND INTO ANOTHER CAR. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A CHILD RUN OVER! ALL BECAUSE OF THIS IGNITION PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER LEFT MY CAR IN DRIVE IN OVER 32 YEARS BEFORE THIS TROUBLE! I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN RELENTLESS HEAT WITH CHILDREN AND FREEZING TEMPS AGAIN WITH CHILDREN. THIS IS WITH OUT QUESTION A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO KEEP PAYING FOR A DESIGN FLAW. IT IS NOT FROM OVER USE OR HEAVY KEY CHAINS. THERE ARE MANY MANY DAYS I DON'T EVEN LEAVE THE HOUSE TO USE IT. I DON'T STOP AND START THE CAR A LOT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY FORD. *TR

IN OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME, WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO LEAVE MY WIFE OR I STRANDED OUT IN THE COLD. SO FAR, STRUGGLING/WRESTLING WITH THE KEY WILL EVENTUALLY WORK. IN READING ON THE WEB, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD FOCUS CARS, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR

IGNITION BARREL AND STEERING COLUMN LOCKING MECHANISM. *TR

MY KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WON'T TURN. MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ON MY CAR, SO I AM LEFT NOW WITH FINDING SOMEONE TO FIX IT. THIS CAUSED A HUGE PROBLEM FOR SINCE I WAS STRANDED WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN 3YEAR OLD AND 4 MONTH OLD! I AM NOT A HAPPY CONSUMER RIGHT NOW! *TR

APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO, I HAD TO HAVE THE KEY PORT, TUMBLER AND THE ENTIRE KEY SYSTEM REPLACED ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER WORK. THE TUMBLER, APPARENTLY, BECAME JAMMED SOMEHOW. THE REPLACEMENT COST WAS $350. THE EXACT SAME MALFUNCTION OCCURRED YESTERDAY. THIS TIME AROUND, THE COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS $450. AFTER A LONG DISCUSSION WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED TO ME, WITH THE SAME CAR. A LITTLE RESEARCH REVELED THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODE, JUST SEARCH THE INTERNET UNDER, ?2000 FORD FOCUS, KEY GOES IN IGNITION, BUT WON'T TURN?, AND YOU WILL SEE MANY INSTANCES OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OTHER FOCUS OWNERS HAVE BEEN HAVING. AT THIS POINT, I AM SIMPLY SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT OF THE $450 THAT I HAD TO SPEND, AGAIN, TO CORRECT A PROBLEM FORD IS CLEARLY DENYING IS A RECALL ISSUE. *TR

FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. *TR

TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT. TO WHERE IT HAS TAKEN UP TO A HALF AN HOUR TO ACTUALLY GET IT TO TURN. IT IS MOST CERTAINLY A SAFETY CONCERN WHERE IN THERE IS THE POSSIBLY OF BECOMING STRANDED SOMEWHERE. *TR

FOR THE FIRST TIME (AT 100K MILES), MY WIFE'S 2000 FORD FOCUS' IGNITION LOCK HAS FAILED. LUCKILY, IT HAPPENS AT HOME, BUT I HAVE READ MANY HORROR STORIES OF OTHERS WHO WERE NOT SO FORTUNATE. EVIDENTLY, THIS IS ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT ONE THAT FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS. NHTSA SHOULD SURELY INITIATE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS, IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKS UP AND CANNOT TURN KEY TO TURN ON CAR. I SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF REPORTED INCIDENTS OF THE SAME. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS WAGON. COMPLAINT: KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. HAD IT REPAIRED BY SV. STATION COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO (STILL GIVING ME PROBLEMS) MY SON BROUGHT A FOCUS AT THE SAME TIME I DID AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM NOT TOO LONG AFTER HE PURCHASED HIS. MY DAUGHTER CALLED ME TODAY AND SAID "GUESS WHAT. HER FATHER IN LAW WENT TO START MY GRANDSONS CAR AND THE KEY WON'T TURN" YOU GUESSED IT, A 2000 FOCUS. I STARTED RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND COULDN'T BELIEVE ALL THE COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. EVERYBODY THAT BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALERS FOR REPAIR WERE SHELLING OUT $500.00. OUTRAGED, THAT IS WHAT PROMPTED ME TO REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THIS IS AS CLOSE TO A SCAM AS YOU CAN GET. WHAT A GRAND DESIGN FOR AN EASY PROFIT! THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE SCREAMING RECALL AND FORD SITS BACK AND DOES NOTHING! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AND HAD JUST PULLED INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE AC FAN STOPPED RUNNING AND I NOTICED THE SMELL OF SMOKE. THE CAR WAS PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND TURNED OFF. SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH BOARD AND BURST INTO FLAMES. 911 WAS CALLED THE FIRE TRUCKS CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR IS GONE WHILE THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN ARE FINE. THE CAR IS TOTALED. *TR

IGNITION PROBLEM, KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION AT ALL, REPLACING AND WILL NEED TO DRILL TO PULL OUT OLD IGNITION. SHODDY PARTS QUALITY IS LIKELY TO BLAME. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. *TR

HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WAGON, AND FOUND OUT IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND PROBLEM WHICH WILL CONTINUE. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD DOESN'T RECALL THE PART AND HAVE IT FIXED FOR THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. WHAT A SHAME! THIS PROBLEM LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED OVER 25 MILES FROM HOME. *TR

THE KEY WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION. A LOCKSMITH CAME AND FIXED IT, BUT NOW I CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT AT ALL AND HAVE TO LEAVE IT IN THE IGNITION ALL THE TIME. *TR

KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS: IGNITION SEIZED UP AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN. AAA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE BANGED AND JIGGLED TO FREE IT UP BUT IT SEIZED THREE TIMES AGAIN -- EVERY TIME TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, IT WON'T TURN AGAIN. I'VE READ MANY DESCRIPTIONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME OCCURRENCE; PLAN TO FOLLOW ADVISE OF GOING TO LOCKSMITH FOR REPLACEMENT IGNITION CYLINDER BECAUSE APPARENTLY FORD IS USING SAME PROBLEMATIC CYLINDER FOR REPLACEMENTS. *TR

BEGINNING IN DECEMBER 2005 I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION ON MY FORD FOCUS. AT FIRST IT BEGAN WITH THE KEY NOT TURNING IN THE IGNITION. IT HAS GOTTEN INCREASINGLY WORSE OVER THE LAST 21/2 YEARS. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I COULD NOT EVEN GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. ONCE THE KEY WAS INSERTED I DID NOT REMOVE IT AGAIN FOR FEAR I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL. NOW THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN EVEN WITH THE KEY IN IT. NO ONE IS ABLE TO REPAIR THE IGNITION, AND THERE ARE APPARENTLY NO AFTER MARKET PARTS.... SO I HAVE TO GO TO A FORD DEALER AND PAY ALMOST $400 TO FIX THE IGNITION ON A CAR THAT IS 9 YEARS OLD. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND I KNOW THAT THERE A LOT OF OTHER DRIVERS/OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION. AT LEAST 2 OF MY CLOSE FRIENDS ALSO OWN A FOCUS (BOY ARE THEY MAD I SUGGESTED GETTING ONE NOW) AND THEY HAVE BOTH HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS PROVES IT IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, AND I SHOULD THEREFORE BE ABLE TO GET THE CAR FIXED FREE OF CHARGE, OF COURSE THE WARRANTY IS UP, SO BASICALLY I'M SCREWED. I HOPE YOU WILL ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS, BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT, AND I NEED IT TO GET TO WORK, OR LOSE MY JOB IN AN EVER WORSENING ECONOMY. THANKS *TR

2000 FOR FOCUS IGNITION LOCK. I AM ABOUT TO REPLACE MY IGNITION LOCK FOR THE 3RD TIME. EACH TIME, I HAVE GONE TO MY CAR IN THE EVENING ONLY TO FIND THE KEY WON'T GO INTO THE LOCK, IT WON'T TURN, ETC. I HAVE NOW BEEN STRANDED APPROXIMATELY 9 TIMES IN SOMETIMES ROUGH AREAS. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I AM EXPERIENCING WHAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE 2000 FORD FOCUS. FOR THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE INTERMITTENTLY HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCK UP, UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND START THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED MANY TIMES. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A OVERWHELMINGLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 FOCUS AND SUGGESTED TAPPING AND BANGING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET IT TO TURN. THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR, HOWEVER, AS I AM FINDING OUT BY READING THESE COMPLAINTS, IT FINALLY HAS FROZEN AND WILL NOT TURN. FORD WANTS TO CHARGE PEOPLE FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH, ONLY TO REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE SWITCH,WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY NEED REPLACING , YET ANOTHER $450.. MY HUSBAND PURCHASED AN IGNITION SWITCH FROM AN AUTO PARTS STORE, ONLY TO HAVE TO TAKE IT TO FORD ANYWAY TO INSTALL BECAUSE THEY GET YOU BY CHARGING $150. TO "REPROGRAM THE PATS SYSTEM ON THE KEY. AT WHAT POINT AND HOW MANY VEHICLES HAVE TO BE REPORTED TO BE DEFECTIVE , HOW MANY OWNERS HAVE TO BE CHARGED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS AND FORD ALLOWED TO KEEP CHARGING AND RECHARGING US TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM RATHER THAN BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PROBLEM AND RECALLING THE PART?? WHY AREN'T CONSUMER'S PROTECTED AGAINST THIS? *TR

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS . I AMONG SEVERAL CO-WORKERS WHO CAR POOL BECAME STRANDED DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE KEY LOCK IGNITION SWITCH. THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN. MY KIDS HAD TO SIT AFTER SCHOOL FOR 2 1/2 HOURS TILL I COULD PICK THEM UP IN ANOTHER VEHICLE ONCE I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED. ADDITIONALLY MY CO-WORKERS WERE DELAYED TO THEIR FAMILIES AND SEVERAL OF THEIR CHILDREN MISSED IMPORTANT AFTER SCHOOLS ACTIVITIES. IN REVIEW OF OTHER TESTIMONIALS ONLINE THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THIS FORD VEHICLE AND APPEARS TO BE ITS NUMBER 1 COMPLAINT IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION..IF THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE FORD SHOULD FIX THIS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER..SO NOW I TOW IT TO THEM SO THEY CAN REPLACE WITH ANOTHER FAILING PART FOR 500.00...IT'S NOT RIGHT..IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY KIDS WERE LEFT UN ATTENDED FOR 2 1/2 HOURS. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY STUCK. VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION PIN INSIDE THE IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED. HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL OR MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED TWO YEARS AGO. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE BECAUSE THE WORK THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY DONE WAS ONLY FOR A YEAR. THEY ARE NOW CHARGING THE CONTACT THE SAME PRICE FOR THE REPAIR, BUT HE REFUSES TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

KEY WONT TURN IN IGNITION. ITS LOCKED UP PUT KEY IN AND TRIED TO TURN WITH NO LUCK. *TR

WELL, BASICALLY, MY IGNITION HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS FOR THE THIRD TIME. I'VE GONE ON THE WEB AND HAVE READ THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION AND IT WILL NOT START. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED DUE TO A SAFETY HAZARD. IMAGINE BEING IN A REMOTE LOCATION AND BEING IN NEED OF MEDICAL ATTENTION AND YOUR CAR NOT STARTING? IMAGING GOING HIKING AND TWISTING YOUR ANKLE, AFTER SUFFERING THROUGH AGONIZING PAIN, YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE TO SUFFER MUCH LONGER BECAUSE YOU CAN'T TURN THE KEY IN YOU IGNITION. I'VE NEVER HAD TO EXPERIENCE ANY OF THESE SITUATIONS, BUT I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY THIRD IGNITION FAILURE. THE FIRST TWO WERE $300 EACH, AND I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $600?? PRICE GOUGING IN OUR TIME OF HIGH GASOLINE COSTS?? I BELIEVE THESE FAULTY PARTS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

UNABLE TO TURN IGNITION TO START CAR WITH KEY, REGULAR MECHANIC UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM, HAD TO BE SENT TO A FORD DEALER TO REPLACE THE LOCK CYLINDER AT A COST OF 350.00. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION FAILURE. CAR IGNITION LOCKED/FROZE UP AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND THE IGNITION REPLACED AT A COST OF SOME $500. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS AND FORD REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ME AND HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM WITH A RECALL. *TR

THERE WAS NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. ON 4/26/08 I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS TO START IT, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM, WHICH ID A COMMON PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE FIXED "TOO MANY OF THESE IGNITION PROBLEMS TO COUNT". HOWEVER THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE WOULD NOT DO A "GOODWILL REPAIR". SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE OR WHO WHERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THEIR FORD FOCUSES. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE ARE THAT IT HAS COST ME MY JOB, AND MY FIANCE HER JOB, AMOUNTING TO APPROXIMATELY 52 THOUSAND DOLLARS YEARLY IN INCOME. I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY KIND OF REPAIR ACTION TO REMEDY THIS AS OF YET, AS IT COSTS 400-500 DOLLARS WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. *TR

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION IN MY CAR 3 TIMES....EVERY YEAR AT THE EXACT SAME TIME ITS GOES OUT....I THINK EVERYBODY WITH A FOCUS IS TIRED OF PAYING TONS OF MONEY TO GET THIS FIXED WHEN ITS NOT EVEN OUR FAULT.....SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE, THIS HAS TO B MAD INTO A RECALL.... *TR

00 FORD FOCUS SE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION WIFE WAS ON HER WAY HOME FROM WORK STOP FOR GAS GOT INTO THE CAR KEY WILL NOT TURN $200.00 TO FIX. *TR

MY IGNITION ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WONT TURN. I HAD TO FORCE THE KEY IN AND HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SO I CAN START MY CAR. CALLED FORD THEY WERE NO HELP AT ALL. FOR FEAR OF MY CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO START I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THERE AND KEEP A SPARE KEY ON ME SO I CAN LOCK THE CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. HE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED TWO WIRES WERE MELTED IN THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE ORIGINATED FROM THE REAR DECK LID. TWO WIRES WERE FUSED TOGETHER DUE TO FATIGUE, ONE WIRE BEING 7.5 AMPS AND THE OTHER BEING 15 AMPS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V411000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,679 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,670.

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAD A KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS CAUSED ME TO DRIVE A CAR WITH A KEY THAT WOULD NOT COME OUT CAUSING A THEFT ISSUE AS I LIVE IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. THERE WAS FEAR OF GOING OUT TO START MY CAR AND HAVING IT BREAK OR NOT TURN LEAVING ME STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FORD WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM FOR LESS THEN $500 WHICH IS A TOTAL JOKE AS THIS IS A FAULTY PART THAT THEY PUT IN THE CAR. I HAD TO PAY $385 DOLLARS TO HAVE A GOOD LOCKSMITH REPLACE THE PART FOR ME. FORD SHOULD BACK UP THE PRODUCT THAT MAKE AND SHOULD PAY BACK ANY FOCUS OWNER THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WILL NOT SUPPORT A COMPANY THAT WILL NOT SUPPORT THEIR OWN PRODUCT. *TR

I RECENTLY WAS STRANDED 30 MILES FROM MY HOME DUE TO MY IGNITION LOCKING UP. MY KEYS WOULD NOT EVEN BUDGE AND I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED AND PAID FOR THE REPAIR ($400). THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. *TR

KEY IGNITION SWITCH BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS. FIRST THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION ONE DAY. IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY ONE HAD TO PUSH THE CYLINDER IN WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PULLING THE KEY. IT SEEMED STRANGE AT THE TIME THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN OUT OF THE BLUE ONE DAY, BUT THE NEW METHOD OF REMOVING THE KEY WORKED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR LEAVING MY WIFE STRANDED OUT LATE ONE NIGHT. LUCKILY, HER FRIEND WHO ALSO OWNED A FORD MUSTANG, WAS WITH HER AND HAD EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH HER CAR. THEY WERE ABLE TO START THE CAR BUY SIMULTANEOUSLY PUSHING IN THE CYLINDER WHILE TURNING THE KEY AND IT STARTED. AGAIN STRANGE BUT IT WORKED. WE CONTINUED THIS ROUTINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL YESTERDAY, WHILE JUST SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS CHANGING TIRES THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED TO REMOVE IT FROM THE GARAGE. NOW FACED WITH MORE COST THE ONLY THING I COULD BE HAPPY ABOUT WAS THAT IT WAS ME STRANDED AND NOT MY WIFE AND MY SON. IT IS EVEN MORE FRUSTRATING TO LEARN NOW THAT THIS IS AND HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF FORD AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT. I CAN PAY HUNDREDS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART THAT MANY SAY WILL FAIL AGAIN. THIS TIME ON ONE OF MY WIFE'S MANY TRIPS WITH MY SON IN THE CAR SEAT. NOTHING ABOUT THAT SCENARIO SOUNDS SAFE TO ME. FORD NEEDS TO BE PROMPTED TO FIX THIS RECURRING PROBLEM TO PREVENT FUTURE SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

KEY WON'T TURN IGNITION AND COULD NOT START CAR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY DROPS TO 0 WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THE ODOMETER READS ALL DASH MARKS AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTS ROUGHLY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE SPEED SENSOR BEING BAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS GIVEN A DIFFERENT EXCUSE WHY THE SENSOR FAILED EACH TIME. *TR

I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AT WALGREENS. 10 MIN LATER I TRIED TO PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION. IT WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT SLID IN BUN MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON. IT COST ME 200 TO HAVE A LOCKSMITH COME OUT AND REPLACE THE IGNITION. APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THE 2000 FORD FOCUS. *TR

KEY IS HARD TO GET INTO IGNITION. THEN, IT WON'T TURN. AFTER TAPPING, I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT ON BUT I DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF HOPING THE CAR WILL WORK OR NOT. WHAT IF I'M LATE TO WORK? *TR

KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO IGNITION SWITCH. CALLED FORD DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCHES BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. HAD TO PAY $65 TO HAVE CAR TOWED AND $314 FOR IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT. *TR

I WAS LEFT STRANDED AT NIGHT WHEN MY KEY WOULD NO LONGER FIT ALL THE WAY INTO MY IGNITION, LEAVING ME UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A FLAT PARKING LOT. THE KEY WAS NOT EXCESSIVELY WORN NOR WAS IT BENT. THE VEHICLE STARTED FINE ONLY AN HOUR BEFORE. LUCKILY, I WAS IN AN URBAN AREA WITH CELLULAR SERVICE AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTACT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO LOAD THE CAR ON THE FLATBED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE TURNED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. SINCE I COULD NOT INSERT THE KEY ALL THE WAY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK ALLOWING THE WHEELS TO STRAIGHTEN. I THEN HAD TO CONTACT A LOCKSMITH WHO ADVISED HE COULD REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. HE ADVISED THAT HE WOULD REPLACE THE PART WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL THAN THE OEM BECAUSE IF THE OEM MODEL WAS INSTALLED, IT COULD FAIL AGAIN. THANK GOODNESS MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PLAN COVERED MOST OF THE COST FOR THE FAILED TOW ATTEMPT AND THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT. A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF CARS OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL TYPE. THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS RETURNED IN MY SEARCH RESULTS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!! I DO LOTS OF STATE TO STATE TRAVELING AND I COULD HAVE BEEN ABANDONED IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION WITH NO CELLULAR SERVICE IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS! WHAT IF I HAVE CHILDREN OR ELDERLY PASSENGERS IN THE CAR??? THIS IS EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE TO HAVE A KNOWN PROBLEM GO UNCOMMUNICATIVE TO FORD OWNERS. PEOPLE RELY ON THEIR VEHICLES TO START AND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING IS SCARY. I CAN THINK OF A DOZEN OF "WHAT IF" SCENARIOS THAT COULD PUT DRIVERS IN DANGER. THIS PART CAN BE REPLACED QUICKLY AND RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVELY (UNLESS YOU GO THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP IT SEEMS) WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL IGNITION SWITCH TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IF FORD WOULD JUST COMMUNICATE THIS KNOWN PROBLEM TO ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR

THE IGNITION KEY LOCK CYLINDER IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE KEY CYLINDER DOES NOT TURN PROPERLY WHEN THE FACTORY KEY IS PROPERLY INSERTED. I HAVE TWO SETS OF KEYS, THEY ARE NOT TERRIBLY WORN AND THE CYLINDER WORKS THE SAME WAY WITH BOTH KEYS. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE KEY, TAKE IT OUT AND FLIP IT OVER, WIGGLE THE KEY SOME MORE AND IT STILL MAY NOT WORK. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES, WHERE I WAS LEFT STRANDED, BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET THE IGNITION CYLINDER TO WORK. IT IS ALWAYS A GAMBLE AS TO WHETHER THE KEY IS GOING TO WORK IN THE CAR OR NOT. I'VE BEEN INFORMED BY THE LOCAL LOCKSMITH THAT HE HAS NOTICED THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS MODEL CARS. HE HAS HAD TO FIX QUITE A FEW WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THIS IS THE CASE, I FEEL THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THIS MAY BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND ALL CUSTOMERS NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT. I'D ALSO LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE FUNDS I HAD TO SHELL OUT, BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. THANK YOU. *TR

SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM VEHICLE AND UPON EXITING VEHICLE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE UNDERNEATH OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

ONE DAY I GOT INTO MY 2000 FORD FOCUS AND HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. ONCE IT WAS IN THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IT TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR OF TURNING THE WHEEL, JIGGLING THE KEY, AND TAPPING ON THE KEY TO GET IT TO ENGAGE THE LOCK CYLINDER AND START THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I LEFT THE KEY IN LONG ENOUGH TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE IS PERVASIVE ON THIS MODEL AND COST ABOUT $400 TO FIX. A SIMPLE SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS WITH 2000 FORD FOCUSES THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE IT IS A FAILURE SUITABLE FOR RECALL. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH IGNITION PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. SHE SAYS THAT THE DEALER CHARGED HER FOR THE REPAIR. SHE BELIEVES THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *KB THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS WITH IGNITION FAILURE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. WHEN THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM SHE ENDED UP PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. AND THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED 6 WEEKS LATER. *KB

THE KEY SUDDENLY WON'T FIT INTO THE IGNITION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2000 FORD FOCUS AND IT COST CLOSE TO $500 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE SINCE I FOUND OUT A LOT OF CONSUMERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT. THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT,AND FORD REFUSES TO RECALL THE VEHICLE OR FIX IT UNLESS IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED AND I WILL HOTWIRE THE CAR BEFORE I PAY 400 DOLLARS FOR A PROBLEM THAT WILL NOT EXIST. *TR

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, WENT TO LEAVE AND KEY WILL GO IN IGNITION BUT WILL NOT TURN EITHER WAY. I WILL HAVE TO GET THIS REPLACED MYSELF EVEN THOUGH I FOUND 466 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL/ 20+% OF THE ENTIRE INVENTORY SO FAR HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I GUESS SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO BE KILLED IN ORDER TO GET A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, ANY VOLUNTEERS? *TR

IGNITION LOCK JAMMED. *TR

IGNITION LOCKED UP. *TR

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY 2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION 4 TIMES IN THE 7 YEARS I'VE HAD THIS CAR. THE FIRST WAS IN 2001 THEN THE LAST WAS 2007. I CAN NOT KEEP FIXING THIS PROBLEM WHEN IT COST ME OVER $500.00 I WAS QUOTED BY FORD. *TR

HAVE EXPERIENCE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FOR YEARS. A BLOWER CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, CAUSING THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT TO WORK PROPERLY. *TR

THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE STEERING COLUMN SEEMS TO LOCK UP ON ME AND THE KEY WONT TURN TO UNLOCK IT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR A WHILE NOW. I KNOW I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON THIS HAS HAPPEN TO. I JUST HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. FORD WANTS ALMOST 400.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IT ISN'T EVEN A GUARANTEED FIX. I DON'T THINK THIS IS RIGHT FOR FORD TO CHARGE THAT KIND OF MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN DOWN THE ROAD. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. HE STATED THE KEY WOULD ONLY TUNR THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY WHEN INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, HE HAS SOMETIME HE HAS TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO TURN THE IGNITING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IMMEDIATELY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

FORD FOCUS ZX3 2000 - KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO START THE CAR.*CN

TONIGHT (12/29/2007), FOR THE FOURTH TIME (SIX TIMES TOTAL), THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS DIED, LEAVING ME STRANDED YET AGAIN. THIS TIME, I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN 12 DEGREE WEATHER FOR SEVEN HOURS. IT IS AMAZING I DIDN'T GET FROSTBITE - OR WORSE. I BOUGHT MY FOCUS IN 2002, WITH 52,000 MILES ON IT. THE PRIOR OWNER HAD REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TWICE ON THE CAR - ONCE ABOUT 12,000 MILES (UNDER WARRANTY) AND ONCE ABOUT 42,000 MILES. I REPLACED THE SWITCH AT 58,000, 72,000 AND 102,000 MILES. CAR NOW HAS 137,000 MILES AND ONCE AGAIN, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE [XXX] IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN, AFTER BEING ASSURED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN ("IT'S BEEN REDESIGNED, THE PROBLEM IS FIXED.") '!@#$%. THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS SAID THAT EVERY SINGLE TIME I'VE HAD TO REPLACE IT, AFTER TAKING $300-$375 OF MY MONEY EACH TIME, AND SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES LATER, I'M HAVING TO REPLACE IT AGAIN! THE FORD DEALERSHIP WILL ONLY WARRANTY THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR A LOUSY 12,000 MILES. WHAT IS PARTICULARLY AGGRAVATING ISN'T THE MONEY SO MUCH AS THE CAVALIER ATTITUDE FORD HAS THAT THIS IS NOT A "SAFETY ISSUE." TELL THAT TO MY STILL-COLD BODY! YOU SIT FOR SEVEN HOURS IN A CAR, STUCK, UNABLE TO TURN THE HEAT ON, IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE DYING BEFORE FORD OWNS UP TO THIS PROBLEM? *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WENT TO START MY CAR ONE NIGHT AND THE KEY WOULD NOT FIT IN THE IGNITION. MY COUSIN HAS TRIED WORKING ON IT AND HE CAN'T EVEN GET THE OLD IGNITION SWITCH OUT OF THE CAR TO REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE. I HAVE BEEN OUT OF A CAR FOR A WEEK AND AFTER RESEARCHING FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS NOT FIXED. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WHO IS 17 CAME OUT OF WORK AT 10 PM ON A SUNDAY NIGHT AND HER KEY WOULDN'T GO IN THE IGNITION OF HER 2000 FORD FOCUS. THUS SHE WAS STRANDED ALONE AFTER DARK IN AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD A CELL PHONE AND IF SHE HADN'T HAD ONE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN REAL TROUBLE BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING CLOSE TO WHERE SHE WORKS. WE STRESS ABOUT MAINTENANCE SO SHE WILL NOT BREAK DOWN AND SHE WILL BE SAFE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. SHE HAS ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR THREE MONTHS AND THIS IS ALREADY THE SECOND PROBLEM SHE HAS HAD WITH THIS CAR. *TR

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE ON FORD FOCUS-LEFT ME AND MY DAUGHTER STRANDED AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE PARKING LOT. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. *TR

MY WIFE PURCHASED A 2000 FORD FOCUS LX. SHE WENT OUT TO HER VEHICLE AND THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN. WE HAVE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT TO GET THE IGNITION TO TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO LOCKED. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND HOW SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE PART MORE THEN ONCE. WHY DOES FORD NOT RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM IN A RECALL. I KNOW THIS IS 2007 BUT I THOUGHT FORD WAS USUALLY ON TOP OF THINGS. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE? I HAVE PRINTED UP NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS TOPIC. SO WHAT IS BEING DONE IF ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A RECALL FROM FORD ON THIS PROBLEM. OUT OF ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN IGNITION SWITCH OR PART!!!!!!! *TR

AS I LEFT WORK ON THE NIGHT OF 12/4/07, I ENTERED MY 2000 FORD FOCUS AND FOUND THAT I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE KEY WOULD NOT FULLY ENTER THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND THUS COULD NOT START THE CAR. AS SUCH, I WAS STUCK IN THE PARKING LOT WITH NO WAY TO DRIVE MYSELF HOME WITHOUT CALLING FOR A RIDE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO FIND SOMEBODY, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A STRONG WINTER STORM AT THE TIME. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP - THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME HE SEES THIS PROBLEM ALL THE TIME WITH THIS CAR AND GAVE ME SOME TIPS FOR HOW TO TRY TO GET THE KEY TO WORK (AT LEAST TEMPORARILY), BUT NOTHING WORKED AND HE TOWED THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY NEEDED TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER, WHICH I HAD THEM DO. DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE REOCCUR WITH THEIR FOCUS. I CALLED FORDS CUSTOMER CARE CENTER, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST MY REPAIR (IN THE FORM OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR GOODWILL REPAIR) AND REFERRED ME TO THIS SITE TO SEE IF THIS ISSUE MERITED A RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION WAS UNKNOWN. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY STARTING AND THE KEY HAD TO BE TURNED SEVERAL TIMES. THE TRUNK LOCK FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

FOR THE SECOND TIME, MY 2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK HAS FAILED IN THAT THE KEY WON'T TURN AND VEHICLE IS IMMOBILIZED. CURRENT MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS APPROXIMATELY 48,500 AND IGNITION CYLINDER WAS DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED BY FORD DEALER AT 28,000 MILES AND REPLACEMENT PART FREQUENTLY STUCK AND NOW IGNITION CANNOT BE UNLOCKED. *TR

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS. ON THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 22, 2007 I PARKED MY VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IN TURN BLOCKED THE EXIT OF MY OTHER VEHICLE FROM THE GARAGE. WHEN I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE THAT NIGHT TO GO TO WORK, THE KEY WOULDN'T FIT INTO THE IGNITION. I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO JAM THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN FORWARD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT COST ME $380 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AND MAKE NEW KEYS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT HAVING AN EMERGENCY. IF I HAD TO TAKE MY SON, WHO IS 1 YEAR OLD, TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LEAVE MY HOUSE FOR AN HOUR. I HAVE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AND HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE IS HAVING A LOT OF THESE ISSUES. *TR

KEY CYLINDER ON 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE NOW. CAR HAS LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT. I CAN NOT BELIEVE A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED. WENT OUT THE FIRST TIME AT 18,000 MILES AND AT $356.00 A POP I BELIEVE THE PUBLIC IS BEING TAKEN FOR A RIDE. *TR

I HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 5 YEARS AND TODAY IT LOCKED UP AGAIN. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD. IT GIVES NO WARNING. 1 MINUTE IT WORKS FINE ... THE NEXT TIME I GO TO START THE KEY --- IT IS LOCKED UP AND WONT UNLOCK. I AM A SINGLE MOM ON DISABILITY AND IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE SUCH AN UNDEPENDABLE CAR - I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL START AND WHEN IT WONT. *TR

MY 2000 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND BURNED UNTIL IT WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS ALSO DAMAGE DONE TO MY HOUSE. MY FAMILY ALSO SUFFERED FROM MENTAL TRAUMA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. IN JULY OF 2007, THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE FUSE, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION, FOLLOWED BY THE REAR HATCH. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE A FIRE HAD TAKEN PLACE IN THE WIRING. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY AWAITING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,338 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE KEY THAT IS USED TO START THE IGNITION IS ALSO USED FOR THE DOORS. THE KEY STOPPED WORKING FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE POWER LOCKS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT SUGGEST A REMEDY FOR THE DOORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATE 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED *JB

KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. INCURRED COST FOR TOWING CAR TWICE, IGNITION WAS REPLACED, AND THEN NEW KEYS HAD TO BE PROGRAMMED. *TR

VEHICLE RECALLED IN FEBRUARY 2001 TO REPAIR PROBLEM:"SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE A RIGID VINYL SLEEVE AROUND THE WIRING AT THE HINGE POINT OF THE REAR DECKLID. DURING DECKLID OPENING AND CLOSING, MOVEMENT IS CONCENTRATED AT THIS POINT AND MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE WIRES WITHIN THE HARNESS TO FATIGUE AND BREAK. DEPENDING ON WHICH WIRES BREAK, IT MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF LICENSE PLATE LAMPS, CENTER HIGH-MOUNT STOP LAMPS, STOP LAMPS OR TAIL LAMPS. LOSS OF THIS REAR LIGHTING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT." TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR BUT THE FOLLOWING HAVE FAILED SINCE: RIGHT TAIL LAMP, REVERSE LIGHTS. ON 09/12/2007 A FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS REP STATED THAT MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAD ANY RECALLS. I HAVE FOUR OF FIVE OF THE NOTICES THEY SENT ME.

I DROVE MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ABOUT 2 MILES TO THE GAS STATION TO RUN IN FOR MILK. WHEN RETURNING TO THE CAR 3 MINUTES LATER, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO WALK HOME AND GET A RIDE BACK TO THE GAS STATION WITH ANOTHER KEY (HOPING IT WASN'T THE IGNITION PROBLEM I'D READ SO MUCH ABOUT). THAT DIDN'T HELP. THE NEXT MORNING I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP, WHICH WAS LITERALLY WITHIN VIEW OF THE GAS STATION. THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THEIR GARAGE ($45!!! FOR LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE) AND THEN PAY FOR A NEW IGNITION $400. *TR

PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING SPACE AND CAME BACK TO RETRIEVE MY CAR. COULD GET THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT COULD NOT TURN IT. TURNS OUT THE IGNITION WAS FAULTY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY FORD. EVERYONE I'VE TALKED TO WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM, BUT FORD HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT. THEY CHARGED 400 DOLLARS TO REPLACE IT. *TR

IGNITION CAN NOT BE TURNED WITH KEY INSERTED. *JB

THE FIRST TIME I COULDN'T GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THEN AFTER 30 MINUTES I GOT IT TO GO IN. THEN WHEN I PARKED, I COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT. SO I DROVE HOME. HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH TO COME DRILL OUT THE CYLINDER AND PUT A NEW ONE IN--$220. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. EVEN THOUGH NO ONE WAS HARMED BY THIS DEFECT ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH 51,000 MILES ON IT, I WAS VERY INCONVENIENT FOR ME. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ALONE AT NIGHT AWAY FROM THE CITY AND LOCKSMITHS AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN OR GO IN? I WOULD BE STRANDED. THAT TO ME IS A SAFETY ISSUE. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF FOCUS OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JB

I WAS GETTING IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS THIS MORNING TO GO TO WORK; I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I FIDDLED WITH IN FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO NO AVAIL. AS A RESULT, I HAD TO CALL OFF OF WORK. THAT ALONE IS A LOSE OF MONEY. I HAVE NOT YET CALLED FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT ACCORDING TO OTHER REPORTS, IT CAN COST ANYWHERE FROM$100- $400 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I JUST THANK GOD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN TO ME IN A DANGEROUS AREA. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN A VERY DANGEROUS AREA. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY NOT TURNING BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, HOWEVER, I COULD ALWAYS EVENTUALLY TURN THE KEY, AFTER FIDDLING WITH IT FOR A FEW MINUTES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000.

