Key sticks in ignition. 2002 ford focus, 83,000 miles. We just purchased this car used on saturday and have already experienced this problem.
2002 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 3 of 10: complaints 41 to 70 of 277, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. While driving at speeds of 30 MPH, the vehicle would not shift gears. The vehicle felt as if it was attempting to stall. In addition, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer was contacted and advised there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by a second mechanic who advised replacing the alternator. The alternator was previously replaced a total of 3 times. There were no additional repairs made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 83,000. Updated 8/9/10 *cn updated 08/11/10.
We just recently bought this car (2002 ford focus) and so I do not know the history of it, however the car just started locking up out of nowhere. The first time it happened was with my husband and luckily he did not have any of our children with him. The ignition keeps locking and we have to keep on having it towed home. We have had this car for about 2 and 1/2 months and so far it has happened 4 times. So we have had to pay $160 in towing costs. We have a friend that somehow fixed it and my husband spends hours outside messing with it to get it working. This time is wont start at all and its the worst timing ever we have a premature baby and 4 other children that need to get to school and daycare.
I bought my 2002 ford focus just 5 months ago (december 2009). When trying to start my car at a restaurant the steering wheel was completely locked, and the key would not turn in the ignition. After a full hour of trying to fix it, I had to have the car towed to a ford dealer, who replaced the ignition with a ford part that I fear has the same problem. The replacement ignition cost me over $400, and does not appear to be a long-term solution. According to many online complaints, the new ignition will fail to the same problem in time. I am limited by other options, as non-ford parts and locksmith work does not come with the 12 month-warranty that ford offers. My best option is to sell the car again before it happens, or before my warranty is up-- neither of which are a solution, but putting the problem onto someone else. This is a serious tragedy and in faulty design. I was lucky to have friends to help me in this situation, but the embarrassment and fear of it happening again are not worth it. This part needs to be recalled!
2002 zts had problems where ignition got stuck could not remove or start the car had to had the ignition replaced it cost me in excess of $300.00 evidently this is a major problem that ford is not dealing with.
Faulty ignition in 2002 ford focus was stranded for five hours have not yet fixed the problem due to fords high cost to fix there defect.
Ignition locks up, will not turn regardless of effort, pushing, pulling, beating, or twisting your tongue just the right way. However, one tap on the edge of the key while it is in the ignition works. No amount of wd-40 or parts cleaner fixes the problem though.
Ford focus 2002 zts key ignition failed at 80,000 miles for over a year before the total failure there were at least 12 times that the ignition failed but finally worked after a few tries. I was left stranded on more then on occasion due to this failure and last time had to have my car towed to the dealership. The problem was fixed at the ford deal ship and cost me 450.00. I had to get a new key and a new ignition. I can feel that once again the key is rubbing the ignition the way it was before this problem was fixed and am sure that in the future I will have to replace the part once again. I just hope this time I won't be stranded.
My 2002 ford focus key will not turn in the ignition! I see that this is an ongoing problem with thousands of people. It should be a recall as it could be a safety issue especially when you are stranded with young children in the car on a blustery winter day! I called ford motor company and they basically said it was my responsibility to fix it.
Key stuck in ignition, unable to remove it. This is a huge problem for the ford focus cars, resulting in not being able to lock you car having to leave the key in the ignition. Replacement ignitions don't fix the problem, they fail also.
The ignition in my 2002 ford focus is locked up and I cannot turn it over at all. This is the second time this has happened in the past year now! The first time this occurred, my husband bought a new ignition online from an authorized ford dealership, drilled out the old one and installed the new one himself. The new ignition we bought was supposedly free of the defect that was causing the ignition failure. We have thoroughly researched the issue and the amount of focus owners affected by this is widespread. The second time this happened I was left stranded on one of the coldest days of winter with my 4 year old son. Ford will not cover these repairs because my car is obviously out of the standard warranty period, however, I'm left to pay for the same costly repair time and time again. Meanwhile, remaining constantly worried all the time if my car will leave me stranded. Please help us ford focus owners and push ford to recall this apparent and immediate safety defect!!!
