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
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the key would not turn when it was inserted in the ignition. He had to shake the steering wheel and move it for 15 - 30 minutes before the vehicle would start. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the ignition cylinder switch needed to be replaced at the cost of $512. The current mileage was 93,000 and failure mileage was 92,500.
ODI 10206598
Switch
Without warning, and with no prior occurrence, the key would not turn in the ignition of my 2003 focus. A friend rescued me and drove me back to work the next morning. I contacted my local ford dealer, where i had purchased this car brand new - along with a 7 year extended warranty. First, the service department rep tried to play "dumb' when i stated that i'm having the "ignition problem" and he later told me that…
ODI 10204374
Switch
2003 FORD FOCUS. *TR
ODI 10207500
Switch
Ignition cylinder total failure. Key would not turn at all. Search term "ignition cylinder""ford focus" on the net and you will be amazed how big of a problem this. Why a safety issue. Well, what would happen if i stopped the car somewhere and was stuck in the desert in the 112 degree heat, which by the way is the temperature that existed when it happened in mesa az. I was lucky the car was home. *tr updated…
ODI 10201310
Switch
My car was running fine then suddenly the ignition switch won't turn. Tumbler broke $350 at dealership. Common problem with these cars, yet dealer won't warranty. *tr
ODI 10200957
Switch
2003 ford focus ignition switch failed, causing the tires, steering wheel and ignition to lock. Therefore, car became inoperable. A subsequent tow damaged the car before being taken to repair shop.*ak
ODI 10196230
Switch
The ignition won't work. I cannot turn the key in the ignition. I have had trouble turning it before, but usually after turning the steering wheel or jiggling the gear shift it would work. Nothing is working today.*ak
ODI 10189944
Switch
I have owned 3 ford focus: one 2000 and two 2003. All three vehicles have had an ignition cylinder failure which cost in excess of $300 each time. The key will not turn in the ignition and this happens without warning. On three occasions i have been stranded and had to call aaa to get be to a garage for repair. I have cited only the most recent incident in this complaint. This is a known problem and i fail to see…
ODI 10182894
Switch
Key will not turn inside the ignition. This happened several weeks ago as well, but i was able to jiggle it loose. This time it is stuck and 40 minutes of jiggling, wd40, and frustration did not work. I am still working on what to do about it. *nm
ODI 10178692
Switch
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. *TR
ODI 10210442
Switch
Ford focus 2003 for several occasions the ignition lock key cylinder had not worked, i was not able to turn the key and get the car to start. Consequences, first i was not able to take my child to the emergency room until another vehicle arrived, another consequence, i was late to work, then it was in the middle of the night on a dangerous area of town, risking my life. Finally it got stuck at the airport and had to…
ODI 10178424
Switch
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the ignition switch would lock up and the key was unable to be turned. A mechanic diagnosed the vehicle as needing a new ignition cylinder. The ignition cylinder has been replaced. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 39,035 and failure mileage was 25,700.
ODI 10191441
Switch
Ignition lock of ford focus 2003 broke and we were unable to move the car away from a driveway that was blocked since it was not possible to turn the ignition key. One mechanic was paid to try to start the car but he was not successful (but he was still paid). Eventually, we learned from the www that this was a wide-spread problem. A locksmith was called who replaced the lock and was paid. In addition to the…
ODI 10176903
Switch
Dt*: the contact stated the ignition switch jammed and the switch would not turn. The service dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
ODI 10175745
Latch · Switch
Ignition key switch would not turn to start key. I had to replace the lock assembly on 2003 ford focus i bought brand new 12/31/2003. Told by scott reynolds of reynold's ford that even one of his mechanic's wife had same problem as a number of people have.*jb
ODI 10197259
Switch
The steering wheel locked up and i couldn't turn the ignition key. I had to call aaa to send a locksmith to replace my ignition switch. He said that this happened a lot with focuses. I researched the problem and discovered that this is a common problem in ford focus, but ford has not addressed the problem. *jb
ODI 10174179
Switch
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the engine with the keys in the ignition, the ignition locked and would not turn. After several attempts, the ignition turned and the engine started. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who determined the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 01/19/07. *jb
ODI 10174516
Switch
Steering wheel locks and car will not start. I am finding out this is a common problem with the ford focus. This could leave us stranded. It happens more often as times passes. As this seems to be a common problem, i feel the repair should be covered by ford. *jb
ODI 10173672
Switch
My 2003 ford focus will not start because the key will not turn. I've tried a number of tactics to get the car to start but failed. After much research online, i've learned that this is a very common problem any my problem has all the same symptoms. Luckily, the problem has occurred at home and as only left me with one very inconvenient problem; however, it could have happened where personal safety could have been…
ODI 10172210
Switch
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the key would not turn the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the ignition switch. Updated 11/30/06. *jb
ODI 10171976
Switch
2003 ford focus ignition is locking up with the key in it multiple times. *nm
ODI 10171376
Lock · Switch
1st- trunk latch does not disengage, i have taken it to the dealership in my nearest town. After 3-4 times of adjusting and oiling, it still does not release correctly, when you push the dashboard release, open the trunk it closes the latch on its own, you cant close the trunk unless you repress the dash release, which is difficult with arms full, or pull the safety release provided for not getting locked in the…
ODI 10169720
Switch
(1) no event lead up to the failure; it was unexpected (2) the ignition switch failed on the vehicle,which resulted in us not being able to start the car. (3) the car has been towed to the dealership. We are awaiting to here the results from the diagnostic testing. *nm
ODI 10168975
Switch
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *JB
ODI 10197525
Switch
I have a 2003 ford focus station wagon. The ignition key will not turn. It freezes up. I have tried another key and attempted to turn the steering wheel as far as possible to the right or left with no success. *nm
ODI 10167423