Ford Focus

When I first bought my 2005 Focus ZX4. It had 8,000 miles in . A year after purchasing, the window controls stopped working in the back and passenger from the driver's controls, and the back seat controls didn't work as well. It was still under warranty then, so it was fixed by the kind dealership. However, just after the warranty was up, the front passenger window control went out, and still doesn't work. Just this morning, at 91,000 miles, my key would not come out of the ignition.

It would start and turn off the car, it just wouldn't come out. I did some recall research, and came across this video, which completely solved the problem. I was quoted $500-$800 to replace the ignition lock and tumbler, and a new key. I knew it couldn't be that because the car still turned on and off. The plastic piece on the shifter just needs some glue, so it does not block the park sensor. Is there a way we can contact Ford to prevent hundreds of people from paying way too much for something so simple? Overall, the Focus has been a wonderful car with great mpg, very easy to drive, comfortable, and affordable, minus possible repair costs that don't need to happen!

This is regarding my 2001 Ford Focus, which has approximately 38,000 miles, garage kept, and purchased new. It will not start, even with the new battery. I checked the fuses, spark, and fuel, which is full. I checked the handbook, and hit reset button on the passenger side wall. I checked the net for recalls, and find that there were recalls on this model, but not this particular one, I am told. For this very same problem, and more. The people that I spoke with are very nice, but I saw no reflection on them. I have a hard time with the recall, on almost 700,000 units of Focus with this problem.

The repair will cost about $850, plus the tow bill. We had to leave the car in Illinois, and we had to get back to MO. Now, we have to get back there to take care of this. We are a Ford family. Our history goes back a long way. We currently own a 1997 Ford pick up, 2004 Merc. Grand Marquois, 2011 Merc. Grand Marquis, and of course this Focus. There are just the two of us, so no vehicle is driven extensively. This is just too hard to understand, that the Ford product that we so trusted is now a source of frustration and disappointment. I want this on record for any future action that may occur with this issue, and future recall on this product.

The car, 2005 Ford Focus, is not fully engaging in Park and this is causing the key to get stuck in the ignition. Taking the car in and out of Park will eventually cause it to allow the key to release. The car is losing power while driving now, devices shutting down including the lights and entire instrument panel, and will not engage in reverse. It drives forward but not reverse. I love this car but would buy another. This all didn't happen until 100,000+ miles. Door latches are annoying as there is way too much play but they have worked so far.

I own a 2002 Ford Focus that has only 78,000 miles on it. The valve seat dropped causing the #1 piston to be destroyed. The car was maintained properly. I am the lone owner of the Focus. Oil changes were done regularly.

The Focus will start but makes a terrible knocking sound. I called my mechanic and he told me that the car could not be moved. I had to have it towed to my home where it now sits. I find it suspicious that a car with only 78,000 miles on it would have this type of problem when the car is being maintained regularly.

Did Ford Motor Company have a switch pushed when my 2010 Ford Focus went out of warranty just to ** me off?

I can not even count the number of times my 2001 Focus has left me stranded on the side of the highway. I have only owned it two years and have replaced the serpentine belt and tensioner 4 times in the past year. Out of no where, the car breaks down. The belt and pulley are just gone. I have had this fixed by 4 different mechanics. Breaks front and back. Cylinders. Now the "thing" that is on the side of rt3 with radiator has fluid pouring out. I have no idea why.

I took my 2010 back to the dealer because the key wouldn't go in ignition or come out easily. They added Graphite and noted no problem. Several weeks later, after straightening my key that kept bending from the pressure, it broke in half. They replaced the cylinder and now it is happening again. I'm headed to the dealer again with no warranty.

I bought a 2005 Ford Focus SES 2.0L in August of 2011. I love it. I've read several complaints on this page. I think some of you people need to either take better care of your vehicle or accept what you may get when you buy a used Vehicle. I bought mine used with 91k on it. It came with leather interior, heated seats, sun roof, and premium sound with a 6 disc CD changer, which I have upgraded with a Sony Xplode deck, USB, and aux jacks. I've taken my car to Tennessee twice, 933-mile drive one way, around 2000-mile round trip from my house to my dad's drive way. I also drive my car a lot for my job, about 30 miles a day. So in little over a year, I've put about 16k worth of miles on it. I must say I must have just gotten a good apple from the batch.

Here's a list of what I've had to have done: brake pads, rotors, driver side sway bar lynx, oil changes, transmission flush, radiator flush, 4 new tires, and fuel filter. So, it just needs general maintenance and a few factory parts that lasted forever. And it just eventually gave way. Note to anyone with a rattle in your front end which I've seen on a few complaints on here: check your sway bar lynx. There should be no play in either end. It's better off replacing with aftermarket also, because they have the hook up for the grease gun and can be refreshed to avoid your joints from drying out.

In the past few weeks I've developed a squeak in my rear end. The passenger side shock mount is shot. I live in a city that thinks patching every pot hole is a "fix". I would have to say I only have few complaints with Ford on the Focus and it would have to be the door handles and not enough aux plugs. I've had to buy an adapter to plug my DVD player in and be able to charge my phone or ECT at the same time. My biggest thing is the airbag light. It seems to be weather sensitive and has a mind of its own! I've been to several places and they all give me some stupid story.

Is it the clock spring? No, my horn still works stupid. Try again. Is it the front bumper sensor? Nope. Is it the wires under the driver seat? Nope. I've finally come to the conclusion that I don't care about it! The lights on when it's hot. And when it's cold or it rains, it turns off. Way to go Ford! Mess up the most important part of the car, the life saving device for your customers. But all in all, I'm happy with my Focus. I'm pretty sure the body will rot out before it stops running.

I bought a 2003 Focus ZTS, 5 speed, anniversary model (leather heated seats, heated mirrors, sun/moon roof) in 2005 with 13k miles. The first month I had the AC compressor, serpentine belt, rear brake calipers, and battery replaced under warranty. The following year, the warranty expired, I replaced all 4 brake calipers and the driver's rear rim that warped when the brake seized. A few months later, the driver controls for the other 3 windows went out, the passenger mirror control failed, and I replaced all brake pads again.

I go through roughly 6 sets of brake pads and 2 sets of rotors every year. I've had to replace the thermostat housing twice since ownership. For some reason, it is plastic and mounted to the engine block. The engine heat destroys the plastic housing. This is a very bad design.

In July, 2011, cylinder #1 blew the plug out of the head, stripping the threads. I re-tapped the threads and added an insert to thread a plug. It has held so far. Ford uses Motorcraft plugs that are half-threaded to the seat. These tend to loosen over time and the compression blows them out. This is also notorious in the F-150s. It is heap to fix with the kit, but if you make a mistake, you'll be replacing the head.

The front struts went out twice since ownership. I replaced them, but still, it rattles horribly over bumps. I'm at around 117k miles, and the clutch has been slipping since around 85k, but it has not completely gone yet. I cannot park with the e-brake in the winter. The line freezes and seizes the driver's rear wheel. I've replaced this caliper 3 times myself because of this. I go through 2 sets of all-weather tires a year, getting at most 10k miles a set. This car is horrible on tires and brakes.

Luckily, I am handy with a wrench and have done all the repairs myself, but I work full time on second shift, and I seem to spend a lot of my free time repairing this ** vehicle. I have completely lost faith in Ford, which is heartbreaking since they are the only American car company that isn't now owned by the government.

In August 2011, I purchased a 2005 Ford Focus (2-litre SI 5-door), with 140,000 kilometer on it. The next week, as I was going down 80 kilometers, the car lost all power. I was able to pull over to the side of the road, but I had to call a tow truck and had it towed to the Ford dealership located in N1 City, Cape Town. The quotation came back with the fee of R51000. Can't Ford dealership call back all those who have 2litre Ford Focus, as I'm not the only one complaining about it? I will never buy a Ford again, and I will be spreading the word.

I bought a used 2000 Focus base with 28000mi at a Ford dealer in 2004. Carfax said it was clean. Seven years later, circle weld marks appeared after paint pops off old welds. The driver rear floor is completely rotted out due to replacement before I bought the car. Its ignition failed at 45000mi, all 4 coil springs snapped around 50000mi (paid for 1 set, recall on 2nd). The emission vacuum elbow broke at 55000mi, motor mounts at 70000mi, and passenger mount again at 135000mi. The doors and front quarter panel started rusting at 85000mi, and the blew motor at 109000mi. While the EGR valve rusted at 115000mi, lower control arms at 135000mi, and the 4 sets of premium tires at 100000mi. The car has flooded (1" on, pass floor) 3 times during heavy rains. The dealer can't find any leak. I used to rely on Ford, but I will never buy another Ford product.

I bought my 2005 Ford Focus in April 2011 as a used car with 120,000 miles on it. As with any used car, there are minor things that can happen or need replacement. First, the brakes were beginning to grind and I had them replaced but they continue to grind and squeak, and even caused the car to lock forcing everyone forward with force. I had the brakes checked again and the mechanic could not find out why they keep doing this. Then, the car began to sputter and stop suddenly. I changed the spark plugs and noticed oil around one of the plugs. I ended up changing the valve cover gasket.

It didn't help the sputtering but the leak stopped. I then changed out the fuel filter. No change. Then I took it to a Ford garage and they informed me that the only way they could fix it was for the car to sputter out on them. It never did and I left without the car being fixed. They figured it was probably the throttle position sensor. I had it changed out but not by a Ford mechanic since they know nothing about Fords to begin with. Still, the car sputtered. Well, today was the last straw. My car wouldn't start initially, but after the fourth try, it started and I sputtered all the way home and had to get a new battery. The car has become even worse than before. It literally dies out sputtering like crazy.

I have a 2003 Ford Focus. I have no problems with this car except that every year, I have trouble with the door handles. In 2005, I had the driver side handle replaced, but I have the same problem and my car is no longer under warranty.

My 2007 Ford Focus will not let loose of my key. It's a problem with the ignition switch. A mechanic quotes us a price of $400 to fix it. This is crazy. There should be a recall. Ford is responsible.

2001 Ford Focus with ignition problem. The key will go into the ignition with some slight giggling, but will not turn to start the car. Nothing helps. After much research today, I will go home and try again. This seems to be a rampant issue with the ignition, worthy of recall in my humble opinion. Hopefully, it starts so I can take it to a mechanic so I don't have this problem again for a little while as I have read that the replacement only buys you a little time before it needs replacement again.

In August of 2011, I purchased a 2009 Ford Focus with 29,000 miles on it. After two weeks, the battery went dead. The next week, as I was going down I35, the car lost all power and the wrench lit up on the dash. I was able to pull over to the side of the road, but I had to call a tow truck and had it towed to the dealership. I cut my losses and traded it in on a used Chevy truck. I will never buy a Ford again.

My car is a 2002 Focus SE 4-door with electric windows. My left rear window regulator failed to raise and keep up my window. After disassembly, I found that the plastic clip (carriage) that the window rests in and the cables that raise and lower the window are attached to had been broken. All the other parts of the regulator including the rail, motor, gears, cables, etc. were fine. The carriage is a molded plastic part and failed due to developing a stress crack at a sharp inside corner of the molded plastic part. It is well-known that stress cracks always start at stress raisers (stress concentrations). Sharp corners cause stress concentration. Had the corner been designed with a slight curvature to it, the stress would have been much less and failure much less likely.

To summarize, the part failed because it was designed wrong (not following well-known design practices). After not being able to buy the carriage at my local Ford dealer, I corresponded directly with Ford. Ford confirmed that Ford does not sell the carriage (the part needed to fix the window problem) alone. They only provide it as part of the complete regulator. So, to fix the window, you have to buy the complete regulator (rail, motor, gears, cables, carriage, etc.) for about $170. The carriage is the only part that is needed and is about an estimated $5 to $10 part, but Ford won't sell it to you.

So, my complaint is two parts. The part (carriage) fails because of poor design. Ford won't sell the part unless you buy it along with many parts you don't need. Inducing someone to buy something they otherwise would not is commonly referred to a coercion or extortion. In other words, Ford is acting criminally by forcing you to buy parts you don't need.

Just a note to let all of you know all well that Ford and Natasha are fixing the problems they find with the Focus transmissions and what I have experienced.

We, too, have trouble with our transmission. It shutters when we take off or slow down to the point where we think it is a safety issue when we try to cross traffic. It also rolls backward at small to large inclines; again, a safety concern for us. We have to put left foot on the brake and gas at the same time with right which cause inaccurate starts and hesitations/stalls on hills.

We have taken the car to our dealer twice in the last two weeks, but both times they reported nothing is wrong with the vehicle. After the first visit, we were not happy and escalated to the dealer manager and he brought us back in. But we knew they would not find anything in service and they didn't. It was just to appease us. And again, service sent us home with no recourse. So now I am turning to you.

She, in turn, escalated my concern to a Ford representative who called me on my cell phone today at work and proceeded to tell me again there was nothing wrong with my Focus and we should expect it to continue to shudder possibly up to 10,000 miles. The car will always drift back on small to moderate inclines. He told me that I should have read the owner's manual and understood these things before we purchased the car. He also pointed out that we should done a better job of test driving the car before purchase. Then he said that he would talk to our dealer about why we weren't told about the type of transmission, but that the sale staffs should all be aware of the nuances of the Focus transmission. He said there was nothing he could or would do.

Again, this was a waste of my time with a company that spent over 30 years buying vehicles from. My wife as well and her father a retired employee.

My mother has a 2002 Ford Focus. It has a 2.0 Liter SPI Single Overhead Cam Engine. Ever since she has bought and used it, it's broken more times than it has run. One day, while on the highway, it overheated and before it got really bad, I pulled off the highway. I've got it home to find a hose for the coolant came loose and was chewed up by the belt. I fixed this and now discovered the head gasket is blown. The car has never been overheated before, and I'm very shocked that it broke this fast. This thing has 116,000 miles on it. It shouldn't have to do a head gasket yet.

My Ford Focus 2.0L TDCI Ghia has done 86,000 km when it all of a sudden lost power whilst driving. I took it in to Metro Auto Ford dealership in Pretoria. They gave me a quote for R46, 000.00 (almost half of the price of the car). They claimed that the turbo, injectors, EGR valve and glow plugs all dysfunction at the same time. I reported it to Ford. No help from them! How can everything go wrong at the same time? Metro Auto said it is like a globe it can blow anytime! In my opinion, if you buy a Focus, start saving for major repairs after five years. I will NEVER buy a Ford again, and I will tell everybody about my experience.

I bought my 2002 Ford Focus wagon used from a dealership about 1 year ago. Since then, I have had to replace tires, wheel bearings, transmission parts, fuel filters/pump and shocks and struts. My car still stutters/shakes and slows to 20mph with no warning and then will shut off. It really gets bad if I try to go highway speeds.

Luckily, I've been able to make it to the side of the road before it dies. But I've put more money into this vehicle than I originally paid for it. And after reading the warnings about the tires, I'm even more alarmed about driving my car, especially during the long icy Alaska winters.

I would like to see about a class action lawsuit. I can't afford anymore repairs and need a safe and reliable transportation!

I own a 2002 Ford Focus with 145,000 miles on it. I had to replace the fuel pump twice within six months. Bad gas or bad parts?

Bought a 2007 Ford Focus--new in 2007. The car is only 4 years old with 80,000 miles, and we will be putting on the forth set of tires. Even with rotating the tires, this happened. The local place where we purchase the tires, told us that even with with rotation the focus will eat the tires... that the only reason to rotate the tires is get back a some of the money on the milage guarantee.

I bought a used 2004 Ford Focus SE Wagon in September 2009. Between that time and February 2011, I have had to replace the battery, alternator, transmission, brake cylinder, brake lines, water pump, serpentine belt, valve cover gasket, EGR Valve and 4 tires. I have officially put more into repairing the car than what I was paying for the car. Today, both rear windows stopped moving and one of them is stuck all the way down. Plus, it backfired very loudly tonight when I was getting onto the freeway. I'm sure that's not a good sign either! I don't know where the money for these repairs is going to come from.

All of the money required for these repairs caused me to be late in rent and car payments several times. I have had to borrow money from family and friends, as well as refinance my car. I have been unable to pay medical bills, which are now being garnished from my paychecks. My credit rating has dipped even lower because of the backlash caused by this money pit of a car!

I bought a 2010 Ford Focus SE in May 2010. About 3 months after buying it, my rear passenger door wouldn't lock. I took it to the dealer and they fixed it and have had no more issues with that. About a month ago, I was turning down my radio from the steering wheel and it turned the radio up. I figured I hit the wrong button and pressed the button again and then it changed the radio station instead. I am worried about this problem considering that the car has cruise control on the steering wheel and it may malfunction so I don't use the wheel functions anymore.

Just this past week, I had someone in the back drivers side seat and they went to roll down the window and it slowly came down. Now it doesn't even move. I've also noticed that on hot days all the doors squeak like crazy when opening. I'm beyond furious about all these issues, mostly because I made more than $300 payments on this thing and then I have to take time to go back to the dealer to get it all fixed.

It's quite ridiculous and I will never buy a Ford again. My last car was a Chevy Lumina and I never had as many problems with that 15-year-old car than I have with this brand new one.

I just bought a 2000 Ford Focus, I have not had it for 1 week and the ignition switch need to be replace, I goes on line and see I'm not the only one, This is really now fair, and is a problem. I will tell my family and friends NO to ford focus.

I complained to the dealership that my key keeps getting stuck in the ignition and they said it was a problem, but there is no recall. She said this happens to a lot of the Ford Focuses. It seems to eat up a lot of tires. Lock on driver side gets stuck and I cannot open it. I have to unroll window and open it from the outside. The button to unlock trunk does not always work. The dashboard light at night does not come on. I've had it fixed in the past, but I still have the problem again.

Now today I had to drop my car off at a different dealership because there is something wrong with the engine. They think it's the engine. I will know tomorrow for sure. It is a 2004 Ford Focus. It belonged to my mother and I would really like to keep it because she passed away in 2005. I don't have a lot of money to fix it. I need to know if some of these things have been recalled. And if they have not been recalled, how do I get them to be recalled. There seems to be a lot of complaints about this kind of car. I was in shock to read on the Internet how many people have the same kind of problems that I do. Please help if you can.

I have a Ford Focus 2008 Every summer (3 summers in a row now!)the doors on my focus won't open, they unlock but I can't open the door from the inside or outside. So ever year when this happens I have to climb out my window to get out of the car!This happens each year when the temperature rises above 75degrees. Ford doesn't care, not covered under warranty. Someone is going to die in this car and Ford is going to end up with a huge lawsuit on their hands...

Thousands of Ford Focus cars made from 2000 to 2007 have ignition problems. Why must the consumer pay for the repair service as much as $500? Ford knew that there is a default with the ignition. There should be a recall for servicing for the key ignition. Ford Company said my 2003 is out of warranty and I would have to pay for the service.

I bought a new 2008 ford focus in 2009. I thought it was a good deal. She was there with a spoiler and red paint job calling my name. Rims the works. Well, 3 times while driving on the freeway, I heard a huge pop then my accelerator goes to the floor. I slow to 20 mph in 70 mph traffic, drifting to the side to get out of danger. All 3 times have been life threatening. 2 transmissions and a throttle box..and I have 16 thousand on it. I'm thinking my coffin will be this red focus. I am getting an attorney.

Purchased new 2002 Ford Focus SE 4 Dr Sedan in West Palm Beach Florida. The first problem was the automatic door lock kept locking and then not opening. We had AAA service three times the first two months after we purchased the car. We then had to buy two new keys that cost us 150.00. The rear window driver side slid down and would not go up after 1 year of ownership. Ford repaired it at 180.00. We drove to our daughters to see new grandson in late 2003 and could not get into car. The keys did not work, not even by inserting key and turning lock cylinder. Had the car towed to dealer and they repaired it again and charged us another 150.00 for new keys.

Motor mount had to be replaced in 2004. Oil pan plug was leaking, car only serviced by Ford. But we had to pay for repair at 129.00. Locks locked us out again in 2005 but this time the dealer did not charge us for replacement keys. 2006 the other motor mount had to be replaced at 189.00. 2006, transmission was leaking and new gasket and band repairs were done at dealer for 687.00. Moved to Ohio in February 2007, and the locks went out again cost us 150.00 for two new keys and new ignition switch at 325.00. 2007, both rear windows fell and the dealer in Ohio repaired them both at 328.00.

We still kept going to a dealer for all repairs in Ohio just like Florida but Ford never reimbursed us for any of the repairs done in Florida or Ohio even though warranty was good on most work. We also had purchased an extended warranty when we first purchased the car but now nothing would be covered any more any way this was in 2008. Since then, we had to replace two more motor mounts, transmission gaskets, brakelines, waterpump twice 2008-2010. Now the front driver side door handle is broke in 2011 again and they want 585.00 to repair it. We will never ever purchase another Ford Motor Product or accept one as a gift.

I just got a 2000 Ford focus and the clear coat is peeling off on the rear spoiler and the hood and fender. Is there a recall?

I have a 2005 Ford Focus 2.0 Engine, fuel injected. The problem(s) started about 8 months ago. The initial problem was after turning the car on, it would have a bad idle and then die. But as I found out later, it would only do this if the engine was hot. So most people would think oh well it's your fuel filter (30 parts and 49 labor), wrong. So I had a friend look at it and listened to the car and said that it was most likely a part that resides inside the fuel tank. I forgot what the name of it was, it controlled the distribution of the fuel and it had a vapor problem. Okay so that part was about $75, free labor and that keeps the car from wanting to die at stop lights now but once the engine gets hot and you want to turn it back on good luck, it's not happening.

When cold, it revs really high at first when it is on and then mellows out, but when it's hot it stumbles to turn on and then stalls. So now I have to take it in to see if I have a vacuum leak, EGR valve problem, or a PVC leak. Fun times! Ford Focus cars are no good! I can't believe they still get business. In a bad economy having to work every day just to make enough money to try and figure out what's wrong with my car stinks. I have spent more money in replacing other people's gas when given rides than I normally do in a month filling up my tank. Thank you Ford! I'm going with Toyota next time.

Recently purchased a 2007 Ford Focus with 55,000 miles used from a local dealership with a clean car fax. Within the first 2 weeks of ownership, I made a trip into Rochester on route 590. I was going 55 mph in the center lane during a busy commute. My wife and I heard a loud "gunshot" noise and at the same time it felt like someone hit me in the left arm with a baseball bat. I was able to maintain control of the vehicle, thank God. I checked my mirrors to see if someone had run into me, and the car was rolling ok (flat tire). Then the smoke cloud filled the cabin of the car. That's when I noticed that the driver's curtain airbag deployed. We finished our errand and went home. I checked the vehicle over for a sign of what triggered the deployment. Nothing found. We called the dealership and they scheduled it in for repair. This better be covered under warranty! I googled this, and there are so many of theses cases out there. From what I understand, Ford is ignoring it. Just like their 4.6l, 5.4l engines that are blowing spark plugs out of the heads on their engines.

Started my car and must have hit the locks on the way out to scrape it. No problem. Have my spare key in the house with remote opener. It would not work. Changed the battery, still nothing. I can manually get in my trunk but not in my car. Had to have CAA come let me in the car even though I have a spare key! Called Steele Ford where I bought car and they never heard of it.

I have a 2001 Ford Focus problem that has our local Ford dealer and two other garages totally stumped. My dad, being the great person he is, washed my car for me. He washed the engine off too. Then the problems started. Most days the Multi-function error light comes on, Theft Indicator light comes on, the temp gauge goes up, the car hesitates and when I stop, the engine quits.

The Ford dealer found the water problem, dried it out and we figured it would be ok. I still have lights coming on, the hesitation and the stalls. This is a Ford vehicle. The Ford mechanics should be able to figure out what the problem is. They can't and two other garages can't. I miss my 96 F-150. When there was a problem and the check engine light came on, any garage could find and fix the problem. Newer cars are so full of computerized crap it's almost impossible and expensive to find some problems! I have had Ford vehicles in the past and was very happy with them, but this one is getting very aggravating! This is a problem that many other people are apparently having problems with across the U.S. I searched the internet, found too many posts with this problem and too many different solutions or no solution.

This is a very disappointing and disturbing problem with a Ford vehicle. After this problem, I think I actually want my 74 Mustang back. There was no computerized anything on that. If there was a problem with it, it was found very quickly and fixed very quickly. The problem with the Focus has been going on for a few weeks and no answers to what it is. Just an expensive search and I can't afford much more. I think the next vehicle I get will not have computerized anything on it and I'm starting to think it won't be a Ford with all the problems with this one and how even the Ford mechanics can't find the problem.

My 2000 Ford Focus dropped a value seal in engine today. Its engine was knocking. I stopped the car, went in store and came out store after about 45 minutes later. I turned key and it started knocking. Its engine was not making noise when the key was turned off.

