Dt: the ignition cylinder failed twice. It failed in 2003 and in 2005. Ford tels me there is high failure rate on these cylinders. The key locks up, and you can't get the key out. And you can't turn the wheel.
2001 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 11 of 18: complaints 281 to 310 of 496, newest first, as owners wrote them.
3 times in 1 week, my ignition key gets stuck. The key turns, the car starts, but will not come out. I have only had the car 1 month and it was purchased with 48k miles on it. After extensive internet research and speaking with several dealerships, I have found that this is a very common focus problem.
I don't think that the problem that I am having is life threatening. My problem is as folllows: I purchased a 2001 ford focus zx3 and for some reason this particular car has a problem that the steering wheel locks by its self. About 2 years ago it happend for the first time and I had to have tow truck take it to the service department since it was still under warranty. The problem is back again and I no longer have warranty on my car. I just think that there should be a recall for this particular problem that this car has. After reviewing other people that own a ford fucus and that have the same problem I really believe that a recall is necessary because this is a manufacture defect. Anyways, I went to the service department to see if they could fix the problem without charging me since the car had the same problem before when it was under the warranty. But they said that since it happen about 2 years ago they couldn't do it under the warranty. I wanted to know if anyone in your deparment could have any information on warranty. I just think that why should I have to pay for something that is a manufactur defect and that this problem happen before and they should be able to fix it at no charge.
On saturday 5/14/2005 the engine compartment of my well maintained ford focus se, 2001, (equipped with a zentec engine), got fire in a fashion similar to that 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 systema 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.
2001 ford focus experiencing problems with the front brakes, fuel pump, battery, sway bars and tires. *mr the consumer replaced the front brakes five times, the radiator went out, the thermostat and sensors pertaining to the engine light ad gone out, the fuel pump and the battery went out and the mechanic could not find the problem. Currently the starter showed signs of going out and the vehicle needed sway bars and 4 tires.
2001 ford focus ignition cylinder broke, problems with the tire equipment, engine light illuminated and the sway bar bushing needs to be replaced.*mr the ignition cylinder had been replaced three times. The steel belts were showing through the front tires at 54000 miles. The sensor which caused the engine light to illuminated was replaced three times. The front brakes were replaced twice. The battery, radiator, thermostat and fuel pump also failed.
Contact stated: when the key was put in the ignition the key became stuck. The car was at the ford dealer. And had not been repaired. Ford told the consumer that the steering column may have been damaged. In addition, ford was replacing the fuel pump and seat belt.
Ignition cylinder on 2001 ford focus locked and unable to turn key.
On 2 separate occations within 1 year the ignition would not turn. Locked up. Ford replaced both times.
I would like to know how many recalls can a car have before it is a lemon! My 2001 ford focus has had every problem out there and more than half of them, I have had to pay for. In the 4 years I?ve owned this car, I have had the battery replaced at my cost due to stalling, which turned out to be the faulty fuel pump?s fault, so that was replaced; the struts replaced at my cost after they caused my front tire to explode on the freeway; the bushings worked on 3 times yet the suspension still makes a very frightening noise every time I drive. Imagine my surprise (or should I truthfully say, lack of?) when I received yet another recall notice in the mail.
While driving the consumer noticed that the instrument panel gauges were in operative. She could not tell how fast she was driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. *jb on some occasions when the speedometer failed the odometer also stopped working and the vehicle idled erratically. At times when the clutch was pressed while stopping the engine would die which resulted in loss of power. The fuel gauge was also unstable and as a result the consumer is never sure how much fuel is in the vehicle.
The ignition tumbler broke inside. Key wouldn't go in at all.
My 2001 ford focus ignition locked up, I left work and could not get the key in to start it. After some research I have found out that it happens to a ton of ford focuses, maybe you could get a recall on this because it is costly to fix and keeps going bad.
Ignition lock on 2001 ford focus has failed three times causing expensive repair bills. Ford calls this a "known malfunction" but will not recall the part.
Key got stuck in ignition and could not be removed unless consumer jiggled it around or took it to the dealer, who removed the key, but had not fixed the problem. Took vehicle to the dealer multiple times since being purchased for the same problem.
