Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the piston valves and the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 125,000. Updated 10/29/13
2003 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 3 of 19: complaints 41 to 70 of 522, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the ignition switch could not be engaged. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the ignition switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 72,000.
In past week and a half, 90% of the time I attempt to start the car, the ignition is locked and won't release. I have to attempt to rock the key back and forth many times before it finally releases. This is of great concern because it is the only vehicle I own and my teenage daughter drives it as well. I feel like this should be classified as a safety issue because I or my daughter could end up stranded some where at night. Ford has been made aware of the problem because it is rampant on focus between 2000 and 2003.
This vehicle has been plagued with electrical issues since the day it was purchased. Now last night the engine, steering and brakes lost all power. The result is now 4 people getting injured and 2 cars damaged. No fatalities but all 4 experienced their first car accident. They are all sore and bruised. I cannot believe that ford has not recalled these cars to fix this obvious issue. I guess someone may have to lose their loved one before ford will acknowledge that they made a lot of bad cars! Better not be my loved ones!!! I'll make someone pay dearly!!!!
The key won't turn in the ignition - apparently a notorious ford focus problem. The car left me stranded miles from home in freezing weather. I will never buy a ford again because they have not issued a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that all attempts to start the vehicle failed. The contact also mentioned that the ignition failed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 61,000.
Ignition switch won't turn. Happened in bad part of town. This is a serious safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that all attempts to start the vehicle failed. The contact also stated that the key was unable to be removed from the ignition and the contact had to use excessive force to retrieve the key. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they stated that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer. The failure mileage was 43,000. .... Updated 03-28-13 *bf updated 04/22/2013
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was restarted and began to function normally. The contact also stated that the trunk latch failed to function correctly and the ignition failed; however the ignition switch was replaced. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000 and the current mileage was 93,000. The VIN was not available.
Ignition switch failed to turn. Internet research indicates defective switch. Tapping key with hammer allowed the switch to work properly and continue to work properly as long as the key is not removed. Once the key is removed, the ignition switch again freezes and will not turn.
Ignition switch will not turn preventing you from starting the car. My daughter got stranded at work at 11pm for 45 minutes until someone was able to help her get the key to turn. I took to a repair shop and they said a ford dealer would need to replace as the 2000-2003 focuses have a lot of ignition switch problems. The dealer wants $350 and will only warranty the part for 1 year!!
The ignition key fails to turn. Keys are fine and hitting the key worked a few times to get the key to turn. With this problem, a person can easily become stranded in unfavorable conditions. Also, should anything happen where the engine dies while driving, the steering could become locked with no way to turn key.
I went to start the car and the key will not turn. The steering wheel is locked and will not move. I was unable to got to my doctors appointment..
Ignition key will not turn in lock. Unable to start car. Wife stranded. Brought her other keys, same problem. Finally got lock to turn by viloently wiggling and pounding on key. Drove car home. Internet search seems to indicate this is a very common problem. We are the original vehicle purchasers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While parked, the contact inserted the key into the ignition but was unable to start the vehicle because the ignition cylinder would not turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that she inserted the key into the ignition but could not start the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel was locked and she verified that the vehicle was shifted into park. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 133,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the key was not able to operate in the ignition switch and the key got stuck. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified and was aware of the failure. The manufacturer stated that they had received numerous complaints about the failure, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000 and current mileage was 98,000.
When I try to start my car, the key won't turn when I put it in the ignition. This happened three times just today. I can wiggle the key back and forth and luckily it's ended up working, but this is not the first time this has happened. I've read online that this is a problem with the focus. This should be recalled.
The ignition wouldn't turn, although the key can go in and out of it. Hired a locksmith before I knew the dealership might fix it for free because I needed it fixed quickly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the key could not be turned in the ignition. The dealer was notified of the failure who advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was also contacted who offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 114,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that while parking, the steering wheel seized while the power steering warning chime sounded. In addition, the key would sporadically fail to turn when inserted into the ignition. The contact stated that the vehicle would start after approximately thirty minutes of repeated attempts. The dealer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.
The ignition cylinder will not turn it is locked and the car will not start. Key get stuck in the cylinder. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the ignition locked and prevented her from inserting the key to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 85,000.
Leaving work at the end of the day I went to start my vehicle and the key would not turn in the ignition. It was very cold and after adjusting the steering wheel several time for about 5 minutes I was able to start the car. I have since had difficulty turning the key in the ignition of my vehicle everyday. The last incident was while at the gas station, which took almost 15 minutes to get the vehicle started again. I have researched the issue online and found that many other people have also had this issue, with no recall placed on the vehicle as it is not an immediate risk to safety. Although I have now found my self uncomfortably attempting to start my car in less that safe environments on more than one occasion.
I was on my way to work when I stopped to get gas, I got back in my car and the ignition would not turn to star the engine. I was stuck at a gas station in the winter and no one was able to help me. After twenty minutes of trying different things to get it to start it worked. The next day I got in my car and the same thing happened, except this time nothing I did would start it. I ended up paying $112 for a locksmith to replace the ignition in my car. I have read on several forums that this is a common problem with this year of ford focus and there has yet to be a recall. This could be a dangerous situation if someone has children and is stranded and unable to move their vehicle to a safe location.
Key will not turn in ignition after multiple attempts by more then one person. Called ford dealership and they said the problem is really common and to tap the key with a hammer and it will turn and that I need to go in and have the ignition replaced for $500!!! Tried their hammering suggestion and the lock still won't turn! Because of this I have missed a whole day of school.
Ignition switch locks and cannot turn key to start vehicle. Have to use hand or something to hit the key to start the car. Happens at random and without warning. Get in the car and can't start it. Understand that this is a very common problem but ford refuses to do anything about it.
The ignition cylinder will not turn. A key can be inserted into the ignition, but it can not be set into the "on or acc" position. The car cant be started and is now, in effect, a one ton paper weight. After researching the problem online, it seems to be very common.
Key won't turn in ignition/ ignition stuck.
Key froze solid in the ignition . Steering wheel would not turn nor the key. Left stranded and had to call a locksmith to physically drill out the factory installed ignition and replace it with a strattec replacement part # 707592. Locksmith reiterated what I read on the internet with this being a known problem with the ford focus.
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