I bought a used Ford Focus, and there are several problems with this car. I admit that it was a poor decision on my part to buy this car, but for all the repairs that need to be done, I figured it was something that wouldn't be too pricey to fix. I was wrong. The rear passenger door doesn't unlock, front passenger door opens 98% of the time, and now, the ignition switch it frozen. These specific issues are extremely unsafe and Ford should have a nationwide recall on the car, not just the parts that are faulty at that moment.

I have a 2003 Ford Focus, and like countless others, my ignition locked, and I couldn't turn my key. The guy from AAA, who came to tow my car, told me that he had seen this a lot. So did the Ford Dealer, who in fact, recommended that I contact Ford for a refund. When I do so, they said they had never heard any other complaints, and refused to do anything. It cost me $600.00 to fix it, and I only had 15,000 miles on my car at the time. Very bad customer service.

I own a 2001 Ford Focus LX (109K miles) and have been having problems with my automatic transmission. It appears I have the same problems as hundreds of others out there. When I'm driving in city traffic, the car will suddenly "kick" (feels like a solid whack from a sledge hammer) and my speed will decrease significantly as the engine begins to sputter and I can't seem to go faster than 15-20 mph. If I pull over and turn the car off for a few minutes, it will be fine for a very short while and then it all begins again. This happened to me once on the freeway and I almost got hit by another car. Since then I'm too scared to take it on any road over 40 mph. This problem is intermittent as it may occur at 20, 35, 40, 70 mph. It can't be predicted.

I took it to the dealer and he replaced the fuel pump, coil springs, pinch bolt and rerouted the battery cable (after having the car 4 days in their shop with no loaner car or rental reimbursement! ) Of course the problem was still there and the mechanic told me I would feel a "slight" surge at 40 mph and to drive it and let them know what I think. After 4 days in the shop, I would expect them to tell me what they think.

The Ford dealer says it "might" be a transmission problem and wants to replace it but I can't afford the expense and with so many having an identical problem, I feel this is a Ford issue, not mine. I am extremely dissatisfied with this car and with Ford. I find this completely unacceptable. I do not have the financial means to pay $2000+ for a transmission overhaul/replacement nor can I purchase another car. Without my car, I will lose my job and eventually my family will lose our home.

We have a 2005 Ford Focus and are on our 4th set of tires. We only have 64,000 miles on the vehicle. Whatever you do, do not buy a Ford Focus. All the tire manufacturers will not warranty their tires for this car and Ford will not do anything for you. Even if you align your vehicle and rotate every 5,000 miles, this car eats tires up.

The ignition switch locked up and I can't unlock the wheel for even a tow. Apparently this is a huge problem for Ford focus. Mine is a 2000 SE. I had to pay for a tow, and now I have to pay to have the ignition replaced. This is crazy!

My 2007 Ford Focus key was stuck in the ignition. I see that a lot of people had the same problem. The fix is rather simple, I found it on the internet. If the car is an automatic the shifter has a plastic trim piece under the handle (looks like a tube) that will slip down and prevent the shifter from going all the way into park preventing the key from coming out. Grab the tube, pull up on it and the shifter will go all the way into park. The key should come right out. It worked for me the first time. Hope it does the same for the rest of you who has a Ford focus with the key stuck.

I own a 2001 Ford Focus. I was looking at recalls and happened to notice that people are having the same issues with their car as I have with mine. I can't tell you everything that had gone wrong with my car expect 4 transmissions later, countless numbers of stuck brakes and you name it has gone wrong. I sent Ford a letter demanding a new car and they basically laughed at me. I will keep this car until my extended warranty runs, purchase after warranty of $3500.00 which was the best investment ever. I do not drive it much. I only have 65000 miles and I bought it new. I will never own another Ford ever again. I have never been so upset. My repair receipts are so long and extended I could go from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas with as many as I have.

My husband found out that recharging the air condition of my 2003 Ford Focus really ** where it is situated. It takes so much effort to do this very simple recharging for other cars but on my Ford Focus, the recharging valve inlet is situated underneath a plastic sheet of the right fender passenger side. You need first to remove the right wheel and that plastic guard of the fender. I hate it because on my car it's just situated visibly by the engine compartment. Ford Company, you **!

I have an elderly neighbor who has a 2008 Ford Focus. She has occasionally gotten stuck because she couldn't get her key in the ignition switch. I have seen it myself. I tried oiling it, to no avail. Now I see others have had the same problem. I told her to contact Ford before she gets stuck completely. So far she has been lucky that the key eventually works. Will follow up with results.

I have a 2000 Ford Focus and the A/C smoke is coming out of my hood. Does it have anything to do with the pulley?

my steering wheel is locked and it wont unlock. what more can i say. i will never buy a ford again. first and worst experience i have had with a ford and now i am going back to Honda.

Like hundreds of others on this site, I too have experienced the infamous Ford Focus ignition switch debacle. The ignition switch in my 2003 Focus SE seized up as is common on this model. After reading the many entries on this site, I tried the "tapping the key gently with a small hammer fix" and it does work if you're careful. I had fixed one on my Mom's car in Florida last year to the tune of $500 at the local Ford garage in Spring Hill. So it was no surprise when mine became faulty. This should clearly be recalled and I'm disappointed that Ford hasn't seen fit to do this.

My recommendation to anyone who has a Focus: find a locksmith who specializes in auto ignition locks and keep his number very handy. IT WILL [go] OUT ON YOU AT THE MOST INOPORTUNE TIME! The local Ford garage in Kingston NY wanted $400 to fix it and other Ford dealers quoted me as much as $550. I found a local automotive locksmith who came to me with a mobile shop, replaced the tumbler, coded the existing keys and had it all done in a relatively short period of time. Cost : $125 and the best part it that he guarentees his work. He fixes these on a regular basis with an after-market ignition switch that does not have the inherrent defect that the Ford Motor Company product does.

Ford will not own up to the fact that their switch is a piece of crap and that's why we have the horror stories on this site. The Service Manager at the Kingston garage is a poor excuse for a professional. I have owned Fords for over 40 years and as a result of his "could care less attitude" I will never buy a Ford product again. Bottem line: Fix it before it breaks down and leaves you in the lurch on a stormy night in a lousy location. Find a good auto locksmith and give yourself peace of mind.

2004 Ford Focus SE. Where to start... at 60,000 miles about a week after I bought the car from the Ford dealership I had to replace the alternator, pretty penny. Next was the ignition (no surprise, I think this is an expected expense among Ford Focus owners), AAA fixed it for just over $200, then I had a lovely coolant leak, the thermostat housing was cracked, also very common, trunk latch wont close after I open it, must press the unlatch key in order for it to close, and as I was driving the other day and pressed the button to roll down my driver side window, it completely fell off the track with a nice thud. way to scare the **** out of someone as theyre driving. ends up being a broken window regulator. I'm sure since i've only had the car for 3 years and have had all these problems there will be more to come :) not to mention Ive had to replace 4 mirrors now, who in the hell thought to make the mirrors stick out so damn much.

I have had my 2007 Ford Focus in to the dealership twice in a month. Both times the key has been jammed in the ignition. Thankfully my car was driveable. I have had to pay for both services. The comment made to me was "this happens a lot". I specifically asked about contacting Ford, warrentees and recalls with not any offering of assistance by the dealership. Out of pocket expense at $800.00. Time and inconvience of bringing in to the dealership and waiting for repair or getting rides to and from work.

After finding that my ignition would not turn, I goggled and see this is a common issue.

The Ford dealer quoted me $500 to fix this. The locksmith is doing it for $90-$100.

I went to Wal-Mart with my four month old twins, get all the shopping done. Then, I went to turn the ignition in my 04 Ford Focus and it's locked up. I had to wait for about two hours to get towed and ruined groceries and screaming kids. I am never buying a Ford again.

I can't start my 2004 Ford Focus because the lock cylinder won't turn. I got stranded at the office. AAA recommended having an automotive locksmith try to replace the cylinder on-site before towing to local Ford dealership. I agreed. Locksmith said he's familiar with the problem and replaced the entire lock cylinder, which he said should outlast the rest of the car. Success, my car started again. It cost me $281 for locksmith service.

I have a 2004 Ford Focus and it has about 67,000 miles on it. A real nice car when it was running. Almost one month ago, the battery went dead. Now, the starter is dead. I had it towed to the Ford dealer and they looked under the hood and said the cost to replace the starter with labor is around $600.00. I could not pay at that time so I had another tow truck bring it home. But before I could get the key to my car, I had to pay the Ford dealership $129.90. Now here is my question, should a 2004 Ford Focus need a new starter at only 67,000 miles on it? I do not believe that I have used the starter more than 1,000 times.

I bought a 2007 Ford Focus brand new in 2008, and now two years later, I have had to replace the rotors. I couldn't believe that one, after only a year and a half of driving it off the lot! Now my key is stuck in the ignition and has to be replaced! I am going to have the whole ignition system replaced at a cost of around $350.00, and the rotors cost me over $400.00 to replace. I was told in both instances that this is a common problem. Why hasn't Ford issued a recall?

The key is stuck in the ignition, and I can't start the car. I am told that I will have to tow my car into the Ford dealer, and replace the ignition. Apparently, this has been going on for over a year. There have been over 200 complaints in the past few months. A co-worker just went through this with her 2002 Ford Focus, and it cost $350.00, not including the towing! Please help!

I think there should be a class action law suit to Ford. They have known about this for well over a year, more like two. Please contact me, and let me know what I can do to initiate a class action. This is complete, utter **. Thank you for letting me vent. I am sitting in the parking lot at work, waiting for a ride. I live 30 miles away, and my niece has to pick me up. It's a round trip of 60 miles! I can't go to work tomorrow, and I can't pay my house payment today, because the car is going to cost me over $300.00 to fix. My hours have been cut down, and my paycheck is pitiful. Needless to say, Ford has really ** me this time! Ford stands for "fix or repair daily" or "found on road dead".. Don't ever buy a Ford!

I have a 2006 Ford Focus and the key is stuck in the ignition. Today, March 27,2010, I took the car to the dealer. They said that it is not covered under the warranty, however, they want me to bring it in on Monday. I cannot go to work and have to watch the car for the rest of the day. The car also stalls when you are idle. Now, I know why there are a lot of problems with this car and Ford has known about this for quite some time. Something needs to be done about this and Ford needs to be put in the hot seat on this one.

People should not have to pay for a problem that Ford has known about for quite some time. Has anyone started a class action suite against Ford yet? If not, why not? I was not able to go to work because of this problem. I got a three day suspension because I had to call in at the last minute. I will not be able to do anything at all because I cannot leave my car with the key stuck in the ignition.

I called to find out if Ford recalled Ford Focus 2004 because I noted on the internet that there have been many complaints on the ignition. Their response is that they would keep a record of it, but no recall. After seeing all these complaints on the internet, there should have been one. The money just to look at it is $135.00, not including parts. I was stranded at a Safeway store parking lot around the corner of my house. I had to walk home thinking maybe the chip in the key went bad. It was cold and I wasn't feeling good. The thought of a tow truck, the expense. Ford knowing there have been other complaints, they should have taken care of this problem long time ago. I had a son home with two teeth pulled out and I had his meds with me. It was stressful and could have been avoided.

After reading about the ignition on the Ford Focus, I too am having the same problem on my 2003 Focus. I got into it and tried to start and my key wouldn't turn. I am so grateful to AAA; however, now I have to leave the key in the ignition until I can have it repaired.

We have a 2006 Ford Focus and the key is currently stuck in the ignition. So far, it is still drivable but it sounds like this is an on going issue for Ford. I see complaints going back to 2000 models.

In December of 2008, I purchased a used 2003 Ford Focus hatchback with 29,000 miles on it. Around June of 2009, my car had ignition lock. The whole key compartment had to be replaced--$394 to fix and the warranty didn't cover that. Recently (late February of 2010), I'm driving to Austin from San Antonio and the car is delaying hard before it changes gears. The engine light comes on! As far as car maintenance, I'm always on top that schedule so I'm like, what could it be? The problem was the transmission, one of the cylinders is messed up. Another $386 to fix and now that I did my research, I learned that these are common problems with Ford Focus. The first "common issue," which was the ignition lock that happened in June of 2009 cost me $394. The second problem happened on February of 2010 that cost me $386. A total of $780 on common problems.

I own a 2001 ford focus. My wife was driving it the other day and the motor mount grenade and the engine dropped out. Luckily she was going at a low rate of speed and no one rear ended her. Had she been at highway speed with our young son in the car it could have been tragic. So far, it has an estimated cost of $600.00 plus towing. That estimate is preliminary depending on if the mechanic finds any engine damage. So far, it has an estimated cost of $600.00 plus towing. That estimate is preliminary depending on if the mechanic finds any engine damage.

2003 ford focus ignition. The key will not turn in the ignition which after a little research this is a very common problem in this vehicle. There has been at least 116 complaints on one website. This issue needs to be addressed. Cannot use the car without spending $200-400 on this and it will happen again according to several owners.

I had the bad experience of owning a 2000 Ford Focus and literally having to replace its engine while my husband was serving in the U.S Army in Afghanistan. I had extra danger pay sent to me and my son whom has a heart problem so all I could think of was put another engine in the car. You do not think about complaining to the car company.

In 06, I spent for a second hand engine to be put in locally around $3000. When my son and I went to Fort Lewis Washington to be with my husband we bought a 2004 Ford Explorer to drive back to Connecticut upon my husband being medically discharged. It ran fine; we drove it back 3000 miles from Washington State to Connecticut. To be fair it ran beautifully, no trouble at all. Well at around 60-70,000 miles we were going to drive my son to Boston General Hospital for a checkup. When we were less than half a mile down the road at a stop light the car started shaking upon stepping on the gas pedal! It had been fine! Not a sound to even make us think it had any problems.

We thankfully pulled into a gas station and it stalled. It was started again the engine light came on. It stalled. I had it towed to the Ford place; it had done miner things on it. Replace the spark plugs, coil; it was goi8ng higher on the cost. I said stop. Had it towed to the garage in town that had put the engine in the Ford Focus a couple years earlier. They could not believe it, again! They had heard of Explorers conking out at 70-75,000 miles also.

So, the explorer could be fixed with a new engine for $5000 at the local garage. No way. Why? Because my husband was injured in Afghanistan, is on Social Security, and VA, well we do not have the money! We had to buy another car with payments and CitiFinancial Auto will not even work with us to refinance that Explorer either! So we have two car payments totaling near $800 a month for both! Ford Company is a joke; they should just have a robot answer the customer complaint line. Two times engines died with no warning. It is causing hardship for my family and injured OEF vet husband. Ford should pay off the 04 Ford Explorer and the second car we had to take a loan out on. This is the thanks my husband gets for serving in the US Army, none from Ford or CitiFinancial. Oh yes, my son never got to his Heart appointment in Boston either, before his insurance ran out turning 18.

My first round of problems with my 2001 Ford Focus which was bought brand new off the lot with less than 10 miles on it, was the stalling of the vehicle, loss of power and stuttering within the first few months of having it whenever I went around a curve, etc. This was taken cared of under warranty. After this happening to me on the highway too many times, and in my last trimester of a complicated pregnancy in which the pregnancy prior resulted in the still birth of my baby, this frightened me because I thought I would be struck from the back on the freeway and get killed! Imagine, going from 60 mph to putting all the way down to barely moving with no warning at all! It was enough to give you a heart attack. Also, when the baby is born, and I had my new born to travel around , it is scary to think of the risk of being hit from the back.

My next circus of events with this vehicle is the wheel bearings & rotors needing to be replaced in 2 years. Are they serious, and I mean to the point of my wheel shaking and vibrating horribly on a fairly new car? Also the brakes are constantly giving me problems. To my next string of problems that I never really paid much attention to at first, until my key wouldn't turn over at all, having to play with and fiddle back and forth with the key to be able to turn it in the ignition.

Then one day, 2 young kids get back in the car and when I try to start up and the key won't go all the way in the ignition let alone turn it over. When I called the dealer, Hollywood Ford, in California to let them know what was happening he didn't even have to give it much thought or research to find out, just instantly, he informed that I have to replace the ignition because its broken. After reading all these testimonies to the same types of problems, its now clear how the service tech knew what to tell me immediately, because this is a problem that obviously needs to be corrected with these cars, and the consumers are paying dearly and unfairly for it.

To date, this has happened to me twice just again today, my daughter and I have been to the Doctor's office cause she is sick, the pharmacy, gas co, grocery store and when we got back in the car, the vehicle ignition would not turn. I called triple A and the tech comes out to see if he can get it to turn and he, of course, couldn't and informed me that this is a very common problem that most of Ford Focus and some other models of Ford do encounter and that the ignition would have to be replaced. After getting a locksmith to quote me cost of fixing, it was an alarming $345.00. Wow, who can afford to keep taking lost like this while Ford continues to profit & gain. I am completely taken by all of this, what can be done to correct and reimburse these issues?

On Dec. 21, 2009, the ignition cylinder jammed on my 2001 Ford Focus,which had at the time only 36,320 miles,leaving me stranded. I had to have it towed to the dealership where they drilled out the tab and installed a new key cylinder. I have since found out that this happens with frequency in 2000-2003 model cars, often multiple times, even after repairs. So they must be replacing these cylinders with more of the same faulty cylinders.

California has started a class action lawsuit. There should be a total recall! The cost to me was time from work, both mine and my husband's. Our insurance company USAA had to pay for the tow, and we paid the dealership, Alpharetta Ford Dealership at Mansell Road in Alpharetta, GA, $427.84.

My 2000 Focus had the ignition switch problem. The car had to be towed and repaired. I sent a letter to Ford and never received a reply.

I have been having trouble with my 2002 Ford Focus since I purchased it. First, my radio stopped working, then my check engine light came on and has been on almost nonstop for the past few years. I take very good care of my car and now, I'm being told by a non-Ford mechanic that my transmission needs to be built. This is after I had the Ford dealer check my car and tell me the only thing that needed to be done was replace a PCV hose and battery cables for over $1,000.

After reading many blogs about this car, I see that many people are having the same issues with the transmission. I just wanted to make sure that it was reported because it appears to be an issue with the transmission that Ford placed in the car. I am constantly going to the mechanic for this car and each mechanic I go to tells me that the repairs they do will definitely fix my car and take care of the check engine light. I had Ford replaced the thermostat and gasket in my car with a guarantee that that would fix my car.

Needless to say, it didn't. When I took my car back, they had a whole new list of problems that were guaranteed to fix my car. I have spent $1,000s on repairs on this car in the last few years alone and nothing seems to fix the problem. I was just told today, 2/9/10, that my transmission needs to be rebuilt for $1,200 and this will take care of the check engine light and the shifting of gears that the car just started doing last week. However, I am a little leery about this because every single repair I have had was to fix the car and check engine light issue, but it never does. Now, I'm faced with paying over $1,000 again for a car repair and I'm worried that I will be right back in the shop in a few months with the same issues. I'm at a point where I don't know what to do.

I had to get the ignition lock cylinder replaced. $545.

I went to start my car and put the key in the ignition. And the ignition cylinder in my 2000 Ford Focus locked up. I had to have it towed to Mullahey Ford Dealership and paid $413.55 to get it fixed. They had to drill out and replaced the cylinder. They built a new tumbler to match the existing key.

I have a 2000 Ford Focus with 43000 miles on it. Key would not turn in ignition. It had to be towed and have it fixed for $598.00.

My 2000 Ford Focus ignition switch broke last night stranding me.I just replaced my wife's 2000 Focus ignition switch about 2 years ago. My car only has 76,000 miles. I think this is definitely a problem that Ford Motor Company needs to address. I have always bought Fords: Two new ones, '89 Taurus which was defected with paint faded within 3 months of purchase. We bought the 2000 Ford Focus (Sony Edition) off the Showroom floor from a local dealership (Stearns) with 87 miles on 10/2000. We haven't had a lot of problems with the car, but this ignition problem Ford needs to fix.

My daughter went away to college with her 2000 Ford Focus when she was left stranded due to not being able to get the key in the ignition. A mechanic from her school helped out and after an hour of working on it he was able to get the key in and start the car. He recommended to never take the key out again until it is fixed. He mentioned alot of Focus owners have this same problem but Ford won't recall them to fix.

We own a 2004 Ford Focus and we've had to have the ignition replaced two times within the last month! First time in Florida couldn't get to work the key wouldn't turn. Second time was a few days ago just moved to Wisconsin and the same thing happened! The locksmith in Florida said he's had to replace 8 ignitions this year alone and the locksmith from Wisconsin said he's had to replace 5! We've had to pay two different locksmiths $200+ to get the problem fixed.

there should be a recall and reimbursement

Just for fun I call Ford's customer service # to see if there was anything being done about these ignition problems, such as a recall or at least some sort of discount for the repairs. They did inform me that there was indeed a recall for my Focus........for the battery cables!!! And if I would like to schedule a time to have those fixed, it would be free of charge. Did I miss something? I called concerning my ignition, and a vehicle that cannot be started if the key is removed from the ignition, and was given information on something completely different.

In the end, there will be no discount, no recall. I broke one key trying to start the car, so I am down to one key that must be left in the ignition in the unlocked position, if I want the car to start. Therefore, the car cannot be locked. Furthermore, I cannot have a key made, because of the type of key that is used. Nobody will make a copy of the key for me. So $500 for repair and no guarantee I won't be paying this again a year down the road.

Two and a half years into owning the car my truck latch went out completely and would not lock correctly. My latest issue is that my car key will not turn in the ignition. I have had this problem fixed once already and have to have it done again. I will never buy another ford in my life and the focus was our family's 3rd ford purchased brand new. Such a dissappointment.

The Ford dealer I bought it from (in Decatur, GA) went out of business just before my 30K mile warranty expired, and I never received any further notices about scheduled maintenance, but I kept up the oil changes at a local Valvoline. After taking the car to the closest transmission shop (Mr. Transmission), I was told the 2nd and 4th gears were "gone," and had to rebuild the transmission for $2600. At 40K miles?

my car was made in 2001 ford out a 2001 fuel pump and filter in and put an 2002 body on the car and then put an 2003 engine in the car so when the car sputtered and then stalled out on a major road I did not know what to do but ask for help to get the car into a lot so it could be towed to my mechanic and come to find out the parts were on recall but ford tells me it was not because of the vin number but yet the parts in the car is a 2001 part what i am i suppose to do it cost me 775.00 to fix the problem but to avail the pump that was put in to the car it burned up because it was the wrong one they needed a 2001 not a 2002 so this cost me more money help me please need to clarified this

Problem with 2000 Ford Focus ZX3. Key will not go into ignition. Looking at tow plus repairs. From what I read, looks like $500 in repairs.

I'm right there with the other 2000 Ford Focus owners. I myself have been trapped three separate occasions due to the ignition cylinder no longer turning with key in the ignition. We are about to replace the cylinder for the second time, this time with a different model and new keys. The total for this job will be over $300. Last time we got one from another focus in the junk yard and it was over about $150 as we had to put in an entire steering column and have it re keyed to fit my original keys. Ford should be recalling these substandard ignitions and replacing them at their cost. What a hassel! I'm tired of getting stranded.

I bought my 2003 Focus brand new and have regreted it ever since. The brakes are horrible. Months after i bought it they began to squeak, when i took it back to the dealer ship the mechanic told me that because of the material they are made of, thats "normal". Every year i have to replace the brakes, rotors, pads,and tires. I cant afford to start over with a new car note, its the only reason i am keeping it. I wrote to ford and they responded telling me they wanted to talk to me personally, in the end they ended up being of no help. Never again will i buy ford, nor would i ever recommend it. This is ridiculous!

I bought a 2002 ford Focus about 2 years ago. Loved the car until the ignition gave us problems. Had to replace the ignition after several service calls to the locksmith because the key would get stuck. Then one day 4 months ago, the key wouldn't come out no matter what we did. So we had to get a new ignition.

Today the car won't shut off. We don't have the money for a new car and spent $6000 for this one 2 years ago. If we can't get it fixed it's junk. I won't have a car to drive to work. We just about make our bills monthly and I don't have the money for new car and getting it fixed again will cost several hundreds of dollars. Money I don't have. I bought this car because I believed in Ford and thought it was a good solid car to buy.

It's terrible that they don't consider the ignition problem a recall. I was very lucky that everytime this happened it was during the day and locally. My daughter drives this car when she comes from from school and takes it to Boston to school or Providence where she works. I can't trust it anymore, so she does not have a car to use anymore. We don't know what to do about this problem.

The locksmith can't help us and they are notifying a local ford dealership because they (The ford dealership) called him to have him fix a focus with the same problem. He couldn't help them but they supposingly fix it somehow. I always had faith in Ford but that is quickly fading.

WAKE UP FORD this thing can not be good for sales . Face up to your responsibilities.