I have a 2001 ford focus, bought new from the dealership and within the last year I have had to replace the ignition cylinder three times. In each of these instances I have had to miss class because my key will not turn and start my car. At first, I thought the steering wheel was locked, but then I realized that the key does not turn at all. On each occasion I have had my car towed to the dealership and they replace the ignition lock cylinder. Fortunately, the second and third times it was taken care of under the warranty, but the first time I had to pay the deductible. The service employee said this was a common problem with the ford focus and it seems that the key is not long enough for the ignition cylinder. He said that in order to fix the problem, he would have give me new keys that fit the cylinder, and thus replace all locks (including the trunk). At first he offered to do the repairs free of charge, but since the mileage is over the manufacturer's warranty (still within the extended warranty), I would have to pay the deductible. I should not have to pay for the replacement which should have been prevented before the assembly line.
Key will not turn in ignition. Steering column locked. Sudden failure. No action taken yet.
Key will not turn over in ignition. Ignition jammed. Key will not move to start car. Dealership aware of problem. Ford has not issued a recall.
The driver placed the key inside of the ignition the steering wheel would not move on it on and the vehicle would not start. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The mechanic informed the driver that the ignition switch needed replacement. Please provide additional information.
The ignition switch is not turning when the key is inserted, preventing the vehicle from turning on. Manufacturer was informed by owner.
Ignition key hs been locking steering column and would not turn to unlock column. Stranded in downtown beloit, because key would not turn. Car had to be towed to local mechanic. Mechanic could not turn ignition key to unlock steering column. Called local ford dealer. Dealer said that this is common problem with the ford focus, however there is currently no recall on this from ford. Mechanic had to replace ignition cylinder and tumbler. Total cost: $246.40. Local mechanic: ace auto sales, (608) 362-6600. Mechanic's name and owner of shop: brad. Not happy in beloit.
Key won't turn in ignition. Can not start car. Was told it was probably the ignition cylinder. Getting checked tomorrow.
Key began sticking in ignition of my ford focus. This past weekend key locked in ignition. Appointment made with my local dealer and I have just paid $252 for a new cylinder. I questioned my dealer on previous complaints and they advised me that they had none!! Hard to believe when my local mechanic advised us of several individuals with this same problem. Quick fix was to take a hammer and gently tap on the key when in the ignition or here's the better one-leave a key in the ignition at all times. After dropping my vehicle this am I learned of this site to file complaint from www.automotivetalk.net where countless people have encountered this similar problem. I also plan to try ford customer assistance but will that help resolve this problem with the focus. I'm hoping this complaint will help. *
Became harder and harder to get ignition cylinder to work properly. It would lock and take half an hour or more to get it to start. Had to replace ignition switch and cylinder; required a locksmith, a mechanic and $222.
I have a 2001 ford focus and my ignition has locked up for the 3rd time. I have found numerous other owners of this exact type of vehicle who have experienced the exact same problem. This is absurd. If this problem is so common then ford needs to take responsiblity for their poor manufacturing and issue a recall. I have spent $1000 since november 2004 in repairs to this car. I need to get rid of it, but I owe to much on it. I cannot afford to spend this type of money anymore. This car is my family car. I have two preschoolers whom I tote around daily in this car. I do not feel safe in this car and I am scared to take my children anywhere in this vehicle. It is not safe. I could easily get stranded in the middle of nowhere with my babies and ford does not care that it is their problem nor about hte safety of thier customers. Please let ford know that because of their scams, lies and poor craftmanship, they will continue to be last in auto sales!
My igniton gets locked up and the key wont turn to start the car.
Consumer stated that the ignition switch locked without warning. As a result, the key will not turn .
Key will not turn in ignition. The tow-truck driver who towed my car said this is a major problem with this car and ford has not issued a recall. He said he has done nine tows this week for this exact problem and had towed two this week to the dealership I took my car. Of course, my car is out of warranty = $300 fix.
Consumer noticed that instrument cluster lights were turned on, and tail lights were not operating. Results showed that the wiring harness tore due to wear and tear, causing the lights not to operate.*ak
The ignition and steering wheel has locked up. I cannot get the key to turn in the ignition, so the car will not start-this is a major failure. I will need to take it to a mechanic to replace the lock cylinder within the ignition assembly.
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