2003 Ford Focus Switch Problems
- 98
- 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.
What owners report
- ignition switch · 55 records
- steering wheel · 21 records
- ignition cylinder · 16 records
- turn ignition · 12 records
- switch turn · 11 records
- ignition turn · 11 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 46 |
| 60–100k mi | 16 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
| 100–150k mi | 1 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Switch
Ignition switch won't turn. Happened in bad part of town. This is a serious safety issue. *tr
ODI 10497624
Switch
Ignition switch failed to turn. Internet research indicates defective switch. Tapping key with hammer allowed the switch to work properly and continue to work properly as long as the key is not removed. Once the key is removed, the ignition switch again freezes and will not turn. *tr
ODI 10488875
Switch
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch became stuck and she was unable to start the vehicle for three hours; she also noted that the steering wheel would not move. The steering column had to be taken apart so that the steering wheel would move so the wheels could line up in order for the vehicle to be towed home. The contact had not…
ODI 10330835
Switch
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated when he placed his key in the ignition, the ignition switch locked and would not turn over. The dealer was contacted and advised him to bang on the steering column to allow the key to turn the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the ignition switch was replaced. The failure mileage was 53,600 and the current mileage was 53,850. Updated 7/20/10…
ODI 10331012
Switch
The ignition switch on my ford focus wagon (2003) jammed. Ford charged me $430 to fix it, even though the part is defective and needs to be replaced in many, many vehicles. *tr
ODI 10295650
Switch
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. *TR
ODI 10284720
Switch
The ignition switch on out 2003 ford focus continually jams and will not allow the key to turn and start the car. This can be remedied on occasion by hitting the key while in place, but the time it takes to get it unjammed varies. We're afraid this may happen while my wife and child are out somewhere and there is no one to help them, thus leaving them stranded. We've looked online and discovered this is an inherent…
ODI 10280510
Switch
The ignition switch will not turn on my 2003 ford focus. This car only has 45000 miles and has been treated gently. I've read 100's of posts online about this same issue and yet ford is reluctant to recall this or even offer a discount. *tr
ODI 10280183
Switch
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the ignition switch would lock up on several occasions. The ignition would not turn when the key was inserted, which prevented the vehicle from being started. The manufacturer would not assist or assume liability under warranty since there were no recalls. The failure and current mileages were less than 82,000.
ODI 10273880
Switch
2003 ford focus zx5. Ignition switch won't turn. Can't start car. *tr
ODI 10257311
Switch
The ignition switch on my 2003 ford focus has been failing to work properly. Half the time i have to jiggle the steering wheel as i turn the key in order for my start to start. This has been happening off and on for a couple of months now. Then tonight, i got stranded at the supermarket and was stuck for hours waiting for roadside assistance. The dispatcher not only sent out the wrong person to assist me, but the…
ODI 10256914
Switch
My 2003 ford focus key wouldn't not turn. It finally broke off into the ignition switch which left my daughter strained at captain d's. We had to have it towed home. We are having a hard time getting it fix when you're on a low budget. *tr
ODI 10256196
Switch
On 5 different occasions the key / ignition switch has stuck and not allowed me to start my can. This problem has left me stranded 2 times where i was unable to receive help for more than 8 hours. I contacted a ford dealership and was told that this was a common problem and that there was no safety recall for this and it would cost $400 to $600 to repair it. I did find a locksmith to repair it for $250.00 and was…
ODI 10244709
Switch
Place key into the ignition and the key would not turn. There is only 50k on the car. *tr
ODI 10225535
Switch
Ignition switch won't turn in my 2003 ford focus. Left me stranded in the parking lot at the airport. *tr
ODI 10220878
Switch
I got in my car and placed the key in to start yesterday and the key would not turn. The ignition had locked up. After several tries i was able to turn the key, it happened again, however, this morning. I was trying to return home and unable to start my car, i had to wait in my car for an hour until someone could bring me the key (it is currently 22 out). The key still will not turn after several tries. I am…
ODI 10218859
Switch
Key will not turn in the ignition of my 2003 ford focus. *tr
ODI 10216137
Switch
Ignition switch would not turn. Left stranded. *tr
ODI 10215765
Switch
The entire steering wheel and ignition cylinder locked on my 2003 ford focus ztw. Apparently, this is a big problem, requiring replacement of the cylinder. This has left me stranded without a car. *tr
ODI 10214214
Anti-Theft Device · Column · Switch
My mother purchased a new 2003 ford focus from lofink's ford in carthage, ny late in 2003 several times over the first three years she had the car, there was a problem with the ignition switch/steering column. She was unable to turn the key to start the vehicle. She repeatedly tried the key/steering wheel and was eventually able to get the key to turn. When she reported this to the dealership within the warranty…
ODI 10213727
Switch
The ignition on our 2003 ford focus failed. I was out of town visiting relatives in omaha and stopped at the omaha sams club. When i came out of the store to go home, the ignition would not turn. It was frozen so the key could not move it at all. As a result, i was stuck at a store. I called relatives and we arranged for a tow truck to take it to the ford dealership. The ignition cylinder was replaced and we were…
ODI 10215214
Switch
Ignition switch lock barrel failure. This is an ongoing well-known problem about the ford focus that ford seems happy to ignore. *tr
ODI 10213161
Switch
Ignition key would not turn. I was stranded away form home, had to call a tow truck and have the care towed to the dealer. Internet research shows that this is a common problem with the 2000-2003 ford focus cars and ford has not issued a re-call, although they have issue a tsb 05-21-17 in reference to the ignition switch problems. *tr
ODI 10210081
Ignition · Module · Switch
When i put my key into my car it will not turn. While this may not be an "obvious" safety risk, it can lead to serious problems if you are stranded somewhere. Ford knows about this problem with focus, yet has done nothing to correct it. I ended up stranded for over an hour as i waited for someone to pick me up, finally i banged the key out of frustration and i was able to turn it. This is a serious safety matter to…
ODI 10208848
Switch
In july 2007 the ignition key locked up and could not be turned to start the engine. I managed to get it to turn (no, it was because the steering wheel was holding) and drove it to the ford dealership. They had to replace the key cylinder for nearly $400. Despite numerous complaints and a 100,000-mile warranty, this service was not covered. The mechanic suggested that the keys were worn out and that i needed to make…
ODI 10206305