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.
Concern: 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 (ignition switch stuck) this car has only 35000 miles. As I have searched for repair instruction for this problem I know it is wide spread. My daughter drives this car everyday to college and the ignition switch stuck and left her stranded. The key would go into the cylinder but would not turn. This could be very dangerous if she were alone and stuck in a parking lot in the dark!!! I believe the scenarios are significant enough that Ford needs to remedy this as soon as possible. Winter is setting in and people all over the country are going to be getting stranded in their Ford Focus'. this won't get attention until someone dies! Ford is all about the money!
Ignition lock-up. First time major disaster with independent mechanic and dealership costing me $1055.26 just because the key cylinder/key would not work. Second time it locked up, 14 months later, still cost me over $500 for fix and new keys at dealership.
My ignition key often sticks in the ignition and can not be removed. This is a very common problem and Ford knows all about it. They will only replace it with the same defective piece of junk. It makes the cars unsafe as they sometimes lock the column and sometimes make it impossible to restart the car in unsafe locations, such as high crime areas or adjacent to interstate highways. It makes the cars vulnerable to theft. Ford will do nothing about it and it seems every Focus will have this problem. I will never buy another Ford product as they do not own up to their design failures.
: the contact stated the key became stuck in the ignition on several occasions. The key was able to be turned, however it was not removable. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer on several occasions, where the ignition switch was replaced twice. The problem was not corrected, and the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the defect.
Key will not turn in the switch, replaced switch one time, the next time I had to have the keys reprogrammed one time and now my pos is sitting across town will not crank because the key will not turn. If I sit in the car and bang around on the key while in the ignition for 3 or 4 hours I might accidentally get the car to crank. Now once the vehicle ( I don't know why I call it a vehicle its more like nightmare ) does get started up and as long as I leave the key in the ignition switch it will re-start. This has been an on going problem for 4 years.
Ignition didn't turn, the only way to turn key was to bang against key with screw driver, problem got progressively worse, so eventually I had to get it repaired. Many Ford Focus forums state that this is a recurring problem upon many Focus'!
: the contact stated upon entering the vehicle, the key would not turn in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and the ignition switch was replaced. Three years later, the same problem occurred, the ignition switch is being replaced by the dealership.
At first, key would go into ignition all the way, but would not turn at all. Would have to take key out, put back in, etc until finally it would turn. Today the same thing happened, except then it wouldn't go in at all. It took 10 minutes of jiggling it around for it to go in; now, to get the key in I have to be very careful and mess around with it until it goes in. Talked to mechanic and Ford dealership - must replace the ignition cylinder. I looked up on the internet that this is an overly common problem with the Focus and that the part is defective.
We bought our daughter a 2001 Ford Focus. All the reviews stated that the car was a good, economical, safe car. We purchased the car used in 2004. Since the purchase her steering and ignition system has locked up on her twice. After reading many sites it sounds like this is a common problem with Ford Focus. This is an economical car that many parents are relying on to get their college aged children to and from school. Ford needs to recall all Ford focuses so they can all have new ignitions installed. The safety of our children is most important here. Parents should not have to continually worry that their 22 year old daughter may be stranded somewhere without help due to Ford lazy attitude. Please recall these cars that so that parents can have peace of mind knowing their children are safe.
Ignition not turning on 2001 Ford Focus. I have read a message board that this has been happening a lot with this type of vehicle. Also, brakes have been a constant problem. I have been a loyal Ford buyer but am considering changing to a different make.
Brakes had to be replaced at less than 24,000 miles; continues grinding and squeaking continue even following brake replacement and turning of rotors; at have replaced all four tires two times, with less than 20,000 miles on each set of tires; ignition switch malfunctioned - I could get the key into the ignition, but it would not rotate; now at only 41,000 miles, the engine attempts to stall in idle - the whole car shudders - and has stalled twice while I was stopped at traffic lights. This presents a dangerous situation, not only for myself, but for my two children and others on the roadway. In reviewing this site, I am obviously not the only one experiencing these same problems. Why doesn't the NHTSA issue recalls on Ford Focus for these and other problems? Ford should recall the whole line and issue refunds to customers or cancel their remaining loan payments. I am a single mother with two children, who cannot afford costly repairs. The attitude of the service personnel at the Ford dealership here is awful, and they have treated me badly every time I have gone in there, so that I don't even want to take the car in with this latest problem.
Ignition cylinder lock up- I do not know what led to the lock up. A few days before this happened my emission light came on and then went out a few days later. I know several people have had the same problem with the ignition cylinder lock up... please recall and fix the problem.
I bought my car new and only have about 20,000 miles on it (I live in the city and I don't drive that much). Over the last 2 weeks, the ignition switch on my 2001 Focus is starting to fail. I am very concerned about this and after reading all the problems on the internet am wondering why no one has filed a lawsuit or why Ford isn't issuing a recall. I'm not looking forward to shelling out $300+ to fix their problem. I got the spare key in the ignition, so I just leave it in all the time and lock the doors, and I try to drive as little as possible. I guess I'll be using my tax return to fix Ford's problem it's too bad, my family & I have been faithful Ford customers for several generations, but I'll probably buy Honda next time out.
My 2001 Ford Focus is experiencing a problem with the ignition switch locking up. The key will not turn and the steering wheel is locked. This is not the first time it has happened, however, it is the first time I have not been able to correct the problem with a little coaxing. The first time it happened I took the car to the Ford dealership and was told that I would have to pay $300 and that he has at least 2 of the same car come in a week with the same problem. I told him thank you and went home and called Ford, they told me that they were aware that there was a problem but I would need to get it corrected on my own. I am not sure of the first incident date.
Key would not turn in ignition switch; dealer had to replace ignition switch because the tumblers were worn out; the car is only 4 yrs old and has 39K miles! dealer refused to cover charges.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Aztec, NM, USA