Ford-Focus -
Ford Focus Ignition Cylinder Breaks for SECOND time
Marlo B. in Calgary (24.71.223.140) - Wed May 24 10:17:37 2006
Hi - I had my ignition cylinder replaced in 03 and it cost me $500 at Advantage Ford here in Calgary. Just this past Friday it seized AGAIN. This time we went to a locksmith and had it replaced for $165. They commented that Ford just keeps putting the same crappy part in again and again and it will just keep breaking. My lemon was featured on the local news in 03 and I have made calls to Transport Canada and multiple calls to the Ford "Customer Care" line multiple times and they refuse to do anything. Since the latest break down I have contacted CTV national news, Canada AM, W-5 and the local papers. We will see if I get any response.
Reply #1 W. J. Silva (68.94.80.3) - Sat Jun 17 19:47:51 2006
I first owned a 2001 Ford Focus. Ford replaced this ignition switch on April 02, 2002 because it still was under warranty. Now, I owned a 2004 Ford Focus(runs smoother than other cars for the price), but it was manufactured in Dec. 2003. It still has features of a 2003, not so much of a 2004. The switch was stuck on June 13, 2006. I realized that I have traveled quite a many miles on my vehicle, but FORD needs to "Fess" up to the fact, that this part should be recalled at NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. The ignition switch replacement was at a cost of $224.11. MarloB in Calgary pleased include WJ Silva in Texas on your unsatifaction list on your local newspaper.
Reply #2 Tobias Kaiser (207.236.35.194) - Thu Jun 22 11:53:44 2006
Just today my 2000 Ford Focus ignition broke down the second time (since Aug. 2003 when we bought the car - who knows how many times before) and i'm facing another towing and repair bill which ford will not cover. I used to drive the oldest pieces of sh** and replaced sooo many parts. But never have i had problems nor heard of anyone having problems with an ignition. Fords behaviour on that matter will eventually really hurt their business because as far as i'm concerned, this will be my last Ford EVER! Marlo, if you need any help or support with your endeavour you can count on me!
Reply #3 Brian (66.68.113.242) - Sat Jun 24 18:31:42 2006
On June 22, 2006 my ignition cylinder in my 2004 Ford Focus locked up. I had a tow truck come out ready to send it to the dealership for 500 total bill, and the tow guy simply tapped the key into the ignition hole with a screwdriver and it released the mechanism. This man saved me a lot of money, but he also said that he has this problem regularly with Ford Focus owners.Time for Ford to recall the ignition cylinders!
Reply #4 David R (71.129.175.225) - Thu Oct 12 14:06:36 2006
AAA towing came out to take my car in to have this fixed.The tow truck driver said I am going to save you money. He put the key in the ignition, got a hammer and tapped it a good one. And presto it works great!!! Forget ford...
Reply #5 crystal brewster (71.182.31.219) - Sat Oct 20 20:07:41 2007
I have been having a little problem getting the key to turn, buttoday it locked up on me completely. I read an article where you can tap the key in the ignition to release the mechanism and it worked, but I will file a complaint with Ford Motor Company. What has happened to American cars?
Reply #6 Allen Prunty (68.31.85.94) - Thu Jan 10 09:30:37 2008
Let's organize and start a class action on this... if you google this problem it's very prolific.Even car magazines are noting this problem. I am having this problem in Louisville, KY. Allen
Reply #7 mike (74.71.12.205) - Wed Jan 23 13:06:55 2008
My daughters focus just did the same thing with the ignition switch. It cost her over $400 to get it fixed at a local Ford dealership. If anyone gets a class action into place, count me in !
Reply #8 Levi (164.106.128.87) - Mon Feb 4 12:04:29 2008
Seriously, something needs to happen. my wife has a 2000 Focus and something breaks on this car every week. This specific problem left my wife stranded at a gas station. I've heard people complain about Ford, and this proves everything I've heard.
Reply #9 Sumie (70.245.72.24) - Mon Feb 4 15:37:34 2008
I'm fed up with this and all the other problems with my Focus. Please do your part and sign the petition to get this one fixed!!
Reply #10 FocusS2guy (72.72.133.14) - Tue Feb 26 14:39:52 2008
I've been reading about these Focus ignition problems for years. You'd think Ford would issue a recall or something because it just shouldn't happen.I've really been lucky with my 2001 Focus S2 model. They only made like 450 of these and it's got the European shocks, sway bar diameter, etc. I say lucky because those 2000-2001 models are notorious for poor reliability. Just normal replacement stuff so far. Oh yeah, I'm just about to turn over 60, 000 miles and I've still got the original Firestone Firehawk GTAs. They won't make next inspection though. Has anyone had good luck with a replacement brand? I installed a train horn on the Focus late last year. People really get out of the way when I blast it. It's a hoot, literally!
