2001 Ford Focus Ignition Problems
- 193
- 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 193 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 45 |
| 60–100k mi | 38 |
| 100–150k mi | 19 |
| 1–30k mi | 16 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Ignition
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the key broke off in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was stated that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the problem recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000. *tr
ODI 10522045
Ignition
Attempted to start my car. Inserted key into the ignition and a warning chime began. Steering wheel was locked and i cannot move it. Ignition will not turn. Cannot drive at this time. *tr
ODI 10486503
Ignition
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that the keys became stuck in the ignition cylinder and could not be used to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a repair shop or to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was repaired by a locksmith who replaced the ignition cylinder and issued a new key. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the problem…
ODI 10465517
Ignition
I put the key in the ignition to start the car and the key would not turn and my steering wheel locked up. I spoke a friend about it and she stated she has the same problem she has a ford focus please tell me what to do if it was an emergency i would not be able to leave or pull off in the event of something happening. *kb
ODI 10419709
Ignition
I have had my focus now for only about 3 years, & have had more problems than i have had with any other vehicle i have ever owned before, combined. Ford focuses from the years 2000-2003 have an apparent ignition problem, and i am one of the unfortunate owners to be left stranded by this issue. I am completely astonished that practically every single focus owner has had this problem & yet the ignition has not been…
ODI 10379360
Equipment · Ignition
The ignition will not turn without large amounts of spray lubricant and pummeling the key while in the ignition to cause the tumblers in the cylinder to fall into place. This is a major safety issue, because it happens without warning, and right now, during these epic blizzards we are experiencing, it has caused me to be in danger. This problem is common among owners of this vehicle. Many people have developed ways…
ODI 10373628
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. The vehicle was parked when the contact attempted to turn the ignition on but it would not respond. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The approximate failure mileage 100,000.
ODI 10369052
Ignition · Steering
Having problems when i put my key in the ignition (2001 ford focus). My steering wheel gets locked or something. I would get this problem every so often no i've had it since friday. It is very frustrating!!! *tr
ODI 10317681
Equipment · Ignition
I tried to start my car and the key wouldn't turn in the ignition, therefore i was unable to start my car. It has only occurred this one time, i am having the ignition replaced. *tr
ODI 10310526
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
I parked my car on the side of the street and turned it off. When i came back to it about 20 minutes later i put the key in the ignition but it would not turn. The key would not turn forward or backward at all. I tried moving the steering wheel back and forth to try and get the key to move but then my steering wheel completely locked up as well. I was then unable to move anything on my car and it was stuck on the…
ODI 10311605
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Key won't turn in the ignition. Has gotten progressively worse over a week and now won't turn at all. *tr
ODI 10302096
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
2001 ford focus. Key won't turn in ignition, won't budge. I tried moving the steering wheel, tried using the other key, tried pressing the key in harder- nothing. Ignition has given me problems before: it would take two or three tries before it would turn, but it's never refused to move like this. Also, there were times when it didn't want to give the key back; i would have to jiggle and turn it, but it always came…
ODI 10300438
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
I inserted the key into the ignition of my 2001 ford focus zx3 and the steering wheel locked up and the ignition would not turn. *tr
ODI 10297554
Ignition · Steering
No events to indicate failure. Went to vehicle after working to after dark. Put key into ignition and key would not turn. Simply would not turn! Several attempts were made over a 20 minute period. I, fortunately, was leaving my place of employment. However, it was still cold outside, dark and not a safe environmental situation. I feel fortunate that i was not stranded. *tr
ODI 10296765
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that the ignition locked 4 to 5 times which made it impossible to turn the key or start the vehicle. The problem became progressively worse over time. He was previously able to restart the vehicle immediately after a few attempts. At the time of the complaint, the vehicle failed to start. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealership or spoken with…
ODI 10316750
Ignition
Key won't turn in ignition of 2001 ford focus. It was difficult to turn for a while and now simply won't at all. My baby and i were stranded out shopping. Called a locksmith and had the ignition lock replaced. *tr
ODI 10290250
Ignition · Mechanical
IGNITION SWITCH WONT TURN. *TR
ODI 10289736
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
On 10/7/2009 my 2001 ford focus se wagon ilc (ignition lock cylinder) would not break to start car. I have tried everything and still will not budge. I just found out on many web forums that this is a common problem and needs to be recalled by the ford manufacturing dealerships. Now my car is stuck up at the billings airport at wok and i don't have the time or money to get this fixed. I feel and all ford focus…
ODI 10286957
Ignition
My key gets stuck in ignition and won't turn on the car. Already got stuck and had to keep messing with it for an hour until i was able to jiggle it and unlock the steering wheel to start the car. There is definitely a problem with the ignition switch. I don't want to end up stranded somewhere and not be able to get my car started due to this defect. *tr
ODI 10283351
Ignition
Ignition lock won't turn, key goes in but does not turn the ignition, couple of days of jiggling the key to get it to turn and now it won't turn at all. *tr
ODI 10278174
Ignition · Steering
My ford focus ignition just stopped working! No problems before, the key would only go in half way, then i got it to go in with a slight tap of a hammer! Then the key would not turn over! This is a major problem!! Got it towed to the dealership, they said this problem is very common! A common problem that cost me $426.27! *tr
ODI 10276537
Ignition
Ignition lock broke and the car would not start. This left me stranded in a pretty rough neighborhood. After getting a lift home, i see this is an incredibly common problem with the 2001 ford focus, leaving people stranded in some pretty dangerous places. *tr
ODI 10274687
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
2001 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK UP. *TR
ODI 10269836
Ignition
Key will not turn in ignition. Car had to be towed to hertrich in milford de and ignition replaced and key programmed to new ignition. The first time happened at approx 30,000 miles and the second time at 87,000 miles. Service tech said cylinders were jammed and it took beating it with a hammer to release them to unlock the steering wheel. My daughter had driven to walmart to have her oil changed. They called her…
ODI 10264766
Ignition
The ignition switch so called 'safety' lock on my 2001 ford focus wagon refused to release, after repeated tries, so i couldn't start my car, the wheel wouldn't turn, and i was left stranded away from home. These cars should be recalled and ford made to repair the defective merchandise that they pumped out into the market. This is a safety hazard and apparently a common complaint with focus owners. *tr
ODI 10260317
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2001 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.