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact attempted to start the vehicle; however, the ignition remained locked. The contact tried moving the steering wheel to unlock the ignition and was unsuccessful. The tow truck driver tapped on the ignition and unlocked the steering wheel. The contact drove the vehicle to a local mechanic who lubricated the ignition switch; yet, the ignition locked again. The mechanic could not order the part for the ignition and the contact took the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding a good faith repair. The manufacturer stated that since the vehicle warranty was not valid that they would not repair the vehicle at no charge. The contact is concerned about the safety risk and the possibility of being stranded if the failure recurs. The failure mileage was 135,000.
I drove my car (a 2002 ford focus) to a restaurant on dec. 28th, 2009 at 7:15 pm. When I got back into my car, the key would not turn in the ignition. I turned the wheel to release it from the "locked" wheel position, but the key still would not turn. I waited in my car for several minutes, then attempted to turn the key once more in the ignition with the same results. I was forced to call a friend and wait in my car with no heat. The temperature was approximately 27 degrees fahrenheit as I waited for nearly half an hour to be picked up, then dropped off at home by a coworker. He will have to pick me up for work tomorrow as all repair facilities are closed for the evening. I did some research online once I got home and found that this is a common problem with fords and specifically ford focus models from 2000-2003 yet there has been no recall posted and I will have to pay for repairs to an inferior part that is out of warranty.
2002 ford focus battery cables was burning I was smelling a burning scent when I stated the vehicle an well when I drove the car. I had to take it to the shop who informed me that the battery harness in this car frayed and it had to be replaced as well as the alternator. Ford said this was not a recall part.
Parked my 2002 ford focus on the street, when I came back the key wouldn't turn in the ignition and the wheels were completely locked up. Called the ford dealer and they told me to yank on the wheel as hard as I could while turning the key, this worked after about 10 minutes, but after I turned it off, it happened again, yanking the wheel for 10 mins it worked. Now I have to leave the keys in the ignition so it wont lock up on me. I am literally scared to turn on my car because when I turn a corner it feels like I have to turn the wheel way around. I am a young woman who works late, and I rely on my car to get me home safely..I am very upset because I cant afford to get it fixed. Never buy a ford again!
The ignition on my 2002 ford focus locked up. It happened out of nowhere. I was completely stranded and it took me a while to get someone to come help me. After some investigation on the internet, it became clear that this problem is well documented and known about. I would hope this would be considered for a recall since it poses the potential to strand people in less than desirable conditions when the only problem present is the ignition.
I went to my babysitters to pick up my child and I turn off my car which is a 2002 ford focus tot go inside. I come back out 5 mins later and try to start it and the ignition was stuck. So it was towed and fixed for 400 dollars. And just a big pain in the '!@#$%.
2002 ford focus wagon rear hatch wiring harness frayed wires and no brake lights.
I own a 2002 ford focus wagon, the key will not turn the ignition, therefore the car will not start. This has been going on for about a month. Today oct 12, 2009 the key would not turn the ignition and the car would not start so my child missed school today because of this. This is getting frustrating I have only had the car since april of 2009 and this is causing me grief. I will not buy another ford focus due to this frustration.
Ignition is locked. Key will not turn, brakes are locked, gears are locked. Costs hundreds of dollars to be replaced and I was stranded for hours waiting for someone to help me. Ford replaces the ignition key with the exact ignition key as before, creating dejavu for most customers.
The key in my ford focus will not turn in the ignition. This has happened once before and was fixed after hours of playing around with it. Now it has happened again, without as much luck. Luckily, I have been close to or at home when this has occurred. However, I am concerned that this could easily make me stranded one day. No warranty is available and my only option is to have the ignition replaced.
No hint the ignition was going to lock up. Stranded my wife in freezing weather until I get there. Thank god for cell phones. This ignition issue is well documented with ford focus vehicles 2000 to 2003.
A little over a month ago on august 23, 2009, we purchased a used 2002 ford focus from a ford dealership on oahu, hawaii. On the night of august 28, 2009, after filling the car with gas, we tried to start the car, but the key just wouldn't turn. We tried for about 2 hours to get the car started to get home (and to move out of the way of the gas pumps so other people could pump gas). We had several people help us, but the key just wouldn't turn, and we couldn't push the car because the wheels were locked. We finally called a tow truck, but luckily, my husband was able to whack the key real hard (for the umteenth time) and turn the ignition, at which time the car finally started. We got home, searched online and found out that this was a common problem with these cars. Now it'll cost us about $200 to get the ignition replaced at a locksmith. I will not return to ford to do this as it'll cost double what the locksmith cost. What's sad is that ford knows that this is a common problem, yet they won't do recalls to fix it. We used to be a ford family (purchased at least three ford explorers), but I don't think we'll be buying anymore ford cars.
