2002 Ford Focus Ignition Problems
- 124
- 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 124 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- turn ignition · 26 records
- ignition turn · 18 records
- ignition switch · 18 records
- steering wheel · 17 records
- ignition locked · 16 records
- ignition lock · 15 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 42 |
| 30–60k mi | 28 |
| 1–30k mi | 10 |
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Ignition
Key would not turn in the ignition lock cylinder. Ignition key could be inserted all the way into the lock cylinder, but key would not turn forwards or backwards to either engage the starter or turn on accessories. Tried moving the steering wheel to free up the cylinder and made sure the car was in park to try and turn the cylinder. Nothing. Was told by the aaa mechanic that this is a common issue with early model…
ODI 10462329
Ignition
I have had my 2002 ford focus for 2 months. The key has always gave me problems with not wanting to turn. Today though i went to go to my college classes and the key will not turn at all. I have tried to get it to turn for 2 hours. Untill i said [xxx] it before i break the key and that i had already missed my class that i couldn't miss because of a test. Now i get a zero. I like ford vehicles but if they cant even…
ODI 10395606
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Complete ignition lock failure. Can not turn key in ignition to start the car. *tr
ODI 10369274
Ignition
On nov 12, 2010 my car would not start. I had to have my vehicle towed on nov 13,2010. Per the tow truck driver the reason why my vehicle would not start was because of a defective ignition part. Later that night on nov 13, 2010 my vehicle once again began to work. I called the local ford dealership service department to inquire if the was any recalls pertaining to this part. They told me no. Again on nov 17, 2010…
ODI 10368608
Electrical System · Ignition
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact stated that when the key was in the ignition, it would not turn the engine on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the cylinder and the key switch at the contacts expense. The manufacturer was contacted who offered no assistance with the failure. The vehicle was being repaired by the dealer. The failure mileage was 22,000. Updated 1/21/11 *cn the key…
ODI 10365809
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Key won't turn in the ignition of my 2002 ford focus -- it's locked. *tr
ODI 10352490
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
I own a 2002 ford focus se and for the past three weeks we've been forced to "entice" our key into the ignition and to turn in the ignition to start the car. Finally, today, 07/25/2010, we had to leave it while visiting a friend because it would not start, no matter what we did. We will be towing it and fixing the problem and, through research, we have came to the conclusion that it would cost $300+ to do so. *tr
ODI 10345416
Ignition · Steering
The ignition on my 2002 ford focus will not work and my understanding that this is happening to many people also. This issue will leave you stranded and unable to leave your current destination. In the event of an emergency it is unreliable. I work for a fire and rescue agency which requires me to make quick response and with this defect i cannot. Imagine if a female is in a domestic issue and need to get away or is…
ODI 10336112
Ignition
Key is stuck in ignition, vehicle will not start. My son was stranded. *tr
ODI 10335651
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
2002 ford focus ignition problem. I purchased this car two months ago and it works great. Problem is sometimes ignition switch get stuck and wont turn. Now my husband is stuck in another state and stranded due to this problem. Very disappointed with ford. *tr
ODI 10335473
Ignition
2002 ford focus se: the key will not come out of the ignition. *tr
ODI 10334703
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Key sticks in ignition. 2002 ford focus, 83,000 miles. We just purchased this car used on saturday and have already experienced this problem. *tr
ODI 10333916
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Ignition locks up, will not turn regardless of effort, pushing, pulling, beating, or twisting your tongue just the right way. However, one tap on the edge of the key while it is in the ignition works. No amount of wd-40 or parts cleaner fixes the problem though. *tr
ODI 10314781
Ignition
Faulty ignition in 2002 ford focus was stranded for five hours have not yet fixed the problem due to fords high cost to fix there defect. *tr
ODI 10318790
Ignition
My 2002 ford focus key will not turn in the ignition! I see that this is an ongoing problem with thousands of people. It should be a recall as it could be a safety issue especially when you are stranded with young children in the car on a blustery winter day! I called ford motor company and they basically said it was my responsibility to fix it. *tr
ODI 10304458
Ignition
Key stuck in ignition, unable to remove it. This is a huge problem for the ford focus cars, resulting in not being able to lock you car having to leave the key in the ignition. Replacement ignitions don't fix the problem, they fail also. *tr
ODI 10303707
Ignition
The ignition in my 2002 ford focus is locked up and i cannot turn it over at all. This is the second time this has happened in the past year now! The first time this occurred, my husband bought a new ignition online from an authorized ford dealership, drilled out the old one and installed the new one himself. The new ignition we bought was supposedly free of the defect that was causing the ignition failure. We have…
ODI 10303359
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
I drove my car (a 2002 ford focus) to a restaurant on dec. 28th, 2009 at 7:15 pm. When i got back into my car, the key would not turn in the ignition. I turned the wheel to release it from the "locked" wheel position, but the key still would not turn. I waited in my car for several minutes, then attempted to turn the key once more in the ignition with the same results. I was forced to call a friend and wait in my…
ODI 10297242
Ignition
The ignition on my 2002 ford focus locked up. It happened out of nowhere. I was completely stranded and it took me a while to get someone to come help me. After some investigation on the internet, it became clear that this problem is well documented and known about. I would hope this would be considered for a recall since it poses the potential to strand people in less than desirable conditions when the only problem…
ODI 10292488
Ignition
I went to my babysitters to pick up my child and i turn off my car which is a 2002 ford focus tot go inside. I come back out 5 mins later and try to start it and the ignition was stuck. So it was towed and fixed for 400 dollars. And just a big pain in the '!@#$%. *tr
ODI 10291106
Ignition
Ignition is locked. Key will not turn, brakes are locked, gears are locked. Costs hundreds of dollars to be replaced and i was stranded for hours waiting for someone to help me. Ford replaces the ignition key with the exact ignition key as before, creating dejavu for most customers. *tr
ODI 10286322
Ignition
The key in my ford focus will not turn in the ignition. This has happened once before and was fixed after hours of playing around with it. Now it has happened again, without as much luck. Luckily, i have been close to or at home when this has occurred. However, i am concerned that this could easily make me stranded one day. No warranty is available and my only option is to have the ignition replaced. *tr
ODI 10286037
Ignition
I own a 2002 ford focus wagon, the key will not turn the ignition, therefore the car will not start. This has been going on for about a month. Today oct 12, 2009 the key would not turn the ignition and the car would not start so my child missed school today because of this. This is getting frustrating i have only had the car since april of 2009 and this is causing me grief. I will not buy another ford focus due to…
ODI 10287124
Ignition
I own a 2002 ford focus. Last night i was at school , a very late class that ends at 10:15pm, and when i went to turn my key it was stuck. After many failed attempts in a parking lot that is basically empty by that time and being so close to downtown and the light rail i was very afraid of being stranded in alone as i did not have my cell phone on me. Finally security came around after about 1/2 hour and let me call…
ODI 10283381
Ignition
Sudden onset, got in my car, put my key in the ignition and the key would not turn to start the car no matter what i did. Researched the problem, tens of thousands of complaints from 1999 to present, owners are stranded in diff. Situations, freezing cold, extreme heat, with babies/children, stranded without the ability to communicate, young women (as in my case), at night, etc. Cost to repair up to $750. Am trying…
ODI 10283278
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2002 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.