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
My 2002 ford focus ignition switch will not turn. The steering wheel is locked because of this problem. The ford dealership says this is a coming problem with these cars, but there is no recall. The charge will nearly be $500. *tr
ODI 10230016
Ignition
Key will not turn in the ignition. Had to call a locksmith to fix for over $200. The car was fine but would not start at all. The problem got worse and worse to the point i was stranded after about a week. *tr
ODI 10228598
Ignition
I have heard from many of ford focus owners of their problems with their ignition key getting stuck or not turning. I have been experiencing this problem for a few weeks now, where i have been left stranded at night or in harsh weather conditions. I believe that since this si not an isolated problem with a few vehicles and also considering the implications if vehicles not starting because of this problem in an…
ODI 10226820
Ignition
My 2002 ford focus has a known ignition problem per don davis ford but no recall has been issued. The key will no longer turn at all. The dealership offered to replace the ignition switch for $400. *tr
ODI 10226865
Ignition
My ignition switch on the 2003 focus wagon, locked up. A tow truck driver, hit it to release. I took it to the dealership for repair, and they said it would be $338.00. This is an ongoing issue with this model for years according to web blogs. I spoke to ford and they would not help me, and stated this was not a recall issue. We have 4 focus in the family. Our 2002 had the same problem -but was repaired under…
ODI 10224931
Ignition
2002 ignition locks up with key left in it. The failure occurs everytime i drive the vehicle. I am going to have to hire a locksmith and pay over $400.00. *tr
ODI 10263602
Ignition
Went to the grocery store about 10pm when i was done got into my car and the ignition would not turn. I sat there trying for a long time and nothing. It was obvious the ignition was locked up. Got my car towed the next morning to the ford dealership, which did not open until the following monday. They finally were able to look at it and said the ignition tumbler had to be replaced and the cost for that is $453.00. I…
ODI 10222280
Ignition
The ignition is locked on my 2002 ford focus. Nothing led up to it. Apparently this happens to focuses often. I need to have a locksmith replace it, at cost to me, when ford knows about this problem and has taken to action to remedy it. *tr
ODI 10222084
Ignition
I never experienced a problem with my ignition cylinder, no semi locking, no glitches nothing, then all of the sudden i go to start my car to leave the grocery store and the key won't turn. So i had to wait 3 hours with my 87 year old grandfather in a freezing car with no heater (cause the key wont budge) of a grocery store parking lot for a locksmith to come and fix and then to pay him $400. My complaint is not the…
ODI 10219035
Ignition · Power Train
'02 ford focus zx5 has shown continuous problems with ignition. First, the key would get stuck and the transmission would not shift out of 'p'. Then, the key would intermittently get stuck in the ignition. This occurred with increasing frequency, and it is now stuck permanently. I have not yet taken it to get fixed, but based on phone inquiries to repair shops it will cost me anywhere from $200-500 to get it fixed.…
ODI 10213080
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact was unable to start the vehicle when he inserted the key into the ignition. The steering wheel locked. The mechanic stated that the internal components of the ignition lock cylinder failed. The steering column and lock cylinder assembly were replaced and there were no further occurrences. The current and failure mileages were 75,378. Updated 03/14/08. *lj
ODI 10211165
Ignition
My key wont turn in the ignition most of them time leaving me stuck and in a dangerous position. *tr
ODI 10209496
Ignition
Key locks up in the ignition and will not turn. The car would not start. *tr
ODI 10249187
Ignition
2002 ford focus the ignition locked up and the key would not turn to start the car. This happened in 9/2004 and again 11/2007. Both times we were stranded, had to have the car towed, and it cost almost $400 both time. *tr
ODI 10207958
Ignition
I have a 2002 ford focus zx5 and my ignition locked up. Dealer said it is not on any recall list and therefore i need to pay to have a new ignition cylinder put in it. Cost is $200-250. *tr
ODI 10206226
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. When the contact places the key in the ignition, the key fails to turn as if the steering wheel is locked. However, the steering wheel is not locked. The dealer stated that the failure is due to a failed mechanism inside of the steering column, which is common in vehicles of this year, make, and model. The ignition repair would cost an estimated $350. The vehicle has not been…
ODI 10201591
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact was experiencing difficulty turning his key in the ignition of his vehicle. It took him 2-3 hours after leaving the store to start the vehicle. The failure occurred very frequently. The dealer advised him to go to a locksmith to remove the cylinder. The current mileage was approximately 76,000 and failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
ODI 10231349
Ignition
2002 ford focus ignition locks ,can't turn key to start car. *ak
ODI 10196042
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact stated that she was unable to turn the ignition when the key was inserted. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 60,000.
ODI 10198368
Ignition
IGNITION KEY HAS LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT TURN. *JB
ODI 10184193
Ignition
Two separate 2002 ford focus automobiles have had the ignition lock break, making it impossible to turn the key, unlock the steering column, or start the vehicle. Both these incidents occurred within a couple of months of each other. In the first case, there had been a gradual increase in the difficulty in turning the key in the ignition lock. In the second case, the failure was abrupt and complete - normal…
ODI 10179036
Ignition
I own a 2002 ford focus lx and i experienced a lock up failure in the ignition system that caused me to be unable to use my car at all. I had to pay for towing, replacement of the piece and labor. I understand ford knows about the massive failure that this piece in their cars has experienced and has done nothing to replace the piece. I had my 4 year old with fever and needed to get him to the hospital, the car was…
ODI 10177011
Ignition
IGNITION LOCK DEFECTIVE. *TR
ODI 10212636
Ignition
Ignition jams, key will not turn in lock. Internet search turns up hundreds of complaints of the same nature. Read http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_focus.html for more detail. I had to pound on the key with a flashlight to get it to work. Problem getting worse/occurring more often. I had previously purchased a replacement key, thinking the old one might be wearing out, it only works in the doors, it…
ODI 10176522
Ignition
The key stopped turning the ignition switch. The car cannot be started. *nm
ODI 10171625
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2002 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.