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
On tuesday evening, after a meeting, i got in my car to drive home. The key would not go all the way in; i thought that my steering wheel was locked (which it was) but i could not get it unlocked. I tried rolling my car off to unlock the steering wheel and tugging hard on the wheel to no avail. I called aaa for a locksmith service because i could not get my key into my ignition. The locksmith that showed up told me…
ODI 10098687
Ignition
KEY NO LONGER TURNED IGNITION.. *NM
ODI 10100514
Ignition
I attempted to turn my key to the "on" position when the key refused to turn. The steering wheel lock was engaged and would not allow me to turn my key to disengage it. It took roughly an hour of twisting the steering wheel and all sorts of trouble to finally get the steering wheel to unlock and allow to the key to turn. This was the sixth time this had occured, but the most severe incident to date.*ak
ODI 10098300
Ignition
Last friday my 2000 ford focus would not start. I had to force the key into the ignition. When the key finally went into the ignition it would not turn at all. This was the second time i had this problem. The first time i was able to get the key to work after awhile. *akhowever, after 2 hours of trying to get the key to turn this time, i gave in and called a tow truck. They asked me if i was able to get the car into…
ODI 10098205
Ignition
1. Nothing lead to the failure, it just happened. 2. I can't drive the car because the key won't turn. I can insert it fine, but it won't turn at all. I even tried another set of keys. I have a 2000 ford focus and i'm having a problem with the steering wheel locking up and the ignition key won't turn. I tried jilting the wheel to try to get it to unlock, but no luck. The car is only 4 years old. This should never be…
ODI 10096271
Ignition
After fueling my 2000 ford focus, i put the key back into the ignition, and both the steering wheel and the tumbler were locked. I have done research on this malfunction and i am convinced that these defect should be recalled. I have not yet recieved a bill of repair for this unneccesary inconveinience. There should have been a recall on the ignition three years ago.
ODI 10096173
Ignition
Once i place the key in the ignition of my 2000 ford focus zts it doesn't always turn. I have to play around with it for a minute or two before i get it to turn over and start my car. I fear soon that it won't work at all and i'll be stuck some place. I've known of many other people that have had this very same problem with their focus's. People have had a dealership fix it, only to have it start doing it again with…
ODI 10102132
Ignition
Unable to insert key into cylinder ignition slot of my 2000 ford focus. *jb
ODI 10095896
Ignition · Switch
Parked my 2000 ford focus, and went to a meeting. When i came back out, my key would only go half-way into the ignition. After talking with the aaa tow guy, and ford service guy, this seems to be a rather common occurance with the ford focus. I understand that it has bad tumblers. Am currently researching to see what others have done to fix the problem, have had it towed to a garage. *ak
ODI 10095979
Control Module · Ignition · Switch
Ignition cylinder failed and was replaced. This is the third replacement of the ignition cylinder for this vehicle in a 36 month period. Even after the second replacement the cylinder "catches" when attempting to start the vehicle. The dealership claimed to find no problem when returned for correction. This latest failure fortunately occurred in a parking lot and not on the street. Failures have now occurred at…
ODI 10095943
Ignition
Three times on my trip cross-country the ignition locked on my focus, refusing to allow the key to turn to start the engine as well as disabling the steering. A helpful aaa servicer got my car started in rural wyoming after allowing it to roll down a hill, but the same tactic on subsequent efforts failed to produce the desired result, and i ended by having the vehicle towed. Internet research has revealed this to be…
ODI 10095836
Ignition
My ignition on my 2000 ford focus wont turn. I had to force the key in and have to leave the key in the ignition so i can start my car. Called ford they were no help at all. For fear of my car not being able to start i have to leave the key in there and keep a spare key on me so i can lock the car. *tr
ODI 10224344
Ignition
I just bought a used 2000 ford focus zx3 from fairfax honda, [redacted], fairfax, va, [redacted] (seller: kazim raza) on october 5th, 2004!!! The dealer told me that i have a 2 months warranty on the car! This morning i was trying to start the engine but was unable to unlock the ignition lock. I have tried to move the steering wheel and used both keys but the lock does not move. Also, both keys don_x0019_t move…
ODI 10095608
Equipment · Ignition
Just had our second $350 ignition lock replacement in 2000 ford focus w/ 44000 miles on it. I talked to the service manager at sarasota ford who stated that "honestly, you're the first one i've seen". Well, i've been (belatedly) reading through web sites with loads of the same complaint!!! *nm
ODI 10095561
Ignition
Dt*: the contact stated the ignition locked and will not turn with the key inserted. The ignition intermittently would not turn however if the contact waited for a short period of time the ignition would start. In october 2004 the ignition locked, a lock smith was contacted who temporarily corrected the vehicle. Afterwards in november 2005 the ignition locked again where it has been parked ever since. The dealership…
ODI 10156082
Ignition
2000 ford focus se, key will not go into ignition. Can not start car.*ak
ODI 10093027
Electrical · Ignition
Purchased new sept 2000 @ 13 miles feb 2003 ignition switch froze, @ 25,375 miles replaced under 36/36k warranty. Sept 2004 ignition switch froze @ 45,150 miles replaced by ford and paid by owner for $354.00. In each case i was stranded and had to pay for towing and a rental car. Ford keeps replacing the switch with a faulty switch. This should be a recall. *jb
ODI 10091126
Ignition
The ignition lock is hard to turn and hard to remove the key. You have to jiggle the key to get it to work. It has nearly left me stranded several times. I was quoted a price to fix it at $300. I have yet to fix it due to financal difficulties.*ak
ODI 10116500
Ignition
Faulty ignition cylinder, second replacement in 18 months. 1st time ignition would not turn & key stuck. 2nd time car would not turn over, service tech claims components inside were broken. *ak
ODI 10090703
Ignition
Upon trying to start the vehicle. The key would not turn. It took the consumer numerous tries to get the vehicle started. Please provide additional information. *jb
ODI 10096689
Ignition
Went to work, parked car in company lot came out put key into ignition to start and key will not turn. Steering wheel will not turn. Had vehicle towed to dealership, no word from them yet. I have a baby what if this were to happen in the middle of winter while my baby was with me. It is very dangerous. *ak
ODI 10088923
Electrical · Ignition
I have a 2000 ford focus wagon and i can no longer get the key to turn in the ignition. I have giggled, i have tapped, i have tried to coax it to work, but now my car is stuck in my driveway with no way to start it. I have looked on-line and there are hundreds of complaints about this same problem - the key sticks [which it has done repeatedly to me] or stops turning in the ignition at all, thereby rendering the car…
ODI 10088752
Ignition
More than 1 problem with the fuel system as a whole, the latest one being a fuel pump replacement. Now my ignition is broken and in the shop. I've had to have my brakes replaced early along with all of the other recalls on the focus. *ak
ODI 10088680
Ignition
Ignition key locking up, defective ignition switch. *ak
ODI 10088691
Ignition
Upon purchasing my vehicle used 4 days later i had to have my ignition replaced because the key would not come out of the ignition, only 2 months later i am having the same problem and the dealer i bought my car from only carried a 45 day warranty. *ak
ODI 10096399
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2000 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.