I JUST BOUGHT A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE WOMAN HAD THE TUMBLER REPLACED LAST YEAR (08/06). WILL HAVE TO TAKE TO THE DEALER AND HAVE IT FIXED. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A PERSISTANT PROBLEM WITH 2000 FORD FOCUS CARS. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER IN MY YEAR 2000 FORD FOUCS, TWICE. EACH TIME I WAS STRANDED BECAUSE THE LOCK JAMMED AND I COULD NOT START THE CAR. MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS THAT APPARENTLY NO BETTER PART IS AVAILABLE AND I AM FORCED TO INSTALL ANOTHER ONE OF THESE DEFECTIVE LOCKS JUST TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD. BEING STRANDED DOUBLE PARKED IN NEW YORK CITY, OR OUT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE ON THE WEEKEND IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT MONEY COMPENSATION - I WANT THE PROBLEM FIXED, I WILL GLADLY PAY FOR AN NEW LOCK THAT WILL NOT FAIL IN THIS WAY AGAIN. ON EVERY OTHER CAR I OWNED THE IGNITION LOCK OUT LASTED THE ENGINE. *TR

IGNITION ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND LEFT TO SIT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. UPON RETURN, THE KEY COULD NOT BE FULLY INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. MY 3-YEAR-OLD SON AND I WERE STRANDED. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED ABOUT 7 MILES TO THE DEALER. DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF ABOUT $348. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

FAILED IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK. UPON ENTRY INTO VEHICLE I PROCEEDED TO ATTEMPT TO START VEHICLE. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. TRIED MOVING STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY WHICH SOMETIMES ALLOWS IGNITION TO TURN. HOWEVER THIS TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND KEY WOULD STILL NOT TURN. SPENT ABOUT 30 MINUTES TRYING TO GET KEY TO TURN. STRANDED, HAD TO CALL FOR TRANSPORTATION AND TOWING. CYLINDER LOCK REPLACED BY DEALER. EXPENSIVE REPAIR. NO DISCOUNT. KNOWN ISSUE WITH FOCUS VEHICLES WIDELY REPORTED WITHIN THE INTERNET COMMUNITY. *JB

OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON IGNITION LOCK "FROZE" SO THAT WE COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR. WHEN I SPOKE WITH A LOCKSMITH AND SAID THE WORDS "2000 FORD FOCUS" HE SAID "DON'T TELL ME, THE IGNITION LOCK WON'T TURN, WILL IT." HE INDICATED THAT HE ALONE IS CALLED OUT ON ONE OR TWO FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK FAILURES EVERY WEEK. WHILE THIS WAS AN INCIDENT IN WHICH NOBODY WAS INJURED AND NO PROPERTY DAMAGE OTHER THAN THE LOCK HAVING TO BE DESTROYED AS PART OF THE REPAIR BY BEING DRILLED OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE LOCKSMITH CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE CALL AND REPAIR WAS $186.81. WE SPENT TWO AND A HALF HOURS STUCK IN A SHOPPING CENTER MALL WAITING FOR THE REPAIR. IN MY OPINION SINCE MANY OF THESE IGNITION LOCKS HAVE FAILED BASED ON A NUMBER OF INTERNET SITES CARRYING REPORTS OF FAILURES SIMILAR TO OURS, IT IS MY OPINION THAT FORD SHOULD ORDER A RECALL IN ORDER TO REPLACE SUB-STANDARD IGNITION LOCKS, AND SHOULD REIMBURSE OWNERS SUCH AS US FOR EXPENSE WE'VE UNDERGONE HAVING THEIR DUB-STANDARD LOCKS REPAIRED OR REPLACED. *TR

IGNITION IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT TURN TO THE START POSITION ,I TRIED TO WIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE SURE THE STEERING WASN'T LOCKED AND ITS LOCKED TOO. *TR

THE KEY IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT TURN. MY CAR IS USELESS. AFTER MONTHS OF IT BEING DIFFICULT AND HAVING TO USE FORCE IT FINALLY WON'T TURN AT ALL. FORTUNATELY I AM AT HOME AND NOT STRANDED. SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ISN'T A RECALL ISSUE. INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING. SOUNDS LIKE I EITHER PAY A LOCKSMITH $150 OR FORD $400 TO FIX IT. *JB

KEY WILL NOT INSERT INTO THE IGNITION. REPEATED ATTEMPTS WITH NO SUCCESS. *TR

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN. KEY CAN BE INSERTED INTO IGNITION CYLINDER, BUT WILL NOT TURN OR START VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE FOR $100. DEALERSHIP REPLACED IGNITION CYLINDER FOR $300. *JB

IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. KEY WILL INSERT INTO IGNITION CYLINDER, BUT WILL NOT TURN AND THEREFORE NOT START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR $100. DEALERSHIP QUOTED $300-400 FOR IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACEMENT. *JB

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES OUT OF MY IGNITION/STEERING. THE EVENTS LEADING TO THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN THE KEY GOING IN THE IGNITION AND SOMETIMES ONLY GOING IN HALF WAY...YESTERDAY AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE THE KEY GOES IN THE IGNITION BUT WONT TURN...THE IGNITION/STEERING IS LOCKED ON POSITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS BECAUSE OF FAULTY IGNITION (KEY AREA). TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH FORD HAS NOT ISSUED ANY KIND OF SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS NOT DEEMED A SAFETY MATTER...WELL MY QUESTION IS WHAT IF I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE, OR IN A UNSAFE AREA? I GET IN MY CAR AND THE KEY WILL GO IN THE IGNITION BUT THE KEY WONT TURN SO I CAN'T START MY CAR...WHAT IF SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO MUG ME AND I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET IN MY CAR BUT I COULDN'T GET MY CAR TO START TO SAFELY GET AWAY BECAUSE THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH SO I COULD START MY CAR??? THIS SEEMS LIKE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE HELP!!! *JB

THE CAR WAS OK WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, WHEN MY WARRANTY WAS UP, THE KEY TOOK A COUPLE OF TURNS BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO TURN FULLY, THIS HAPPENED RARELY. THEN IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT, AND NOW IT DOESN'T TURN AT ALL. MY CAR IS NOW BEING TOWED AND HOPEFULLY THE PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED. IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS COSTS SO MUCH. I WAS GOING AWAY IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND NOW I WON'T BE ABLE TO BECAUSE OF THIS EXPERIENCE. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED. *TR

TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE NO RECALL NOTICE WAS EVER RECEIVED REGARDING CAMPAIGN # 02V288000 , I HAVE A BILL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE EXACT SAME PARTS DUE TO THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS THIS RECALL NOTICE STATED . I WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT. HOW DO I GO ABOUT THIS?*AK

KEY STUCK IN 2000 FORD FOCUS, UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION, UNABLE TO TURN KEY IN IGNITION. THUS, LEAVING 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER STRANDED. POP A LOCK WAS CALLED, AND COST $275.00. *AK

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH 31,000 MILES ON IT. TWICE IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS THE IGNITION JAMMED. THE FIRST TIME ON A FREEZING COLD DAY AT A DESERTED URBAN PARKING LOT LATE AT NIGHT AT FEBRUARY 24, 2007. THE SECOND TIME , ON JULY 12, 2007. *AK

IGNITION LOCK WILL NOT TURN IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS

I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY AND I HAD THE VEHICLE , A 2000 FORD FOCUS 4 DOOR SEDAN, FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AND THE KEY DID NOT WORKING CORRECTLY IN THE CYLINDER. WOULD HAVE TO JIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KEY FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD TURN OVER TO START. JUST LAST WEEK ON 06/05/2007 THE CAR NO LONGER STARTED, I COULD NOT GET THE KEY TO TURN TO START. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE IGNITION CYLINDER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT, AND I TALKED TO THE MANAGER AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND HE SAID THIS WAS A COUNTINOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS KIND OF VEHICLE. THIS WA S EASILY COSTING ME $300 THAT I DONT HAVE... THIS PROBLEM NEEDED TO BE RECALLED. BY THE WAY I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO GET IT FIXED. *AK

THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN WHEN INSERTED INTO THE STEERING COLUMN. MY SON WAS STRANDED, ALONE WITH NO WAY TO GET HOME EXCEPT FROM MY DRIVING TO GET HIM. FORTUNATELY, HE WAS ONLY FIVE MILES AWAY FROM HOME, BUT HE COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED MUCH FURTHER AWAY AND IN A DANGEROUS LOCATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER, THE TUMBLER, AND THE PASS KEY POINT. THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON MAY 29, 2007. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 58,395 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 07/06/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. ONCE INSERTED, IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE IGNITION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

IGNITION SWITCH WORE OUT ON 2001 FOCUS, HAPPENED AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES. HAPPENED WHILE FORD MECHANICS WERE ON STRIKE. HAD TO HAVE LOCK SMITH REPAIR. KEPT KEY IN IGNITION AT ALL TIMES WHEN STARTED GETTING HARD TO USE AGAIN. JUST THIS WEEK THE 2000 FOCUS WAGON IGNITION WOULD NOT ALLOW KEY TO GO IN ALL THE WAY. WENT ON LINE TO DETERMINE HOW TO FIX MYSELF, SAW HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME PROBLEM. *AK

THE IGNITION CYLINDER THE 2000 FORD FOCUS LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. IT FIRST HAPPENED WHILE I WAS AT AN ATM AT 11PM AT NIGHT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE IGNTION FOR ALMOST 30 MINUTES, WHICH PLACED ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TWO WEEKD LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THIS YIME WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT AT ALL, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE REPAIR COST ME, WITH TOWING WAS $550. I KNEW THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER FOCUS OWNERS AND FELT FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THIS PORBLEM.*AK

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN, CANNOT START CAR AND STRANDED. SECOND OCCURRENCE AFTER PREVIOUSLY REPAIRING SAME PROBLEM WITH A NEW LOCK CYLINDER FROM FORD. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED ON HIS VEHICLE. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL # 00V411000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING). THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED TWO YEARS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO HIS VIN. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING LOUD NOISES AND VIBRATIONS IN THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND GREATER. THERE IS ALSO A RELATED SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE. THE VIN IS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 107,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

IGNITION LOCKS SO KEY WILL NOT START THE CAR . I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED , FOLLOWING THE FIRST TIME THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUSE FOR THE POWER DOOR LOCK HAD FAILED. HE REPLACED THE FUSE, BUT THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. HE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY FAILURES WITH THE OTHER DOORS. A DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN, AS A RESULT, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. I AM UNABLE TO START THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME. *TR

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. WHEN KEY IS INSERTED IN IGNITION SWITCH IT FAILS TO TURN AND CAR WILL NOT START. *TR

ONE DAY THE IGNITION CYLINDER ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 FAILED, AND I WAS UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY DID NOT TURN ONCE INSIDE THE IGNITION. I WAS STRANDED WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. I HAD TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER TO GET THE IGNITION REPLACED. *JB

I GOT INTO MY CAR TO GO ON A BUSINESS CALL AND THE KEY, WHEN INSERTED, WOULD NOT TURN THE CYLINDER. AFTER TRYING FOR SOME TIME TO GET THE KEY TURNED, I BEGAN A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE HAD BEEN YET ANOTHER RECALL ON THE FOCUS (I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS). I FOUND THAT IT WAS NOT RECALLED, ALTHOUGH IT CERTAINLY WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. I FOUND MANY ACCOUNTS OF THIS PROBLEM AND MANY SUGGESTED REMEDIES. I CHOSE TO USE THE "HAMMER METHOD." THIS WORKED. IT TAKES FOUR HARD RAPS WITH A RUBBER MALLET ON THE END OF THE KEY (INTO THE CYLINDER) TO GET IT TO THEN TURN. IF I TAKE THE KEY OUT, EVEN ONCE, THE PROCESS MUST BE REPEATED. I PARK THE CAR WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, USING MY NON-CODED SPARE OR THE REMOTE UNLOCK TO GET INTO THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE - IF THERE WERE AN EMERGENCY OF SOME TYPE OR SOME TYPE OF PERSONAL THREAT AND I WERE UNABLE TO LEAVE QUICKLY DUE TO THIS IGNITION PROBLEM, WHERE WOULD I BE? ALSO, MY CAR (AS UNDESIRABLE AS I'M SURE IT IS DUE TO ITS MANY PROBLEMS) SITS AT RISK OF BEING STOLEN - THE KEY IS EASILY VISIBLE IN THE IGNITION IF I LEAVE IT THERE TO AVOID HAVING TO USE A HAMMER TO START THE CAT. I'M LISTING THE FAILURES AS 100 - I'VE HAD TO USE THE HAMMER AT LEAST THAT MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR, BUT I CAN RE-CREATE THE ISSUE ANY TIME BY SIMPLY PULLING THE KEY OUT. *JB

IGNITION KEY HAS FAILED TWICE- MECHANICALLY- THE 1ST TIME WAS AT 54000 MI AND COST $300 TO REPLACE - JUST HAPPENED AGAIN AT180000. THERE WERE 34 SIMILAR REPORTS IN 2001 WHEN 1ST OCCASION HAPPENED BUT FORD SAID IT WASN'T A PROBLEM. NOW I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ON YOUR SITE ABOUT IT. CAR HAS JUST BEEN TOWED TO DEALER SO NOT SURE WHAT IT WILL COST. BUT I HAVE DRIVEN CARS FOR 50 YEARS AND NEVER HAD AN IGNITION KEY PROBLEM BEFORE, NEVER MIND 2 ON SAME VEHICLE. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER OF 130000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WULD NOT TURN. THE CONTACT TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND DIFFERENT WAYS TO MOVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, SHE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR, BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN . THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD LIGHT UP, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD CHIME, BUT THE IGNITION REMAINED FROZEN. *AK

THE IGNITION CYLINDER IN MY 2000 FOCUS ZX3 BROKE (FROZE UP) FOR THE SIXTH TIME. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER SIX TIMES NOW IN THE SAME VEHICLE IN SEVEN YEARS. IT HAS COST ME A LITTLE OVER $400 EACH TIME, EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

FORD FOCUS WITH IGNITION LOCK UP PROBLEMS *WRITER PLEASE NOTE FOR CUSTOMER THAT COMPLAINT IS BEING FORWARDED TO FTC.* *CC *NM

FORD 2000 EXPITITION CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED AND OCCURED IN MY DRIVEWAY AROUND 7AM AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON AND THE LAST TIME USED AROUND 10:30 PM THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. *NM

I PARKED MY CAR AND TOOK THE KEY OUT AS USUAL. WHEN I GOT BACK IN A FEW MINUTES LATER AND TRIED TO START IT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS INEXPLICABLY SEIZED UP. THIS LEFT ME STRANDED, IN A SNOW STORM, SEVERAL MILES FROM MY HOME LATE AT NIGHT. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I'M SEEING IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY MODEL OF VEHICLE. IF I HAD BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AS AN OWNER, I COULD HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF IT HAPPENING. *JB

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 HTTP://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. *JB

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. *JB

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND FROM WHAT I AM READING ON THE INTERNET THE FORD FOCUS IS KNOWN FOR THIS ISSUE, AND I AM LETTING RICART FORD KNOW THAT I WILL NOT PAY IN ANYWAY FOR THIS DEFECTED PART. IF I HAVE TO I WILL GET MY LAWYER INVOLVED. *JB

FAILURE OF IGNITION KEY TO TURN IN IGNITION LOCK. LEFT ME STRANDED. CALLED LOCKSMITH TO HAVE WHOLE IGNITION DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. LOCKSMITH INFORMED ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT HAS REFUSED TO RECALL THE DEFECTIVE PART. *JB

THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS, TEND TO STICK AND YOU CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT JERKING HARD ON THE KEY TO REMOVE . NOW THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE SWITCH AND WILL NOT TURN ON. IT STRANDED ME 5 MILES FROM HOME. *NM

THE CAR WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING WE REPLACED THE BATTERY CHECKED THE CABLES HAD THE STARTER TESTED THE GUY SAID IT WAS THE NUETRALIZATION SWITCH. HE GOT BACK INTO START THE CAR AND IT LOCKED UP. IT IS NOW STILL SITTING THERE FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT. *NM

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. *NM

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. *NM

WAS STRANDED WITH BABY WHEN UNABLE TO INSERT KEY INTO IGNITION AND START VEHICLE (2000 FORD FOCUS) WHICH LOCKSMITH TELLS ME IS COMMON DEFECT IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED WITH COST OF $180. *JB

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. *NM

THE CAR HAS 32000 MILES AFTER 6 YEARS. IN DECEMBER 2006 THE IGNITION FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. I COULD NOT INSERT THE KEY. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE TOWED AND THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I WAS ABLE THE RESTART THE CAR, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN ON DECEMBER 11, 2006, STRANDING ME. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON ON THIS MODEL, TO THE EXTEND THAT FORD KEEPS THE REQUISITE PARTS IN STOCK. HE ATTRIBUTED IT TO A DESIGN FAULT. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THIS PROBLEM INDEED IS COMMON A DRIVER COULD BE STRANDED AND HELPLESS IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, WITH SERIOUS RISK TO SAFETY AND POSSIBLY LIFE. IF THE MECHANIC'S OPINION THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FAULT IS CORRECT, FORD SHOULD RECALL THE CAR. *JB

KEY LOCKING UP IN IGNITION. CAR ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES. $500 REPAIR BILL PLUS TOWING CHARGE AND LEFT ME STRANDED IN SNOW STORM. *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKS, PREVENTING THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED. *NM

1) I PARKED IN A REDZONE TO LET MY FRIEND OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN I LOADED SOMETHING INTO MY CAR. 2) I WENT TO RESTART MY VEHICLE AND THE IGNITION MECHANISM FAILED- COULDN'T INSERT THE KEY PROPERLY AND WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR. SO IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE MY CAR TO A SAFER LOCATION. LUCKILY I HAD AAA IN ADDITION TO TWO GENEROUS FRIENDS WHO WERE ABLE TO HELP ME WITH THE COST- $265!!! BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY THE MAN UP FRONT. OTHERWISE MY CAR WOULD'VE BEEN TICKETED AND TOWED. 3) HE DRILLED OUT THE OLD IGNITION MECHANISM AND REPLACED IT. 2 HOURS OF MY LIFE AND $265 LATER!! *NM

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START MY 2000 FORD FOCUS THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. INITIALLY THINKING IT WAS A KEY ISSUE I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET TO FIND NUMEROUS ISSUES SURROUNDING THE 2000 FORD FOCUS AND POOR QUALITY OF THE TUMBLER ASSEMBLY LEAVING PEOPLE STRANDED AND/OR KEYS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. FORD HAS ALSO ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO THEIR DEALERS IN REGARD TO THIS ISSUE. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND ALSO DEALT WITH FORD CORPORATE LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION. THEY SAY THERE ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY ISSUED THE SERVICE BULLETIN. AT THIS TIME MY ONLY SOLUTION TO HAVE FORD REPLACE TO PREVENT MY FAMILY FROM BEING STRANDED. *JB

THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS, FIRST THE KEY DID NOT GO IN ALL THE WAY AND WHEN IT DID, THE SWITCH DID NO TURN. THE REPAID COSTS 400.00. *NM

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. *NM

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. KEY WILL NOT TURN WHEN FULLY INSERTED IN IGNITION SWITCH. *NM

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? *NM

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. *NM

FORD FOCUS 2000 IGNITION BROKE CAUSING MY KEY NOT TO GO IN RIGHT AND NOT TO TURN. I WAS FORCED TO CALL A LOCK SMITH AND HAVE THE LOCK REPLACED.

THIS IS THE 5TH TIME MY IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP ON ME. I AM FED UP WITH HAVING TO REPLACE THIS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!! *JB

THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 2-3 MILES, THEN PARKED. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER THE FIRE WAS SPOTTED. FLAMES WERE 12 TO 15 FEET HIGH BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND PUT IT OUT. *JB

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND I AM EXPERIENCING THE IGNITION KEY LOCK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPEN TO THIS CAR, BUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES LOGGED ON THE INTERNET. FORD DENIED THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOT MAKE ITSELF RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. TEXAS IS A BIG STATE WITH MILES OF EMPTY ROAD AND IF THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ON THESES ROAD ON A WINTER OR A VERY HOT SUMMER A PERSON CAN DIE. *NM

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS LESS THAN 26,000 MILES ON THE CLOCK AND THE IGNITION LOCK HAS JAMMED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. SECOND TIME WAS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. AAA CERTIFIED LOCKSMITH TOLD ME HE REPLACES HUNDREDS OF THESE LOCKS A YEAR, BECAUSE FORD IS STILL USING THE SAME DEFECTIVE OEM LOCK MADE IN GERMANY BY HUF. LOCKSMITH INSTALLED A STRATTEC #707592 WHICH HE SAID IS VERY RELIABLE AND IN FACT OEM EQUIPMENT ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES SUCH AS EXPLORER. HE SAID FORD DEALERS ARE STILL INSTALLING THE DEFECTIVE HUF LOCK AS A REPLACEMENT. *NM

TRIED TO START CAR, BUT IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN WITH KEY INSERTED. IGNITION REMAINS LOCKED EVEN WITH NEW KEY. *NM

IGNITION FAILED ON 2000 FORD FOCUS ALSO TURN CANCEL SIGNAL 3 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND BROKEN AGAIN OUT OF WARRANTY THE IGNITION FAILED 3000 MILES AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE TURN CANCEL DURING AND AFTER. I HAVE 1 RELATIVE AND 1 FRIEND THAT HAS HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN. *NM

STEERING WHEEL, IGNITION, AND GEAR SHIFT ARE ALL LOCKED. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. *JB

2 TIMES MY IGNITION FROZE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE MOTOR. AND I HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED BOTH TIMES; JULY 16,2002 AND AGAIN ON OCTOBER 13, 2006. *JB

LIKE MANY PEOPLE, MY 2000 FORD FOCUS IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKING UP. IT'S HAPPENED MANY TIMES BEFORE BUT CORRECTED ITSELF AFTER MANY TRIES. HOWEVER, IT LOCKED UP AGAIN THIS PAST SATURDAY AND HAS YET TO UNLOCK. *JB

FORD FOCUS 2000 STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I SPENT 4 HOURS FIVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THIS THING UNLOCKED. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, IT HAS LOCKED UP ON ME MORE THAN 50 TIMES. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!!!! RECALLED BY FORD ASAP.*JB

2000 FOCUS WAGON KEY DOESN'T TURN IN IGNITION THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, WHICH COST ME MONEY IN TIME LOSS FROM WORK AND HAVING A LOCKSMITH COME AND FIX IT UNTIL I CAN GET IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR IT AGAIN!*JB

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED. *JB

WITHOUT PREMONITORY WARNING OR OBSERVED MARGINAL BEHAVIOR, IGNITION LOCK FAILED AND KEY COULD NOT BE INSERTED FULLY OR TURNED TO START ENGINE. KEY FINALLY TURNED AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF RE-TRYING, BANGING ON STEERING COLUMN, ETC. LOSS: TIME SPENT RETRYING, AND INTANGIBLE ANXIETY CONCERNING HAVING TO LEAVE KEY IN IGNITION OVER A WEEKEND WHILE INVESTIGATING OPTIONS FOR REPLACEMENT DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS TO REDUCE COST RELATIVE TO REPLACEMENT IN THE FIELD. PROBLEM SOLVED BY PURCHASING NON-OEM AFTERMARKET IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AT AN INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE LOCKSMITH, AFTER ONLINE LITERATURE SEARCH INDICATED THAT DESPITE 4 RELATED TSBS (14533,15421,02182,13968) AND THOUSANDS OF OWNER REPORTS, FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL - SO FULL-COST SERVICE WORK DONE AT A DEALER WOULD PROBABLY RESULT IN REPLACEMENT WITH ANOTHER INSTANCE OF THE FAULTY ORIGINAL PART. I PERFORMED ALL LABOR EXCEPT FOR SETTING NEW LOCK TO EXISTING KEY PROFILE. OLD PART RETAINED. *NM

DT*: 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.

THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE SWITCH OR REMOVE THE KEY. SWITCH CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY A FORD RECALL.*JB

2000 FORD FOCUS; IGNITION CYLINDER FAILURE. *NM

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! *NM

IN 2004 VEHICLE'S IGNITION KEY LOCK FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY. VEHICLE IS TOWED TO FORD AUTHORIZED REPAIR AND THEY CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IN 2006 VEHICLE'S IGNITION KEY LOCK FAILS AGAIN. VEHICLE IS TAKEN TO FORD AUTHORIZED REPAIR AND CORRECTED AGAIN. BOTH TIMES I WAS LEFT STRANDED SINCE THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. VEHICLE'S DASH LIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF. SEVERAL TIMES DURING NIGHTIME DRIVING THE LIGHTS FAIL. VEHICLE'S DOOR POWER DOOR LOCKS AND TRUNK LOCKS FAIL AND CANNOT BE OPENED WITH KEYLESS ENTRY. A FUSE CONTINUES TO FAIL POSSIBLY DUE TO A SHORT IN THE WIRING SYSTEM. *NM

(1) NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE - NO INDICATIONS OF PROBLEMS OR ISSUES (2) IGNITION CYLINDER FAILURE CAUSING INABILITY TO START VEHICLE AND INABILITY TO OPERATE STEERING MECHANISMS TO DIRECT VEHICLE TO A LOCATION OUTSIDE OF TRAFFIC FLOW. VEHICLE WAS LEFT STRANDED AND UNABLE TO START IN A RELATIVELY SAFE LOCATION, HOWEVER, IF FAILURE HAD OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN RIGHT OF WAY (IF ENGINE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF TO SAVE FUEL DURING TRAFFIC JAM - FOR INSTANCE ) COULD HAVE PRESENTED SAFETY ISSUE. (3) REPAIRS IN PROGRESS - REQUIRED DRILLING OUT IGNITION CYLINDER AND COMPLETE REPLACEMENT.

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. *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS SE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION, BECOMES LOCKED UP AND CAR WILL NEVER START. I HAVE TO LEAVE A KEY IN IGNITION CONSTANTLY SO THAT I CAN DRIVE IT AND NOT BE STRANDED. SINGLE MOTHER OF 2 CHILDREN WHO WOULD PREFER TO HAVE A SAFE CAR. *NM

I PURCHASED A 2000 FORD FOCUS SE NEW IN 2000. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN MINIMALLY SATISFIED WITH ITS PERFORMANCE DESPITE A STRING OF RECALLS. THIS WEEK, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE IGNITION LOCK SEIZED. I TRIED TO TURN IT MULTIPLE TIMES, BUMPING THE STEERING WHEEL TO RELEASE THE LOCK, AND EVENTUALLY THE KEY BROKE OFF IN THE IGNITION. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT GET THE LOCK CYLINDER REMOVED WITHOUT DRILLING IT OUT. THE DEALER INSTALLED AN AFTERMARKET IGNITION AS PER FORD'S SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. THE TOTAL REPAIR, INCLUDING TOW, COST ME $500. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME DESPITE NHTSA AND FORD'S KNOWLEDGE OF ITS PREVALENCE (BULLETINS AND COMPLAINTS). I ASK FORD TO INITIATE A RECALL AND REIMBURSE ME FOR MY REPAIR EXPENSE. IN THE LEAST, I ASK NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND FORCE A MANDATORY RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. TUDOR HAMPTON CHICAGO, IL. * NM

DT*: 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.

I PURCHASED A CAR FROM MEGA MOTORS ON 10/3/06. ON 10/04/6 THE CAR CUT OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST PROVED THAT THE SENSORS ARE OUT ON THE CAR AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT OF RANGE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MEGA MOTORS ON 10/05/06 AND I ALSO PROVIDED THEM WITH A COPY OF THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT. THE COMPANY ISN'T DOING ANYTHING TO HELP ME, ALL THEY ARE TELLING ME IS THAT THEY CAN'T FIX THE CAR BUT I CAN COME PICK IT UP. I DIDN'T HAVE THE CAR TWO DAYS BEFORE IT MESSED UP ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. RUIZ AUTO SHOP SAID THAT THE CAR IS NO GOOD. I TRIED CALLING MEGA MOTORS AGAIN BUT THEY JUST KEEP ME ON HOLD FOR A REALLY LONG TIME. AS A PAYING CUSTOMER I FEEL LIKE I WAS IN DANGER FOR MY LIFE AND I CAN'T GET THE COMPANY TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANOTHER CAR NOR GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK, AFTER TWO DAYS OF HAVING THE CAR. I CONTACTED THE BBB AND FOUND THAT THIS COMPANY HAS HAD NINE COMPLAINTS SINCE 2003. *JB

I HAVE HAD MY 2000 FORD FOCUS FOR 1 YEAR, PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER. IT HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT. ALTHOUGH I REALIZE THAT IT'S AN OLDER CAR IT'S IN GREAT SHAPE. I'M NOW HAVING IGNITION LOCK-UP PROBLEMS, LIKE SO MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS I KNOW. IT'S SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED BECAUSE THERE'S NO OTHER RECOURSE. THE KEY WON'T GO ALL THE WAY IN FOR ANY OF MY KEYS, AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. *NM

DT*: 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. *JB

IGNITION LOCK IN 2000 FORD FOCUS FREEZES, EITHER LOCKING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OR REFUSING TO UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL, OR START CAR. *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS, STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE FUSE BOX, WITHIN 3 MINUTES THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE AND CAR WAS TOTALLY IN FLAMES. NO WARNING SIGNS, NOTHING ODD ABOUT HOW THE CAR RAN. JUST RIDING ALONG AND SMOKE STARTS AND I PULLED OVER ASAP AND THE CAR WENT INTO FLAMES. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT WHAT EVER PROBLEM IT WAS...THE CAR IS DESTROYED. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE, THE SMOKE CAME FROM THE FUSE BOX ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC WAS SMELLED AND AS I STATED BEFORE THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. I HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND AWAY FROM IT. *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM (~48,000 MILES). FOR THE 2ND TIME SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR, THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED. THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED, WE COULD NOT TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY. THIS TIME WHEN IT FAILED, THE SWITCH FROZE IN THE ON POSITION, AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. SINCE IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WE WERE NOT EVEN ABLE TO "KILL" THE ENGINE. IT HAPPENED AT NIGHT, BUT FORTUNATELY, WE WERE ABLE TO FIND AN OPEN SERVICE STATION... THEY WERE ABLE STOP THE ENGINE BY PULLING SPARK PLUG WIRES. NOT BEING ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE SURE SEEMS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. I UNDERSTAND MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCHES ON FORD FOCUS MODELS. THIS SWITCH IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED AGAIN FOR A COST OF ~$300.00. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO FORCE FORD TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM? *NM

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS REPEATED EPISODES OF IGNITION KEY BEING UNABLE TO TURN IN THE SWITCH AND OCCASIONALLY NOT ABLE TO INSERT KEY INTO SWITCH. I HAVE HAD THE TUMBLER ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND AFTER EIGHT MONTHS THE NEW UNIT HAS FAILED. *JB

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, HTTP://CBS5.COM/INVESTIGATES/LOCAL_STORY_041015136.HTML, OR CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AT HTTP://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."). *JB

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. *JB

BATTERY CABLE DAMAGE, VEHICLE FAILS TO START. *NM

KEY FAILS TO TURN IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. CANNOT START THE CAR. *JB

HELLO, WE HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS, AND HAVE HAD THE LOCK CYLINDER FREEZE UP FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS. FORD SAYS THIS IS A DEFECT, YET THERE IS NO RECALL. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE MANY, BUYERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. SHOULDN'T FORD BE FORCED TO RECALL A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT? I AM NOT SURE I HAVE THE CORRECT AGENCY, SO PLEASE TELL ME WHO I WOULD NEED TO CONTACT IF NOT. IF SO, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS? SINCERELY,. *JB

WHILE PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE LOCKED UP. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART IT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER INFORMED MECHANIC THAT IGNITION SWITCH HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, NO OTHER INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED IN THE POLICE REPORT. UPDATED. *JB

THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS LOCKED UP THIS WEEK, PREVENTING ME FROM TURNING THE KEY. I COULD INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, BUT IT REFUSED TO TURN. AFTER TRYING FOR THE BETTER PART OF AN HOUR, I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. FORD PUT IN A NEW IGNITION THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHICH IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MECHANISM FROM THE PREVIOUS ONE. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THEY FOUND THE ORIGINAL PART WAS FLAWED, AND ARE NOW USING AN UPGRADED IGNITION SWITCH TO REPLACE THE ONES THAT FAIL. IT COST ME $403.38 TO HAVE THE NEW ONE PUT IN. SO FAR, FORD HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE PART. *JB *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS LX. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE KEYS WOULD NOT FIT INTO THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE IGNITION MODULE NEEDED REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT UNLOCK. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS KEY WOULD NOT TURN INTO LOCK POSITION. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC DETERMINED THE LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCK CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *KB *NM***NAR***

MY FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH WONT TURN. I STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESSERT ABOUT 400 MILES FROM HOME TO FILL THE GAS. I HAD TO PAY $140 THE TOW TRUCK TO GET TO THE NEAREST VILLAGE, AND $400 FOR A NEW IGNITION SWITCH AND NIGHT AT A CHEAP HOTEL ($60) I HAVE READ A LOT ABOUT THESE KIND OF CRAPPY CARS HAVING THE EXACTLY SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE CALL IT A RECALL :(. *NM

IGNITION CYLINDER COMPLETELY LOCKED UP WITHOUT ANY INDICATION THAT A PROBLEM WAS IMMINENT. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING, HAVE FOUND THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 2000 FOCUS. COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF CAR IS NEEDED IN AN EMERGENCY, OR LEAVES YOU STRANDED. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS LOCKED UP 4 DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS. *JB

THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS IS PERIODICALLY LOCKING UP. I'VE HAD IT HAPPEN WHERE YOU PUT THE KEY IN AND IT WON'T TURN. TONIGHT, THE KEY WOULDN'T EVEN GO IN ALL THE WAY, IT WOULD ONLY TAKE ABOUT 1/3 OF THE KEY AND NO MORE. IT EVENTUALLY TOOK THE KEY AFTER ABOUT A HALF HOUR OF TRYING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT, BUT ONE THAT FORD SO FAR HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON. *JB

IGNITION SWITCH ON 2000 FORD FOCUS LOCKED UP, ALMOST $600 TO REPLACE. *JB

TOWARD THE END OF JULY, 2006, I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY BEING ABLE TO TURN MY KEY IN THE IGNITION. I WOULD HAVE TO JIGGLE IT A LITTLE FOR IT TO TURN. ON AUGUST 1ST MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR SINCE. *NM

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. AND NOW IT HAS STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. I THINK FORD SHOULD RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE COST OF REPAIRS IS APPROACHING $900. *JB

BROKEN IGNITION-LOCK CYLINDER. *NM

THE IGNITION OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS I WAS STUCK AT DALLAS AIRPORT AFTER A JOB INTERVIEW FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS IN 90 DEGREE HEAT. IT WAS REPAIRED AND LOCKED UP AGAIN THIS TIME IN FRONT OF MY HOURS. *NM

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED, BATTERY LIGHT ON, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP, PLUS ALL KINDS OF ISSUES FROM DAY ONE. TONS OF MANUFACTURER RECALLS. *NM

IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKS UP WHICH REQUIRES TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF ASSEMBLY. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE (3) VERY UNFORTUNATE TIMES, EACH REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY. IN THE RIGHT SITUATION IT COULD (AND ONE OF THOSE WAS) DANGEROUS. *NM

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP, AND I'M UNABLE TO TURN MY KEY AT ALL TO GET IT STARTED. ANOTHER FOCUS NIGHTMARE. MY CAR HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. I HAVE LORD KNOWS HOW MANY RECALLS, AND I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND HAVEN'T BEEN. I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE. NO ONE HAS MONEY TO WASTE ON A NEW CAR THAT GIVES THEM PROBLEMS. WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE PURCHASE? YOU LOSE OUT AS A CUSTOMER, DEALING WITH FORD VEHICLES. *NM

FOR THE SECOND TIME, WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH IN OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT FORD MADE QUALITY CARS. EVIDENTLY THIS IS NOT THE CASE. *NM

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION IS FAILING, AS HAVE MANY OTHERS FROM THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE. THE SAME COMPONENT IS FITTED INTO MY WIFE'S MAZDA TRIBUTE WHICH ALSO FAILED ON HER. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS VERY POOR QUALITY ITEM. *NM

IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED SOLID. CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED. *NM

OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM THAT LEFT MY FIANCEE STRANDED AT WORK IN THE NIGHT. THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE PLACED INTO THE IGNITION. THE CAR WAS NOT BROKEN INTO AND THERE WAS NO PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE IGNITION. IT CAUSED ME TO TRAVEL TO HER WORK OVER AN HOUR AWAY TO PICK HER UP AND THE CAR ENDED UP BEING TOWED. IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN AUTOMATIC WE WOULD HAVE NEEDED A LOCKSMITH IN ORDER TO GET IT INTO GEAR. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT WE REPLACED THE CAR WITH A NEW TOYOTA. THIS WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT IN 4 MONTHS AND IT COST US OVER $1,000.00 TO REPAIR IT. *NM

THE KEY WILL GO INTO THE IGNITION BUT WILL NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT UNLOCK ITSELF. I'VE BEEN TRYING FOR AN HOUR AND AM GETTING REALLY FED UP. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED; THE KEY COULD BE PLACED IN THE IGNITION BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN. A LOCKSMITH REPAIRED IT. ON THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE, HOWEVER THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR REIMBURSEMENT.

