As the owner of a ford focus 2001 - I attempted to start my car and was unable to turn the key in the ignition. I was stranded in a parking lot - had to be towed. The problem is chronic in ford focus - yet ford is not recalling or attempting to assist customers in any way to remedy the flaw.
2001 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 6 of 18: complaints 131 to 160 of 496, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after adding fuel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The failure occurred on december 15, 2003 and recurred approximately three weeks ago. The ignition lock assembly switch was replaced. The cost to repair the vehicle was $433 at the owner's expense; however, the first repair was covered by the warranty. The ignition switch should not fail after three years. The ford manufacturer stated that they were unable to assist because the warranty expired. The failure mileage was 52,474 and current mileage was 52,732.
Vehicle ignition lock froze without any previous indication of malfunction. Ignition key was unable to operate lock. Driver was left stranded and lock smith had to be called to drill out the ignition as a temporary fix and the ignition lock cylinder replaced as a permanent repair. Vehicle make: ford vehicle model: focus se year: 2001
I bought my 2001 ford focus in april 2007 from a used car dealership. One day a couple of months ago I went into a store and when I came out my key would not go into the ignition and the steering wheel was locked. Fortunately I grabbed a passerby to help me and he was able to get the key into the ignition and I was able to drive the car. Then a few days ago I got home from work one night, parked my car, and went inside. Next morning when I tried to leave for work the key would not go into the ignition and the wheel was locked again. After an hour of trying to get the key in, I had to call a mechanic to tow the car to the shop and get it repaired. It cost me $400.
Ignition switch- my key won't enter the ignition. I have read hundreds of complaints online about this defective part. Ford needs to issue a recall on this faulty part.
Ignition switch locked up beyond a mere steering lockup and could not be started. I had to pay to have the vehicle towed to the local ford dealership. Vehicle has 84k miles. I hope I won't be paying for a repair that is likely to break again soon.
2001 ford focus zx3 ignition failure the key gets stuck in the ignition and does not turn and the car I guess is known for it and the company does nothing about the problem the customer has to pay for the new ignition every time it happens and the car is known for doing this.
I own a 2001 ford focus and within the last month it has become increasingly more difficult to turn the key in the ignition. I did some research and found that this is due to a substandard/defective ignition switch cylinder. I also found that this is not an uncommon problem, quite the contrary; there are several car forums that have complaint after complaint specifically about this issue. For example, here is one at consumeraffairs.com: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_focus_ignition.html I accept the fact that car owners are responsible for their own maintenance but an ignition cylinder should not be going bad in a 6 year old car. Furthermore, I have read several ford focus owners say that they have had this repair done more than once. I am a college student; I cannot afford to keep paying out $500 to get this fixed. Please do the responsible thing and recall this part and replace it with one that works. Don't make me regret buying a ford in the future. Https://secure.ford.com/servlet/satellite/footer/contact-ford/contact-us-email?contactmaintopic=vehicleserviceissues
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that the ignition locked while attempting to start the vehicle. She had to strike the tip of the key while it was still in the ignition for the vehicle to be started. The dealer repaired the vehicle in june of 2006, however, the failure recurred in august of 2007. The dealer would not repair the vehicle because the warranty expired. The current mileage was 57,834 and failure mileage was 56,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact heard a noise coming from one of the front wheels. When he drives over speed bumps, it sounds as if something is loose under the vehicle. He also stated that when he drives between 50-75 MPH, the vehicle vibrates and the steering wheel shakes. He had the tires rotated and balanced and the front end aligned, however, the mechanic stated that those were not the cause of the vibration and noise. The contact found the federal safety agency recall number 02v289000 (steering: linkages). The contact stated that his vehicle would not start and he had the battery inspected. The mechanic stated that the battery was fine. The vehicle started when the contact looked under the hood and moved the battery cable. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the cables looked and smelled burnt. He then discovered the federal safety agency recall number 02v288000 (electrical system:battery:cables). He notified ford about the two recalls and was informed that his VIN was excluded from both. The contact feels that his vehicle should be included since he is experiencing the same failures. The current mileage was 43,800 and failure mileage was 38,000.
The car almost stalls then surges like a kick. It happens mostly at around 30mph. All the lights come on and the speedometer and gas gauge go all the way up and then back down to zero then everything goes back to normal. I had the battery replaced but now the problem is back after only 2 weeks with a new battery. I took to a repair shop and they cannot find the problem.
I had to have my ignition switch replaced because the key would not turn in the ignition. The mechanic indicated that this is a common problem with the 2001 focus.
2001 ford focus totally destroyed by a engine fire customer states that he has been waiting for 2 years to get a decision from ford**cc the consumer stated that his vehicle was totally destroyed by an engine fire and further stated that there was a recall issued for this vehicle for the same defect. The consumer provided pictures of defect, copy of a recall issued by alldata online, and the description of the damage.