I bought a ford focus 2004 in February of 2008. I have had the worse problems with my car. I had to change the ignition once, the electrical system has gone hay wire. My truck button inside no longer works or my door locks. Now my car motor is soooo loud and shake it's scary, It sounds like the motor is about to drop. I took it to get it looked at, and guest what? I have TWO broken motor mounts:(:(. I am a single mother with 2 children's trying to support them by working 8 hours a day everyday every since I can remember. I can't afford to buy another car or even worse I can't afford to not have a car. I'm still making payments. Please help!!!!

Ignition lock locks up and key refuses to turn. This is the second time this has happened in less than 20,000 miles. The first time I was stranded for 2-1/2 hours waiting for a tow truck to tow my Ford Focus to the dealer. This time, I was stranded over an hour in 100 degree heat waiting for the tow truck. The internet is rife with consumers having the same problem with the Ford Focus. Why is there no recall to correct this obvious defect?

First instance, I lost 2-1/2 hours of work waiting for tow truck and the vehicle was at the dealer for 3 days. I do not know the full economic impact of the second occurrence as I have not yet had the ignition switch replaced. I will NOT purchase another Ford product and I will urge everyone I know to avoid Ford vehicles until Ford steps up to the plate and corrects these obvious defects!

if i would have know what was recalled on this car i would never have payed 4500 for it. i have done spent the last two yrs about 3500 on it. i could have bought one new that would be covered under there problem. what can a person do

I bought a 2000 ford focus in 2004 and have had the ignition changed twice. The key gets stuck in the ingintion for hours at a time. It was once stolen because i couldn't remove the key at the store. There is no recall for the ignition and i have paid lots of money because of this problem. This is why American car companies arent trusted and are going under. These sub standard vehicles are pushed on hard working Americans like myself. The Ford Motor Company needs to accept responsibility for these defective vehicles. This experience has sent me running to Toyota and Honda without looking back.

I think ford should have to answer for this and pull all models and makes of t he ford focus off the road. it just looses power while you driving without any warrning.Some one help us. with this ford focus sitiuation. PLEASE.

2000 Ford Focus bought used in Oct 2007. Ignition locked up. Was able to jiggle steering wheel and key to un-jam. It happened again the next day and it is locked up tight. The key for this vehicle is Securelock Anti-theft, only dealer can make this key, costs a hefty $250.00. I have read several stories about this being a common problem and Ford refuses to acknowedge it as an issue.

Drove my daughter's 2005 Ford Focus to work and when I attempted to leave after a long day of work the ignition was stuck in place. I called two local Ford Dealerships and was informed that this happens all the time on Ford vehicles. I was instructed to try and turn the wheel left to right to see if the ignition would slip back into place. I was also instructed to put the key in the ignition and hit it several times while trying to turn the wheel. None of these suggestions worked. I was then instructed to just have it towed to the Dealer since this type of work on Ford ignition's happens quite frequently. I called a locksmith for which I had to wait 2 hrs while he completed another call on a Ford auto with a ignition switch that was also locked in place and had to be replaced.

I recently purchased a used 2001 Ford Focus. This car has had fuel system problems since I have owned it, with no end in sight. I have replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, and oxygen sensor, and the stalling problem is worse than before.

I have a 2001 Ford Focus, and just recently the ignition for some unknown reason has begun to lock up. The ignition locks, the anti-theft light blinks repeatedly, and the steering column locked. I sat for 4 hours, trying to get the key to turn. I called the dealership and they said it was a common problem and would cost almost $500 to fix. Finally after 4 hours of messing with the key and trying to get it to turn in the ignition, we were able to jerk it and it started. Now it is sitting in my driveway and I am unable to drive it because who knows where else I will be stranded the next time and if it will even start again. After doing some research here on the internet, turns out this is a common problem with Ford's tumblers or ignition and that they are not willing to do anything about it. I don't have the money to fix it and now I am stuck with a non functional car. When will Ford step up to the plate and take responsibility for their parts and issue a recall.

My car is a Ford Focus 1.8L (A) Sedan, purchased on April 30, 2007, in Malaysia. Chassis Number : PE163LPB51DR00439, Approximately :68000 km to date. The engine mounting near the timing belt has become faulty. Does this part breakdown so fast. The local Ford dealer informed me that there was no replacement part available and the dealers said that they can probably get the parts in two or three weeks time from June 12, 2009.

But then am I supposed to be without a car for so long. The more I use the car until the parts arrive, I'm positive that the other mountings and probably other parts might get faulty, and I might have to incur additional cost. What do I do? When I decided to purchase a Ford vehicle it was for the ruggedness, quality, dependability, durability and especially for the comfort. What can I the customer do if the whole country does not have the parts, suffer extra damage to my vehicle? Who's responsible?

I had sent many e-mails to Ford USA and they kept telling me to get in touch with the local Ford dealer who had informed me that the part will not be available for another 2 to 3 weeks from 12th June 2009. When they finally got the part I sent my car for repair on 6th July 2009 and collected my car on 8th July 2009. The Ford dealer told me that now the RightDrive Shaft was faulty and that they can't replace it under warranty. But as I was worried earlier the faulty engine mounting led to other damages, why should I be responsible for Ford not having spare parts. and I sent the following e-mail to Ford USA;

"To whoever concerned or bothered about FORD customers, Firstly I would like to congratulate FORD for doing such a great job in taking care of your customers. From the date I started corresponding with your company until present, my satisfaction level with FORD has gone from extremely satisfied to non-existent. Again a great big thank you to FORD on enlightening me as to the exact level of Customer Care that FORD provides - Nil.

"What I was worried about has happened, due to the lack of availability of the right engine mounting, and the continuous use of my car until 6th July 2009, when I called FORD and they informed me that the part has finally arrived (praise the LORD, not FORD). I immediately sent my car in for the repairs and surprise, surprise, the FORD agent informed me that the Front Right Drive Shaft was also faulty. The even better news was that they are not responsible for the damage and therefore no warranty claim can be made.

"When I sent my car in on 12th June 2009, there were some other repairs done on the car and I left the car at the FORD agent for at least half a day. When I collected my car they still said that it was the mounting that was damaged and that the part will arrive in about 3 weeks from the date. Nothing was mentioned about the Drive Shaft being damaged. When I collected my car from the FORD agent after the engine mounting was repaired on 8th July 2009, the FORD agent told me that FORD will not repair the damaged Drive Shaft under warranty. Is it my fault that the FORD agent did not have the part ? My car is still shaking when I drive it but thankfully the noise and level of shaking is not as bad as when the engine mounting was faulty.

"If as the FORD agent says that the Drive Shaft was faulty before the engine mounting was damaged, couldn't they have noticed it when I left my car with the FORD agent on 12th June 2009 and if it was faulty why did they not notify me when I collected my car from them later that day. I've been very inconvenienced by FORD. Please tell me if anything can be done to resolve this issue? Thank you. P.S. Why do FORD parts get faulty very fast ? When I sent my car in on 6th July '09 I met another customer who had bought his brand new FORD Focus 1.8 Ghia in September 2007, I bought my brand new FORD Focus 1.8 Ghia in May 2007. That customer was telling me that his car has only gone about 60,000 km's and his car's drive shaft was replaced much earlier and he had the same kind of experiences with his FORD as I have. If I have this problems, it can be the way I drive but how come another person has the same problems ?

"P.P.S. I know that no action will be taken about this issue, I'm just writing to you to vent my frustrations, displeasure and overall Unhappiness and Dissatisfaction with FORD. P.P.P.S Thank you very much for your valuable time to look at my ramblings, rest assured that I will never ever buy another FORD vehicle and thereby saving FORD from having to listen to another extra customers grouses. And thank you FORD for changing my Appreciation and Pleasure of owning and driving a FORD to a feeling of Anger, Frustration and Loathing for anything FORD. P.P.P.P.S. Hopefully FORD will be able to make Great Quality Dependable cars as it did Once Upon A time. Please help me to resolve this problem the soonest, I'm ferrying my children around in a faulty car which now vibrates and feels like a junk. I refuse to repair it on my own expense because Ford should be responsible for their inadequacies, not their unfortunate customers who I feel very wrongly purchased Ford vehicles."

I bought my 2001 Ford Focus in the Summer of 01. Since then I've had to have the EGR tube replaced, had to have the Brakes replaced 3 times due to severe squealing. I've replaced the alternator the motor mounts and replaced the exhaust system gaskets due to another leak. My Focus makes really loud knocking sounds after accelerating and taking my foot off the peddel and Harris ford in Lynnwood, WA has told me that it's normal and that they are good cars. My car has under 90,000 miles on it and is running very rough. I still can't find the problem with it and after reading all the other complaints about this year of Focus I regret buying it...

Ford Focus..19,458 miles, ignition froze. Ford refuses to pay costs to fix or admit there is a problem with ignitons on these cars.

Thank you

2007 Ford Focus - both side door locks need continuous lubrication or they will begin to stick and eventually freeze and fail. This happened to me (I was unaware that this problem existed) in a car only 2 years old! Cost me $272 to replace a driver's side door lock. I have to say that in all my years of owning vehicles (I am 56 now) I have NEVER had to lubricate door lock mechanisms. Shouldn't there be a recall on these vehicles so Ford can get this one RIGHT?

This will be the last time I replace the garbage in my 2000 Ford Focus. This time instead of towing to Ford to get repaired I think I'll tow to wrecking yard where it belongs. Loss of more than $2000 in parts, repairs, towing, hotel, misery of being stuck in Beaver Utah.

My daughter's '03 Ford Focus ignition has jammed and will be charged between $100 - $360 to fix it. I cannot beleive after reading many complaints, some on the same vehicle multiple times, that Ford Automotive Co. has not put out a recall.

I purchased this Focus SES new in 10/2007. The second week of ownership I noticed unusual engine vibration and hesitation with start up, sometimes it would stall. The dealership had the car a few days and tried to duplicate the problem but according to my service advisor they could not find anything wrong. A couple weeks went by then the car started doing it again but this time it stalled so I brought it back only this time it was towed in, they had the car for a week and they said we could not duplicate the problem but the car was a dead start and was towed in, anyway when I got the car back it went for an oil change and tire rotation but the car still vibrated and it needed a diagnostic because my airbag light was on for whatever reason, they fixed it and attempted to fix the engine by saying a motor mount cracked so they fixed that as well but of course the problem started up again but only this time the rear bumper skins clamps failed and the skin had to be replaced.

The reason was due to engine vibration, a bumper skin, as if this wasnt enough. I contacted the Ford Customer Relation Department explained the issue and the rep gave me no resolution at all. The car has been in and out for either mechanical or electrical problems from the driver rear window not going up (happened once) the air bag computer issue (twice) and the vibration (6 times) + due to suspension issues with the front passenger side I had to buy 4 new tires.

In conclusion one of the engineers from ford came down to look my car over and with no surprise he found nothing, I never even received a report of what he did. Two weeks after that the engine started its routine again so I went to a different dealership and they replaced the mass flow sensor thinking that was the fix but the car is now starting up again. . I contacted the Ford Customer Relation Department (third time) about the airbag sensor on 06/19/2009 in addition to all the other issues but I must say I am afraid of this car, how can I trust the airbags when it seemed to fail twice along with the mechanical issues. I have lost valuable time and money because of these issues and now I have decided to execute the lemon law.

My ignition wont work. The key wont turn the ignition. I'm relying on public transportation while my car thats paid for in full is sitting parked in front of my house frustrated!

I bought my focus from a used car dealer in Mtgy,Al. with no warranty for the sum of $6000.00 plus taxes. The car had exactly 96,3000 miles on it. It now has exactly 241,888 miles on it. My wife drives the car approx. 60 miles round trip back and forth to work daily. The only thing I,ve had to do is replace the valve cover gasket,thermostat housing gasket,replace brake disc,replace plugs and wires. the car runs like it's brand new, no smoke,no strange noises,nothing at all. a/c still blows cold. The only thing wrong is the problem like the person had with the key getting stuck in the ignition.

I just sprayed a little lubrication oil in it and yanked it out,now it works fine. This car will have 400,000 miles on it before we park it for good if no car accident happens gauranteed! Most of the minor work I did was with the aid of one of those autozone car manuals, they only cost like $13.00 and all the procedures are simple.To all focus owners out there, I would buy the manual and do the fixes myself. It's a whole lot cheaper and keep your oil changed which is very important in a small car. Thank you for listening to my comment.

I bought a used 2000 ford focus. ignition locked up and had a locksmith replace it. 3 months later the car died and will not crank. We probably have to replace it again. We checked the timing, put new spark plugs, wires, new battery terminals, new grounding cables, checked fuel injectors, also coil pack. this is the only thing I can think of. We will be checking this out this weekend. Ford needs to stand by their products. If they would go ahead and recall this part, then all who are affected can get their vehicle fixed and maybe the complaints will subside.

Yesterday the ignition locked up without prior warning and the key would not work at all and the key casing with the computer chip broke off in my hand when trying to start the car. I was stranded and had to have the car towed on a flat bed to the dealership today.

I asked if it was a recalled part and he said no not yet but charged me $500. for a new ignition switch +/labor and new programed key. I am very mad that Ford will not recall this part as I was told the new ignition switch that was put in my car will only last awhile until the tumblers lock up like the part he took out.

It is bad enough I have to replace the rotors and breaks on this car everyyear because Ford makes faulty parts and will not recall those parts or even improve them. I want Ford to recall these known bad parts and reimburse me, then improve their products. But since this will not happen I am complaining here today and will not buy another Ford product I will also tell everyone I know why I am frustrated with Ford and not to buy their cars.

I was told by multiple other mechanics that i could drive this car off a cliff and the coil spring issue wouldn't have been my fault! I finally received an "Im Sorry for you inconvenience, but a recall was issued for this problem and here is your money back..." I would never recommend someone to buy a Ford Vehicle EVER again. The FOCUS is a JUNK vehicle and Ford should be ashamed of themselves!

I have a 2001 Ford focus and have had so many problems with it. The most recent problem was the key would not turn in the ignition and left me stranded at night. I then got ripped off by a mobile mechanic who replaced the steering column, that was defective, which then I had to take it to the Ford place. Now the cruise contol doesn't work because the steering column was used and the coil was bad in it. I am so frustrated. It ended up costing me big time!

ford focus 2003 limited edtion at 32,000 miles the alternator caught on fire. cost 600.00 to fix. then came a motor mount. tossed it off to the way wife may drive. next rotted front routers. next cam senser. now 30,000 miles later the alternator caught on fire. again 600.00. i am all done with ford. if went down the tubes today i wouldnt cry

I have had many problems with the key ignition on my 2003 ford focus ZTS. I don't have a warranty anymore and I don't have the money to change a faulty cylinder. I have had problems going to work and school. I don't have a reliable car and my grades have suffered. I am a substitute teacher and I have no way to get to work when I am needed.

2002 Ford Focus loosing power then the engine light came on took it to auto zone to get the code then to Bill Dube Ford they ran a diognostic could not find anything shut the code off $90.00 not 20 minutes later it started loosing power again took it back and they said it hada faulty senenoid, paid 520.00 again left did it again spoke in length to the supervisor who bsically told meit wa a transmission now this car has 38 thousand mile on it...........he also suggested I trade it in and pray that whoever gets it doesn't realize it has a bad transmissio. I think that is terrible how do I pass this problem on to someone who doesn't know any better LIKE ME!! Ford needs to be accountable...please help me President Obama!!!!!!!!

2001 Ford Focus SE has electrical and transmission problems. Car stalls alot in the summer months, it constantly blows fuse F9 for engine and shuts down entire car has been taken to ford dealership comes back with no codes, they send you on your way with a high bill for labor and an extra fuse. Transmission now ***** in and out of drive as you are driving down the road, highway driving in the car could be deadly due to this constant problem.

Since the fire, the hydraulic choke master cylinder was leaking. It leaked all over the carpet of the floor of the car in front area. Had to pay for some of the repairs from the fire, which I don't feel I should've had to.

We have a 2007 Ford Focus ZX3 that we bought new and have had less than two years. It has less than 28000 km on it. From the start its had a quirk where the key sometimes wont turn in the ignition and we have to jiggle it to make it work. Six months ago it began stuttering and shaking if you applied the breaks and would occasionally just die at stop lights. We took it in and they told us it was just a transmission fluid leak and they supposedly fixed it.

Two weeks ago we had to take it in again because the problem came back even worse, with stuttering and shaking every time the brakes are applied. There was a noticeable drip of transmission fluid. They replaced a gasket and said the glue must not have cured the first time. Shortly after that second repair, the car began smelling of burning fluid inside and out and the shaking it worse. The gears slip so that if you apply the brakes, it shakes violently or just dies or if you accelerate the engine revs but you dont go into a higher gear. You can hear the transmission whining and there is a nightly pool of transmission fluid under the car.

Its back at the dealership again. After reading posts on this website and others, I feel that this is a factory defect (or several) and we're considering trading in the lemon before the warranty runs out and we're stuck replacing the transmission out of pocket.

i have a 2005 Ford Focus St zx4 5spped manual, i have terrible getting into gear problems, very hard, I think I have a 5 year 60k power train warranty, It is just horrible, I'm the second owner, also i have seen all over the internet with people having the exact some problem!

Years ago I read about a gentleman in the UK who carried a small hammer in his car to solve a loose connection on his battery. One day at the gas station he used it to get the car started again, but before setting off noticed a side light was out. Suspecting another dodgy connection, he tapped it and it came to life. A car mechanic, who had been observing all this, came across and said that while he was not interested in the car, if the hammer was ever for sale he would very much like to buy it!

Four/five light taps and the key turns just like Richard said. Fantastic! And the slim upholstery hammer fits almost like it was designed to do in the door storage bin. Thank you Ford!

I needed to be in Court, and I went out to start my car, and the key wouldn't turn and the steering wheel was locked. I only have 30,000 miles on my car, but looking on-line, it appears that this is a very common problem with the Ford Focus - how frustrating!

I missed my court date.

i bought a new ford focus car in 08/21/08,three days later i had to bring back the car bcause it leak all powerstearing oil. they fix the car. four month later the radio burn out, stop working. in 04/o4/09 i bring car for oil change and they found out that the water pump was leaking water. they had to keap the car to fix. my wory is this car only have 5600 miles and is already with three problems.

i need this car new so i can go to workor in case of any emergency i can used withwout not wory. now i dont fill safe in a car in this condition especialy a brand new car. i call them and talk to themand they said that is normal in any car and they can do nothing for me. please. i heard that you, consumer affairs are the only ones that can help me. thanks

my daughgter broke down i conn.comeing home from a friends house due to the timeing belt.350$ later and two weeks and her ignition switch goes.know one sees a problem with the ford focus,i'll never buy another ford.

I AM REALLY REALLY REALLY MAD!!! MY 2000 FORD FOCUS IS MY VERY FIRST CAR THAT I HAVE BROUGHT AND I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A GREAT DEAL! I HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AND THAT STUPID CAR WON'T START. I CAN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN PERIOD POINT BLANK! we have tried everything and nothing is working i can't afford not to go to work i will lose my job and that idiot car decides not to work when i try to start it up to take my kids to the daycare and go to work. i have tried wigglin the steering wheel i have double double checked that the car was fully in park. NOTHING!

when i finally make it to work i decide to go online and find out what i could do. to my surprise FORD FOCUS have issues like this CONSTANTLY! i called ford to find out what i needed and calmly he says oh your ignition needs to be toggled or something like that and it is going to cost me 350 dollars. this is really really irresponsible for ford to do this to many many ppl. i need my car i have no other transportation for my 19month old and my 3month old. i am usually a very understandable person but this is crazy. and i am so not happy AT ALL

i am tryin my best to hold back tears. what am i to do? i am twenty and work really really hard and can't afford to fix a problem that ford has known about all these years

I had a 1994 mercury sable (which is ford) and it recently started to leak antifreeze through the vents!! i had to keep my windows rolled down in the winter time so my windows wouldn't fog up. So I bought a ford focus 2004 from a previous owner and fell in love with it. i haven't had it two weeks and the car is all locked i can't turn the key the steering wheel is locked and there was a spring on the ground. the manual says to fix the problem put the key in accessory mode.

How can i do that when the key won't even budge? so now i have to spend money i don't have on my car to get it fixed. I'm just lucky i didn't get stranded like others did on here I was late for school though and am back to driving the sable

We had a 2201 Ford Focus SE... it was a great car, the only issue we had was the igntion locking up as reported by others, we called a locksmith and he replace the ignition, i think it cost around 160 dollars... the locksmith stated that he was constantly replacing this part on focuses because of a design flaw in the locking mechanisn and that those he replaced never had an issue again. this was our experience never another problem.

so when we needed a second car after totalling that focus in an accident we had no problems with buying another focus... a 2007 ZX4 SE. turns out this time we arent so lucky. we have had it about a month and ten days and it has already been in the shop 4 times for the same flipping issue. it does not want to start all the time, it has a crank time in excess of 5 minutes some mornings. the first time they sent it back saying nothing was wrong with it, that the focus having a manual transmission requires you to hold the key in the crank position until it starts and if you stop cranking to retry it floods the engine. so i accepted it and when it had done it a couple of more times i took it back.

this time it would not start for the service advisor when he was trying to pull it inside to be examined because it is an intermittant problem they had to try for several days for it to repeat while being hooked to the computer. finally getting it to misbehave they replaced a valve/sensor responsible for the oxygen fuel mixing. i took it home again. again it would not start after 5 minutes of cranking. i took it back to the same dealership. this time they couldnt get it to fail. so as i was getting in it to come home wouldnt you know it failed, but it was 2 minutes before i realized hey idiot its doing it NOW go get a technician. by the time the tech came to check it started without issue and they sent me on my way.

they told me they were not going to spend time diagnosing the problem since they dont get paid by ford on a warranty repair unless they actually fix something. i took it back, with the understanding that they would recheck it again if it continued. again almost immediately it failed to start, so for the 4th time i took it back to the dealership. again because it wouldnt fail they sent it home after 3 days. UGH! im so frustrated.

One day, I went out to my car put the key into the ignition and tried turing the key. It was locked up. I tried everything! I then had to call a tow truck and have them come pick up my car and take it to the nearest Ford dealership. They told me they greased it up, tried everything and it's not budging. They then proceeded to tell me that they need to drill it out because the ignition cylinder is jammed. It is going to cost me $380 to fix. I can't beleive there are this many complaints about the ignition is Ford Focus' and there are no recalls.

I am having to pay out of pocket, money that I do not have.

One day, I went out to my car put the key into the ignition and tried turing the key. It was locked up. I tried everything! I then had to call a freakin tow truck and have them come pick up my car and take it to the nearest Ford dealership. They told me they greased it up, tried everything and it's not budging. They then proceeded to tell me that they need to drill it out because the ignition cylinder is jammed. It is going to cost me $380 to fix. I can't beleive there are this many complaints about the ignition is Ford Focus' and there are no recalls....

I'm the 2nd owner of this FORD Focus, I bought it from the 1st owner. The ignition has failed to work, 2days ago I did a search on their web sight and nothing came up on a general search or under my vin. However, the WWW is filled with hundreds of blogs and complaints relating to my exact problem. What should I do? It seems as if $300 or better for something that is likely fail in as little as 2 years seems like scam. Please recommend a good course of action. Thank you,

I left the vehicle in a grocery store parking lot for 2 days, at the risk of being towed, and ended up late for work that day. Also, I work a grave yard shift opposite my wifes evening shift which requires that I get less sleep in order to trade off for the use of our other car. This seems trivial on the surface but as an aircraft mechanic for the biggest commuter airline in the state of Alaska I cant afford to be exhausted and make an error due to fatigue. As a mechanic I would not in good conscious install a part that I knew to be inferior and prone to failure. I would hope that FORD with as many lives are dependent upon a safe product hold themselves to a similar standard.

I have a 2004 Ford Focus with close to 33,000 miles on it. One day the instrument cluster went out, came back on a few days later then finally went out and never came back on. Ford says this is rare but when I google it, it's a huge problem here in the US and especially the UK. Says it's going to cost me close to $700 if I want my original miles put back on a refurbished cluster. I don't know what to do, this is insane, shouldn't there be a recall on something like this?

I own a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3. I went to leave work yesterday evening when my car would not turn in the ignition. This happened before, approximately four years ago and I had to have the iginition column replaced at that time. I was told at the time that I was carrying too many keys and it was pulling on the igintion. Since then, the only weight has been the car key and keyless entry fob. I can't believe it's the same problem again.

I'm 18 years old, and I spent a large amount of my money in order to get a decent running car; Ford Focus, however I immediately started having minor ignition problems, and today my ignition failed and I was unable to turn the key to start the vehicle. I was stuck in the school parking lot (which is very narrow, so a tow truck wouldn't be able to fit) for several hours. I was unable to come to work (luckily I was able to call-in with no inconvenience) but I am very disappointed that something of this nature could be so easily overlooked by Ford.

