2000 ford focus key will not turn over when wheels are locked. Have to tow car to dealership.
2000 Ford Focus steering complaints
Page 4 of 7: complaints 71 to 100 of 168, newest first, as owners wrote them.
In march 2002, my 2000 ford focus lx had the steering wheel lock up and the ignition lock up so that I could not turn the key or start my car. It had to be towed to the dealership and they ended up having to drill out the ignition lock cylinder, rebuild it, and replace broken steering column parts. Now yesterday, may 23, 2004, the same thing occurred - steering wheel locked, key would not turn, car would not start. I had to tow it again to the same dealership, and get the parts replaced again.
The ignition of my 2000 ford focus has frozen repeatedly only to start working again several minutes later. It recently has not started working again and I am having to pay $200 to have the ignition replaced. This I dismissed as simply one of the down sides of buying a used car. However, after searching forums online and speaking with a local dealership I have found that this is a common problem with all 2000/2001 ford focus models. The person who came to tow my car to the dealership informed me that he responds to 10-15 calls a week due to the same exact problems with this make and year of vehicle. I was directed to the federal safety agency website by one of the internet forums and was shocked to find how many defects had been sited with this particular car make/model however, this was not amoung them. This appears to be the most common problem occuring with this make/model of car as well. I just hope to never be in a situation where I need to be somewhere asap and my ignition suddenly decides not to turn.
Steering wheel is locked and key will not turn so car will not start. After doing research I have found that this is very common and may even happen again after being repaired - typical cost is $250 - 300. *ak.
Returned to car after 1 hour of not driving, the key would only go about 3/4 of the way into the ignition. I tried all three keys that the dealer had given me, and none of them would go into the ignition. Called aaa, paid $175 to have a locksmith replace the springs in my ignition where the key goes, said that this could happen again, and in that case, the entire ignition would have to be replaced. Aaa covered $50 of the cost. Is there a recall for this? This is not the first complaint of the same type on this site! What is ford doing to help this? I refuse to continue to pay $125 every time my key won't go into the ignition. I was lucky enough to be home when this happened, but what if I wasn't?
Key wouldn't fit in the ignition one afternoon. Tried another key, same result. I hear it is something in the steering lock cylinder, possibly a tumbler. Called ford, and they said that there is no recall on this yet, but probably soon. Cost about $150 plus a towing charge. Rats.
Ignition doesn't work, steering wheel locks and ignition cylinder occasionally comes out. Also while driving, the steering wheel fell off. *la the vehicle overheated when the air condition was turned on, the dealer replaced a pinched wire behind the dash, the air condition was not cool enough, the evaporator core had a leak.
I have a 2000 ford focus and my steering column locked up in december of 2002. I took it to a ford dealership and they replaced the ignition. I have been having on and off problems with my steering wheel locking and the key not turning to unlock it. Luckily before february 16, 2004 I was able to keep trying and finally unlock it. It is now locked again and the same ford dealership is saying that I will have to pay again to get it fixed and that the part was had a warranty of 12 months or 12000 miles. My parents have a 1988 ford escort gt my father has a 1994 ford mustang gt and my mother has a 1997 acura and haven't had any problems with the steering locking up. I believe that something is defective in the 2000 ford focus causing the lock up and that ford should have a recall on this because I shouldn't have to replace the ignition every year.
Ford focus zx3 2000, key will not go into ignition more than 1 - 2 inches and will not turn. Steering wheel is locked.
The "securikey" ignition cylinder is subject to repeated failures. Initially the ignition will not turn until the steering wheel is "wiggled." then after a time, the unit fails completely. This does pose a problem when attempting to restart the vehicle after a "panic stop," where the engine stall/stops. Especially un-nerving in traffice. 1st failure 9/30/2001 at 18,990 miles. Lock cylinder was replaced. 2nd complete failure 1/9/2004 at 49,400 miles. Currently the vehicle is experiencing the same problems and I am returning it to the ford service shop for another repair. The manager of the same shop stated that this is a common problem with this model year, 2000 ford focus, but that one replacement usually fixes the problem. I suspect there are no return visits since the prudent consumer would probably dump the vehicle in favor of a more reliable auto.
The consumer experienced two defects with her vehicle. *ph the back passenger seat belt was placed in backwards per manufacturer, the volume on the radio increased and decreased without control, the gear stick slid off the post, the vehicle stalled when going to a complete stop, the power knob to the radio would become sticky whenever the sun was present, the trunk would not open, the ignition switch jammed twice, the rear view mirror was stuck in the open position, and the steering wheel adjuster did not exist. The consumer requested compensation. *sc
Defective front brake rotor. *ph during the inspection the consumer was told that the defect was not covered under the vehicle's warranty. Other vehicle components also malfunctioned. The vehicle's trunk latch broke, the check engine light illuminated twice, the cd player became inoperative and the steering wheel locked up.
The consumer's client was involved in a accident as a result of steering control. *ph after the accident, the consumer received a letter in regards to recall#02v289000. The consumer's insurance company requested reimbursement. *sc (lawyer on behalf elizabeth arreola on behalf of client lorna waddington)
First one: ignition locked. One night after classes, I went to start my car and the key would not go into or turn the ignition lock. I called my ford warranty and they sent a tow truck. The tow truck driver informed me that he is familiar with the problem on the ford focus, as he had had many calls to pick up cars with the same problem. Second one: after returning home from driving to the store one saturday, I parked as usual and tried to pull up my hand brake which would not go up or lock into place. I then noticed that the little button you push in the release the handbrake was located all the way into the assembly not allow it to lock. I plan on taking my car in november to be repaired. My ford warranty will cover it since its a few thousand miles under warranty.
