Key sticks in ignition; cylinder needs to be completely replaced at a cost of hundreds of dollars.
2001 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 12 of 18: complaints 311 to 340 of 496, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The consumer is experiencing a problem with the ignition. The ignition cylinder was frozen. The key will not turn to start the vehicle. Provide further details.
About 3 months ago my key started to get stuck in the ignition. I drive a 2001 ford focus. It seems to do it every other day or so. I couldn't lock my doors, and was afraid that someone would steal something. Now every time I drive my car I bring two sets of keys with me, so that I can lock the doors. However, having keys stuck in the ignition is asking for someone to break into my car. I have looked into this problem, and it seems that many are having a similar problem with their 2001 ford focus. I will give you an estimate of the first incident date. Thank you.
Vehicle caught on fire in the parking lot. Consumer has no idea as to why the vehicle caught on fire.
Rear taillights failed wiring harness (rear) has become worn. All wires exposed and are in contact with one another. I have photos. Please contact me to have them forwarded. I know of this problem occuring on at least 8 other zx3's.
Ignition key/steering wheel jammed.
The ignition switch locked up, the key will not turn the steering is locked in place.
Unsure of exact date- ignition switch has gone out three times car has to been towed away all three times. Prestige ford mechanic says it is how the part is made wont cover after 36,000 miles because it is electrical. Dealership admits is recurring after warranty defect but ford company will not take responsibilty for bad part.
My ignition locked up on my 2001 ford focus, can't start the car.
My 2001 ford focus has stalled again. This is about the 4th time. Local mechanic found problem to be fuel injector pump. Dealership claims that is only battery replacement. I have all old parts from recent service at dealership. I would like to see this vehicle recalled. Found internet article that states that this is not an uncommon problem with this make/model. Http://www.theautochannel.com/f/mania/repair/news.html?mania.
Ignition cylinder failed and key would not turn to start the car. I had just gotten off of work and got it my car to go home and my key wouldn't not turn over. I had to sit in my car for almost an hour in freezing weather until someone could come and get me.
Sudden lock-up of ignition switch, requiring tow to ford dealer for replacement of ignition cylinder.
Consumer took the vehicle in to the dealership for a replacement of a valve cover. After picking up vehicle and driving, consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Contacted mechanic, and informed consumer that solvent used in repair of valve cover caused smoke, and will disappear. Consumer parked vehicle, and a passer by noticed smoke and flames coming from under the hood. Local fire department was contacted, and flames were extinguished. Consumer contacted the insurance company.
My 2001 ford focus se wagon had its ignition switch malfunction. Ford dealership said graphite and/or wd40 would not fix it, that it had to be replaced. It cost usd$440 and I lost a full day's pay. The tow truck driver said he's responded to 24 calls on ford focus ignition failures. I found a website call www.automotivetalk.net where 85 people have made complaints on the ignition switch this year. What do we have to do to start a recall. This is a new car and should not be having this problem. I am not alone, as I have read many postings on the same problem. I can be emailed at [email protected]. Thx, laura
Vehicle fire sustained on 2001 ford focus after replacement of a valve gasket cover at hollingsworth richard ford in baton rouge louisiana. Following replacement of gasket, smoke was noted from the hood. Dealer service representative stated that smoke was due to a cleaning solvent used after servicing the vehicle and should stop in about two days. The following day (after service), the vehicle caught on fire where the fire had to be extinguished by the local fire department. My son and I were in the vehicle and bearly escaped before the front of vehicle was engulfed in flames. Report has been filed with dealer who told me that this was a matter that should be handled by the insurance. Ford dealer showed nor indicated their acceptance of any liability regarding this issue. Research has indicated many customer complaints of vehicles fires centered around this year of focus.
Consumer stated that ignition locked on its own. *ak the conusmer stated that he could not turn key to start the vehicle.
When attempting to brake, the consumer down shifted and the safety ignition switch malfunctioned and was caught under the clutch, causing the relay to slow down. The consumer pulled the emergency brake to stop the lurching, but it was too late and the consumer scraped another vehicle in a parking lot. *ak
Steering wheel locks when key is put in the ignition. The ignition switch and clock spring were replaced twice before. Vehicle will be taken to dealer for repairs again.
I have a 2001 ford focus with a locked up ignition. I only have 24000 miles on my car.
The consumer stated the ignition locked without warning. The part has been replaced, however the problem still existed. Please provide additional information.
The ignition on my 2001 ford focus "stuck" on me this past july. I entered my vehicle and inserted the key. The steering wheel would not turn...it remained in the locked position. On 7/3/04, I had to have the ignition replaced on my 2001 ford focus. The dealership informed me that this was a very common problem on the focus, however they still charged me over $500 to fix the problem. I had to have my ignition drilled out and replaced. They said that even thought they had had many vehicles returned for this problem, that ford had not issued a recall on it.
No events lead up to failure. The tumblers in the lock keep getting stuck making it almost impossible to start the car. We tried to take it to the dealer, but it wasn't covered on the extended warranty I purchased. They wanted $260 to replace it, but it will continue to break over and over. From people I have spoken to online, and in person, this problem happens a lot with the ford focus. Seems to me that there should be a recall.
I put the key in the ignition of my 2001 ford focus and it wouldn't turn. The steering column/ wheel is locked up.
The ignition has locked continuously on my 2001 ford focus. The key will not turn and the steering wheel is completely locked. I understand this is a persistent problem with many vehicles, there is a design problem, yet there has not been a recall. Something needs to be done!!!!!
Recall 02v288001 concerning battery cables. Consumer said that the battery cables were routed too close to the engine which resulted in an under hood fire. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was told that this vehicle was not eligible for recall due to VIN even though the vehicle experienced the same defects as described in the recall.
I tried to start my car (2001 ford focus) and the key wouldn't turn at all in the iginition. I spent the better part of 2 hours trying to get it to turn and it didn't. I ended up having to have my car towed - and have been told that it is my lock cylinder that is shot and needs to be replaced. It can't be replaced without tearing half my dash/steering column apart.
The left rear door would intermittently open when making a turn while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the left rear door actuator. *ak the right rear and front locks were inoperative as well. The doors would not unlock by remote or key insertion. The doors had to be manually opened from within the vehicle. The radio had an internal defect.
The vehicle stalled on two separate occasions. *jb the speedometer in the vehicle always reads zero. The milage erase on their own and pop up again days later then disappear again. The consumer stated that he has to turn the vehicle off and turn it on again to read the gas gauge. Automatic locks engage 20 minutes after the consumer has started driving. The vehicle steering wheel became hard to move as the vehicle loss power and shut down on several occasions.
Complaint involves 2001 ford focus station wagon. Left turn signal malfunctioned for a few days, and then the ignition froze. Unable to release the steering wheel, I had the car towed and sustained damage from the towing. Apparently this defect is well known to dealers and to ford. My car has 49k miles on it and is never abused.
We own a 2001 ford focus. We went out to start it 2 days ago and they key would not turn in the ignition. Apparently this is a common problem for ford focus cars.
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