I'm a very unsatisfied customer. I bought the car from the Ford Dealership and expected nothing but reliability. I don't plan on buying any vehicles from Ford in the future.
I don't know how much its going to cost to replace my ignition (the dealership is still working on my vehicle) but I estimate it'll be at least $400 out of my wallet + additional towing charges.

It all started about 3 years ago. The driver's side door latch to my ford focus broke and the door could only be opened on the inside. Then less then a year later the same issue happened to the passenger side door. And again for the third time the rear door latch on the drivers side brook the same way. I only have one door left that's not broken. I checked online and i don't seem to be the only one going through this. So i just wanted to know if there is anything i can do.

The door latch on the driver's side, driver's rear, and passenger side will not open on the outside.

'03 Ford Focus Igniton key locks-up: Get yourself going again by 'rapping' the key with a small hammer 'tap, tap, tap'. I've been doing this for a year now... every time I get in. I just call it 'Ultra Security' from Ford and it's free. (I think I'll send Ford a bill for the small hammer though).

My 2007 Ford Focus SE has turned out to be a huge headache! I purchased the car brand new. The day I bought the car, I discovered the CD player did not work, so that was replaced. Next, the gear shifter broke, so had that replaced. Then, I discovered trash in the clear coat, so the car was repainted. In August of 2008, the alternator went out. It was covered under warranty. When I got the car back, there was a scraping noise that was intensified when the car was cold.

I took it back to the dealership. They kept my car for 2 weeks and replaced the rack n' pinion. When I picked up my car it was STILL making the scraping noise! After about 5 more visits to the dealership, I decided to get a second opinion. The guys at the new dealership found that the heat shield needed to be replaced, and a motor mount was broken. They replaced both of those, and said they were going to replace the struts as well. All this happened in 3 visits. Now my car is making a popping/clunking noise in the front end, when the car accelerates, slows down, or turns. And just today I discovered the fog lamps are not working! I have an appointment Saturday to have the car checked out. Thank goodness it is all still under warranty, but I am at nearly 31k miles...I am scared of what is to come!

I purchased a used Ford Focus SE 2003 in October 2008. My son went to start his car and could not turn the key. I googled ignition problems and up pops the Ford Focus 2000-2003 with 96 consumer complaints regarding the same issue, yet Ford refuses to acknowledge that there is an issue. We were told that it is up to the consumer to fix the problem yet it has been noted that even when the problem is fixed it can reoccur because it is a design issue.

My son was stuck in the middle of a vacant parking lot at 12 am (after work). His car continues to sit there.

I own a 2004 Ford Focus ZX3. When leaving work on 02/12/09 at approx 2:00 pm. I was unable to unlock the ignition on my car. The ignition was locked, the steering wheel was locked and there was no way to turn the key and start my car. I waited 4+ hours for a tow service from Ford Roadside assistance to come and take my car. The first truck they sent pushed my car out of the parking stall and then stated that the car couldnt be towed unless I consented to allowing the driver to drop my drive shaft in order to unlock the steering wheel and straighten the front wheels so that it could be dragged up the back of the flatbed tow truck that they sent. I did not consent.

I requested that a second tow truck be sent that had a wheel lift so that it could be towed with just the front end off the ground. At approximately 6:00 pm I finally grew so frustrated that I left without waiting any longer for the tow service. The next day, 02/13/09 I again called Ford Roadside Assistance for a tow. The driver arrived within a reasonable amount of time. He had a truck that included a wheel lift. I asked him if he could tow the car with the wheels locked and he stated that it was not problem. He questioned me as to if the ignition was stuck. Suprised I stated that it was.

He told me that he tows several Ford Focus's every week for this exact problem! When the car arrived at the mechanics shop I called them to explain the problem. The mechanic stated that the Ford Focus ZX3 does not even have a drive shaft as it is front wheel drive car, manual transmission. It has a transaxle. After visiting the Consumer Affairs website it became obvious that Ford is aware of this defect. Also, I didnt see anywhere on their website or this one that a recall for this problem has been issued. So, they are enjoying my tax dollars due to the corporate bailout, and I am also paying for the repairs due to the lack of a recall being issued. Very annoying!!!

We bought a 2003 Ford Focus LX in Feb 2004 with 19,221 miles on it and owned by only 1 person. The car was in excellent condition and still is with only 39,962 miles on it currently. Last spring I heard a noise when I would turn and when I started the car up. I looked under the hood and noticed the power steering fluid was almost empty so I filled it to the max level line. The noise disappeared. A couple of weeks later we changed the brakes both front and back and noticed the rack and pinion leaking fluid. This is not a vehicle that has been through any major wear and tear and this problem should not exist on this vehicle with the low mileage and lack of wear and tear on the vehicle.

Ford Motor Company when I spoke to them said the expense of the repair, which two estimates is between 550 and 600 bucks to fix this problem, is my problem since there is no recall or cutomer satisfaction referenced to the vehicle for this particular problem. Ford Motor Company needs to put safety and quality back into their product and should be made to make necessary repairs due to poor quality manufacturing of their vehicles.

To replace the rack and pinion on this vehicle one place said 550 bucks and another place said 580 bucks to replace it. This should be the responsibility of Ford Motor Company since it is not because of wear and tear or excessive mileage on the vehicle.

My newly married wife and I bought a 2006 Ford Focus 2 years ago. At first teh car was great, we got all around the city with no problems and did the recommended check ups. Then, the car hit about 35,000 miles and started to stutter everytime I shifted gears or accelerated. I called Ford and they said take it back to the dealer. I called the dealer and they said there was nothing wrong. I have taken the matter into my own hands (thanks to Auto Zone) and will try and troubleshoot the car myself so I don't get ripped off by any of the horrible mechanics in the DC/VA area. If anyone has any advice on how to fix, I would really appreciate it!

I own a 2003 Ford Focus with 50,747 unabused miles on it and the transmission failed on 1/26/09. I could not get my car to go above 25-30 miles per hour. At first I thought I had knocked it into neutral by accident-but that is hard to do when both hands are on the wheel. So I limped my car into Dewey Ford Dealership in Ankeny,Iowa. After spending $108.00 dollars for nothing Dale suggested that the valve body be replaced at the cost of >$800.

Not trusting in this diagnosis I had my Focus towed to a well trusted transmission garage. They said that the drum broke due to weak cheap parts that the factory used. This was not something I had done. So now I am in the process of having my transmission rebuilt at the tune of >$1900. I did contact Fords Customer Service at spoke with a man named William. Of course there is nothing Ford can do since my 2003 Focus is out of warranty and they refused to acknowledge any liability.

Economic results. Out the $108.00 for the Ford dealerships diagnosis. Out $>1900.00 for a new transmission. Out $85.00 for the tow from Dewey Ford to the transmission garage. Out the use of my car for transporation to and from work. It will be at least the 2/2/09 before I will get my car back. I have not suffered any physical damage.

I bought my Focus ZX3 with 20k miles on it. It spent the first 3 months at ford replacing fuel pumps, than at 30k miles the rear wheel bearings went bad. Ford told me they had already replaced them 2 times so I had to pay for them this time. Here I am 2 years later with bad rear wheel bearings again. The thermostat has been replaced 3 times by ford still leaks and now I am going for number 4 at 100k miles. NOW, spark plug exploded out of the motor.

Seems Ford has many complaints on this. Threads in the head are bad and the whole motor needs to be taken apart. Also, every hose under the hood has gone bad and everyone of them is special order from ford. FORD STINKS! I will never buy FORD again! I never had ANY problems with my Nissan's!

I have spent more money trying to keep this car BARELY running!

My key will not turn in my 2002 Ford Focus SE. I have been making payments on this car since 2003, and never had a problem, but out of the blue, the key will not turn. After quoting with 2 dealerships and Firestone, the cheapest I am getting out of this is 365.89$ to have it repaired. Looking at stories all over the internet, this is a common problem it appears. Ford is looking for Bailouts, but it appears once again that the american people need it more.

Can't drive my car!!!!

I have been stranded several times and had to fix the ignition switch several times while I was driving the car while my daughters have been driving the car. I have had to tow the truck several times. It has been expensive on my part. I also purchased this Focus at an authorized dealership. The Focus was used however it still had warranty. The auto was also wrecked and sold to me at an authorized dealership. When I let them know Mr. B. told me that how did he know if I had not wrecked the car and to no avail he did'nt even want to take off one car payment. Car also has an exhaust problem

We constantly have to replace a small piece of a house that causes the car to hesitate and to suddenly turn off. We also have had to replace the motor mounts many times

I have a 2001 Ford Focus. Prior to getting to 100k I have had to replace the following parts. Engine,Transmission, springs, struts, shocks, axles, two rims due to cracking, Ing switch, Rotors, Calipers, Motor mounts, exhaust, Radio, 3 power window controls. This car also belongs to the exterior light of the month club as every month I replace a headlight or taillight. The worst part of this is that fact that I have paid more to keep this car on the road than the car cost. The car looks good but from what I have experianced, 300- 500 is the top trade in value at this point. This car is the biggest peice of junk ever made and is the reason I will never buy American again.

i own a 2008 ford focus, on two different times, while driving at freeway speeds in bay area traffic, the car lost power,after pulling over the car has a ruff idle with no throttle responce, after turning off engine, and waiting for a short time restart, took car to dealer told the same storry, at a cost of a 100 dollars to check out car.

i was told they could not find anything wrong, i was told it might be a bad throttle body and they could replace it for around 400 dollars, but could not be forsure that would fix the problem ,i'm affard to drive on freeway.

Well, like most of you I've had aweful problems with my focus. I won't mention the little things that broke immediately because I guess it's too much to ask for the a/c, back windows, heat,ignition(most of the time), radio, lights, even the trunk button to work. So, I'll get to the major problems. Well first off, almost immediately the engine started sputtering. I called FORD gave them my VIN and they told me there were recalls out on my vehicle and if I took them to Allan Vigil Ford in Fayetteville,GA they would be fixed free.

Needless to say this did not stop the sputtering. So, I tinkered around and found the PCV was just totally clogged with sludge. I changed it and it worked fine, although the sludge in the intake manifold still burned and caused quite a bit of smoke. So, I decide to clean the maniford....Very easy, matter of fact I didn't even take the whole thing off just part...Now this is no where near the timing belt, not really near valve cover, and no where near passenger motor mount...So, I go to start it and POW, all of the above just blow off, litteraly. So I've got a pretty nice dog house now I guess, but it's my fault for buying a FORD. My father is a FORD mechanic and warned me to only buy Japanese cars.

Ive read a lot about the 2003 ford focus and the problems it has and the most common is hesitation or sputtering while accelerating.Well i have the same problem and i don't want to go through what other people have already done.For example spending thousands of dollars to be told that there is no problem or they need a new transmission or engine.I want ford to get to the bottom of this and diagnose what this common problem is. And they wonder why they cant get returning customers.I have 57000 miles and i should have no major problems that cant be fixed.The car has never been beaten or misused.I am bringing the car in on Saturday and see what they say. I am sure it will be the same run around as with every other person with the same problem.We need help!

Millions of dollars from consumers with no solutions.

I own a Ford Focus 2003. I have had to have the radio replaced twice. With under 60,000 miles on the car, Kraphol Ford did replace the radio the second time when my sister carried on the dealership about how unfair it was. I just replaced my ignition and trunk latch at the Kraphol Ford Dealer in Mt. Pleasant, MI for $328. This just is not right - I am a single driver and I do not treat my vehicle rough or out of the norm.

I Bought a Focus ZX3 2001, the car has 46000 milles. I already have to replace the ignition system, the fuel pump, the engine light it's on everytime, it make a horrible noise at the front of the car when the wheels run, the light bulbs have been replaced twice. i hate this car.

I have to spend more money on the car, that on my last car ( Nissan 240sx)

2008 Ford Focus - Had to replace Pirelli tires on it before 19,000 miles. I take some of the responsibility for not having them rotated, but the dealership where I bought the vehicle didn't even remind me to rotate them when I had the vehicle in for oil changes!! After forking over $400 plus for a new set, and another $75 for a 4-wheel alignment, the service manager finally admitted to me that the 2008 has alignment problems, not unlike previous year models!! Supposedly Ford fixed this issue!!! At least they bragged about fixing it!!

Service manager tells me the only solution is watching them carefully, rotating the tires and having alignments done--how convenient that every time I have to have an alignment done it puts money in their pocket!! Boy do I feel stupid--I thought I'd done my homework on this car, and now I find out it's basically a lemon.

On top of the alignment I've also ha window and door seals replaced on it already. And, I've got a mysterious noise they can't seem to replicate. I am furious and I want to know who's going to start taking responsibility for a bad product??? The manufacturer?? The dealer?? They make a bad product and don't stand behind it! I want my money back!!!

Almost $500 for replacement of tires and a 4-wheel alignment. Future monies for tires and numerous alignments!!

The ignition switch went bad and the key would not work.A common problem I have found out. had to tow the car to Hilltop Ford in Richmond Ca for repair.

Towing cost $110 and dealership $714 this. $814 to fix a switch

I bought a 2006 Ford Focus wagon brand new a few years ago. It immediately made a clunking noise when going over bumps or on a right turn. I took it back to the dealer, Lighthouse Ford in Falmouth, MA and they could not find the problem despite keeping the car for a week. The owner told me he was losing his shirt over my car. They replaced the struts and bearings and tore apart the steering column. My car was only a few months old with under 25,000 miles on it.

I was not happy about the steering column being tampered with because I feared damage had been done to it. The only way my car could be repaired was for the mechanic to take a sway bar off a new Focus in the lot and put it on my car since they did not have the part. So that's what they did and the owner told me he would send me the paperwork. I never got anything and then learned the dealership had gone out of business a month or two later!

Now my rear driver's side door will not lock and the power window on the same door does not work. Yesterday, my key became stuck in the ignition and would not return to the lock postion so could not be removed. I realize the ignition problem is all too common on the Focus and do not have a lot of money to repair all of these malfunctions - too many malfunctions for a car with 54,000 miles on it.

I called Ford to see why they would not take responsibility for a problem so many Focus owners have and was met with the we are not responsible for your problem speech and no help or reasonable answer of any kind. I pay almost three hundered dollars a month for this car and it has already become an unsafe money pit. As a single mom, I bought this car for reliable transportation and now have nothing but problems. Ford should take responsibility for their dealers actions and for faulty parts. I loved my Escorts and even my Pinto, but I have lost complete faith in Ford.

We have a 2002 Ford Focus and on New Year's Eve, we were left stranded at a gas station because the ignition switch wouldn't turn. We tried for a half hour before finally giving up. Thankfully, we were at a gas station connected to a restraunt I used to work at and a guy I knew was getting off work and gave us a ride home. Otherwise we would have had to walk home (which is only a mile, but it was only about 5 degrees outside).

We thought that it was just our car until my husband and his dad drove around looking for an open car place the next day and a mechanic told him that Ford Focus' were notorious for this happening. For has apparently not issued a recall, which I think is ridiculous because it is a real problem. We have no idea how much it will cost us to get it fixed and it won't be fixed for about 3 days, which leaves us stranded until then. My husband is going to have to walk to and from work in the cold for the next few days and we have a three month old daughter, so if she needed to go to the doctor, we would basically be screwed.

Ford needs to issue a recall and have this taken care of. The ignition switch is being replaced, but since there hasn't been a recall it will be replaced with another Ford Focus switch, which will probably eventually develop the same problem.

I bought a used 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 SES with 25,000 miles on Dec. 1, 2007, I have owned it for just over a year now and currently have about 40,000 miles on it, my transmission is out. I don't know what exactly is wrong with it, the mechanic at the dealership can't tell me until he pulls it out of the car and opens it up, for $500, which I don't have. The transmission is an automatic, it will suddenly downshift all by itself, or it will go into nuetral, or it will not upshift. I was almost hit twice trying to get to safety, once when it went into nuetral when an 18-wheeler was accelerating to speed behind me (I had nowhere to pull over), and once when I pulled onto a road, it went into nuetral, oncoming cars got closer and closer, I was able to get into reverse and back out of the road, I had to drive only in reverse and park somewhere. I have to wonder if I have had some kind of transmission problem the whole time I have owned it, the car is rated for 26-34 mpg, no matter what I do I can't get over 19 mpg, and I am not driving with a heavy foot.

The mechanic at the dealership says "typical" transmission repairs cost about $2000 but can be up to $5000. I don't have $2-5,000 and even if I was able to get a loan for that amount I can't afford to pay it back. I barely make my bills as it is. Normally when a transmission goes out it has symptoms, you start noticing it shift harder, you hear noises, it is a gradual process over time, I have never seen one just completely go out. Mine had no symptoms, it shifted fine until that day. My car has been sitting now for 2 months because I can not afford to do anything with it. I have no car. Ford says no factory powertrain warranty was offered on that car that year. Their other models had them, but not the Focus. Sounds fishy right? Why would you offer warrantys on all cars but one? Because you know you can't afford all the repairs it will need. They knowingly sold a defective car.

I looked on the internet to see if my car may just be unlucky, but I found many other owners on websites posting the same problem with their transmission, same symptoms, all low miles on their vehicles. I saw their transmissions going out at 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, and 50,000 miles. A transmission should last much longer than that. The Ford rep. I spoke to over the phone said that if I had purchased the car from a certified Ford dealership instead of CarMax that they would've explained my options to me and alerted me to the fact that I had no factory powertrain warranty other than the 36,000 bumper to bumper warranty, which expired shortly after I purchased the car, it expired because I reached the 3 year mark, I had not yet reached 36,000 miles.

i bought a 2004 ford focus brand new. after 2 weeks, the bumper fell off. 6 months ago, i had an exhaust leak under the hood. last month i could not turn the key in the ignition. had it towed to ford place . the steering column had to be replaced and i was out 600 bucks. they did tell me, this was a common problem for the focus.

today it started making a funny loud noise on start up. mechanic said, i needed all the hoses replaced, they were cracking, which will cost a pretty penny. i did contact the main ford place on the internet about this and a lady tried to contact me. everytime i called, her answering machine was on and never did get to talk to her. they left me an e-mail for a survey. did i ever give them one. i have never heard from them again. this should be a recall, since the ignition switch is a terrible problem

the ford house kept the car for 3 weeks. they said, they were swamped. i had to catch rides to work every day. i will never buy another ford again

My Husband and I purchased a 2000 Ford Focus for our 20 year old daughter in October 2008 so she would have a means of getting to school and work. On December 22 2008 she had just picked up a friend and they were driving to go out to lunch when suddenly smoke began pouring out of the engine. They pulled into a parking lot and got out of the car when it suddenly made a boom noise and flames were shooting out.

The car is a complete loss, the engine and tires melted and window blew out etc. Firemen said it was faulty electrical. My daughter and her friend were not harmed however she is now without a car and I feel Ford should be accountable.

We own a 2002 Ford Focus. We've had many things go wrong with it, but it still runs pretty well at 130,000 miles. My main complaint is how the Ford Dealers simply don't care about the problems these cars are having. Both my rear windows no longer work. I don't really care all that much, I only drive the car in the winter months so I just get out the duct tape, windows fixed as far as I'm concerned. Well, the other day, I lost the keys to the car (not Ford's fault). Ford dealer said I had to have the car towed to the dealer so they could make the keys. Well, apparently you can't get just one, we would have to buy two of them. I said whatever, how much for two keys for this piece of junk. $150 bucks? Unreal. Alright whatever, make it happen.

Well, a little while later, they call back and say that the keys are working. They open the doors, the trunk, but they won't work in the ignition. They said the keys I had must have been badly worn down... again whatever. Needs a new ignition switch or something like that. How much? $235+ ...makes me wish you would have gotten that bailout money!! Maybe you wouldn't be jerking me around so badly. Anyway, I asked them how much they'd be willing to give me for it and they said it depends on how well it runs!! Good Luck finding that out, the keys don't work!! The story continues... I'll have to let you know how it ends! Ford = Joke!!

I have a ford focus 2001 LX that I purchased used with 69,000 miles on it. Needless to say i have had very simular problems that the others on the website have had, related to the fuel system. I took my car in on 6/2008 because it started sputtering and just cut out and would not start up and the service center replaced the fuel regulator and said it was fixed. Here I am 4 months latter it is doing the exact same thing and now I have spent about $500 in repairs and it still isn't working. I've replaced the fuel pump, massive air flow sensor, plugs and wires, air filter and fuel line. I've been out of a car for 5 weeks now and it stinks.

I'am bothered more than anything by the fact that I was not aware of a fuel pump recall on the vehicle or I would have had that done when the fuel regulator was replaced back in June, I feel it was the service centers job to inform me of this since I purchased the car from them. But no one said anything. I am a single mom and would like the truth about this car I purchased I felt misled and misinformed. The dealer I purchased the car from charged me for the original work I had done that did not fix the problem and now want to charge me a $200 deductible just to change the fuel pump (again) that they are saying is still bad, this is not right.

My 77 year old mother drove her 2004 Ford Focus to church and her ignition key would not turn afterwards. I went down to meet the tow truck (flatbed) but because her wheels were locked he couldn't load it without damage to the front end. So he called a regular tow truck and we towed it to our mechanic. The driver said he sees a lot of Ford Focus's with this problem. This was covered by AAA (3 mile tow). But the mechanic could not repair it so he called another truck to tow it to a dealer 25 miles away. That driver also said he sees a lot of Ford's with the problem.

The tow to the dealer was approx. $100. Later that day the Ford dealer called and told my mother it would cost her $354 to replace the ignition cylinder lock. I had seen a cylinder lock at NAPA for less than $30 so I called back and complained. He would not give in until I told him we would never buy another Ford again. We have driven Fords since 1960 with one exception in 48 years. He called back and told my mother that because of the towing costs, he could reduce the cost to $250. Still a rip-off for a problem that should have been recalled for safety reasons.

email I sent to Ford's PR department two months ago. I have neot received any reply, or even an acknowledgment of receipt. We are in the midst of shopping for a car to replace [son's] 2004 Focus ZTS. We are NOT, however, considering buying another Ford product. The reason? [Ford's] apparent disregard for the safety of Focus owners and their passengers through its refusal to admit to and pay for repairing a defect in this vehicle, one that has been apparent in many model years...the ignition switch cylinder. My sons car was one of many to develop this problem and it cost him $350 to repair. Search for Focus Ignition problems on the internet and your search will return page after page of complaints from Focus owners who have paid a lot of money to fix a problem Ford is aware of, but for which the company refuses to issue a recall.

Because of [Ford's] refusal to issue a recall, and pay for replacement of a part known to be defective, [they] have lost the potential sales of 4 vehicles to members of my family alone! Pay $350 to replace a defective part, or lose thousands of dollars in potential future sales. Which one makes economic sense? No wonder [Ford] is struggling these days.

My son is out $350 for the repair of a flaw in the Focus which is well documented and even confirmed by a Ford dealership service agent. My son is 22 years old, newly married and a new house owner, who is also establishing his own business. He can ill afford expenses such as this, and we truly believe Ford to be at fault, and we further believe Ford has been irresponsible and negligent in refusing to fix this problem at their expense.

I have a ford focus 2001, I brought it about 3 years ago. It was only in good working conditions for the first 3 months. I have replace so many things, bands and the catalyc coverter, the water pump, the alternator, the door handle broke down twice. The master head broke down about 6 months ago and I fix it. Now the master head broke again! I still have 1 year to finish paying the car and the mechanic said tha master head its a factory defect. He said this car has a engine problem the is from the factory defected. It means once I fix it again its going to keep breaking down. I dont know what to do please help.

the whole left side of the dash is destroyed. dealership says it is not under warranty.

detroit says it will take 15 days for someone in legal to contact me.

I am on my second ignition switch as of today. How long until this happens again? I bought my Focus new, and it has 40,000 miles on it now. I haven't had any problems with it until I got off work the other night, got in the car, and couldn't turn the ignition. It was locked up tight. I usually could jiggle it a little, turn the steering wheel as much as I can, and the key will turn. Not this time. I had to call a tow truck and have it towed to the dealership for repair.

I joined AAA and called for a tow at $77. I was given a quote from the dealership of $311.56 to replace the ignition switch. I need the car so I gave them the go-ahead. I intend to write something up and post it to one of the back windows with the problem detailed for passers-by. I am a grown adult with a credit card and cell phone. There are alot of younger kids that drive these cars. They can't just call a tow truck, it could put them in a very unsafe condition.

Another issue with my 2000 Ford Focus. This time it is the ignition switch. At 5 am this morning I got in my car and the key would not go all the way in. Nor would the spare iginition key. Had the car towed to the dealership. Just got the call that a tumbler in the ignition switch had snapped -- it will cost almost $400 to have it repaired!

