The ignition switch does not permit the car to start. The switch (xs4z-11582-AC cvr asy aux fl) has been replaced twice, once at 41,407 miles and again at 57,834 miles. The dealer and aaa provided a temporary remedy to the stranded driver, which is "with the key in the ignition, hit it hard with a hammer to engage the ignition assembly." aaa keeps spare ford focus ignition switches in its emergency service support trucks.
2001 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 10 of 18: complaints 251 to 280 of 496, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Last 2 years have had problems putting key in ignition and turning it. I have had to jiggle it and push it in. I got stranded at work because the key would not go in the ignition and turn. I brought the car to dealer and they said ignition cylinder had to be replaced costing me $392.00 for the part!!!!!! They said that my steering column could possibly break during installation!
Dt:the contact owns a 2001 ford focus lx. The ignition key would not turn in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealership , and when the contact got the bill it was $500, including towing. This incident happened twice in november 2003. Ignition switch was replaced under warranty, and again on august 8, 2005 ignition switch failed. The repair invoice for august 8, 2005 stated diagnostic key will not turn in ignition, necessary to remove steering bezels, remove ignition switc to drill lock cylinder, remove guts and housing. Also, it was necessary to code new lock cylinder and install it. This cost $257.00. The first time it was tthe dealership they replaced the ignition switch cylinder. The cost $103.66 and the towing was $85.00 . The second time all this was out of pocket, but the first time it was replaced under warranty. *ak the consumer was reimbursed $195, 50% of the parts and labor.
The ignition locks up due to a defective cylinder. I have had the car for almost four years and I was quite surprised by this. I looked on the web and it looks like an extremely common problem that even the service at ford admitted to. I was particularly surprised when they said ford hasn't issued a recall for this problem. People have said that they have had the ignition cylinder replaced 2 and 3 times in short periods of time. I am afraid that I will suffer the same fate. I would like it if I didn't have to pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars for something ford knows is defective and still makes the customer pay for the repair and multiple times as well.
Dt: the rear tail lights do not come on when lights are turned on. The dash panel lights also do not come on when headlamps are on. The turn signals work, and rear tail lights do work when brake pressure is applied. The consumer replaced a fuse several times, and it continued to blow out, indicating a short in the electrical system. Between the hatch and the body there is wiring harness, and inspection of that wiring harness discovered that the shielding of the wiring separated or cracked, indicating the wires are stressed. The consumer feels this is a problem indicated on a recall for prior model years. The consumer contacted ford, who said this was not covered under warranty, and was not involved in a recall. The consumer has not taken vehicle to a dealer at this time. There have been no repairs or corrections made other than the electrical tape that was placed on the exposed wires by the consumer.
Dt: the ignition switch locked and will not move. This problem has been occurring off and on since the vehicle was purchased. The problem first started on 12-23-04. When the consumer took the vehicle to the dealership they did nothing to change the vehicle. They told him that they were unable to find the cause of the problem. *ak
I have a ford focus 2001 and I am having problems with the ignition tumbler for a second time in one week now. The steering wheel locks and it would not get unlocked by the ignition key. The whole part was replaced in the service shop a week ago and yesterday I had to bring it back to the mechanic because of the same problem. I have the old part in my trunk and they will have another one ordered today.
The key was stuck in the ignition and would not start. I tried to jiggle the wheel, but car refused to start.
Dt: the ignition switch will not turn with the key in. Caller said it was sticking but to it would not turn at all. Up until however, she could force it and it would work, this time she could not get the key to turn. She had the problem for about a month. It started without warning and kept getting worse until 08/26/2005. When she tried to start the vehicle it would not turn. Dealer and manufacturer have not been contacted yet.
Dt. The consumers vehicle would hesitate, surge and lose power and then shut off. After letting the vehicle sit for awhile the consumer was able to restart the vehicle. There were times when the consumer attempted to apply the accelerator and the vehicle would not go pass 60- 70 MPH, when the consumer experienced this, the front of the vehicle would vibrate.
Yet another ford focus owner who had the ignition completely lock-up. The key would no longer turn, rendering the car dead, and in need of towing to the dealership for a replacement ignition.