I own a 2002 ford focus. Last night I was at school , a very late class that ends at 10:15pm, and when I went to turn my key it was stuck. After many failed attempts in a parking lot that is basically empty by that time and being so close to downtown and the light rail I was very afraid of being stranded in alone as I did not have my cell phone on me. Finally security came around after about 1/2 hour and let me call my husband and also looked on the internet to see if this had been reported before by any car owners. Turns out that this is the most common problem in 90% of ford focus years 2000-2003. I am amazed that this is public knowledge and ford themselves even acknowledge this and there has been no recall? Maybe it will take something really bad to happen to someone before ford realizes how dangerous this can be? I sure hope that someone will realize this is a huge issue because had that security officer not come buy I would have been stuck there since my husband works nights. The next day ,today, I am not able to turn the switch once again but this time I am in the comfort of my own home. Please I hope you are able to see the safety hazard in this issue that ford fails to see and ask that a recall be made.
Sudden onset, got in my car, put my key in the ignition and the key would not turn to start the car no matter what I did. Researched the problem, tens of thousands of complaints from 1999 to present, owners are stranded in diff. Situations, freezing cold, extreme heat, with babies/children, stranded without the ability to communicate, young women (as in my case), at night, etc. Cost to repair up to $750. Am trying to fix it on my own, can't afford a dealer repair! Ford is aware the problem is with poor quality metal used to make the part. I wrote to ford, they say bring my car in to "have it looked at" but qualify, saying: it is not a warranty repair and to have it examined may cost me. Many other owners have posted temporary and lower cost fixes on-line as ford is not willing to do a recall stating it is "not a safety issue". This is a safety issue. If someone is stranded in extreme heat or cold or a young woman is stranded because a key won't work, we are at risk and unsafe. A young child could die from exposure, become sick, a young woman could be raped or killed. Ford is risking our safety and is at fault particularly because they are aware there is a problem and can do something proactively to fix the situation. That this documented situation has gone on for years is outrageous. It's frightening to get in your car at night, not have your key work, not know what's wrong or be able to do anything! When we are stranded because ford willingly put substandard parts in a vehicle, we are unsafe. Prior to owning this car I had a 1973 vw bug, my key always worked with the original parts. To be expected to pay upwards of $750 for a part and labor for something that should last the life of the vehicle, that's tied to safety is unacceptable. Our cars are unsafe, risking damage waiting for repair depending on where they are stranded! My safety is not important nor an issue for ford, they don't care about my car, my trust was misplaced, my car was not built tough.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. While driving between 35-40 MPH, the contact pulled the vehicle over and turned off the ignition. The engine was restarted; however, the ignition key failed to turn. Roadside assistance towed the vehicle to his residence. The authorized dealer stated that this was a common issue with this vehicle, and they replaced the ignition switch. The failure and current mileages were 134,000.
I own a 2002 ford focus , the key fails to turn in the ignition over and over again. I'm a young woman working late hours 45 miles away from home 5 times a week and I've been stranded several times. I've been dealing with this problem for years. To my knowledge, there are over 3, 045 complaints online. There is also a petition. This is a safety hazard and should be recalled. It's dangerous not being able to start your car late at night or anywhere at anytime for that matter. Even when you replace the ignition cylinder, it happens again and again. It's a defect. Please help us! It's really inconvenient , unsafe and very disappointing.
2002 ford focus, key would not turn in the ignition, stranding my son some distance from home. Had to have the car towed to a dealer and paid $285 to have this fixed (not including towing).
On the 2002 ford focus, the key won't turn in the ignition switch and thereby locks the car in its present position. The car can't be moved so the driver is prone to be stranded and the car could be towed or vandalized if allowed to remain in a city street parking space. This could also be dangerous if there is an emergency and the driver needs to get somewhere quickly. Ford should issue a recall.
The ignition lock on my 2002 ford focus is defective. It takes a lot of jiggling of the key to get it to turn. Sometimes it takes up to 10 minutes to get the key turned. I'm afraid at some point I won't be able to turn it period. I have read many reports online about ford focus between 2000 and 2003 having the same problem.
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