This car has less that 35,000 miles on it and has had a laundry list of recalls/repairs because of "defective" parts as follows: 10/26/2000 Recall Recall 00S31B - L/R Wheel Bearing. 2/1/2001 Recall Recall 00S20 - A Pillar Trim. 2/1/2001 Recall Recall 00S30 - Speed Control Cable. 1/10/2003 Warrenty Repair Alarm System . 3/1/2003 Recall 02S42 - Battery Cable Routing. 3/1/2003 Recall 01B85 - Jit Wheel Ret RR. 1/1/2004 Safety Improvement Program Contamination of Fuel Pump Filters. Replacement of Fuel Pump.

11/1/2004 Customer Satisfaction Program Customer Satisfaction Program 03M02 - Front Coil Rings Inadequate Corrosion Protection . 1/28/2005 Repair Replace Burned Out Bulb. 1/28/2005 Recall Perfored Recall 03N01 - Replaced Fuel Pump with Updated Part. 1/28/2006 Repair Replace Leaking Valve Cover Gasket 304.56. 1/28/2006 Repair Replace Front Brake 318.87

4/15/2006 Repair Defective Front Window Regulator. 12/11/2007 Breakdown Fuel Pump Failure/Replacement. Car Towed. No advanced warning of any problem. 10/8/2008 Breakdown Battery Cables. 11/28/2008 Breakdown Ignition Switch

I bought my 2002 Ford Focus 3 years ago used, and it had about 30 thousand miles on it. The first year and a half were ok, but in the last year we have had to replace, bearings, 2 rotors, both drive axles, a caliper mount, both EGR sensors, a TPI sensor, and O2 sensor,and the front motor mount has broken 3 times! The car now has about 80 thousand miles, on it, and I do have not been hard on this car in any way. I am scared to go anywhere besides work because I do not know what is going to fall apart next!

This has cost me at least $1000 in parts and labor in just the last six months and I did not have a car to pick up my husband from the hospital when he was discharged after hip replacement surgery, and I didnt get to see him every day he was in the hospital. This is the only car I have, and with a disabled husband I have no one else to depend on for help, and all I want is dependable transportation to get him to the VA hospital and back, and myself to work. Not to mention the extra time off work waiting on my car to be fixed!

I got into my 2003 Ford Focus last Sunday and the key wouldn't turn for anything. We tried all the tricks we read on the internet to no avail. It won't turn!

Had to tow my vehicle to the nearest dealer to see if the part was covered in my extended warranty. The Roadside Assistance I was supposed to have free on my vehicle was unavailable in my area without a further fee so the tow had to come out of pocket as well. Once at the dealer I was informed that the part was not covered in my warranty even though it was a mechanical failure and now I am out of pocket for $400 more for parts and labor.

I bought a 2002 Ford focus from a hyundai dealership in March 2008. At the time of purchase it had 46375 miles on it. In October 2008, seven months after purchase, the engine went out at about 62000 miles. Before this I had done several normal repairs includig alignment, two oil changes and four new tires. Firestone, the car mechanic place I took the car to got a brand new engine from ford and was replacing it for me costing me some five thousand dollars.

When testing this new engine that Ford had sent they only got about three miles before the engine went out again. When they contacted Ford about a faulty engine Ford refused to remberse them any cost for labor. Because of this I have been with out a car or reliable means of transportation for almost a month causing me a great deal of stress, not to mention needing to come up with five thousand dollars to get my car back when the engine should have been good for several thousand more miles.

Well once again I spent at least 30 min waiting on my 2003 Ford Focus to start again. I have placed my car twice within the last 6months for the same problem. I was told I needed a tune up, oil change, battery cables etc and nothing has corrected the problem. My car sputter, skips and can barely accelerate going up very small inclines. If I turn if off more than twice, it is not going to start again. My temperature gauge does not register as being hot, but it still will not start. I have to plan my trips knowing that if I make more than two stops most likely it will not start again. I have been told my fuel pump, thermostat, battery is just fine so what is causing me the problem? So far I am out of 600 bucks and still having the same issues after taking it to two different auto mechanics. Is there a defect?

2 Ignition switch put on my ford focus in less than 6 months

I too had read about the ignition lock and had been waiting for it to strike. Well it did today about 60 miles from home. The key would not turn and the steering wheel was locked. We called 2 different Ford dealers and they told us to turn the wheel as hard as we could and turn the key at the same time....after 15 minutes of trying...NOTHING! So we shook the car, pushed it back and forth, hit it, you name it. Luckily we were able to get the car in nuetral by pushing a button on the center console. Never the less, nothing, but luckily our parents were able to come tow us!!!! Thank the Lord. 60 miles would be a hefty tow bill.

So anyways... we got the car home and I did some digging on the problem (on this site) I caught the thing about tapping the key and turning....so...I got my meat mallet (you know in the kitchen) and went out to the car, and as silly as it felt I tapped the key while I turned...and wa-la! it was moving. Now, I took the key out and tried again..and again it was stuck...so i tapped again and it worked. I did this 3 times, and it worked all three times...so...for a temporary solution all you need is a meat mallet. That isn't absurd or anything.....right? Ford seriously need to fix this.

2000 Ford Focus Wagon. A number of concerns, and these are not necessarily in priority. Often when I first turn the key (when it wants to turn, but we will discuss that later), all my gauges will go far right, sit there, then return to normal. I have a bad humming/vibration in the car when I first start it up, especially if it is cold, goes away after you drive it for a little, seems like possibly a motor mount problem.

Brakes screak like crazy. Had to return her for the fuel pump recall. As many of you know, the key will get stuck, or won't even go into the ingnition. This can be a costly repair, so now I just leave the key in the ingnition (make sure your insurance is paid up, and maybe you will get lucky). I actually liked the car, but not really pleased with the problems, and more so that Ford just ignores them, even with them being so many. Not satifies with Ford.

One very minor problem that has been intermittent is a small popping/clicking noise. It had been happening for awhile and I finally took the car back to the dealership and a tech heard the noise but because it was so miniscule were not able to diagnose on the spot and I didn't have time to leave my car that day. a few days later it quit and hasn't started again. So now they can't diagnose the problem because it's not making noise. The best way I can descibe the sound is like the pop or click when a jar is opened and the seal is broken and the little button on the lid pops up.

Will need new tires and wipers before Winter of '08. These are the orginal factory tires. After 20,000+ miles new tires and wipers are expected.

Great sound system, has the Audiophile (I believe it's called) with the 6 disc changer in the dash. Not as good as aftermarket systems I've had before. But with the right tuning of the bass & treble it sounds good. Have never had leather seats before and love 'em!! Fold down rear seat is great for trunk access when my bike is on the rear rack. I have lifted the rear hatch all the way open with my bike on it, but it wasn't easy!! Before this car I had '93 Tempo and sold it before 195,000 cause of some minor axle damage, wheel meets curb and curb wins!! Excited to drive this car for another couple hundred thousand!!

I too have had nothing but problems with my focus. I had my ignition lock up twice and had to wait for my husband to come and get me so we could get home. He had to call Ford to find out what to do. I work an hour from home so that was a long wait and trip and we finally had our mechanic bypass it for 35.00. My cd player wouldn't spit my cd out for 2 weeks right after I got the car and not it doesn't work. I had to replace the thermostat housing recently and now my car is overheating.

I will never buy another focus. It is the worse car i have had with ford. And the ignition doing that is ridiculous and I agree it should have been recalled.

Just a word of advice for all you Ford Focus Ignition problem people. I had the same issue with my Ford. I couldn't get the key or steering wheel to turn. I had the car towed to my mechanic (2000 LX). He showed me the release button in the middle console for the steering and ignition. You pop out the gray/black little cover and use a screw driver or barrette to push the button down. At that point you can turn your car on and switch the car to the mode you want.

I did this for a week and then the car went back to working just like normal.

This was a freebee by my mechanic and he didn't charge me a cent.

I went to get in my car, and the key would not turn in the ignition. I have a Ford Focus 2004 Station Wagon. After calling a tow truck, I tried one last time and jiggled the key and finally got it to turn. I then drove it home, parked, took the key out of the ignition, put it back in ....and it would not turn.

I am worried that something that Ford knew about in 2000 had not been fixed by 2004. Why can't they supply replacement parts that are not substandard? And they want a gov. bailout because they are losing market share.

My husband and I purchased a 2008 Ford Focus. Within a month we notice a clunking sound fron the right rear (passenger) side of the car. I happens when you go over a dip in the road, somewhat hard. I have taken it to the dealer's service department three times and on the thrid time told me that they could not hear any noise. We now have this new car with a clunking sound. Now our brakes are sqeaking and service told me that it was normal until the car warms up.

My problem is that when the noise starts my car is already warmed up. This is the worse car that I have ever purchased. This car is costing us 309.00 per month for a lemon. I can't sell it because we have only paid 4 months on the loan and who would buy it with this noise. We would be liable on a sale knwoing that there is something wrong with the car. We are stuck. We have filed for arbitration in our state and I hope that we will win our case.

I have complained to Ford and they can find nothing wrong with the computor. Has anyone else had this experience. I have learnt that when the engine dies you can get it going again by stamping on the acceletor and jerking everyone back in their seat - this is preferable to being rear ended. I just want to get rid of this nightmare before I get killed.

I, too, have had to replace the ignition switch in my 2000 Ford Focus twice. What amazes me is that the dealer says there is no way around it. You have to replace it with the same piece of junk.

I have had my 2000 Ford Focus since 2002. In December 2003, in the midst of a blizzard at 9 pm, my key would not turn and I had to have it towed to the only garage that was open to the tune of about $100 and have my ignition cylinder replaced to the tune of $240 plus taxi fare home and back to garage since I didn't want to drag anyone else out in the blizzard. On 10/14/08, not even 5 yrs later, I went out to find the same exact issue-it's at the garage now!!!! The 2 tow truck drivers that responded claim that evrytime that they respond to a Focus tow call, it's always the same issue. When I called the garage-a Ford garage mind you , the miechanic said that Ford really ought to isue a recall since they deal with this problem all the time. I have owned about 12 cars in the last 25 years and have never had to replace an ignition cylinder!!! Twice in 5 years on the same car, ridiculous!!! I called Ford and complained and they made it sound like they had never heard of the issue-it's time to change that-HELP!!!!!

Faulty ignition coil on Focus

I am the owner of a 2001 ford focus. I have had numerous problems with ford focus and its ridiculous that Ford is not willing to do a thing about it. The ignition doesnt work and I am stuck hitting the key just to get it started. This is an issue I dont like sitting in a parking lot trying to start my car I feel this endangers the safety or me and my children. Nor do I know when I am going to be somewhere and the ignition just wont turn at all and I will get stranded with my kids.

The engine also went out. Apparently the valve seat broke and destroyed the engine at 111,000 miles. Its going to cost 900.00 to replace the engine, thats not even adding what its going to take to have it put in. A weld broke on the exhaust manifold at 70,000. Theres a bad vibration whenever it is in gear. It feels like there is a broken motor mount. Which also seems like a common problem.

It was a good car until it reached 70,000 miles and it went all down hill from there. I feel like I am always paying out money to fix the car, on what should have just simply been recalled by Ford. This car as been a pain and a waste of money. i regret buying the thing! Ford got what they wanted...OUR MONEY.

Hello - I would like to add myself to the list of Ford Focus owners who have had their ignition switch seize. The wesbite - Fordproblems states there are several complaints and a class action suit.The link to the class action website does not work. I hope this helps.

The cost to repair = $490 + 2 days of missed work ($600).

2001 Ford Focus. Ignition switch locked up and we can't move the car. It's not wander so many people buy Japan made cars. This needs to be taken care of. Put me on the list for a class action suit.

I had this car for 6 years, with zero problems. My husband took it to the bookstore one day, came back out and the ignition would not turn. He went to the local ford dealer with the title and registration and got another ignition built up for it. He couldn't work on it in the parking lot, so at midnight when he got off work, he had it towed back to our house.

On the way home, on the back of the tow truck at 1:30 am, my ford focus's engine caught fire. The tow truck guy luckily got my car down off the belt before HIS truck caught fire.

This was the first instance where I had any problems out of this car, and I was VERY shocked. Even more shocked to find out that this has happened several times before.

2001 Ford Focus ZX3 - This car has been a complete waste of money. I had the fuel pump problem (recalled about a year later), my ignition is currently locked up (I keep the key in the ignition and a hammer in the car in case it gets pulled out - put the key in, hit it with the hammer and it will turn), and I'm currently having some bizarre electrical problem. Oh, the drivers seat weld also broke, the CD player doesn't work properly, the cruise control comes off and causes the accelerator to stick all the way open (that's safe...) so I disconnected it, and then of course regular maintenance and repairs that you actually expect. I don't trust this car and I wish a meteorite would fall on it in a parking lot and smash it flat! I will never, ever drive a Ford car again as long as I live.

Several costly repairs, the expense of being towed more than once, and the inconvenience of being stranded with the wife and a very young child. I would say that (not including expected maintenance) this car has bled about $2500 out of me in parts, labor, towing, time away from work, etc.

I called Ford Motor company to let them know that my key would not turn the ignition. I was told that my warranty expired two weeks before.I would have to pay for my ignition to be repaired. I told the customer service line that I found out that the ignition problem has been going on with the Ford Focus since 2001-2003. That Ford should pay for my ignition. Ford told me that they don't do recalls that it was the Highway and Safety obligation to recall. I own a Ford Focus 2003.

I was locked out of my car at 3am in the morning. I had to pay a tow truck. Rent a car and pay $688.50 for the ignition repair at Malcom Cunningham Ford, Decatur Ga. This has put a great hardship on me.

I called the ford motor company to let them know that my key would not turn the ignition. The customer relations person told me that my warranty had expired. I would have to pay for the ignition to be replaced. I told ford that they knew about the defect and that they need to recall it and repair my car for free. I was told by the customer service line that ford does not do recalls the highway and safety are the people to do the recalls. Ford Focus has had this ignition problem from 2001-2003. My Focus is a 2003.

I was stranded at work at 3am. I had to pay for my car to be toad, rent a car and pay for the car repair. The amount of the ignition by itself was $688.50. This has put a great hardship on me.

2004 Ford Focus Ignition problem. Got in the car today and to my surprise, the key would not turn. tried and tried, but it would not budge! I was at the automotive store picking something up, so he tried. Then another guy that works for AAA towing tried, but said he sees this all the time.

Called tow truck, the driver tried and now it's sitting at the Ford dealership til Monday. I can not believe there are soo many complaints. I am printing them all off and taking them into the service dept. on Monday! This is ridicules!

I own a 2004 Ford Focus. Tonight, the ignition went out and after doing some research about the problem, this is a very common problem owners have with their Ford Focus. Ford should recall this ignition and fix the problem. On the petition website, there is over 2000 signatures of people having the same issue.

This is going to cost me over $400.00 to have a new switch installed, and am going to miss work because I will not be able to get there until it is fixed.

Both rear tail light housings melted at 45000 miles (2004 ford focus wagon). Dealer will not cover and charges $250 each time to replace a burned out bulb because the housing cannot be removed to get to the $2 bulb.

Ford is aware of the problem with the key sticking in the ignition yet will not do anything. this car was purchased used from a ford dealership and the part that is available to correct this was not replaced

I was in route to Az from FL when this happened to me have been told not to remove key or car will not start again. I have lost faith in my car am now having a problem with car not startting. do not know if this is due to key or not

I was told by my local ford dealership that the valve seat broke and destroyed my engine. my engine was at 100,000 miles and after doing some research i find this is fairly common on this engine around this mileage. i believe this is an unreasonable defect. my car is a 2001 ford focus.

it was difficult and expensive to find a replacement engine because there is high demand for them because the same thing that happened to me happened to other people. it cost me over $1600 to have a used high mileage engine put in. the new one from ford would have been $5000, almost $2000 more than i paid for this car a month ago.

I purchased a 2006 and a 2007 for two of my daughters. So far, the cars have been excellant. No complaints or problems. Great gas milage. I'm am currently considering buying a third Focus for my wife.

After reading numerous blogs, I've been waiting for my 2002 Ford Focus ignition to lock up....it happened 9/10/08. At least I was at McDonald Restaurant and not stranded out in the countryside. Wish Ford would do a recall to eliminate this problem.

i have a ford fucus 2004 my ignition gets stuck and it takes 2 hours some time four it 2 turn and now my key will not turn at all. when i called the dealership they tell me its not under warranty. i have 2 other friends with the same problem

Ignition key lockup. I could not start the vehicle, a 2003 Ford Focus. Searched the web and found a quick fix (NOT on the Ford site) by tapping the key with an object while the key is in the ignition. It worked, but proves a bad way to have to start an American vehicle - having to tap the key to get it started (sounds like something one would see in a third world country). From all the complaints on various web sites it seams that Ford Motor Company should repair the faulty design and/or defective parts. I never had any ingnition key in any vehicle, Ford or otherwise behave such as this over the last 50 years that I have owned vehicles. About time to buy from a non union over seas company that is proud of their work and not just concerned about benefits. Which is a sad commentary or an American to say but true

2006 Ford Focus ZX3 with 40, 440 miles. Key stuck in ignition. Luckily I have the premium care warranty so it only cost $100 deductible. Told teh dealership that I understood this was fairly common with this model and they claimed they had seen it a few times

I read about ignition switch failures on 2000 Focus models about three months ago and was waiting for it to happen. Day before yesterday it did. Ignition Lock Assembly had to be replaced. My ZTS has made frequent repair trips to the dealer. The Dealer was all smiles. Seems like Ford would take better care of its image with a Recall. Cost was $455.00

The ignition switch on our 2003 Ford Focus has frozen and it is impossible for it to be fixed without paying for someone to do it. By the looks of the complaints it appears to be time to file a class action lawsuit.

This will be costing around $350 to fix, not to mention lost time from work. This is ridiculous.

My 2007 Ford Focus had the battery light come on for brief moment one day for about a quarter mile than went off. I was puzzled so took it to an AutoZone and they checked the battery and said it was good. A few days later while driving the airbag light on the drivers dash came on and then all the gages went flat. I pulled over immediately and the radio came on by itself and on the lcd said low battery. I checked under the hood for any visable issues and then told my son to turn it of and start it back up. It wouldn't start but clicked and the radio would come on with the message low battery. I had the ford focus 2007 towed to the nearest dealer and left it on a Sunday. I called them early Monday morning to discuss the issue and they told me it had started right up. I explained what I have just written and the service adviser told me they would get back to me. At 4:30 pm they called and told me they traced the problem to the alternater and it was putting out the wrong volts so the brain was shutting down the car. The tech told me it would run me $545 since it has 42522 miles on it and the 3/30,000 warranty is out. Then they told me there was a bit of a problem though and that was the alternater was not available until two months from now. I ask them if I was suppose to just let my car set at the garage for two months waiting on a part? The dealership told me they found an after market alternater at Nappa for $345 which she told me was higher than Fords. I ask her if they would make an adjustment to the cost of the alternater since Ford was out. She gave me to customer service and I called them. They were rude and pretty weel told me I was screwed. The lady at customer service basicly threatened me and told me if I purchased an aftermarket alternater that they would not help with anything. I told her I had to have my car for work and she told me that was not her problem basicly and that if Ford did a recall on the alternater at some point since I was buying an aftermarket one I would not get paid back. I have always supported Ford but I will never buy another Ford vehicle because they don't stand behind them and the customer service does not put the customer first. In my business we even take a hit sometimes on products to assure our custo,ers are satisfied and brings them back year after year. No wonder Ford is struggling with the product their selling and the way they make things right for the customer.

i have a 2003 ford focus 2 alternators have gone bad, 2 batteries have gone bad, the ignition has gone bad, and now the car has hit the end of the road, it wont star anymore. and I am done paying for repairs, I tried to get ford to send be a towbar for the car and they wont send one. I think they should install one at the factory so you can pull it to the house or shop with one of your good running vehicles. there should also be a warning sticker on the steering wheel that warns the operator not to exceed 55 mph in the first 10,000 miles or the car will explode.

I have spent $1500.00 in misc. repairs in the last few months.

How many times must the same thing happen in order to make Ford recall the Focus due to the Ignition troubles?? I had to have mine replaced a few years back to the tune of around $500 and 2 tow bills! I was raised by a Ford Family and have always had a Ford myself, but the quality of my 2002 Focus is really making me look around at other autos. I won't be buying Ford again! There are already over 2000 signatures on a Petition to have Ford Recall the Focus - if you haven't yet signed - please stop by http://www.petitiononline.com/FocusIC/petition.html and do so. Hopefully something will be done and soon! From the sounds of things my ignition may be locking up again!!!!

I have a 2001 Ford Focus which I own at this point. I purchased it new from Future Ford. It has been a great car until a year ago. I had the rear windows fall through the doors. The first time the dealership charged me $150. Recently for the same exact repair (because it happened again) they charged me $350. I had them pull up the previous year's record and they noticed the difference but would only take off $30. The second time my husband took off the door thinking it would save us money but obviously it did not. Then I had them look at an air conditioning problem. The same time as I had the window fixed, the dealership said I needed a new thermostat. I told them my A/C was working great. They then told me that well, it won't for long. So, I had them replace the thermostat. After that the A/C has not worked right this summer and continues to blow warm air only on the passenger side. They claim that it needs a new accumulator for $700. I took it to someone else who said it was just the hoses they did not hook up properly. Isn't there anything you can do to protect yourself from such blatant rip offs from the dealer? These deceptive practices seem extreme to me. Ironically while I was standing there waiting for my car recenlty with the window problem, another customer who had a simple oil change noticed that when they returned the car it was running really poorly and it was making a horrible sound. The salesman (I guess that it was you call the guys who greet you at the service area), just shrugged his shoulders. She looked at me and I said - ask for the manager - this is rediculous. Boy -- that dealership really takes people for a ride.

I bought my 2003 ford focus less than a year ago. Everything was fine for about 6 months until I heard a ratteling.. I ignored it for awhile until i had to go in because my headlights wouldn't turn on!! I go into an auto shop and find out that the ratteling was my sway bar. Apparently it was completely worn down. I was told this was not a saftey issure but needed to be fixed. The problem with my lights was that the connection in the handle near the steering wheel was completely worn off.. After 250 dollars for parts and labor, i thought everything was alright. NO!!! I was wrong. I went to San Fran just to visit. I parked on a very steep hill an of course cranked my wheel... We get pizza, come back and my key DOES NOT TURN at all.. I call all around to see what i should do.. I was told to yank on the wheel, bang on the ignition, try and roll the car backwards, try pushing it back and fourth to unlock the steering wheel.. a man that lived near by gave me some WD40... nothing worked. By this time its almost 9. I call all around and a locksmith said he would repair it for 250$ after he hit the ignition for over an hour with a screw driver and a hammer he gave up.. I asked him 'please i need to get home! i cant be stuck in san fran, is there ANY way you can START my car?' he said, 'well sure, i can DRILL A HOLE in the ignition and that should work until you get a new one.' So 250$ later, i made it home safely, and figured i would be ok for awhile... NOPE! a day later it happened again, it started right up after i beat it with a flat head screw driver though! **** Ford.. Im just waiting to see what happens next.

I am a mother of 14 month old twins and my ignition on my 2003 focus wont turn! i have been reading all of these complaints and im wondering if somehow we can come together and get lawyers to file a class action lawsuit! this is very hard on my family, considering the fact that this is the only car we have. If i have to take my kids to the hospital i guess i will have to call an ambulance! this is such [lies]. I am more than likely going to try a locksmith, then going to get a lawyer (both which i cannot afford) but something NEEDS to be DONE! If Ford would step up and say that there is a problem, and fix it, then i might consider getting another one.

My ignition and steering wheel has locked and won't unlock this is the third time. Paying for Tow Trucks and travel time back and fourth, I am so disappointed in Ford with this problem. They fixed one time for my daughter when she was 9months pregnat and stressed out with my focus. She was stranded 25miles from home. This truly needs to be resolved by Ford.

I am tired of this I have left my key in my focus cause I was so afraid of this happening again. Now it has again and I regret buying my vehicle I am so upset I cannot afford to be paying my car payment and payment for repairs and of course lets not forget the tow bills again....

Stress! Anxiety! $$$ My steering wheel is locked and my key won't work won't turn the ignition...I am like so done with this car...maybe I should just let the ford credit people take it back....

The Ignition Key cylinder broke on our 2000 Ford Focus ZX3

It has cost alot of time and money.

My 2001 Ford Focus has had the ignition replaced not more than three months ago... now it's completely locked up again. At the time I had it replaced I heard from the two truck driver and the mechanics that this is an extremely common problem - now looking online I see that it is more of an epidemic!

I have a 2005 Ford Focus. Since buying this car new I have had to repalce the same half shaft twice, the manual transmission has been rebuilt 3 times for 5 gear whining. The last time they had my car for 7 weeks and now I have to take it back again for 5th gear whining. Each time they want to collect the 100 dollar deductible. I finally called the customer service hot line and complained (1-800-392-3673) and they made it so I did not pay the deductible.

