Faulty ignition switch. The same major problem everyone else is having with the ford focuses. Ignition cylinder locked up on me without warning. Stopped to get gas and when I went to put key back into ignition it wouldn't even go in at first. I though I was in the wrong car. Finally forced key in ignition. It took me a long time but I fortunately was able to finally jiggle it free and get engine started. First warning sign was in 2006 when it temporarily gave me a problem, but now it was being a constant problem. I had done my research on the internet as well and called around to different locksmiths. I was able to drive veh to a locksmith and have a new ignition cylinder replaced. They did not have to reprogram the keys as I see ford is charging all of these people besides their ridiculous labor on their defective parts, in which they are still replacing defective parts. It cost me under $100 to have repaired with reassurance the ignition would outlast any keys that I have to the veh. Ford is pathetic for not admitting this defect and having a recall. Yes it is a safety issue!!!!!! When you never know that unsuspecting your keys lock up and won't turn the ignition.
2000 Ford Focus steering complaints
Page 2 of 7: complaints 11 to 40 of 168, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The steering column locked. Dealer says the tumbler lock fell apart so a new lock and keys are necessary. Mid 400 dollar cost.
2000 ford focus ignition cylinder failed twice in 4yrs. This last time I was stranded in the cold, by myself at 1am. Missing work, spending money on tows, parts and labor adds up. Not to mention the danger involved with being stranded, all because your key wont turn.
This incident is not all too tragic, no injuries or deaths. My 2000 ford focus hatchback has a steering wheel lock problem. A horribly common problem. It's based on a design flaw that the ford motor company has done nothing to rectify and are now looking for a tax payer funded bailout from congress. This problem has become costly for many and in virtually all cases I've heard, repairs haven't worked. Please help us.
Last night I drove my car to work just fine and this morning when I tried to start my car my ignition wouldn't turn and the break and shifter felt like it locked up! It was just fine until this morning and I hear it is a common thing!
The ignition locked up on my wife's ford focus for the umpteenth time and had to be replaced due to the tumblers and other parts breaking. This is the second ignition that we have had to replace since we bought the car in 2000.
Ignition locks up and key will not turn. The steering column is locked.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving 35 MPH, the contact could physically move the steering column up and down through the steering wheel. The steering wheel was loose and was tightened at an independent mechanic's shop. Most recently, the contact discovered that the steering column needed to be replaced. The ford dealer was unable to find any failures, but an independent auto shop performed a diagnostic. Ford informed the contact that the vehicle was too old for them to assist, despite its low mileage. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving 30 MPH, the contact heard a grinding noise. Minutes later, the front end of the vehicle collapsed. She pulled over and noticed metal hanging from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the garage and the mechanic stated that the front passenger side spring struts failed. The mechanic replaced the sway bar links, the inner tie rod, the cb boot, the driver side axle, and the front passenger side hub bearing. The current mileage was 90,982 updated 5/19/08
1. There were two instances over the past 3 years where my car wouldn't start initially and it took 15 minutes to finally be able to turn the key. 2. I stopped at a gas station to fill up my car which is a 2000 ford focus zx3. I had may 7 year old daughter with me and when we went to leave my ignition locked up. After an hour I had to call someone to come get my daughter as it was 9pm and she had school in the morning. I had someone else come by to see if they could fix it but that was to no avail. Finally after about 3 hours total I had to call a for a tow back to my house as the steering wheel was locked up and I could not even roll the car out of the way because I couldn't turn the wheel to get around the gas pumps. I searched online to see about a recall due to this cars history and to my amazement I found web forum after web forum of complaints about this issue. All you have to do is search the web for "ford focus ignition lock" and you'll see what I mean. This is definitely an issue and can be potentially very dangerous. Being stuck and unable to put your car in neutral and move it to the left or right and out of the way, being stuck in extreme weather conditions...possibly with a child or even just being stuck for hours at a time. I read on instance were a women wasn't able to get towed for 6 hours and read another example of a man who had rented a focus only to have it lock up while at a rest area on the highway. It appears that ford is simply ignoring this fault and it's costing people $400-$500 every occurrence. Some people have had to pay to have it replaced 3 times or more. Please look into this and try to do something about it. It has been a serious issue. 3. I have get the car towed to a dealer to pay the $400 to have it fixed and hope it doesn't happen again or I can find a locksmith who can come to my house, drill out the ignition and replace it which is cheaper than the dealership but not by much.
I parked my car one night in a parking lot. The car was parked for less than 10 minutes. When I came back my steering wheel was locked and I could not turn the ignition to start the car. The lights and radio work so the battery is not dead. Two aaa roadside workers tried to turn the ignition and it did not work.
Anti-theft steering wheel locked and car won't start - 2nd time.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. While driving 35 MPH, the front end of the vehicle vibrated and there was a roaring sound coming from the front of the vehicle. As of january 3, 2008, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. There is a recall for the steering: linkages (the federal safety agency campaign id # 02v289000) however, the dealer stated that his VIN was not included. The failure mileage 126,950 and current mileage was 127,000.
