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
This is the third time that my 2002 ford focus ignition has failed. I stick the key in the ignition, the car makes the beeping sound and will not turn. I have tried turning the wheel and turning the key at the same time. I have tried turning the key to the other side and then turning it and i have also made sure it was in park, tried to mess with the tilt of the wheel nothing works. This time that it happened i got…
ODI 10110053
Ignition · Starter Assembly
No start, no crank. Randomly car will not start, and there is no cranking either. Happens once or twice a week. Shows dashes on the digit display. Car may start after 10 minutes or 3 hours - can't tell. Has been taken to the dealer once. Problem not replicated, but service found a technical service bulletin for the vin, and 2001, 2002 models which specified this exact problem, suggesting replacement of a specific…
ODI 10110221
Ignition
Ignition locked with key in it. Towed to ford dealer and ignition drilled out and replaced at around $300. Happened a second time. Locksmith called. Ignition drilled out and replaced for around $50.00. Hasn't happened again in about 3 years.*ak
ODI 10190847
Control Module · Ignition
I picked my car up from cleveland hopkins airport on saturday, october 23, 2004. I drove to my sister in-law's house to pick up my husband and 2yr old daughter. We stayed for about two hours and then left. When i tried to start my 2002 ford focus i was not able to turn the key. The steering wheel was locked up and would only move a few inches in either direction. After about an hour i just drove my husband's…
ODI 10096520
Ignition
Approximately every fifth time i drive my 2002 ford focus, the key gets stuck in the ignition and cannot be removed. Subsequently, i'm able to get the key out of the ignition (after restarting the car and driving mindlessly for a few miles). The dealer is aware of this problem, and they have replaced the lock cylinder twice to no avail. Within days of getting "fixed", the problem sprouts up again, leaving me without…
ODI 10095921
Ignition
I own a 2002 ford focus. On the way out of the supermarket, i put the key in the ignition only to find it would not turn! It was jammed. I could pull my key in and out, but no amount of shaking the wheel or twisting the key could free this frozen ignition. Never had this problem before. Had to call a tow truck and have it fixed at the ford dealer in yucca valley, ca. $650.00!!! Is what it cost to repair! I went…
ODI 10095662
Ignition
Upon trying to start the vehicle, the ignition would not turn. The consumer tried several times to get the vehicle started. Consumer had to have the vehicle towed. Please provide any further information. *jb the consumer stated that the mechanic already knew that the consumers vehicle was a ford focus and knew the problem before it was told to him. *tc
ODI 10096705
Ignition
Consumer stated the key stuck upon putting the key into the ignition. The ignition switch started to freeze. Consumer had problems starting the vehicle. This caused the steering wheel to lock. Contacted the dealer. Had the vehicle towed to the dealer. However the problem recurred. *ak.
ODI 10095344
Ignition
Upon trying to start the vehicle. The ignition locked. However, the consumer could not turn the key. The consumer tried both keys to the vehicle, and neither worked. Please provide any further information. *jb
ODI 10092301
Ignition
I purchased a 2002 ford focus from don hinds ford in fishers, in on 9/28/02. The problem i am reporting is that the key will not turn over so that the engine can be started. The key routinely balks and jams. It failed to turn over 1 week after the purchase. The ford 800 assistance # recommended pulling the steering wheel back & forth while simultaneously trying to turn the key over. That worked, they did not offer…
ODI 10091147
Ignition
Ignition cylinder is broken again after repair. This part needs to be recalled! Being unable to start the car at random is unsafe!*ak
ODI 10090669
Ignition
Ignition lock on the 2002 ford focus is faulty. The cylinders become damaged over time (short duration of time) due to wear preventing the lock from turning. Also there is a defect in the passive anti-theft device connected to the ignition switch. It will fail over time and cannot be easily repaired. The lock has malfunctioned on my wife and myself multiple times and has even cost us ten minutes of "haggling" before…
ODI 10088763
Ignition
Sterring locked up. Key will enter ignition but will not turn. Car is still in the shop. *jb
ODI 10088363
Ignition
In january 2004 and again on june 8, 2004 my 2002 ford focus stopped running while in traffic. The first time (january, 2004) was on the i-355 tollway while traveling approximately 55 mph. I was lucky enough to be in the right lane and was able to coast to a stop at the route 64 off-ramp. The last time (june 8, 2004) i was in rush hour traffic when the engine quit. There was no warning, sputtering or gradual loss of…
ODI 10075056
Ignition
Ignition key will not turn at all. Dealer quoted $400 to replace lock cylinder. *ak
ODI 10074908
Ignition
When putting the key in my ignition, the key will not turn and the steering wheel is locked. This just started happening and progressively gets worse. *ak
ODI 10073042
12v/24v/48v Battery · Engine · Ignition · Manual Transmission
Engine stalled after i had driven two miles with no warning. I had just down-shifted into 2nd gear as i was slowing to make a turn and the car stalled across two traffic lanes and would not restart. The oil light, battery light, and one other light came on (alternator i think). The car was manually pushed out of traffic lanes in neutral gear by two motorists who stopped to help. They were also unable to restart the…
ODI 10045723
Electrical System · Ignition
Car will randomly not start. This occurs both when engine has been cold for several hours and after engine has been running a while and then shut off and restarted. Car will eventually start usually after waiting about 30-40 minutes. Dealer says cannot replicate problem but they will not keep it long enough to really try. If we were to tow to dealer, car would be starting by the time it got there. Occurs at random,…
ODI 10083074
Ignition
Vehicle won't start. Dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. *ak
ODI 10022614
Ignition · Pads
Vehicle stalled and the ignition tumbler was defective whereby consumer have to leave the key in the vehicle. The ignition was replaced four times. Also, front brakes squealed, and did not stop the vehicle. Pads were replaced four times.*ak
ODI 10101824
Ignition
Purchased 2002 ford focus 4 dr sedan, took delivery 9/28/02. About 1-2 wks later, tried to start car, ignition key would not turn over. Called ford assistance toll-free #, they advised wiggling the wheel while turning the key. They say ignition key sometimes will not turn when wheels are turned or parked up next to a curb. This has happened many times since, not all under those circumstances. Today, 7/16/03, with…
ODI 10028419
Ignition
May 25, 2002: vehicle stalled on hwy 15/93 interchange in las vegas, nv while doing 65 mph. Traffic was moderate, and we were able to move to the side of the road. Safety was of main concern here as we were not that far off the road. The vehicle restarted 30 min. Later. May 27, 2002: vehicle stalled for second time on hwy 93, 34 miles southeast of kingman arizona while going up a hill at 65 mph. There was no…
ODI 764688
Ignition
This is my second ford, focus. My car stalls out and the steering wheel locks while driving. I initiated the lemon law for the previous focus 2001, but was offered a 2002 to avoid my proceeding to lemon law arbitration. Wrong move on my part. My 2002 has the same iginition problems ... Stalls out/steering wheel locks while driving! I do not recommend buying a ford focus.
Crash reported
ODI 764375
Ignition
While traveling on turnpike at 55 mph, vehicle hesitated momentarily as though a spark plug was missfired. Owner will send details after ford inspects vehicle.*ak
ODI 8011358
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2002 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.