Reply #11 Connie Pierce (66.227.130.163) - Sun May 18 11:08:40 2008
My ignition locked up as well. I tried putting WD40 in there thinking the tumbler was stuck and nothing happened. I will try to tap the key and see what happens. I too have had multiple problems with my 2002 Ford Focus. I haven't even had it a year and I have put almost 3000 dollars worth of work into it. I will be writing the dealer as well.
Reply #12 Amy (198.6.33.13) - Tue May 20 15:10:36 2008
I had a 2001 Focus and one day after work I was not able to turn the key in the ignition. My young son was at daycare and I was stranded in the work parking lot. Lucky enough I had good friends to help me with my son while I was towed to the Ford dealership. The gave me a rental car and it took two days to replace the ignition...no sweat.Today I own a 2004 Focus Wagon and am beginning to see the signs the ignition is locking. So far, it hasn't completely seezed working and I am able to turn it over after much giggling. However, I don't want to be in the same position I was last time. I called the dealership and was told it will be $225 to fix a problem they created. I will never buy a Ford again! I would jump all over a chance to be in a Class Action suit but how does that fix my problem today? How do I come up with money I don't have nor should have to spend on this? I have the Ford Focus Blues...
Reply #13 Brandon Roche (68.207.217.151) - Tue May 27 12:50:19 2008
Its a 2001, It happened today, and my poor husband is dealing with that, and when this happened before we just freak out. It costs so much money something like $400 or more including the tow. it's BS rediculous.
Reply #14 Kevin (161.88.255.240) - Tue Jun 3 12:26:46 2008
I hope the link above can help someone else as much as it helped me.
Reply #15 Larry (207.183.172.171) - Sat Jun 7 17:12:12 2008
my ford Focus broke for the first time and guess what?, you right the ignition, yes it got stock so i'd try everything but it seems not to work, then I used took the whole thing apart and I end up breaking the ignition cyl and all that so i know is going to cost about $300- $500 ho well!
Reply #16 evelyn brewer (76.30.165.122) - Fri Jun 27 10:17:43 2008
i just used the hammer trick it worked the ignition is ify at best but the car turns over unbelievable that ford isn't covering this i need my car for work guess i'll carry the hammer in the car with almost afraid to turn it off i worry all the time i lnow it's just a ticking bomb and the hammer trick won't work forever
Reply #17 Ryan (66.76.177.2) - Fri Jun 27 16:10:23 2008
I have a 2000 Ford Focus. Since I've had it:1. Engine blew up. I was backing out at my house, and engine pieces flew out all over my driveway. Engine had to be replaced. 2. Same problem as everyone else with the ignition tumbler. The key wouldn't turn and I was stranded 5 hours away from home. Had to pay a locksmith to come out and fix it. 3. Fuel filter problem. It has since been recalled: Recall Number: 03V482000 Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. Thats great and everything, but it doesn't help you when you're in the middle of nowhere and your car will hardly drive. 4. Back passenger door handle jammed and the door wouldn't open from the inside. This jam also caused the automatic locks to short out. Also recalled: Recall Number: 05V030000 Summary: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY. Thanks for the recall Ford, but it didn't come out until 2005, and my door and locks had been screwed up for years before that.
Reply #18 TB (64.234.161.35) - Mon Jun 30 19:44:30 2008
This weekend my 2000 Ford Focus ignition locked up for the 4th time. I have already replaced it once, had it towed multiple other times, and have been stranded even more. This is a well-known and documented problem, and a recall is long overdue. I am fed up and have posted on nearly every blog I can find, emailed news stations, Ford, the NSTA, etc. I will not purchase a Ford again.
Reply #19 Carlos Rodriguez (216.59.249.105) - Wed Jul 9 18:09:31 2008
my ignition locked up so i took it to Ford the said it was gonna be 400 dollars for the replacement plus 108$ dollars an hour for them to do it unbelieveable forget ford
Reply #20 paulo rocha (89.214.179.61) - Fri Jul 11 11:56:52 2008
Same problem over here (amongst others). I am portuguese and I got my Focus in 2001. Approx. 2 years later I had to replace its ignition and key. Guess what... 2 years and 2 months was the time the new one lasted. Ford just spits on your face and charges me again for a new one, which is obviously exactly the same faulty system/alloy. I will buy a FIAT, I will buy a SKODA, but I will never buy a Ford again!
