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
For the second time my wife has been stranded because the ignition lock cylinder on our 2000 ford focus locked up and the key would not turn resulting in the car having to be towed and the cylinder replaced at a cost of $349.00 to me. The dealer denies that any service bulletin was ever issued by ford concerning this problem and that is not true. *nm
ODI 10159878
Switch
2000 ford focus ignition lock cylinder failure. Ignition switch won't turn when trying to start vehicle. Vehicle had to be towed to ford dealership to have ignition lock cylinder replaced. This cylinder was replaced in 2003 at the cost of $200 and had to recently be replaced again. This defect leaves the owner stranded. I have never heard of anyone having to replace this cylinder in a vehicle - let alone having to…
ODI 10160350
Switch
Sticky key. Ignition locks up and cannot turn key. Key locks up. *nm
ODI 10161014
Switch
Ignition switch failed, could not turn key to start vehicle. Vehicle had to be towed. This is the 2nd time this has happened. I'm the original purchaser of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the cylinder the first time with oem stock. First time was $250. This time is $283. Ford owns this problem. I will never buy another ford, and neither will anyone in my family, until this is reimbursed. *nm
ODI 10157880
Switch
2000 ford focus zts exhibiting problems since october 2005. Two mechanics unable to identify problem. In may the car stalled while cruising and was unable to start. It was towed to mechanic. Mechanic diagnosed with a failed starter switch, which had been replaced over a year before. If this incident had happened on a busier road it may have resulted in a serious accident. *nm
ODI 10157057
Switch
Ignition switch failed, could not turn key to start vehicle. Vehicle had to be towed. This is the fourth time this has happened since i've owned the vehicle. *nm
ODI 10156622
Switch
The ignition switch/lock cylinder is difficult to turn key. There is a tsb listed with this company for after the switch/cylinder locks up creating an expensive tow etc. I have seen several web sites listing numerous problems with the ignition locking up. I was fortunate enough to take car in prior to total lockup. Apparently the ignition switch/lock cylinder is faulty to the point of excessive wear on the keys. I…
ODI 10156532
Switch
I got into my car to go on a business call and the key, when inserted, would not turn the cylinder. After trying for some time to get the key turned, i began a search on the internet to see if there had been yet another recall on the focus (i have learned that this car has had numerous problems). I found that it was not recalled, although it certainly was a known issue. I found many accounts of this problem and many…
ODI 10189693
Switch
I have a 2000 ford focus and have had nothing but problems with the car. I've had most (8 of 12) of the recall services done to the car. Now the key won't turn because the ignition is jammed. I searched the web and found literally hundreds of posts on websites regarding the same problem with all years of the ford focus. On many sites, people are describing the same problem of the ignition problem and paying $350+ at…
ODI 10153671
Switch
I drove home from school parked my 2000 ford focus lx in the driveway and on my way out to work found that my ignition would not turn and my steering wheel was locked into place. After 2 days of having to find an alternative way to work i called a locksmith who said they have several complaints about this happening a week and to lightly tap on the key while it is in the ignition, after trying that i found it works…
ODI 10153570
Switch
My ignition is jammed and will not turn the car on. I have read numerous complaints regarding this problem and think that it should be a recall. I have not fixed the problems because i have put too much money into this "lemon" of a car already! I need a recall to pay for ford's mistake! *nm
ODI 10153517
Switch
1) ignition stuck, and can't start vehicle. 2) stepdaughter was stranded, by side of road. Car had to be towed home, and then dealer. 3) drilled ignition tumbler from and re-keyed. Re-keyed new ignition cylinder. *jb
ODI 10153557
Switch
I could not insert my key into the ignition switch. I also could not turn the steering wheel or move the car into neutral gear. The service tech at ford said "it was a very common and widespread problem with the focus and that they repair many more ford focus ignitions than any other model of ford cars. This should be a recall repair and the owner of the ford focus (i) should not be financially liable for the…
ODI 10154794
Anti-Theft Devices · Switch
I had my ignition switch replace once already, having to pay 300.00 the first time, and know just the other day i went to visit my brother, and when i got ready to leave, my key would not start, my brother had left before me, so i was stranded, me and my boys for 45 minutes in 20 degree weather, i was so upset, i can not believe ford is not doing a recall, im selling this piece a crap of a car, and will never again…
ODI 10153649
Switch
Ford focus se ignition key switch lock-up. This is the second time i have had this problem -- key won't turn, steering wheel is locked, and the gear shift won't move. The first time, i was able to manipulate the key and finally start the car. This time, it is sunday and i am stranded. A locksmith told me that ford is the only one who has parts and it will be a very expensive repair. So tomorrow, i will have to rent…
ODI 10150052
Switch
This is the third time that i will have to get my ignition switch replaced on my 2000 ford focus because it will not turn. The first time the switch was drilled out on warranty. The second time the key would not turn and the replaced it under the repair warranty. It happened again a little over a year later. This time i was told by the tow truck driver to hit it with something. I have used this method to turn the…
ODI 10149452
Switch
Our year 2000 ford focus has a faulty ignition cylinder that frequently jams. My wife has been left stranded twice as a result. We recently saw a public advocate program that indicated these cars from year 2000-20005 are having an epidemic of the same problem but ford is refusing to replace the parts if they are not under warranty. Our car is still under warranty because we bought the very expensive 7 year warranty.…
ODI 10150094
Switch
Dt: the contact stated the ignition locked up while attempting to start the vehicle. After driving the vehicle to a designation the locksmith replaced the ignition switch. The dealership found on the internet several other year model vehicles with ignition switch problems. *ak. *ak
ODI 10146962
Switch
Dt: the contact stated the key would not go into the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, and they stated the ignition was worn out. They repaired the vehicle, but the contact has not taken possession of the vehicle. *ak
ODI 10146000
Switch
The ignition and column. I put the key in the ignition, it beeps, but the steering stays locked. I've tried to wiggle and jamming the key into the ignition because that's what a ford dealership suggested me to do. He also gave me a quote over the phone $350. Now how often is that. I see that a lot of people own this type of vehicle are having the same exact problem i'm having and ford doesn't consider it a recall or…
ODI 10145811
Switch
Ignition cylinder is malfunctioning. Key will not insert all the way and will not turn ignition cylinder. *jb
ODI 10145796
Switch
Steering wheel locked and key would not turn in ignition. Had to have the vehicle towed to repair shop. Cost to repair is $250. Not happy at all!*jb
ODI 10145818
Switch
Steering wheel and ignition switch are locked up and i can not start my car. *jb
ODI 10145661
Switch
I have a 2000 ford focus. Over the past month my key would not turn in my ignition but with some play it would turn. On saturday dec 17, 2005 i tried to start my car while on a family trip and my key wouldn't turn. I now have to spend $300 to get it fixed at my local ford service shop. I also have to pay to get my car towed 40 miles to my hometown. The part that is failing is the ignition lock cylinder. My brother…
ODI 10145659
Electrical · Mechanical · Switch
This particular problem has happened to way too many people. I firmly believe it is a safety concern. *jb
ODI 10147191