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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Goleta, CA, USA
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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.
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).
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus SE. The contact stated that the key could not be turned while in the ignition and the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 102,000 and the current mileage was 102,542.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key could be inserted into the ignition would could not be turned to start the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure, nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and the failure mileages were 134,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle refused to start. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the ignition cylinder was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 107,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the ignition was locked and the key would not turn to start the engine. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.
My key will not turn over and my wheel is locked up. The problems started and I would just turn the wheel and sooner or later it would turn over. Now im stranded in my driveway with the wheel locked up and no turning the key over. Missed work and money. I searched the internet on this and the was over 300 diff people with this problem. I bought this car (Ford) to save gas and money. I think this should be recalled if this many people are having this problem. I don't know why it hasn't yet.
Late night 35 miles from home. Key would not turn in the ignition. Had to get a ride home. Returned the next day and had a locksmith replace the ignition lock with a strattec ignition lock.
Key won't turn in ignition. Luckily, my car was parked at home when this happened but could leave you stranded if away from home. I now have to leave my key in the ignition until I get the problem fixed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Staatsburg, NY, USA