Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus ls. While driving 35 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle would not steer and the steering wheel locked. After stopping the vehicle and inspecting the problem, he noticed the left strut spring collapsed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified. The failure mileage was 38,000.
2002 Ford Focus: steering wheel locks up
12 of the 939 complaints about the 2002 Ford Focus describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 74,500
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
The key will not turn in the ignition, with the steering wheel locking up. No amount of jiggling can fix it. So car is unable to start. (4 times in a row - final time, not started after hours of trying).
Steering wheel locked and ignition key would not turn, leaving me stranded.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact was unable to start the vehicle when he inserted the key into the ignition. The steering wheel locked. The mechanic stated that the internal components of the ignition lock cylinder failed. The steering column and lock cylinder assembly were replaced and there were no further occurrences. The current and failure mileages were 75,378. Updated 03/14/08.
Have a 2002 ford focus that has had the steering wheel locked up again. Last time I was able to turn the wheel hard enough to get the key to turn and start the car. This time no such luck. Right now it's sitting in the parking garage at work. Guess I'll have to call sam packs ford to come fix $$$$$.
When I put the key in the ignition, it would not turn. The steering wheel locked and the ignition switch froze. I had to have it repaired for $300. Apparently the locksmith is making a fortune off the ford focus with this problem.
After work on the evening of september 30th, 2004, I got in my vehicle and put the key in the ignition and was unable to turn the key as to start the car. I thought maybe the steering wheel locked in place funny so I wiggled the steering wheel while trying to turn the key and still nothing. I felt sick because I had no idea what to do. Luckily there were still co-workers in the bank where I work so I was able to use the phone. First I called the ford dealership where I purchased the car and spoke with the service dept. They diagnosed the problem in about three seconds. I was told this was a very common problem with my particular vehicle. They said the only thing I could do would be to have it towed to them and it would cost around $400.00. I thought I would just die. I am a single parent on a very tight budget. I have very little room for such repairs being that I am making payments on a car I bought new to try and avoid repairs on an old vehicle. I had to wait for a friend of mine to drive out from irvine, ca (about 70 miles away) to help me. He had auto club so I was able to tow my car to the dealership. The driver of the tow truck informed me that he tows around 12 to 15 of the same cars with the exact same problem once a month. I told the dealership to not work on it if it was going to cost anything because I don't have the money. They said that they would hold off to see what I was going to do. Over the weekend I researched the problems others were having with their ford focus. There are countless websites with hundreds of people writing with the exact same problem I am having. You can call any ford dealership service dept and inquire about the ignition problem and before you can finish they tell you how common this problem is and that it will have to be replaced for about $300.00 to $400.00.
When turning the steering wheel towards the right steering wheel locked up, causing consumer to lose control of the vehicle.
Steering wheel locked and it was difficult to unlock it on five different occasions. Dealer refused to examine the vehicle, but instead quoted prices to the consumer. *ak
While driving at any speed and without warning the steering wheel locked up causing a accident. Dealer notified. Ts
Consumer states that when applying the brakes in a sudden stop vehicle steering wheel locked up, which resulted in an accident. Please provide any further information. Mr
This is my second ford, focus. My car stalls out and the steering wheel locks while driving. I initiated the lemon law for the previous focus 2001, but was offered a 2002 to avoid my proceeding to lemon law arbitration. Wrong move on my part. My 2002 has the same iginition problems ... Stalls out/steering wheel locks while driving! I do not recommend buying a ford focus.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2002 Ford Focus steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2002 Ford Focus?
12 of 939 owner complaints about the 2002 Ford Focus (1%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2012.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Ford Focus?
There are 0 recalls and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2002 Ford Focus
Stalling 102Fuel pump 50Won't start 47No deployment 38Door locks 28Coil spring 24Loss of power 23Check engine light 21Ball joint 19Grinding brakes 19Fire or smoke 18Engine failure 17Tire blowout 16Hesitation 13Water leak 13Adaptive cruise 12Power windows 12Headlights 11Jerking 11Won't shift 10Airbag light 9Pulling 8Wipers 8Brake failure 7Power steering loss 7Sudden acceleration 6Slipping 5
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