2000 Ford Focus Ignition Problems
- 536
- 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 536 stored complaint records:
- 7 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 4 indicate fire
- 2 indicate a death
What owners report
- Switch · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 108 |
| 60–100k mi | 107 |
| 100–150k mi | 33 |
| 1–30k mi | 27 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Ignition
The ignition cylinder on my 2000 ford focus has locked up several times, but now it is completely gone. The key will not turn for anything. I have been informed that ford will charge around $450 to fix this problem. It is an ongoing problem with many focus owners. The car has done this before but it just did it for the first time in months last night, leaving my husband stranded. Ford has corrected this problem on…
ODI 10107730
Ignition
Ignition switch failure. Car unable to start. Had to be towed to dealer to have ignition switch replaced.
ODI 10121132
Ignition
I was leaving work late the other night and my key would not turn over in order to start my car. I had a friend pick me up and i called a locksmith the next day. I had my ignition replaced, then three days later i could not take my key out of the ignition. I once again called the locksmith he came back out and replaced my ignition once again, yet the key got stuck again. The third time i called him he told me this…
ODI 10112588
Ignition
2000 ford focus, locked ignition. Key won't go in and won't turn. Many complaints about this problem for this car. *jb
ODI 10106461
Ignition
Went to start my 2000 ford focus after leaving store and ignition tumble would not turn. Has happened once before. Now everytime i go to start my vehicle i have to hit the key hard into the ignition for as many times as it takes to start. Brought my vehicle to my ford dealer. Now it's going to cast me over $300 to replaced this part and that they say ford is aware of the problem but will not recall this part. I…
ODI 10106332
Ignition
Vehicle: ford focus zx3. My: 2000, purchased in: san gabriel, ca currently in: dublin, oh. Events: i went to my car one evening, sat in the driver's seat, pulled my key out and it would not go in the ignition cylinder. It was if something were stuck in it and the tip of the key was the only part that would go in. No amount of pushing seemed to help. The steering wheel was in the locked position and i even attempted…
ODI 10113986
Ignition
Vehicle experienced an ignition problem. Vehicle will not start due to defective ignition cylinder.*ak
ODI 10107141
Ignition
The ignition on my 2000 ford focus zx3 will not turn. The problem has been ongoing for about 4 months. A ford technician said to lightly tap the key then try turning the ignition. This method has seemed to work. However, i have been having to tap harder and harder to the point of hurting my hand from hitting it so hard. I've read several ford internet forums where owners have had the same exact problem. If this is a…
ODI 10105618
Ignition
Ignition key wont work in the car it wont turn. My 19 year daughter was leaving work when she went to start the car it wouldn't work. It was dark and not a great neighborhood this is not an unusual probably with the ford focus it needs to be fixed by ford and fixed now! (2000 ford focus). *nm
ODI 10104734
Ignition
After stopping at a local safeway supermarket i went to my car and was unable to turn the key in the ignition. I thought that maybe my wheel was locked so i attempted to pull on the wheel while turning the key but had no luck. I tried this for approximately 30 minutes before giving up. I contacted aaa on sunday december 26 and was told a locksmith will be out to unlock my wheel. About 10 minutes later i received a…
ODI 10104542
Ignition
The key to my vehicle has been increasingly difficult to use in my ignition over the past year. At times it would take up to 2 hours to get the key to work and the ignition started. The last time this happened, my wife and two children were stranded with no way of getting home. Finally, after several attempts and a lengthy amount of time later, she was able to get the key turned and the car started. The ignition…
ODI 10104206
Ignition
Ignition will not turn. One minute it was working fine, and the next, the key will not turn. Also, one minute my automatic locks will work, then my car totally un-programmed itself. *jb
ODI 10104095
Ignition
Recall 03v482000 concerning intermittent stalling. Manufacturer is not allowing the dealer to honor this recall because the vehicle has a branded title.*ak
ODI 10103803
Ignition
2000 ford focus has a defective ignition. The car will lock up at any time. Problem has been fixed twice in my car, now the problem has returned. *jb
ODI 10103993
Engine · Frontal · Fuel Pump · Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Ignition · Interior Lighting · Lock · Power Window Devices And Controls · Rear/Other · Wheels
This complaint is concerning clarification of our previous complaints to nhtsa regarding the 2000 ford focus : #10104088 and #10107840. I am extremely concerned about the misinterpretation of data collected by your agency and posted for public review. Deaths are not posted, nor are they included as injuries. This misrepresents the seriousness of the vehicle and equipment failures reported. *jb
Crash reported · Fire reported · 2 injuries · 2 deaths
ODI 10110471
Ignition
Key would not work in ignition - car had to be towed to dealership to replace the lock assembly and tumbler. *nm
ODI 10131500
Ignition · Mechanical
The key will not turn in the ignition. Ignition had to be replaced. This is the third time it has happened, and i had to have it towed each time.*ak
ODI 10102337
Ignition
My ignition locked leaving me stranded. I have towed the car to the dealership. Upon looking through websites (www.edmunds.com, www.autowhiz.com), i see this is a common problem. There were over 200 responses with similar problems. Someone from a local repair shop tried to get the key to turn and could not. He said he had worked for ford for 38 years and believed that the cylinder was the problem. He said that he…
ODI 10102151
Ignition
I brought my 2000 focus brand new. Yesterday, went to a meeting on the other side of the city. I was the last to leave and my key would only go half way into the ignition. No matter of wiggling would get it to budge. I had to call a tow truck and take it to the dealership. They replaced the ignition: total cost 394.41 with towing. Learned from a friend that there has been a techical service bulletin on this for…
ODI 10102138
Ignition
Upon starting the vehicle it failed to start. The keys wouldn't turn in the ignition, and the steering wheel locked up. A lock smith informed the consumer that this was a common problem with these vehicle, and was caused by the ignition chip freezing up. He refused to replace the ignition because of past experiences. After the ignition was replaced the parts failed again because of the same failure.*ak
ODI 10102017
Ignition
The consumer was unable to turn the key in the ignition switch, or turn the steering wheel. The dealership was notified. *jb the ignition was replaced. Ford suggested that the ignition switch was covered not the ignition cylinder. *sc the consumer stated that the key cylinder failed again. The consumer contacted ford to get a refund from january and was told that it was not their problem and the refund was denied.…
ODI 10054106
Ignition
It was a rather normal day. I drove my 2000 ford focus to college, then home. On my way to a local restaurant everything was fine. When i was finished, i paid for my meal and exited the establishment. I stepped into my car, closed the door, and placed my key (which was in mint condition) in the ignition. The key would not turn either way. I giggled (carefully), but it appeared to be stuck. The car had to be towed,…
ODI 10100489
Ignition
1. Went to start car and the key wouldn't turn 2. Ignition cylinder which i have learned is a major problem with this car. Late for work 3. $411.00 for labor to drill out and replace and to purchase a new set of keys. *jb
ODI 10143129
Ignition
There were no events leading up to the situation, one day the keys would simply not work in the ignition. Neither our everyday key or our spare key can even be inserted into the ignition. Thus, we can not operate the vehicle. *jb
ODI 10098697
Ignition
There were no events leading up to the failure, the night before my car was fine. I went to go to work and tried to put my key in the car and it wouldn't go in. I tried the spare key. I tried to wiggle the steering wheel. Everything was locked. I called the dealer and asked if there was a recall, they said no. When i called aaa to have them tow me, they informed me that they have towed about 40 in the past two…
ODI 10098727
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2000 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.