dianne (68.151.36.12) - Tue Feb 10 22:15:12 2009

I have a 2005 ford focus, and it is just out of warranty. (I only have 30, 000kms on the vehicle) and today the key got stuck in the ignition and won't come out. so the problem still exists. that is the bad news. The good news is, I wasn't too happy with the snotty receptionist on the phone, or with the service people, so I am taking the vehicle someplace else to get fixed.

Please be alert if you ar thingking of buying a focus. I love the ride, hate the service and it is the same old ignition problem.

Reply #1 morgan (67.176.89.242) - Wed Feb 25 20:24:38 2009

just wondering, my keys are stuck in the ignition of my 06 ford focus and i would like to know if this is something that happens a lot and how can i fix it???

Reply #2 Barry McConnell (69.120.239.169) - Thu Feb 26 14:54:51 2009

I have a 2005 Focus with that problem. The plastic sleeve on the shift lever shaft slides down and causes a sensor in the shift mechanism to sense that the car is not in park. Thus, the ignition key is not released. Simply put the transmission in park, the slide the sleeve upward, and the key should release.

Reply #3 Dan (96.48.33.11) - Mon Apr 13 19:21:54 2009

Barry's got it! Just went out to act on Barry's idea and sure enough plastic sleeve slid down. Pulled it back up into position and out comes the key. Thanks Barry.

Reply #4 Lauren (67.131.61.83) - Sun May 17 16:18:14 2009

Wow, I just ran outside and tried this too, and it WORKED!! This will save me so much money; I was really worried I would have to replace the whole ignition. Thanks!

Reply #5 Lynette (209.242.237.105) - Sun Jun 7 19:00:09 2009

Thanks Barry - should have googled first before going nuts.

Reply #6 gary anderson (98.20.60.229) - Sun Jun 28 00:19:53 2009

saturday 6/27/09 keystuckin ignition nothing i tried let me remove it untill i read #2 barry mconnell's response

thanks it worked and was so simple, i dont know why i did'nt notice it , i knew it had to be related to fact nothing was in lock ing like sterring , it was so simple i just overlooked it and did not know that piece could or even moved .

Reply #7 Bill (69.129.254.43) - Wed Jul 1 01:33:02 2009

Barry you are DA MAN, 05 focus with the key stuck in the ignition

after messing with it for 25 minutes and my wife searching fruitlessly through the manual all to no avail. You sir provided the answer to one of the great mysteries of life..... "why the hell wont this key come out." It worked, thanks for sharing your wisdom oh great "innovator of the ignition"

Reply #8 J. Cook (74.196.249.103) - Wed Jul 1 23:23:59 2009

Hmmm, I have this same problem with a 2005 Ford Escape. Key will not come out of the ignition. Perhaps there may be some similarities. Where did you see this plastic sleeve? There is a chance I can't reach it as I am severely handicapped, but I have to try. I can't hire anyone. No money, and I I'm told by the Disability people I'm expected to do all my own repairs. Disability awards me only $7, 000 a year, That's it!. Is it actually possible to live anywhere on that? Any help I can get would be wonderful. [forte41@hotmail.com] Thank you. I asked the social worker about this, but they absolutely do NOT care, and tell me I should think about my age (68) before I decide to get disabled. I had CANCER! It was certainly not something I wanted. I forgot to look closely, is this still America? . . . or AmeriKa.

Reply #9 Jen (74.243.162.77) - Sun Jul 5 19:52:33 2009

Thank you! Thank you! I was gonna buy this car....then I wasn't because the key wouldn't come out.....now i am def gonna buy it! Don't tell the dealership. I'm getting a really good price because of the problem!

Reply #10 Joe Irby (69.180.197.162) - Thu Jul 9 14:11:01 2009

Barry you are so awsome I was stuck and didnt know what to do until I read this Thank you so much you are a life saver.

Reply #11 Carmen (74.163.235.122) - Tue Jul 14 13:10:29 2009

Barry McConnell, Thank you! I just spoke to Ford (1-800-392-3673)and they said they can not recall unless they have an X amount of complaints. I can't believe owners of cars don't directly complain to Ford Co. How do we get the word out to owners to do so or or perhaps we can start a Class Action Lawsuit to have Ford recall these autos. When and if they do recall, you will get reimbursed for the fix, there has to be a solution to this problem. I'm writing my assemblyman and congressman and see what happens.

Reply #12 A Franz (69.246.91.30) - Mon Aug 24 21:13:17 2009

Ah hah! Same problem, same solution. I'll also add that part of the plastic sleeve on my 2006 Focus actually splintered and broke off, which is why it slid down. No idea how that happened, but not terribly happy about it.

Reply #13 Jeannie Friedrich (128.172.52.57) - Tue Aug 25 09:52:09 2009

Barry, I think I love you! I too have googled "key stuck in ignition/2006 Ford Focus" and have been upset/stressed all morning, but found your post and tried your suggestion and it totally worked!!!! That plastic piece is broken and had slid down!!!!!!!! You rock and saved me a TON of aggravation and money!!!!!

Reply #14 jessica (205.188.116.198) - Fri Sep 4 21:07:49 2009

I have a 2006 Ford Focus and I cant get my key out of the ignition I dont know what to do and it sucks! I wish they would do a recall if theres so many people that have the same problem

Reply #15 Jim Michel (207.172.238.31) - Tue Sep 29 21:32:25 2009

Worked like a charm barry!!!!!!!!!

READ #2... READ #2....

Tried the steering wheel... tried hitting the hit to release the lock. Only thing that worked was #2 by Barry.

"Reply #2 Barry McConnell (69.120.239.169) - Thu Feb 26 14:54:51 2009

I have a 2005 Focus with that problem. The plastic sleeve on the shift lever shaft slides down and causes a sensor in the shift mechanism to sense that the car is not in park. Thus, the ignition key is not released. Simply put the transmission in park, the slide the sleeve upward, and the key should release."

Reply #16 Lisa (216.67.89.239) - Sat Oct 10 14:44:45 2009

Barry, thank you SO much! Took the dogs to the beach this morning, went to get out of my car, and the key wouldn't release from the ignition. I tried your recommendation and it worked! Thank you again SO much! M-wah!

Reply #17 Grover (72.193.180.201) - Wed Oct 14 11:00:02 2009

Barry....

I owe you a dinner....you are the man....tried sliding the plastic sleeve up and the key immediately released...you are so smart and my idol from this day on

Reply #18 john (98.112.59.67) - Tue Oct 20 02:05:15 2009

Barry,

Thanks for posting that solution! I was about to tear my steering Colum out and replace everything in site. But I found your post and all the happy people here that you helped out. I went out and tried it and it worked. I remember looking at that plastic piece this morning and thought what may have caused that and ignored it. I was frustrated so I covered up my steering wheel with a shirt and left my car in the parking lot. I didn't put 2 and 2 together until I started my search on the internet. THANKS

P.S

How can I keep this plastic piece from sliding down?

John M.

Menifee, CA

Reply #19 Rolando (72.26.42.21) - Thu Nov 5 18:15:07 2009

We have a 2006 Ford fussion and the same problem with the key being stuck in the ignition key, I was told by the service the department that the shift lever would have to be replaced at a cost of almost $400.00

I told the service department of the attached sleeve being the obstruction, but they insisted that it had to be replaced.

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