This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I parked my car and shut it off. When I came back to start my car I could put the key in, but not turn it. When I called Ford they new of the issue and the service manger told me the following info it it: It is designed so badly that even a perfectly new one can jam. In most lock cylinders the tumblers are pushed by springs to lock against an outer sleeve, and the key pushes them back in. With the Focus they added a locking bar as 90 degrees to the tumblers, and that is what locks the sleeve instead of the tumblers. The problem is there is no solid connection between the key and this locking bar. It is only pushed by the tiny tumbler springs, wich easily jam. So the only current permenant solution is to remove all the tumblers. But since they cannot do this, they have to replace them as they come in, but they still break after replacement at my cost of almost $500. If Ford knows of this issue why do they not fix this!
I have had the steering wheel lock and key unable to turn twice now. The first incident occurred in February 2003. The car had to be towed to the dealership and I was told the steering column had to be replaced and re-keyed. It cost $867 to fix. Even though it was "fixed", I still had to wiggle the steering wheel to get the key turned which at times took a few minutes. Now a year and a half later, the same exact thing happened. I can't get the key to turn at all. When I called the dealership, I was told the warranty expired after a year and that Ford was a "real stickler on their warranties" and I would have to pay about the same amount again. Just a note - after only a year after purchasing the car, it squeaked like crazy anytime I used the brakes. Even though the brakes were replaced, the car still squeaks.
The ignition was locked in place and it would not move at all. Also, steering wheel was locked. Dealerships replaced twice the ignition switch at consumer's expense.
- Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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When pulling into a parking lot steering wheel locked up. Consumer was able to park the vehicle. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection.
Steering wheel locks and you cannot turn the key in the ignition at all. Steering wheel, ignitions, and gearshift are all frozen. Has happened 3 times before but this is the first time that the all 3 are stuck and can't get ignition to budge.
The ignition of my 2000 Ford Focus has frozen repeatedly only to start working again several minutes later. It recently has not started working again and I am having to pay $200 to have the ignition replaced. This I dismissed as simply one of the down sides of buying a used car. However, after searching forums online and speaking with a local dealership I have found that this is a common problem with all 2000/2001 Ford Focus models. The person who came to tow my car to the dealership informed me that he responds to 10-15 calls a week due to the same exact problems with this make and year of vehicle. I was directed to the NHTSA website by one of the internet forums and was shocked to find how many defects had been sited with this particular car make/model however, this was not amoung them. This appears to be the most common problem occuring with this make/model of car as well. I just hope to never be in a situation where I need to be somewhere asap and my ignition suddenly decides not to turn.
The "securikey" ignition cylinder is subject to repeated failures. Initially the ignition will not turn until the steering wheel is "wiggled." Then after a time, the unit fails completely. This does pose a problem when attempting to restart the vehicle after a "panic stop, " where the engine stall/stops. Especially un-nerving in traffice. 1st failure 9/30/2001 at 18,990 miles. Lock cylinder was replaced. 2nd complete failure 1/9/2004 at 49,400 miles. Currently the vehicle is experiencing the same problems and I am returning it to the Ford service shop for another repair. The manager of the same shop stated that this is a common problem with this model year, 2000 Ford Focus, but that one replacement usually fixes the problem. I suspect there are no return visits since the prudent consumer would probably dump the vehicle in favor of a more reliable auto.
When coming to a stop vehicle stalled. This caused the steering wheel to lock up. Consumer managed to pull over and regain control of the vehicle. Dealerships mechanic was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Put key in ignition and it will not turn at all. Steering wheel and shift lever are locked and vehicle had to be towed to dealer with wheels off ground. Dealer say no recall or service bulletins have been issued but this is not true as I found several service bulletin on this web site.
Consumer went out to start car and key would not turn, ignition was locked in place, it would not move. Also, steering wheel was locked. Consumer took vehicle to dealership, and they said they never heard off such occurrences.
I bought my Ford Focus 2000, brand new in July of 2000. Since then, I've had the wheel bearings replaced twice, the rear door stopped latching and I had to drive it to the dealer with my son holding the door shut, my alternator had to be replaced and still the lights get dim when I turn on the heater, the plastic and rubber door molding started coming loose and falling off right after I bought the car, the brakes have never stopped squealing, and now my key is stuck in the ignition and it won't come out. Every time I take my car to a dealer, they always say the same thing "oh, that is common with the Ford Focus". after reading all of the consumer complaints, I guess you could say these problems are common with the Ford Focus. I've had nothing but problems with this car and expect to experience many more because so far the track record for the Ford Focus is extremely poor. After reading the numerous complaints, I hope Ford is forced into recalling the ignition cynlinder or switch whichever is to blame for the key to becoming stuck in the ignition and the wheel not locking while the car is in park.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chula Vista, CA, USA