Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that the side view mirror on the vehicle was repaired and the transmission also slipped. After the repairs were complete, the vehicle did not drive the same. The dealer stated that the parts needed were not in stock and they kept the vehicle for one month. In addition, whenever the left turn signal was activated, the vehicle would shut off entirely. The lights were replaced; however, the vehicle continued to lose power whenever the signal lights, hazard lights, or air conditioning were activated. The headlights continued to short and, while driving at night, the high beams had to be activated. The seat belt in the rear driver's seat was inoperable and the driver's seat continued to move backwards from the steering wheel. She also stated that the key can be removed from the ignition while the vehicle is in motion and while the ignition is on. Finally, none of the warning lights on the instrument panel are functional. The failure mileage was 23,000 and current mileage was 95,000.
2001 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 5 of 18: complaints 101 to 130 of 496, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I will start with the fact the car is on it's fourth battery. It has had the wiring harness replaced along with every sensor in the car some twice. There was a steering column recall done on it. The two back windows tracks have been broke a total of six times. The door handles brake three so far. The stereo is broke for the second time. I have had to do the brakes twice so far and all this and the car only has 63,498.8 miles .
The ignition on my 2001 ford focus will not release the steering wheel or start the car. The key will go in but not turn. This is the second time this has happened to me on the same car. A local dealership replaced the ignition 22 months ago. This is frustrating and has left me stranded in both instances. I would like to see if this has happened to anyone but me? The car is a 2001 ford focus lx.
Key will not go all the way into ignition cylinder on 2001 ford focus, so the car cannot be started. It appears that many for ford focus owners, but ford will not acknowledge that a recall is needed.
There were no events leading to the failure. I walked out to my car after work, late and night, in a dark, empty parking lot, and try and start my car. My ignition will not turn and the steering wheel will not turn. I tried for 30 min to get it working before I gave up. It just happened, no warning of an issue. I do not see this to just be wear.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. Sporadically, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall and then restart moments later. Prior to the failure, the engine and ABS warning lights would illuminate on the instrument control panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and they replaced the battery cables. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v288000 (electrical system:battery:cables); therefore, she was not entitled to any reimbursement. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 68,000. Updated 09/10/08 *bf updated 09/17/08.
Key will not turn in the ignition. The vehicle behaves as if the steering wheel is locked and will not allow the key to turn.
Well documented problems with 2001 ford focus zx3 ignition lockup. Thousands of cases, yet no recall from ford. Key won't turn in ignition. Happens repeatedly. Could endanger safety.
My 2001 ford focus ignition was locked up and key would not turn when attempting to start my car. I was stranded in an unsafe part of city while waiting for aaa to show up and provide assistance.
Ignition switch locked up leaving us stranded. Called ford customer service, they claim they could do nothing and told me to call a dealer and have it fixed. This call was made at around 9pm so there were no dealerships open. My fiance hit the key while in the ignition several times and was finally able to get the key to turn and unlock the ignition. I am unable to remove my key from the ignition for fear it might do this again when I am alone.
The wiring in my 2001 ford focus zx3 that connects the rear hatch to the front of the car deteriorates significantly. The wiring on my car has stripped through the insulation, and has broken 4 of the 8 wires completely in half. This disables the center brake light, the license plate lights, the windshield wiper, and the trunk lid causing a potentially hazardous situation.
2001 ford focus zx3 ignition does not turn. Consumer states that the dealer told her it would cost around $350 to fix the problem and then the problem might return. She would like to know if the federal safety agency has any suggestions.
The key once inserted in the ignition will not start my car (2001 ford focus).
Key will not turn the ignition-2001 ford focus zx3 I'm have to wait until mondayjune 2, 2008 to find someone to fix the problem/repair 2 day wait without a car.
The ignition in my 2001 ford focus won't turn, leaving me stranded. This is the 3rd time this has happened, each one leaving me stranded in different parts of the state.
My key will go into the ignition of my ford focus, however the steering wheel remains locked and the key will not turn at all. Even after "jiggling" the steering wheel, I can't turn the key at all. After several attempts for some reason the key can turn. I have tried several different "tests" to see if perhaps parking straight on,etc will allow me to start my car however there is no rhyme or reason to it. This problem leaves me quite frustrated, possibly stranded, and possibly in danger as I can't start the car when I need to. It has been a couple days and I thought I was going crazy so I have not done any repairs yet. But after reading that this is a prominent problem, looks like I will have to fix it. I am afraid to drive it anywhere for fear that my car will not let me turn the key.
Lock cylinder locked.
