2001 Ford Focus Switch Problems
- 129
- 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 129 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- ignition switch · 70 records
- steering wheel · 20 records
- turn ignition · 20 records
- ignition cylinder · 18 records
- same problem · 13 records
- replace ignition · 12 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 39 |
| 60–100k mi | 28 |
| 1–30k mi | 10 |
| 100–150k mi | 7 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Switch
Ignition switch on the vehicle is completely locked up and will not turn. My wife is a diabetic and has numerous health complications due to her diabetes. If we were out and became stranded it could have cost us her life. I am disappointed with ford for not fixing this issue. *tr
ODI 10558413
Switch
2001 ford focus ignition switch not turning when trying to start vehicle. My started early morning after work -20 outside. Lucky i was home. Googled and somebody said hit it with hammer and it will turn or replace new ignition switch. Hit it many times and now it got worse. Fix is not cheap and it is a very common complaints from many people all over the country. This is a safety issue due to it could happen while…
ODI 10261506
Switch
Key will not turn...can't start car..key tumbler defective. *tr
ODI 10216797
Switch
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, the key became stuck in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. Prior to the failure, the contact noticed that the key would occasionaly become stuck in the ignition, but could be removed. The current mileage was 97,000 and failure mileage was 75,000.
ODI 10276717
Switch
Ignition switch seizing, unable to start vehicle. 2001 ford focus wagon. Has happened, and been replaced 2 times. I understand this has happened to thousands of ford owners, yet ford refuses to acknowledge it as they do not see it as a 'safety issue'. The second time it happened to me, it was around 11pm on a friday night, on a small side road near mack and woodward, downtown detroit. There's no way in hell anyone…
ODI 10218824
Ignition · Switch
I bought my 2001 ford focus in april 2007 from a used car dealership. One day a couple of months ago i went into a store and when i came out my key would not go into the ignition and the steering wheel was locked. Fortunately i grabbed a passerby to help me and he was able to get the key into the ignition and i was able to drive the car. Then a few days ago i got home from work one night, parked my car, and went…
ODI 10208702
Switch
Ignition switch- my key won't enter the ignition. I have read hundreds of complaints online about this defective part. Ford needs to issue a recall on this faulty part. *tr
ODI 10208569
Switch
2001 ford focus zx3 ignition failure the key gets stuck in the ignition and does not turn and the car i guess is known for it and the company does nothing about the problem the customer has to pay for the new ignition every time it happens and the car is known for doing this. *jb
ODI 10205735
Switch
I had to have my ignition switch replaced because the key would not turn in the ignition. The mechanic indicated that this is a common problem with the 2001 focus. *jb
ODI 10197517
Switch
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact was unable to turn the key and unlock the steering wheel when he attempted to start the vehicle. The dealer stated that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. As of july 16, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 53,000. Updated 09/05/07 *tr
ODI 10196465
Switch
My wife owns a 2001 ford focus lx,we have been having intermittent ignition problem with this car for months where the key did not turn the ignition. I called ford service , and they advised to replace the ignition which will cost between $380 and $480. I could not afford this,, and lost time at work to go and mess with the ignition. I had to wiggle it back and forth ,sometimes taking me 2 hours, to get the key to…
ODI 10195618
Switch
Ford focus ignition key will not insert. This is a safety problem because i am stranded with an immobile car. *ak
ODI 10194095
Switch
My ignition and steering wheel locked when i was trying to leave work. After having the car towed to a garage, i found out it is going to cost me about $400 to replace the ignition switch. My problem is the gentleman who towed my car told me this was the third focus he towed this week for the same problem. The mechanic told me that this is a common occurrence in focuse's. I worked really hard to pay for the car and…
ODI 10186396
Switch
Tl* - the contact stated that ignition will not turn with the key. This happened four times , and shetook the vehicle to the dealership on 1-3-07. The contact stated that the weather was not a factor, and she will have the repair order from the work done. *ak
ODI 10177526
Switch
When i tried to start my 2001 ford focus this morning to return home, the ignition locked. I had this problem fixed 2ce before while under warranty. It is no longer under warranty. When i went on the web for info i spent hrs reading of all the other consumers with the same problem and that ford has done nothing to solve this. It was suggested i write to this site. *nm
ODI 10175714
Switch
2001 ford focus: ignition key will not turn after insertion, so the car won't start. Jamming key hard into column and maybe rocking the steering wheel eventually enables the key to turn and start the vehicle. Intermittent, but now becoming more frequent. Last time it took 40 minutes to start car - could be personal danger. *jb
ODI 10175312
Switch
Ignition lock failure. Key will not turn in ignition. *nm
ODI 10171300
Switch
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the key would not turn the ignition switch. A locksmith was called and the ignition switch was replaced. The dealer was not alerted.
ODI 10170931
Switch
Ignition switch deteriorated resulting in a failure; there were no prior indications of the imminency of this failure. Ignition subsequently completely failed to turn. Entire ignition switch system replaced. The keys will be the next to fail, as they are wearing down in a much more substantial manner than i have ever seen an automobile key deteriorate. *nm
ODI 10169897
Switch
Concern: 2001 ford focus zx3 (ignition switch stuck) this car has only 35000 miles. As i have searched for repair instruction for this problem i know it is wide spread. My daughter drives this car everyday to college and the ignition switch stuck and left her stranded. The key would go into the cylinder but would not turn. This could be very dangerous if she were alone and stuck in a parking lot in the dark!!! I…
ODI 10169739
Switch
Ignition switch on my 2001 ford focus locked. Unable to put key all the way into ignition switch. *nm
ODI 10166032
Switch
Dt*: the contact stated the key became stuck in the ignition on several occasions. The key was able to be turned, however it was not removable. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer on several occasions, where the ignition switch was replaced twice. The problem was not corrected, and the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the defect.
ODI 10165907
Switch
Key will not turn in the switch , replaced switch one time, the next time i had to have the keys reprogrammed one time and now my pos is sitting across town will not crank because the key will not turn. If i sit in the car and bang around on the key while in the ignition for 3 or 4 hours i might accidentally get the car to crank. Now once the vehicle ( i don't know why i call it a vehicle its more like nightmare )…
ODI 10164514
Switch
2001 ford focus. Key ( ignition switch) failed. Key won't turn . *nm
ODI 10167295
Switch
Ignition didn't turn, the only way to turn key was to bang against key with screw driver, problem got progressively worse, so eventually i had to get it repaired. Many ford focus forums state that this is a recurring problem upon many focus'! *nm
ODI 10162900