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.
Equipment · Switch
The key stuck in the ignition switch on my 2003 focus pzev. When it finally released it would no longer turn. I had the veihicle towed by aaa and had a aaa locksmith come to repair the ignition which i was told is not covered under my warrenty, at a cost of $300. The locksmith said it is a common problem on the focus. One month later the locksmith had to come back out to repair it again. A year later i must turn the…
ODI 10185419
Automatic Transmission · Hub · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Switch · Windshield
I only owned the car for about 2 months before the problems started i was told that there was nothing wrong. The transmission wouldn't change gear, they say this is normal. Also, the windshield was never sealed in they told me that it could be fixed. The front wheels click when driven. The brakes went out quick. The back hubs are sealed from rust. And now i can't even get my disabled child to the doctors because the…
ODI 10143296
Switch
IGNITION SWITCH AT 45,000 MILES, FORD FOCUS. *NM
ODI 10140686
Switch
I have a focus ford 2003. I had problems with my ignition, my key will not turn to start my car, i took it to replace the ignition cylinder. After few months it did happen again. I just tapped the top of the key and will turn, but today it did not turn at all. I think is not right to pay extra for that expense, when the first think a car is supposed to do is start!!!*jb
ODI 10138199
Switch
Can't turn car on , ignition switch lock. Asking 350.00 to repair this defect. *jb
ODI 10135321
Switch
With just 43,500 miles on the car my ignition locked up and i could not turn the key to start the engine. The car had to be towed to a dealers repair shop to be fixed. *jb
ODI 10134929
Switch
Ignition switch went out while my wife was at work. Had to get the ignition switch replaced. Ford dealer wanted at min. Of $100 plus parts independent mechanic replaced it for $65 plus parts. *jb
ODI 10140598
Switch
Our 2003 ford focus has had to have the ignition switch replaced twice. Parked the car, turned off the car, came back to start later and the ignition swith would ot turn. First switch was replaced in july 2004 and the second one in march 2005. Today while driving the car on a city street the steering wheel became so loose it is not safe to drive and will have to be towed for the third time to the dealer to be…
ODI 10129519
Switch
Upon starting the vehicle, the key failed to turn in the ignition, and the steering wheel locked up. Dealership indicated that the ignition froze. This was a common occurrence with these vehicles. *ak
ODI 10119145
Switch
2003 ford focus lx sedan - my wife went to walmart on the way home from work, and upon returning to the car the key would no longer unlock the ignition switch. Despite many attempts (a locksmith was unable to come up with anything) we ended up having the car towed. The quoted repair price is roughly $400. There are seemingly endless accounts of this very situation with the ford focus ignition on forums all over the…
ODI 10118015
Switch
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start when he turned the ignition. She called her insurance company and they advised her to strike the ignition with something, however, the vehicle was able to start moments later. The failure began in 2005 and has occurred six times. The contact took the vehicle to the mechanic and they stated that the ignition switch needed…
ODI 10202921
Electrical · Switch
I put my key in the ignition and it would not start steering wheel locked and car would not turn on towed to dealer cost was 50 dollars w/ extended warrant also happened to my sisters 2003 ford focus .the ignition was replaced . *ak
ODI 10108391
Switch
Nothing lead up to the failure, it just happened quite abruptly. I put my key in the ignition and it wouldn't turn forward. Also, the steering wheel is locked in place. *nm
ODI 10107693
Switch
When attempting to start the vehicle consumer noticed that the the ignition locked and key will not turn. Vehicle was towed to the dealer. *ak
ODI 10110979
Switch
Ignition lock cylinder would not turn after the key was inserted the key was hard to get into the cylinder before it seized. I did some research and on the automotive talk net i was able to print out 35 pages of the same complaints with 3 to 4 complaints on each page. A few of the complaints said that tow truck drivers had told them they have had several calls with the same problem, as did the lock smith i called to…
ODI 10104886
Switch
Ignition cylinder has failed twice since i bought the car in 11/02. The car is a 2003 ford focus. The ignition cylinder freezes and prevents the car from starting. I have had this cylinder replaced twice in one year. The first time on 11/6/04 and the second time in 11/27/05. *nm
ODI 10144051
Switch
2003 ford focus ignition cylinder locked up. Key will not turn, leaving me with towing costs to get it to the dealership.*ak
ODI 10098340
Switch
Ignition switch on an 03 ford focus zx3 locks up. It was fine one day and the next it wasn't. The car will start but it takes time and fiddling with the key in the ignition before it clicks and unlocks and starts. *ak
ODI 10100101
Switch
Consumer put the key into the ignition and the key will not turn. Vehicle had to be towed to the dealer, and consumer was told that although the vehicle was under warranty it did not cover what was wrong with the vehicle. *ak
ODI 10094902
Switch
While driving and upon stopping the vehicle consumer was unable to get the key out of the ignition. *ak
ODI 10092769
Switch
1. Several times within the past 3 or 4 days, the key in the ignition would not turn. After taking the key out and try again a couple time, it would turn. However, today as i put my key in, it did not turn; tried fixing it and turning it for several hours. No luck. Must call mechanic or locksmith. Car not functional at this point.*ak
ODI 10091242
Switch
Dt: 2003 ford focus. The consumer stated the key in the ignition switch lock got stuck. The vehicle will not go anywhere. This happend when the vehicle stopped and then started again. The dealership doid not know why this happened. This problem was first noticed on september 9, 2004. Then it happened again on august 20, 2005. Both times.gnition switch was replaced. The vehicle had to be towed both times. There were…
ODI 10134200
Switch
When attempting to start ignition switch locks intermittently.*ak
ODI 10075768