Could not insert my key into the ignition. It would only go halfway in. I was stranded in a parking lot and had to call a friend to pick me up. Had to have it towed to dealer where they drilled the lock out and replaced with new cylinder. The old part was totally destroyed by the drilling.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact was unable to turn the key and unlock the steering wheel when he attempted to start the vehicle. The dealer stated that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. As of july 16, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 53,000. Updated 09/05/07
My wife owns a 2001 ford focus lx,we have been having intermittent ignition problem with this car for months where the key did not turn the ignition. I called ford service , and they advised to replace the ignition which will cost between $380 and $480. I could not afford this,, and lost time at work to go and mess with the ignition. I had to wiggle it back and forth ,sometimes taking me 2 hours, to get the key to turn. I read forums on the internet that many people had the same problem. Why could not ford reimburse any cost or do this for cheaper then the amount I was quoted. The cars will sit in the driveway until I could get enough money for repairs. The car wont even turn now even after wiggling it back and forth, so I may have to get the car towed to the dealership.
Ford focus ignition key will not insert. This is a safety problem because I am stranded with an immobile car.
Ignition key currently cannot be removed from lock. Previous to this status, it was very difficult to turn once inserted. Problem evolves between these two types of issues. See fords tsb 05-21-17. Issues are well known. Failure means that one either is stuck somewhere and cannot get the car started (think winter and maine) or, as currently is the case, having to leave the key in the ignition while out and about! Ford refuses to cover the cost of the repair although this is a well known issue and should be, in my opinion, a recall. First incident was 22 may 2007 but issue will not go away without a costly repair.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2001 ford focus with a current and failure mileage of 140,000. The contact stated that she was driving 55 MPH on a hot day and the vehicle would sputter and lose acceleration , then lost power. The contact stated that the engine would stall, but the car would still be driving until the contact applied the brakes. The contact had the mechanic changed the spark plugs, wires, and fuel filter, but the problem persisted. The contact called the manufacturer, and they told him to take it to the ford dealer to get it diagnosed. The mechanic stated that it was a failure in the fuel distribution system, but the parts were on nationwide back order.
My ignition and steering wheel locked when I was trying to leave work. After having the car towed to a garage, I found out it is going to cost me about $400 to replace the ignition switch. My problem is the gentleman who towed my car told me this was the third focus he towed this week for the same problem. The mechanic told me that this is a common occurrence in focuse's. I worked really hard to pay for the car and expect better service from ford. If this a common occurrence, I feel it should be a recall.
Ignition key will not go into ignition. Had to have car towed to local mechanic.
I was driving home from work one night and as I was driving all the lights, inside and out, except my brake lights went out. I took it to a repair place and they told me I have to take it to a ford dealership because it was something wrong with my entire electrical system. This is not safe. I could've been in an accident. I have searched for recalls on 2001 ford focus zx3 and have not found any. I also looked up how much it would cost to replace it ($359). This is not a small problem. Problems like this are very dangerous.
It had become harder and harder over the course of a couple of months to turn the key in my ignition. Then one night after work, I put the key in the ignition and it would not turn at all. I contacted aaa, and they sent out a locksmith the next day. The locksmith had to completely replace the ignition because, according to him, certain pieces were broken.
Ignition lock cylinder failed, preventing car from starting. Key would go into ignition but would not turn. I was stranded in parking garage until a tow truck that could reach it was located. Ignition cylinder rebuilt, new keys created, total cost $550. Dealer kept old parts. This is the second failure of the same part. It was first replaced in october 2003.
Tl* - the contact called regarding the 2001 ford focus. The contact stated the vehicle would not start. The contact had the battery replaced, and two days later the vehicle would not start. He lifted the hood, and saw smoke coming from the battery cable. The cables melted. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The battery cable and the harness were replaced. The failure mileage 102,000. The contact was told there was a recall for the battery cable. The contact called the manufacturer, and was told the vehicle was not a part of the recall.
I own a 2001 ford focus se automatic: my ignition lock and the steering wheel are jammed. It is a very recent development and I am finding out that I may have to pay hundreds of dollars to fix it, which I am very unhappy about since it would have been prevented by a recall of the vehicle. I still have no idea how I am going to fix it and I might have to end up towing the car which will cost even more and I don't have enough money to do that, but if I leave it on my street then I will get a parking ticket. Shame on you ford for not issuing a recall, what am I supposed to do? Another problem with my focus is that the rear passenger side window broke in 2005. The motor got jammed and broke or something, but now my window won't roll up and my car is getting rained inside of, again thanks ford for not issuing a recall on that problem, which is a problem that every ford focus owner that I know has. I will never buy a ford again, and I will tell everyone that ford's suck!!!!!
I was out shopping at night in a dark parking lot and when I went to my car the key would not turn I was left stranded for hours until a tow could come get my car the key would not turn it was locked.
Bought a 2001 ford focus (used) from a orivate party. The person I bought it from had the ignition changed twice and it has locked up on me in less than a year. I bought a cylinder and key set from auto zone and changed it out myself, $90 later the car will not start because of the anti-theft in car and I refuse to take it to my local ford dealer (arceneaux ford). Ford should replace these ignition cylinders because they are junk and seem to occur often.
Tl* - the contact stated that the ignition cylinder switch has seized. He could not put the key in the ignition. This was the first time the contact had a problem with the ignition switch. The vehicle has 40,000 miles. The contact has not contacted a repair shop. He was going to contact a locksmith. The vehicle was operable on 1/3/06. There were no warning signals.
Tl* - the contact stated that ignition will not turn with the key. This happened four times , and shetook the vehicle to the dealership on 1-3-07. The contact stated that the weather was not a factor, and she will have the repair order from the work done.
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