Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful because the ignition would not turn. After 15 minutes of turning the key in the ignition various ways, the vehicle eventually started. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The purchase date, transmission type, fuel type, and fuel system were unknown. The current mileage was 49,000 and failure mileage was 47,000.
2003 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 11 of 19: complaints 281 to 310 of 522, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Place key into the ignition and the key would not turn. There is only 50k on the car.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While parked in the backyard, the contact started the vehicle and the rear window blew out. The dealer repaired the window. A few days later, the locks on the passenger side door would not unlock. The dealer repaired that failure as well. Afterwards, the ignition cylinder began to fail. The contact took the vehicle in for repair and had to pay $300. The current and failure mileages were 5,000. Updated 05/21/08 *bf the consumer stated the trunk needed to be repaired as well. Updated. 05/20/08.
Premature failure of ignition module, could have failed while driving causing serious injury. After talking to dealership and other ford sources, dealers fix at least a focus a week with the same issue, this is an extensive issue that needs to be addressed.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact is unable to remove the key from the ignition only in rainy weather conditions. He notified three different dealers that acknowledged the failure, but were unable to provide a solution. Everyone refuses to repair the vehicle, including a locksmith. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The key remains in the ignition. The failure mileage was 107,000 and current mileage was 111,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. She called a mechanic and the ignition was replaced. The current mileage was 140,030 and failure mileage was 139,382. Updated 04/22/08.
The key ignition is locked and won't turn on the car.
Ignition switch won't turn in my 2003 ford focus. Left me stranded in the parking lot at the airport.
Placed key into 2003 ford focus and cannot turn key in ignition. The ignition is locked up. Car has only 60,000 miles!!!
I own a 2003 ford focus zx3 with 27,000 miles. For the past year and a half the dashboard lights go out suddenly. This is not a fuse problem, as the way to get them back on is to turn off the headlights and then turn them back on. Often this problem will occur several times during one trip; at other times it will "solve" the problem for months. It has happened on high-speed highways and it is disconcertingly dangerous, especially when it is critical to know one's speed. I believe (from the internet) that others have had this problem with the focus. Ford, however, did not acknowledge a problem, or how to fix it other than taking it to a dealer at my expense.
I got in my car and placed the key in to start yesterday and the key would not turn. The ignition had locked up. After several tries I was able to turn the key, it happened again, however, this morning. I was trying to return home and unable to start my car, I had to wait in my car for an hour until someone could bring me the key (it is currently 22 out). The key still will not turn after several tries. I am currently waiting to get it fixed to see if there is any other way. I have researched online and apparently hundreds of 2003 ford focus owners have the exact same problem.
Took the car to the dealer the same day the left tail light turn signal went out. According to the service manager, they could not remove the bulb because when the bulb "shorted," it melted plastic around the bulb. I had to buy an entirely new tail light and socket assembly for over $100. I was told by him that this happens "a lot" on the focus wagons and he had replaced 6 of them that day. When I expressed my anger and disbelief at the cost and asked why this wasn't a recall item, he said not to blame him because he didn't design it. I am angry about the cost, but also whether this is a potential safety hazard. It was 5 degrees the day this happened and such a "short circuit" may have safety implications.
I have a 2003 ford focus and my key wont start my car. When you place the key in the ignition the key wont turn.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. In an attempt to drive the vehicle, the contact placed her key in the ignition and it would not turn. The vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic and they replaced the entire ignition. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 90,000.
Defect in the key ignition; key would get stuck and car would not turn on at all. Your would not be able to turn on the car at all. The keys would be 100.00 each and they had to be program. Several repairs finally had to replace the hold ignition for a total of 411.62. This was a defect on the ford companies part; did a small survey and everyone with ford vehicles or ford focuses had the same problem; but had to pay of their pocket for the repairs when their warranty ran out. I believe ford owes me for the repair. The doors also get stuck and won't open.
Key will not turn in the ignition of my 2003 ford focus.
Ignition switch would not turn. Left stranded.
The ignition on my 2003 ford focus keeps seizing up. The only way to get the key to turn is to tap it with a hammer. I ran a google search for ford focus steering lock and found thousands of complaints for this same problem. Many of which said that ford does not recognize a problem and charged them for the repair. I have not taken the car in for service yet and am reluctant to waste my time with the dealer given the complaints I see and the fact I could have it done cheaper elsewhere. Ford needs to recognize this and recall or reimburse. This is a dangerous situation in cold weather. From what I understand the ignition part was redesigned in 2005 and now functions properly.