Cracked ignition. Jammed steering column. Both were replaced. Old part is available.
I searched in your page and you already have a campaign. The official the federal safety agency page concerning recall is #03v48200 and the federal safety agency campaign is #02v28900. The engine of my car already crashed and I want to know where I can searched for the car's serial number that are included in this recall.
The 2000 focus has had many problems with the steering wheel locking. We put the key in and it wont turn. We have been stranded many times and this is costing us al ot of money to have a lock smith fix it, as welll as having it towed and the hassles of trying to get home when it happens in another town(twice). This needs to be fixed by ford- I see it happens alot with others who own this car.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. On may 27, 2007, the steering wheel detached from the column while driving 35 MPH. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. The purchase date and engine size was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.
Steering wheel nut came out of steering wheel when wife was driving 10 MPH and tried to make a turn. Because contact didn't have warranty for part, he was responsible for the repairs, and wants to know if this is something he should be held responsible for. Contact wants to know if there were any other complaints with the same problem.
Steering column and ignition locked up for the second time on 2000 ford focus. Left stranded and had to tow vehicle again.
Steering column locked, key will not turn in ignition.
2000 black ford focus zx3 my key (same key that came with the car) will not start my car. . . .it will not turn over at all. And also I can't get my steering wheel to unlock to make matters worst. This problem doesn't happen often but it happens more than it should, and this time I can't even get it to start at all. It happens about 3 times a year and I can get my car going in about an hour. But, this time my car has been sitting in my drive way for 3 days now. I have called the dealership 3 times. The first time someone gave me advice but, it didn't help. And the last 2 times they have failed to call me back!
Ford 2000 focus ignition locked, aaa said this is a huge problem with focus and no recalls.
I have been having problems with the key and ignition in my 2000 ford focus for over 6 months now. The key once inserted into the ignition will not turn the lock, which has resulted in leaving me stranded several times, once in below freezing weather with an infant. Upon research online trying to determine what the problem is I am finding this is an extremely common occurrence, and have been subsequently told by two mechanics that it is a defect in the ignition construction that ford refused to recall. I have had to have the ignition cylinder replace and re-keyed at a cost of over $400.
Dt: the consumer stated there were multiple problems with the vehicle. The brakes make noises and pulsated when the pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer where the brake light switch and ignition cylinder switches were replaced. The dealer also turned the drums, replaced the brake pads and resurfaced the front rotors. There was a vibration in the front end when braking. The lower ball joint, right wheel bearings, right front sway bar link, bone socket, steering rack column and tie rod ends were replaced in an attempt to remedy the problem. The tail light covers retained moisture and condensation built up. The dealer replaced the tail light covers and fuses that were blown due to the moisture. Lastly, the contact noticed the rear seat was loose and upon inspection the dealer discovered an anchor and hinge problem. The back hinge and pillar were replaced.
When steering to the right the steering catches then suddenly releases resulting in temporary loss of control. I have spoken with the local ford service department about this issue and they told me it was nothing to worry about but may have something to do with the power steering.
Dt: the contact stated when trying to start vehicle the steering column locked. She had the vehicle towed to a mechanic the first time this happened . Currently, the vehicle experienced the same problem while parked. The repairs will be at contact's expense.
Ignition switch would "stick", since day of purchase...two months later, broken!! All the tumbler springs went out....$300!! To fix and one hour late to work. Passenger outer tie rod boot is shot and the tie rod will not come off!!! $45 to replace!!! Seat belt tensioner does not work properly at all!!!!
Steering wheel adjustment is failing, difficult for adjusting lever to stay in locked position, sometimes disengaging while vehicle is being driven. Dealer says that the entire steering column must be replaced at a cost of $1000, because individual parts are not available to fix the problem. Ford has no technical service bulletins for this problem, and I am not aware of any secret warranties that apply.
My key won't turn in the ignition. Therefore I had to pay $140 to tow my car back home. I researched the problem and I see that there are thousands of the same complaints all over the internet with the same make and model of my vehicle. 2000 ford focus. I haven't taken it to the dealership yet, because it is not under warranty anymore, and according to the stories that I have read, they will not do anything about it, except charge me for a new one. I honestly think that there should be a factory recall on this part, because of me and the thousands of people that this has affected.
The ignition interlock failed on my 2000 ford focus. The key would not go into the ignition, so the steering wheel would not unlock and I could not turn the wheels so that when it was towed ($80) out of the parking space it almost hit another car. They had to drag it up onto the flat bed of the truck. The tow truck driver said that he alone tows one focus per week due to this problem. I live in a large town and cannot tell me that there are not hundreds of reports of this problem. I was quoted the repair cost of $260 instantly when I called the dealer, how often does that happen. I can see why ford does not recall this item, it is too much of a money machine!! How many thousands of repair have to be made before they recall this?
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