At the end of february I was involved in an accident due to the steering locking up my ford has never ran the same since our local ford dealer sent a mechanic out to do a report on my vehicle and nothing was ever resolved now I am stuck with this car that seems to be the next ford joke. I have made several complaints since the accident and thanks to a possible steering knuckle problem in which was worked on previously to the accident it looks like ford really should consider selling to a reputable company.
Extreme amount of problems and recalls, vehicle has low mileage. In addition to listed problems, severe rear tire cupping at 7000 miles, may be attributed to loose rear wheel bearing. Power steering pressure hose leaking, A/C still not fixed correctly cold lasted for about a month drivers door lock wont lock interm. Rear trunk latch wont release from inside car. Fuel gauge erratic, caused driver to run out of gas on a bridge. Maf sensor failure, caused driver to be limited to 15 MPH on freeway till next exit. Vheicles radio stuck on with key removed causing battery drain---happened twice and was fixed. Vehicle is a lease due back for return in august. Cant wait to be rid of this headache but feel sorry for whoever buys it... I would still like ford motor co to reimburse me for the lease payments made for the amount of downtime and time vehicle spent at the dealership to fix some of these problems......thankyou
I drive 25000 miles a year to and from work approximtly 115 miles a day and 70% of that is on open interstate hiway. Stop and go is less than 20 miles a day. Tires completely wore out at 41000 miles. Tires started humming at 10 to 15000 miles. I constly complained about front end and tire noise. I put a set of goodyear aquatred tires on at 41476 miles. They also started humming, so the front end was lined up. This did not stop the tires from humming. Now car has 80000 miles, tires are scarming go down the road fast or slow. Frontend suspension has been making clanking or thud type noise. Just recently turing left geting off interstate it felles like the right front is changing geomitry. Car turns left vilently - must corect stering. This will happens without notice. This car is extmly dangeras. When driven on ice and snow, it will brake lose when going staright for no reason and start to spin out. Brakes wore out at 45000 miles. $400 to fix front brakes only. I have never had to put brakes and tires on a car at less than 50000 miles. More like 65 to 75000 miles.
Car is only 2yrs,8mo. Have currently expended over $4000.00 on repairs. Problem with seals allowing fumes in car from other vehicles running beside mine. The noise and wind shear level is very unsatisfactory. Squeal noise and thumping feeling from pressing on brake pedal. Hesitation on accelerating into traffic flow. Poor quality on parts and workmanship from manufacturer
The brakes have been looked at three time because of noise and it's been serviced several times. It's in service right now and has been there for two weeks. I don't know if they are working on it or if they are repairing other things or what. I haven't had heat throughout the coldest part of the winter. The seat belts don't work and the paint is peeling. The car has locked up not letting me start the engine twice, then just out of the blue it decided to start. I tried to turn in and the car dealer at ford said he wouldn't touch it, didn't want it. We bought it aug. 9 2000-ford credit, simple interest 6.5 --first payment september $456.99 a month they say we owe too much to trade in ???this made no since. Now I know what's been going on. My husband has been out to sea usnavy for almost a year and I'm scared to drive it I'm a nervous wreck about this car and I don't know what to do. There has been is so many recalls on this car I don't know if they have fixed them or not
Have had nothing but trouble with my focus the brakes wore down while I was on vacation and I was stuck driving for a bit on metal to metal....which ruined my rotor.....then the battery after almost 3yrs. Has caused my car to not want to start twice......each time I have had to clean off the built up acid on the battery so that a clean connection can be made.....the paint keeps on chipping, my anteena has become frayed, just recently my car's steering wheel locked up on me and the key wouldn't turn in the ignition......it is in the shop as I write this.....and from what I have heard I am not the first person to have had a problem with the cylinder.......the car seems to be slugish when on the inerstate.......the focus is a dangerous car and ford co. Needs to do something about it..... Jeremy
When coming to a stop vehicle stalled. This caused the steering wheel to lock up. Consumer managed to pull over and regain control of the vehicle. Dealerships mechanic was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Vehicle hesitated/stalled. Also, a steering problem and a burning smell. This vehicle was recalled for these defects. However, the same problems continue to exist.
Steering pinch bolt popped out, and the front tire rolled into the front fender weld. As a result, vehicle lost steering. No crash occurred because vehicle was in the driveway at the time of the incident. Steering pinch bolt recall 02v28900 was issued, but this vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN.
Various problems with 2000 ford focus.*mr while driving the steering wheel almost came off in the driver's hand. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer refused to give the consumer a loaner while the vehicle was being repaired. *nlm the steering wheel separated from the steering column due to a bolt breaking when the vehicle was making a left turn at approx. 25 MPH. *mjj
Problems with vehicle's steering due to ball joint separation. *mr the consumer lost control of the vehicle. The incident was caused by an improper torque on the pinch bolt. The consumer requested reimbursement. The consumer received a recall notice several days later. *scc *jb
Put key in ignition and it will not turn at all. Steering wheel and shift lever are locked and vehicle had to be towed to dealer with wheels off ground. Dealer say no recall or service bulletins have been issued but this is not true as I found several service bulletin on this web site.
Key cylinder lock went out and caused steering wheel and the key not to be able to turn. Manufacturer and dealer will be notified of the problem.
Consumer went out to start car and key would not turn, ignition was locked in place, it would not move. Also, steering wheel was locked. Consumer took vehicle to dealership, and they said they never heard off such occurrences.
Steering wheel continuously locks up while in use. Cause of the failure is undetermined.
Consumer states while driving engine and steering column may lock up. There is no warning. Dealer says ignition switch needs replacing.
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