2000 Ford Focus Switch Problems
- 476
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 476 stored complaint records:
- 5 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- ignition switch · 59 records
- ignition lock · 20 records
- ignition cylinder · 17 records
- turn ignition · 16 records
- steering wheel · 15 records
- lock cylinder · 13 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 116 |
| 60–100k mi | 109 |
| 1–30k mi | 28 |
| 100–150k mi | 26 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Switch
When the consumer placed the key in ignition switch, the switch did not turn. The vehicle is now on its 2nd ignition switch. Please provide further information. *jb
ODI 10080294
Switch
I own a 2000 ford focus that has recently developed a problem with the ignition. When the key is inserted in the ignition, the ignition switch will not turn to start the car or to the auxillary power position. The problem has not stranded me or my wife, but it has been a concern. The problem has been irregular as to when it occurs and usually corrects itself with patience and several attempets. I am submitting this…
ODI 10081172
Switch
Once the key was in the ignition the ignition switch failed to turn. Three times in two years ignition cylinder had to be replaced. *ak
ODI 10080237
Switch
Vehicle will not start when the ignition switch is turned. Vehicle had to be towed to dealer due to malfunction of the ignition switch. *ak
ODI 10080112
Equipment · Switch
We have had three separate occasions where the ignition switch locks up and will either fail to accept the key or fail to rotate to start the car. The first two occasions were during the warranty period the third was outside of the warranty period. This ignition failure seems to happen every 12-18 months. Although this may not be a safety problem, it clearly is a manufacture defect.*ak
ODI 10078922
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Switch
When inserting the key into the ignition the key will only enter half-way and the key cannot be turned or the key can be fully inserted, but cannot be turned. *ak
ODI 10078832
Switch
Consumer attempted to start vehicle but key would not turn. Ignition was locked in place, it would not move, and the steering wheel was locked. Dealership replaced less than three months ago the switch, but problem recurred. *ak
ODI 10079636
Switch
Without any warning, my the key will not go in the ignition. Consequently, i cannot start my car. Because i have seen entirely too many posts about this, i contacted ford at the 800 number. All i got was apologies and if i get it repaired to keep the receipt for reimbursement in the event there is a recall. I wonder why there hasn't been one already when it is listed as one of the top two problems with the ford…
ODI 10078732
Switch
No sign of anything wrong at all - then the key will go into the ignition - but the key will not turn and the steering wheel is locked up. *ak
ODI 10078482
Switch
While placing key inside the ignition switch, the vehicle would neither start nor move. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic replaced the cylinder switch inside of the ignition. Please fill in additional information. *la
ODI 10079274
Switch
Key to my ford focus would not turn in the cylinder and was unable to start my car. Had to have car towed and a new ignition cylinder installed. Towing, parts and labor costs $400.*ak
ODI 10090817
Switch
My wife went to the the store and when leaving started to put the key into the ignition switch. The key only went half way in, she could not get it to go any further. As a result we had to have the car towed to the local dealer for repairs.the dealer informed us that the switch will have to be drilled out and replaced and rekeyed to our keys. I will ask for the parts back. The estimate is $400.00. I have since done…
ODI 10075156
Electrical · Switch
In july, 2002, i had warranty work on my 2000 ford focus to replace the ignition switch. At the time, key would not go into the lock, or would not turn at all. Dealer made warranty repair. Fewer than 2 years later, the ignition switch is going out again. This time, the key can be removed in any position. I think that this is both a safety and a security problem. Ford will not honor the original warranty work past 12…
ODI 10075081
Switch
When placing the key inside the ignition switch consumer is unable to turn the key. This causes the steering wheel to lock, and consumer is unable to start the vehicle. Consumer contacted the dealer, and was informed that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced, and dealer replaced it. However, problem recurred. *ak
ODI 10075709
Switch
The consumer noticed that it was difficult to insert the key into the ignition switch to start the vehicle. The dealer has been contacted. Please provide details. *nm
Crash reported
ODI 10075628
Switch
Once the key is in the ignition switch it fails to turn. This would be the third time in two years that the ignition cylinder had to be replaced. *ak *sc *jb
ODI 10073714
Switch
While having the key inside the ignition switch it would not turn. Consumer was not able to start the vehicle. Consumer contacted the dealer, and was informed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. *ak
ODI 10075483
Switch
IGNITION SWITCH WON'T ALLOW KEY IN ALL THE WAY. *AK
ODI 10072994
Switch
The ignition switch locks up and you can't get the key in. This happened in 2001 and now this month. The first time it happened it was covered under warraty. I have talked to many people as well as the dealersip and they say this is a common problem. If this is a common problem it should be a recall. I wanted someone to look into this problem as i have also found many people complaining about the same problem on the…
ODI 10072861
Switch
Car was driving fine, went shopping and when i came out of the store, the key would not go completely into the ignition. My husband jiggled the key around hard and finally got it in, but key would not turn at all. I just found out thiat this is a very common problem. *ak
ODI 10072719
Switch
It was hard for the consumer to get the ignition key released from the ignition switch . Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak lock/ignition core failed to respont to key and the consumer was stranded at night. The key would not turn in the ignition eventually the key would not even go in the ignition. The consumer could not start the vehicle nor turn on the power to roll up the power…
ODI 10079589
Switch
Consumer stated intermittently ignition key locked up in the ignition switch, and would not turn left or right when starting the vehicle or turning the vehicle off. Dealer was notified. *ak
ODI 10076010
Switch
While placing the key inside of the steering wheel vehicle did not start. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. *ak
ODI 10072014
Switch
Ford focus zx3 2000 - like hundreds of other focus owners, i have had to have my focus towed because the key will not fit all the way into the ignition - cost to me is $225 +$75 towing on a flat bed. There were no events leading up to this - the car just will not start. Ford refuses to cover or lower any costs, despite the fact that this is a known problem happening to numerous focus owners. I had a volkswagen golf…
ODI 10068202
Equipment · Switch
Ignition cylindar froze, rendering the key unable to be turned. Towed to have fixed and cylindar was replaced with new ford part. This is the 2nd cylindar since i bought the car...the 1st time the key was stuck and wouldn't come out of the cylindar. Two days after getting the car fixed, it happened a again where the cylindar froze. The tumblers are of an inferior and defective design and it is unlikely there is a…
ODI 10067714