Ignition switch won't turn. It's like the key is from the wrong car or something. I was stuck in 5 degree weather while waiting for a tow-truck driver to take my car to the dealership, which was closed anyway. The two-truck driver told me that he's personally seen about a hundred focuses (foci?) with the same problem, and that they are "notorious" among the tow-truck drivers for this problem. He was able to get the key to turn, and I was able to get home, but now I have looked on the web and seen that there are hundreds or thousands of owners with the same exact problem. There is a class-action lawsuit in california over it.
The ignition on our 2003 ford focus failed. I was out of town visiting relatives in omaha and stopped at the omaha sams club. When I came out of the store to go home, the ignition would not turn. It was frozen so the key could not move it at all. As a result, I was stuck at a store. I called relatives and we arranged for a tow truck to take it to the ford dealership. The ignition cylinder was replaced and we were billed $339.00 for the repair. I have never heard of this type of failure on any vehicle yet it is supposedly a common problem with the ford focus.
I am writing because I believe that there should be a recall for my car due to many complaints with the same problem with my car. My wife was shopping and when she went to start the car the steering wheel was locked and the key would not turn. We ended up having to have the car towed to our home. We went online and researched and saw that many people with the same car and year that we have has the same problem. Our car is a 2003 ford focus and its an ignition lock problem. The average repair is between $300 - $500. I believe that it is a huge safety issue as my wife was stranded with our 7 week old and 4 year old in very cold weather with no way to start the car for any heat. Its dangerous and the complaints are many. All you have to do is google it and you can see. I contacted ford to see if they will take care of the issue and they are supposed to get back to me by tomorrow at 2 to let me know. I believe that they should as again they know that this is a very common problem with this vehicle and have yet to ever issue a recall for it. Thank you.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While attempting to start the vehicle, it would not unlock or allow her to start the vehicle. A professional stated that the ignition cylinder does not unlock, which prevented the vehicle from starting. The vehicle is currently being repaired. He called the manufacturer and is waiting for a response. The current and failure mileages were 60,600.
The entire steering wheel and ignition cylinder locked on my 2003 ford focus ztw. Apparently, this is a big problem, requiring replacement of the cylinder. This has left me stranded without a car.
My mother purchased a new 2003 ford focus from lofink's ford in carthage, ny late in 2003 several times over the first three years she had the car, there was a problem with the ignition switch/steering column. She was unable to turn the key to start the vehicle. She repeatedly tried the key/steering wheel and was eventually able to get the key to turn. When she reported this to the dealership within the warranty period, she was told that sometimes this happened, that she should just jiggle the key/etc. She relocated to belton, tx in jun 07 to be near me, her daughter. On 30 sep 07 the car had the same issue, except that no amount of jiggling the key/steering column would allow the key to turn. The car was towed to johnson brothers ford in temple, tx. The dealership diagnostics read as follows: ignition system diag found ignition switch binding replaced ignition switch, retest sytem ok. The ignition switch would not turn had to drill out ign lock cylinder to remove. This cost: $474.67 which was not covered because the car had 16,505 miles on it at that time and was out of warranty. I pursued this issue with the repairing dealership, the selling dealership, and ford motor company (in writing) to no avail, requesting a good faith reimbursment. Today the switch failed again and the car is now being towed for repair.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the key has a tendency to stick inside the ignition when starting the vehicle. This prevents the ignition from turning. An authorized ford dealer recommended that she take a hammer and gently tap the key when inserted into the ignition in an attempt to lodge it out. The contact heeded the advice and the remedy worked temporarily. After a few weeks, the failure worsened and currently occurs three times per week. The steering column sticks whenever the vehicle is parked on a flat road surface with the steering wheel turned upright. The contact stated that is was difficult to turn the steering column. Ford stated that nothing could be done. The powertrain was unknown. The failure mileage was 120 and current mileage was 67,000.
Ignition switch lock barrel failure. This is an ongoing well-known problem about the ford focus that ford seems happy to ignore.
I am having problem with my ignition. The key does not turn at all. The car has less than 50,000 miles but its already causing problem.
Over the past two years, we have had recurring challenges associated with removing the ignition key from the ignition cylinder/tumbler on our 2003 ford focus zx3. On december 23, 2007, I was no longer able to remove the key after hours of trying to jiggle or cajole the key and/or cylinder. I was forced to call for a tow truck. And I was without a primary car over christmas. The ford dealer has informed me that this is "a well known problem." the "resolution" was replacement of the part and a substantial service charge.
Key fails to turn in ignition in 2003 ford focus.
I have a 2003 ford focus. I have the common complaint that my ignition needed to be replaced. The wheel became locked and I was unable to turn the key. I have found countless stories similar to mine on the internet and it's so common that the ford dealer and all the locksmiths that I have talked to in the last two days have known exactly what I was talking about. This problem needs to be addressed. Thank you.
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