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.
2003 Ford Focus, ZX3, 2.3 liter. The key will not turn in the ignition. This has happened about 6 times, leaving me stranded twice. We are calling a lock smith to re-key the ignition and doors again.
Unable to turn key in the ignition. Had occurred sporadically leading up to the date when it was then unable to be used at all, leaving family stranded. Had to have vehicle towed to dealership to have ignition replaced. Subsequent research revealed this is a common failure problem with this vehicle.
I am a woman who was left sitting when my ignition locked up and the key would not turn in my 2003 Ford Focus. I called triple a and had the vehicle towed to the dealer for repairs at a cost of $278 I have since discovered that this is a problem that apparently has not been fixed by Ford and could easily happen again. Of course, this would result in another large amount of out of pocket expense for a neglecting act of Ford. It seems to be a common expensive problem that should have a recall. It's a dangerous thing for anyone to be left sitting without a functioning vehicle, let alone a woman by herself.
- Red Hill, PA, USA
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My 2003 Ford Focus with only 40,000 miles on it would not start. Apparently the ignition has a defect leaving me stranded at work. As a soldier there are many people that rely on me to be at a certain place at a certain time. This is a safety issue and should be recalled. Apparently the defect is widely reported for Ford Focus years 2000 to 2003. It could cost me dearly if I was stranded in weather, a remote location without a cell phone, or if my baby was sick and needed to be rushed to the er.
To whom it may concern, recently I was stranded on the road late at night when the ignition switch on my 2003 Ford Focus failed to turn over. I later found out this is an all too common problem with the Ford Focus. As a female stranded alone this could have led dire consequences! now I find that the Ford dealership wants to charge me some$500 to repair the switch..to be put in jeopardy then charged an obscene amount for their design flaw is outrageous. Please help.
I went to put my key in the ignition and the key would not turn while in the ignition. This has happened me approximately 3 times. After several attempts to start my car the key finally turns and the car starts. My fear is, that I may get stuck in a bad area when traveling and will be unable to start the car.
I am an owner of a 2003 Ford Focus that has had ignition problems for the last 1.5 years. The key will not turn in the ignition, leaving me stranded now three times. I have called Ford Motor Company and reported this issue to them asking them for a "good will" repair, and to no avail. I am not the only owner of a Ford Focus to have this problem, and wish that the NHTSA would get involved and seek out Ford Motor Company to force them to fix this problem and require them to reimburse the consumers that have had this repair performed. I would also like to see Ford Motor Company forced to recall the vehicles for this problem, and fix it since this is a safety issue. I have had to leave a key in the ignition thus making it very easy for a thief to steal the vehicle. Thanks for your attention to this matter.
I was preparing to run some errands on a Saturday, but when I went out to start my car, the steering wheel was locked and I could not get the key to turn in the ignition. After around 15 minutes of working the steering wheel I was able to get the key to turn so I could start the car. This kept happening all day off and on, until finally the next day I was out at the grocery store with my mother and when we went to go home, the key would not turn no matter how much I moved the steering wheel. After spending an hour and a half trying everything I could to start the car, I finally had to call a tow truck driver who was able to start the car. The next morning the car would not start and I had to have someone help me get it to a mechanic. The mechanic told me that I needed a new key cylinder and new keys (which have to be programmed because the keys are coded) which would cost over $300. Since this just happened out of the blue without any warning and can cause me to be stranded by not being able to start my car, I think that this is a safety issue that needs to be addressed. I tried contacting Ford directly, but was basically told they could do nothing about this. From what I have read on this, it seems to be a fairly common problem with the Focus (I have a 2003 Ford Focus ZX5) and I believe something needs to be done.
I own a 2003 Ford Focus and the key would not turn in the ignition this happened to me 3 times already why is this not a recall"??" it seems to be a big problem....
I was going do the interstate in my Ford Focus ZX3 when all of the sudden I lose all power, im in the middle lane surrounded by 18 wheelers and other cars, and they have to swerve to avoid my car because the alternator went out! this car is terrible!
2003 Ford Focus ignition key and tumbler switch. I put the key in the ignition and it won't turn. I have been stranded numerous times. I understand the repairs are $400 +.
I have a 2003 Ford Focus. A few months ago the key would not turn in the ignition at times. Usually after a few tries it would finally turn over. This past Tuesday while at a grocery store my luck run out. Now the key will not work at all. The ignition is locked up. I called the dealerships and they said this was a common problem with this car. If it is a common problem then why isn't something being done about it? the tow truck driver and the place I had my car repaired where also familiar with this problem with this car. What do consumer's have to do not be taken advantage of by the Ford company. Does someone have to be stranded out somewhere and killed before Ford admits to a problem. I have always bought Ford but after this I will never purchase another one.
I own a 2003 Ford Focus and the key will not start the car until it is gently tapped with a hammer (I learned how to do this by reading all the complaints about this problem on the internet) this is a safety problem for instance a person is alone in an unlit area after working the late shift they cant start their car cause the ignition mechanisms are defective Ford recognizes the problem but for some reason has not been legally required to fix this defect by recalling all affected vehicles another safety issue is the fact that I have to carry a hammer in my car wherever I go the cops could say I am carrying it as a weapon.
My 19 year old son a full time college student, was stranded in a parking lot a distance from home because the key would not turn in the ignition. A few times he has had to, jiggle the key to start the car. And now it will not turn at all. The car is still stranded in a parking lot because it happened on the weekend. I am in fear for my sons safety, heading back to college 6 hours from home.
Been having problems for the last four months with the ignition cylinder sticking. On Aug 13, 2009 I went to start the car and the cylinder was stuck. I have a new cylinder to replace the old one.
My brake lights and cruise control failed: The result of the wiring harness being constantly abraded in the hinge of the hatchback. All of the wires were exposed, and it caused not only a driving safety hazard, but a fire hazard as well. In the year 2000, this same problem caused a recall of the 2000 Ford focuses, but I have written to Ford and they deny any responsibility for my car. "thank you for contacting the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center regarding the wiring harness concern on your 2003 Ford Focus. Your vehicle is not involved in any recalls or customer satisfaction programs at this time." Is their response. I am having the problem corrected by my mechanic: He will lengthen the wires so that they cannot be caught in the hinge. Ford only will replace the entire harness, which is the same as the one that failed.
Car parked at mall later at night. When to try and start car but the key would not turn in the ignition. This failure caused me to have my car towed to the dealership and the ignition switch replaced which cost $427. The ignition switch was faulty but was most likely replaced with the same type of switch which will fail again. I was also left stranded for several hours. Luckily, I was not in a deserted area or the consequences could have been life threatening.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Independence, MO, USA