I bought this car in jul07. In dec07 started having problems with car surging/jolting while driving on highway (55-65 MPH) then car would just stall, completely die. Engine light would come on, no power steering no lights. I would manage to get it over to the side of the road narrowly avoiding accident and car would not start. After sat for about 10 mins it would start. It would drive ok for about 10-20 miles and then surge and die. It happens periodically and in between the car may drive fine for weeks. Service center can't find anything wrong with it. It just happened again 3-18-08 while I was driving on interstate at 65mph, jolted twice and completely died. I was nearly killed as a semi was behind me and another beside me. I had to fight the car to get it off the side of the road and narrowly missed the semi running up over the top of me. After sitting for 10 min it started again but would not reach full power. I could only get it up to about 50 MPH, then started jolting and died again after about 6 miles this continued for 30 miles. Engine light was on. I had that read by adv auto later and it was two codes one for mass airflow sensor. It has been in service garage since then. They can't find anything wrong with it. I did notice that this seems to only be happening when it rains. They sprayed water today on the front of the car while it was running and it died in their shop. They still have no idea what is wrong with it. It also has a loud vibration/noise in front end. Motor mounts have been changed, new alternator, new battery, new belt replaced dec 27,07. The vehicle died again feb 5, 2008 6 times. It dies at all speeds and sometimes stalls at stop lights/signs. I am extremely frustrated with it and need a reliable car to get to work and am making car payments on a car that has been in the shop 36 days in the last 90. Also very concerned about causing an accident or killing myself, my kids or someone else.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving approximately 25 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the battery light illuminated. The contact noticed smoke coming from the hood and then flames appeared. She stopped and exited the vehicle when it became completely engulfed in flames. The police and fire departments arrived and a report was filed. The VIN, engine size, and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 52,899. Updated 04/11/08 *bf the dealer stated consumer had vehicle in a pinch bolt torqued and a zetec engine cable routing. The dealer also replaced both front coil springs. Updated 04/11/08
2001 ford focus ignition key will not turn to start car. Elderly wife was forced to wait in car in below freezing temps. Until help arrived. We have scheduled the car to be repaired at a cost of approx. $400. This presents a financial burden that we cannot afford.
The ignition will not turn to the "on" position, regardless of what is tried. The cylinder apparently is stuck, and the car will therefore not start.
I have a 2001 ford focus and like other complaints my ignition also jammed up, and left me down and had to find a way get home from my job ,and cost me $ 240.00 for a locksmith the next day. I think ford should take action and recall this vehicle, and repay all that had this problem. Gc
Ignition switch seizing, unable to start vehicle. 2001 ford focus wagon. Has happened, and been replaced 2 times. I understand this has happened to thousands of ford owners, yet ford refuses to acknowledge it as they do not see it as a 'safety issue'. The second time it happened to me, it was around 11pm on a friday night, on a small side road near mack and woodward, downtown detroit. There's no way in hell anyone can convince me my safety was not in jeopardy because of this faulty part!
Key will not turn...can't start car..key tumbler defective.
Key will not turn all the off and can't be removed.
In my 2001 ford focus zx3, there is a serious electrical problem. Several things do not work or have shorts, or the switches operate other things. Right now, the dealer is installing a new wiring harness for $500 at least. I just found that there is a recall for 200 focus on this issue. This is the same car as mine. Mine should also be covered. The problems began just a few days after the 3 year warranty period ended, but I thought it was minor and I could leave it alone. The dealer is all-american ford in hackensack, nj. Can you help me?
I have a 2001 ford focus. For the past 3 years now I have had a problem with the battery discharging. I have had the battery replaced more than once and this is not the problem. Recently, my car did not start 12/22 and again on 12/26, 12/27 and now today, 12/30/07. I had to have someone jumpstart my car each time except this morning. No one is available this early in the morning. I am tired of ford saying they cannot find the problem. I know there are hundreds of people out there having this problem. We need ford to come forward and admit ownership of this problem and either fix our cars at no charge or issue a blanket recall or something. I cannot afford the towing charges, the days off work while the car is in the shop etc. This will go on for a couple of weeks and then I can go 3 months, maybe 6 months with no problems. I have tried not using my dome light and keeping it in the off position. I manually turn off my radio and headlights before leaving the car in case that was what was draining the battery, but that was not the problem. I do notice that a couple of days before the battery goes dead the car will start lunging a couple of days in advance but only about one time per day.
About 4 months ago I went to put key in ignition and I struggled for an hour or more to get it to turn. Very frustrated at that point that I finally have resided to keeping the key in the ignition, which is not a good idea,but afraid of being stranded somewhere.
Recently the ignition lock on my ford focus jams up. I place the key in the lock, which is a bit sticky, and then the key will not turn. After 15-30 minutes of trying to turn it, it will start, other times no. We are still researching on the web how to replace this part.
2001 ford focus zts - ignition wouldn't start during summer months (not predictable); have been stranded on side of road a few times until engine cooled down (30 minutes to 1 hour) before would start again. Last week, when key inserted into car, steering wheel would be locked up and key wouldn't turn. Finally failed on me two days ago; luckily I was at home and not on the highway with my 2-year-old in zero-degree weather! Dealer said it was faulty solenoid switch in starter. Have read this is very common problem that repeats itself! I hope to not have to go through this again.
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