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
Car won't start. Key will not enter ignition. From what i understand, this is a recurring problem with this model. *nm
ODI 10168669
Ignition
IGNITION LOCK, COULD NOT TURN KEY. *JB
ODI 10168641
Ignition
My ignition will not turn. I have tried everything. I guess the ignition cylinder needs to be replaced. *nm
ODI 10167635
Ignition
*this is a safety issue!* when leaving work my car would not start, the starter would not engage and accessories would not come on...i went inside for 10 min to try to arrange a ride home...when i came back to the car i decided to try one last time and the car started right up no problem. While driving home (at about 8.30pm local time...fully dark outside) at approx. 50 mph the car died including most accessories,…
ODI 10167778
Ignition
2001 ford focus, 6 yrs old, only 38k miles. Ignition cylinder locked up and i was unable to insert key more than halfway. Vehicle had to be towed to dealer ($75), who replaced cylinder for $350. Dealer reports they still see this repair about once a month on the 2000, 2001 models. *jb
ODI 10167782
Ignition
I own a ford focus zx3 (2001). I seem to have the same problem as everyone else with my car. My ignition key would not turn and i was left stranded. I have done some research about the issue, and it seems to me that every other focus owner had to deal with this problem. The solution to the problem is purchasing a new ignition cylinder (~$400). Ford need to admit to a faulty part and low quality of materials. Please…
ODI 10166679
Ignition
My ignition locks up and i am unable to turn the key. This has happened 4 times now and each time i have to have the ignition lock cylinder replaced costing me around $400.00 each time. The first time it happened at about 16,000 miles and now i have 85,000 miles on my car. There is no sign when and where it is going to happen, it just does and then it leaves you stranded and in need of a tow truck, which is more…
ODI 10166089
Ignition
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicles ignition shuts down and the vehicle can not be shut off. The problem occurred one time and the dealer was unable to resolve.
ODI 10165678
Ignition
Dt*: the contact stated the ignition cylinder locked completely, and would not move. The key was also not able to be inserted all the way in to the ignition. The vehicle was not able to be started, and no electrical components engaged. The vehicle was towed to a service dealer, who drilled out the ignition cylinder, and replaced the cylinder and ignition switch. The dealer cited a faulty ignition switch as the cause…
ODI 10166236
Ignition
Went out to start car parked in garage and ignition cylinder would not turn when the key was inserted. Vehicle was towed to the local dealer where he replaced the ignition cylinder. This is the second time the problem has occurred on this vehicle and the first time it was replaced free of charge but they have told me they only replace these types of parts once under recalls? *jb
ODI 10164307
Ignition
Ignition cylinder locked up and i couldn't get the key in. Had to have it drilled out and replaced - $300. *jb
ODI 10174536
Ignition
When we pulled up at the store the car was running fine; however, when we tried to leave the store the steering wheel was locked up and we could not start the car. We tried many different things (as it says in the manual) including the manual override on the base next to the gear shift and checking for blown fuses. We ended up having to have the car towed to our home where a locksmith came out and replaced the…
ODI 10162876
Ignition
Inserted key in ignition and key refuses to turn. This has happened on several occasions. Car needed to be towed to the local ford dealer for repairs. *nm
ODI 10163167
Ignition
Ford focus 2001 ignition switch jammed. Does not allow the car to be started. It has left me stranded several times. The internet is full of people who have complained of this problem with the ford focus and the local ford dealer claims that there is no recall and it will cost $450 for the dealer to fix this very obvious manufacturing defect. *nm
ODI 10161001
Ignition
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle the ignition locked. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The dealer replaced the steering and ignition lock assembly. The manufacturer has been alerted.
ODI 10159753
Ignition
The ignition cylinder is a known failure in the 2000-01 ford focus. I have a 2001 ford focus and this is the second time i have had to replace this part. The steering wheel and ignition lock up and the vehicle is useless. The worn keys seem to worsen the problem. There is a 12-18 month life span on the part and that is unacceptable. If you would go to automotive talknet.com and choose the topic ignition cylinder on…
ODI 10161724
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. The contact stated that the ignition locked while attempting to start the vehicle. She had to strike the tip of the key while it was still in the ignition for the vehicle to be started. The dealer repaired the vehicle in june of 2006, however, the failure recurred in august of 2007. The dealer would not repair the vehicle because the warranty expired. The current mileage was…
ODI 10201039
Ignition
Second time ignition cylinder in 2001 ford focus has locked up. First left me stranded and had to have car towed in. Today, ignition has locked up again. Dealership doesn't know if they will pay for it, but they'd better. Have seen thousands of post about this problem--why isn't ford addressing this problem???*jb
ODI 10156890
Ignition
Key will not go back into the ignition cylinder. *jb
ODI 10155837
Ignition
When trying to put the key in the ignition the ignition locks up and will not allow the key to enter or while key is in the ignition the key will not turn. But after a while, trying to make it work the ignition gives in. I have reported this to the ford dealership and there were no recalls on this. Now i am afraid to drive it anywhere because the key may not work. Both keys are doing the same thing. *jb
ODI 10164880
Ignition
Ignition key difficult to insert then ignition mechanism and steering wheel locked. *jb
1 injury
ODI 10155091
Ignition
When i tried to start my ford focus 2001 zx3 car after leaving the post office, the key would not turn in the ignition. I eventually found a locksmith who replaced the ignition lock key cylinder at a cost to me of $189.00. When i called ford motor co. They had no record of recalls for this problem but after searching online i found that many people have had the same problem with the same response from ford. I feel…
ODI 10152901
Ignition
Dt*: the contact stated the key would not turn in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and the ignition lock cylinder was replaced. This occurred a second time 30,000 miles later and the same component was replaced.
ODI 10150269
Ignition
2001 ford focus. Key has been hard to turn in the ignition since i bought it. Now i can't turn it and the car has to be towed to the dealership. The wrecker driver and the service person at the ford dealership told me this is a common problem. The wrecker driver told me that they tow in approx. 10 focus' a week with the same problem. *nm
ODI 10150166
Ignition
My mothers 2001 ford focus had a problem with the ignition switch with it locking up. After checking the web i found that this seems to be an ongoing problems with the ford focus but ford doesn't seem to think so. I now had to buy the part and find someone else to install because it would be 3 weeks before they could fit me in at a price tag i was told of $550.00 to have it fixed which is a rip off especially if…
ODI 10150027
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2001 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.