Vehicle hesitated upon starting. Consumer replaced the battery. But, vehicle would not start. Finally, dealer stated that fuel pump needed to be replaced. This vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency recall 03v482000 due to VIN. *ak
I bought my 2001 ford focus 4 months ago and I am having to replace the ignition cylinder because the key will not turn. After research, I am seeing this is a very common problem for my car. Many people have had to replace this component 3 or 4 times in the last 3 years. I do not look forward to continuously having a problem with a car that is supposed to be dependable.
Ignition key will not turn.
2001 ford focus sedan, 21,000 miles. Ignition switch completely failed around 1.5 years ago and was replaced under warranty. Now has completely failed again and will require complete replacement. Dangerous!!! This is my daughter's car, purchased new to provide her safe transportation, and cannot count on it even to start reliably for her.
I went out to my 2001 ford focus zx3 and tried to start it up and the key wouldn't turn. The ignition switch would not unlock. In calling peffley ford dealership they informed me that it would cost over three hundred dollars to fix. I have had other cars for years and never had such a problem, but on looking on the internet it seems to be a common and most frequent problem with ford focuses. Could you please look into this and tell me if there is a recall on this problem? Thank-you so very much!
I have had my 2001 ford focus zx3 for about 3 and half years. Recently, the ignition cylinder has already needed to be replaced. Ignition cylinders are supposed to last for a long time. The reason why I bought this car was because it was dependable. If problems like this are occurring when am I going to expect next.
The ignition has gone out on my 2001 ford focus. I would normally just replace it and move on but when searching for a new part on the internet I found numerous complaints about the exact same problem I am having. In all cases people have been told this is a known problem by ford and they choose to ignore it. I am now scared to drive my car one it is fixed in case I encounter more problems.
2001 ford focus, ignition and sterring wheel lock up
Two nights ago, at a parking garage in a local mall, when trying to leave, I was unable to start my car. I could insert the key in the ignition, but it would not move. It was as if the steering wheel was locked up. I also noticed that my key was worn down a bit, so I figured maybe the key was not "clicking" properly with the ignition. I had my car towed to my apartment building and attempted to use my spare key to see if the key made a difference. It did not. The next day I had my car towed to the local ford delearship. I was told that the ignition cyclinder needed to be replaced and my keys needed to be recoded. I was also told that my warranty didn't cover any of this. So I paid $650 to have this work done. Additionally, I was told that two recalls needed to be addressed at no cost to me. Both were addressed, however, they charged me $36.08 for "mechanical labor." I should not have been charged for any work done on recalls. This evening I logged onto a website called "automotivetalk.net." I was amazed at the number of people who had the exact same problem. Some of the postings dated back to 2003. I don't see how a problem like this is considered normal wear and tear, or why the owner (me) would have to bear the brunt of these outrageous service charges.
Over time I was having more difficulty removing the key from the ignition. Eventually it took up 10-15 minutes of toggling the key and gear shifter to remove the key. This same problem was fixed three times under warranty (which has since expired). The ignition was replaced. The old parts are unavailable.
Dt: the consumer's daughter drove to austin texas, when she entered the vehicle the ignition would not turn. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the consumer's house due to the dealer being closed. The consumer heard of a recall on ford focus zx3, which was having what consumer believed to be the same problem. The consumer contacted ford who said that this vehicle was not part of the recall. The consumer stated that one week after he bought the vehicle the service engine light came on. The consumer had the erg valve replaced. The consumer believed that this may have been a false reading. The federal safety agency recall campaign 02v288000 was directed towards the electrical system; battery/cables. *ak
I was at the store and got into the car and went to stick the key in the ignition and it would not turn. It would ding but would not allow me to do anything. I assumed it was maybe the fact that I needed a new key. I had it towed to a ford dealership and then I was told that I needed a new ignition lock and cylinder. I had to get the car towed back to my house because I am a single mother and cannot afford to get the problem fixed. I live paycheck to paycheck and to find out about this problem is a bunch of '!@#$%. I bought this car because I assumed it was reliable. I was wrong. I talked talked to a lot of people recently that told me about the same problem with there focus's. What is going to be done for people about these problems. I know this is not the first complaint or the last.
