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
Just paid 401.00 at the dealership to create a new tumber on a key ignition. *tr
ODI 10259429
Ignition
I own a ford focus and the ignition would not turn on. It just locked up for no reason. Had to have ignition replaced at 85,000. Miles. *tr
ODI 10262083
Ignition
I have a 2001 ford focus and as i was leaving work one day, i went to start my car and the key wouldn't fit in the ignition. After i was finally able to put my key in it would not turn. I had to call ford and they told me that this is common with ford focus' and told me to hammer in my key because a barrel was defective in the ignition. I hammered in my key and was able to start my car; however, this is an ongoing…
ODI 10252336
Ignition
2001 ford focus iginition key does not turn to start vehicle. *tr
ODI 10252257
Ignition
Out of nowhere the key would not turn in my ignition. I have had my car for 3 years and never had a problem, i stopped to buy xmas gifts at the mall, and when i returned, i could not turn the key in my ignition. And now every day i spend 20 minutes or more just trying to start my car. I have been late for work on several occasions since this happened. And the worst thing is never knowing when it will be really bad,…
ODI 10257822
Equipment · Ignition
This came out of nowhere. One day the key would not turn over. It was as if the steering column was locked. We googled the problem and found that it is very common in ford focus's built between 2000-2003. The quick fix was to carry a hammer around and give it a hit when the key gets stuck. This has worked pretty well until this morning. It took me 15 minutes to start the car. *tr
ODI 10254361
Ignition
The problem i'm have with my 2001 is my key will not turning my ignition. After review the complaints i see several people is having the same problem. Can you review the complaints with the ignitions. *tr
ODI 10248768
Ignition
This is the 2nd time my ignition in my 2001 ford focus has had to be replaced. I called the dealership they acknowledged this is a recurring problem with ford focuses. I have been stranded with out resources and this happens at random with no warning. The cost of towing, parts, and labor cost around 500.00. I find this very frustrating that ford will not recall the ignition switch, full well knowing this is a…
ODI 10248538
Ignition
The ford focus 2001 key will not turn in the ignition, i have spent many hours, and a large sum of money trying to repair the problem to no avail. I have gotten stranded at night alone, many hours from home on more than one occasion. It is frightening to drive my car any long distance for fear of being stranded. *tr
ODI 10266767
Ignition
I was trying to leave work to go home. I put the key in the ignition and the key would not turn. I was told to take it to a ford dealership, where they told me i needed to replace the ignition, a cost of $500. *tr
ODI 10245041
Ignition
IGNITION SWITCH WONT TURNED ON. *TR
ODI 10244563
Ignition
My daughter tried to start the car to go to school and couldn't get the key to turn in the ignition. Fortunately, she was at home when it happened, unlike the many others that have had the same problem at a repair cost of over $300, and the number of bad ignitions that are in the ford focus cars, it should be ford's responsibility to replace the defective ignitions. We have had many cars that were older than our…
ODI 10241631
Ignition
The ignition lock cylinder on my 2001 ford focus zx3 locked up, left me stranded. Unable to start the car. Ignition lock cylinder had to be replaced. The mechanic stated to me this is a very common problem with ford focus 2000 -2003 models. Ford refuses to admit to a problem. I have the old part if needed. Repair cost $333. *tr
ODI 10241402
Ignition
The ignition on my 2001 ford focus will not release the steering wheel or start the car. The key will go in but not turn. This is the second time this has happened to me on the same car. A local dealership replaced the ignition 22 months ago. This is frustrating and has left me stranded in both instances. I would like to see if this has happened to anyone but me? The car is a 2001 ford focus lx. *tr
ODI 10239460
Ignition
I own 2 separate ford focuses - both 2001 models. One is a zts and the other an sx. About a year ago, the sx ignition locked up and the car would not start. We had to have the ignition cylinder replaced. Now, barely a year later, the zts model is having the exact same problem. Searching online for a cheaper solution (the dealer charges upwards of $300 to fix the issue), i found that this is a very common problem and…
ODI 10241142
Ignition
Key will not go all the way into ignition cylinder on 2001 ford focus, so the car cannot be started. It appears that many for ford focus owners, but ford will not acknowledge that a recall is needed. *tr
ODI 10238830
Ignition
There were no events leading to the failure. I walked out to my car after work, late and night, in a dark, empty parking lot, and try and start my car. My ignition will not turn and the steering wheel will not turn. I tried for 30 min to get it working before i gave up. It just happened, no warning of an issue. I do not see this to just be wear. *tr
ODI 10236704
Ignition
Key will not turn in the ignition. The vehicle behaves as if the steering wheel is locked and will not allow the key to turn. *tr
ODI 10232114
Ignition
Well documented problems with 2001 ford focus zx3 ignition lockup. Thousands of cases, yet no recall from ford. Key won't turn in ignition. Happens repeatedly. Could endanger safety. *tr
ODI 10231539
Ignition
My 2001 ford focus ignition was locked up and key would not turn when attempting to start my car. I was stranded in an unsafe part of city while waiting for aaa to show up and provide assistance. *tr
ODI 10231263
Ignition
Ignition switch locked up leaving us stranded. Called ford customer service, they claim they could do nothing and told me to call a dealer and have it fixed. This call was made at around 9pm so there were no dealerships open. My fiance hit the key while in the ignition several times and was finally able to get the key to turn and unlock the ignition. I am unable to remove my key from the ignition for fear it might…
ODI 10230455
Ignition
My ignition locked up. I had to have my car towed home. I searched the internet to find repair methods and found tons of complaints from fellow focus owners. This problem is extremely common and cannot be fixed, it has to be replaced adding up to a total of $500.00. My car is no longer under warranty, but i have found that ford is aware of the situation and is doing nothing about it. My wife also owns a focus and…
ODI 10241613
Ignition
The key once inserted in the ignition will not start my car (2001 ford focus). *tr
ODI 10229423
Ignition
Key will not turn the ignition-2001 ford focus zx3 i'm have to wait until mondayjune 2, 2008 to find someone to fix the problem/repair 2 day wait without a car. *tr
ODI 10229418
Ignition
My key will go into the ignition of my ford focus, however the steering wheel remains locked and the key will not turn at all. Even after "jiggling" the steering wheel, i can't turn the key at all. After several attempts for some reason the key can turn. I have tried several different "tests" to see if perhaps parking straight on,etc will allow me to start my car however there is no rhyme or reason to it. This…
ODI 10225311
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2001 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.