Key will not turn inside the ignition. This happened several weeks ago as well, but I was able to jiggle it loose. This time it is stuck and 40 minutes of jiggling, wd40, and frustration did not work. I am still working on what to do about it.
2003 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 14 of 19: complaints 371 to 400 of 522, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The key insertion cylinder (located next to the steering wheel): it will eventually lock into place and will not turn -- making it impossible to turn the key and drive. The safety hazard: when my 2003 ford focus lost power and needed to be restarted on the road, the key insertion cylinder locks into place, making it dangerous to turn the wheel -- because the steering wheel locks when the key cylinder is in the "key insert/begin" position. There are several horror stories, on the internet, about ford focus vehicle owners who have been stranded because of a faulty key ignition cylinder; or their car will not turn off because their key is stuck in the start position. Ford dealerships will only cover this item if it warranted, but neglect the product design and refuse to consider a product recall. This typical item cost over $250 with labor. Eventually, even with a new key cylinder, the problem will start to exist again, costing the consumer and creating a serious hazard for our citizens on american roadways. The problem is current in my vehicle and I am authorizing the federal safety agency to use my vehicle as an investigative tool.
Ford focus 2003 for several occasions the ignition lock key cylinder had not worked, I was not able to turn the key and get the car to start. Consequences, first I was not able to take my child to the emergency room until another vehicle arrived, another consequence, I was late to work, then it was in the middle of the night on a dangerous area of town, risking my life. Finally it got stuck at the airport and had to call a tow truck.
Ford focus 2003: the ignition mechanism stopped working with no warning. The key could not be fully inserted into the ignition or turned. Subsequently, the car could not be started. At first, the key could be tapped into the ignition, but that only worked a few times. Eventually I had to have the whole tumbler mechanisms replaced in the ignition.
My car is only three and a half years old and for the last 8 to 10 months I have been having problems with the ignition switch. If I turn the car off it is very, very hard to get the key to turn over. I took it to a locksmith who said that they have been getting a lot of people who own ford and mercury vehicles coming in with the same kind of problems. They also said that ford has redesigned their switches several times and still come up with the same problems that I am experiencing. I was wondering why no kind of recall has been issued.
The ignition lock freezes and will not turn, which does not allow the car to start. This problem has happened on numerous occasions. The consequences have included loss of vehicle use, towing expenses, and unwanted stress.
The ignition started locking several months ago, but eventually would work after playing with the key to start. Today, while out at a shopping center, it locked up completely, causing me to have to tow the car to the dealer. This car is a 2003 with only 13000 miles on it.
Ignition lock of ford focus 2003 broke and we were unable to move the car away from a driveway that was blocked since it was not possible to turn the ignition key. One mechanic was paid to try to start the car but he was not successful (but he was still paid). Eventually, we learned from the www that this was a wide-spread problem. A locksmith was called who replaced the lock and was paid. In addition to the financial expense, transportation to and from the location of the car and the time spent were significant costs.
Ignition cylinder locks when turning the key on a 2003 ford focus zx3. The car cannot be started most of the time. This is dangerous if the car stalls.
Dt*: the contact stated while parked, the steering wheel would not unlock. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. Also, the trunk would not close. The dealer was not contacted.
I have owned 2 ford focuses, a 2000 and now a 2003 model. Both vehicles have had the ignition lock up and I was charged $400 to fix it. Obviously, ford motor company is comfortable enough with this design flaw that there have been no recalls, and the consumer is left holding the bill. There are over 400 complaints about this logged on the following website: http://forums.focaljet.com/problems-service-recalls/416401-please-post-if-your-ignition-has-locked.html what does it take to get this company to admit they are putting out a faulty product?
Dt*: the contact stated the ignition switch jammed and the switch would not turn. The service dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Second occurrence of key being put in ignition, steering wheel locking up and inability to start car. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership and repaired. First time (11/2004) under warranty, second time(12/5/06) charged $300, reduced to $80 under protest for a known problem. No wonder ford is going under!
I tried to leave my best friends house but my 2003 ford focus would not start. Apparently I need a whole new ignition. So I began surfing the net for prices and quotes but instead I've stumbled upon hundreds of complaint from across the country. I was told the part I will need cost $70. Plus $50 to tow the car since I cannot get the car started. So far I've only missed one day of work but I might miss many more because I can't afford to get the car fixed right now. When I spoke to the ford company they told me that my total bill will be around $230. I am so frustrated with this car. I'm not sure if I will even get the car fixed. I plan to invest in a new nissan.
Locking of ignition in ford focus.