MY CAR'S IGNITION SWITCH WENT ON ME FIRST AT A GROCERY STORE, STRANDING ME. AFTER WALKING ACROSS THE BUSY STREET TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, AS SOON AS I TOLD THEM THE MAKE OF THE CAR THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I GOT THE CAR TO START BY TAPPING THE KEY WHILE IN THE IGNITION (ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION). SOON AFTER MY CAR IGNITION, LUCKILY THIS TIME IN THE SAFETY OF MY OWN DRIVEWAY, WENT OUT COMPLETELY. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED AND AM NOW FACING A $500-800 COST TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I AM A STUDENT WHO IS NOW SAVING UP SO I CAN GET MY CAR FIXED AND GET BACK TO LIFE AS USUAL. *JB

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS WHICH HAS NEEDED THE IGNITION SWITCH CHANGED THREE TIMES IN 60,000 MILES. *JB

REAR DECK LID BRAKE LIGHT INCREDIBLY SENSITIVE TO VIBRATION WITH PUSH IN BULBS. JUST CLOSING TRUNK CAUSES BRAKE LIGHT TO FAIL. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NOT A RECALL. *NM

THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WOULD NOT TURN LEAVING ME STRANDED. *JB

STICKY KEY. IGNITION LOCKS UP AND CANNOT TURN KEY. KEY LOCKS UP. *NM

WE HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS SE AND ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING (LATE AT NIGHT). IT WAS THEN DISCOVERED THAT EVERY TIME A NEW FUSE WAS PUT IN, IT WOULD JUST BLOW RIGHT AWAY. WE TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE DECK LID WIRE HARNESS HAD BROKEN WIRES AT THE BEND AREA CAUSING THE LOSS OF POWER AND LIGHTS WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO OTHER WIRES. THERE WERE MULTIPLE WIRES WHICH WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THIS WAS ALL BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT IN THE DECK LID WIRE HARNESS. WE HAVE A COPY OF A NHTSA RECALL BULLETIN WHICH STATES THAT THIS DEFECT WAS UNDER A RECALL IN DECEMBER 2000. WE HAVE CALLED FORD AND ALSO SPOKE TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY ARE TELLING US THAT OUR CAR DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. IT IS VERY OBVIOUS TO ANYONE WHO WOULD SEE THE REAR DECK LID THAT THERE IS A VERY CLEAR DEFECT. THE WIRES ARE FRAYED AND MELTED TOGETHER. THE GENTLEMAN WHO REPAIRED OUR CAR SAID THIS IS DEFINITELY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE WIRES ON THE DECK LID ARE STILL NEED OF REPAIR AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO THE BEND AREA TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. FORD IS TELLING US THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE AND IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THE REFERENCE NUMBER FOR THE NHTSA RECALL IS 00V411000. MFG. CAMPAIGN NO: 00S50. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP IN GETTING THIS MATTER SETTLED TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE GARAGE BILL WHICH WAS CAUSED FROM THE DECK LID WIRE HARNESS DEFECT. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP WITH THIS. *NM

MY IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL HAS COMPLETELY LOCKED. I HAD NO INDICATION THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT HAS WORKED GREAT EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2000. AS I LOOK AT ENTRIES ON THE INTERNET I SEE HUNDREDS OF FORD FOCUS OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM! SEEMS LIKE IT IS TIME FOR A RECALL! *JB

LOCKED IGNITION CYLINDER. KEY GOES IN BUT EITHER GETS STUCK OR WITH NOT MOVE. *NM

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. FOR THE SECOND TIME IT HAS AN IGNITION CYLINDER MALFUNCTION. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE CAR EXPERIENCED BY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS IN LEGION. FORD DOESN'T CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT I DO SINCE I WAS STRANDED FOR HOURS BECAUSE I WASN'T EVEN ABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO MY CAR. THIS PROBLEM IS OVER DUE IN BECOMING A RECALL. *NM

STOPPED CAR, 2000 FORD FOCUS, TO ENTER GAS STATION. CAME OUT AND CAR WOULD NOT START..IGNITION WAS LOCKED UP...KEY WOULD NOT TURN...BLOCKING OTHER CARS...HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK AND TOW TO AUTO REPAIR FACILITY...THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER ON THE FORD FOCUS HAS FROZEN UP AND NOT ALLOWED KEY TO TURN, COSTING MUCH MONEY BOTH TIMES. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL...TOW DRIVER SAID THAT THIS HAPPENS TO NUMEROUS FOCUS CARS IN THE COURSE OF HIS BUSINESS. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILURE. IGNITION SWITCH WON'T TURN WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED. THIS CYLINDER WAS REPLACED IN 2003 AT THE COST OF $200 AND HAD TO RECENTLY BE REPLACED AGAIN. THIS DEFECT LEAVES THE OWNER STRANDED. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE HAVING TO REPLACE THIS CYLINDER IN A VEHICLE - LET ALONE HAVING TO REPLACE ONE TWICE IN THE SAME VEHICLE. WHEN PAYING FOR MY SECOND REPLACEMENT IN JUNE 2006 THE CASHIER AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT ALL OF THE EARLY YEAR FOCUS MODELS SEEM TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. CASHIER SAID THAT THEY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG WHEN THEY SAW A FOCUS BEING TOWED IN - IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. *JB

THIS IS ABOUT MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. 1. KEY IS FITTED IN TO THE IGNITION BUT WILL NOT START THE CAR OR COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. 2. CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT I WAS STRANDED UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK CAME TO HAUL THE CAR AWAY. 3. I NEW IGNITION HAD TO BE INSTALLED FOR $400. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE THE KEY. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

FOR THE SECOND TIME MY WIFE HAS BEEN STRANDED BECAUSE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER ON OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS LOCKED UP AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN RESULTING IN THE CAR HAVING TO BE TOWED AND THE CYLINDER REPLACED AT A COST OF $349.00 TO ME. THE DEALER DENIES THAT ANY SERVICE BULLETIN WAS EVER ISSUED BY FORD CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM AND THAT IS NOT TRUE. *NM

THE IGNITION LOCK CYL IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT TURN. *NM

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS LESS THAN 55 THOUSAND MILES WHICH I JUST PURCHASED 3 MONTHS AGO. MY IGNITION FROZE, KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THANK GOODNESS IT WAS HOME IN THE GARAGE. I COULD HAVE BEEN AT THE LAKE OR ANYWHERE AND BEEN STRANDED. THE TOW TRUCK JUST HAULED IT OFF. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS I HAVE LEARNED. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL PROBLEM. THIS WILL BE MY LAST FORD. *JB

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS. I INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I TRIED AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DID NOT WORK. HAD TO END UP GETTING THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. DID I MENTION THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST THREE YEARS? I DID AN ONLINE SEARCH WITH THE WORDS FOCUS AND IGNITION AND GOT NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. DO YOU EVEN READ THESE THINGS? HOW LONG DO YOU ALLOW A COMPANY TO GET AWAY WITH THIS TYPE OF THING? *JB

I CANNOT INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION OF 2000 FORD FOCUS. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE IT BEFORE. CALLED LOCKSMITH AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY MAKE/MODEL. TUMBLER HAS TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $150.*JB

I PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS 2003, THE CAR HAD 18,000 MILES. I PAID PACIFIC COAST FORD SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS CASH FOR THE CAR, TWO DAY LATER I BROUGHT IT BACK BECAUSE THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THEY RAN TESTS TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER IT WAS BACK FOR THE SAME REASON. ULTIMATELY I HAD TO BRING IT TO LAKEWOOD TRANSMISSION WHERE AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS IT WAS FINALLY FIXED IT. I'VE HAD TO GET MY IGNITION DONE TWO TIMES AND IS READY FOR A THIRD. MALLIONN FORD FIXED THAT FOR ME. NOW THREE WEEKS AGO I ROLL INTO A LADY DOING 5-10 MILES AN HOUR. THE POLICE ARE CALLED BUT SINCE THERE IS NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE TO EITHER PARTIES THE POLICE SAY THEY WON'T COME. NO POLICE REPORT. IM DRIVING HOME AND MY AIR BAGS DEPLOY SMASHING OUT MY WINDSHIELD . A LITTLE ATE YOU THINK. I CUT ONE AIR BAG OUT AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE HOME. MY CAR NEVER SHUT DOWN, THE ONLY THING THAT HAPPENED IS THE SEAT BELT LOCKED. I CAME HOME AND TOOK PIC OF THE CAR NOT A SCRATCH ON MY CAR ONE AIR BAG STILL DEPLOYED THE OTHER YOU CAN SEE I CUT IT OUT AND OF COARSE THE SMASHED WINDSHIELD . I CONTACTED FORD THEY SAID IT WAS AN INSURANCE PROBLEM NOT THEIRS, HOW COULD IT BE THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT MY CAR MALFUNCTIONED. *NM

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, COULD NOT TURN KEY TO START VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'M THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CYLINDER THE FIRST TIME WITH OEM STOCK. FIRST TIME WAS $250. THIS TIME IS $283. FORD OWNS THIS PROBLEM. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD, AND NEITHER WILL ANYONE IN MY FAMILY, UNTIL THIS IS REIMBURSED. *NM

IGNITION LOCK FAILURE: HAD PROBLEMS INSERTING THE KEY INTO IGNITION AND TURNING. PROBLEM WORSENED QUICKLY SO THAT THE KEY COULD BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION BUT WOULD NOT TURN. IGNITION COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. COULD NOT START THE CAR AND WAS STRANDED. TOW REQUIRED FOR REPAIR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. THE FIRST TIME FORD REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY WITH SIMILARLY INFERIOR PARTS. *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS EXHIBITING PROBLEMS SINCE OCTOBER 2005. TWO MECHANICS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM. IN MAY THE CAR STALLED WHILE CRUISING AND WAS UNABLE TO START. IT WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILED STARTER SWITCH, WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED OVER A YEAR BEFORE. IF THIS INCIDENT HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSIER ROAD IT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *NM

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, COULD NOT TURN KEY TO START VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. *NM

THE IGNITION SWITCH/LOCK CYLINDER IS DIFFICULT TO TURN KEY. THERE IS A TSB LISTED WITH THIS COMPANY FOR AFTER THE SWITCH/CYLINDER LOCKS UP CREATING AN EXPENSIVE TOW ETC. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL WEB SITES LISTING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION LOCKING UP. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO TAKE CAR IN PRIOR TO TOTAL LOCKUP. APPARENTLY THE IGNITION SWITCH/LOCK CYLINDER IS FAULTY TO THE POINT OF EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE KEYS. I TRIED A DIFFERENT KEY AND IT WORKED BETTER. I BELIEVE AN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER SHOULD HAVE A LONGER LIFE EXPECTANCY THAN A FEW YEARS. I HAVE SEEN POSTS FOR CARS AS NEW AS 2003 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THE CAR COMPANY HAS FINALLY BOUGHT A REVISED/IMPROVED LOCK CYLINDER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION LOCKED AND WILL NOT TURN WITH THE KEY INSERTED. THE IGNITION INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT TURN HOWEVER IF THE CONTACT WAITED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THE IGNITION WOULD START. IN OCTOBER 2004 THE IGNITION LOCKED, A LOCK SMITH WAS CONTACTED WHO TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS IN NOVEMBER 2005 THE IGNITION LOCKED AGAIN WHERE IT HAS BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED AND INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO ALERT THE MANUFACTURER FOR RECALL INFORMATION. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS CONCERNING THE IGNITION.

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION STICKING AND JUST TODAY IT COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I FOUND ON THE INTERNET WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. IS THERE ANY INFO REGARDING A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM?*JB

IGNITION LOCK FAILS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE IGNITION KEY JUST WONT TURN AND THE LOCK HAS TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPAIRED IT THE FIRST TIME FOR NO CHARGE THE OTHER TWO REPAIRS WERE ON ME. THE PAPER WORK SAYS THAT THE IGNITION TUMBLER HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND THE NEW TUMBLER REKEYED AND INSTALLED. AT LEAST ONE OF THESE FAILURES OCCURRED LESS THAN A YEAR FROM A PREVIOUS FAILURE. *JB

WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR AFTER WORKING A NIGHT SHIFT AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY CAR. THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAID TO HAVE THE IGNITION DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. ALMOST EXACTLY A YEAR LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE IGNITION. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCKSMITH AND PAID HIM TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. HAVE HEARD OF A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS!!! *NM

ON 2/27/06 I TRAVELED 35 MILES FROM TUCSON TO GREEN VALLEY. THERE I STOPPED TO GET COFFEE. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE FOCUS, I COULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION KEY. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT A LOCKSMITH BECAUSE IT WAS A SUNDAY. I HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN GREEN VALLEY. ON THE 27TH I GOT A LOCKSMITH WHO WORKED ON THE IGNITION AND COULD NOT GET IT TO UN-LOCK. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO JIM CLICK FORD IN GREEN VALLEY. AS I WAS DISCUSSING THE IGNITION PROBLEM WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER ANOTHER FOCUS OWNER SHOWED UP COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. MY PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY. THE TOTAL BILL FOR THE TOWING AND REPAIR WAS $346.93. *JB

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS. FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A FUSE BLOWING WHICH RUNS MY BRAKE LIGHTS. I CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE FUSE, BUT NOW IT WON'T HOLD ANYMORE. THERE IS A RECALL #02313: DECK LID WIRE HARNESS FATIGUE, BUT MY VIN DIDN'T GET RECALLED. MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THESE RECALL 'SYMPTOMS' AND SHOULD BE COVERED! *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY; THE IGNITION TUMBLER FRACTURED WHICH PREVENTED THE ENGINE FROM BEING STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION. AFTERWARDS, THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN FOR ANOTHER IGNITION REPLACEMENT.

I COULD NOT INSERT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. I ALSO COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL OR MOVE THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE SERVICE TECH AT FORD SAID "IT WAS A VERY COMMON AND WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS AND THAT THEY REPAIR MANY MORE FORD FOCUS IGNITIONS THAN ANY OTHER MODEL OF FORD CARS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL REPAIR AND THE OWNER OF THE FORD FOCUS (I) SHOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR. I WOULD LIKE FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR $269.32 AND THE FEE I PAID TO THE TOWING COMPANY $35.00 A TOTAL OF THE TWO IS $304.32. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE IGNITION CYLINDER AND LOCK, A NEW KEY WAS PROVIDED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED.

I TRY TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WILL NOT TURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. I ALSO HAD TO GET IT TOWED ALL 3 TIMES TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVE SPENT A LITTLE OVER $500 FOR THESE REPAIRS. *NM

AFTER FINISHING WORK, I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I TRIED FOR AN HOUR TO GET THE KEY TO TURN BUT IT NEVER DID. SINCE I AM NEW TO THE AREA, AND I DO NOT KNOW ANYONE, I ENDED UP HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. I WAS BILLED $325. *NM

I DROVE HOME FROM SCHOOL PARKED MY 2000 FORD FOCUS LX IN THE DRIVEWAY AND ON MY WAY OUT TO WORK FOUND THAT MY IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED INTO PLACE. AFTER 2 DAYS OF HAVING TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO WORK I CALLED A LOCKSMITH WHO SAID THEY HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING A WEEK AND TO LIGHTLY TAP ON THE KEY WHILE IT IS IN THE IGNITION, AFTER TRYING THAT I FOUND IT WORKS BUT HAS TO BE DONE EVERYTIME I WANT TO START THE CAR. *JB

KEY AND IGNITION CYLINDER ON STEERING COLUMN GETTING HOT. IGNITION LOCKED UP FOR THE SECOND TIME. REPAIRED 1ST TIME WITH MOTORCRAFT PART. ALSO MAYBE NOT RELEVANT BUT IT'S LIKE THERE IS NO BRAKING SYSTEM WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. UPON LOADING CAR ONTO TRAILER, FOOT ON BRAKE TOOK KEY OUT OF IGNITION BRIEFLY AND CAR ROLLED BACK MISSING RAMPS FALLING ON END OF TRAILER AND DAMAGED FRONT BUMPER. *JB

I HAD MY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACE ONCE ALREADY, HAVING TO PAY 300.00 THE FIRST TIME, AND KNOW JUST THE OTHER DAY I WENT TO VISIT MY BROTHER, AND WHEN I GOT READY TO LEAVE, MY KEY WOULD NOT START, MY BROTHER HAD LEFT BEFORE ME, SO I WAS STRANDED, ME AND MY BOYS FOR 45 MINUTES IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER, I WAS SO UPSET, I CAN NOT BELIEVE FORD IS NOT DOING A RECALL, IM SELLING THIS PIECE A CRAP OF A CAR, AND WILL NEVER AGAIN BY A FORD CAR, AND IM GOING TO SPREAD THE WORD ON HOW HORRIBLE THERE SERVICE AND CARS ARE. *JB

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. I'VE HAD MOST (8 OF 12) OF THE RECALL SERVICES DONE TO THE CAR. NOW THE KEY WON'T TURN BECAUSE THE IGNITION IS JAMMED. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF POSTS ON WEBSITES REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ALL YEARS OF THE FORD FOCUS. ON MANY SITES, PEOPLE ARE DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE IGNITION PROBLEM AND PAYING $350+ AT THE DEALERS TO GET IT FIXED. THESE SAME SITES HAVE MANY PEOPLE HOPING THAT NHTSA WILL FORCE FORD TO DO A RECALL ON THE IGNITION. IT IS A DEFECT WHEN IT'S THIS COMMON. PEOPLE DESCRIBE TOW TRUCK OPERATORS SAYING THEY TOW A NUMBER OF FORD FOCUS TO THE DEALER FOR THE IGNITION PROBLEM EACH MONTH. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!! *JB

MY IGNITION IS JAMMED AND WILL NOT TURN THE CAR ON. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEMS BECAUSE I HAVE PUT TOO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS "LEMON" OF A CAR ALREADY! I NEED A RECALL TO PAY FOR FORD'S MISTAKE! *NM

1) IGNITION STUCK, AND CAN'T START VEHICLE. 2) STEPDAUGHTER WAS STRANDED, BY SIDE OF ROAD. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED HOME, AND THEN DEALER. 3) DRILLED IGNITION TUMBLER FROM AND RE-KEYED. RE-KEYED NEW IGNITION CYLINDER. *JB

FAILED TO START; NOTICED THAT POSITIVE CABLE INSULATION NEAR CONNECTION TO BATTERY WAS MELTED; HAD BATTERY JUMP-START; TOOK TO HAVE BATTERY CHECK IN CAR WHILE RUNNING; BAD BATTERY; REPLACED BATTERY WITH NEW ONE; AND FAILED TO TURN ON; MECHANIC CHECKED CONTINUITY AND THERE WAS NONE FOUND; MECHANIC CUT OFF PART OF CABLE WITH BURNT INSULATION AND TRIED TO RECONNECT; NO REMEDY; NOTIFIED BY MECHANIC THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $400 TO REPLACE POSITIVE CABLE HARNESS. MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME OF A RECALL HE FOUND CONCERNING THE ZETEC ENGINE AND BATTERY CABLE HARNESSES CATCHING ON FIRE; THUS, CONTACTED DEALER WITH VIN; AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THAT VIN... *JB

THE IGNITION WON'T TURN SO THE VEHICLE WON'T START. IT LEFT ME STRANDED AT WORK AND NOW DOWN TO ONE CAR FOR ME AND MY WIFE. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT YET DUE TO THE COST OF A REPLACEMENT PART AND TO GET IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. *NM

I BOUGHT MY FORD FOCUS WITH 19 MILES ON IT IN JUNE OF 2000 FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT I HAD ISSUES WITH THE KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION OR FAILING TO TURN, OR REQUIRING EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO GET IT TO TURN. AFTER MANY MINUTES OF WORK I WAS GENERALLY ABLE TO FORCE THE IGNITION TO TURN. EVENTUALLY I COULD NO LONGER FORCE THE SYSTEM TO WORK. I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY STATE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY. TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE I MUST HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED. *NM

OUR FORD FOCUS HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEM SINCE WE BOUGHT THE THING. THE WIRING WAS SHOT ABOUT 4 MONTHS IN, AND WE COULD NO LONGER USE THE ELECTRONIC LOCKS, OR TRUNK OPENER. HOWEVER, THE LATEST PROBLEM WOULD BE THE IGNITION. I WAS GETTING GAS WHEN I WENT TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WAS STUCK. LUCKILY, AFTER A BRIEF PANICK ATTACK I MANAGED TO GET IT TO START. TODAY, UNFORTUNATELY WE WEREN'T SO LUCKY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE PEDAL AND IGNITION ARE ALL FROZEN AND ARE UNABLE TO START THE CAR. I NOW HAVE NO VEHICLE FOR WORK TOMORROW MORNING, AND AM FURIOUS WITH THIS UNRELIABLE VEHICLE. SOMEONE MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! *NM

I HAVE A 2000 FOCUS. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS CAR IS THAT RECENTLY THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP. I HAVE BEEN READING ON FORUMS, AND HAVE TALKED TO MY MECHANIC ABOUT THIS, AND THEY SAY THAT THIS IS A COMMON THING ON FORD FOCUS MODELS 2000 AND 2001. ITS INCREDIBLE FORD HAS NOT DONE A RECALL. I REALLY NEED MY CAR FOR WORK AND OTHER TASKS I MUST DO, BUT THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO BUT WASTED OVER 400 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED. ITS RIDICULOUS. I HOPE YOU ALL CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THIS IS GETTING FRUSTRATING. *JB

COULDN'T TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. HAD CAR TOWED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $300. THE CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 43,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

OUR YEAR 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS A FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER THAT FREQUENTLY JAMS. MY WIFE HAS BEEN LEFT STRANDED TWICE AS A RESULT. WE RECENTLY SAW A PUBLIC ADVOCATE PROGRAM THAT INDICATED THESE CARS FROM YEAR 2000-20005 ARE HAVING AN EPIDEMIC OF THE SAME PROBLEM BUT FORD IS REFUSING TO REPLACE THE PARTS IF THEY ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. OUR CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE WE BOUGHT THE VERY EXPENSIVE 7 YEAR WARRANTY. A GREAT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE BUYING AT THIS PRICE POINT WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD THAT KIND OF WARRANTY OR THE +$500 REPAIR. *JB

FORD FOCUS SE IGNITION KEY SWITCH LOCK-UP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM -- KEY WON'T TURN, STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, AND THE GEAR SHIFT WON'T MOVE. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS ABLE TO MANIPULATE THE KEY AND FINALLY START THE CAR. THIS TIME, IT IS SUNDAY AND I AM STRANDED. A LOCKSMITH TOLD ME THAT FORD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS PARTS AND IT WILL BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. SO TOMORROW, I WILL HAVE TO RENT A CAR TO KEEP A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT AND HAVE THE FOCUS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD (I JUST CHECKED THE INTERNET) AND THEY REFUSE TO RECALL THESE CARS TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THANKFULLY, I WAS IN A WELL-LIGHTED, SAFE AREA OF THE CITY. I SHUDDER TO THINK OF WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN STRANDED IN A HIGH-RISK AREA. THE FOUNDER OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUILT THE COMPANY ON REPUTATION AND HIGH STANDARDS WITH CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ALWAYS IN MIND. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS GREEDY ORGANIZATION NOW RUN BY MR. BILL FORD WHO CARES NOTHING ABOUT THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF ITS CARS AS HIS ANCESTORS DID? RECALL THIS CAR NOW -- ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!. *JB

1. I DROVE TO A RESTAURANT AND TURNED OFF MY CAR, WHICH IS A FORD FOCUS YEAR 2000. LATER WHEN I CAME BACK TO START MY CAR I COULD NOT GET THE KEY ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION. 2. I TRIED SO MANY THINGS TO GET MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION, BUT I HAD TO LEAVE IT THERE OVERNIGHT IN THE PARKING LOT AND THEN HAD IT TOWED THE NEXT DAY. 3. AT THE MOMENT I AM LOOKING INTO EITHER A LOCKSMITH OR SEEING IF SUCH A REPLACEMENT WILL BE UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. *NM

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT I WILL HAVE TO GET MY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS BECAUSE IT WILL NOT TURN. THE FIRST TIME THE SWITCH WAS DRILLED OUT ON WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE REPLACED IT UNDER THE REPAIR WARRANTY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD BY THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO HIT IT WITH SOMETHING. I HAVE USED THIS METHOD TO TURN THE KEY EVERY DAY FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. THIS WORKED UNTIL NOW. *NM

IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE MUST BE TOWED AND A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER INSTALLED BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN MOVE. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. IT IS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN WINTER--PEOPLE COULD BE STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS LOCATION OR EXPOSED TO EXTREMES FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. *JB

PUT KEY INTO IGNITION BUT KEY WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *NM

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH THE OCCUPANTS STARTED SMELLING ELECTRICAL SMOKE. THE OCCUPANTS REALIZED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD; SMOKE WAS BILLOWING OUT OF DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND THE OCCUPANTS EXITED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXTINGUISHED, AND THEN TOWED TO THE CONSUMER HOME. THERE HAS BEEN NO INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. *JB

THE IGNITION LOCK SET FOR MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT COST $315. *NM

IGNITION CYLINDER FROZE ON 2000 FORD FOCUS SE REQUIRING CAR TO BE TOWED TO DEALER TO HAVE LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED AS THE KEY COULD NOT BE INSERTED INTO THE LOCK. THIS WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AT THE TIME. IN DECEMBER 2005, IGNITION WOULD PERIODICALLY FREEZE WITH KEY INSERTED REQUIRING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON JANUARY 17, 2006 AND CYLINDER HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT A COST OF $453 SINCE THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. I'VE NOTED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN NOTE THE COMPLAINT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE LOCK FAILS WHEN THE CAR IS NEEDED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, WHY HAS FORD NOT BEEN REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM? *NM

IGNITION LOCK FAILURE. THE FIRST ISSUE IS THAT I TRIED TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE ENTIRE IGNITION CYLINDER CAME OUT ON THE KEY. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES RANDOMLY. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE FAILURE FOR THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. IT WAS INITIALLY AN INCONSISTENT PROBLEM THAT STEADILY GOT WORSE AND WORSE UNTIL FINALLY IT JUST BECAME A MATTER OF CHANCE AND A BATTLE OF PATIENCE TO GET IT STARTED. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AT 40K MILES WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. THE WORST CASE TOOK 30 MINUTES OF TWISTING, JINGLING, TURNING THE WHEEL, PUSHING THE KEY IN AND OUT AND FIDDLING WITH IT UNTIL IT FINALLY TURNED. I HAVE SINCE HAD THE CYLINDER REPLACED AND A NEW KEY MADE FOR ABOUT $250 OUT OF MY POCKET. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I REALIZED THAT I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT FORD APPARENTLY FEELS THE PROBLEM DOESN'T EXIST. FORD SHOULD MAKE EACH ONE OF THEIR ENGINEERS DRIVE A FOCUS AND COUNT THE NUMBER OF DAYS THEY COME IN LATE OR MISS WORK. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DECK LID WIRING HARNESS WIRES OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FATIGUED AND BROKE. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V411000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER, AND THE DECK LID WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. *AK FORD WAS UNWILLING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT AGREED THAT IT WAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE OTHER 2000 FORD, FOCUS, BUT THEY WOULD NOT COMPLY AS IT WAS MADE SHORTLY AFTER THEY ENDED THE RECALL DATE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. *AK

THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE. I FIRMLY BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION LOCKED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO A DESIGNATION THE LOCKSMITH REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND ON THE INTERNET SEVERAL OTHER YEAR MODEL VEHICLES WITH IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *AK. *AK

FOCUS IGNITION LOCKS UP, CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM AND THEY INFORMED ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL ITEM. IF FORD IS AWARE OF A DEFECT WHY IS THERE NO RECALL!! *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THE IGNITION WAS WORN OUT. THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH DEFECTIVE. THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN INTO THE IGNITION LOCK. *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SEIZED. *TS *JB

IGNITION CYLINDER IS MALFUNCTIONING. KEY WILL NOT INSERT ALL THE WAY AND WILL NOT TURN IGNITION CYLINDER. *JB

THE IGNITION AND COLUMN. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT BEEPS, BUT THE STEERING STAYS LOCKED. I'VE TRIED TO WIGGLE AND JAMMING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT A FORD DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED ME TO DO. HE ALSO GAVE ME A QUOTE OVER THE PHONE $350. NOW HOW OFTEN IS THAT. I SEE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE OWN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM I'M HAVING AND FORD DOESN'T CONSIDER IT A RECALL OR DEFECT. I THINK THEY SHOULD SINCE FORD IS SUPPOSE TO BE A REPUTABLE CAR. *JB

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. COST TO REPAIR IS $250. NOT HAPPY AT ALL!*JB

THE IGNITION OF MY FORD FOCUS ZX3 ONCE REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE KEY, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT MY EXPENSE. THAT SECOND TUMBLER IS FAILING NOW ALSO, AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I JUST FOUND OUT FROM A WEBSITE (WWW.AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET/SHOWMESSAGES.PHP?ID=1275) THAT THIS IS A HUGE, RECURRING PROBLEM. ONE PERSON QUOTED A TOW TRUCK DRIVER AS SAYING THAT "THIS IS THE FOURTH ONE OF THESE WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT I'VE TOWED TO FORD THIS WEEK!" ONE OF THE POST WRITERS SUGGESTED THAT WE CONTACT YOU AT THE NHTSA TO REPORT AN OBVIOUS DEFECT, WITH HOPES OF A MUCH DESERVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THANK YOU! *NM