Ford focus 2001 (1) key has been harder to remove from ignition, and more difficult to turn (2) key will not turn in ignition. I believe cylinder tumblers are worn out. (3) called ford customer service. Was informed that they could not help me, and I needed to bring it to a dealer. My research has indicated that this is a very common problem with 00-02 focus's.
At 38000 miles the ignition cylinder in the consumer's 2001 ford focus failed. The consumer was unable to turn the key in the ignition. *jb
I have a 2001 ford focus and the ignition switched locked on me and costs 500.00 at the dealership to get it fixed. I also have a ford taurus and the same thing happened but a rep at the dealership recommended that instead of having them to fix it to buy the part (which was about 70.00) and have someone elso to put it in. This cost about 120.00 in total. Also I had a wreck in the ford focos and it so happens that my rental car was a ford focus and I drove it for about 2 days and 1 day the ignition locked up. I called ford and the rep laughed and said "oh yeah that happens all the time, we are aware of it but theres nothing we can do". I was stranded for 3 hours because I had to wait until a flatbed wrecker truck was available, because when the ignition switch locks so do the wheels and therefore the car cannot be rolled. But anyways 3 of the same cars all were lemons. They all produced the same exact problems, and it seems as if I am not the only person with this problems and it just so happens that thereis no recall from ford for this issue. But as their rep confirmed they are aware of the situation.
Approx. On may 10th, when putting the key in the ignition of my car, it would not turn. It took many tries of wiggling the key back and forth, attempting to turn the locked steering wheel some small degree to get the key to actually turn over in the ignition switch and allow me to start my car. This problem became progressively worse to the point that I have had to leave my spare key in the ignition and cover my steering wheel in an attempt to hide the key. I have spoken to someone via phone at this agency and was referred to this website, but did not have access to computer until now. And I have spoken to someone at the ford company via phone who could offer no solutions unless I were to take my car to a dealership, have it inspected and repaired at my expense. I have ordered the part and am awaiting its shipping. Coincidently, while ordering the part, the young man waiting on me stated his girlfriend called him over the weekend with the same problem with her newer ford focus. I gave him your website address. He states he has met several people since with the same complaint and gave your website to them.
Dt: contact states a local service dealer said the insulation on wires from the trunk lid to the inside has been scraped off in the factory. This did caused a short in the wires, leading to the loss of abrake lights.
Dt: brakes failed twice since 2001. Brakes were replaced in 2001 and 2002. Kept repairing the vehicle. The water pump/battery, and tires malfunctioned. On june 11 2005 while driving the car stopped. The car made a popping sound and started smoking. There was a warning, the battery light was on. The engine lights came on right before. Car didnt start back up after several attempts. Car was towed to home. Dealer reported no problem with the vehicle. Car was regularly serviced.
On saturday 5/14/2005 the engine compartment of my well maintained ford focus se, 2001, (equipped with a zentec engine), caught on fire in a fashion similar to those described by numerous owners in the following web sites: http://www.geocities.com/archangel_jjn/ http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_focus_fires.html. The damages occurred to my focus are close to those graphically described in the pictures of the second web site. The fact that this occurred on a parking lot a block away from a fire station prevented further damage to the passenger compartment. But had this occurred on my house's covered garage, the whole house had burned. What happened to my car is similar to the situation described in the federal safety agency 02v288000 campaign. But my vehicle was manufactured on august 2003, and therefore does not qualify to the voluntary ford recall to deal with this situation. As you can see in the referred web sites, this is he same situation reported by other owners. I have reported this case to my insurance company, allstate, claim number 179019215. The adjuster is mr. Ruben romero @ 800 733-8910 x4385. As allstate suggested, I also contacted ford. Yesterday, I was informed by allstate that my accident resulted in a total lost. On monday 5/16/2005, I contacted mr. Mccluster, from the tipton ford dealership, who photographed my pictures from the fire. He assured me that he was going to log the incident into the system and ask me to contact ford at 866 436-7332. When I called that number, the same day, I talked to andrew, employer number 3176. He gave the claim number 0422761365 and indicated that ford was going to contact on two days. I am still waiting for the call. In my opinion ford did not fully fixed the causes of the federal safety agency 02v288000 campaign and that was the reason for my car's fire. Thus, ford should solve the problem in all focus vehicles suffering from this problem and it also must be held accountable for all property damage.
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