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
Ignition cylinder issue. 2nd occurrence key will not turn and wheel is locked. Widespread problem on year 2000 and up ford focus. Not cover by the b.s. Extended warranty. Still no recall. *jb
ODI 10150257
Ignition
I have owned a 2001 ford focus for the past 4 plus years. I purchased this car new and today the ignition assembly broke. I looked this up on the internet and found that ford is aware of this problem but is not doing anything about it. For a fact the parts person at baytown ford even stated that this happens a lot on the focus and that the new parts have been fixed. It will cost between 300 and 600 dollars to get…
ODI 10145421
Ignition
Dt: the contact stated the ignition locked up while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle engine would not start and the steering wheel would not move. The vehicle had to be towed home. No repairs have been made due to the expense. *ak
ODI 10142999
Ignition
I own a 2001 ford focus. On october 31, 2005, i noticed that my car key would not fit into my ignition all the way and my key would not turn. My steering wheel is also locked in place. There were no preceding symptoms to warn me of this failure. I have contacted my local ford company, which expects me to pay for the repair and towing. However, it seems that there are several complaints with focus owners about this…
ODI 10141561
Equipment · Ignition
Poorly designed ignition cylinders. This causes the tumblers to fail resulting in a lock-up of the ignition. The owner cannot turn the key to start the car and as a result, has to be towed. I was told that the ignition cylinders in the 2000 and 2001 focus were the european design. I have had to replace my cylinder twice. Once it was covered under warranty, the second time it was not and i had to pay $200. There are…
ODI 10141340
Ignition
My 2001 ford focus' ignition cylinder stripped and broke. The key will not turn in the ignition. I have done some research and have found that this is a very common problem with focus'. I feel that there should be a recall on these parts and reimbursements be made. *nm
ODI 10140166
Ignition
2001 ford focus stuck ignition. Upon researching this on the internet i find thousands of complaints and some people it happeded to several times. My complaint - why hasn't ford been forced to recal and fix the ignition switch on the 2000-2001 focus ( they fixed problem for later years).
ODI 10139748
Ignition
The ignition on the ford focus 2001 lx keeps "sticking". This incident has happened twice within less than two years. The ignition will not move giving the appearance of the steering wheel being locked but the steering wheel still moves, its the ignition that won't eliminate it being locking problems. I have had the ignition replaced twice in a short period of time due to this problem.*jb
ODI 10142199
Ignition
Last 2 years have had problems putting key in ignition and turning it. I have had to jiggle it and push it in. I got stranded at work because the key would not go in the ignition and turn. I brought the car to dealer and they said ignition cylinder had to be replaced costing me $392.00 for the part!!!!!! They said that my steering column could possibly break during installation! *jb
ODI 10137066
Ignition
The ignition locks up due to a defective cylinder. I have had the car for almost four years and i was quite surprised by this. I looked on the web and it looks like an extremely common problem that even the service at ford admitted to. I was particularly surprised when they said ford hasn't issued a recall for this problem. People have said that they have had the ignition cylinder replaced 2 and 3 times in short…
ODI 10135896
Ignition
I have a ford focus 2001 and i am having problems with the ignition tumbler for a second time in one week now. The steering wheel locks and it would not get unlocked by the ignition key. The whole part was replaced in the service shop a week ago and yesterday i had to bring it back to the mechanic because of the same problem. I have the old part in my trunk and they will have another one ordered today. *jb
ODI 10135385
Ignition
The key was stuck in the ignition and would not start. I tried to jiggle the wheel, but car refused to start. *jb
ODI 10134456
Ignition
I have had my 2001 ford focus zx3 for about 3 and half years. Recently, the ignition cylinder has already needed to be replaced. Ignition cylinders are supposed to last for a long time. The reason why i bought this car was because it was dependable. If problems like this are occurring when am i going to expect next. *nm
ODI 10130429
Ignition
Yet another ford focus owner who had the ignition completely lock-up. The key would no longer turn, rendering the car dead, and in need of towing to the dealership for a replacement ignition.
ODI 10133561
Ignition
Over time i was having more difficulty removing the key from the ignition. Eventually it took up 10-15 minutes of toggling the key and gear shifter to remove the key. This same problem was fixed three times under warranty (which has since expired). The ignition was replaced. The old parts are unavailable.
ODI 10128848
Ignition
Ford focus 2001 (1) key has been harder to remove from ignition, and more difficult to turn (2) key will not turn in ignition. I believe cylinder tumblers are worn out. (3) called ford customer service. Was informed that they could not help me, and i needed to bring it to a dealer. My research has indicated that this is a very common problem with 00-02 focus's.
ODI 10127372
Control Module · Ignition
I was at the store and got into the car and went to stick the key in the ignition and it would not turn. It would ding but would not allow me to do anything. I assumed it was maybe the fact that i needed a new key. I had it towed to a ford dealership and then i was told that i needed a new ignition lock and cylinder. I had to get the car towed back to my house because i am a single mother and cannot afford to get…
ODI 10128398
Cables · Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) · Ignition
Dt: the consumer's daughter drove to austin texas, when she entered the vehicle the ignition would not turn. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the consumer's house due to the dealer being closed. The consumer heard of a recall on ford focus zx3, which was having what consumer believed to be the same problem. The consumer contacted ford who said that this vehicle was not part of the recall. The consumer stated…
ODI 10125945
Ignition · Module
3 times in 1 week, my ignition key gets stuck. The key turns, the car starts, but will not come out. I have only had the car 1 month and it was purchased with 48k miles on it. After extensive internet research and speaking with several dealerships, i have found that this is a very common focus problem.
ODI 10122483
Anti-Theft Device · Ignition
I don't think that the problem that i am having is life threatening. My problem is as folllows: i purchased a 2001 ford focus zx3 and for some reason this particular car has a problem that the steering wheel locks by its self. About 2 years ago it happend for the first time and i had to have tow truck take it to the service department since it was still under warranty. The problem is back again and i no longer have…
ODI 10121779
Ignition
Ignition cylinder on 2001 ford focus locked and unable to turn key. *ak
ODI 10116667
Ignition
Key will not turn over in ignition. Ignition jammed. Key will not move to start car. Dealership aware of problem. Ford has not issued a recall. *jb
ODI 10112189
Ignition
Key won't turn in ignition. Can not start car. Was told it was probably the ignition cylinder. Getting checked tomorrow.*ak
ODI 10110154
Ignition
Key began sticking in ignition of my ford focus. This past weekend key locked in ignition. Appointment made with my local dealer and i have just paid $252 for a new cylinder. I questioned my dealer on previous complaints and they advised me that they had none!! Hard to believe when my local mechanic advised us of several individuals with this same problem. Quick fix was to take a hammer and gently tap on the key…
ODI 10110025
Ignition
Ignition key hs been locking steering column and would not turn to unlock column. Stranded in downtown beloit, because key would not turn. Car had to be towed to local mechanic. Mechanic could not turn ignition key to unlock steering column. Called local ford dealer. Dealer said that this is common problem with the ford focus, however there is currently no recall on this from ford. Mechanic had to replace ignition…
ODI 10110177
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2001 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.