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. OVER THE PAST MONTH MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN MY IGNITION BUT WITH SOME PLAY IT WOULD TURN. ON SATURDAY DEC 17, 2005 I TRIED TO START MY CAR WHILE ON A FAMILY TRIP AND MY KEY WOULDN'T TURN. I NOW HAVE TO SPEND $300 TO GET IT FIXED AT MY LOCAL FORD SERVICE SHOP. I ALSO HAVE TO PAY TO GET MY CAR TOWED 40 MILES TO MY HOMETOWN. THE PART THAT IS FAILING IS THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. MY BROTHER HAD HIS REPLACED LAST MONTH FOR THE SAME THING AND I HAVE TO CHANGE MY WIFE SOON BECAUSE HER FOCUS IS ALSO DOING THE SAME THING. *JB

STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION SWITCH ARE LOCKED UP AND I CAN NOT START MY CAR. *JB

SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION. IT WOULD STICK AFTER I HAD REMOVED THE KEY, AND THE CHIME WOULD SOUND WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR. THEN STARTING ABOUT 2 OR 3 WEEKS AGO, MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE KEY IN AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION COMPLETELY. HE FINALLY WORKED IT IN AND WE HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE KEY OUT AND PUTTING IT BACK IN SINCE THAT DAY. THE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED ON THIS DATE IS THAT THE KEY, EVEN THOUGH IT GOES ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION, IT WILL NOT TURN THE CYLINDER. I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR, AND IT MUST BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CYLINDER REPLACED. *NM

I BOUGHT A 2000 FORD FOCUS USED IN FEBRUARY 2005. ON DECEMBER 11, 2005 MY IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO BE TOWED HOME BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED FOR $283. *NM

I WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED UP AND NOTHING I DID WOULD RELEASE IT. I TRY TO MOVE THAT STEERING WHEEL, STEP ON THE BRAKES, MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT, NOTHING. IT HAS DONE IT BEFORE BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE AND THE CAR START. BUT NOT NOW. NOW IT IS BEING TOW TO GET IT FIX. I ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO NOT WORKING BECAUSE THE FRONT OF THE RADIO BECOMES WARPED. AND WILL NOT TOUCH THE PRONGS INSIDE THE RADIO. HAD IT REPLACE ONE TIME BEFORE AND NOW I BROUGHT ONE TO PUT IN THERE. *NM

KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION, NOW THE KEY WON'T EVEN GO INTO THE IGNITION, WILL HAVE TO REPLACE (RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS!) THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR $400, PLUS TOWING COSTS. *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION PROBLEMS. *NM

THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. I HAD TO PAY OVER TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS TO CORRECT A MANUFACTURER FAILURE WITHIN THE IGNITION. *JB

MY KEY WOULD NO LONGER FIT IN THE IGNITION LEAVING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE WITH THE WHEELS LOCKED WHICH MADE TOWING NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE IGNITION AND ADVISED ME I WAS STARTING MY CAR INCORRECTLY. THEY SAID I NEEDED TO FULLY DEPRESS THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BEFORE TURNING IT. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DO OTHERWISE. 17 MONTHS LATER IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THEY HAVE JUST REPLACED MY SECOND IGNITION IN 2 YEARS AND I WAS NOW TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A FAULTY PART BUT DUE TO THE WEATHER IN NORTHEAST OHIO. *NM

MY IGNITION LOCKED UP AND LEFT ME STRANDED FOR A FEW HOURS. I COULD BARELY PUT THE KEY IN, AND WHEN I DID GET IT IN, IT WOULD NOT TURN. IT CAUSED ME TO MISS 4 HOURS OF WORK. I CALLED A FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN, AND HE TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. HOW COME THERE IS NOT A RECALL. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE, AND IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE THAT OWNS A FORD FOCUS, HAS HAD THIS ISSUE HAPPEN TO THEM. *JB

IGNITION DEFECT. IGNITION MECHANISM FAILED - KEY WILL NOT TURN MOVE OR ENGINE OVER. *NM

MY SON TOOK THE CAR TO LOWE'S AND WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE STORE THE KEY WOULD GO IN BUT WOULD NOT TURN. UPON MY INVESTIGATION THE PARTS GUY AT MIKE BASS FORD TOLD ME THAT THEY GET 2-3 FOCUS'S A WEEK IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THE IGNITION TUMBLER IS A WHOPPING $86 AND SOME CHANGE PLUS LABOR, PLUS TOW. THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS!*JB

KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS BROKEN DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR AND COLD WEATHER. DEALERSHIP REMOVED BROKEN CYLINDER AND INSTALLED NEW IGNITION CYLINDER IN MARCH 2003. PROBLEM HAS RECURRED NOVEMBER 2005. *JB

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS, AND WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKING UP AND PREVENTING THE CAR FROM TURNING ON. I RESEARCHED THIS, AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FOCUS OWNERS. FORD MAY SAY THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN, BUT BEING THE FATHER OF A 3 MONTH OLD BABY, I STRONGLY DISAGREE. LUCKILY, THE IGNITION LOCKED UP IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WHAT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, DURING THE WINTER. NOW, THAT IS MY SAFETY CONCERN. *JB

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED THE 2ND TIME IN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. WHEN I INSERT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WILL NOT TURN REGARDLESS OF WHAT I DO. WITH THE FIRST INCIDENT (10/15/2004) I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND ENDED UP PAYING $115.42 OUT OF POCKET--THE REMAINING $155.09 WAS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE LOCK CYLINDER. TODAY, 11/24/05, MY HUSBAND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME I AM GOING TO CALL A LOCKSMITH TO DO THE WORK -- APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THE FOCUS (MANY FELLOW FOCUS OWNERS ON A WEBSITE RECOMMENDED A LOCKSMITH OVER GOING TO A DEALERSHIP TO SAVE BOTH TIME AND MONEY). THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN COSTLY, INCONVENIENT AND UNSAFE--AS WE HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED. PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL! *JB

ON OCCASION, IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. HAPPENS AT LEAST ONE TO TWO TIMES PER MONTH ON THE AVERAGE. IN AUGUST, COULD NOT START CAR FOR 4 DAYS. DEALER SAYS NEW IGNITION WILL COST AROUND $300. *JB

UPON TRYING TO START MY CAR, I FOUND THAT THE KEYS (BOTH OF THEM) WOULD NOT FIT INTO THE IGNITION, THUS PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING MY CAR. THIS HAPPENED FOR THE SECOND TIME (THE FIRST TIME--2 DAYS AGO--I GOT IT IN AFTER 3 OR 4 TRIES), AND NOW I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS VEHICLES, AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED. I WILL NOW HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH FIXED. *JB

MY CAR RAN FINE UNTIL ONE MORNING (FIRST DAY OF COLLEGE, NO LESS!) THE KEY WOULD NOT INSERT INTO THE IGNITION. REPEATED ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO INSERT IT--JIGGLING, CLEANING THE KEY, BLOWING OUT THE CYLINDER--WITH NO LUCK. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE IGNITION BARREL HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS JUST A HAIR OUT OF WARRANTY SO THE EXPENSE CAME OUT OF MY POCKET. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FOCUS'. WHAT A PAIN!*JB

1. WENT TO START CAR AND THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN 2. IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH I HAVE LEARNED IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. LATE FOR WORK 3. $411.00 FOR LABOR TO DRILL OUT AND REPLACE AND TO PURCHASE A NEW SET OF KEYS. *JB

I PURCHASED A USED 2000 FORD FOCUS FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, 2 DAYS AGO I WAS ON MY WAY HOME AFTER WORK, I PUT THE KEY IN AND IT WOULD NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IN COMPLETLY LOCKED UP. I LOOKED IT UP ON THE NET AND HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS HAPPENS REGULARLY. I CALLED THE DEALER AT FRIENDLY FORD TO ASK HIM WHAT WAS UP AND HE SAID I WAS ON MY OWN. THE COST IS $400.I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE SITUATION.WHY HAVE YOU NOT FILED A RECALL!!FORD TOLD ME THAT IT IS UP TO YOU TO GET THAT DONE. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CANNOT TURN YOUR CAR ON AT 10 AT NIGHT, BY YOURSELF. IS ANYONE OUT THERE LISTENING TO THE THOUSANDS OF ANGRY FOCUS OWNERS??I HEARD THAT THE ISSUE IS NOW RESOLVED IN THE NEW FOCUS BUT WHAT DOES THAT DO FOR US???RECALL........RECALL...........RECALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1. *NM

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS LE WITH LESS THAN 23,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED TWICE, ONCE IN 2002 AND ONCE IN 2005. THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE KEY, BUT WITH THE CYLINDER ITSELF. BOTH TIMES, THE CYLINDER LOCKED UP AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED. *NM

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. THE IGNITION KEEPS JAMMING AND HAS FINALLY COMPLETELY FAILED, LEAVING ME STRANDED MILES FROM HOME. I'VE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THE FORD FOCUS. I AM THANKFUL THAT IT WAS ME THAT WAS STRANDED AND NOT MY WIFE WITH THE CHILDREN. THE IGNITION SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT A RECALL BE PUT ON THIS ISSUE. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE FORD USED A DEFECTIVE PART IN MANUFACTURING. THANK YOU, D. LISH. *NM

I AM A KATRINA EVACUEE WORKING IN DALLAS AND I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3, AND THE NOTORIOUS FREEZING IGNITION CYLINDER FLAW (CANNOT TURN KEY AT ALL) LEFT ME STRANDED AT 5:00 PM IN FRONT OF AN ALBERTSON'S FOR 3 HOURS UNTIL A TOW TRUCK SENT BY GEICO CAME AND GOT THE CAR, BROUGHT IT TO THE CLOSEST FORD DEALER, AND BROUGHT ME HOME. AMIDST ALL OF THE DESTRUCTION I PERSONALLY AM DEALING WITH, THE LAST THING I NEED IS TO HAVE A WELL KNOWN DEFECT LEAVE ME STRANDED IN ANOTHER STATE...OH YEAH, I HAVE THE FLU TO BOOT, SO TO SAY THE LEAST, I'M KIND OF CRANKY. FORD NEED TO RECALL THIS PART. AS IF I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO PAY FOR (MY HOUSE TOOK 11 FEET OF WATER IN NOLA), GIVEN THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL RECALL, THE REPAIR WILL COST ME AT LEAST $250 OUT OF POCKET. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL. BORIS PALACIOS. *JB

MY DAUGHTER TOOK THE FORD FOCUS TO COLLEGE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. AFTER SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES AT AAA (TRYING TO GET IT TOWED FROM A PARKING GARAGE), THEY ALL SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. THEY WERE SURE THAT THERE HAD TO BE A RECALL OR THAT FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THIS TO BE FIXED. I'VE CONTACTED FORD AND THIS WAS IN THEIR REPLY - 'FORD AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) WORK TOGETHER TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY AREAS OF CONCERN THROUGH INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER AND DEALER FEEDBACK.' THIS IS WHY I'M FILING A COMPLAINT WITH YOU. AS FOR A SAFETY ISSUE, MY DAUGHTER'S SAFETY IS MY MAIN CONCERN. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHILE SHE WAS STILL PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT SCHOOL AND NOT IN A PARKING LOT AT A MALL OR A STORE. THE TUMBLERS COLLAPSED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED REPLACED AND TWO NEW KEYS HAD TO BE MADE AND PROGRAMMED. (IF OEM IS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FROM MANUFACTURER, THEN IT IS YES.) *JB

I WENT TO A STORE AND TURNED MY CAR OFF, THE SAME WAY THAT I ALWAYS DO. ONCE RETURNING AND TRYING TO START THE CAR, THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. THE KEY WOULD GO IN ALL THE WAY, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NORMALLY IT WILL START AFTER MESSING WITH IT FOR A FEW MINUTES. THIS TIME I SAT THERE FOR AN HOUR TRYING TO GET IT TO WORK, TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. I WAS TOLD BOTH BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THE TOWING COMPANY, THAT IT IS A REPEATED ISSUE WITH THE FOCUS. THE TOWING COMPANY SAID THE ONLY TIME HE HAS HAD TO EVER TOW A FOCUS IS WHEN IT HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, OR IF THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. I HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE THROUGH NHTSA, AND FEEL SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL MECHANICS AND LOCK SMITHS, AND I AM TOLD BY ALL THAT I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY THE HIGH PRICE TO HAVE A DEALER FIX AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED A LONG TIME AGO ON ALL THE CAR'S MADE THAT YEAR. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, AND NOT JUST ONCE BUT REPEATEDLY. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO CHARGED $350 TO DRILL OUT THE CYLINDER AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE. *NM

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE IN 2000 FORD FOCUS LEFT ME AND MY THREE CHILDREN STRANDED IN SECLUDED AREA AT DARK. AT THIS POINT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM ALTHOUGH I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT IS APPARENT THAT IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE FORD FOCUS. *NM

DT: THE CALLER SAID AUTOMATIC LOCKS ON THE DOORS AND TRUNK DID NOT WORK. THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE FOR THE LOCKS WILL NOT WORK TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE WILLING TO PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. *AK *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION. KEY STARTS TO GET STUCK IN IGNITION NO WARNING IGNITION LOCKS AND CAR WILL NOT START. TO FIX THE PROBLEM IGNITION GETS DRILLED OUT AND COSTS $175.31. THIS SEEMS TO BE A NATIONAL PROBLEM WITH THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF THIS CAR AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *NM

IGNITION STICKS. WON'T LET ME TURN KEY OR SOMETIMES EVEN PUT KEY IN IGNITION. *JB

I WAS SOUTH BOND ON WARREN AND OBSERVED, AND SMELLED SMOKE. I WENT TO PULL OVER AND FOUND OUT I HAD LOST BRAKES. I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CAME TO A STOP,

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. *NM

IGNITION LOCKS UP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THIS IGNITION. THIS TIME ITS COSTING ME $397. APPARENTLY MANY OTHER FOCUS 2000 USERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

THE IGNITION SWITCH IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED, LEAVING MY FAMILY AND MYSELF STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED ONCE AT @ 20K MILES, AND IS NOW BEGINNING TO FAIL IN THE EXACT SAME WAY. THIS IS A VERY, VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, AND THE FORD MECHANICS CONFIRM THIS FACT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE FORD SERVICE MANAGERS I HAVE DEALT WITH DENY ANY PROBLEM EXISTS. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED AT NIGHT IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. *NM

IGNITION LOCK FAILURE. ONCE THE KEY IS INSERTED IT WILL NOT TURN. I HAVE GOTTEN THE SWITCH TO WORK IN THE INTERM BUT IT STILL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NM

THE IGNITION ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS LOCKED UP. WITH SOME WD-40 AND A FEW TAPS WITH A HAMMER, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN AGAIN, BUT I DIDN'T TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AGAIN FOR 2 DAYS UNTIL I COULD GET IT REPLACED -- FOR FEAR I WOULD GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE AGAIN. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS AND WANTED TO REPORT IT WITH HOPES THAT A RECALL MIGHT OCCUR SOMEDAY. *JB

HAVING TROUBLE INSERTING MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION. ALSO, IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT POP OUT WHEN KEY IS REMOVED UNTIL I PRESS IT IN WITH MY FINGER. MY BROTHER, WHO ALSO OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD HIS IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. EXPECT TO PAY $250 AT THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED. *NM

1) MY IGNITION SWITCH BROKE 2) WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED 3) HAD A DEALER REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE TECH ALSO MADE A COMMENT THAT, ON THIS MODEL, THEY ALL BROKE, AND FORD HAD MADE A BETTER SWITCH THAT WAS BEING USED IN THE REPLACEMENT. *NM

BATTERY CABLES WERE REPLACED UNDER RECALL 02V288000. NEW CABLES ONLY LASTED FOR 2 YEARS BEFORE CAR QUIT RUNNING AND THE CABLES NEEDED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. 2ND REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL SO CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE CABLES AT FORD DEALER FOR $250 (PARTS AND LABOR). CONSUMER FEELS THAT TWO YEARS OF LIFE ON BATTERY CABLES IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. CAR IS NOW CONSIDERED SOMEWHAT UNRELIABLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT BATTERY CABLES ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. *JB

2000 IGNITION ISSUE - I CAN PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, HOWEVER I CAN NOT TURN THE VEHICLE OVER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT AN OVERWHELMING $350.00. FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *NM

THE IGNITION WILL NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS. RADIO STARTED TURNING ITSELF ON AND OFF ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. A/C STARTED DOING SAME THIS ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO (ON SAME PANEL ON DASH). NOW A/C WILL NOT WORK AT ALL, BUT RADIO CONTINUES TO TURN ITSELF ON AND OFF WHETHER CAR IS RUNNING OR NOT. *NM

I HAVE AN IGNITION PROBLEM. THE KEY GOES IN BUT WILL NOT TURN. STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. WHEN I CHECKED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I REALIZED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF ALL FORD FOCUS CARS. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER A NEW KEY IS NOT PROVIDED FOR THE NEW IGNITION CYLINDER. AS A RESULT I HAVE TO TAKE MY OLD KEYS WITH THE NEW CYLINDER TO THE LOCKSMITH TO HAVE HIM TO RECODE IT AND THAT WILL BE ANOTHER EXPENSE FOR ME. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. SAME PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN ACCORDING TO THOSE THAT COMPLAINED ON THE INTERNET FORUMS. THE WEB ADDRESS IS BELOW AND I PUT MY COMPLAIN TO THAT FORUM AS WELL. HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET/SHOWMESSAGES.PHP?ID=1784 SO IT SHOULD BE RECALL FOR THIS IGNITION PROBLEM BY THE FORD COMPANY. *JB

REGARDING MY 2000 FORD FOCUS - HAVE HAD MOST OF THE ISSUES LISTED ON YOUR SITE. RECENTLY, MY TRUNK LID IS NOT CLOSING EASILY. IT SEEMS TO BE DOING THE SAME AS MY BACK DOOR LATCH (RUST ISSUE?). ALSO, MY IGNITION KEY IS REGULARLY STUCK GOING IN OR COMING OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS IS EVEN MORE FRUSTRATING...*NM

WITHOUT ANY WARNING OF ANY KIND, THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 200 FORD FOCUS ZX3 FAILED, LEAVING WITH AN AUTOMOBILE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE VEHICLE. IT WAS AS IF THE COMPUTER WAS NOT READING THE KEY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED AAA, AND THEY STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING ,AND THEY WERE GOING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT ISSUE A RECALL.*AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS - IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILS - IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN. HUNDREDS OF POSTS ON THE WEB COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. NO RECOURSE EXCEPT TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER - AFTER TOWING THE VEHICLE. *JB

DT:THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE DECK LID WIRE HARNESS, THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN 2001. THIS RECALL REPAIR DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM, THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHT FAILED AFTERWARDS. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, THERE WERE SOME REPAIRS, BUT THE CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHAT REPAIRS WERE EXACTLY MADE AT THAT TIME. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT BECAUSE THE CONSUMER WAS PULLED OVER BY AUTHORITIES FOR NOT HAVING BRAKE LIGHTS. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAID FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THE NEXT OCCURRENCE RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER SMELLING SMOKE FOR WHICH SHE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. SHE PULLED OVER FOR A MOMENT, AND BEGAN TO PULL OUT TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER, AND A PASSERBY HONKED THE HORN. THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FORM THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AND WHILE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, BLACK SMOKE BEGAN TO ERUPT FROM THE TRUNK. UPON INSPECTION, THE FIRE HAD EXTINGUISHED BY ITSELF AND THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE WIRING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WANTED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FURTHER. THE DEALER SPLICED THE WIRES UP INTO THE AREA WHERE THE FIRE WAS ,AND NOW CONSUMER IS CONCERNED A FIRE MAY AGAIN OCCUR. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED FORD AT THIS TIME. *AK

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH, CAR HESITATED, RAN REAL ROUGH, THEN RAN NORMAL UNTIL I REACHED MY DESTINATION. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION CAR JUST DIED IN PARKING LOT, WOULD NOT TURN OVER, WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. HAD CAR TOWED TO HILLSIDE FORD (NEAREST FORD DEALER). THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL THEY PUT A STARTER IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT TURNING OVER. WHAT THE STARTER HAS TO DO WITH THE CAR DYING IS BEYOND ME? SO I SAID OK, THEY CHANGED THE STARTER, CHARGING ME OF COURSE ($180 FOR STARTER), AND THEN REALIZED THAT THE CAR STILL DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. THIS IS WHEN THEY FIGURED OUT THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE ALL BURNT UP. SO THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGED (ANOTHER $90.00 FOR CABLES). SO AFTER THE STARTER AND THE BATTERY CABLES WERE CHANGED THE CAR WAS BACK TO RUNNING NORMAL. MY TOTAL BILL INCLUDING LABOR $618.00. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GET THE CAR DONE BECAUSE IT IS MY ONLY SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION. AFTER FURTHER LOOKING INTO RECALLS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR MY CAR, I REALIZED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE BATTERY CABLES ON MY FOCUS, WITH MY ENGINE AND THE SAME YEAR (RECALL #: 02V288000). I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC AND MY CAR WAS NOT ON THE LIST. THIS IS THE SAME THING THEY SAID WHEN THEY HAD A SILENT RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH THEY FINALLY AGREED TO TAKE CARE OF. *JB

GOT BACK IN MY ARE AFTER FILLING WITH GAS AND THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION LOCK BARREL. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THIS TO BE VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. $300-$500 TO FIX. *NM

DAUGHTER WAS ATTEMPTING TO START HER CAR AND COULD NOT GET THE KEY TO TURN. AFTER TRYING DIFFERENT KEYS. WE CALLED THE FORD DEALER WAS INFORMED THAT THE KEY CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A LITTLE RESEARCH INTO THIS SHOWS THIS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. AND AT 400 A SHOT FORD SHOULD SHOW A PROFIT. *JB

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE (FOUR DAYS AFTER FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER). *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. UNABLE TO INSERT KEY INTO IGNITION. STRANDED FAR FROM HOME AT NIGHT. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION REPLACED. *NM

12/03 -- REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE ON A 2000 FORD FOCUS; WINDOW NOT USED MUCH 9/7/05 -- REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED ON SAME CAR AS ROLLING DOWN TO CLEAR MORNING CONDENSATION OFF AND ON SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAVE NOT WORKED DUE TO A SO CALLED "SHORT" THE 2 REGULATORS WERE REPLACED; THE SHORT HAS NEVER BEEN FOUND OR REPAIRED AND IS A NUISANCE. *JB

DT: CALLER HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND WAS NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE KEY, AND CURRENTLY IT WONT TURN AT ALL. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK *NM

FORD REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY WHICH IS FAULTY. *NM

DT: 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION KEEPS LOCKING UP ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED THEY FIXED IT, BUT IT CONTINUALLY HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENS BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE LAST TIME IT WOULDN'T RELEASE THE KEY. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THEY ARE REPLACING THE SWITCH, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED THERE WAS METAL IN THE FLOOR. *JB

KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I TURNED OFF THE CAR TO CHANGE THE TIRE. WHEN RETURNING TO THE CAR TO START THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK AND A FORD DEALER BILL OF OVER $250 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE IGNITION.

BATTERY CABLE WAS LOCATED IN A WAY THAT CAUSED ABRASION AGAINST BATTERY CASE. WEAR BY THIS ABRASION CAUSED FAILURE OF THE INSULATION AND A SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS RESULTED IN TOTAL ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND STARTED A SMALL, BRIEF ELECTRICAL FIRE OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND BATTERY CASE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A FREEWAY, AND PUT THE OCCUPANT IN SIGNIFICANT DANGER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GARAGE. BATTERY AND BATTERY CABLE HARNESS ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. STATUS OF ALTERNATOR NOT YET AVAILABLE.*JB

CAR WAS STARTING & RUNNING FINE ... STOPPED BY MY MOTHER'S HOUSE; CAME OUT, PLACED KEY INTO IGNITION, KEY REFUSED TO TURN. TRIED ALL THE REGULAR TRICKS (TURNIGN THE WHEEL TO THE STOPS, PRESSING BRAKE, CLUTHC, ACCELERATOR, ETC. TO NO EFFECT) CALLED TOWING SERVICE - THEY COULD NOT MAKE THE KEY TURN EITHER AND COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS "COMMON" IN FORD FOCUS. TOWED VEHICLE TO BALISE FORD - AGREED IT'S A COMMON FAILURE BUT THYE HAVE A REDESIGNED PART FROM FORD - THAT IS NOT COVERED BY FORD'S EXTENDED WARRANTLY. OVER $300 TO REPLACE A PART EVERYEN ADMITS TO FAILING FREQUENTLY!

DT: THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED AND WILL NOT LET YOU TURN THE KEY. CONTACTED A FORD DEALER, THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM WIDELY, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 20, 2005. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START IT.*AK

IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILURE. I COULD NOT GET THE KEY TO GO IN THE IGNITION. AFTER 1/2 HOUR OF PUSHING, PULLING, ROCKING, TILTING, IN OUT, BACK FORTH, I GOT THE KEY IN. UPON ADVICE OF MY MECHANIC AT WOODY SANDER FORD IN CINCINNATI, OH, I WAS TOLD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION UNTIL I COULD DELIVER IT TO THEM FOR REPLACEMENT. THEY SAY THE PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON BUT FORD WON'T RECALL BECAUSE IT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE. MY WEB RESEARCH SUPPORTS THAT IT IS INDEED VERY COMMON AND FOR MANY PEOPLE A RECURRING PROBLEM. THE CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 54,627 MILES ON IT. THE REPAIR WAS JUST OVER $200.00. *JB

MY CAR WAS NOT SHOWING SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WAS PARKED IN A LOCAL RESTAURANT PARKING LOT FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION. WE PLAYED WITH IT ENOUGH TO GET IT IN HALF WAY AND THEN THE WHOLE WAY, BUT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. I CALLED FOR A RIDE AT 12:00AM BECAUSE A COP INFORMED ME IT WAS MOST LIKELY MY TUMBLER OR IGNITION SWITCH. MY CAR WAS TOWED THE NEXT MORNING FROM THE PARKING LOT. THIS WAS A DIFFICULT PROCESS CONSIDERING MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND THEY HAD TO "DRAG" MY CAR TO GET IT ON TO THE FLAT BED. MY IGNITION SWITCH IS CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON, BUT WE ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE "KEY CODE" TO SET MY TUMBLER. *NM

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION SYSTEM WILL NOT TURN. I TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET IT FIXED. AAA SENT A LOCKSMITH OUT AND HER TOLD ME THAT THIS IS THE 10TH FORD FOCUS THIS WEEK WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. HE SAID HE HAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM. HE SAID HE HAS DONE OVER 150 IN THE LAST YEAR. I SEARCHED ONLINE AN FOUND OVER 5000 PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD AND THEY ACTED AS IF THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THE FORD FOCUS IS NOTORIOUS FOR RECALLS BUT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ON THE LIST. I BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE ADDED. FORD FOCUS IGNITION SYSTEM SHE BE RECALLED. *NM

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS STRANDED WITH THE TWO PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AT NIGHT. I TOOK IT TO GET IT FIXED AND IT IS COSTING MY $510 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. *SC

FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, MY CAR BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, THEN STALLED, SMOKE BEGAN EMANATING FORM UNDER THE HOOD, THEN THE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. I'M VERY LUCKY I WAS NOT INJURED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. *JB

MY WIFE HAD TO DROP OFF SOMETHING AT A FRIEND'S PLACE OUT IN THE COUNTRY. THEY WOULD NOT BE HOME FOR A COUPLE DAYS. SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, DELIVERED THE ITEMS, AND GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO START IT UP AND COME BACK HOME. WE WERE ALL WAITING FOR HER TO GET HOME SO WE COULD LEAVE FOR A CAMPING TRIP. THE KEY WENT INTO THE IGNITION, BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN, CAR WOULD NOT START - THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED HERE MANY TIMES. SHE WENT TO A NEIGHBOR'S TO CALL ME, FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE THAT COULD BRING HER HOME AND GET ME THERE TO SEE WHAT I COULD DO(WE ONLY HAVE ONE CAR). I COULD DO NOTHING. IN THE MORNING I AM GOING TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO. THIS SUCKS BECAUSE MY FAMILY IS ALL PACKED AND READY TO GO CAMPING - NOW THIS. *JB

IGNITION CYLINDER FAILURE, STRANDED US AND WE'LL HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS IF THIS HAD HAPPENED A WEEK EARLIER WHEN WE WERE IN THE BACK COUNTRY OF IDAHO. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2000-2002 FORD FOCUS CARS AND FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED (AGAIN). *NM

IGNITION STARTED TO STICK AND ON 8/5/05 THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN KEY BROKE OFF HAD TO PAY LOCK SMITH TO COME OUT AND TAKE KEY OUT THAT WAS 125 DOLLARS. NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND HAVE THEM FIX THE IGNITION BUT TO GET IT THERE THE CAR HAS TO BE TOWED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF CARS AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

IGNITION KEY FAILURE IN 2000 FORD FOCUS SE. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION ON THE WEB, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MOST IF NOT ALL MODELS OF FORD FOCUS. I AM HAVING IT SERVICED NOW BUT ACCORDING TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE, I CAN EXPECT TO HAVE TO DO THIS SEVERAL MORE TIMES OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

KEY WOULD NOT WORK IN IGNITION - CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE LOCK ASSEMBLY AND TUMBLER. *NM

1) NO KNOWN EVENTS LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE. 2) WHEN HEADING TO WORK IN THE MORNING ONE DAY, I HAD DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. ONCE I GOT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I COULD NOT START MY CAR AND COULD NOT GET TO WORK 3) WE HAD TO PAY $70 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP IN BUFFALO, MN. WE THEN HAD TO PAY THEM TO DRILL OUT IGNITION CYLINDER AND REMOVE IT. THEN THEY BUILT NEW CYLINDER AND INSTALLED IT. COSTING ME $350. I UNDERSTAND ALSO, FROM THE FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE (THAT HAD JUST EXPIRED) THAT THIS IS ALSO A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD FOCUS'. *NM

KEY WOULD NOT WORK IN IGNITION - CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE LOCK ASSEMBLY AND TUMBLER. *NM

PURCHASED A USED 2000 FORD FOCUS FROM A REPUTABLE LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALER FOR MY SON. (HIIS FIRST CAR). AFTER DRIVING THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES, WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF, THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT COME OUT. THE CAR HAS TO SIT FOR 20-30 MINUTES BEFORE YOU CAN TAKE THE KEY OUT. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS KNOWN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME THAT THEY HAVE MANUFACTURED FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDERS ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. WHILE THE DEALER HAS OFFERED TO WORK OUT THE PROBLEM, THE FACT REMAINS THAT A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED TO ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS. *NM

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS LOCKED. KEY WILL NOT TURN. NO WARNING TO IMPENDING FAILURE. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR. *NM

THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THAT THE IGNITION HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE KEY WAS PUT IN IT WWAS HARD TO TURN ON. THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION AT ALL. THEREFORE YOU ARE STRANDED WHERE EVER YOU ARE. CAR HAS TO BE TOWED. *JB

IGNITION SWITCH HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME.THE FIRST ONE WAS COVERED BY WARRENTY.THE SECOND ONE ISN'T.

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

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY CYLINDER HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM FOR A SECOND TIME. THE IGNITION FELL APART AND BECAME LODGED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *JB

I JUST PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS SE STATION WAGON FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. THE CAR IS IN PRISTINE SHAPE WITH ONLY 54,000 MILES ON IT. THERE'S JUST ONE SLIGHT PROBLEM.... THE KEY DOESN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECORDED A NUMBER OF TIMES.(SEE COMPLAINT SECTION OF THIS WEB SITE) WHY NO RECALLS??????

MY FOCUS 2000 IS IN THE SHOP DUE TO A BROKEN IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.I COULD HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IN A DARK PARKING LOT. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED.

2000 FORD FOCUS STEERING AND IGNITION LOCKED. MY SON WHO IS 17 YRS OLD WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL US BECAUSE THE STEERING AND IGNITION WAS LOCKED.

IG NITION ON A 200 FORD FOCUS LOCKED UP. IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. APARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. UPON COMPLETING A WEB SEARCH FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR OPTIONS I SAW HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I'M CALLING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE RAPED AND PILLAGED OVER A FORD MD THAT THEY ARE UNWILLING ACKOWLEDGE OR HONOR.

I HAVE HAD MY FOCUS FOR FIVE YEARS, I AM 1 MONTH AWAY FROM PAYING IT OFF. INITIALLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, THERE WERE A FEW MAJOR ISSUES THAT WERE FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY. EXAMPLE- WHEEL BEARINGS, BREAKS, ETC. OTHERWISE MY CAR HAS HAD FEW PROBLEMS OUTSIDE OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. ON FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2005 I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING MY KEY TO GO IN THE IGNITION. BUT IT WENT IN, AND STARTED OKAY. ON TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2005, I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT WAS STUCK. IT WAS ALSO DIFFICULT TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. THE DRIVER OF THE TOW TRUCK ASKED ME IF THE IGNITION WAS STUCK. I TOLD HIM YES, AND HE TOLD ME THAT WAS THE USUAL PROBLEM WHENEVER HE HAD TO TOW A FORD FOCUS. MARSHALL BROTHERS LINCOLN MERCURY INFORMED ME IT WAS THE IGNITION CYLINDER THAT BROKE. I LOOKED ONLINE, AND THERE IS AN ENTIRE DISCUSSION BOARD DEDICATED TO THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.AUTOFORUMZ.COM/FORD-FOCUS-IGNITION-LOCKS-FTOPICT32011.HTML

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER LOCK LEAVING ME UNABLE TO GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION OR TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR. FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AS THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TOLD ME. WITH THIS BEING A KNOWN PROBLEM, FORD STILL WANTS OVER $300 TO FIX A THE PROBLEM. IF THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, WHY IS THE CONSUMER THE ONE THAT HAS TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEM???

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE POSTINGS ON THE WEB THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM FOR FORD FOCUS OWNERS

IGNITION WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY ON 2000 FOCUS SE, NEED TO REPLACE IGNITION TUMBLER ASSEMBLY

DT: THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP JULY 2ND, 2005. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START DUE TO THE IGNITION. THE SERVICE MECHANIC SAID FORD WAS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WILL NOT TURN.

