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.
Owner of a Ford Focus/2003. Ignition switch locked up and had to get my car towed ($45) as well as pay for repairs ($183). Called Ford headquarters and talked with a representative about being reimbursed. I also mentioned the problem I was having with my gauges. Upon starting car, gauges are all out of wack, swinging back and forth and landing on zero. After being on the road for about 15 or 20 minutes they will positioned at the right place. The representative seem to only care to hear about one of the problem (ignition switch) and not the other one. I was put on hold for a while and when rep return she told me to call company that was repairing my Focus and they will help me in this matter. I called the company and the guy that eagerly took my money stated that he will do a claim for me and he stated that I will get some of my money but not all of it back. In checking the recalls I see ignition switch lockup is one of them. I only have had my car for a little over a year. My windshield is cracked and insurance says I must pay $250 before they fix it, when turning on air conditioner, driving seem difficult (hard to pull), liftgate water leaks, and upon purchasing my car, brakes were squeaking; I mentioned this to the dealer and he told me not to worry about it that the brakes were new and had to be broken in. Well they are still squeaking after a year in a half. I need all of these things fixed on my car, right now I am a month behind in car payments (good record on making my payments), had to use the money to get the ignition switch repaired.
Ford Focus 2003 key cylinder freezes. Cost to customer ~ $300 repair. This happens frequently according to several Ford dealer service department managers I spoke with.
The lock cylinder broke leaving me without a vehicle. The key would not turn, and neither would the wheels. There were no signs of failure previous to the incident. I paid $450 for a new lock cylinder on a car that has 60,000 miles on it.
In both my 2003 Ford Focus and my daughters 2000 Ford Focus the ignition switch had froze up and had to be replaced including new keys made with the computer chip at about $430 each. Two different tow truck drivers said they have seen a lot of this. Also the Ford dealership said they were surprised that there hasn't been a recall due to the large number that they have had to repair.
Ignition switch failure in a 2003 Ford Focus. I inserted my special secure lock key and the ignition would not turn. When the tow truck operator came she informed me she tows Focus' all the time with the identical problem. I went online to several forums and found that this is a consistent problem. There should be a recall on this part as it costs $525 dollars to repair!!!
: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle the key failed to turn. The dealership determined the ignition switch needed to be replaced.
The ignition switch on our 2003 Ford Focus has locked up for the second time. The first incident was in a movie theatre parking lot 600 miles away from home. We had it towed to a dealership and the part replaced. The most recent took place at home last night. We haven't gotten it fixed yet.
: the contact stated the ignition would not turn to start the vehicle. A local independent repair shop was contacted to come inspect and repair the vehicle. The repair personnel replaced the ignition and the vehicle immediately started. Updated 03/17/06.
: the contact stated when the key was inserted into the key switch it would not turn. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. It was determined the key ignition switch needed replaced. On the first occasion the key ignition was replaced. This repaired the vehicle for a short period of time. Now the key ignition switch has failed again. The vehicle was started by an independent repair person and driven to the contacts home, where repairs are being made.
Starting about 2 weeks ago (43,000 mile) the steering wheel started to lock and the key would not turn to start the car. As many have stated on their complaints and on automotivetalk.net this is a recurring problem that needs to be recalled. I have to take it in and get it replaced. From all the reading I did it will cost me between $250 and $450. There should be a recall or a law suite!
2003 Ford Focus ZX3 ignition cylinder/switch locked without warning while my wife was out alone at night. I had to call and have car towed with a fee to the Ford dealer. I'm sure this will cost even with the extended warranty. The tow truck driver informed me that he saw a very high number of these defects. NHTSA really needs to do something about Ford's apparent lack of concern for their consumers!!
2003 Ford Focus ignition cylinder/switch locking up. The ignition locked up without warning and continued to do so for a few days then worked fine for a few days and then locked completely 4 days later. I got the ignition cylinder/switch replaced on 12/31/05 for $200.44. Both the dealer and Ford admitted that it is a problem and far too many people have had the same complaint via automotivetalk.net. There are 100's of complaints the same as mine!!!
Key will not turn in the ignition of 2003 Focus. The wheel is now locked and I can't drive the car. I'm probably going to have to get this towed and pay $200-$300 dollars to get it fixed for what seems like a simple problem and I know this happens to many other Focus owners. This is not acceptable because I'm 6 months pregnant and my safety is at issue.
2003 Ford Focus with faulty ignition switch. The switch was lock in placed with no hope of turning the key. As the service manager at our local dealer explained, they know that they have a problem with the ignition switch tumbler set as they have replaced many of them and have been sent a tsb on replacing them with a better assembly made of steel as compared to the original made of pot metal.
Ignition cylinder has failed twice since I bought the car in 11/02. The car is a 2003 Ford Focus. The ignition cylinder freezes and prevents the car from starting. I have had this cylinder replaced twice in one year. The first time on 11/6/04 and the second time in 11/27/05.
I only owned the car for about 2 months before the problems started I was told that there was nothing wrong. The transmission wouldn't change gear, they say this is normal. Also, the windshield was never sealed in they told me that it could be fixed. The front wheels click when driven. The brakes went out quick. The back hubs are sealed from rust. And now I can't even get my disabled child to the doctors because the ignition has gone completely out. The locksmith said I was lucky I was parked.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wadesboro, NC, USA