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Just like many,many people on this website,I parked my car yesterday and haven't been able to get my key out of the ignition since,my boyfriend' dad looked at it for an hour(he works @ John Hine Pontiac) and I work at a Lexus dealership and had my service department look at it and they couldnt fix it either...I called Ford and they said this happens all the time and it would cost $100 to determine the problem (just to get me to take it to them) then they wouldnt say how much to fix it..I don't understand why this isn't a recall since it is happening so much and apparently it will just happen again anyway so why should I have to pay to fix it?

The car only had 109,000 miles on it, but now I understand why. I don't even know what it is going to cost to fix it and I havn't even made my first payment on it yet. I will never buy another ford- new or used. The car only had 109,000 miles on it, but now I understand why. I don't even know what it is going to cost to fix it and I havn't even made my first payment on it yet. I will never buy another ford- new or used.

I purchased a new 2007 Ford Focus in 2006. After a year the brakes started to squeal. When I took it back to the dealer for repair they told me the warranty would not cover the repair since the brakes were still in good shape. They did say they could replace the pads for $800.00. I had no luck appealing this to their national customer service department. The noise drives me nuts. I will never ever buy another Ford. This would never happen with a Honda.

The ignition on my 2002 Ford Focus has locked up. The key goes in and out, but will not turn. I called the local Ford dealer, and they said I would have to have the car towed in, they would drill the lock and replace it. The Service Manager said that the cost would be $400-500. He said this is not usual, and Ford did not have a recall on it. I have heard on the national news about Ford Focus ignition problems, and i have read about many of them on the internet. It sounds like Ford should have some responsibility here.

I am continuously replacing tires on my 2007 Ford Focus SES sedan VIN 1FAHP34N47W162409. Tires are rotated every 3K miles, along with numerous tire alignment checks, however even that doesn't save the life of the tires. The entire car shakes horribly at highway speeds once the tires wear to a certain point, concerning me with future suspension damage. The tires seem to wear MUCH worse on the rear. At 16,000 miles, I replaced all 4 tires due to abnormal outside tire wear. Now at 28,000 miles(12,000 on new tires), I am again replacing two of the four. This set had a 55,000-mile warranty, but I barely got 12,000 due to abnormal wear

My 2004 Ford Focus has the same ignition problem so many report. It started fialing, but i jiggled and it would work, so I didnt take action. Then, on a Mon morn when I had t be at work, it would NOT turn. I got a locksmith who tried for an hour without luck. I had to have flatbed tow to dealer, as others could not fix. Ford dealer charged $491 including a $2 shop materials fee. !!

My Ford Focus SE ignition cylinder froze and has caused me a bundle to replace. I hear this is a huge problem and it should be recalled. But of course, Ford has not recalled it and is waiting for someone to get into an accident due to this greed and negligence. I will NEVER buy a Ford ever again.

My key to my 2006 Ford Focus is stuck in the ignition and won't come out. I looked online and took the advice from your website. None of these remedies solved my problem. I guess I will have to give in and call alocksmith or try to get the part and do it myself. I am sure Ford will not sell the part as mthey would rather have me go to the dealer. I am upset about this as I bought the car earlier this year. It had less than 45000 miles, and shouldn't have this type of problem unless the problem was always there for this vehicle. There are too many postings just on this website to not be a major problem. I hate to say this but I may have to look at buying a foreign vehicle. I am hearing of too many problems with American vehicles-especially Ford. I am suspiciuos of the door handles breaking, and wondered if this has happened-it seems like a design flaw that is going to end up in them breaking.

I too had to replace my ignition on my ford focus.4times to be exact and was told my key was doing .I needed to replace the 2 keys at 35.00 a pop.Needless to say i never heard of such a thing and got my keys free

I have had the ignition switch replaced on my Ford Focus 5 times. Two of those 5 times the switch had to be replaced before the warranty expired. The three times I had to pay to have my towed and I paid over $250 to have the switch replaced each time. I will contact an attorney for legal advice.

I own a 2003 Ford focus zx5 and I have had numerous key ignition problems. Unfortuanatley there is not much i can do about but i refuse to pay an obscene amount of money to fix a problem that so many people are having and Ford is not taking responsibility for. I am now planning to sell my car and purchase a more durable economy vehicle I will never purchase another Ford product, and this is after falling in love with my car.

I owned a brand new ford focus in 2000. After only a few months the ignition locked up and the key wouldn't come out and wouldn't turn. I had it towed to the dealership and it was replaced under warranty. The entire ignition was replaced..nine monthes later the exact thing happened with the brand new egnition. it happened a 3rd time , but this time it wasn't covered and they wanted me to pay 350.oo for it. I argued, called ford headquarters and they all said the same thing. It doesn't have a recall on it and theres nothing they can do. I told them that if this were a safety issue I bet the recall would already be done but was met with no support from Ford what so ever. My parting words to them were that if they were willing to lose a customer over 350.00 that probably would have bought ford again and again,then I would tell everone that would listen how poorly they treated and took care of their customers, I have never bought another ford, I sold it within a month and have kept my word. It is 2008 and I still haven't forgotten how little they backed their product and failed to take care of their customer.

We had the same trouble as many other consumers on this page. We own a Ford Focus and the key would not turn. We had been having some trouble for a while and then one morning the key would not turn at all. Luckily my husband checked this site so that we did not take it to the dealer but instead we had a locksmith come. He did an excellent job but said he has this problem so much that he carries several spare cylanders in his truck. He said that once he's replaced the cylander he's never gotten a call back that this type has broken.

I have had my Ford Focus ZX5 for three years, it is the worst car I have ever owned. The very second the warrenty was up the center console lid fell off. The very day it was up. This was just a taste of things to come. When I first bought the car, I was annoyed when I parked the car and was unable to withdraw the key. I called the warranty people and they told me to hit it with my shoe. I did, and they said to hit it really really hard with the shoe. I tried that. Finally I tried turning the wheel back and forth and the key came out. When I first bought the car the back door lock stopped working on the door intermittently, and every time I took it to the dealership there would be no problem with it. Now that the warranty is up the door hasn't locked in several months. Now the key will not come out of the ignition. I can turn the car on and drive it around. But with the back door that doesn't lock, It is just a matter of time before someone sees the key in the ignition and tries the doors and drives off with my car. I called the dealership and they actually had the nerve to ACT SUPRISED when I told them of these problems! I HATE FORD AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. My KIA was 100% better then this ford and they really had a bad, reputation. In my opionion they have more class then ford will ever have. DONT BUY FORDS! The workmanship is shoddy and they do not stand behind there products.

I am having a very similar problem that most people seem to have with their Ford Focus. My key is stuck in my ignition and will not come out. No amount of pulling will make it budge. It seems that the key will not turn all the way to the locking position, so it is stuck.

We bought a 2004 Ford Focus ZX3 from a private seller.We only had it 2 months when the ignition went out,thankfully in happened in our driveway.My husband can fix it,and has been trying but its a pain in the behind.He'll get it done,but it's fighting back.We were very dissapointed to read all the blogs on this problem,hopefully once it's fixed it won't happen again.Now were worried about the front springs,ours makes a funny noise when we go over any kind of bumps.And we been reading that is another problem that this car has,so NOW we are most likely are going to replace that!!and he can do that to.Other than that Cuca(our car's name) drives very well.Thanks for all the heads up. info!!

In August of 2004 we drove up to Lithia Ford of Omaha, Ne and bought a 2005 Ford Focus. We didn't even get out of Omaha when a tire blew out. Back to Lithia. We found out the tires on our car weren't sold in Nebraska and it would cost almost $300. to buy a new one. With a great deal of aruguement Lithia replaced the tire.

Ford told us that the responsibilty relied on Lithia to contact them and get the problem fixed. This has been an ungoing problem since.

I had the exact same ignition locking problem that has been so well documented here. The advice I took from these pages? DON'T GO TO THE DEALER! Go to a locksmith. Luckily I got mine started one last time by tapping the key in with a screwdriver handle and drove it to the locksmith, who told me to leave the engine running or they'd have to drill it, costing more. The guys at Pro Lock and Safe in phoenix hooked me up with a new ignition for 88 bucks and a new transponder key for $60. Way better than the $360 minimum the crooks at the Ford dealership were charging. If you can get your car started with the tapping method, drive it to a locksmith who does transponder keys. they'll also probably use a better ignition than the constantly crappy ones from the dealer (as so well documented here).GET THEE TO A LOCKSMITH.

Similar complaint as many, many others concerning the 2000 Ford Focus Ignition Switch. Key gets frozen in the lock when cold. Key sometime having problems turning. However the latest issue was the key will now no longer go into the ignition switch and had to have the car towed and facing a $350.00 bill plus towing to get it fixed.

I am facing a reacurring problem, with my Ford Focus. And it is very irritating. My key wont turn in my ignition again. I have already replaced the ignition twice, and now it's happening again. Stuck not being able to use my car.

I have a 2004 ford focus and am having the same problems with the key others seem to having . If I take the key out the car will not start when I try putting it back in. Last night the ignition would not move al all and I had the car towed, I live in area that has recently been surrounded by fire, and yesterday there were many lightening strikes that started more fires. We live on a mountain with limited access out and not having a functioning car is not an option, I have knee disability (on limited income) and a 3 year old.....why has this not been recalled?????

I am outraged by what is apparently a very widespread problam with the ignitions locking up on the Ford Focus cars. It has happened several times to us, and this most recent one has left the car sitting in the driveway for over week. NOW we are driving our economic Surburban which gets 11-13 miles to the gallon. WOW. I cannot believe with so many consumer complaints about this happening, that more is not being done. Should'nt there be a class action lawsuit against Ford for this? I would gladly add my name to the list if it would mean them taking responsibility for their actions or lack there of. Economy cars are usually for the middle class, and with Gas prices and the overall economy, some of us can barely pay the bills and put food on the table, yet were supossed to just keep pouring money into this ridiculas Ford Focus. Some one said even replacing the cylinder of the ignition wont fix the problem, that it will just keep happening. This is really outrageous! I personally will never buy another Ford product ever again, and will tell everyone I know the same. Someone really should do something about this iginition problem!!! Thanks for listening..

I have a 2005 Ford Focus ZX$. Last night I tried to turn my car off and take the key out of the ignition and it would not come out. I sat in the car for about 25 minutes trying to get it out, it finally came out. This morning I went to school, when I got there the key would not come out of the ignition. I had to get to class so I had to leave the keys in the ignition. I went out during my break to try to get the key out and it came out but then the ignition locked and I could not start the car. The tow truck driver told me this was a known issue with Focuses. I had to take it to a Ford dealer and it cost me over $300 to have it fixed. There is a serious problem here. Ford needs to step up to the plate and take responsibility for this.

2000 focus ignition lock replaced in 2006, i was told it failed because too heavy a keychain. I have 3 keys! Replaced both broken rear springs in 2007, never towed, drove overloaded, or had more than 2 people in it. Passenger front coil spring just broke, waiting to get the runaround at the dealer in the am. Overall not a bad economy car, but I believe Ford should realize the recurring problems are defects in the product, and not operator error.

the ignition of the 2003 ford focus locked up and the ford dealership is telling me that it is not a recall after reading all the complaints I am very disappointed in this. My daughter and granddaughter have been stranded for 4 hours trying to get this fixed.

I owned a 2005 Ford Focus Station Wagon and had a rear end collision while stopped at a light. As a result of the poor seat construction, my lumbar spine was wedged in the gap between the seat cushion and the back cushion during the impact. I sustained a lumbar injury where my spine was wedged in between the cushion due to the poor construction. The driver seats in these ford vehicles are constructed such that tall people have to lower the seat. Instead of the entire seat lowering (as with the european model), the US model separates. The lumbar cushion and back support remain in place while the seat cushion is lowered by a lever, thereby creating a significant gap between the seat cushion and the lumbar cushion. My spine was damaged as a result of this gap. I would like to highlight that this separation does NOT occur in the european models of the ford focus because the entire seat moves as a unit (rather than the lower portion only). I have pictures to prove this. Please contact ASAP. I would also like to notify FORD about this issue. FACT: The european ford focus driver seat moves as an entire unit (both seat cushion and back cushion move together as a unit, never creating such a gap) FACT: The u.s. model is the cheap alternative to give the impression of a adjustable seat. Instead, the lever lowers and raises only the seat bucket portion for the driver, while exposing a gap between it and the back cushion. The back support stays in the same place ANOTHER FACT: All european models have headrests in the back seat ANOTHER FACT: Al u.s. models have NO headrests in the back seat

I have a 2000 Ford Focus, i don't know where to start because there is so much wrong with it, i called the Ford dealership they say there is no recall's , how ever the ignition one day just locked up now it is hanging there and have to start it with a screw driver , the transmission is messing up still and the rear door just comes open even though it is locked , the front door won't open , among many other's, does any one have any idea where i start to help get this stough fixed?

since i got my 2005 Ford Focus SES ZX4 at a Demo price i'v had he worst luck with this car, dont get me wrong I love my car. But, the cost to keep it in one piece is costing me an arm and a leg! first when i bought the car, they charged me $100 for a full tank of gas, $100 bucks! and they didnt put any gas in it. then, someone hit and run my car. the driver side was flattened. and then i had to get my rims replaced, but the dealer never replaced them and charged me for new rims, then someone backed up into my car and totaled the rear passenger side trunk, after i had to get the brakes changed, charged me $1500 to replace all parts for the brakes. rotors, pads...etc. then, my windshield wiper blades flew off the car and scratched the windshield up like crazy, n then im on the highway and rocks cracked my windshield, then after a month i got a tune-up from the dealer and it went from 1hr $50 tune-up to a 6hr $400 1 rear wheel barring. 6 FREAKING HOURS! and all they had to do was remove the wheel and brakes remove old barring and replace it with grease. and install everything again. after that i had little problems, when when i was driving with my girl in the car, going 40km/h i put the brakes on and they locked up almost making me smash the truck in front. but it stop when i hit the curb. then in winter i was going 30 down a street and the brakes locked up and the car slid into a curb and almost did a roll over in this guys house. and the front passenger side axel fell right off. cost me $2000 to replace. damn this car cost me money i could have bought a freaking ferrari by now. hahahah well.

i am an embarr as? owner of a 2003 ford suckus (focus)and i too have had the infamous locking ignition problem which is the key would not turn at all i have had this very inconvience issue 3 times. the first two times i had my farther come by and he wiggle it t o frakin death and after about 45 min. he got lucky and it started the 2nd time it happen i was stranded in the bmv parking lot so i called my soon to be brother in law he came and wiggled the key and the sterring wheel untill his fingers was turning red after he decided to give to give up it just clicked and turned after about 40 min. so my brother inlaw told me not to turn the key all the way back into the locking position turn it just far enough to kill the acc. i have been driving it useing this method for about 1 week. then my brilliant farther completly forgot about my igition problem and out of habbit took the key completely out of the ignition once again so i callled my brother inlaw again he spent about an hour trying to mimick his solution he did before but this time no luck. so he did some research on the net and thats when we found out how bad the ford suckus really was but i saw three post stating to try tapping the ign. with a hammer so after we read it we decided you no what what the hell car is on its way back to the dealership in heath, ohio so we grabbed a hammer went back to the car he tapped the key with the key in the ignition twice and low and behold it worked, I paid 17,000$ dollars for this car still owe 1 1/2 yrs left and can't get a 350.00$ nationwide factory defective part replaced free of charge ask yourself one question is the customer allways right?

Key couldn't be removed from ignition. First two times I eventually managed to remove it. The third time, I could not and brought it to Heritage Ford. Shortly thereafter, they called to say they had no problem in removing the key. I recovered my car and drove it for four days before it happened again. This time I watched while a service employee tried, to no avail. When they finally fixed the problem, they told me something sticky had caused the failure of permitting the transmission to enter Park and thereby permitted removal of the key. They told me my WARRANTY would not cover this problems and charged mmy $308!! I mantain it was under warranty and should have been fixed at no charge.

My 2003 Ford Focus ignition switch would not allow the key to turn. It cost approximately $450 to replace. This also occurred to a 2000 Focus I had owned. I am a loyal Ford customer, having purchased 12 Fords since 1985. All of my children and their spouses drive Fords. I asked Ford to reimburse me for the repair, and they basically said tough. I have seen how many other owners have the same problem. Why isn't there a safety recall. I could see someone stalling in traffic, and not being able to move off the road because the ignition is locked. This could cause a life threatening situation.

Well where do I start?I have a 2000 se Ford lemon sorry focus first of all the recalls where enough,changed the brakes once every year sometimes 2 sets finally changed rotors at my expence. Then the valve cover was leaking oil at 65,000 caught the car on fire,did the repair myself, fuel pump went left me stranded was a recall but wouldnt replace it till it happened, struts replaced at 20,000 then at 80,000 coil spring broke it was a silent recall check into it if it happens to you now the rear left hub is seperating from the brakes a known problem but they wont fix it,it has more rust underneath the car then my old galaxie that was sitting in a field needless to say I will never buy another Ford They should buy them all back and put them where they belong the scrap yard!!!I bought a new car so i didnt have these headaches I dont know if it will make it to 100,000

We purchased a 2007 Ford Focus 3-Door S on 8/15/07 with manual transmission to be used for towing behind our motorhome. The vehicle was successfully towed for aproximately 7000 miles until May 16, 2008 when it caught on fire in the engine compartment while being towed for about one hour. The vehicle was totaled. Inspection by fire department personel verified that the transmission was in neutral and the parking brake off. This is our second incident of a Ford Focus catching on fire while being towed. This occured with 2001 Ford Focus SE that had been towed aproximately 50,000 miles without incident until May 2007. Not only was the car totaled, but back end of the motorhome caught on fire and resulted in it being totaled as well.

We have a 2002 Ford Focus. From day one, we've had nothing but trouble with it. The front springs were broken (mom seems to think this was bought this way). My wheel now wobbles and I have to have a new sway bar. The windows won't roll down in the back. My radio turns on only sometimes. The windshield wipers when shut off, won't go down into the correct position, they stop dead center of the window. My trans went early on - that was $2,000. Oh and I don't know if this is just dumb luck, but both the front and the back windshield had to be replaced - the back one suddenly blew out when my husband was driving it. Lastly, the doors never want to open - we have to yank them open because the handles are so stiff.

I bought my 2002 Ford Focus brand new. I just paid it off about 3 months ago. In the time I've had it I've driven from TX to LA multiple times back and forth. Many places across Texas and recently from TX to KY then to MI and back to KY. I have 126,000 miles on it. In the time I've had it, when it was bran new I had some sort of clog that caused water to collect on the passenger side. Easy fixer-took it to a Ford Dealer they took care of it. About a year later my air conditioner clutch mysteriously fell off (yes really) I paid 400 to get it fixed. Then no problems until two days ago, I had not kept up with preventive maintence (except oil changes every 3-5K) and on a trip back to KY from MI, about 9 miles to my destination, the water pump went out, causing the timing belt to go (both of which should have been replaced about 40K ago) so it ran hot and blew a head gasket... I hate to be too positive here since I am facing a bill I can't afford (just started law school) to pay, but my little red car has taken care of me... I was hoping to keep it for 3 more years... I am not sure what's going to happen even after this repair now...

I would like to complain about my 2002 Ford Focus. First off my trunk door will not close. Secondly several weeks ago my rear right window started sliding down by itself and would not stay up. Now the other side is doing the same. From the reviews I have read this seems to be very common with these cars. I'm hoping they issue a recall because this is geting very expensive.

I bought my 2004 Ford Focus SE 3 years ago. Two weeks after I bought the car it rained and my horn quit working. I took it back to the dealership and they fixed it. One month later I drove through a puddle and my horn quit working again. This was the beginning of a very frustrating love hate relationship with my car and the Ford dealership. I have had my horn replaced 6 times with the dealership. Each time I requested a copy of the work order, and I was told it would be mailed to me - they never mailed me any papers. I went to the dealership to get the paperwork in person and Ford claimed they had no records of working on my car - EVER. I went to a mechanic in October 2007 and he fixed the problem - for about 9 months. Again it rained, I drove through a puddle - and voila my horn quit working - FOR THE 8th TIME. I finally moved the horn myself today and am waiting for another rain storm to see if the issue is fixed. My initial thoughts are I will be back under my car again in the near future. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AS LONG AS I LIVE. You would think the company that invented automobiles would be able to install a horn correctly - or at least find a lasting solution (i.e. reposition the horn, or move the horn to a new place under the hood) after the second time I took it in. The dealership actually told me there was no other way to position the horn, and it couldn't be moved because there is not room under the hood. Funny how a female who only works on minor issues found a way to move the horn, and reposition it. Guess Ford needs to hire someone with a little common sense and decent work ethics.

03' ford focus zx3 40,000 miles only a few problems so far even tho its 5 years old now, but today the ignition switch is stuck like the thousand of others that listed the same problem, i call the dealer they said $87.00 just to find the problem wouldnt give me a price to fix it over the phone, looked online ignition switch runs about $40.00 but, how much will the labor be on this item if it takes an hour to replace?? i would be more then happy to repair it myself if i knew how to replace it, but it has the anti-theft key system on it, so i wont try, ide just probably brake something else, will take to dealer tommorow for an estimate, but i will tell them just replace the ignition switch nothing else. FORD DO YOURSELF AND EVERYONE THAT HAS PURCHASED A FORD A FAVOR, RECALL THIS IGNITION ISSUE!!! AND ANYOTHER MASS ISSUES with a FORD!!!

I had no idea I was only one out of 1 million (Ex) Ford Focus owners with brake and ignition problems! I WAS the owner of a 2000 Ford Focus. It was purchased 7/2001 with only 11 miles on it! A few months down the road I began having brake problems. The dealer told me that it was normal wear and tear and not covered under warranty. This happended 3 times with in the 1st year and instead of giving Ford even more of my money, I took my car to my mechanic which was cheaper, but still not cheap! I also had my ignition lock up on me twice. The first time I was stuck for more than 3 hours and had to be towed 30 miles to the dealership. The second time, I let it sit for a very long time and finally I got the ignition to turn over. Needless to say, I traded that piece 'o trash after owning it for only a year!

I have a Ford Focus 2000 SE and it is the worst piece of crap ever! First off, my 2 back window's electronic buttons are gone. They've been gone for a while, 2 years. It blew a head gasket and after getting that fixed, I have to constantly watch it because it overheats so easily. My front driver side wheel bearing had to be replaced, and after that I still have to keep constantly getting tires because it eats them. Literally, it wears them down so fast and so bad, the metal is showing. My button(s) to unlock and lock the doors doesn't work. My fan to cool my engine is suspended in mid air and makes an awful noise. I've paid to fix this twice. I've also had previous experience with the ignition locking up. It's done it a handful of times in the past, but now, it seems to be completely gone. I can no longer jiggly the wheel, push in the brake. I now HAVE to hammer the key in for it to turn over. I took it to a mechanic and he told me that EVERYTHING under the hood is loose and it needs to be replaced, it was gonna cost me $$2,000, I'm a student for crying out loud, how can I afford that?? A car is suppose to last longer than 8 years. I have all the mantinance records for it, so it was taken care of.

Ignition locks up on 2003 Ford Focus

I have a 2001 Ford Focus SE. I went to the hospital because my dad had major surgery. When I got there I exited my car as usual. When I returned to my car to go home my key would only go in half way. My car had to sit for almost a week at the hospital because I could not get it started. With all that was going on at the time I finally got a locksmith to look at my car. He seemed to be amused by the fact that he had replaced the ignition on several hundred of the Ford Focus's and Ford does not care. Needless to say over $500 dollars later I had to have the ignition replaced. While my dad was in the operating room I had to deal with the awful stress of that and the fact that my car could possibly get towed from the hospital parking lot. I did a search and there are what seems to be thousands of people with the same problem and some have even had it happen after replacement. Where is the class action suit?

We bought a 2000 Ford Focus - ZX3, our first brand new car. We have had to replace the ignition 3 times now and just found out as we tried to leave that it has gone again. It has cost us a lot of money and stranded us many times. We have never been so disappointed in a car or a car company. Since we have owned the car it has had a strange problem around 2200rpm, but no one at any dealership knows what that could be?!?! How could they not? SOMETHING must be done.

My 2000 Ford Focus had a recall on the front springs. My right front spring failed and was replaced before the recall and Ford reimbursed me for the cost of the repair. I wanted Ford to replace the left spring but they would not saying it hasn't failed. This happened a few years ago. On Monday May 12 I took my Focus to Royal Oak Ford suspecting that my left front spring was broken. I was told that the recall had expired and the mileage cut off was 150,000 miles. My car has 154,600 miles. The service man told me I could call Ford customer service but he hasn't seen anyone get anything from Ford once the recall expires. Totally discusted I then took my car to where I get all my non warranty or recall work done and had it repaired.