MY WIFE WAS LEAVING WORK AT NIGHT ALONE. SHE GOT IN OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS AND TRIED TO START IT. THE KEY WOULDNT TURN. I GUESS IT IS AN IGNITION CYLINDER FAILURE. IF MY WIFE WAS IN DANGER OF HER LIFE OR HURT SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET ANYWHERE. I AM OUTRAGED THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL

2000-2001 FORD FOCUS WAGON - IGNITION CYLINDER FAILURE. WAS IN A VERY HOT PARKING LOT AND KEY WOULD GO IN BUT NOT TURN. THIS IS A REOCCURING PROBLEM WITH ALL FOCUS MODELS.

DT: ON SUNDAY THE OWNER'S WIFE MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN OFF OF MENTOR ONTO HART STREET. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF LIKE THE KEY HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CLASSIC FORD BUT HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY YET. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. BOTH THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE AT THE SCENE. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETE FIRE DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE OWNER FEELS THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *NM

I ARRIVED HOME ON SATURDAY MORNING, PARKED IN THE DRIVE MIDWAY, TOOK THE KEY OUT AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, I TRIED WITH NO SUCCESS TO MOVE THE CAR ALL THE WAY UP INTO THE DRIVE. THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. I MOVED THE WHEEL, WHICH WAS LOCK, BACK AND FORTH AND EVEN TRIED YANKING IT. IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I CALLED MY FRIEND TO COME AND LOOK AT IT. HE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT HAD LOCKED. THERE IS NO RELEASE ON THE VEHICLE, SO I COULDN'T EVEN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. EVERY THING IS LOCKED IN PLACE. WE PUSHED THE CAR MANUALLY UP INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE IT HAS BEEN SITTING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN FOR 3 DAYS. I LOOKED INTO GETTING IT FIXED AND FOUND SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED FOR SERVICE SAID IT WOULD BE ROUGHLY AROUND $280 TO FIX BUT COULDN'T QUOTE UNTIL THE CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR INSPECTION. I AM REALLY UPSET WITH FORD FOR NOT RECALLING THIS ITEM YEARS AGO. IT IS SUCH A SMALL FIX FOR THEM BUT COSTS US ALOT. THEN WHEN YOU GET THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR YOU RECALL, THEY TRY TO ELIMINATE THE LABOR COSTS, BUT ISN'T THAT PART OF THE RECALL. MY LAST REIMBURSEMENT WAS MUCH LESS THAN I ACTUALLY PAID FOR THE SERVICE.

HAD MY OIL CHANGED. DROVE TO WAL-MART. I SMELLED SOMTHING BURNING, STOPED AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD DIDNT SEE ANYTHING, THOUGHT MAYBE SOME SPILT OIL WAS BURNING. WENT INSIDE WAL-MART AND RETURNED TO CAR AND STARTED IT AND BEGAN TO DRIVE HOME. CAR STALLED AND SOME GUYS YELLED AT ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I GOT OUT SAW FLAMES COMMING OUT OF THE WHEEL WELLS OPENED THE HOOD AND PUT OUT FIRE AND PUSHED MY CAR OFF THE ROAD.

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. COULD NOT REMOVE OR TURN KEY. HAD TO HAVE CYLINDER REPLACED IN BOTH VEHICLES THAT WE OWN. QUITE COSTLY AND VERY INCONVENIENT.

IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED. HAD TO HAVE REPLACED. HAVE TWO SUCH VEHICLES AND EXPERIENCED FAILURE ON BOTH. QUITE COSTLY.

DT: THIS MORNING WHEN LEAVING FOR WORK CONSUMER PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND IGNITION WOULD NOT TURNING OVER AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AS THIS HAS WORKED TWICE BEFORE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ALONG WITH THE IGNITION. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE ENTIRE IGNITION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AND OFFERED NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS OCCURRED. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS. *AK

DT: 2000 FORD FOCUS LX, IGNITION FROZE. PROBLEM OCCURRED BEFORE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT CONSUMER HAD THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON MAY 26, 2004. THIS PROBLEM GRADUALLY BECAME WORSE. AT FIRST THE IGNITION WAS A LITTLE HARD TO TURN. WITHIN A WEEK THE CONSUMER COULD NOT EVEN TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED IT INCLUDED THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. THERE WERE NO KNOWN OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK

HI, ON SATURDAY EVENING (JUNE 18, 2005) I DROVE MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS TO EDGERTON CONFORT INN IN WISCONSIN WITH MY WIFE AND 6 MONTHS OLD CHILD WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. ON FATHER'S DAY MORNING (JUNE 19, 2005) READY TO ENJOY BREAKFAST WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN ON THE CAR. THE IGNITION KEY WOULD ONLY GO IN HALF-WAY AND WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING PLUS STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AS WELL, EVENTHOUTH I DIDN'T LOCK IT THE NIGHT BEFORE. I SPENT ABOUT AN HOUR WITH FRIENDS TRYING DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE CLOSEST TOWN I COULD FIND A FORD SERVICE CENTER WAS IN JANESVILLE, WI AND ON A SUNDAY (FATHER'S DAY) I COULDN'T RESOLVE MUCH. I HAD TO SPENT ANOTHER EXTRA NIGHT IN THE HOTEL TO BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THE NEXT DAY. NOT A FUN THING WHEN YOU HAVE A YOUNG CHILD WITH YOU AND NOT ABLE TO DO MUCH WITHOUT A CAR. ON MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2005, I GOT IN CONTACT WITH GORDIE BOUCHER FORD SERVICE CENTER TO ARRANGE TOWING SERVICE. THAT COST ME $73.50 TO GET MY CAR FROM THE HOTEL PARKING LOT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. AT THE SERVICE CENTER I WAS TOLD THAT MY PROBLEM WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY THEM, THAT IT WASN'T THE 1ST. TIME THEY SEE IT HAPPEND TO FOCUS CARS AND THAT WILL COST ME 3 HOURS OF LABOR + PART. (LABOR: 279.83; PART: 98.47 = $378.30+TAX) HOTEL/TOWING/FORD SERVICE TOTAL WAS CLOSE TO $500 THE DAMAGED PART WAS THE IGNITION TUMBLER WHICH THEY HAD TO DRILL OUT, REKEY THE NEW TUMBLER AND REPLACE IT. OLD PARTS STAYED AT SERVICE CENTER. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE TO VOICE MY COMPLAINT WITH YOU BECAUSE THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE BY A RECALL FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. ALSO, YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THIS FROM OTHER OWNERS ON EDMUND'S WEBSITE: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX?14@781.0BPNDJTAY7N.0@.EEA50DC/0 PLEASE ADVICE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROVING THIS VENUE TO US, CONSUMERS. FROM ILLINOIS, EDGARDO MUNOZ

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS. MY IGNITION LOCKED. INITALLY, MY KEY WOULD ONLY GO IN HALF WAY, BUT WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER FINALLY GETTING MY KEY IN, IT STILL WOULD NOT TURN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS EXACT INDICENT, AND I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON FAIRLURE. THERE ARE OVER 150 POSTINGS ON AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET ALONE. I PAID $65 TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND $310 TO HAVE IT FIXED AT THE DEALER. CLEARLY, THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART, BUT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO COMPENSATE THE OUT OF POCKET COSTS TO THE OWNERS.

THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED ON MY FORD FOCUS (2000 MODEL). THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART FOR AN "IMPROVED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER KIT" FOR A COST OF $456. CLEARLY, THE ORIGINAL PART WAS DEFECTIVE. I READ DOZENS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM FOR OTHER FORD FOCUS DRIVERS. MANY HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MULTIPLE TIMES. FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS.

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THAT ONCE CONSUMER STICKS THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK AND WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS IT WOULD EVENTUALLY START BEFORE, BUT NOW IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATES THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START THE IGNITION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, AND THE SERVICE DEALER HAD TO DRILL THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK, INSTALL A NEW KEY CYLINDER, AND REMAKE KEYS TO FIT INTO THIS NEW KEY CYLINDER.*AK

THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE INGNITION SWITCH AFTER A FAILURE. IT LOCKS UP/BREAKS AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE REPAIR AGAIN IS COSTING ME $300 FOR SOMETHING I FEEL SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I WAS AT 40K MILES. I'M OUT OF WARRANTY NOW AT 60K MILES 2 YEARS LATER. I HAVE FOUND SO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET IN VARIOUS PLACES TO KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. SEVERAL EMPLOYEES AT MY DEALERSHIP AND TOW TRUCK DRIVERS ARE EVEN AWARE OF IT AND ADMIT THAT IT'S A BIG PROBLEM. THIS TIME MY DEALERSHIP IS USING A DIFFERENT PART THAT *SHOULD* NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM PATIENTLY WAITING FOR A RECALL TO HAPPEN AND TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THESE REPAIRS. IF IT'S A MATTER OF FORD NOT FEELING THAT IT IS A "SAFETY" ISSUE, I WOULD STRONGLY DISAGREE. I LIVE IN A DANGEROUS CITY WHERE I CAN BE STRANDED WITH THIS PROBLEM AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. LUCKILY THIS TIME I WAS ONLY OUT SHOPPING LOCALLY DURING THE DAY. FORD HAS LOST ME AS A CUSTOMER UNLESS THEY CAN SHOW GOOD FAITH AND FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE.

IGNITION LOCK UP NECESSITATING TOW AND COSTLY REPAIR.

WE HAD OCCASIONAL DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY INTO OUR 2000 FORD FOCUS, AND THEN ONE DAY WE WERE COMPLETELY UNABLE TO GET THE KEY IN. WE HAVE A KEY THAT IS RARELY USED AND THAT DOESN'T WORK EITHER. WE ARE STUCK AND WILL HAVE TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE OUR CAR TO THE SHOP. MY HUSBAND MISSED A DAY OF WORK AND WE DON'T KNOW YET HOW MUCH THIS WHOLE THING WILL COST US. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM FOR FORD FOCUS CARS.

DT:CONTACT STATES WHEN SHE PUTS THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WILL NOT MOVE.. SHE HAS REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENED SINCE 2000, AND IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. . IT JUST LOCKS UP AND CONTACT CAN'T TURN THE IGNITION. IT SOMETIMES TAKES UP TO 5 MINUTES TO GET THE IGNITION TO TURN OVER. *AK

OVER A PERIOD OF TIME MY KEY WAS STICKING IN THE IGNITION MORE FREQUENTLY. IT THEN GOT TO THE POINT THAT I COULDNT GET THE KEY ALL THE WAY IN UNLESS I MESSED AROUND WITH THE STEERING WHEEL FOR A WHILE. ONCE I GOT THE KEY IN THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD TURN SO I COULD START THE CAR. I EVENTUALLY ENDED UP LEAVING MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND COVERING UP THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE I GOT OUT OF MY CAR. I HAVE TWO KIDS, I CAN NOT AFFORD TO GET STUCK ANYWHERE.I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THIS WAS THE 9TH FORD FOCUS THAT HE HAD REPAIRED THAT MONTH FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. "A CONSUMER HAD JUST PICKED ONE UP THIS MORNING AS A MATTER OF FACT", HE SAID.SO I HAD THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, HE HAD TO REPLACE A PART THAT WAS IN THE IGNITION. HE HAD TOLD ME THAT THE PIECE WAS LIKE A PUZZLE AND THAT WHEN THESE CARS WERE MADE THE MANUFACTURER HAD PUT THE WRONG SIZE IN. I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PART, THE REPAIR CENTER KEPT IT.

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE IGNITION LOCKS UP. FROM WHAT SHE HAS SEEN THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE FORD FOCUS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE OTHER VEHICLES THAT THEY ARE FIXING FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER COMPLAINTS. *JB

I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR OVER 3 YEARS NOW AND ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. ONE DAY, I DROVE THE CAR TO MY FRIEND'S HOUSE AND WAS READY TO LEAVE AND INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION AND THEREFORE, I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALSO LOCKED. I HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH AND HE HAD TO DRILL INTO THE IGNITION TO REMOVE IT AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE. HE ALSO HAD TO PROGRAM A NEW KEY. THE LOCKSMITH TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AS OF YET FOR THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT AND ISSUE A RECALL. WE AS CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR THIS PROBLEM. BY NOT SOLVING THIS ISSUE, THIS ALLOWS OTHERS TO BENEFIT FROM REPAIR COSTS TO THESE VEHICLES EVERYTIME THEY ARE STRANDED AND HAVE NO ONE ELSE TO TURN TO EXCEPT THE ONLY LOCKSMITH IN THE AREA WHO CAN CHARGE WHATEVER TO REPAIR THE IGNITION.

DT: THE OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT LOCKED UP TWICE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. THE KEY AND CYLINDER HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT, AND ALL PARTS REPLACED. THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF TIMES THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN, BUT EVIDENTLY IT WOULD. THEN, ONE DAY THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL, AND THE COLUMN HAD LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE GARAGE. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK

I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING AND I CAN'T START THE CAR. MY MOTHER, FATHER, BOYFRIEND AND I HAVE TRIED OVER AND OVER TURNING THE KEY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS AND SOMTHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT MUCH OF ANY HELP. PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE HELP

2000 FORD FOCUS WITH Z-TECH ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE DRIVERS SIDE BATTERY COMPARTMENT/WIRE HARNESS

IGNITION FAILURE, CAN NOT REMOVE OR TURN KEY

DT: CONSUMER STATED IGNITION LOCK BROKE/FROZE. KEY WOULD NOT GO IN IGNITION, SOMETIMES IT WOULD GO HALF WAY IN, AND SOMETIMES ALL THE WAY IN. BUT EVEN WHEN IT WENT ALL THE WAY IN IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WERE PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION. BUT CONSUMER WAS EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO GET IGNITION TO WORK. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS. HAD NO PROBLEM IN THE LAST YEAR UNTIL NOW. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED REGULARLY.*AK

THE IGNITION "FROZE" SO THAT I COULD NOT TURN THE CAR ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I HAVE SINCE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FAILURE.

MY CAR WAS DRIVING/STARTING JUST FINE UNTIL ONE NIGHT I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND THE IGNITIOON AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T TURN. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER IN MY CAR WHICH COST ABOUT $300.

YESTERDAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY KEY DID NOT WANT TO TURN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. A COUPLE OF TIMES I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED BY PLAYING WITH IT AND THEN WHEN I NEEDED THE CAR A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER IT WOULD NOT WORK. I AM NOW FINDING ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET IN RELATION TO FORD FOCUS 2000-2003 MODELS HAVE BAD IGNITIONS AND SUBJECTS HAVING TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AND FORD NOT RECALLING THEM. WEBSITES: WWW.AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET AND WWW.EDMUNDS.COM, ETC. I AM A SINGLE MOM, WITH ONLY THE FORD FOCUS TO DRIVE AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE STALLED OUT SOMEWHERE WITH MY YOUNG CHILD, BECAUSE FORD HAS DECIDED NOT TO FIX A CONSTANT PROBLEM.

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION, AFTER REPEATEDLY JIGGLING KEY, COULD TURN ON ELECTRICAL, BUT COULD NOT TURN ON ENGINE. FINALLY COULD REMOVE KEY WITH DIFFICULTY, BUT ELECTRICAL STAYED ON EVEN WITH KEY REMOVED. TRIED REPEATEDLY FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR AND A HALF, BUT COULD NOT TURN ENGINE ON. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THIS SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE IN MAY 2002. AT THAT TIME (2002) THE KEY CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS RECODED UNDER WARRANTY BY FORD DEALERSHIP.

MY FORD FOCUS 2000 ZX3 WAS WORKING FINE. WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE HOME FROM WORK THE KEY JAMMED IN THE IGNITION. I COULD NOT GET THE KEY TO TURN. I TRIED AND TRIED BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO GET MY WIFE TO PICK ME UP. I TRIED IT THE NEXT DAY, STILL JAMMED. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS MODELS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD $350- $650 TO REPLACE IT. VERY EXPENSIVE I THOUGHT. I CALLED AAA, THEY SENT A LOCK SMITH AND IT COST ME $185. NOT ONLY IS THIS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE 12 ALREADY LISTED RECALL ITEMS ON THIS MODEL BUT THE PRICE AT THE FORD DEALER WAS WELL INFLATED!!!! I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS ITEM ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST AS IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFAULT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE REMBURSED FOR THE LOCKSMITH CHARGE.

WAS GETTING READY TO DRIVE HOME. PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. TRIED FOR TWO HOURS TO TURN THE KEY, BUT NO LUCK. I HAD TO WAIT AN ADDITIONAL 2 HOURS TO GET A RIDE HOME, WITH MY CAR STILL IN THE PARKING LOT. CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP. TOLD THEM MY PROBLEM,AND THEY KNEW WITHOUT ME TELLING THEM, THE MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR. THEY THEN REFERRED ME TO A LOCK SMITH, WHO HAD TO COME OUT AND REPLACE IT.

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH IS JAMMED. KEY WILL GO IN BUT WILL NOT TURN. FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER INTERNET SITES. COST TO REPAIR 200 TO 400 DOLLARS ACCORDING TO THESE REPORTS. FOUND A WEB ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN 2002 ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM - HTTP://WWW.MOTORAGE.COM/MOTORAGE/DATA/ARTICLESTANDARD/MOTORAGE/472002/38913/ARTICLE.PDF MY CAR IS STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY WHERE THE PROBLEM OCCURED. EMAILED FORD AS I HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME FORD BUYER AND HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEM WITH AN IGNITION SWITCH - NO RESPONSE AS OF THIS DATE.

1: ONE INCIDENT OF INSERTING KEY INTO IGNITION 2: TOTAL LOCK UP OF IGNITION,NO INJURY LOSS OF MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM 3: REPLACE IGNITION, IGNITION DRILLED AND NEW ONE INSTSALLED, HAVE OLD PART.

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. CAR UNABLE TO START. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER TO HAVE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED.

IGNITION SWITCH HAS SEIZED THREE TIMES EACH TIME REPLACED BY DEALERSHIPS. NEVER WARRANTIED. PLEASE NOT THE QUANTITY OF THESE FAILURES. DUE TO THE PATS SYSTEM, MOST MECHANICS WILL NOT TOUCH IT.

I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD FOCUS. THE INGINITON FROZE UP ON ME AND I COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT. IT COST $500 TO GET IT FIXED,

WATER LEAKING THROUGH WINDSHIELD INTO ELECTRONIC SYSTEM (GEM MODULE). THIS HAS CAUSED VEHICLE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING DURING RAINY WEATHER, AND SOMETIMES LONGER, EVEN IN BEAUTIFUL WEATHER. WIPERS QUIT WORKING DURING RAINY WEATHER WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF RAIN STORM. HEAD LIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS DON'T WORK AT ALL IN RAIN. INTERIOR LIGHTS INCLUDING DASH BOARD LIGHTS QUIT WORKING. HEAD LIGHTS AND WIPERS ALL QUIT WORKING IF RADIO IS TURNED ON. REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY WON'T WORK. 4 X4 WON'T TRANSFER IF USED, STAYS IN ONE GEAR AND GETS STUCK, WHICH I AM SURE IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. TWO DAYS AFTER A RAIN STORM, MY EXPEDITION WAS OUTSIDE TRYING TO START ITSELF. I WAS INSIDE WHEN I HEARD THE NOISE. IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE WAS OVER STARTING THEIR VEHICLE. IT WAS THAT GRINDING SOUND OF THE STARTER BEING OVER TURNED. WHEN I WENT OUT SIDE TO MY DISBELIEF IT WAS MY EXPEDITION!

THE IGNITION LOCK SEIZED. CONSUMER PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE FLOOR SHIFTS WAS STILL IN PARK. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. *AK *BF *NM

THERE WAS NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY AND THE IGNITION , THEN ON 5/4/05 THE KEY WENT INTO THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT TURN OR START THE CAR , I TRIED MY SECOND KEY AND THAT ALSO WOULD NOT TURN . I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER , TOTAL COST FOR REPAIR AND TOW WAS A WOOPING $350.00 .THE DEALER DID NOT SEEM SURPRISED THAT MY FORD FOCUS HAD THIS DEFECT , THE TOW DRIVER SAID IT IS COMMON TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH FOCUS AND I SPOKE TO A FEW LOCAL LOCKSMITHS AND THEY ALSO SAY IT IS COMMON FOR FOCUS . I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ALSO ENDURED THIS HIGH EXPENSE FOR THE SAME REPAIR . IT DOES NOT SEEM FAIR THAT THERE IS A DEFECT AND FORD DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE , PLESE HELP ALL US OWNERS AND PUSH FOR A RECALL .. THANK YOU

FORD FOCUS 2000 IGNITION PROBLEMS. FIRST, THE KEY WOULD NOT INSERT FULLY INTO THE IGNITION AND WOULD GET STUCK PREVENTING IT TO TURN. WHEN THE MECHANIC SHOOK THE KEY AROUND A BIT IT WOULD LOOSEN UP AND WOULD THEN INSERT FULLY ALLOWING THE CAR TO BE STARTED. THAT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS WHEN THE KEY WOULD INSERT FULLY BUT WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION. AFTER HEARING THAT TWO OF MY FRIENDS WHO OWN FORD FOCUS' FROM THE SAME YEAR HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, I BEGAN TO RESEARCH. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, OR NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR." THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITHIN VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. I FEEL THAT IT IS UNFAIR THAT THE CONSUMER MUST PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT EXISTED WHEN THE CAR WAS ON THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. HAVING AN IGNITION REPLACED IS NOT CHEAP CONSIDERING THE LABOR AND PART CHARGES COMBINED.

REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITH TWICE KEY GETS STUCK AND SOME CASES STEERING LOCKS.

WHEN KEY IS PUT IN IGNITION THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START. ALSO ONCE THE KEY IS IN IT WILL NOT COME OUT.*AK

HAD IGNITION LOCK UP. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. FOUND OUT ON INTERNET A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE. *AK

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN, TO ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO START THE VEHICLE. JB

DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER, FAILED CYLINDERS RESULTED FROM A SUB STANDARD MANUFACTURED CYLINDER WHICH RAPIDLY DETERIORATES WITH USE AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURES AND JAMS. FORD IS WELL AWARE THAT THESE FRAGILE CYLINDERS ARE MADE OF SUB STANDARD MATERIALS AND ARE BREAKING AND JAMMING AT AN ALARMING RATE. *AK

HAVE A 2000 FORD, FOCUS SE. OCCASIONALLY THE CARS IGNITION WILL LOCK UP. SOMETIMES THE IGNITION WILL TURN AND GAUGES, RADIO WILL WORK, BUT CAR WILL NOT START. IT WILL NOT MAKE ANY SOUNDS, JUST DOES NOT START. HAVING DIFFICULTY EVEN TURNING IGNITION SWITCH. BEEN IN SHOP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL 04-19-05 WHEN THE IGNITION TUMBLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEVER HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE ON A 4-5 YEAR OLD CAR. NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THIS FAILURE VERY OFTEN HAS LEFT ME AND MY 3 YEAR OLD SITTING IN THE CAR IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, I AM STUCK WITH A $250 BILL, THAT THE FORD MECHANIC STATED PROBABLY HAD NOTHING E TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING!!!*AK

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND STOPPED TO GET A DRINK. WHEN SHE GOT BACK INTO THE CAR, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION. AFTER I LOOKED AT IT, THE KEY WENT IN A BIT FURTHER, BUT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO TURN THE IGNITION. THE KEY STILL WILL NOT GO IN ALL THE WAY OR TURN.*AK

FROZEN IGNITION LOCK, TUMBLERS FALL INTO LOCK SPACE AND PREVENT KEY FROM ENTERING. *AK

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE IGNITION KEY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. CONSUMER HAD THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK REPAIRED. *AK

THE IGNITION LOCK IS HARD TO TURN AND HARD TO REMOVE THE KEY. YOU HAVE TO JIGGLE THE KEY TO GET IT TO WORK. IT HAS NEARLY LEFT ME STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS QUOTED A PRICE TO FIX IT AT $300. I HAVE YET TO FIX IT DUE TO FINANCAL DIFFICULTIES.*AK

IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP. THE KEYS WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. HAD TO CALL THE LOCKSMITH AS PER LOCKSMITH ,ITS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD FOCUS 2000/2001 MODELS. IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. CHECK THIS FOR SIMILAR ISSUES: HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET/SHOWMESSAGES.PHP?ID=1275

WHEN KEY IS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION THE KEY WON'T TURN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, AND DEALER FIXED IT, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

KEY WON'T FULL SLIDE INTO THE IGNITION LOCK CYNLIDER. AS A RESULT CAN'T START THE CAR. IT APEARS, ONE OR MORE TUMBLERS HAVE FALLEN OUT OF PLACE. AUTO HAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000 MILES. WHEN I HAD A LOCK SMITH LOOK AT THE LOCK, I WAS INFORMED THAT IS WAS A FAIR COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000-2002 FORD FOCUS MODEL. *AK

CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING USED, REGARDLESS OF LENGTH OF TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN . DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE IGNITION CHAMBER, INSPECTED IT, BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM. ALSO, THEY HAVE LUBRICATED IT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

UPON EXITING THE GROCERY STORY ON TUESDAY MARCH 29, 2005 I FOUND MY 2000 FORD EXPEDITION ON FIRE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS A BATTALION OF FIREMEN SHOPPING AT THE TIME & THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE VERY QUICKLY. BECAUSE THEY WERE THE FIRE CAPTAIN ASKED ME IF I HAD HAD THE CAR SERVICED, IN PARTICULAR THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, AS THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY THE POINT OF ORIGIN. I SAID NO. A PASSERBY MENTIONED THE RECALL (WE HAD ONLY JUST RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL) AND AFTER REMEMBERING THE CONTENTS OF THE LETTER WE RECEIVED DID WE REALIZE THIS FAULTY PART WAS THE CAUSE. WE HAD OUR CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT IT AND HAD ONLY GOTTON THE RUN AROUND SINCE. THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO OUR VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS WELL AS LEFT FRONT TIRE AND AREA BETWEEN THE ENGINE & TIRE. THIS WAS DUE TO THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE FIREMEN WHEN FIRE BROKE OUT.*AK

2000 FORD FOCUS - KEY WILL NOT GO INTO IGNITION AND START CAR

IGNITION CYLINDER SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, CAR HAS 78,000 MILES AND I FEEL THAT THIS IS A POOR DESIGN. COST OF REPAIRS WAS $185.00 AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION KEY AS WELL. I HAVE OLD PART FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED.

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' FORD FOCUS 2000, HAS HAD 6 RECALLS. *BF THE TUMBLER IN THE IGNITION FAILED. *JB

VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START WHEN THE CONSUMER PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY , AND VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START.*AK

I WENT SHOPPING AT WAL-MART AND WHEN I CAME OUT, MY IGNITION WAS LOCKED UP. I WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING AND CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO TOW IT IN AND FIX IT. I WAS CHARGED FOR ALL PARTS, LABOR, AND TOW BILL. WHEN I REASEARCHED THIS ONLINE, I FOUND SEVERAL OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND BASED ON THEIR EXPERIENCES THIS HAPPENS OVER AND OVER. FORD WOULD ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY AND WOULD NOT LOOK INTO A RECALL. MY CAR IS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. INCIDINTE DATE IS A GUESS.

IGNITION IN 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS FAILED. WE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH TURN THE KEY--WE OFTEN EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH TURNING THE KEY TO ON POSITION. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW PROGRESSED AND WE ARE UNABLE TO EVEN TURN THE CAR ON AT ALL. WE ARE TOLD THAT THE IGNITION WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD BY THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURING MORE AND MORE, AND THEY HAVE ALREADY HAD SEVERAL CARS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT IT WILL COST ALMOST $400.00 TO REPLACE THIS PART. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM, AND IT SEEMS THERE ARE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE US WHO ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIRECTLY AND THEY WERE OF NO ASSISTANCE.

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE 3 TIMES AT MILEAGES 41097, 60405, 75504. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED EACH TIME. IGNITION SWITCH WAS DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED EACH TIME. IGNITION SWITCH BOUND UP AND WOULD NOT TURN WITH KEY INSERTED. *AK

IGNITION LOCK HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME, THIS TIME AT APPROXIMATELY 65000 MILES. I AM WITHOUT A CAR, AND MY WIFE IS 36 WEEKS PREGNANT.*AK

FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKS FAIL AT VERY HIGH RATES. OUR'S FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME THIS WEEK, STRANDING US AND REQUIRING A TOW. OUR FORD DEALER AGAIN CHARGED US MORE THAN $300.*AK THE WEB IS FULL OF REPORTS OF THESE FAILURES. SEARCH GOOGLE: FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK

IGNITION KEY SWITCH WILL SOMETIMES FAIL TO TURN AFTER THE KEY IS INSERTED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WILL GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND THAT THAT HE HAS HAD MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE TOWED BECAUSE OF THIS. HE ALSO SAID THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT IS NOT REPAIRING THEM AND THAT IT IS A $250 REPAIR. HE STATED IT COULD HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING AND THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT, OR COULD CAUSE THE IGNITION NOT TO WORK AT ALL. I'VE OWNED MANY CARS. I'VE NEVER HAD THE IGITION KEY CYLINDER "WEAR OUT". *AK

THE FAILURE ACCURRED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH THUS NOT ALLOWING US TO START THE CAR IT HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. *AK

THE IGNITION CYLINDER ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 IS A SOURCE OF CONSTANT HEADACHES. THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM TO ME...I'VE HAD MY IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED 4 TIMES IN 4 YEARS ON MY CAR. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME PROBLEM, AND FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY WITH THIS PART....I AM NOT THE ONLY FOCUS OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.*AK

1/25/04 PARKED AT METER IN STAMFORD CT, KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF IGNITION. GOT IT OUT, THEN WOULDN'T GO BACK IN. 20 MINUTES OF SWEATING/SWEARING, GOT KEY BACK IN. HAD TO LEAVE IT IN THE IGNITION (DANGEROUS) UNTIL 2/12/04. CAR TO DILLON FORD, WHO REPLACED KEY CYLINDER FOR $210. MILEAGE 76,489. I SAVED BROKEN IGNITION SWITCH, IF YOU WANT IT. REPLACEMENT WAS A FORD MOTORCRAFTCO. IGNITION SWITCH SW-5997 XS4Z-11582-AA. JANUARY 2005 BROKE AGAIN! BROADWAY AUTO REPLACED KEY IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AGAIN FOR $250.00. MILEAGE 96,000. THEY GAVE ME A COPY OF "IGNITION SWITCH LOCK CYLINDER: ALL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, INTERIOR- IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HARD TO TURN. POSTED 09/16/02. ARTICLE NO. 02-18-2 2000 FORD FOCUS L4-121 2.0L SOHC VIN P SFI COPYRIGHT 2004 ALLDATA 8.30 "USE LOCK CYLINDER REPAIR KIT (XS4Z-11582-AA)" THIS IS THE SAME CYLINDER THAT BROKE IN MY FIRST REPLACEMENT. I SAVED BROKEN CYLINDER. BOTH CYLINDERS HAVE THE CODE S 38 KB ON BARREL. FORD'S AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, I.E., TECHNICAL BULLETIN. FORD'S USING THE SAME INFERIOR PART TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE KEY CYLINDER, MAKING OVER $200 EACH TIME. NHTS COMPLAINT SITE HAS 291 COMPLAINTS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH; 277 COMPLAINTS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,IGNITION; 4 COMPLAINTS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER; 2 COMPLAINTS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: STARTER ASSEMBY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS "AUTOMOTIVE TALK.NET" 114 COMPLAINTS TOPIC: 2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. THIS IS DANGEROUS, HIGHLY PROIFTABLE FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY. FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE FOR THE OVER $500 SPENT SO FAR ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE: FORD FOCUS ZX3. MY: 2000, PURCHASED IN: SAN GABRIEL, CA CURRENTLY IN: DUBLIN, OH. EVENTS: I WENT TO MY CAR ONE EVENING, SAT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, PULLED MY KEY OUT AND IT WOULD NOT GO IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. IT WAS IF SOMETHING WERE STUCK IN IT AND THE TIP OF THE KEY WAS THE ONLY PART THAT WOULD GO IN. NO AMOUNT OF PUSHING SEEMED TO HELP. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND I EVEN ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT TO SEE IF IT WOULD FREE WHATEVER WAS STOPPING THE KEY FROM GOING IN.*AK CONSEQUENCES: I WAS STRANDED. THE TIRES WERE TURNED TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. TO HAVE IT LOADED ONTO A FLATBED TOW TRUCK WAS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT CAUSING MORE DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE CAR OR WHEELS. IT TOOK OVER AN HOUR TO GET IT LOADED ON A TOW TRUCK. CORRECTION: I TOOK THE CAR TO GERMAIN FORD FOR SERVICE AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS SAID THEY HAD SEEN THIS ON OTHER FORD FOCUS. OTHER COMMENTS: I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE SOME AND OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE.

THE IGNITION TUMBLER FAILED. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASCERTAIN, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT AND HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE FACT THAT VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED ALMOST 12 TIMES SHOULD INDICATE THAT THERE IS MASSIVE ENGINEERING AND DESIGN PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.*AK

WITHOUT WARNING OR PRIOR PROBLEMS AND WHILE PARKED, THE IGNITION AND STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY NOR THE STEERING WHEEL. ALL ATTEMPTS TO DO SO FAILED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THE OLD IGNITION WAS DRILLED AND A NEW ONE ISNTALLED. THE SERVICE MANAGER COMFIRMED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS.*AK

I PARKED MY CAR ONE NIGHT, NOTHING UNUSUAL, NO PREVIOUS DIFFICULTIES WITH THE IGNITION. THE NEXT DAY I GET IN AND CAN NOT INSERT KEY FULLY INTO THE IGNITION. AFTER JIGGLING IT AROUND, I COULD FINALLY FULLY INSERT KEY BUT AM UNABLE TO TURN IT TO START THE VEHICLE. *AK ALTHOUGH NO INJURY OCCURED, THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR (OVER $300 IN ADDITION TO THE TOWING FEES). I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND IN MY DISCUSSION WITH OTHER FOCUS OWNERS; AND THINK FORD IS TO BLAME. I ONLY HAVE 2 KEYS ON MY KEY RING ALONG WITH THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY; THEREFORE, THIS WAS NOTHING I'VE DONE TO IMPAIR THE DAILY PERFORMANCE.