I have had this issue come up a few times lately. When I put my key in my ignition, the key will not turn. From researching this on the internet, it is obvious that ford motor company has ignored the problem and refuses to recall a seriously faulty part. I have been told that it is not recalled because it is not a "safety" issue. When someone with a small child can not start their car in the dead of winter (stuck on the side of a road), I would classify that as a safety issue! The local ford dealership admitted to me that this is a problem that needs addressed. The tow truck driver told me that he tows over 30 focuses per year for this issue alone. The local dealership told me that they need to do an official diagnosis before they will determine the problem. What a rip off! They are trying to charge me $100 to diagnose an problem that everyone already knows. This is why ford is losing millions of customers and billions of dollars. They have lost me over a $90 ignition tumbler.
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the engine with the keys in the ignition, the ignition locked and would not turn. After several attempts, the ignition turned and the engine started. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who determined the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 01/19/07.
The steering wheel locked up and I couldn't turn the ignition key. I had to call aaa to send a locksmith to replace my ignition switch. He said that this happened a lot with focuses. I researched the problem and discovered that this is a common problem in ford focus, but ford has not addressed the problem.
Steering wheel locks and car will not start. I am finding out this is a common problem with the ford focus. This could leave us stranded. It happens more often as times passes. As this seems to be a common problem, I feel the repair should be covered by ford.
My 2003 ford focus will not start because the key will not turn. I've tried a number of tactics to get the car to start but failed. After much research online, I've learned that this is a very common problem any my problem has all the same symptoms. Luckily, the problem has occurred at home and as only left me with one very inconvenient problem; however, it could have happened where personal safety could have been an issue.
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the key would not turn the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the ignition switch. Updated 11/30/06.
2003 ford focus that I bought used with only 14,000 miles on and have used as my commuter car for 3 months. At roughly 20,000 miles the key would not turn the ignition switch once but after a little shaking it worked. Around a month later it happened again but this time when it did engage it would not start the engine, I rolled started the car and got home but the next day the key would not turn the ignition switch at all - tried for three days will not turn, currently learning the details of how to replace an ignition switch from friends and nice folks on the internet but I have had to borrow a car for two days and will have to rent one at the end of the week and until I can buy and install a new part just to get to work. As other articles claim ford claims this probably isn't a safety concern but is rather annoying and costly to folks like myself who bought the focus hoping for a reliable fuel efficient commuter car.
Had no previous problem with ignition in my 2003 ford focus se. Left my hometown for the day to shop 2 counties away. After shopping, went to start my car and the ignition would not turn. The key would go in, but would not turn at all. Had to have the car towed and am waiting now for the problem to be fixed. I have read online about all of the complaints regarding this problem in the ford focus. This should definitely be a recall since the ignition is very obviously a defective part used in the car.
I have had ignition problems with my 2003 ford focus. First incident in july, 2006 and am now experiencing another. I have a small child and do not want to be stranded somewhere just because I can't get the key to turn in the ignition. I am now also dealing with (today) a solenoid malfunction in my transmission (3rd gear). This is the 2nd time this has happened to me as well. The car jerks like crazy and wouldn't go over 30 MPH. Thank goodness I was close to a side street to exit the highway. This is getting ridiculous that these issues are not being recalled. The ignition is a huge issue with enough people....
Can't turn the key in the ignition, steering wheel locked, can't start the car.
2003 ford focus ignition is locking up with the key in it multiple times.
Dt*: the contact stated the ignition locked resulting in the ignition cylinder key being replaced by the service dealer. While searching the federal safety agency website, complaints were found where this occurred to vehicles and the ignition cylinder key was replaced multiple times. The contact expressed concern that this repair does not seem to be a permanent fix for the problem. Also, there was an odorous smell when the heating fan was turned on and the smell occasionally occurred when the air conditioner was on. The vehicle has not been to the service dealer for the odorous smell.
1st- trunk latch does not disengage, I have taken it to the dealership in my nearest town. After 3-4 times of adjusting and oiling, it still does not release correctly, when you push the dashboard release, open the trunk it closes the latch on its own, you cant close the trunk unless you repress the dash release, which is difficult with arms full, or pull the safety release provided for not getting locked in the trunk, this has been going on since I purchased my car. 2nd- my ignition froze up yesterday morning. No for warning. Hadn't had any problems. Now I have to get back to my car and get it to the garage. Being newer to the area and no other vehicle at my disposal it is definitely going to cost me not to mention the repair cost. 3rd- oh my god--- I just read about the back door problems people have been having, I transport very precious cargo back there, my grand children, being that there are 3 of them two have to be by the door. I will have the service area check my doors when they fix the ignition. Why wasn't I told about this.
Failure of the ignition switch on my 2003 ford focus se. Key switch just stopped turning. Replacement of switch: part $89, towing: $60, labor $250...getting the steering wheel fixed later, after it was not installed properly: $100. I have done a search on this failure...there are many hundreds of complaints on the ford focus enthusiasts sites.
Dt*: the contact stated upon placing the key in the ignition, the key would not turn and the engine would not start. The contact applied pressure with a pair of pliers, which allowed the key to turn and start the engine. The dealer and manufacturer were notified. Updated 10/25/2006 -
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