So far, my windshield wipers have broken, the volume has never worked on my radio. I can turn the dial down and it will get really loud. This also gets annoying when trying to set the time. The scan button has broken. On the freeway it got stuck in gear as I was accelerating from the on ramp to on coming traffic. The new thing is that it won't start. I have to let the engine cool about an hour before I can get it to start. Lights, radio, air/heat work fine. I was told that unless the problem happens when it is at the dealer they cannot find what is wrong. The tests they ran all came back fine. I will never buy a Ford again.

The ignition lock cylinder on my 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 stuck and my car wouldn't start. I had to spend $65.00 for the Motorcraft Replacement Part. Then I had to pay a locksmith $30.00 to make the key fit & it took my friend and I 21/2 hours to get the thing replaced. I heard that Ford would reimberse my costs for this repair due to the fact that the problem was due to Manufactorer's Defect.

I have had problems starting my 2003 Ford Focus for the past month. I have sat in the parking lot of my workplace twice and jiggled with the ignition for about 5 or 6 minutes each time and it started. Tonight 5/1/08 I cleaned my car getting ready for a road trip to Oklahoma and I tried to start it for an hour. My husband tried to start it, we wiggle and jiggled the steering wheel and did everything we could think of......it is broken.

I have a 2003 Ford Focus. The ignition has locked up. I put in the key to start it and it won't turn. I went on line and read 100's of complaint about this same thing. Ford NEEDS to do a recall.

I have a 2003 Ford Focus. The ignition has locked up. I put in the key to start it and it won't turn. I went on line and read 100's of complaint about this same thing. Ford NEEDS to do a recall.

I bought my daughter a 2003 Ford Focus as her first car. We have replaced the ignition cylinder twice and tonight I got a call and though replaced less than a month ago, she is stranded at her school, with her roomates 8 year old with no way to get home. I will have the vehicle towed to the mechanic who just replaced the mechanism in the morning to get it up and going for her again. It is curious as it has locked up and wouldn't turn on, it has refused to release the key and turn off, and now it won't let her start it. How many young women need to be put into harms way before Ford steps up to the plate to admit it's mistake related to this part. She could be stuck at work when she closes or at school when she takes her night classes and be at the mercy of any passerby. Where is the corporate conscience of Ford.

The ignition switch on my Ford 2003 focus will not turn. I have had to stay home from work and lose a day in pay. The car has less then 52,000 miles and I bought it used less then a year ago. I understand it will cost about 300+ to have it fixed. That is a weeks pay for me and the only reasion I got the car in the first place was to save money, and since I have 5 more years of payments,I can hardly afford to pay for parts that should not be wearing out so soon.

Bought a brand new 2002 Ford Focus. Since the purchase, I have had so many repair issues. First it was the Fuel pump replaced in 2003. Ford would not cover the charge under the recall for bad fuel pumps since my Focus was a 2002 and not a 2001. The steering wheel links were replaced twice, the ignition key gets stuck. The list goes on and on. Just a terrible experience, I will never buy a Ford vehicle again.

My 2002 Ford Focus wagon has developed a starting problem. After being driven and parked, the car will not start again until it has been sitting for 1 hour or more. When you turn the key there is power for radio, lights, etc., but absolutely no sound of the engine trying to turn over. After sitting long enough, the car will suddenly start fine and run. This is an intermittent problem. The dealer has not helped - the computer does not indicate a problem, so unless they can get it to happen there they have no way to figure out what is wrong.

2003 Focus. Bought new. Replaced alternator at 3 yrs old, now at 5, ignition key cylinder is locking up. FORD has managed to AMBUSH its own customers but because i'm sure they have bought and paid for years worth of ingition cylinders, they don't want to pay for updated more reliable ignition components, just like the old day auto industry that gave birth to Toyota and others who could and would change when necessary to provide a quality, reliable product.

The ignition switch froze up and the key will not turn on my 2003 Ford Focus; I am amazed at the list of complaints regarding this, why has Ford not recalled this obvious flaw?

My 2004 Ford Focus is having ignition issues. I can't turn the key in the ignition--it is completely locked up. Geico is under the impression that there is a recall for this issue, but the local Ford dealers totally deny it. So I guess I will have to come out of pocket to fix it.

I purchased a used 2004 Ford Focus ZTS July 2007. Today I tried to start my car and the key wouldn't turn. I turned the steering wheel while turning the key and it still would not turn. I called a tow truck and the service man hit it with a tool and it turned. He also told me that it was the 4th Focus that he received a call for with the exact same problem. He said that it is a very common problem and that the ignition cylinder needs to be replaced. I can't believe how many complaints there are on the internet regarding this problem. What can we as consumers do to get Ford to approve a recall for this very common, aggravating and costly problem.

Purchased my 2000 Ford Focus over 3 years ago. Have had several problems with it. First the wires for the starter which caused the battery to start sparking and burned out the starter. Ford replaced the wires which were part of the recall, but I had to pay $600 to replace the starter and battery. Had to replace tires several times, they keep getting worn out. Had to replace the alternator once a year. Brakes went out, with no warning, almost caused an accident. No emergency brake. Electrical problem that no shops have been able to fix. Will cause loss of power and then start again. Ignition locked up at 130,000 miles. Which I have heard happen alot to these cars but is not a recall. Transmission had to be replaced, it completely burned out. In one week, the power steering pump and fuel pump went out in the car. I will never buy another Focus again!

Ignition Switch keeps freezing up I have to hit it with a hammer to get it to work. There should be a recall on this.

My 2000 Ford Focus ignition went bad while out one day, could not get the key in and when forced in it would not come out.

I was stuck with a car that had a key locked in the ignition. I live in Baltimore, Maryland and it was a theft issue to have a key just sitting in the ignition. I found a great locksmith that fixed the ignition for WAY less then Ford was willing to do it for. Ford should pay for the faulty part and back up the product they are making.

I bought my 2003 Ford Focus brand new. Since then, I've had the ignition cylinder replaced 3 times, costing me over $1200 total! I've had the alternator replaced, costing over $400. And I just recently had the master and slave cylinders in the transmission replaced, the flywheel resurfaced, and the clutch assembly replaced, costing over $1900!

2001 Ford Focus ignition failed when I stopped for coffee today. Tow truck person charged me $45 to hit the key real hard so I could drive it to the dealer. $350 later, it should be fixed. Recall on this would be nice.

My key locked up in the ignition and would not turn anymore. When I wanted to get it towed the tow guy knocked the key straight into the ignition (the direction the key is inserted itself). In the Focus there is a cylinder that needs to drop and by punching it in you force it to slide in. This isn't a permanent solution. In the LA area A To Z Locksmith will come to you and exchange the ignition with a non-Ford ignition for $280. Takes an hour, you don't have the defective design anymore but you can use original keys! Ask any locksmith for his license!

I'm a locksmith and we do see these all the time. I would recommend using a locksmith that belongs to ALOA and your state association of locksmiths. You can use a screw driver & hammer with the key inserted, put the tip of the screwdriver BESIDE the key on the face of the lock, tap the screwdriver (NEVER THE KEY) with the hammer, try little taps to hard taps, keep trying the key. If you can get the key to turn, your next stop is a locksmith! DO NOT continue to use this method because it will fail and you will be stuck where you are and with a much bigger bill. With the key turned, it's much easier to remove the cylinder and replace it. A locksmith can key the new cylinder to your existing key (which is important with these transponder keys). The way the transponder keys work on Fords is that you must have 2 operating keys to open the programming. If you are down to 1 key we will charge you and extra $50 ($75-90 depending on key) to hook up our expensive computer to force open the programming to take the 2nd key. Once you have 2 keys, then it's easy to program more keys (up to 8 usually). We recommend having 3 keys at least and once you loose one, replace it RIGHT AWAY, then you will never have to pay the extra $50. If you can't get the key to turn, a locksmith might be able to, or then he'll have to drill the lock out and replace it. If you experience ANY problem with these ignitions, take it to a locksmith. If it's having a problem, it's easier/cheaper to change when the key still works. This problem will not go away, it will get worse, don't put it off! Good luck and buy a GM next time!

The ignition froze up on my 2002 Ford Focus. Gus from the Ford dealership called this morning. It is going to cost over $500 to fix it, plus $90 to have a new key made. He says it takes two keys to fix it. Plus a $60 towing fee. This is more than half my income for a month. I am in a financial mess,

I have a 2002 Ford Focus and my key would not turn to start my car. I put the key into the ignition and it would not turn no matter how hard I tried.

I bought a ford focus 2000.I purchased the car new.This car has nickeled and dimed me for the whole 8 years.I have had to buy wheel bearings(front)the rear ones were replaced with the recall,coil pack,struts,springs(front+rear),lower a-frames,rear a-frames,timing belt and a complete motor(the original motor blew-up before 65,000 miles)and yes I had regular oil changes,tires,and all fluids checked every 3,000 miles.I haven't received any recall notices in the last 3-4 years.To find out what else is wrong with my car,the dealership wants a $60.00 diagnostic fee.I stopped doing my maintenance there.Also to make matters worse I purchased the extended warranty when I bought my car at the dealership and the first time I tried to use it the dealership informed me that it was no good because SmartChoice 2000 went bankrupt.Yes I signed up for the class action suit for that one and still haven't heard anything back.Right now my rocker panels are so rusted I have to be careful I don't cut myself on them getting in+out of the car .The rust started 1-2 years after I bought my focus.The ignition key is stuck in the ignition and has been for a few years.

Ignition cylinder on my 2004 ZX3 locked up, the tapping the key with a hammer works. Dealer said it was covered with my extended warranty, but when they took it apart they called and aid it was not covered and would cost over $500. I told them just put it back together that was $52 for nothing. Ford got a winner there. That how they are making there money.

The famous ignition lock-up issue, and I can't start my 2004 Ford Focus. I did a web search when this happened two days ago, and was amazed to find the problem pretty much global (as wide-spread as Focus owners), and Ford has done nothing. This is obviously a defect of design, given it is most likely due to inadequate materials in the ignition. I'll be shelling out the money to get it fixed as well. At what point is an issue like this REQUIRED to become a recall? This is a safety issue - I bought the Focus as a commuter car since I drive about 35 miles to work (one way). And not just me - what about people for whom the issue crops up at a remote rest area or in some dangerous part of a city?

Looks like the 2006 Ford Focus may experience the same problems! My key will turn but I can't get it out of the ignition, the steering won't lock and neither will the transmission. One year ago I traded a 2001 Ford Focus after experiencing ignition problems several times as well as major electrical problems. I thought it was just at random that I got a bad car. Guess not! All of these should have been covered under the extended warranty, however, the Ford dealership didn't see it that way. Is there anything that can be done to protect the consumer from Ford fraud?

Yes, I too have had the miss fortune of dealing with the ignition of my 2004 Ford Focus. I was told that they all have the same problem with the ignition. The cylinder goes bad. Not covered under warranty and has been a problem for many years. However the new one they installed is a new design and should work well. So $400 in the hole for a problem Ford should pay for, not the consumer.

My ignition will not turn when I insert the key. I have a 2003 Ford Focus ZX5 and the car has never given me extensive problems. I was shocked at how long the complaint list is for this one problem. If any of you out there know someone with a Focus that has this same problem, please urge them to go on here and file a complaint. Do NOT be silent about this people. DEMAND a recall now.

The door latches on this vehicle has a tendency to fail. I have had the right front door latch fail, It initially blew the fuse for the power lock, but then failed to lock or open by key or interior latch as well. $269 in parts and 4 hours at $88 per. Now the trunk latch has failed, neither power nor key will open the trunk and I cant access the trunk to open it manually because the rear seat fold down latches unlock from inside the trunk. While both of these items are just an inconvenience at this time (fortunately I don't have melting ice cream or important papers in the trunk) it could definately become a major safety issue. Imagine being in a wreck and being unable to exit a burning car because the locks down work.

i have a 2002 ford focus it has been in the shop three times and today i picked it up from the shop only to have it slow down 4 times and have to pull over to the side give it gas to make it seem normal i have never had this kind of problem before the mechanics that have repaired it have replaced parts every time this is stupid.

I have had to replace the ignition on my 2000 Ford Focus 4 times in the last 7 years, each time costing me $400.00. The key will not turn the ignition. I have been stranded and have had to be towed further than my AAA would allow,causing me towing fees. This is ridiculous.

The Ignition Cylinder in my 2000 Ford Focus SE Wagon broke after the vehicle was no longer after warranty. My car locked up in a public parking lot and I thought I was going to have to have it hauled as it was also stuck in park and I could not put it in neutral. After research on the internet I found that there are far too many Focus owners who have encountered these same issues.

2003 Ford Focus has had noisy rear brakes since new. I had it checked soon after buying it and was told that there was nothing wrong. I have since found out that this is a problem with all Focuses and that Ford is aware of the problem. Ford has issued at least 1 TCB to correct this problem. This particular fix has now been discontinued because it didn't work. Call Ford consumer support and was told that it isn't their problem. Even though I had taken to a Ford garage twice during it 36000 mile warrant for noisy brakes.

My car is a 2000 Ford Focus. In 2003 It was still under warranty and I had to have the ignition replace when my key broke in it. In March 2008 the key is not turning and the steering wheel is locked and won't turn either. My car is no longer under warranty, and there's no telling how much it will cost now to have it fixed. I think these cars should be recalled for ignition problems, because there is just too many people with the same or similer problems.

My Ford Focus is having trouble w/ the ignition key. Apparently I am not the only one. It does not turn even w/ the spare key. The other day and today I was trying to turn the car on for at least 5min before something finally clicked and I was able to turn the key. I'm also having trouble w/ it turning on. I had that fixed when I first got it (it was under warrenty). It has since returned, now that the warrenty has expired. I don't understand why a recall has not occured if so many people are having problems w/ this.

I have a 2003 Ford Focus. The ingition cylinder failed/froze locking up the steering wheel and the transmission in PARK. The key would not turn and I had to have the car towed to a dealer to get it fixed. I had used the car earlier in the day but when I went to drive home from work in the evening, I could not turn the key in the ignition.

I have a 2000 Ford Focus Station Wagon I purchased new. The ignition key will not turn in the lock and the car is stuck in the driveway. I have never had this happen to any car I have ever owned. This Focus has 71,000 miles on it.

I have a 2000 ford focus, and I have had the ignition switch replaced 4 times. The warranty has ran out and now the switch is locked up again. I will never ever buy FORD again.

I have the same story that many other Ford Focus owners have: an ignition key problem. My car is in great shape, never had problems and then a few months ago I couldn't get my key to turn in the ignition. A tow guy happened to come along and with a screwdriver, jammed my key in just the right place to get it to turn. He was not surprised at all by my problem, and said that these cars always have this problem.

My Ford Focus ignition is broken, and will cost about $350-$500 to fix. I had to pay a locksmith to come out last night just to get me home. He mentioned he thought there was a recall on the ignition due to due the high volume of calls for the same reason. So, i called the ford dealership nearest to me and they stated that there was no recall at the time but recomended that i report it to Ford to help issue a recall. I did call to report the problem, but what do i do now?! Do i pay to have my car fixed out of my own pocket, or hope that ford recognizes the problem and issues a recall on their faulty parts.

i can not begin to tell you all the issues i had with this car. i know see it wasnt just me and my bad luck that car is just a bad seed!! not to mention i was upsidedown with other car loan rollovers and having to put soo much $ into this piece of junk! we had it like 2 months and my husband drove it to south carolina from PA and broke down ended up finding a ford dealership who replace our fuel pump (no charge ) cause of the warrenty then a year later needed a new fuel pump cuz a recall i had severl recalls...not to mention the freakin car eats tires!!! i put a new set on 1x a year...and i have had alignments /tires rotated. i cant afford to get a new car but i am thinking i have to i champian ford i complained to them numersous times about charging me and i had a warnanty and i had bad expereiences there its so long ago i cant remember everything all i know is i told them i will never come back and never buy another car from them again. now my car was stalling and you would start it up and it would not go it just stalled itself out. we put in a new transmission wasnt it thought it was the battery not the battery got a new starter not the starter..with the new starter now it starts but will not go...this car is known to me as the ford FUc*us! i wouldnt take this car if it was free....

I had the ignition of my 2001 Ford Focus lock on me while I was delivering a piece of mail to a low rent apartment complex. I had to have my husband rescue and later in the evening, once I got off work, I had to have the car towed to my house. We bought another ignition switch (the entire steering column) only to have that iginition switch lock up as well. Finally, I had the car towed to the local Ford dealer's repair shop. They had to drill the switch and replace it. This cost me $377.08.

I have a 2002 Ford Focus SE with JUST 60,000 miles on it, once it hit 60,000 miles LITERALLY I began having transmission problems, feels like it slid in to neutral while driving (at third gear) this is an automatic too! That was how it started, just about two weeks ago, NOW it won't go in reverse AT ALL! Why should I have to pay to replace a transmission, on a 5 year old car, with LOW miles, that has been PROPERLY driven, maintained, AND serviced! I think it is SICKENING that FORD doesn't recall this OR the ignition problem although THANK GOD, I haven't experienced THAT one yet! Thanks a LOT FORD! Hmmmmmm, and you wonder why you LOSE money??? I will NEVER buy another Ford EVER!

Just like many of the complaints about the ignition lock up i have read, my key would not turn. I have been told it is probably the tumbler when i called a Ford dealership, and that they have seen this before!! Pricing to fix this was in a range of between $300-400. I read on here about using the hammer to get the key to turn and it works! If soooo many people have this issue and not with just one Focus model, why hasn't Ford done anything about it or recalled any of them. I always thought that a Focus would be the car for me but now, I dont even know if will ever buy another Ford!

Well guess I am not along with the locked igination on the Ford Focus. My wife was stranded last night in the cold weather, unitll a tow truck could haul off this piece of junk. Not quite sure as to the cost, I'll cross my fingers that the service guy will take it easy on me.

I want to share a a quick fix with fellow Focus owners who have experienced the ignition key lock-up. This tip was given to me by the guy who just charged me $75 to fix the problem. He said it's an on-going thing but he was nice enough to tell me how to fix it myself - which I do on a frequent basis. 1) get a hammer 2) insert key in ignition 3) give 4-5 firm taps (not too hard, not too soft) 4) should free up the ignition to let you turn key 5) store hammer under driver's seat (you never know when you might need it!) The guy also recommended spraying WD-40 or some other kind of penetrating lubricant into the key slot but honestly, it doesn't seem to make a difference. But the hammer sure does! Try it!

I recently had an issue in which my driver side door would not latch and close, which left me stranded until I got some help. After 45 minutes of figiting with it I was able to close it. Even more recently (about 1 hour ago) I went to turn my ignition and it didn't turn over. I have had to leave my car overnight in a parking lot before the towing company can haul it to a Ford dealer. The ford dealership said that there had not been a recall on this issue but there have been so many complaints,I am very surprised.

I bought from a dealership a 2002 Ford focus at the end of November. It is currently February and my warranty expired just in time to leave me stranded at a gas station in the middle of nowhere. I got out of my car to buy a drink, returned and the ignition wouldn't turn, the steering wheel locked up and the shift panel wouldn't budge. When I contacted the dealership they were aware that it was a common problem, (of course didn't feel it was enough of one to warn me before I bought it,) and I would have to pay for repairs. I can't believe there isn't a recall on this!

The ignition switch got stuck on my Ford Focus and I cound not start my car. I took it to Ford and they charged me 500.00 to replace the ignition. It is now doing it again. The car was only two years old the first time it happened. Now I am having trouble with the car stalling out on me while I'm driving. If I brake to slow down or stop, the car shuts off. My mechanic cannot find the reason for it.

2000 Ford Focus Wagon About a week ago I heard a very loud BANG as I was pulling into my driveway at home. I looked around and didn't find anything and figured I probably drove over something. Turns out it was my front right coil spring BREAKING. Not knowing this I drove the car lightly for a several days before noticing that I had brake fluid dripping from my left rear wheel (I had recently replaced the rear brake cylinders and brakes). I took the car into my dealership who charged me $266.13 to replace the rear left brake cylinder and brake pads. Turns out they also noticed that BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS were BROKEN. They replaced both under TSB # 03M02 at no charge but I can't help but wonder if somehow they contributed to my cylinder leak. It just seems odd to me that a brand new cylinder would suddenly start leaking for no reason.

I recently bought a 2001 ford focus. By the look of all the other complaints I'm sure you know what my problem is. Yesterday at the grocery store my ignition locked up. The car is in their parking lot right now because I am broke and I was hoping to find an easy fix. Now that I read some of the other complaints looks like I am going to have to find some money somewhere to fix it! I am a single mother, I'm not sure I want this vehicle under different circumstances, my daughter and I could have been stranded in a more dangerous situation. Thank you Ford for nothing!

Without any warning 2003 Ford Focus ignition locked. Nothing to do but leave car, have it towed, and pay hefty repair and towing bill. After looking online, this appears to be a major problem with many Ford Focus owners. This should not happen. Especially on a car that is only five years old.

Ignition issue for me as well. Ford dealership acted shocked as if this never happens...HAHAHAHAHA!

I have a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3, and it's been recalled more than ten times and been to the dealer more that five times in the seven years I've owned it. When the car wasn't even six months old I had to take it in and have the stabilizer bars replaced. I've had nothing but suspension problems since. Both front coil springs broke in the winter, and the dealer told me that it was due to faulty weatherproofing. I've had to have every single wheel bearing replaced, in some cases twice. Every set of tires I put on it get abnormal wear on them, in most cases resulting in the steel belts poking through the sidewalls. My anti-lock brake sensors and air bag sensors both went bad within a year. My clutch pedal return springs broke, making the car undrivable because of a part that cost less than five dollars. The PLASTIC thermostat housing shattered in the winter... stranding me at work. The fuel system stalled my car a few times while driving on the freeway, almost killing me several times until it was recalled. Now the key is locked in the ignition, and the only way to get the car to start is to hit it with a hammer. I just leave it in there... no one in their right mind would steal this hunk of junk. Every time I go into the dealer the representatives chuckle when they see my vehicle history on their computer. I don't think it's that funny.

I have a 2004 Ford Focus ZX3. I started having the ignition problem about a month ago. Haven't taken it in to get it checked out yet but will be doing that soon. Glad I decided to do some research on the subject. I've noticed that, in my case, the problem gets worse with cold weather. And with the temperature fluctuating almost daily, it's really easy to guess whether or not I'll be experiencing the problem each day.

Another casualty to add to the list of Ford Focus ignition misadventures! My ignition began to give me trouble when I turned the key--todya it won't turn at all. Went online to find helpful hints with regard to a remedy and found an army of folks with a shared experience. This car is a 2000--we also own a 2005! I can only wait for the fun to begin with that one. Any reasons why Ford doesn't deal with this?

I purchased a 2003 Ford Focus a year and a half ago. It had 50,000 miles on it. Between 2-3 months after purchaes, the alternator went out in it. Now, I am at 70,000 miles and the car sputters and has a hard time gaining speed, the panel lights for the fuel system are constantly cycling on and off. I have had this vehicle maintenanced very regularly. I was told that I will need new rotors and brakes because every Ford Focus with stock brakes has to have the rotors replaced because of the way the stock rotors are. I have had a tire rod bend from slidding into a curb at LESS then 5 miles per hour. NOW>>> I can't even get the key to turn in the ignition. I am furious about the trouble I have had with my car. The ford dealership salesmen all know me by first name!!! I will tell everyone I know just what I think of this company and this car. The only thing reliable about this car is that it WILL leave us stranded in the WORST possible situations.

Ignition problems. The key would not turn in the ignition. I had to replace this twice (once in 03 and once in 06) out of my pocket it was not cheap. Ford should make this a recall, it seems to have happened to many people. Other than that I have had MANY problems with the Focus. For one, the interior started peeling off right after I purchased it in 2002. Not the whole panel has come off. There was a recall for the fuel pump. Problems from just this year (June 07-Present) June: I have had several problems with corroding battery cables. September: The cables continued to corrode ruining the battery - had to get a new batter November: Missing firing and bad sparkplugs January: Car stalled, left us stranded: needed new timing belt February: Car stalled - stalls when idling, waiting to hear back about problem.. Total cost for less than a year: over $1300 I've had it with this LEMON!

For everyone with the ford ing problym theres away to fix it and avoid ever having to deal with it again. every one goes back to the dealer were they would put back the same crapy old style ign. I work for pop a lock a locksmith company and every time i get ford ign cal i explaine to the customer whats going on and that there a replace ment ign that would not jam up anymore. The price on one of these jobs are from $100 to $200 dollars.

This past Friday, my wife was left stranded at work in the middle of the night because her ignition switch failed in her 2003 Ford Focus. She works in a very bad area of town and we live roughly 35 minutes away . Needless to say, I picked her up, towed the car and got the ignition switch replaced. My mechanic told me he sees at least 2 Ford Focus' a week with the same problem come through his shop.