I WAS LEAVING WORK LATE THE OTHER NIGHT AND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER IN ORDER TO START MY CAR. I HAD A FRIEND PICK ME UP AND I CALLED A LOCKSMITH THE NEXT DAY. I HAD MY IGNITION REPLACED, THEN THREE DAYS LATER I COULD NOT TAKE MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I ONCE AGAIN CALLED THE LOCKSMITH HE CAME BACK OUT AND REPLACED MY IGNITION ONCE AGAIN, YET THE KEY GOT STUCK AGAIN. THE THIRD TIME I CALLED HIM HE TOLD ME THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FOCOUS AND IT WAS GOING TO COST ME AN ADDITIONAL $250. TO FIX, ON TOP OF THE $190. I HAD ALREADY SPENT TO REPLACE THE IGNITION.*AK

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND PARKING IT IN A PARKING SPOT I CAME OUT AND WAS UNABLE TO INSERT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION. I WAS UNABLE TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FROZEN IN PLACE. AFTER TRYING REPEATEDLY TO GET THE KEY IN OR JIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. I NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION, LOCK CY, AND REKEY LOCK CYLINDER. THERE HAS BEEN A VEHICLE: ALL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHICH IS A PLASTIC SWITCH IN THE IGNITION THAT BREAKS AND THEN CAUSES THE PROBLEMS. I HOPE THERE IS NO CAR FIRE OR DEATHS AS A RESULT OF FORD NOT FIXING THIS PROBLEM. *JB

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURN THE VEHICLE ON. OWNER HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND HAD THE REPAIRS DONE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE FEELS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *TC

TURNING THE KEY BECAME PROGRESSIVELY HARDER, AND FINALLY THE CYLINDER LOCKED COMPLETELY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, IT COST ME $450.

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WAS WORKING FINE. ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE CAR, I RETURNED TO THE CAR TO START IT UP, AND MY KEY, WHICH HAD JUST WORKED FINE, WOULD NOT START THE CAR. THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE IGNITION WERE LOCKED. MY KEY WOULD NO LONGER GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION CYLINDER, WHICH SEEMED TO BE JAMMED IN SOME WAY. I CALLED AAA, WHO SAID THEY SEE THIS ALL THE TIME IN THE FORD FOCUS. THEY BANGED ON THE COLUMN TRYING TO RELEASE THE CYLINDER, BUT TO NO AVAIL. STRANDED, I TOOK A $35 CAB RIDE HOME AND HAVE TO RETURN TODAY TO HAVE IT TOWED OFF A DOWNTOWN STREET TO THE DEALERS SERVICE CENTER, WHICH IS CLOSED ON SUNDAY AND HAS NO EMERGENCY NUMBER...I GUESS I JUST LEAVE IT THERE WITH THE HOPES THAT THEY WILL LOOK AT IT TOMORROW. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I'LL GET TO WORK TOMORROW, HOW LONG THIS WILL TAKE TO FIX, NOR HOW MUCH IT WILL COST--- BUT I'VE READ OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THAT THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER DUE TO WEAK METALS USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS IS NOT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS IS A FAULTY PART AND SHOULD BE RECALLED! *JB

IGNITION RANDOMLY LOCKED UP. I HAD SOME PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING. AFTER I PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE CAR, REMOVED THE KEY, I COULD NO LONGER TURN THE IGNITION CYLINDER WITH THE KEY. HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION CYLINDER AND KEY FOR A COST OF $350. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR HAPPENINGS BY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS. ALSO RECEIVED ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE FROM TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND MECHANIC OF FREQUENCY OF THIS OCCURRING WITH FORD FOCUSES. *NM

I COULD NOT INSERT MY KEY MORE THAN HALF WAY INTO THE IGNITION TO START MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I HAD IT TOWED THROUGH FORD TO A DEALERSHIP AND EXPECTED THE IGNITION PROBLEM TO BE FULLY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY (I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ITS FAILURE).THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT WOULD COST $585 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AND RE-KEY THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY MODEL/YEAR.*AK

KEY GOES IN IGNITION, BUT WON'T TURN. REQUIRES WIGGLING AND MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET CAR TO TURN OVER AND START. COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD FOCUSES. MAKING APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IGNITION REPLACED.

AFTER PLACING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION GEAR LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME.*AK *NM

THERE WAS AS IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. WHEN PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT. ONCE THE KEY WAS IN, IT WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND CURRENTLY THE DEALERSHIP WAS WORKING ON THE DEFECT. *AK THE IGNITION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *SC *JB

I PARKED MY CAR. UPON COMING BACK TO THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT WORK IN THE IGNITION AT ALL. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE TUMBLER MECHANISM FAILED AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT. MY CAR IS A STICK SHIFT, AND IF I STALLED THE CAR IN TRAFFIC AND THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED THAT TIME, I WOULD HAVE BEEN PUT IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK

INTERMITTENLY CONSUMER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STICK THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I STOPPED IN AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT AND GOT A BITE TO EAT. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR I PROCEEDED TO PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BUT IT JAMMED. I FLIPPED THE KEY AND TRIED AGAIN AND NO LUCK. I THEN GAVE THE KEY A GOOD PUSH AND GOT THE KEY IN BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I CALLED A LOCAL LOCKSMITH AND TOLD ME IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE ON FORD FOCUS. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND GOT CHARGED $450 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE IGNITION CYLINDER. I LOOKED UP OTHER FORD FOCUS COMPLAINTS AND NOTICE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM NATIONWIDE.*AK

I BOUGHT THE A 2000 FORD FOCUS CAR IN JULY 2004. IT IS TODAY (FEB 2005) THE IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP ON ME. THE KEY WILL GO IN BUT THE KEY WILL NO TURN. THE KEY DING SIGNAL WORKS AND EVERY THING. I HAVE READ MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FROM AUTOTALK.COM ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND IT IS THE IGNTION CYLINDER IS THE PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS REACURRING EVERY YEAR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED A BURNING ODOR, AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A PIECE A METAL CUT AND SHORTED THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTION TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *AK

IGNITION LOCK FAILURE ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. THIS I AM TOLD IS A MAJOR PROBLEM BY THE DEALER AND AAA. PLEASE HELP. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU. *JB CINDY DROHAN

SINCE 2002 I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION, KEY WILL NOT TURN WHEN INSERTED IN IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE REPLACED THAT PART TWICE, $500 DOLLARS EACH TIME. IT'S BEEN ONLY ONE YEAR SINCE THE LAST TIME THAT I GOT IT FIXED AND AGAIN I'M HAVING PROBLEMS EVERYTIME THAT I TRY TO START THE IGNITION. *JB

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE IGNITION LOCKED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. *AK

1- THIS SPECIFIC FAILURE, THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO IT, IT JUST HAPPENED. THE IGNITION SWITCH JUST LOCKED. PREVIOUSLY THERE WERE LITTLE EVENTS WITH THE CAR LEADING UP TO ITS FAILURE. 2- IT STALLED AND WOULDN'T START, FUEL WASN'T GETTING TO THE ENGINE AND WOULD LEAD TO POWER FAILURE. 3- AFTER REPEATED TRIPS TO THE GARAGE AND TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY DID REPLACE THE PLUGS AND WIRES AND FUEL PUMP AGAIN. NOW THE PROBLEM IS THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

ON OCCASION FOR SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO INSERT INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEN ONE NIGHT THE KEY SIMPLY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AND WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY HAVE SEEN FREQUENTLY IN THESE CARS. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

(1) I PARKED MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ON A HILL WITH THE WHEELS TURNED (2) THE KEY IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN EVEN AFTER PLAYING AROUND WITH IT FOR 4 HOURS! I HAD TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE BEHIND. THERE WAS NO ADVANCE SIGNS THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. WHILE THIS IS NOT A MOVING SAFETY ISSUE, THIS CAN BE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM SINCE IT CAN STRAND YOU WITHOUT ANY WARNING IN AN UNSAFE AREA. (I CARRY SPARE GAS, JUMPER CABLES, CAR JACKS, ANTIFREEZE, EXTRA OIL ETC.. I EVEN HAD ENOUGH TOOLS TO TAKE APART THE STEERING COLUMN AND TRY HOT WIRING THE CAR, BUT TO NO AVAIL.) THIS IS A SERIOUS MECHANICAL DEFECT. (3) I LATER BOUGHT AN OWNERS MANUAL TO TRY FIXING THE PROBLEM MYSELF. BUT THE FIRST STEP TO REMOVING THE BROKEN IGNITION CYLINDER IS TO TURN THE KEY!! A CATCH 22. *JB

ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO I PURCHASED A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THIS PAST WEEKEND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I COULDN'T EVEN GET THE KEY ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE CAR TO NO AVAIL. I WENT ONLINE TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER TECHNIQUES I COULD TRY AND CAME ACROSS SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH DISGRUNTLED CONSUMERS WHO ARE ALSO OWNERS OF THE FORD FOCUS. THEY ALL ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND LOCKSMITH THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE TUMBLERS AND A FAILED CYLINDER DUE TO FORD. APPARENTLY FORD USED A SUBSTANDARD MANUFACTURED CYLINDER WHICH RAPIDLY DETERIORATES WITH USE AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURES THUS LOCKING THE WHEEL. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE CLOSE TO $400 SO I OPTED INSTEAD TO HAVE A LOCKSMITH COME OUT. THAT COST ME $60. I'M TOLD THOUGH THAT IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND EVEN A NEW CYLINDER WILL NOT PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN BECAUSE THE PART ITSELF IS DEFECTIVE. APPARENTLY FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO A RECALL WHICH I FIND ABSURD. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN ANNOYING SITUATION BUT ALSO A DANGEROUS ONE. I'VE HAD OTHER FORD OWNERS TELL ME THAT THEY'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN TO THEM WHILE DRIVING, AT STOP LIGHTS, IN A PARKING LOT ETC. THAT IS DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. I AM WRITING A PERSONAL LETTER TO FORD...AND I PLAN TO TAKE THIS AS FAR AS I POSSIBLY CAN LEGALLY. THANK YOU. AMY KENNEDY WINSTON SALEM, NC *JB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH. MY COMPLAINT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS 10100616. A FAILED IGNITION SWITCH THAT WOULD NOT TURN. CORRECTED BY DRILLING OUT CYLINDER, AND REPLACING. CERTIFIED LOCK SMITH PRICE WAS $298.00. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER QUOTED PRICE WAS $400.00 LOCK SMITH SAID THEY HAVE 1 - 2 OF THESE WITH THE FOCUS EVERY WEEK.*JB

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION PROBLEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT WORK. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. *TT *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH IS STUCK. CANNOT START CAR. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR HUNDREDS OF CONSUMERS: SEE(HTTP://WWW.AUTOWHIZ.COM/MESSAGEBOARDS/MESSAGE.PHP?ID=1784&PAGE=12), DUE IN MY OPINION TO POOR MANUFACTURING. IT IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. APPARENTLY FORD DENIES THE PROBLEM, BUT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON BULLETIN BOARDS TO DOCUMENT THIS SITUATION. PLEASE HELP US FIX THIS SITUATION. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD/COULD COME UNDER A RECALL NOTICE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THANK YOU, BOB LAMBERT *JB

STEERING WHEEL IGNITION LOCKS AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN AND START THE CAR. *AK

HTTP://WWW.AUTOWHIZ.COM/MESSAGEBOARDS/MESSAGE.PHP?ID=1784&PAGE=1 HAS MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING TROUBLES WITH THEIR IGNITION SWITCHES ON 2000 AND 2001 FORD FOCUS FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT UNWILLING TO MAKE IT RIGHT. I HOPE YOU CAN ASSIST US IN THIS MATTER MORE THAN FORD IS..IN FACT WHEN I CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY THEY SENT ME AN AUTOMATED EMAIL ON RECALLS ON VEHICLES THAT I DO NOT EVEN OWN THAT DID NOT ADDRESS MY COMPLAINT OR THE COMPLAINT OF MANY OTHERS. *AK

KEY WILL NOT TURN THE INGINTION SWITCH ON, AND SOMETIMES CAN BARELY BE REMOVED FROM SWITCH.*AK

(1) MY WIFE DROVE OUR 2000 FORD EXPEDITION TO THE GROCERY STORE ON JANUARY 5TH, 2005. WHEN SHE CAME OUT, ABOUT 25 MINUTES LATER, THE FIRE ENGINE HAD ARRIVED AND WAS TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THEY HAD TO BREAK THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW TO GET TO TO THE HOOD RELEASE. 2) HE INSURANCE FIRE INVESTIGATOR CLAIMED FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ALTERNATOR ELECTRICAL SHORT. BUT AS WE NOW KNOW FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH OVERHEATING AND CAUSING FIRES. 3) WE BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH PROBLEM FORD FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED HAVING. *AK

I OWN A FORD FOCUS 2000. AFTER LEAVING THE STORE LATE ONE EVENING, I PLACED MY KEY IN THE IGNITINON AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THIS HAD HAPPENED A FEW YEARS AGO AS WELL. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! WHO WILL BE TO BLAME WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THE PERSON STRANDED IN THE DARK PARKING LOT? THE BEST PART IS, MY CAR LIKE MANY OTHERS- IS AT THE DEALER GETTING REPAIRED. THERE GOES MY BILL MONEY. *AK

THERE IS NO EVENT LEADING UP TO FAILURE THAT WAS RECOGNIZABLE. WHEN YOU PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT SEIZES AND WILL NOT TURN TO START THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE NOW!! IN A YEAR AND A HALF. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS 6-27-03 AND I HAD IT FIXED. THE TUMBLER AND IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. I THOUGHT IT MAY BE A ONE OFF--I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, THIS HAS NOW OCCURED AGAIN 1-25-05 AND I WILL NOW HAVE TO PAY AGAIN FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED ONCE--NEVERMIND TWICE! I CALLED FORD AND THEY WERE VERY UNINTERESTED AND SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL--BUT I BET THERE ARE OTHER WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT MEAN IS TAKES 2 WEEKS TO ORDER THE PARTS AND FIX SO IT IS A HUGH INCONVENIENCE BECAUSE I HAVE A SMALL CHILD AND AM PREGNANT AGAIN. I HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO BE SERVICED AND AM VERY UPSET AND FEEL THIS NEEDS LOKED INTO FURTHER SINCE FORD DONT REALLY SEEM TO GIVE A TOSS.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V288000 CONCERNING BATTERY CABLES. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, AT ANY SPEED, HEADLIGHTS GOT DIMMER, AND THE RADIO CAME ON AND WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER SAW THIS RECALL ON NHTSA WEBSITE, AND BELIEVED BATTERY CABLE FAILURE WAS THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *AK *NM

IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN MY FORD FOCUS 2000. A PROBLEM MANY HAVE HAD ON THIS TYPE OF CAR. *NM

AT 9:00 AM MY WIFE DROVE TO WORK AND PARKED HER CAR IN THE EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT. AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM WHEN SHE WAS LEAVING THE OFFICE, SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO GO INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. SHE WAS STRANDED. WHEN I ARRIVED AT HER OFFICE ABOUT 6:45 PM, I TRIED BUT WAS ALSO UNABLE TO GET THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. ON 1/22/05 8:00 AM I CALLED OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO SAID TO TRY SOME WD-40. IF THAT DOESN'T WORK WE WOULD HAVE TO TOW IT IN TO LET THEM TAKE A LOOK. TRIED WD-40, DIDN'T WORK, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER AT 9:45 AM SAME DAY. WHILE AT THE DEALER, I ASKED SERVICE MGR IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM - HE SAID IT HAPPENS ONCE IN A WHILE AND IT IS USUALLY CAUSED BY HAVING TOO MANY KEYS ON THE KEY RING. WHEN I GAVE HIM MY KEYS, WE WAS SURPRISED THERE WERE NO OTHER KEYS ON THE SAME KEY RING. DEALER CALLED MONDAY 1/24 AND SAID THEY HAVE TO DRILL OUT THE OLD LOCK CYLINDER AND REPLACE - IT WILL COST $285 + THE TOW WAS $75, TOTAL U.S. $360. OUR CONCERN IS WE DO NOT FEEL NOT SAFE DRIVING A CAR THAT WE CANNOT BE CONFIDENT THAT THE KEY WILL WORK AS INTENDED. IMAGINE THE POTENTIAL DANGER A PERSON COULD BE LEFT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THEIR CAR. WE WERE AMAZED TO FIND OUT THE LARGE NUMBER OF OWNERS OF THIS SAME VEHICLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. WE PLAN ON REPAIRING THIS VEHICLE AND REPLACING IT AS SOON AS PRACTICAL. *NM

THE IGNITION CYLINDER ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS LOCKED UP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NOW IT IS COMPLETELY GONE. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN FOR ANYTHING. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT FORD WILL CHARGE AROUND $450 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MANY FOCUS OWNERS. THE CAR HAS DONE THIS BEFORE BUT IT JUST DID IT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS LAST NIGHT, LEAVING MY HUSBAND STRANDED. FORD HAS CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2005 MODELS BUT WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF US! MY HUSBAND WAS LATE FOR WORK BECAUSE OF IT AND I MYSELF HAD TO LEAVE WORK TO GO PICK HIM UP.

THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

THE IGNITION IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS HAPPENING, ONE DAY I GOT IN MY CAR, DROVE THE COFFEE SHOP CAME OUT AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME, SIX MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING AND ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER THAT. THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAPPENED I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY KEY THIS TIME NOT THE IGNITION. *NM

INTERMITTENTLY THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS, LOCKED IGNITION. KEY WON'T GO IN AND WON'T TURN. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. *JB

IGNITION SWITCH JAMMED AND WON'T TURN. LEFT ME STRANDED. APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS. *JB

CONSUMER PLACED THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION AND VEHICLE FAILED TO START. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE VEHICLE IGNITION FAILED TWICE. *TC

WENT TO START MY 2000 FORD FOCUS AFTER LEAVING STORE AND IGNITION TUMBLE WOULD NOT TURN. HAS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE. NOW EVERYTIME I GO TO START MY VEHICLE I HAVE TO HIT THE KEY HARD INTO THE IGNITION FOR AS MANY TIMES AS IT TAKES TO START. BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO MY FORD DEALER. NOW IT'S GOING TO CAST ME OVER $300 TO REPLACED THIS PART AND THAT THEY SAY FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RECALL THIS PART. I SPOKE TO SERVICE REPS, MANAGERS AND TECH'S. THEY ALL SAY THE SAME....FORD KNOWS BUT WONT RECALL IT! SO ON TOP OF MY CAR PAYMENT I GET TO PAY MORE THAN MY MONTHLY PAYMENT TO FIX A PART THAT FORD ACKNOWLEDGES AS DEFECTIVE. EXCELLENT SERVICES AND CARE FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS. THEN AGAIN I AM ONLY AN AVERAGE PERSON NOT A MULI-MILLION DOLLAR COMPANY. *JB

INTERMITTENTLY THE CONSUMER WOULD BE UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

IGNITION LOCKED UP, WILL NOT TURN. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF THEN RESTARTED IT FAILS TO START BECAUSE THE KEYS WOULDN'T TURN THE IGNITION. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND HAS REDESIGNED THIS PART IN THE LATER MODEL VEHICLES. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AT$300.00.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN IGNITION PROBLEM. VEHICLE WILL NOT START DUE TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION CYLINDER.*AK

CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 19,000 MILES. THIS CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO LOCK UP AND UNABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE ON. BOTH TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

2000 FORD FOCUS -- IGNITION KEY ASSEMBLY, HE IGNITION CORE FELL OUT OF MY DAUGHTERS FOCUS FOR THE SECOND TIME. THIS ASSEMBLY IS BEING WARRENTY REPLACED THIS SECOND TIME SINCE IT WAS DONE AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP SAYS OTHER ADJACENT COMPONENTS WERE DAMAGED (COSTING ~ $650). HAD THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY BEEN FIXED CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME, THERE IS NO WAY THE ADJACENT COMPONENTS COULD HAVE FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP LITHIA FORD OF TRI-CITIES (509-735-2511) , HAS REFUSED TO HONOR WARRENTY REPAIR OF THE ADJACENT COMPONENTS, WHICH IS RATHER DISTURBING. I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT SO HOPEFULLY FORD WILL SOMEDAY BE PUSHED INTO RECALLING THIS DEFECT IN ADDITION TO THE 11 OTHER DEFECTS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *AK

THE IGNITION ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WILL NOT TURN. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS. A FORD TECHNICIAN SAID TO LIGHTLY TAP THE KEY THEN TRY TURNING THE IGNITION. THIS METHOD HAS SEEMED TO WORK. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO TAP HARDER AND HARDER TO THE POINT OF HURTING MY HAND FROM HITTING IT SO HARD. I'VE READ SEVERAL FORD INTERNET FORUMS WHERE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS IGNITIONS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.*JB

VEHICLE DID NOT START WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE SECOND TIME, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK

IGNITION KEY WONT WORK IN THE CAR IT WONT TURN. MY 19 YEAR DAUGHTER WAS LEAVING WORK WHEN SHE WENT TO START THE CAR IT WOULDN'T WORK. IT WAS DARK AND NOT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL PROBABLY WITH THE FORD FOCUS IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY FORD AND FIXED NOW! (2000 FORD FOCUS). *NM

AFTER STOPPING AT A LOCAL SAFEWAY SUPERMARKET I WENT TO MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE MY WHEEL WAS LOCKED SO I ATTEMPTED TO PULL ON THE WHEEL WHILE TURNING THE KEY BUT HAD NO LUCK. I TRIED THIS FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES BEFORE GIVING UP. I CONTACTED AAA ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 26 AND WAS TOLD A LOCKSMITH WILL BE OUT TO UNLOCK MY WHEEL. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM AAA EXPLAINING TO ME THAT THEY FELT A LOCKSMITH WOULD DO NO GOOD WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND IN AAA'S EXPERIENCE MY PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS A COMMON DEFECT AND I SHOULD HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER BECAUSE MY IGNITION WILL MOST LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALER MONDAY THE 27 AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY PERFORM THAT REPAIR ALL THE TIME, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2000AND 2001 FORD FOCUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, EVEN SOME THAT HAD THE STEERING MECHANISM LOCK WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE DECIDED TO HAVE MY OWN MECHANIC REPLACE THE IGNITION SYSTEM, BECAUSE DURRING RESEARCH I ALSO FOUND THAT THOSE THAT HAD THE IGNITION SYSTEM REPLACED AT A DEALER HAD A REACCURANCE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND CAR WON'T CRANK . THIS JUST HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN AND IT'S 17 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND ICY. *AK

THE KEY TO MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO USE IN MY IGNITION OVER THE PAST YEAR. AT TIMES IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 2 HOURS TO GET THE KEY TO WORK AND THE IGNITION STARTED. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE STRANDED WITH NO WAY OF GETTING HOME. FINALLY, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND A LENGTHY AMOUNT OF TIME LATER, SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY TURNED AND THE CAR STARTED. THE IGNITION CYLINDER IN MY VEHICLE IS NOW COMPLETELY BROKEN (OR SOMETHING SIMILAR). I AM UNABLE TO USE MY VEHICLE AT ALL NOW. AFTER TWO DAYS OF ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE KEY, IT HAS FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED YET, BUT I AM AWARE THAT A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER WILL NEED TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THIS WILL CONSIST OF TOWING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY OF STARTING THE CAR OR UNLOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL.*AK

TODAY, DURING A SNOWSTORM, I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT INSERT INTO THE IGNITION - THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO START THE CAR. I HAS TWO BABIES WITH ME, AND HAD TO CALL AAA. I HAVE CHECKED ON THE WEB AND THIS IS A HIGE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, YET THE FORD COMPANY WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL. IT IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE. THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE. I WAS STRANDED.*AK

IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. ONE MINUTE IT WAS WORKING FINE, AND THE NEXT, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. ALSO, ONE MINUTE MY AUTOMATIC LOCKS WILL WORK, THEN MY CAR TOTALLY UN-PROGRAMMED ITSELF. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS HAS A DEFECTIVE IGNITION. THE CAR WILL LOCK UP AT ANY TIME. PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE IN MY CAR, NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *JB THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. FORD SUGGESTED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS COVERED NOT THE IGNITION CYLINDER. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE KEY CYLINDER FAILED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD TO GET A REFUND FROM JANUARY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND THE REFUND WAS DENIED. THE VEHICLE PART WAS CHANGED AS A GOODWILL EFFORT BY FORD. *TC *JB

RECALL 03V482000 CONCERNING INTERMITTENT STALLING. MANUFACTURER IS NOT ALLOWING THE DEALER TO HONOR THIS RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS A BRANDED TITLE.*AK

THE KEY WOULD TURN TO THE OFF POSITION AND THE CAR WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER, BUT SINCE IT WAS FIXED IN FEBRUARY OF 2004 IT HAS SINCE DONE THE SAME THINGS 2 MORE TIMES. THESE 2 TIMES, HOWEVER, THE CAR WOULD TURN OFF, BUT I COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO GO TO THE OFF POSITION AND I COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES AFTER THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER (ONCE IN NOVEMBER 2004 AND ONCE IN DECEMBER 2004). THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WON'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHEN I HAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER I DRIVE IT THERE THE KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT WAS FINE ALL SUMMER, AND IT SEEMS TO JUST DO THIS IN COLD WEATHER. HOWEVER, I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THAT MY RADIO IS STAYING ON AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, AND MY SEAT BELT LIGHT AND AND WARNING BUZZER ALSO DON'T WORK WHEN I HAVE THIS IGNITION PROBLEM.*AK

I HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENTLY WAITING FOR FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THEIR IGNITION SYSTEM. IT IS VERY PATHETIC. BOTH OF MY FORD FOCUS VEHICLES HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I USED THE CARS IN A NORMAL FASHION FOR OVER 4 YEARS. AT THE END OF YEAR 3 THE KEYS IN BOTH MY FOCUS CARS STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY LEAVING STRANDED AT WORK ONE TIME. I HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH WHO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT CYLINDER WILL LIKELY FAIL AGAIN AS IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OVERALL DESIGN OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM FROM FORD. I PAID OVER $300 FOR THIS PROBLEM AND NOW AM EXPERIENCING THIS HELL AGAIN IN YEAR 4.5. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH FORD NOW AND HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY RECALL. BOTH MY CARS CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THESE KEY PROBLEMS AND ARE BECOMING ALMOST UNUSABLE AT THIS POINT. *JB

UPON PLACING KEY INTO IGNITION, THE CHAMBER FAILS TO TURN TO START AND TURN AT ALL. HAD TO CALL AAA TO GET VEHICLE TOWED. DRIVER OF TOW TRUCK WAS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SPECIFIC TO A FORD FOCUS. HE WAS ABLE TO TAP THE STEERING COLLAR AND THE LOCK UNBOUND. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE WHEEL NEEDING A SLIGHT TURN. THE CYLINDER APPARENTLY OVER TIME WEARS CAUSING THE IGNITION LOCK TO BIND. HE SAID IT MIGHT HELP PUTTING SOME WD 40 ON THE KEY BUT THE LOCK WAS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM THAT WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I HAVE SEEN MANY INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM, IN THE HUNDREDS. *JB

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING TERRIBLE PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION. SEVERAL DOZEN TIMES I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO START MY CAR OR IT HAS TAKEN ME A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME TO BE ABLE TO START THE CAR. I TOLD MY LOCAL FORD DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $300 TO FIX THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, HE TOLD ME THAT I WAS THE FOURTH PERSON THAT HAD CALLED HIM THAT VERY SPECIFIC DAY REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER FOCUS'. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE POSTING COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME FOR A RECALL. *JB

CONSUMER PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE AND KEY WOULDN'T TURN. CONSUMER CALLED FORD, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION TUMBLER WAS BAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *AK

THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. IGNITION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAS HAPPENED, AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED EACH TIME.*AK

2000 FORD FOCUS. IGNITION LOCKS, PUT KEY IN IGNITION BUT KEY WILL NOT TURN, NO MATTER WHAT IS DONE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE.*AK

ONCE I PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZTS IT DOESN'T ALWAYS TURN. I HAVE TO PLAY AROUND WITH IT FOR A MINUTE OR TWO BEFORE I GET IT TO TURN OVER AND START MY CAR. I FEAR SOON THAT IT WON'T WORK AT ALL AND I'LL BE STUCK SOME PLACE. I'VE KNOWN OF MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR FOCUS'S. PEOPLE HAVE HAD A DEALERSHIP FIX IT, ONLY TO HAVE IT START DOING IT AGAIN WITH IN A MONTH LATER AND SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS LESS.*AK

I BROUGHT MY 2000 FOCUS BRAND NEW. YESTERDAY, WENT TO A MEETING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY. I WAS THE LAST TO LEAVE AND MY KEY WOULD ONLY GO HALF WAY INTO THE IGNITION. NO MATTER OF WIGGLING WOULD GET IT TO BUDGE. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION: TOTAL COST 394.41 WITH TOWING. LEARNED FROM A FRIEND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A TECHICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS FOR YEARS. OF COURSE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRENTY. BUT I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD AND ASKING FOR A "GOOD WILL' REMBURSMENT TO COVER COSTS. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE MAJOR NETWORKS FOR INVESTIGATION. *AK

MY IGNITION LOCKED LEAVING ME STRANDED. I HAVE TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON LOOKING THROUGH WEBSITES (WWW.EDMUNDS.COM, WWW.AUTOWHIZ.COM), I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE WERE OVER 200 RESPONSES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. SOMEONE FROM A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TRIED TO GET THE KEY TO TURN AND COULD NOT. HE SAID HE HAD WORKED FOR FORD FOR 38 YEARS AND BELIEVED THAT THE CYLINDER WAS THE PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN A NUMBER OF EARLY FORD FOCUSES (MINE IS 2000) HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE FOCUS. THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 12 RECALLS ON THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIPS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT UNCOOPERATIVE. I'VE FOUND THAT DEALERS DO NOT WANT TO HONOR THE RECALLS, ESPECIALLY IF A RENTAL CAR COMES WITH IT. THEY DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS RECALLED UNLESS I EXHIBITED PROBLEMS EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN RECALLED. FOCUS OWNERS ARE SPENDING UPWARDS OF $350 ON THE IGNITION REPAIR ALTHOUGH IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK

IGNITION KEY FAILS TO TURN IN LOCK CYLINDER. STEERING WHEEL CANNOT BE MOVED OR UNLOCKED WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN STRANDED AND TOWED TO FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR 3 TIMES ( AT 22000, 37254 & 43000 MILES) NOW. INOPERATIVE LOCK CYLINDER WAS DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED IN EACH CASE. I WAS CHARGED $287.00 FOR THE SECOND REPAIR (PLUS TOWING) BECAUSE IT "WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY".*AK

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN ON. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO START. THE KEYS WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. A LOCK SMITH INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLE, AND WAS CAUSED BY THE IGNITION CHIP FREEZING UP. HE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION BECAUSE OF PAST EXPERIENCES. AFTER THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED THE PARTS FAILED AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE SAME FAILURE.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP. *AK

IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN, WHEN ATTEMPING TO START THE VEHICLE. REPLACED IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER. R/R FUEL DELIVERY MODULE. *BF *TC

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS LX AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITIONS SWITCH TWICE DUE TO MY IGNITION LOCKING AND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO START MY CAR. ON SATURDAY,NOVMEBER 27,2004, I BEGAN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN, I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO MY HOME THAT EVENING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A LOCKSMITH, THE TOW GUY AND OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND EVEN A PERSON WHO WORKS FOR FORD. *AK

I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE BUT I AM UNABLE TO START IT NOW. THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN AND IT IS LOCKED INTO ONE POSITION. I CANNOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE IGNITION IS LOCKED. I PLAN TO CALL THE LOCKSMITH AND/OR DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ON MONDAY. *AK

I RECENTLY ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO INSERT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULD NOT INSERT ENTIRELY AND WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED WHILE IN PARK. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN "EASY FIX", SO I TRIED TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT, BUT IT REFUSED TO COOPERATE. AFTER OVER AN HOUR OF ATTEMPTING TO INSERT MY KEY WITH FAILURE, I CALLED A LOCKSMITH. THE LOCKSMITH TOLD ME "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD FOCUSES". I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR MATTER. I'VE READ NUMEROUS STATEMENTS ONLINE FROM OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM (SEE HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T158426.HTML AND HTTP://WWW.TALKABOUTAUTOS.COM/GROUP/ALT.AUTOS.FORD.FOCUS/MESSAGES/27215.HTML). THE LOCKSMITH HAD TO UNINSTALL THE OLD INGNITION SWITCH AND RECODE AND INSTALL A NEW IGNITION SWITCH FOR $190. SINCE MY PURCHASE, FORD FOCUS HAS ISSUED THREE RECALLS (UPCOMING FOURTH RECALL) AND I'M SURPRISED THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ONE OF THEM WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS. HOPEFULLY, FURTHER INVESTIGATION WILL TAKE PLACE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AND NOT LEAVE ANY FUTURE OWNERS STRANDED WHEN THEY ATTEMPT TO START THEIR CAR.*AK

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. THIS WAS FIXED ONCE BEFORE UNDER WARRANTY IN 2001. BUT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOW. *N M

