CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002 Ford Focus 2.0L SOHC engine has a defect where the intake valve seat fails. The valve then falls into the cylinder, destroying the engine & most owner relationships with Ford in the process.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,737 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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 never experienced a problem with my ignition cylinder, no semi locking, no glitches nothing, then all of the sudden I go to start my car to leave the grocery store and the key won't turn. So I had to wait 3 hours with my 87 year old grandfather in a freezing car with no heater (cause the key wont budge) of a grocery store parking lot for a locksmith to come and fix and then to pay him $400. My complaint is not the wait, but that this from what I read is a problem occurring in these Ford Focus faulty ignition. If this where something that only happened to me, then that would have been my problem, but its not. So now we are out $400 because of cheap merchandise that should have been recalled and replaced for free because too many people before me have experienced this same problem. Please investigate this problem further and let get a recall going so no one else has to bear this burden. Thank you for your time and concern of this matter. Sincerely madeleine mellott
'02 Ford Focus ZX5 has shown continuous problems with ignition. First, the key would get stuck and the transmission would not shift out of 'P'. then, the key would intermittently get stuck in the ignition. This occurred with increasing frequency, and it is now stuck permanently. I have not yet taken it to get fixed, but based on phone inquiries to repair shops it will cost me anywhere from $200-500 to get it fixed.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact was unable to start the vehicle when he inserted the key into the ignition. The steering wheel locked. The mechanic stated that the internal components of the ignition lock cylinder failed. The steering column and lock cylinder assembly were replaced and there were no further occurrences. The current and failure mileages were 75,378. Updated 03/14/08.
2002 Ford Focus the ignition locked up and the key would not turn to start the car. This happened in 9/2004 and again 11/2007. Both times we were stranded, had to have the car towed, and it cost almost $400 both time.
I have a 2002 Ford Focus ZX5 and my ignition locked up. Dealer said it is not on any recall list and therefore I need to pay to have a new ignition cylinder put in it. Cost is $200-250.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. When the contact places the key in the ignition, the key fails to turn as if the steering wheel is locked. However, the steering wheel is not locked. The dealer stated that the failure is due to a failed mechanism inside of the steering column, which is common in vehicles of this year, make, and model. The ignition repair would cost an estimated $350. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The failure and current mileages were 70,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact stated that she was unable to turn the ignition when the key was inserted. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 60,000.
I own a 2002 Ford Focus and the key got stuck and I couldn't start it or take the key out. I had to have it towed to the dealer since Ford had made it so difficult for the average person to work on it. They had to replace the ignition and left a metal shaving mess in the car at my cost. Is this how all Ford vehicles and dealers were now. I also missed work due to this incident.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the ignition switch constantly locks up and will not turn. When she places the key in the ignition, it also fails to turn. She has had the ignition replaced twice within one year. Ford stated that the ignitions were re-modified due to a large number of complaints and that she would have to pay if she wanted a new one. The current mileage is 68,800 and failure mileage was 68,000.
Ignition locked with key in it. Towed to Ford dealer and ignition drilled out and replaced at around $300. Happened a second time. Locksmith called. Ignition drilled out and replaced for around $50. Hasn't happened again in about 3 years.
- the contact stated that the 2003 Ford Focus had ignition lock cylinder problems. Since 08/2006 when he put the key in the ignition it would not consistently turn over. He stated that for the past 4 days the key will not turn over the ignition, and he has been without a vehicle. He called the Ford dealership, and was advised to tap on the key while the key is in the ignition to get the key to turn the ignition switch. The contact found on a website called automotivetalk.net, and a number of complaints about the same problem with other owners were listed. The website stated that various locksmiths described the failure as the tumblers in the ignition switch malfunctioned. The contact could get the key out of the vehicle, but could not turn the key to get the ignition to start. The contact did file a complaint with the manufacturer, and he will have a case number available for the hard copy. The current mileage was 80000, and the failure mileage was 73000.
Two separate 2002 Ford Focus automobiles have had the ignition lock break, making it impossible to turn the key, unlock the steering column, or start the vehicle. Both these incidents occurred within a couple of months of each other. In the first case, there had been a gradual increase in the difficulty in turning the key in the ignition lock. In the second case, the failure was abrupt and complete - normal operation in the evening and total failure the next morning. The two vehicles involved are a 2002 Ford Focus 3-door hatchback (ZX3), and a 2002 Ford Focus 4-door sedan (zts), both times it was necessary to have the vehicle towed to a dealership (specifically, veterans Ford in metairie la) and have the lock replaced and two new keys made at the cost of $375 for each occurrence.
I own a 2002 Ford Focus LX and I experienced a lock up failure in the ignition system that caused me to be unable to use my car at all. I had to pay for towing, replacement of the piece and labor. I understand Ford knows about the massive failure that this piece in their cars has experienced and has done nothing to replace the piece. I had my 4 year old with fever and needed to get him to the hospital, the car was the only car available for my use, but couldn't use it at all. I want Ford to do something about this. Thanks.
Ignition jams, key will not turn in lock. Internet search turns up hundreds of complaints of the same nature. Read www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_focus.html for more detail. I had to pound on the key with a flashlight to get it to work. Problem getting worse/occurring more often. I had previously purchased a replacement key, thinking the old one might be wearing out, it only works in the doors, it will not work in the ignition at all.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Riverside, CA, USA