I have a 2003 Ford focus zx3, i bought it in christmas 2002 and had no problems with mine. In June 2006 my windo cranks broke. I did not have the money to replace mine so i removed the door panels and move the windos manualla up and down. It does not bugg me cause i drag race and road race my car about twice a month during the summer months. I drive it regular bases until winter then i drive my 72 f-100 truck. At the same time, i have had sway bar end links replace. See! I already changed my tires as soon as i got my car, so i can drive it on the euro-tune suspenion with z-rated tires. August 2006 my key got stuck. It was the ignition switch. I neever have replace mine i just leave the keys in it. I park in a shop at home. Then later that month my o2 light came on and flash off and on. I have a programmer from Focal Sport. Its great what it can do! Now I have 98,890.6 miles on it and it started to run funny. It still shows the o2 problem and EGR problem. When the weather gets warm out, it will get a complete tune up with some aftermarket performance parts and ford performance parts. Yes ford should fix the problem with the keys, and the emmission lights comming on and going off all of the time, plus the EGR system problems. If you would like more info, contact Consumer Report and they can contact me!!!!!! Thank you

I have had SEVERAL problems with this car. One one occasion when it was being towed, the tow truck driver told me that he had one and he got rid of it because of the ignition locking up. He said it was a big problem. He told me to hit the key really hard 3 times with my palm and it would turn. I thought it was kind of silly, but then my ignition did eventually lock up on me. I tried the driver's trick and it worked.

Faulty ignition switch on a 2000 Ford Focus with only 80K miles on it. This is the third time it has happened to me. I have been able to jam the key with my hand into the ignition in the past to get it started but today I had to use a hammer. No amount of jiggling or turning the wheel would do. The car is currently sitting at the dealership where I am waiting for the damage to my checkbook.

2002 Ford Focus. Ignition cylinder locked at 40K miles. Towing and replacement covered under extended warranty. Total bill was about $500. Ignition cylinder locked again at 95K miles. I drilled it out and replaced it - was not going to pay the outrageous mechanic charges. Now it's acting up again. Fed up.

I am beyond sick of the problems with my 2000 Ford Focus! I am one of the many people who have experienced the wonderful (hah!) locking ignition barrel. In May 2007 I couldn't get my key to turn in my car until literally pounding it in. The problem continued over two days, so I ended up leaving my key in the ignition and locking the car with my spare key, so as to stop the poundings. I had to take my Focus into the dealer for a different repair & was told that although this problem is common, I would have to pay at least $500 to get it fixed- with no guarantee that it wouldn't cost more if additional labor time was required. UGH!!! I decided to leave the key in. That lasted until a couple weeks ago when the spare key broke off in my door & I had to take the key from the ignition for the first time in months. Now I can either pay $500 or more for a new ignition barrel, etc. or I can get a new spare key at the dealer(because if you only have 1 key, a locksmith can't make a copy-UGH again!!!)- $65 for a spare at the dealer- Really!!! This was the first ever New car that I ever bought and I was so excited back in January 2001 when I bought it. Now, I look back at all of the $$ I've shelled out over the years & all of the recalls & can't believe it.

I, along with what seems like ten thousand other customers, was stranded in the freezing cold when my Ford Focus ignition cylinder locked up. I'm sure all of the lawyers who review these complaints have heard this one thousands of times, so I will hold the details. Suffice it to say, it is absolutely absurd -an absurd failure of justice- that Ford continues to deny this is an issue and is aided by the unwillingness of anyone to prosecute via class-action suit. I am not excited about being a part of any litigation, but this is ridiculous and this company should be held accountable. What if someone were to get stranded and be injured or killed as a result? When my cylinder locked up it was below 20 degrees outside, and without being able to turn the key you cannnot turn on your heater. What if some poor mother got stuck somewhere with children in the car? It's unreal. Someone please have the courage to file suit on our behalf, and you will have a ready support network of tens of thousands.

Wow all the same complaints about the ignition in focus's. Christmas day I was leaving a Christmas party when I went to start my car to my surprise the key wouldn't turn. I tried giggling the key to get it to work, turning the steering wheel, nothing worked. I had to get it towed the next day which cost me 65 bucks to go about 5 minutes away. Took it to a ford dealer and they told me it was the ignition that had to be replaced and it would cost me 500 bucks. I was surprised to hear that a car that is only 4 years old would have such a major problem. i kept up with regular maintenance and things like that so such a major problem came very unexpected. Luckily when my dad bought me the car from a dealer he got an extended warranty for 1,000 extra which covered the repair for the ignition so it only cost me 55 dollars to get it replaced. I warn anyone who is going to by a ford focus to either pick something else or get an extended warranty, it will come in handy when you least expect it!

I had the ignition of my Ford Focus lock me out last night. I came here simply looking for info on the problem, I never expected this! This is beyond ridiculous! This isn't just some annoying problem, it dangerous and it's happening to a car that is extremely common. I will continue to warn everyone I know about this lack of quality, safety, and most of all integrity exhibited by Ford.

I along with several other people, have a bad ignition switch in my focus. I just hit 60K miles and was told that is about a $300 repair.

The ignition key locks up, doesn't allow the key to turn.

I was at the local Wal-mart parking lot when my ignition wouldn't turn. My husband went on the internet to search if there have been others with this problem and see if they had any suggestion as to how to fix it. He found pages of people with the same complaint. The fix will probably be a new ignition but the temporary fix was to hammer the key in with a rubber mallet while turning the key. Again, it won't fix the problem but at least it'll get you home. I've also had problems with the car stalling or not being able to go above 50. It happened once on a major freeway near rush hour in Austin. This wasn't the first time it had happened. Ford wasn't any help then and it happened so infrequent and random. We pulled off & the next day it seemed to do fine. Again, I've searched the net for solutions. Found that the problem was the same for the 2000 & 2001 Focuses but they were supposed to have had it fixed by the newer models. It's has something to do with the fuel system pluggin up. Since, I've kept a good supply of fuel injection/system cleaner and gas treatments on hand and I haven't had a problem since.

Looks like I am the lastest victim of a defective ignition lock cylinder. My daughter's 2001 Ford Focus(less than 28,000 miles on it) locked up on her at a grocery store parking lot. After checking online for any info about what could be the problem, I was dismayed to read about so many others who have had the same problem. I ended up locating an automotive locksmith who was able to give me a ride to the stranded Ford. The locksmith said that she sees this problem all the time w/ Fords and Chryslers. I did not understand all of the technicalities of locking cylinders but she basically said that she could replace the defective cylinder w/ a less expensive one ($300) which she would only guarantee for the standard 3 months. She stated that they often need to be replaced (something to do w/ sidebars.) She said that she would guarantee the more expensive replacement for 1 year and stated that I shouldn't have to replace again it at all. After reading online about all the people who have had to have their cylinders replaced over and over, I decided to have the cylinder replaced w/ the more expensive one. To the tune of $480. I also asked the locksmith about hitting the key w/ a hammer as some desperate Ford Focus owners have done; she said it should be done w/ extreme caution. She stated that it can damage a pin. She stated that if the cylinder is replaced, the key will turn in the ignition but the car will not start w/ a damaged pin. I got the impression that this would require a trip to a mechanic. (Coincidentally, I also have a Jeep Grand Cherokee and had to have the ignition lock cylinder replaced as well.) Due to what appears to be Ford's lack of accountability and unresponsiveness to this obvious problem, I will not be buying a Ford in my lifetime and I doubt my daughter will either. I will also be sure to relay to my friends and co-workers the numerous problems that people on this website have had w/ the ignition lock malfunctioning.

I bought my Ford Focus ZX3 5 speed new in May 2003. It currently has 108865 miles on it. Until last week, I felt I knew the car pretty well, warts and all. I've had three problems of significance: front wheel bearings degraded, the thermostat failed and the hatchback lock latch wouldn't catch. Ford corrected these problems at their expense since the car was still under warranty at the time. Last week, 1/3/08, after completing an errand I returned to my car only to find the ignition bound tight. I twisted the wheel a few times and nothing. Baffled, I tried it again and the key turned, the car started and off we went. It had been wicked cold, so I put it off to that. The next morning, however, the ignition was locked up tight. I had never encountered this sort of problem in a car before - ever - had never even heard about it. A mystery.

My reason for writing is not a complaint but an answer for the ignition switch problem on the Ford Focus 2001. A Locksmith came to my rescue and fixed the problem. He removed a pin or part in the ignition and said that he has seen this problem a couple of times a week on his routes. Easy solution that Ford doesnt want you to know about. I havent had problems again. This was probably almost a year ago that he fixed it and my daughter never has problems starting her car anymore.

2004 Ford Focus. Week before Christmas the ignition locked, just like everyone else's story here. Friend at work has a 2000 and he has had it happen three times. This week, the altenator failed. Total bill for December 07 and January 08= 1500.00. If it keeps up like this all year, I will spend what I paid for the car in ten months. I am really sick of it, and I too hope that an attorney gets on this case and gets me back the money for the ignition at the least. You should not have to pay for a part like that. Ridiculous

I bought an '03 Ford Focus ZTS in '06-26000 miles for less than 10k, I thought i was getting a good deal! My lights die every 5 months. My key turns (so far) but recently my car starts for a few seconds then dies. When I force it (I put my foot on the gas), it starts ok but then it shakes. My car shakes for as long as I go under 50mph and pulls as if my engine was goin' to die. Everything I read online is telling me that Ford has been having issues with ignition switches & locks! I just found an article saying that people in CA have sued Ford for this issue in '06.

We are among the growing number of consumers suckered into purchasing a Ford Focus. What a waste; we originally thought this an ideal first car for a teenager. Not so big they have trouble learning to drive in it, easy to maneuver, four doors with roomy interior. Alas, that is where the compliments stop. When I bought the car from an individual, I told him my teenager would be driving it, often late at night and alone, and would he be honest about its reliability and anything wrong with it. He could stand there with a straight face and tell me it was a great car. I have learned different! We got the call like so many others that she was stranded because the ignition locked up; we have replaced the alternator twice in a year and now our mechanic who is getting rich off our little jewel tells the next thing to go will be the motor mounts.

Ignition switch locked up on my 2004 Ford Focus.

I cant turn my ket in the ignation to start my can the part looks cheep. I went online and read more than 50 complaints how many does it take for Ford to recall this Im 72 yrs old on a fixed income and cant afford this 320.00 to fix it I have had the car a couple of months and have drien it very little and now Im stuck hear at home and cant get out. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought my son a 2004 Ford Focus last year. He came home the other night and told us that the key would not turn on the ignition. I went to Ford to ask if this is a common problem and if there is a recall, they said it's very rare. Upon further investigation, I am finding it's VERY COMMON. We had to have the car towed and fixed at our own expense. Ford knows this is a problem and will not adress it. THey told me they'd fix it for 400 to 500 dollars. Luckily, I found an honest mechanic who fixed it in 10 minutes for 150.00.

My Ignition Cylinder gave out on 01/02/08 at 100,000 miles. Cost of towing and replacement estimated at $335.... we'll see. It was a fun little present Ford's Flawed Focus gave me as it was my birthday. It must've known. Current temperature while diagnosing problem.... 5 degrees.

Got a Ford Foucus. Stering wheel locked up and the key woud not turn. This was in 2004. got the lock cylander replaced. Now on New Years Day 2008 I go out to start my car up for work and the same thing happens again. This part needs to be recalled or fixed for free. There is obviously a flaw in the part & I understand this is a common problem in the ford focus.

Two weeks before Christmas I went to pick up my teenage daughter from a school dance. When I came back outside and tried to start the car, it wouldn't start. It wouldnt start because I couldnt even get the key to turn in the ignition. The steering wheel was locked, the gear shift was locked, the key was locked in place (although I could pull it back out). Nothing would move or start. So, I left it sit and had it towed the next day to the dealership. The dealership said that the Key Ignition Lock needed replaced. Come to find out, this is a common issue with the Ford Focus. That was $260 right before Christmas. Now, 2 weeks after Christmas, I have a creaking noise coming from the front of the car. I take it back to the dealership and they say the lower left control arm is broken and once they replace that, they can check to see if anything else needs repaired on the suspension. That will be another $360 please. I am a single mom of two; one teenager and one 4 year old. This is just not in my budget, obviously!! A 2003 Ford Focus with only 32,500 miles on it should not be having these kinds of problems!

My daughter has a 2001 Ford Focus.The key will not turn in the ignition. This is the third time that this has happen. Yes just like the rest of the people that own a Focus she will have to pay a fortune to get it fix again! I hope a attorney gets going on this problem real soon. I think this is a real hazard besides being costly.

I have an '03 Ford Focus with about 90k miles. Haven't had many problems but just two days ago the ignition lock cylinder locked up. I spent $15 for one of those on-line shell answer men and he told me it was the ignition lock cylinder. I spent two days on-line looking for solutions with no success. At last I realized I was stuck with a minimum $120 towing bill on top of a $375 repair bill, all this only several days after Xmas (no sympathy expected but cash flow reality). Fortuitous as it was, my original tow schedule was canceled because the locked up ignition also locked up the transmission and steering column. Unexpected consequences, the dispatcher of the tow truck told me they stick the key in the locked up ignition cylinder, tap it lightly with a hammer or something else, turn it back then forward and the key should rotate out of the locked position. I did this and it worked the first time. Saved me a $495 bill.

Have a '04 Ford Focus with 66k miles. stopped to fill up the gas tank on my way into work. got back in the car and couldn't get the key to turn. had to have car towed to shop, looks like it's going to cost about $425 including the tow. Was 3 hours late to work. I had never heard of this issue with the ignition switch until today...I though i had bought a good economy car...guess i was wrong. Hearing that people are having to replace this part multiple times is encourging me to trade in my car. i had been looking at the Ford Edge but after my experience today and reading about other experiences i'll be shopping someplace else!!!

well i was in the middle of noware in last summer i was taking my kids to swim that day,got there ok windows were down and like i said i was five miles from a main rd,turned car off,after done swimming with the kids went to get back into car to start it and it was locked up i had to replace the ignition swicth but worce of all i had to walk five miles to a phone to call tripple aaa,the guy on the phone from tripple aaa told me he had alot of calls from people with ford focus,he told me to call for to check if it is a recall,wicth should be on the warrenty it says it covers all electricall parts up to 100,000 thousend miles and my car only had 40thousand miles on it,plus the rear lacth for the trunk is broke,took it back to get it fixed three times door handels break like crazy and ford does not want to stand by there car because it is junk i dont recomend anybody to buy a ford focus at all

I can put the key into my ignition but it will not turn. I'm surprised this has happened to soo many people and Ford has not announced a recall or offered to fix the problem.

I have a 2003 Ford Focus that the ignition switch has locked up on. My daughter drove it to a friends house and when she came out to leave the ignition was locked, you can't turn the steering wheel or move the transmission. I went and talked to the local Ford dealer. The service manager told me that was a common problem on the Focus. After a fifty dollar tow bill the dealer tells me it will cost three to four hundred dollars to fix. I see numerous complaints on the Ford Focus ignition locking up, seems to be a serious problem but apparently Ford is unwilling to fix the problem. Count me in if there is a class action suit!

I own a 2001 ford focus and it has been a peice of junk ever since we bought it now with a little over 100000 miles on it the engine has had a comeapart and we can,t find a used engine because it seems to be happening to a lot of focuses.The bad thing is my wife traded a perfectly good Toyoto for it.how stupid

I Own a 2001 Ford Focus ZTS with 100k, It's been a reliable car up until now, I've been experiencing engine sputtering,stalling, The gauges go erratic with the yellow exclamation point ! lighting up, causing me to pull over & dieing on the side of the road, I go to start it up again, & it just dies. Now my transmission is slipping in every gear because of this problem. I have all the receipts & the transmission has been properly serviced all it's life. I checked the fluid last oil change & It was bright red, now it is burnt (black) with clutch material. Now I have to shell out $$$ for a new tranny, thanks ford

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I am the owner of a 2003 Ford Focus. On December 14, 2007, I was preparing to leave town on a trip to see a friend for an early Christmas get-together. I had several days worth of clothing and the holiday gifts packed in the car. My last stop before leaving on the 2 1/2 hour drive was to gas up. Much to my dismay, after filling up the tank, I discovered that the key would not turn in my ignition. To make a long story short, I had to have the car towed, rent a vehicle for the trip, and have a new ignition cylinder installed. The entire episode cost me $600.00. The tow truck driver told me that this is a common defect with the Focus, as I have subsequently discovered by reading online complaints.

Yesterday we arrived at the sence of my 17 year old car accident. While attempting to shift down to slow down on a sharp curve my sons, ford focus 2002 se 4dr lost power as the engine died. The music turned off and came on but the engine refused to turn over not only did he lose his power steering but he also lost his brakes. As for the car it was totaled as he slammed in to the embank at 50 miles an hour. Luckly for us All 4 kids are not hurt just mild whip lash and bump and brusing. We were told by the police officer to make a complaint to the ford focus company.

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I returned home from work on 12/16/07 and had to go out again to find the steering wheel of my 2004 Ford Focus locked. I tried repeatedly to unlock the steering wheel but the ignition key would not turn.

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I was preparing to leave work when I discovered I could not turn the key in the lock. The key would insert, but the steering wheel would not turn. I called my insurance company and Ford service for advice, but nothing worked. I am preparing to have my vehicle towed and to spend nearly $500 dollars to repair the same thing that many of you online have reported-- a vehicle with approx. 30,000 miles, inoperable due to a defective part. I was hoping to walk out to the car the next day and find that it was just a bad dream, but no luck on that!! I, too, believe Ford should listen to its customers and stand behind its product.

My daughter who is 17-years-old wanted a newer car. I let her shop and find a car that she could afford the payments on and would be reliable for a few years (at least until she pays it off). She found this Ford Focus and was very excited. I was a fool and trusted that Ford would make a good product. WRONG!!! BIG MISTAKE!!! I helped my daughter through the paperwork and opted not to buy the extended (very expensive) warranty. The warranty was $3000 extra for only a year. Who would imagine that one could have that many problems in a year. It has now been three months and I will never buy another Ford product as long as I live and neither will my family and most of my friends. The first problem was the rear passanger window. It will not roll up. She uses a pencil to keep it up. Great for the security system. I guess that is not a big deal because we can just have the window put up permanently for a minimal charge. The big trouble started on a Sunday night when my daughter closed the restraunt she works at and went out to the parking lot alone at 10:30 at night. The key would not go into the ignition. Luckily she had a cell phone because she works on the outskirts of town. She had to leave her car there. I wish someone would have stolen it that night. (Remember the window doesn't roll up and is only held up by a pencil.) Her boyfriend brought her home and she was in tears. I looked up Ford Focus ignition on Google and discovered that this is a very common problem with these cars and that Ford won't do a thing about it because it is not a safety issue. This is a safety issue. For example if my daughter did not have access to a phone that night, or if someone was stranded with a small child in the middle of nowhere in the dead of summer. I think that when a vehicle has a recurring problem no matter what it is the manufacturer should fix it. I will tell everyone I know this story and post it everywhere I can on the internet. DON'T BUY FORD, they DO NOT back their products.

Like most other owners, my 2003 Ford Focus had the ignition locke up on it. I just had it towed to a repairman to get it fixed.

The ignition cylindar on my 2000 Ford Focus, which has only 51,000 miles on it, had to be replaced about a week ago. Two days later the air bag light turned on all the time. Two days after that, as I was driving, I heard a loud pop in the steering wheel--I'm guessing the air bag partially deployed. It is currently at the repair shop.

I purchased a 2004 Ford Focus for my daughter with my tax return money to help her get a car since she is a student and is very limited in her income. But this car is a piece of crap! The ignition locked up and we had to have it fixed twice. Ford better request a recall, because if anything happens to my daughter because she is left stranded due to faulty parts and something as stupid as a locked ignition. I will sue them. I don't want my daughter stranded and become a target for crime because Ford refuses to acknowledge a locked ignition problem, after we see numberous, hundreds of people complaining about the same thing. This is not coincidence! Oh, and not to mention the other problems with the car with multiple trips to the mechanics.

Ford Focus ignition problem, same case as other people

The ignition on my 2003 Ford Focus locked up and cost me $304.78 to replace. There goes the rest of my Christmas shopping!

My 2000 Ford Focus started having problems with the key. It would stick and I could not get it out. I finally sprayed it with WD 40 and it helped. Also my ignition started failing. Sometimes I would have to turn the key 10 times to get the engine to turn on. Seems like this is a common problem for all 2000 Ford Focus. Question, is this problem related just to the 2000 model or does it continue into the later models?

My 2003 Ford Focus is a Lemon! I am having transimission problems that will not go away after several repairs, I am having some sort of electrical problem with the lights and the locks and most recently my ignition is locked and my car won't start.

I have a 2003 Ford Focus SE and today my ignition locked itself out of nowhere. I never had a problem with my steering wheel locking before. I was leaving the gym with my boyfriend when my car wouldn't let my car key turn on the ignition. I had to call AAA to get my car towed on a Saturday near my car repair shop which was closed and I have to wait until Monday to get my mechanic to look at it. I am a full-time student that doesn't have much money to begin with and need my car to work and commute from city to city. I am worried that I may have problems going to and from the very distant places that I need to get to with the ignition locking. I am on financial aid and student loans and cannot afford to put money into this defect. Ford should no doubt take responsibility for this very common problem. If I can't rely on my car, I can't work therefore cannot generate income. Please, please, please consider a class action suit against the Ford Motor Company and I will gladly contribute. I do have class action attorneys that I know and have worked with that I will contact about this very problem.

My 2001 Ford Focus ignition locked up today...Praises that I was at home and didn't have to be anywhere, however, paying to get it fixed along with a tow doesn't sit well with me. Ford is quite aware of this problem and refuses to issue a recall. They will get an earfull from me Monday morning. Hey, I'll make sure bad publicity costs them just as much as a recall would. Make sure you post everywhere you can and let Ford know that we will not stand for this. We thought we did a good thing by buying American to support our economy but got the cheapest parts and most expensive labor. I say God Bless America, but I'm buying a Honda next time!

I along with many other customers have been held liable for a faulty part provided by Ford Motor Company. The ignition tumbler/module was admittedly faulty and was replaced by a better part that Ford currently invests in for its Focus modules. I called Ford corporate office and was told that Ford will not take responsibility for its actions to its customer base. I was told that the part is considered a usual wear and tear item and is not covered under warranty. I have yet to find any other auto manufacturer that has this problem with its vehicles. I have also read numerous complaints filled with consumer affairs and other websites concerning the same issue.The tumbler ignition /module is poorly documented in repair manuals, hard to obtain, and extremely expensive relative to its original production cost. I researched a life expectancy of ignition parts and found that there is no set life expectancy. I did, however, find a blog that stated electronic ignition parts should last up to 100,000 miles as a minimum standard. How is the consumer supposed to hedge themselves against property damage that is not considered an industry standard defect? Ford's number one argument is that the part has not been recalled because it posses no immediate safety issue. Is it not a safety issue of the customer if the vehicle is rendered acutely un-operable in a life threatening situation? I'm sure business insurance companies would be afraid of liability and damage claims as a result of Ford's negligence to hold the original whole sales parts manufacturer at fault to its customers dissatisfaction. Would you buy a vehicle from a company that practices unethical business behavior?

The Ford Focus Ignition switch problem will not go away. Today is Dec 7 and this will be the 3rd Ignition switch installed in my 2001 Ford Focus.

I have a 2004 Ford Focus with 67,000 miles on it. My ignition switch has locked down. It looks like this has been an ongoing problem with the focus line for years.

The Ignition Lock Failed was not able to unlock the Steering Lock. Happened at car wash ! When I calles AAA - I was told that the FORD FOCUS is famous for this !! Also hundreds of other people have same experience, yet FORD will not do anything about it -

The 2003 Ford Focus I own has a problem with the ignition. My wife was stranded at the store on one time & was unable to make it to work another. I had to stay home from work to get her car fixed.

The night before Thanksgiving I stopped at a store before going home. When I came out to start my 2003 Ford Focus (30,000 miles), the ignition was locked up. Couldn' start the car, move the steering wheel or change gears. The manager of the store told me the car would be fine overnight. The next morning I showed up to find my car had been towed. It cost 120.00 to get it back, another 50.00 to tow to dealership and 400.00 to fix the ignition cylinder. I googled and discovered that this is a defective part and that Ford is very aware of the problem. I would like to be part of any class action suit to try and recover the money I spent on Ford's mistake. As a single mom with limited resources, this feels like being cheated by a company that I had trusted.

I have a 2004 Ford Focus with 31,000 miles on it. My ignition switch has locked down. It looks like this has been an ongoing problem with the focus line for years.