IT WAS A RATHER NORMAL DAY. I DROVE MY 2000 FORD FOCUS TO COLLEGE, THEN HOME. ON MY WAY TO A LOCAL RESTAURANT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WHEN I WAS FINISHED, I PAID FOR MY MEAL AND EXITED THE ESTABLISHMENT. I STEPPED INTO MY CAR, CLOSED THE DOOR, AND PLACED MY KEY (WHICH WAS IN MINT CONDITION) IN THE IGNITION. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN EITHER WAY. I GIGGLED (CAREFULLY), BUT IT APPEARED TO BE STUCK. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED, FOR A FEE. THE CAR HAD TO BE FIXED, FOR A FEE ($300). I WAS STRANDED WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. WITH NO WAY TO SCHOOL OR WORK, IT WAS A MOST COMPROMISING SITUATION. THEY REPLACED THE METAL IGNITION SWITCH AFTER TEARING APART MY STEERING WHEEL. IT SEEMS TO WORK FINE NOW, HOWEVER; I BELIEVE THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED FOR A SPECIFIC RECALL, BUT I WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I FOUND MANY CONSUMERS THROUGH THE INTERNET WHO HAVE HAD TO UNFORTUNATELY DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM. COMPENSATION FOR THIS INCONVENIENCE IS SURELY DESIRED, AND TO MY OTHER FAITHFUL FORD CUSTOMERS (QUICKLY LOSING FAITH!) I WOULD SAY IT IS OWED TO US. *NM

KEY NO LONGER TURNED IGNITION.. *NM

THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE LIGHTS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF. THE CAUSE IS UNDETERMINED. *JB

I OWN 2 FORD FOCUS CARS. EACH HAS HAD THE IGINITION SWITCH LOCK UP. IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE INSERTED WITHOUT FORCE AND EVEN THEN COULD NOT BE TURNED TO UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL OR PROVIDE POWER. STARTING ENGINE WAS NOT POSSIBLE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED USING CAR JACKS .... A TOWING SURCHARGE. THIS DEFECT IS NOT CONSIDERED A WARRANTY ITEM AND COST WAS SEVERAL HUNDERED DOLLARS TO REPAIR.*AK

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. EARLY THIS YEAR THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION, NOT THAT IT WOULDN'T START, BUT THAT I COULD ONLY GET THE KEY HALFWAY INTO THE LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE IGNITION ITSELF. I MISSED WORK THAT DAY BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START MY OWN CAR. CALLED THE LOCKSMITH AND HE TOLD ME THAT WAS HIS THIRD CASE IN TWO WEEKS--SAME CAR, ABOUT THE SAME YEAR. HE FIXED IT BUT SAID THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, IT WOULD NEED REPLACING. WELL IT DID HAPPEN AGAIN--NOV. 12TH TO BE EXACT. AGAIN, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO IN THE MECHANISM, EVEN AFTER FOLLOWING THE DEALERSHIP'S ADVICE TO TAP IT IN WITH A HAMMER. HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED. TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID IT WAS HIS FOURTH FOCUS BEING TOWED THAT WEEK AND GUESSED THE PROBLEM BEFORE I EVEN TOLD HIM WHAT IT WAS! WHEN WE GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP I ASKED HOW MANY CARS HAD BEEN AFFECTED. 20% WAS THE ANSWER--20% OF THE FOCUS MODELS FROM 2000-2003. WOULD THERE BE A RECALL I ASKED? NO, HE ANSWERED FLATLY. I HAD TO PAY NEARLY $300 IN REPAIRS FROM THEM HAVING TO DRILL IN AND REPLACE IGNITION, LOCK, AND KEYS, ALL FOR A DEFECT THAT AFFECTS 20% OF CARS BUILT IN THREE YEARS. FRANKLY I FIND THAT RIDICULOUS THAT THEY WON'T RECALL THESE CARS, AND I WANT OTHER FOCUS OWNERS TO BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE FORD DOESN'T SEEM IT NECESSARY TO TELL THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE.*AK

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, THE NIGHT BEFORE MY CAR WAS FINE. I WENT TO GO TO WORK AND TRIED TO PUT MY KEY IN THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T GO IN. I TRIED THE SPARE KEY. I TRIED TO WIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL. EVERYTHING WAS LOCKED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL, THEY SAID NO. WHEN I CALLED AAA TO HAVE THEM TOW ME, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE TOWED ABOUT 40 IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS JUST IN OUR SMALL AREA ALONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD STATES THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT WITH THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN PARKING LOTS. IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK FOR A HIGH COSTS AND RECOGNIZED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS. *JB

UPON TRYING TO START THE VEHILCE THE KEY STICKS AND WILL NOT TURN EITHER WAY. IT IS SOMETIMES HARD FOR THE KEY TO GO INTO THE IGNITION. *AK

ON TUESDAY EVENING, AFTER A MEETING, I GOT IN MY CAR TO DRIVE HOME. THE KEY WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN; I THOUGHT THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED (WHICH IT WAS) BUT I COULD NOT GET IT UNLOCKED. I TRIED ROLLING MY CAR OFF TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND TUGGING HARD ON THE WHEEL TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED AAA FOR A LOCKSMITH SERVICE BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET MY KEY INTO MY IGNITION. THE LOCKSMITH THAT SHOWED UP TOLD ME WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING THAT I HAD A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND THAT HE HAS THIS PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. WITHOUT EVEN ME HAVING TO TELL HIM WHAT WAS GOING ON, HE INSTANTLY KNEW THE PROBLEM. THE CYLINDER IN MY IGNITION HAD A BROKEN TUMBLER RESULTING IN MY KEY NOT GOING IN. I HAD TO TOW MY CAR HOME COSTING ME 25.00 BECAUSE THE LOCKSMITH TOLD ME THAT HE COULD NOT PERFORM THE MECHANICS IN THE DARK. HE QUOTED ME A PRICE OF 225 TO REPLACE THE PART, THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WANTED 350. MY FATHER PURCHASED THE PART FOR ABOUT 70 DOLLARS FORM A FORD DEALER, HE PURCHASED A NEW KEY CYLINDER TO INSTALL INTO THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS ALL THAT COULD BE DONE IN ORDER THAT MY CAR WOULD START. *JB

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE SITUATION, ONE DAY THE KEYS WOULD SIMPLY NOT WORK IN THE IGNITION. NEITHER OUR EVERYDAY KEY OR OUR SPARE KEY CAN EVEN BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THUS, WE CAN NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *JB

THE KEYS FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION, AND WAS UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK

MANY PROBLEMS, THE RADIO STARTED SHORTING OUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE TO REPLACE MY TIRES AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR (10,000 MILES.) AT 37000 MILES AFTER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER RAN OUT, MY AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER FAN ONLY WORKED ON 4, 1, 2, AND 3 DID NOT. I TOOK IT TO FORD, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS AN OPEN CIRCUIT WHICH COST ME $409.00. ( I THINK I WAS RIPPED OFF) LAST MONTH I TOOK A ROAD TRIP AND WHENEVER I WOULD CLIMB STEEP INCLINES THE CAR SPUTTERED AND EVENTUALLY DIED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF MY CAR OVERHEATING. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OR SO THE CAR WOULD START AND CONTINUE TO SPUTTER UP THE HILL. THIS MADE IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY RESULTING IN A NEAR COLLISION WITH A TRUCK. THIS WEEK, MY CAR WOULDN'T START AT ALL, THERE WAS SOME CORROSION ON THE BATTERY TERMINALS SO I CLEANED THEM W/A WIRE BRUSH. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CABLES LOOKED BURNED. THE CAR STARTED AFTER WE JUMPED IT, BUT DIED AFTER REMOVING THE CABLES. I HAVE SPENT MORE MONEY ON THIS CAR THAN ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. MY LAST CAR WAS A FORD ESCORT, I STILL HAVE IT, IT IS 10 YEARS OLD AND HAS WELL OVER 100000 MILES ON IT WITH NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE 9 PAYMENTS LEFT ON MY FOCUS AND WILL BE SELLING IT AFTER THAT. *JB

I ATTEMPTED TO TURN MY KEY TO THE "ON" POSITION WHEN THE KEY REFUSED TO TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WAS ENGAGED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN MY KEY TO DISENGAGE IT. IT TOOK ROUGHLY AN HOUR OF TWISTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALL SORTS OF TROUBLE TO FINALLY GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK AND ALLOW TO THE KEY TO TURN. THIS WAS THE SIXTH TIME THIS HAD OCCURED, BUT THE MOST SEVERE INCIDENT TO DATE.*AK

LAST FRIDAY MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO FORCE THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. WHEN THE KEY FINALLY WENT INTO THE IGNITION IT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME I HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY TO WORK AFTER AWHILE. *AKHOWEVER, AFTER 2 HOURS OF TRYING TO GET THE KEY TO TURN THIS TIME, I GAVE IN AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THEY ASKED ME IF I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. UNTIL NOW I HAD NOT CHECK THIS. TO MY SURPRISE THE CAR WOULD NOT BUDGE OUT OF PARK. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. ON MONDAY, THE MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT MY IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD. FORD ARE SET UP SO THAT TO REMOVE THE IGNITION YOU MUST TURN TO KEY A QUARTER OF A TURN. SINCE MY KEY WOULD NOT BUDGE THEY HAD TO DRILL OUT MY IGNITION. SINCE THE NEW PART CAME FROM FORD MY MECHANIC SAID THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAD TO PAY $299.00 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. AFTER THIS I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I EVEN SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE MECHANIC THERE TOLD ME HE HAS FIXED SEVERAL AND WAS SURPRISED IT HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED YET.

MY IGNITION SUDDENLY JAMMED, NOT ACCEPTING MY KEY WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE PLAYING. EVEN AFTER GETTING THE KEY IN, IT THEN WOULDN'T COME OUT WITHOUT JIGGLING AND FORCE. AFTER LUBRICATING THE LOCK I CAN GET THE KEY IN BUT THE IGNITION WILL NO LONGER TURN, WHICH LEFT ME STRANDED. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2000 FORD FOCUS DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE REMOVE THE TUMBLERS FROM THE LOCK SO I CAN CONTINUE USING THE CAR. 8JB

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION TWICE AND THIS MORNING THE IGNITION FAILED AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I LAST REPLACED THE IGNITION NINE MONTHES AGO. THE CAR HAS ALSO STARTED TO STALL WHEN THERE IS A QUARTER TANK OF GAS OR LEFT IN THE TANK. IT RUNS ROUGH AT STOP LIGHTS, THEN WILL START SPUTTERING AND THEN STALL OUT. JUST BEFORE IT COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON. *AK

KEY WON'T TURN, CAN'T START CAR.*AK

UPON PURCHASING MY VEHICLE USED 4 DAYS LATER I HAD TO HAVE MY IGNITION REPLACED BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION, ONLY 2 MONTHS LATER I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALER I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM ONLY CARRIED A 45 DAY WARRANTY. *AK

1. NOTHING LEAD TO THE FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPENED. 2. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE KEY WON'T TURN. I CAN INSERT IT FINE, BUT IT WON'T TURN AT ALL. I EVEN TRIED ANOTHER SET OF KEYS. I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AND THE IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN. I TRIED JILTING THE WHEEL TO TRY TO GET IT TO UNLOCK, BUT NO LUCK. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. THIS SHOULD NEVER BE AN ISSUE. I THINK IT IS A DESIGN FLAW.*AK

THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3, LEADING TO INABILITY TO START THE CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN BUT UNACKNOWLEDGED ISSUE WITH THE FOCUS LINE. *AK EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: NORMAL USE OF THE IGNITION TO START AND STOP THE CAR. FAILURE: THE TUMBLERS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH BROKE OR JAMMED SUCH THAT I WAS UNABLE TO INSERT MY IGNITION KEY MORE THAN 50% INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THEREBY MAKING ME UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR EVEN UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOUSE IN ORDER TO GET IT OUT OF A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT. REMEDIATION OF FAILURE: I AM EITHER GOING TO REMOVE THE TUMBLERS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AS DETAILED IN HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T158426.HTML OR I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE ~$300 COST TO GET A NEW ONE FROM A DEALER WHO WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A PROBLEM.

AFTER FUELING MY 2000 FORD FOCUS, I PUT THE KEY BACK INTO THE IGNITION, AND BOTH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE TUMBLER WERE LOCKED. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS MALFUNCTION AND I AM CONVINCED THAT THESE DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE NOT YET RECIEVED A BILL OF REPAIR FOR THIS UNNECCESARY INCONVEINIENCE. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THE IGNITION THREE YEARS AGO.

IGNITION CYLINDER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THIS IS THE THIRD REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER FOR THIS VEHICLE IN A 36 MONTH PERIOD. EVEN AFTER THE SECOND REPLACEMENT THE CYLINDER "CATCHES" WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO FIND NO PROBLEM WHEN RETURNED FOR CORRECTION. THIS LATEST FAILURE FORTUNATELY OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE STREET. FAILURES HAVE NOW OCCURRED AT MILAGES AND DATES OF: 4 OCTOBER 2001- 18990 MILES, 6 JANUARY 2004- 48926 MILES, AND 15 OCTOBER 2004- 61543 MILES. PART WAS RETAINED BY DEALERSHIP.*AK

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED TWICE ALREDY BECAUSE THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE SWITCH AND THE CAR CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF FOCUS PWNERS AS EVIDENCED BY THE MANY AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS THAT I HAVE VISITED LOOKING FOR INFO ON THIS PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.*AK

PARKED MY 2000 FORD FOCUS, AND WENT TO A MEETING. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT, MY KEY WOULD ONLY GO HALF-WAY INTO THE IGNITION. AFTER TALKING WITH THE AAA TOW GUY, AND FORD SERVICE GUY, THIS SEEMS TO BE A RATHER COMMON OCCURANCE WITH THE FORD FOCUS. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT HAS BAD TUMBLERS. AM CURRENTLY RESEARCHING TO SEE WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. *AK

1ST INCIDENT:STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN , THE CAR WAS TOWED . AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED. 6 MONTHS LATER (TODAY), THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER 3 HOURS OF POKING AND PRODDING , MY BROTHER FINALLY GOT IT RELEASED. 2N INCIDENT: WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD , THE CAR SEEMED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING , IT WA SORT OF SPUTTERING , THEN IT WAS GOING IN AND OUT , I HAD MY FOOT PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MI PER HOUR. WE THOUGHT IT COULD HAVE BEEN BAD GA , SO WE BOUGHT A CLEANER , AND IT SEEMED TO WORK BETTER , WE EVENTUALLY BOUGHT A NEW FUEL FILTER, WE WEREN'T AWARE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP. 3RD INCIDENT : BREAKS , VIBRATING , SCREECHING, GRINDING , HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED . 400.00 THE CAR HAS TOO MANY PROBLEMS, AND WITH ALL THE RECALLS , I AM NOT SURE WHY IT HASN'T BEEN PULLED OFF THE MARKET , WHEN A BABY TOY IS DEEMED DANGEROUS ,IT IS RECALLED ALL TOGETHER , I WOULD THINK THAT A DEFECTED @ 3000.00 POUND VEHICLE TRAVELING 65 MI PER HOUR , WOULD BE MORE DANGEROUS TO NOT ONLY THE BUYER , BUT INNOCENT BYSTANDERS. THEY NEED TO RECALL THE WHOLE CAR, I AM SO ANGRY OVER THE UNDUE STRESS I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS VEHICLE!!!! *JB

UNABLE TO INSERT KEY INTO CYLINDER IGNITION SLOT OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS. *JB

I HAVE HAD MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WITHOUT MANY PROBLEMS. I JUST ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, TURNED OFF MY CAR, AND THEN TRIED TO TURN THE CAR ON AGAIN AND COULD NOT GET THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE WHEEL WAS ALSO LOCKED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT WOULD COST $375. *JB

THREE TIMES ON MY TRIP CROSS-COUNTRY THE IGNITION LOCKED ON MY FOCUS, REFUSING TO ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN TO START THE ENGINE AS WELL AS DISABLING THE STEERING. A HELPFUL AAA SERVICER GOT MY CAR STARTED IN RURAL WYOMING AFTER ALLOWING IT TO ROLL DOWN A HILL, BUT THE SAME TACTIC ON SUBSEQUENT EFFORTS FAILED TO PRODUCE THE DESIRED RESULT, AND I ENDED BY HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG "FOCI," ALTHOUGH FORD HAS DECLINED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE IGNITION, WHICH EMPLOYS TUMBLERS THAT ROUTINELY SLIP INSIDE THE IGNITION, STRANDING DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ROADSIDE, SOMETIMES FOR HOURS. FORD HAS APPARENTLY DECLINED TO ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS NOT A "SAFETY ISSUE." I BEG TO DIFFER THAT STRANDING MOTORISTS IS INDEED AN UNSAFE PRACTICE.MY IGNITION IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED AND REKEYED AT A COST EXCEEDING $300, AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT I WILL EVENTUALLY BE STUCK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE ALSO BEEN WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION ON THREE OCCASIONS AND EXPERIENCED COSTLY DELAYS IN MY CROSS COUNTRY TRIP.*AK

IGNITION-THE KEY WILL NOT TURN WHEN ENTERED INTO THE IGNITION THE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD SERVICE DEPARMENT I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE CARS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DENIES TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS RECALL WHICH I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD SINCE THEY ARE HAVING SO MANY OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.*AK

UPON TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IT TOOK THE CONSUMER NUMEROUS TRIES TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN, STEERING COLUMN AND IGNITION SWITCH FROZE. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. REFERENCE: HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T158426.HTML FORD SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE IGNITION SWITCHES AS I CAN NO LONGER TRUST THIS VEHICLE TO BE RELIABLE ENOUGH TO TRANSPORT MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER SAFELY. *NM

EVERYTHING WAS GREAT WITH THE CAR UNTIL RECENTLY. CAN INSERT KEY INTO THE IGNITION, BUT CANNOT TURN THE KEY. I PULL THE KEY IN AND OUT UNTIL SOMETHING CATCHES AND IT WILL FINALLY TURN. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 2 MINUTES, SOMETIMES 30 MINUTES. *NM

I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 FROM FAIRFAX HONDA, 11050 MAIN STREET, FAIRFAX, VA, 888-455-7291 (SELLER: KAZIM RAZA) ON OCTOBER 5TH, 2004!!! THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT I HAVE A 2 MONTHS WARRANTY ON THE CAR! THIS MORNING I WAS TRYING TO START THE ENGINE BUT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE IGNITION LOCK. I HAVE TRIED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND USED BOTH KEYS BUT THE LOCK DOES NOT MOVE. ALSO, BOTH KEYS DONT MOVE SMOOTHLY INTO THE LOCK. I CONTACTED THE DEALER TO REQUEST A TECHNICIAN COME OUT AND CHANGE THE LOCK BUT HE REFUSES TO DO SO. HE IS SAYING THE WARRANTY ONLY APPLIES TO THE ENGINE AND POWER TRAIN. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS LOCK SINCE MY FEAR IS THAT IT MAY LOCK DURING DRIVING WHICH WOULD CAUSE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *NM

JUST HAD OUR SECOND $350 IGNITION LOCK REPLACEMENT IN 2000 FORD FOCUS W/ 44000 MILES ON IT. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT SARASOTA FORD WHO STATED THAT "HONESTLY, YOU'RE THE FIRST ONE I'VE SEEN". WELL, I'VE BEEN (BELATEDLY) READING THROUGH WEB SITES WITH LOADS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT!!! *NM

CAR WOULD NOT ACCEPT KEY AFTER TURNING OFF IGNITION. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IGNITION LOCK BROKE AND REPLACED IT CAR ONLY HAD 39000 MILES ON IT. 284.39 COST OF REPLACEMENT PLUS TOWING CHARGES. *NM

2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AND THE IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN. HAD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALER TO CHANGE THE IGNITION CYLINDER.*AK

IGNITION KEY CYLINDER. KEYS EITHER WARE OUT OR CYLINDER GOES BAD FIRST.. TIME CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED IN MARCH OF 2004. THIS TIME OCTOBER 4. 2004 DEALER SAID KEY WAS WORN OUT I HAVE TWO KEYS THE SPARE IS ALMOST NEW AND THAT ONE WOULD NOT WORK EITHER DEALER DID NOT HAVE ANSWER TO THAT ONE. IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2000 FORD FOCUS IF SO I NEED SOME KIND OF PROOF TO SHOW DEALER TO GET MY MONEY BACK. PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN OR POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION . THANK YOU ALBERT J. BERNIER. *AK

VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN A PARKING LOT AND A FIRE STARTED UNDER HOOD. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED, AND THE CAR WAS LEFT UNRECOGNIZABLE WITHIN 5 MINUTES. THREE OTHER VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED.*AK

CONSUMER STATED IGNITION LOCKED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. *AK

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO INSERT THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED , AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

IGNITION LOCKED UP IN JUNE, 2003 AND AGAIN SEPTEMBER, 2004. BOTH TIMES, THE IGNITION HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT, A REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCHED INSTALLED, THE CAR HAD TO BE REKEYED. WHEN IGNITION LOCKED, UNABLE TO TURN KEY. CAR WAS IN PARK BOTH TIMES INCIDENT OCCURRED.*AK

AFTER HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME OF TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH ON CONSUMER COULD NOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. EVERY ATTEMPT WOULD CAUSE A GRINDING NOSE. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE ENTIRE IGNITION CYLINDER. *AK

IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO GET THE IGNITION KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH . DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK LOCK/IGNITION CORE FAILED TO RESPONT TO KEY AND THE CONSUMER WAS STRANDED AT NIGHT. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION EVENTUALLY THE KEY WOULD NOT EVEN GO IN THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE NOR TURN ON THE POWER TO ROLL UP THE POWER WINDOWS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ONLINE RESOURCES HAVE SHOWN THIS TO BE COMMON TO FORD FOCUS. *TC

2000 FORD FOCUS SE, KEY WILL NOT GO INTO IGNITION. CAN NOT START CAR.*AK

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. *JB

PURCHASED NEW SEPT 2000 @ 13 MILES FEB 2003 IGNITION SWITCH FROZE, @ 25,375 MILES REPLACED UNDER 36/36K WARRANTY. SEPT 2004 IGNITION SWITCH FROZE @ 45,150 MILES REPLACED BY FORD AND PAID BY OWNER FOR $354.00. IN EACH CASE I WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO PAY FOR TOWING AND A RENTAL CAR. FORD KEEPS REPLACING THE SWITCH WITH A FAULTY SWITCH. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JB

IGNITION SYSTEM HAS FAILED FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 40,000 MILES - I CAN INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TURN IT THROUGH THE FIRST THREE POSITION, BUT CANNONT TURN IT INTO THE START POSITION. BOTH PREVIOUS FAILURES WHERE REPAIRED AT FORD DEALERSHIPS WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER. *AK

WENT TO LOCK DOORS USING POWER DOOR LOCKS, POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM FAILED. RESEARCH ON INTERNET SHOWED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMUNG OWNERS OF FORD FOCUS. REPLACEMENT OF FUSE AND CHECKING OF LOCKING SYSTEM. 20 MINUTES OF RESEARCH ON GOOGLE WITH FORD FOCUS FUSE 63 RETURNED MANY RESULTS WHERE OWNERS HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS PROBLEM AND OTHERS HAVE INQUIRED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.*AK

THE CONSUMER PLACED THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE SWITCH FAILED TO TURN. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

THE INGITION CYLINDER OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE COST INCURRED DURING REPAIR. THIS IS A HIGHLY DOCUMENTED DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL.

HEADLIGHTS/RADIO AND ELECTRICAL PARTS WOULD COME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM

MY IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKS, I.E. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WILL NOT TURN. I HAD THE IGNITION CYLINDER REPLACED 9 MONTHS AGO. NOW THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. CANNOT START MY CAR.*AK

WE HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS AND IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR STALLS AT TIMES AND THE LIGHTS OF THE CAR GO OFF AND ON AS WELL AS THE RADIO AND THE SPEEDOMETER GO CRAZY FROM ON SIDE TO THE OTHER. I CAN BE DRIVING AND HAVE THE RADIO OFF AND IT WILL TURN ON. THE CAR STALLED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON OCT. 22 2001 AND IT DIDN'T RESTART SO WE TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE CAR DROVE GOOD FOR A WHILE AND THEN IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. SO WE TOOK IT TO FORD ON SEPT. 30 2002 AND THEY TOLD US THAT IT WAS ALTENATOR. SO WE HAD IT REPLACED. THE CAR DID GOOD FOR A WHILE AND THEN ON JULY 16 2003 THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. FORD SAID THAT THIS TIME IT WAS VACUUM LEAK AND THEY REPLACED THE TUBE ASSEMBLY. THE CAR STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE TOOK IT IN ON JULY 18 2003 THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. FORD SAID THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP ONCE AGAIN. SO WE HAD IT REPLACED. THE CAR STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SO WE TOOK IT BACK TO FORD AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ALTENATOR. WE COULDN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED BY FORD SO WE HAD THE ALTENATOR FIXED WITH SOMEONE ELSE. ON SEPT. 17 2003 WE COULD NOT START THE CAR AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. FORD SAID THAT IT WAS THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND WE HAD IT REPLACED. AFTER ALL OF THIS THE CAR DID OK FOR A LITTLE WHILE BUT ON JAN. 28 2004 THE ENGINE BEGAIN TO STALL ONCE AGAIN. FORD SAID THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP ONCE AGAIN SO WE HAD IT REPLACED. ON FEB. 4 2004 THE GAS WOULD LEAK WHEN YOU FILLED THE TANK. FORD SAID IT WAS THE PUMP RETAINING NUT NOT SEATED PROPERLY. THE CAR STILL DID NOT ACT GOOD IT STARTED OUT SLOW WITH THE CAR STALLING EVERY NOW AND THEN AND THEN IT JUST WOULD STALL AND TURN OFF WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD NOT EVER START AGAIN UNTILL 15 MIN WOULD PASS AND THEN IT WOULD START. ON AUG. 20 2004 WE TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THE ALTERNATOR. SO WE HAD IT REPLACED FOR THE 3RD TIME. *AK

KEY TO MY FORD FOCUS WOULD NOT TURN IN THE CYLINDER AND WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED AND A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER INSTALLED. TOWING, PARTS AND LABOR COSTS $400.*AK

CONSUMER PLACED THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. *AK

FAULTY IGNITION CYLINDER, SECOND REPLACEMENT IN 18 MONTHS. 1ST TIME IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN & KEY STUCK. 2ND TIME CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER, SERVICE TECH CLAIMS COMPONENTS INSIDE WERE BROKEN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. CONSUMER QUESTIONED O WHETHER PAST RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE PROPERLY. *AK THE ELECTRICAL GAUGES HAD GONE UP AND THE OIL LIGHT STAYED ON. THE VEHCILE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. RECALL# 00V411000. *SC

WENT TO START THE CAR, AND KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION ALL THE WAY. WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO GET THE KEY IN BY WIGGLING AND FORCING, BUT WILL NOT TURN NOW TO START THE CAR. CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2000 FORD FOCUS, AND THAT MY IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. WAS QUOTED $350. *AK

IGNITION LOCK BROKEN. STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND KEY CANNOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION. CANNOT START CAR. *AK

WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE KEY STICKS IN THE IGNITION FOLLOWED BY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. IF THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO REMOVE THE KEY, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED, AND THE KEY BROKE IN THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK *NM

WENT TO WORK, PARKED CAR IN COMPANY LOT CAME OUT PUT KEY INTO IGNITION TO START AND KEY WILL NOT TURN. STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, NO WORD FROM THEM YET. I HAVE A BABY WHAT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER WHILE MY BABY WAS WITH ME. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS WAGON AND I CAN NO LONGER GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE GIGGLED, I HAVE TAPPED, I HAVE TRIED TO COAX IT TO WORK, BUT NOW MY CAR IS STUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO WAY TO START IT. I HAVE LOOKED ON-LINE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM - THE KEY STICKS [WHICH IT HAS DONE REPEATEDLY TO ME] OR STOPS TURNING IN THE IGNITION AT ALL, THEREBY RENDERING THE CAR UNSTARTABLE AND THEREFORE UNDRIVABLE. *JB

I HAVE SEVERAL DEFECTS IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS 4 DOOR. FIRST ONE IS MY LEFT PASSINGER DOOR DOES NOT LATCH CLOSED, 2ND IS MY CYLINDER LOCK IN THE IGNITION FAILED AND I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED , 3RD WHEN IT RAINS THE FRONT PASSINGER FLOOR FILLS TO TOP WITH WATER, 4TH THE CD PLAYER TURNS OFF AND BLINKS BUY ITSELF, 5TH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER REPETEDLY TAKING IT TO MACHINIC TO SEE WHY AND HAVING IT RESET EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO REASON IT SHOULD BE ON AND LAST THE ONLY WAY I HAVE HEAT OR AC IS ON LEVEL 4 -1, 2 AND 3 DO NOT WORK . *AK

MORE THAN 1 PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM AS A WHOLE, THE LATEST ONE BEING A FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. NOW MY IGNITION IS BROKEN AND IN THE SHOP. I'VE HAD TO HAVE MY BRAKES REPLACED EARLY ALONG WITH ALL OF THE OTHER RECALLS ON THE FOCUS. *AK

IGNITION KEY LOCKING UP, DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION. WELL KNOWN TROUBLE BY DEALER. WANTED $500 TO REPAIR. *AK

CAR STALLS AT LOW AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH NO WARNING. FUEL PUMP HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL PROGRAM. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS AND PRIOR TO THE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. FOLLOWING PUMP REPLACEMENT IT STOPPED FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW IS OCCURING AGAIN WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY.*AK

IGNITION PROBLEM. TRIED TO START CAR WITH KEY BUT WILL NOT START. AT FIRST, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO IN BUT FINALLY GOT KEY IN BUT CAR DIDN'T START. MY KEY WAS DAMAGED ALITTLE FROM THE IGNITION. SINCE MECHANICS ARE ON STRIKE IN ST. LOUIS, MAYBE HARD TO GET FIXED. CALLED SUNTRUP FORD AND THEY SAID NOT COVERED AND NOT RECALLED SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST TO FIX.*AK

CONSUMER WENT OUT TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION AND LOCKED IN PLACE. NO MATTER HOW MUCH CONSUMER TRIED THE KEY WOULD NOT MOVE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CYLINDER AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

REAR PASSENGER DOOR ON THE LEFT SIDE LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN, EITHER FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LOCKS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, AND IT WILL COST IN EXCESS OF 500.00 FOR REPAIRS. *AK THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS WORKING WITH THE LEFT REAR DOOR. THE SWITCH HAD COME LOOSE AND THE LEFT DOOR WAS CURRENTLY WORKING. THE RIGHT DOOR WAS STILL FAILING. NO ELECTRICAL POWER SWITCHES WERE WORKING ON THE DOORS. SIX FUSES WERE REPLACED. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WERE STILL NOT REPAIRED. THE DOOR PROBLEM OCCURRED TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. *SC *JB

IGNITION LOCKS ON FOCUS ARE FAULTY. I HAVE HAD MINE REPLACED EVERY 25 MONTHS SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE. FORD REFUSES TO COVER THE IGNITION LOCK EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE MANAGERS ALL KNOW ABOUT THIS BEING FAULTY. FORD CLAIMS IGNORANCE, THAT THEY ARE UNAWARE OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM, I HAVE PERFORMED THE MOST RUDIMENTARY RESEARCH THAT SHOWS OTHERWISE AND IF I REALLY SPEND TIME, I ONLY IMAGINE WHAT I WILL FIND. <HTTP://WWW.TALKABOUTAUTOS.COM/GROUP/ALT.AUTOS.FORD.FOCUS/MESSAGES/29566.HTML> <HTTP://WWW.FOCALJET.COM/UBBTHREADS/SHOWFLAT.PHP?CAT=&NUMBER=635761&PAGE=0&VIEW=COLLAPSED&SB=5&O=&FPART=1> <HTTP://WWW.TALKABOUTAUTOS.COM/GROUP/ALT.AUTOS.FORD.FOCUS/MESSAGES/27215.HTML> THANKS!*AK

WHEN GETTING INTO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK ONE DAY THE KEY WOULDN'T GO INTO THE IGNITION ALL THE WAY. MY VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK RECALL# 02V288000. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT APART OF THIS RECALL. THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WAS FOUND ROUTED IMPROPERLY. *SC *JB

LIKE MANY FORD FOCUSES, MY IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED. MY KEY RING IS NOT EXCESSIVELY HEAVY, NOR AM I ABUSIVE WITH MY VEHICLE--THE SPRING ASSEMBLY INSIDE THE ILC IS JUST A POORLY DESIGNED PIECE OF CRAP, AND RATHER THAN PAY THE QUOTED PRICE I SUCCESSFULLY REPLACED THE PROBLEM BY DRILLING OUT THE OLD LOCK AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ILC. FORD HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM AND THOUSANDS OF FOCUS OWNERS HAVE SUFFERED A SIMILAR BREAKDOWN. IT'S A CRAP PART AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A STURDIER PART AT NO EXPENSE TO THE CONSUMER, AND THOSE OF US WHO HAVE SUFFERED BREAKDOWNS TO DATE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR OUR REPAIR COSTS.*AK

THE CONSUMER HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AND IT WENT OUT AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION A SECOND TIME WITHOUT INFORMING THE CONSUMER THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AGAIN.*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE TO START THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

MY FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKED UP ON MY CAR AND I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO FORD WEST DEALERSHIP AND WAS CHARGED $40.00 FOR TOWING. I THEN HAD TO PAY $398.00 TO HAVE MY IGNITION REPAIRED WHICH SEEMS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT WITH FORD FOCUS. I SAW ON THE INTERNET WHERE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSE BECAUSE IT'S NOT MY FAULT THAT THIS A DEFECT PROBLEM WITH FORD. *AK

IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES NOW, I HAVE TRIED TO START MY 2000 FORD FOCUS, AND THE KEY EITHER WILL NOT INSERT COMPLETELY OR IT WILL NOT TURN IN THE SWITCH.*AK