Reply #21 Sandra (204.58.223.228) - Thu Jul 24 11:48:15 2008
FORD STANDS FOR FIX OR REPAIR DAILY....IT IS A WHOLE BUNCH OF BS WITH IT'S MAKE AND MODELS
Reply #22 Egor Kravchuk (71.133.92.239) - Wed Jul 30 00:30:09 2008
Hi, Mi dads @!#$%@! 2002 ford focus did the same thing on Jully 28 whille at work, butt the funnny thins is that it ceiced wen the stering weel was looked so now u cant move the car just u can go forward and reverse butt cant steer for crap....? So he took apart the cover stuff under da weel and now u can start it with a minus screew driver lolz butt u cant move the weel cuzz its loked We contacted some locksmith and he said hell do it for 200$$$$$ to replace itso yeah hoewer said ford is goood Maybe there trucks are good butt all ford stands for is FORD- EEFFEED OR RAPED DAILLY SO NEXT TIME FORD MAKE SHURE U PUTT IN BETER IGNITION CYLINDERS
Reply #23 wayne (24.192.244.62) - Mon Aug 4 13:14:11 2008
used hammer trick it worked hit end of key 2 or 3 times and it worked go figure
Reply #24 John Robertson (67.185.155.18) - Mon Aug 4 15:56:57 2008
Wow. This is truly unbelievable. Our 2004 Focus just had its ignition cylinder lock up two days ago, and I am pondering what to do for a repair. It's difficult to justify paying for a new ignition cylinder installed by my dealer, given that everyone reports that the problem only reoccurs! In the meantime, tapping the key with a small wrench frees up the switch so that I can start the car. For now! It is truly outrageous that Ford has not issued a recall for this pervasive problem.
Reply #25 Dan Peterson (206.159.149.67) - Tue Aug 5 17:43:31 2008
My 2002 Ford Focus had been tricky to start for about a year, the other day it finally became impossible to turn the key. I was stranded about 100 miles from home. I found this forum and tried the hammer trick, I slowly worked up the hit strength until the key was able to turn. This trick saved me the pain and anguish along with the cost of a tow and repair. However, if I remove the key I must use the hammer again after reinsertion...I decided to leave the key in the ignition out of fear the hammer trick won't work at some point. Does anyone who replaced the ignition system with non-ford parts have any details? I would like to replace this myself in order to save money...hopefully before someone steals my car by seeing my key already in the ignition haha. It is too bad Ford has not recalled this, but what do you expect when UAW et al take away from quality budgets.
Reply #26 Carol Rudnicki (67.85.179.201) - Fri Aug 8 23:00:28 2008
I was given a 2004 ford focus about a year ago to replace my 89 volkswagon jetta that my father had ran into the ground while I was away at college. The ignition started locking up in the winter time with me beating the breaks, wheel, key, and anything in sight until the car would eventually start making me late to work on numerous occasions. It was fine that I was late because one of my bosses too had a 2004 ford focus and had experienced the same problem and got hers replaced at the tune of $500. As the weather warmed up so did my car to starting. then faithfully two months ago one of the worst days of my life occurred. my friend called me from the mall parking lot stating that her, in her little ford focus had hit a pedestrian. shattered windshield was the only thing damaged there. hours later after my shift i went to drive her home in my focus when of course the key wouldn't turn. it took my gay friend and a size 10 high heel shoe, beating it into the ignition to finally bring my car back to life. true story. now i battle every morning with my key that is now bent thanks to the high heel to get it to turn and let me be on my way. please just recall the car already!
Reply #27 Carol Rudnicki (67.85.179.201) - Fri Aug 8 23:03:05 2008
i too leave my key in the ignition when i don't feel like fighting with the car which is most of the time with a coat over the wheel... in august it looks a little silly with a winter coat on the wheel but it makes me feel a little better.
Reply #28 David P. (74.128.96.5) - Wed Aug 13 16:04:01 2008
I have a 2003 and the ignition first locked up about 1yr ago, after about 45 min. of wiggle the the key just turned and started, did the same thing again about 5 mo. later, again left stranded for about 45 min. The 3rd time happened a few months ago and after about 1 1/2 hours I just banged the key real hard with the palm of my hand and it turned. Get in to go to work this morning it wont turn at all I finally get a hammer and got it started. I took it to a locksmith he replaced it for about $100.00 He told me that when they first started repairing these that he did almost 50 the first month.
Reply #29 MIKE LANGE (75.63.116.145) - Tue Aug 19 14:19:30 2008
JUST PICKED UP A FORD 2002 ESCORT FOR MY SON FOR SCHOOL AND CAN YOU BELEIVE IT THE IGNITION LOCKED UP ON HIM. I WISH I HAS READ ALL YOUR COMPLAINTS PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. COUNT ME IN FOR ANY GROUP COMPAINT TO FORD FOR A RECALL.
Reply #30 James (76.160.85.138) - Thu Aug 21 16:13:47 2008
Just got back from being stranded in the woods because my 2001 Ford Focus decided that my key wasn't good enough. As mentioned above, the steering wheel locked and the key would not turn. I called AAA and they said I needed a whole new ( something, something). I tried WD40, I tried putting it in neutral, I tried everything and was stuck!!! DAMN YOU FORD
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