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 ignition randomly fails. Insert the key into the ignition and it will not turn. You cannot start your car for an indeterminable amount of time. Major flaw in Ford ignitions with no remedy from Ford.
My 2003 Ford Focus SE has the issue where the ignition locks. It takes several attempts before I can get the key to turn. Twice now I have had to get it towed because of this problem.
The key in the ignition will not turn in my 2003 Ford Focus. It gets jammed all the time now. Previous attempts of moving the steering wheel back & forth worked for awhile, but even that does not work now. The only way to start it is to tap on the key when it is in the ignition with a mallet or hammer. This usually works after a few tries. Now I have to consider leaving the key in the ignition in order to start it easier or carry a hammer in the car. Nothing else has been done about the problem yet. According to local Ford dealer it'll cost $250-275 to repair. Local (cheaper) mechanics can't repair it since they need to get a code from Ford to program the part so the new ignition cylinder will recognize the key. From searching on the internet, apparently this is a common problem with the Ford Focus. Basically a bad design and/or inferior materials used in the ignition cylinder. I have never had this type of problem with any other vehicles I've owned especially ones that are only 5 yrs old. I am surprised that there hasn't been a recall on this part yet. It seems to me that this is a serious safety issue. What do I do in the event I need to evacuate because of a natural disaster or terrorist? I won't be able to get away since I can't start my car ! and tapping on the key with a hammer will work for only so long. And of course Ford will just replace with the same cheap defective ignition cylinder that the car originally came with any way. So I'll problem have the same problem in a couple years again.
- Wheeling, WV, USA
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I am having ignition issues. My key will not turn. It is on a regular basis that this happens. I have not taken it in for repair yet. I called for an estimate.
The key will not turn in the ignition. The ignition barrel is completely stuck, impeding any use of any vehicle functions. Has occurred daily or every other day for a few weeks. A few minutes of jostling may allow it to work. A few times it has been stuck for hours until finally working. This may strand some travelers in winter conditions, like myself. Very stressful and potentially dangerous situation.
Key won't turn in ignition! you can place the key and the spare key, in the ignition and it will not turn. Looked up online and found website that stated this is a very common problem. Our key has to stay in the ignition because you can not take it out. Very disappointed this is a safety not recall ! my wife and children can be stranded in freezing weather ! also very expensive to fix.
My car refuses to start. You cannot turn the ignition switch to get it to come on. After searching the internet I saw dozens of complains from people having the same problem. I simply cannot afford to make the repairs and since my car is out of warranty my dealership will not help me. Ford customer service hung up on me twice. The only fix is to leave the key in the ignition. I managed to use a hammer to hammer it in.
My ignition has locked up on my 2003 Ford Focus, I am currently in the process of getting it fixed. It started about 3 weeks ago and slowly has gotten worse. My car has not started in a week. I cannot get to work on my own.
So far, I have only had the problem occur once and am still working to get it repaired. Nothing really happened to warrant the problem happening. It seemed to just happen randomly. In my 2003 Ford Focus, the ignition switch locked. So far, I have heard hundreds of cases of this problem occurring with this particular car, all for focuses ranging from year 2000 to 2003, and the only thing that seems to fix it is to actually have maintenance done. Speaking with Ford customer service, they did acknowledge that it was a common problem, but would not issue a recall simply because they did not believe it was a safety hazard. I expect to have to pay a large amount of money to repair this problem, even though Ford realizes its an error on their part and that a defect with their car is what is causing this problem. I think it is absolutely unacceptable for a company to knowingly keep something defective on the market, even with so many complaints.
The ignition locked up in the car. The ignition key wouldn't turn or do anything. This is a huge safety concern. I have a 12 week old baby and live in North Dakota. I had my boyfriend's 11 year old daughter with as well. Me, an infant, and a child stuck with a car that won't start in weather that is below freezing with the windchill. This is a huge safety concern.
The ignition switch on my 2003 Ford Focus SE is stuck. The vehicle is now rendered unusable since it cannot be started. I consider this to be a safety related item because the vehicle is now stranded and will require the services of a locksmith or have to be towed to the nearest dealership to be repaired. I have read online where this appears to be a common problem with the Ford Focus manufactured in 2000 through 2003.
Approximately 2 months ago I began to notice a difficulty in turning the key when placed in the ignition. The problem began small, a little jiggle of the key and the ignition cylinder would turn and the car would start. The problem grew to the point in which I would have to forcibly knock the key in with the palm of my hand otherwise the key would not turn at all. I tried all kinds of ways to get the car to start, but hitting the key into the ignition cylinder seemed to be the only way to make it work. Finally approximately 3 days ago I was leaving work, placed the key in the car, which not to my amazement did not turn in the cylinder. So as I had grown accustom to I gave the key a smack, but it would not turn. I sat in my car for close to an hour trying to giggle, shack, smack, jimmy, and play with the key any way I could think of but I could not get my car to start. Now when you work midnights and you get off work when everyone else is going to work, finding a ride is not the easiest of things. After some extensive research I found that this is a highly common problem in Ford Focus'.
The ignition wouldn't turn with the key. Very often it would turn with difficulty after some wiggling of the steering wheel. After a while it was nearly impossible once the key was removed. Eventually we got the key to work and now we leave the key in and lock the doors with the remote. It used to happen as my wife would leave work in the dark which was very dangerous in some areas. I had to get an aftermarket replacement and repair it myself. I am a fully qualified mechanic though.
Ford Focus 2003 - ignition failure, key will not turn my key will not turn in my ignition. This should be recalled. There are thousands of us (Ford customers) who have this problem. I do not understand how this is not a "safety" precaution. Please recall. Americans are not encouraged to buy american-made cars; sadly but true.
My key will not turn. There for I can't start my car. I have two small children and I have been stuck places numerous times. I fear for my safety. At any time I could be stuck anywhere! the only thing I can do is carry a hammer with me, so that I can tap the key in the ignition and get the key to turn so I can start my car. I feel it is not safe to carry a hammer around but have no other choice to start my car.
Second time having problem with ignition on 2003 Ford Focus. The key won't turn and have been left stranded on the highway and missed days of work to get the replacement ignition switch. This is a problem that Ford needs to acknowledge and recall. Thousands of Ford Focus owners have had the same problem. Not only is it costly and is a repair that is Ford' responsibility to fix due to faulty ignitions but also a safety hazard.
Ignition would not turn. The first time it occurred was back in July 2008. If I played with the steering wheel it would finally turn the key. The ignition had to be replaced. Ford has had this problem with the Focus since 2001.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- York, PA, USA