CAME OUT OF WORK AFTER CLOSING UP AT 9:30 PM. AT FIRST, KEY WOULD ONLY GO INTO IGNITION HALF WAY.AFTER A LITTLE JIGGLING KEY WENT IN THE REST OF THE WAY BUT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL, AND STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED. AFTER A HALF HOUR OF TRYNG I GAVE UP AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER(JOHN LANCE FORD - WESTLAKE, OHIO) BECAUSE THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS OPEN TILL MIDNIGHT. ON THE RIDE THERE THE TOWTRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME HE PICK UP SEVERAL FOCUS'S A WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HEARD THE SAME THING FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DEALER. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION TUMBLER AND STEERING COLUMN IGNITION LOCK AT A TOTAL COST OF $331.52 TO ME SINCE IT WAS NOT COVERED. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND WITH FORD SINCE I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED. I HAVE NEVER HEARD A RESPONSE FROM EITHER SINCE. I FEEL THIS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE I WAS STRANDED AT NIGHT, BUT I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE AAA AND A CELLPHONE. I FEEL SORRY FOR THOSE THAT DON'T. THIS IS AN UNBELIEVABLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 FOCUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL, AND WE SHOULD ALL BE REIMBURSED.*AK

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS. SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE CAR. IN THE PAST I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO JIGGLE THE KEY AND STERRING WHEEL TO GET IT STARTED. ON 7/14/2004, THE SAME THING OCCURRED, BUT I NEVER HAD ANY SUCCESS WITH TURNING IT AT ALL. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALSO LOCKED UP. I INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS WAS VERY COMMON ON FORD FOCUS, ESPECIALLY 2000. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND HAD REPAIRS DONE AT ED KELNLEY FORD IN LAYTON, UTAH COSTNG $461.01.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS COUPE WITH 119000 MILES. ALTHOUGH THIS IS HIGH MILEAGE, MY NORMAL DRIVE IS 30-60 MILES. ON 7-27-04 I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE TOW DRIVER FROM AAA WAS ALSO INITIALLY UNSUCCESSFUL, BUT AFTER CONSULTING WITH A LOCKSMITH HE SAID THAT THE LOCK TUMBLERS WERE STUCK; HE GOT IT TO TURN BY HITTING THE BUTT OF THE KEY. THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT SOMETHING TO CONTINUE DOING, SO I TOOK THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING TO FORD OF UPLAND, WHERE THE SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THEY HAD SEEN MANY FOCUSES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THERE HAD BEEN A SERVICE MEMO FROM FORD AND HE SAID NO. NOT WANTING TO RISK THE CAR HAVING A DISABLED IGNITION WHILE AN HOUR FROM HOME, I HAD THE DEALER INSTALL A NEW IGNITION FOR $318. HOWEVER, I TOLD HIM THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I'D EVER SEEN A PROBLEM WITH AN IGNITION SWITCH ON ANY CAR I'VE OWNED, INCLUDING THE LAST THREE CARS I'VE OWNED, WHICH ALL LASTED OVER 160000 MILES, AND THAT EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAD A LOT OF MILES, BECAUSE OF MY LONG AVERAGE TRIP, THE NUMBER OF STARTS WAS EQUIVALENT TO A CAR WITH 40000 MILES DRIVEN LOCALLY. I THEN DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND LITERALLY DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, SOME BY PEOPLE WHO HAD HAD MULTIPLE IGNITION REPLACEMENTS. ALSO, IN A PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, FORD HAD DENIED THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR DYING ON HARD RIGHT TURNS, ONLY TO SEE A RECALL TWO MONTHS LATER, SO MY SUSPICION IS THAT THEY ARE ALSO WELL AWARE OF THIS IGNITION PROBLEM (THE DEALER SAID AS MUCH).*AK

I HAVE 46,000 MILES ON MY FOCUS AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL LET ME INSERT THE KEY BUT WILL NOT LET TURN THE IGNITION ON, I HAVE PERSONALLY READ HUNDREDS OF FORUMS POSTS WITH THIS PROBLEM OCCURING..... I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $300+ TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THE EXTREMLY BAD PART IS THAT MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO START THE CAR UP AT THE TIME.... SHE HAD NOTICED SOMEONE FOLLOWING HER TO THE CAR AND WHEN SHE GOT IN THE CAR AND LOCKED THE DOOR BEHIND HER, HE STARTED TRYING TO BREAK IN, AND LONE AND BEHOLD SHE TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT THE IGNTION WOULD NOT TURN. THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS AWAY AND SHE CALLED ME IN A PANIC, WHEN I ARRIVED TO WHERE SHE WAS I SEEN THE MAN TRYING TO GET IN THE CAR, HE SEEN ME COMING UP TO THE ONLY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT (MY FOCUS) AND STARTED RUNNING HE JUMPED OVER A FENCE AND I COULD NOT CATCH HIM...... WHATS TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN? I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS POSTS ON FORUMS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN THEIR CAR IN HAD THE IGNITION "FIXED" ONLY FOR THEM TO COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. I CANNOT KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE ALL THE TIME. I GUESS I JUST NEED TO TRADE MY FOCUS IN FOR A RELIABLE VEHICLE! *AK

THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED.*AK

FORD FOCUS IGNITION WILL NOT ACCEPT KEY. KNOWN MANUFACTURER ISSUE. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT COVER EXPENSE OF REPAIR.*AK

THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

AT 6 MONTHS, THE IGNITION SWITCH (AND ALL DOOR LOCKS, TAILGATE LOCK) WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE INABILITY TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. 10/29/03 - IGNTION SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO BROKEN TUMBLER ASSY - COST ALMOST $300 07/16/04 - UNABLE TO TURN KEY IN IGNITION - AGAIN - SAME AS PROBLEM ON 10/29/03. *JB

WHEN THE KEY IS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP. *LA

AT FIRST COULD NOT GET KEY INTO IGNITION, THEN AFTER WIGGLING IT IN, IGNITION WILL NOT TURN WITH KEY IN IT. THIS IS ON A 2000 FORD FOCUS. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FOCUS NOW BY HEARING FROM THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND OTHERS WITH FOCUS'. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ISSUE AS SO MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN. *JB

THE IGNITION MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE KEY GOT STUCK WHICH ENABLED THE CONSUMER TO START THE VEHICLE. *AK

1. REALLY HARD TO TURN KEY AND SOMETIMES HARD TO PUT KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION. 2. FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH LETS YOU SIT WHEREVER YOU ARE 3. REPLACE OF IGNITION SWITCH. *JB

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS THAT HAS RECENTLY DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN TO START THE CAR OR TO THE AUXILLARY POWER POSITION. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT STRANDED ME OR MY WIFE, BUT IT HAS BEEN A CONCERN. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IRREGULAR AS TO WHEN IT OCCURS AND USUALLY CORRECTS ITSELF WITH PATIENCE AND SEVERAL ATTEMPETS. I AM SUBMITTING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OUR NEIGHBOR HAS THE SAME CAR AND WAS STRANDED. SHE HAD TO HAVE HER CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND $600 DOLLARS OF WORK DONE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANICA AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT HE EXPECTS FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL.*AK

IGNITION CYLINDER JAMMED AND CAR CANNOT BE STARTED. CYLINDER MUST BE REPLACED AND TUMBLERS REMOVED TO PREVENT REPEAT OF SITUATION IN THE FUTURE. *LA

IGNITION LOCK FAILED. UNABLE TO INSERT KIT ALL THE WAY AND HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. *LA

DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCHES EVEN SERVICE WRIGHTER SAY THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD 4 IGNITION SWITCHES INSTALLED, THE LATEST ON I INSTALLED 5-13-04 AND TODAY IT WAS TOWED 65 MILES FOR A NEW ONG AGAINST A FAULTY DESIGN AND SHOULD BE FIXED. FORD WILL CREDIT ME FOR THE NEW SWITCH I PUT IN CAUSE THEY SAY THE KEY RUINED IT BUT I SAY THE SWITCH RUINED THE KEY. SO THE CHANGE EVERYTHING NOW THAT THE NEXT ONE IS IN FORD WHEN IT BRAKES AND I DON'T THINK ITS FAIR THE CONSUMER GET STUCK.THE CAR HAD THE ORIGINAL ONE, THEN ABOUT A YEAR OR SO AGO I CHANGED IT. THEN I CHANGED IT 2 MONTHS AGO AND NOW TODAY 07-12-04 AGAIN ALL THE SERVICE WRIGHTERS SAY THE SHOULD BE RECALLED TOO. *LA

CONSUMER WENT OUT TO START THE VEHICLE AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED IN PLACE, IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH.*AK

I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AFTER WORK AND TRIED TO START MY CAR. THE KEY WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION SO I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY. AFTER TRYING A FEW TIMES, I CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY DEALERSHIP, GAUDIN FORD IN LAS VEGAS ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT HE'S SEEN A LOT OF FOCUSES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT WORK ON IT ON THURSDAY AS THEY HAD OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF IT. FRIDAY THEY FIGURED OUT THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS BINDING. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK, SO IT HAD TO BE ORDERED. FINALLY ON TUESDAY IT WAS DONE. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AS I HAD OPTED FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN, BUT I DID HAVE A $100 DEDUCTIBLE. ALSO, I HAD RENTAL COVERAGE, BUT WAS MADE TO PAY FOR THE TAXES ON THE RENTAL CAR, ABOUT $20. *LA

THE KEY IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX. I HAVE READ SO MANY ACCOUNTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. (THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY ALREADY.) *LA

CONSUMER PLACED KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY WOULD NOT INSERT PROPERLY INSIDE THE SWITCH, AND VEHICLE FAILED TO START. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

IGNITION LOCK FAILURE. YET ANOTHER PERSON WITH A BAD IGNION, TUMBLERS FELL INSIDE LOCK COULD'NT GET THE KEY BACK INTO IGNION. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED.*AK

2000 FORD FOCUS, SECOND INCIDENT INVOLVING THE FAULTY IGNITION TUMBLER, STRANDED ON VACATION. HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION/LINKAGE ONCE ALREADY, NOW CAR DISABLED BY SAME SITUATION. SITTING IN CAR TRYING TO GET IGNITION TO TURN OVER WHILE 80 MILE AN HOUR WINDS ROCKING THE CAR SIDE TO SIDE. HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO SIT THERE AND FRET. CAR WORKS FINE IF YOU CAN START IT. *NM

WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED. *AK

OVER TIME, MY IGNITION LOCK HAS BEEN FREEZING UP AND NOT ALLOWING MY TO START THE CAR. NOW IT WILL NOT WORK AT ALL AND AM FORCED TO REPLACE IGNITION CYLINDER MY SELF. THERE SEEM TO BE MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS AS WELL. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS CAR COMPLETELY UNTIL THEY WORK OUT ALL BUGS. *JB

I HAVE HAD MY FORD FOCUS FOR TWO YEARS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. THE TIME I HAVE HAD MY FORD I'VE RECEIVED ABOUT 3 OR 4 RECALL NOTICES FOR MY CAR. JUST RECENTLY I HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM. THE IGNITION ON MY CAR COMPLETELY LOCKED, YOU COULDN'T EVEN TURN THE KEY. AFTER TALKING TO THE PERSON THAT TOWED MY CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS ON SO MANY OF THE FOCUS CARS I DID A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. IT COST ME ABOUT $450 JUST TO HAVE THEM FIX THE IGNITION. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. *JB

INITIALLY, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH ALL THE WAY. WHEN THE KEY FINALLY DID GO IN, THE SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN. IN THE PROCESS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED, AND VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP, OLYMPIC FORD IN MARYSVILLE, WA. TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT THEY HAD 4 FORD FOCUS' WITH THE IDENTICAL IGNITION ISSUES TO TOW THAT WEEK ALONE. REPORTED THAT THIS WAS A RAMPANT FAILURE IN RECENT WEEKS. AS RESULT, HUSBAND WAS LEFT STRANDED OVER 35 MILES FROM HOME.*AK

I HAVE A 2000 FORD FOCUS. IT HAS A RECURRING PROBLEM WHERE THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKS UP AND THE CAR CANNOT NOT BE STARTED, REQUIRING TOWING TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER. THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED JUNE 2001, FEB 2003, MARCH 2004, AND NOW FOR THE FORTH TIME IN JUNE 2004. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND COSTLY PROBLEM. IF ONE WERE TO STALL IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY, AND THEN COULD NOT START, THE CAR WILL BE LOCKED IN PARK AND WOULD BE DANGEROUS. UPON PICKING UP THE CAR THIS TIME, AFTER PUTTING IN THE KEY, THE KEY GOT STUCK AND I PULLED OUT THE WHOLE CYLINDER AND KEY TOGETHER. I WAS TOLD I AM NOT USING MY KEY PROPERLY! FORD KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FOCUS IGNITIONS AND WILL NOT ADDRESS OR RECOGNIZE IT. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER IS TIRED OF DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER PLACED THE KEY IN IGNITION SWITCH, THE SWITCH DID NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON ITS 2ND IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKS, KEY GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT TURN OR COME OUT.*AK

I AM A VICTIM OF FORD FAILING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR IGNITION LOCKING PROBLEM. MY IGNITION LOCKED UP ON ME. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED AND KNOWN PROBLEM. THE DESIGN IS FLAWED. THE CONSUMER IS BEING TAKEN FOR A RIDE. EVEN THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS THE FAILED DESIGN. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!*AK

ONCE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN. THREE TIMES IN TWO YEARS IGNITION CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

VEHICLE WILL NOT START WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

WE HAVE HAD THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP AND WILL EITHER FAIL TO ACCEPT THE KEY OR FAIL TO ROTATE TO START THE CAR. THE FIRST TWO OCCASIONS WERE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD THE THIRD WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS IGNITION FAILURE SEEMS TO HAPPEN EVERY 12-18 MONTHS. ALTHOUGH THIS MAY NOT BE A SAFETY PROBLEM, IT CLEARLY IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.*AK

KEY WOULD JAM IN IGNITION. THEN YESTERDAY THE KEY WOULDN'T START VEH. NOW I AM HAVING TO TAP ON THE END OF KEY TO GET THE IGNITION TO START DUE TO FAULTY CYLINDERS IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ON THE WEB. *JB

PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER CAR . LOCKED IN PARK POSITION AND COULD NOT GET IT TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. KEY WOULD NOT TURN. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS, COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IF ANY THING I CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, SINCE THE CAR DEALER SAID IT'S NOT GUARANTEED NOT TO HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS I S COSTING ME $500.00 PLUS TOWING AND I'M NOT EVEN SURE IT IS GOING TO BE OKAY. *JB

WHEN PLACING VEHICLE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE KEY WOULD ONLY FIT HALF WAY RESULTING IN THE CONSUMER BEING UNABLE TO TURN SWITCH TO START VEHICLE ENGINE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *MR THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOCK CYLINDER FREE OF CHARGE. *NM

WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION THE KEY WILL ONLY ENTER HALF-WAY AND THE KEY CANNOT BE TURNED OR THE KEY CAN BE FULLY INSERTED, BUT CANNOT BE TURNED. *AK

ONCE THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH IT FAILS TO TURN. THIS WOULD BE THE THIRD TIME IN TWO YEARS THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC *JB

WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MY THE KEY WILL NOT GO IN THE IGNITION. CONSEQUENTLY, I CANNOT START MY CAR. BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN ENTIRELY TOO MANY POSTS ABOUT THIS, I CONTACTED FORD AT THE 800 NUMBER. ALL I GOT WAS APOLOGIES AND IF I GET IT REPAIRED TO KEEP THE RECEIPT FOR REIMBURSEMENT IN THE EVENT THERE IS A RECALL. I WONDER WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN ONE ALREADY WHEN IT IS LISTED AS ONE OF THE TOP TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD FOCUS.*AK

AS I TRIED TO LEAVE MY HOUSE ON 6/18/04, I FOUND THAT MY KEY WOULD ONLY GO INTO MY IGNITION A QUARTER OF THE WAY. DESPITE TRYING SEVERAL IDEAS SUGGESTED, MY HUSBAND AND I ENDED UP CONTACTING A LOCKSMITH WHO FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM IN OUR DRIVEWAY INSTEAD OF HAVING IT TOWED. HE HAD TO DRILL OUT THE IGNITION AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE. ALL TOGETHER, IT ENDED UP COSTING US $170. MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT, AND I DON'T FEEL THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM SHOULD BE OCCURRING. I UNDERSTAND IT IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM BY READING ITEMS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS THE INFORMATION PRESENTED BY THE LOCKSMITH. HE SAID THAT HE HAS WORKED ON 6 FOCUSES IN THE PAST YEAR INCLUDING ONE JUST LAST WEEK. I AM TRULY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS POSSIBLY HAPPENING AGAIN. FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THE IGNITION AND REPLACING THEM WITH ONES THAT WILL LAST. *AK

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE BUT KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IGNITION WAS LOCKED IN PLACE, IT WOULD NOT MOVE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED LESS THAN THREE MONTHS AGO THE SWITCH, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

WE OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS 4DR LX. ON 2/18/2004 AND AGAIN ON 6/20/2004, WE PUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND IT WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. WE TRIED EVERYTING, INCLUDING JIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FIRST TIME, WE HAD THREE KEYS FOR THE CAR AND FOUND THAT ONE WORKED, BUT THE OTHERS DIDN'T. IT WAS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (NOT FORD'S), WHICH COVERED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP AGAIN, 4 MONTHS LATER, UNDER A PARTS WARRANTY (LESS THAN 1 YEAR/ 12,000 MILES SINCE THE LAST TIME). THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THIS IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THIS TIME, WE WERE OUT OF TOWN ON A HOLIDAY SUNDAY (FATHERS' DAY), NO RENTAL CARS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE, NO PLACE TO STAY. NEITHER KEY WORKED (HAD TWO). WE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT WORKED ON IT THE LAST TIME. IT IS THERE NOW. A TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE SEES THIS OFTEN/ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AS DO SOME OF THE WEBSITES LISTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT HIS MAKE/MODEL CAR. THIS TIME IT SHOULD BE UNDER FORD'S PARTS WARRANTY, BUT WE ARE CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. I AM TERRIFIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND ONE OF US WILL BE STRANDED SOMEPLACE AND NOT ABLE TO GET HELP. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, AND IF YOU FIND THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, AS IT APPEARS TO BE, PLEASE MAKE FORD RECALL THIS PART AND FIX THE PROBLEM. OUR CAR ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000 MILES ON IT. WE PREVIOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND 3 MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM (HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES). IT IS NOW OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, AND IT DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE LEMON LAW. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THE CAR NOW, NOR SHOULD WE HAVE TO, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TRY (BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHO WILL BUY IT, KNOWING THAT THEY COULD GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE, TOO). THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.*AK

NO SIGN OF ANYTHING WRONG AT ALL - THEN THE KEY WILL GO INTO THE IGNITION - BUT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED UP. *AK

NO SIGN OF ANYTHING WRONG - THEN KEY WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED UP. *AK

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AND IGNITION KEY NOT TURNING, ON 06/08/04 CAR WAS TOWED TO PACIFIC FORD. FORD SAID THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT THE PROBLEM IS WEAR AND TEAR. IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, COST ME $380.25. NOW KEY DOES NOT OPEN DRIVER SIDE OF DOOR, WILL OPEN TRUNK AND PASSENGER SIDE OF DOOR . TOOK BACK THE CAR TO PACIFIC FORD, NOW THEY ARE SAYING THAT IS HAS TO DO WITH MY CYLINDER LOCK ON DOOR (WEAR AND TEAR)AND IF WOULD COST ME ABOUT $300.00 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. DID NOT HAVE PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THE DOORS OR TRUNK NOT OPENING UP BEFORE THEY SERVICED THE CAR. *JB

I PURCHASE MY 2000 FORD FOCUS LX ON SEPTEMBER OF 2000. SINCE THEN IVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I DROVE IT FOR 10,000 MILE AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP AND LEFT ME STRANDED. THIS ALSO REQUIRD A NEW SET OF KEYS BECAUSE THE IGNITION CYLINDER STRIPS THEM. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AND TIRES 4 TIMES IN 3 YEARS. THE FUEL PUMPED FAILED 3 TIMES NOW ALSO. I WAS AT WORK YESTERDAY AND THE CAR ONCE AGAIN HAD A LOCKED IGNITON CYLINDER. LUCKILY FOR ME THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAD TO GET ANOTHER SET OF KEYS MADE A YEAR AGO BECAUSE THEY GOT STRIPPED(AGAIN). I WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS BUT THEY ARE 120 DOLLARS FOR 2. BUT GOING BACK TO YESTERDAY, I RECIEVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP SAYING THAT IT WILL COST 500 DOLLARS TO FIX THE IGNITION CYLINDER. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE WHEN I CAN'T FIND ONE PERSON WHO AS EVER HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART ON THEIR VEHICLE? I HAVE A PROBLEM BELIEVING THAT FORD CAN MAKE SOMETHING SO DEFECTIVE!*AK

WHILE PLACING KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEITHER START NOR MOVE. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CYLINDER SWITCH INSIDE OF THE IGNITION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *LA

THE IGNITION CYNLINDER ON MY 2000 FOCUS HAS COLLAPSED FOR THE SECOND TIME, LEAVING ME STRANDED WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO CRANK UP THE CAR. I HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP IN 2002, BUT IT JUST BROKE AGAIN. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED AND POSTED ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND REPEATED OCCURANCES. NOW MY DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME $250 TO FIX IT AGAIN BECAUSE THE PART IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTEE. THIS IS DISGUSTING. I WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT, AND FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL, AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *AK

MY WIFE WENT TO THE THE STORE AND WHEN LEAVING STARTED TO PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE KEY ONLY WENT HALF WAY IN, SHE COULD NOT GET IT TO GO ANY FURTHER. AS A RESULT WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR REPAIRS.THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE SWITCH WILL HAVE TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED AND REKEYED TO OUR KEYS. I WILL ASK FOR THE PARTS BACK. THE ESTIMATE IS $400.00. I HAVE SINCE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT.*AK

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

IN JULY, 2002, I HAD WARRANTY WORK ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. AT THE TIME, KEY WOULD NOT GO INTO THE LOCK, OR WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. DEALER MADE WARRANTY REPAIR. FEWER THAN 2 YEARS LATER, THE IGNITION SWITCH IS GOING OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED IN ANY POSITION. I THINK THAT THIS IS BOTH A SAFETY AND A SECURITY PROBLEM. FORD WILL NOT HONOR THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY WORK PAST 12 MOS./12,000 MILES. THE CAR CAME WITH A 36/36,000 WARRANTY. DOES THIS MEAN THE PARTS THEY PUT FOR REPAIRS ARE 1/3 THE QUALITY OF THE ORIGINAL?*AK

CONSUMER STATED INTERMITTENTLY IGNITION KEY LOCKED UP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE OR TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

I HAD BEEN HAVING SOME SLIGHT PROBLEM GETTING MY KEY TO TURN THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT UNTIL TODAY (6/7/2004) WENT TO STORE AND GOT OUT WENT IN CAME BACK OUT AND LOW AND BEHOLD MY IGNITION WOULD NOT ACCEPT MY KEY. FINALLY GOT KEY IN THE IGNITION AND COULD NOT GET IT TO MOVE. IT IS FROZEN UP COMPLETELY. THIS IS TERRIBLE HOW CAN THERE BE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AND NOTHING BE DONE ABOUT IT.FORD HAS TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART ON THESE CARS...... IS THERE NOT ANYTHING A PERSON CAN DO ABOUIT THIS KIND OF THING? IS THERE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF RECALLS BEFORE THERE IS SOMETHING DONE ...IF THERE IS ANY THING A PERSON CAN DO TO GET FORD TO CORRECT THIS "DEFECT" AND IT IS A DEFECT I AM CERTAIN AFTER REVIEWING YOUR COMPLAINT SITE IT IS AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE WENT THROUGH THIS SAME THING ALOT MORE THAN ONE TIME, SOME PEOPLE SAID THEY HAD TO FIX THEIRS MORE THAN ONE BUT THREE AND FOUR TIMES .. PLEASE HELP ! *AK

IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO START THE VEHICLE DUE TO IGNITION PROBLEM. IN SOME CASES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

IGNITION KEY FAILED AND LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. *AK

WHEN PLACING THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. THIS CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK, AND CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND DEALER REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *NM

OWNER SAYS THAT THE IGNITION LOCKS UP. IT ALSO LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE PROBLEM EARLY ON. NOW THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WILL COST ABOUT 600.00 FOR REPAIR. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

I HAD PURCHASED A 2000 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR LESS THEN 5 YEARS AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAD FAIL TWICE. FORD MOTOR CO. HAS NOT ADMITTED AND FAULT IN EITHER OCCURRENCE. *AK

WELL DOCUMENTED FAILURE OF THE 2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION CYLINDER. MINE FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND FORD ONLY OFFERED A 50/50 COVERAGE OPTION. *AK

WHILE HAVING THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH IT WOULD NOT TURN. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE IGNITION CYLINDER OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WAS FAULTY. THIS RECENT REPAIR WAS THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO REPAIR THIS FAULTY COMPONENT. THE KEY WOULDN'T EVEN GO INTO THE IGNITION BEFORE THE REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP CUT ME TWO NEW KEYS AND REBUILT THE IGNITION CYLINDER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS FAULTY COMPONENT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED BY FORD? *LA

2000 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKED UP. UNABLE TO TURN KEY IN THE IGNITION, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE 4TH OCCURRENCE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. EACH TIME THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. EACH TIME THE CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THIRD TIME IT WAS DONE THE SERVICE TECH NEGLECTED TO TIGHTEN THE MASTER NUT ON THE STEERING COLUMN (WHICH WAS REPLACED...TOO BADLY WORN FROM REMOVING THE CYLINDER THE PREVIOUS TIMES), AND THE STEERING WHEEL NEARLY CAME OFF IN MY HANDS WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE REPLACED THE CYLINDERS AT NO COST TO ME THUS FAR, BUT HAVING TO GO THRU THIS ABOUT EVERY NINE TO TWELVE MONTHS IS QUITE ANNOYING, NOT TO MENTION EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT. THIS TIME I WILL ASK THAT THEY SAVE THE OLD PART AND GIVE IT TO ME. *LA

IGNITION IS GETTING STUCK MORE AND MORE OFTEN. THE KEY WON'T TURN, STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED.

IN APROX. 09-2003 MY 2000 FORD FOCUS'S IGNITION CYLINDER LOCKED UP DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFAULT. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I PERSONALLY KNOW OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO.THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NEW ONES SHOULD BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STRANDING.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH WON'T ALLOW KEY IN ALL THE WAY. *AK

THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP AND YOU CAN'T GET THE KEY IN. THIS HAPPENED IN 2001 AND NOW THIS MONTH. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRATY. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE AS WELL AS THE DEALERSIP AND THEY SAY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I WANTED SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE ALSO FOUND MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. WHEN THEY FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME IT MUST HAVE BEEN WITH THE SAME MANUFACTURE PART BECAUSE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM TWICE IS JUST STRANGE.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DRIVER'S HOME BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 AND 50 MPH. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP ONCE, BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *LA THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALER AS A FAULTY ALTERNATOR. *SC THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB

CAR WAS DRIVING FINE, WENT SHOPPING AND WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO COMPLETELY INTO THE IGNITION. MY HUSBAND JIGGLED THE KEY AROUND HARD AND FINALLY GOT IT IN, BUT KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. I JUST FOUND OUT THIAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *AK

I PURCHASED A 2000 FORD FOCUS FROM CARMAX IN MIAMI FL DURING THE LAST WEEFK OF JANUARY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PURCHASE I EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN-AROUND. I LOST 12 HOURS OF WORK, BEEN LATE AND BEEN LEFT STRANDED BY THE FORD TWICE. I HAVE HAD ABOUT A DOZEN LOANERS AND AM CURRENTLY STILL IN ONE (4MONTHS LATER). I AM PAYING FOR A CAR THAT I DO NOT HAVE AND AS A RESULT I DO NOT WANT IT ANYMORE. I WANT SOMETHING ELSE.I NO LONGER WISH TO DO BUSINESS WITH CARMAX AND WANT THEM TO PURCHASE THE CAR BACK FROM ME. HOWEVER I AM NOT UPSIDE DOWN AND DO NOT FEEL THAT IS FAIR SINCE I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR ABOUT 14 DAYS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I NEED HELP!*AK

FORD FOCUS 2000 IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT START CAR....BIG PROBLEM. *AK

I HAD TO HAVE MY IGNITION SWITCH DRILLED OUT OF MY 2000 FORD FOCUS LAST YEAR SINCE THE KEY WOULD NOT EVEN ENTER. LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER I HAD TO GET THE SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN SINCE I COULD NOT TURN IT.*AK

SECOND IGNITION KEY CYLINDER HAS GONE OUT ON AUTO W/LESS THAN 28,000 MILES. BOTH WERE EXPENSIVE OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIRS AND OCCURRED WITHIN ONE YEAR. APPEARS YOU HAVE ABOUT 150 COMPLAINTS RE: THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL? *AK

MY KEY GOT STUCK IN MY IGNITION, BUT I FINALLY GOT IT OUT BUT THEN COULD NOT INSERT KEY. HAD TO GET IT TOWED AND WAS TOLD BY TOW DRIVER THAT WAS HIS 4TH PICKUP THAT WEEK OF THE SAME TYPE CAR AND SAME PROBLEM. I HAD TO GET IT FIXED MYSELF.*AK

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WAGON THAT I PURCHASED IN NOV OF 2003 BURNED IN MY WORK PARKING LOT WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT WITH NO WARNING, NO SUSPICIOUS NOISES OR PROBLEMS. I DROVE TO WORK, PARKED IN THE LOT, WALKED IN, AND AS SOON AS I LOGGED ON TO MY COMPUTER SECURITY WAS CALLING TO INFORM ME THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE CAR BURNED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA COMPLETELY WITHIN 15 MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT IT STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SECURITY SAID FROM THEIR VIDEO THAT IT ALSO SHOWED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. THE FLAMES SHOT UP OVER 10 FEET WITHIN MINUTES OF THE FIRE BEING NOTICED. WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED I REFUSED TO BUY IT WITHOUT A WARRANTY SO THE DEALERSHIP GAVE US A 12 MONTH OR 12,000 MILE WARRANTY (AND WE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED) BUT NOW THEY ARE SAYING THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANYTHING BUT THE EASYCARE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WE PURCHASED. WE FIND THIS STRANGE SINCE WE HAVE HAD 2 "WARRANTY" REPAIRS AT NO CHARGE SINCE THE PURCHASE AND THERE WAS NEVER ANY QUESTION BEFORE. THE INSURANCE COMPNAY HAS ASKED THAT WE GO TALK TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS EVENING ONE MORE TIME TO TRY TO STRAIGHTEN THIS OUT BEFORE THEY PAY IT AND WE LOOSE MONEY AS WELL AS HAVING OUR PREMIUMS GO UP. ONE OF MY OTHER BIG CONCERNS IS THAT OUR OTHER VEHICLE IS ALSO A FORD AND IT HAS DEPRECIATED BY SOME 10,000 DOLLARS SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN JUNE OF 03 NEW SO WE CANNOT TRADE IT IN ANYWHERE OR SELL IT WITHOUT BEING SO UPSIDE DOWN AS TO HURT OURSELVES. I PERSONALLY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE IN FORD AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE FROM THEM AGAIN. IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME WITH THIS OR GIVE ADVICE PLEASE DO SO BY E-MAILING ME AT JULIE.LEDBETTER@HILLWOOD.COM. THANK YOU.*AK

WHILE PLACING THE KEY INSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL VEHICLE DID NOT START. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

FORD FOCUS ZX3 2000 - LIKE HUNDREDS OF OTHER FOCUS OWNERS, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY FOCUS TOWED BECAUSE THE KEY WILL NOT FIT ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION - COST TO ME IS $225 +$75 TOWING ON A FLAT BED. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS - THE CAR JUST WILL NOT START. FORD REFUSES TO COVER OR LOWER ANY COSTS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM HAPPENING TO NUMEROUS FOCUS OWNERS. I HAD A VOLKSWAGEN GOLF FOR 11 YEARS BEFORE I SOLD IT TO BUY A FOCUS. I WON'T MAKE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP PSUEDO RECALL IS ANOTHER GREAT RIP OFF. I RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT POSSIBLE FAULTY FUEL PUMP IN THE 2000 FOCUS. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT HAVING THIS PROBLEM FIXED (MY CAR IS SPUTTERING) THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME $75 TO CHECK IT OUT AND IF I CAN'T PROVE IT'S THE FUEL PUMP THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. MY CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 16,500 MILES ON IT. TOO MANY RECALLS TO EVEN REMEMBER. GREAT PRODUCT, CUSTOMER SERVICE, FORD! *AK

WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN MY IGNITION, IT WILL NOT TURN. I CANNOT UNLOCK MY STEERING WHEEL OR START MY CAR. *LA

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED FOR $300. I'VE SEEN THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT NUMBER WITH THE HOPE THAT FORD WILL RECALL AND REIMBURSE ME.

KEY CAN BE INSERTED INTO IGNITION, IGNITION CYLINDER FROZEN, UNABLE TO TURN KEY AT ALL. TOWED TO GARAGE. REPLACED WITH NEW CYLINDER. TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THIS WAS THE 4TH FOCUS THAT HE HAS TOWED THIS WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

I OWN A 2000 FORD FOCUS ZX3. TODAY WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR TO DRIVE HOME MY KEY WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION. I PLAYED WITH IT AND GOT IT TO GO IN BUT THEN THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND I COULD NOT START MY CAR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS IT IS A COMMON ONE AMONG FOCUS OWNERS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER FOR THESE CARS CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS THEY HAVE CAUSED.*AK

IGNITION CYLINDAR FROZE, RENDERING THE KEY UNABLE TO BE TURNED. TOWED TO HAVE FIXED AND CYLINDAR WAS REPLACED WITH NEW FORD PART. THIS IS THE 2ND CYLINDAR SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR...THE 1ST TIME THE KEY WAS STUCK AND WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE CYLINDAR. TWO DAYS AFTER GETTING THE CAR FIXED, IT HAPPENED A AGAIN WHERE THE CYLINDAR FROZE. THE TUMBLERS ARE OF AN INFERIOR AND DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND IT IS UNLIKELY THERE IS A PERMANENT REMEDY WITHOUT A DESIGN IMPROVEMENT.*AK

DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *AK