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
My igniton gets locked up and the key wont turn to start the car. *ak
ODI 10108255
Ignition
The ignition and steering wheel has locked up. I cannot get the key to turn in the ignition, so the car will not start-this is a major failure. I will need to take it to a mechanic to replace the lock cylinder within the ignition assembly. *jb
ODI 10107622
Ignition
Key sticks in ignition; cylinder needs to be completely replaced at a cost of hundreds of dollars. *nm
ODI 10107562
Ignition
IGNITION KEY/STEERING WHEEL JAMMED. *JB
ODI 10104955
Ignition
The ignition switch locked up, the key will not turn the steering is locked in place.*ak
ODI 10104819
Ignition
My ignition locked up on my 2001 ford focus, can't start the car. *jb
ODI 10104315
Ignition
Ignition cylinder failed and key would not turn to start the car. I had just gotten off of work and got it my car to go home and my key wouldn't not turn over. I had to sit in my car for almost an hour in freezing weather until someone could come and get me. *jb
ODI 10102706
Ignition
The consumer stated the ignition locked without warning. The part has been replaced, however the problem still existed. Please provide additional information. *jb
ODI 10101474
Ignition
No events lead up to failure. The tumblers in the lock keep getting stuck making it almost impossible to start the car. We tried to take it to the dealer, but it wasn't covered on the extended warranty i purchased. They wanted $260 to replace it, but it will continue to break over and over. From people i have spoken to online, and in person, this problem happens a lot with the ford focus. Seems to me that there…
ODI 10100115
Ignition · Switch
I put the key in the ignition of my 2001 ford focus and it wouldn't turn. The steering column/ wheel is locked up.*ak
ODI 10100041
Ignition
Complaint involves 2001 ford focus station wagon. Left turn signal malfunctioned for a few days, and then the ignition froze. Unable to release the steering wheel, i had the car towed and sustained damage from the towing. Apparently this defect is well known to dealers and to ford. My car has 49k miles on it and is never abused.*ak
ODI 10098284
Column · Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
I am the owner of a 2001 ford focus and have always had problems with it. On 10/28/2004 i stopped for gas with my two small children. After re-fueling, we all got back into the car to leave and the key wouldn't turn. My whole stering column had locked up-the steering wheel wouldn't budge, the shifter was locked as well as the brake pedel. Although many strangers tried to help me start my car, me adn my children were…
ODI 10097996
Ignition
We own a 2001 ford focus. We went out to start it 2 days ago and they key would not turn in the ignition. Apparently this is a common problem for ford focus cars. *jb
ODI 10098022
Ignition · Module
Without warning, ignition locks up and key will not turn. The car cannot be started and must be towed in for repair. The same problem has occurred on three separate occasions over the life of the vehicle. Since the car cannot be started, the driver has been stranded until the car can be towed in and repaired. To repair the failure, the lock cylinder must be drilled out of the steering column and replaced…
ODI 10096404
Ignition
My steering wheel locked and i was unable to turn my key when trying to start my 2001 ford focus lx. I tried all the usual, pull the wheel this way, turn the key that way, even tapping the key, and nothing worked. I had to have it towed to the dealer to replace the ignitiion tumblers, or whatever, and it cost $300.
ODI 10096102
Ignition
The ignition lock failed to accept the ignition key. I manipulated the key for about 15 minutes before the lock would accept the key. It finally accepted the key after jarring the car by slamming the door. I can never be sure the car is available in an emergency. *jb
ODI 10095902
Ignition
I have a 2001 ford focus lx sedan. The ignition lock mysteriously locks up about once a year and the car has to be taken to the dealer to be fixed. This will be the fourth time the ignition has locked up. Can you say "lemon law"? I have read literally hundreds and hundreds of posts on the internet about this problem. My ford roadside would not cover the tow and i had to use my insurance roadside assistance to tow it…
ODI 10091093
Ignition
I have had my car in 5 times to fix the ignition. The first two times i believe the a cylinder in the ignition was replaced, the third time the same part was replaced and i was given a new key. The four time the car started at the dealership and i was told i just didn't try to start my car properly and did i know how to start a stick shift (i have had a stick for the last 14 years). The fifth time they replaced the…
ODI 10091034
Ignition
Consumer placed the key in the ignition and it was locked. Ignition would not accept the key. She called the lock smith, and was told that they have at least one of this type of problem with the focus a week. Lock smith could not make the ignition accept the key. Had towed vehicle to the dealership. *ak
ODI 10087630
Ignition
On 2 separate occations within 1 year the ignition would not turn. Locked up. Ford replaced both times. *ak
ODI 10116544
Ignition
2001 ford focus - purchased 3/2001, has 31000 miles on it. Lock pin fell into ignition, key got stuck in ignition and would not turn. Estimated to cost me minimum $290 - up to $500+. The mechanic at ford dealership said that 2000 & 2001 focus cars are being towed in all the time with the same problem.*ak
ODI 10082554
Ignition
Consumer stated that ignition locked on its own. *ak the conusmer stated that he could not turn key to start the vehicle. *tc
ODI 10099323
Ignition
1. Ford focus ignition locks. 2. Could not turn key to start car. I was stranded on the 4th of july weekend. 3. Car had to be towed. Dealership service dept. Was closed. Locksmith had to replace ignition cylinder. Also, the ignition key was well worn even though it's a fairly new automobile. *nm
ODI 10080487
Ignition
The ignition on my 2001 ford focus "stuck" on me this past july. I entered my vehicle and inserted the key. The steering wheel would not turn...it remained in the locked position. On 7/3/04, i had to have the ignition replaced on my 2001 ford focus. The dealership informed me that this was a very common problem on the focus, however they still charged me over $500 to fix the problem. I had to have my ignition…
ODI 10100194
Ignition
Problems with ignition being jammed on 2002 ford focus. *mr the ignition lock cylinder would not turn and was seized. *sc *jb
ODI 10083714
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2001 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.