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 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
| 100–150k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Switch
Ford focus 2003: the ignition mechanism stopped working with no warning. The key could not be fully inserted into the ignition or turned. Subsequently, the car could not be started. At first, the key could be tapped into the ignition, but that only worked a few times. Eventually i had to have the whole tumbler mechanisms replaced in the ignition. *nm
ODI 10178146
Switch
Failure of the ignition switch on my 2003 ford focus se. Key switch just stopped turning. Replacement of switch: part $89, towing: $60, labor $250...getting the steering wheel fixed later, after it was not installed properly: $100. I have done a search on this failure...there are many hundreds of complaints on the ford focus enthusiasts sites. *nm
ODI 10169712
Switch
My complaint is about the ignition cylinder locking up on my 2003 ford focus. The ignition locked up on me as i was leaving my mother's house august 12, 2006. When i inserted my key i found that it would not turn at all and the steering column had locked up as well. Leaving me stranded, i called a tow truck who towed my car to the local ford dealership in which i purchased my car. The tow truck driver told me i was…
ODI 10168318
Switch
Ignition switch that manufacturer knows is bad. *nm
ODI 10165021
Switch
I was left stranded when my ignition key would not work in my 2003 ford focus. Called a locksmith and he said it take about $300.00 to repair it. My wife had to drive 1 hour to come and get me and i lost a day of work, which i could not afford to lose. *nm
ODI 10164076
Switch
Ford focus 2003 key cylinder freezes. Cost to customer ~ $300 repair. This happens frequently according to several ford dealer service department managers i spoke with. *jb
ODI 10161810
Front · Interior/Under Dash · Latch · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Switch · Windshield
Owner of a ford focus/2003. Ignition switch locked up and had to get my car towed ($45.00) as well as pay for repairs ($183.00). Called ford headquarters and talked with a representative about being reimbursed. I also mentioned the problem i was having with my gauges. Upon starting car, gauges are all out of wack, swinging back and forth and landing on zero. After being on the road for about 15 or 20 minutes they…
ODI 10162343
Switch
The lock cylinder broke leaving me without a vehicle. The key would not turn, and neither would the wheels. There were no signs of failure previous to the incident. I paid $450 for a new lock cylinder on a car that has 60,000 miles on it. *nm
ODI 10160271
Switch
Ignition barrel will not rotate. Cannot start car or turn steering wheel. *nm
ODI 10159118
Switch
My car is only three and a half years old and for the last 8 to 10 months i have been having problems with the ignition switch. If i turn the car off it is very, very hard to get the key to turn over. I took it to a locksmith who said that they have been getting a lot of people who own ford and mercury vehicles coming in with the same kind of problems. They also said that ford has redesigned their switches several…
ODI 10177901
Switch
In both my 2003 ford focus and my daughters 2000 ford focus the ignition switch had froze up and had to be replaced including new keys made with the computer chip at about 430.00 each. Two different tow truck drivers said they have seen a lot of this. Also the ford dealership said they were surprised that there hasn't been a recall due to the large number that they have had to repair. *jb
ODI 10159509
Switch
Ignition switch failure in a 2003 ford focus. I inserted my special secure lock key and the ignition would not turn. When the tow truck operator came she informed me she tows focus' all the time with the identical problem. I went online to several forums and found that this is a consistent problem. There should be a recall on this part as it costs $525 dollars to repair!!!*jb
ODI 10156973
Switch
IGNITION SWITCH LOCK UPS, CAN'T TURN THE KEY. *JB
ODI 10156977
Switch
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle the key failed to turn. The dealership determined the ignition switch needed to be replaced.
ODI 10156176
Switch
The ignition switch on our 2003 ford focus has locked up for the second time. The first incident was in a movie theatre parking lot 600 miles away from home. We had it towed to a dealership and the part replaced. The most recent took place at home last night. We haven't gotten it fixed yet. *nm
ODI 10155659
Switch
One evening stopped at the store, turned car off, went back to start car, ignition would not turn over. Called towing company, they were able to turn it over. Informed me i needed to get the ignition switch replaced. Looked around found an lock smith that could do it, charged an arm and leg. The problem is recurring and will need to be replaced again. Ford is not responding to the problem, i am not the only one, a…
ODI 10193324
Switch
Dt*: the contact stated when the key was inserted into the key switch it would not turn. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. It was determined the key ignition switch needed replaced. On the first occasion the key ignition was replaced. This repaired the vehicle for a short period of time. Now the key ignition switch has failed again. The vehicle was started by an independent repair person and driven…
ODI 10150756
Switch
Dt*: the contact stated the ignition would not turn to start the vehicle. A local independent repair shop was contacted to come inspect and repair the vehicle. The repair personnel replaced the ignition and the vehicle immediately started. Updated 03/17/06. *jb
ODI 10151003
Switch
Starting about 2 weeks ago (43,000 mile) the steering wheel started to lock and the key would not turn to start the car. As many have stated on their complaints and on automotivetalk.net this is a recurring problem that needs to be recalled. I have to take it in and get it replaced. From all the reading i did it will cost me between $250 and $450. There should be a recall or a law suite! *nm
ODI 10149503
Switch
2003 ford focus zx3 ignition cylinder/switch locked without warning while my wife was out alone at night. I had to call and have car towed with a fee to the ford dealer. I'm sure this will cost even with the extended warranty. The tow truck driver informed me that he saw a very high number of these defects. Nhtsa really needs to do something about ford's apparent lack of concern for their consumers!! *ak
ODI 10148508
Switch
The key insertion cylinder (located next to the steering wheel): it will eventually lock into place and will not turn -- making it impossible to turn the key and drive. The safety hazard: when my 2003 ford focus lost power and needed to be restarted on the road, the key insertion cylinder locks into place, making it dangerous to turn the wheel -- because the steering wheel locks when the key cylinder is in the "key…
ODI 10178498
Switch
2003 ford focus ignition cylinder/switch locking up. The ignition locked up without warning and continued to do so for a few days then worked fine for a few days and then locked completely 4 days later. I got the ignition cylinder/switch replaced on 12/31/05 for $200.44. Both the dealer and ford admitted that it is a problem and far too many people have had the same complaint via automotivetalk.net. There are 100's…
ODI 10146791
Switch
Ignitions switch failure at 40,000 miles. Known and common problem with vehicle. 2003 ford focus zx3. *nm
ODI 10145756
Switch
Key will not turn in the ignition of 2003 focus. The wheel is now locked and i can't drive the car. I'm probably going to have to get this towed and pay $200-$300 dollars to get it fixed for what seems like a simple problem and i know this happens to many other focus owners. This is not acceptable because i'm 6 months pregnant and my safety is at issue. *nm
ODI 10145514
Switch
2003 ford focus with faulty ignition switch. The switch was lock in placed with no hope of turning the key. As the service manager at our local dealer explained, they know that they have a problem with the ignition switch tumbler set as they have replaced many of them and have been sent a tsb on replacing them with a better assembly made of steel as compared to the original made of pot metal. *nm
ODI 10144659