2003 Ford Focus Ignition Problems
- 263
- 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 263 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- turn ignition · 50 records
- ignition turn · 21 records
- steering wheel · 17 records
- ignition switch · 16 records
- common problem · 15 records
- ignition cylinder · 10 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 92 |
| 60–100k mi | 66 |
| 100–150k mi | 27 |
| 1–30k mi | 19 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
The key was starting to stick then i could not get the in the ignition switch to start the car so my son that works for ford said to tap on the key then it should start so i did and it worked it is an on going thing i think that if ford knows there is a problem they should do a recall on it the car is a 2003 ford focus and is not under warranty like the other owners that have complained about the same problem so now…
ODI 10284459
Ignition
The key won't turn in the ignition. This is a safety issue because i was parked on the side of the interstate to tend to one of my children and then the car would not turn back on causing me to have to call for a ride and a tow truck. The key will not turn at all. The ignition is "locked". My family and i could have been killed getting out of the vehicle on the side of the interstate to move into another vehicle.…
ODI 10278403
Ignition
The ignition lock on my 2003 ford focus locks up and the key will not turn in the ignition. It started out as just sticking a little bit but working after turning the steering wheel several times. It ended with it completely locking up. I had to have the car towed to a safe place and a locksmith came out and repaired the pins in the ignition tumbler. *tr
ODI 10298509
Ignition
Nothing lead up to the failure other than it happened a few times. I haven't been able to get it to a shop. The ignition key does not turn, it locks. I cannot start my car. I have been stranded at various locations. I got stranded with no cash, no food or water in the heat with no shade around. Dehydration was a concern. I haven't fixed it yet, trying to figure out the best way. I have found numerous posts…
ODI 10276164
Ignition
On my 2003 ford focus the ignition is gone it won't work. I was told by yankee ford that this is a regular problem with this type of car. It's something to do with the locking chamber it cost 400.+ dollars to fix. It i think this is a safety recall because something bad could happen be it on the road or in a parking lot late one night ..........say if someone is getting out of work and there sitting trying to start…
ODI 10294235
Ignition
The key will not turn in my ignition on my 2003 ford focus. I have to jiggle and jiggle to get it finally turn. It is like it locks up. Going to see a lock smith about possibly getting it fixed if i can not get ford to make a good faith repair on it. Took my 20 minutes to get the key to turn in order to start my car. *tr
ODI 10275002
Ignition
2003 ford focus zx3. Ignition switch locking up and not allowing the steering wheel to unlock. This problem has occurred at least 6 time in the last 12 months. This problem has made me late for work each time. *tr
ODI 10274574
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. Upon starting the vehicle, the contact was unable to turn the key in the ignition. The steering wheel would not budge; therefore, a tow truck was called. The contact previously experienced issues with the key becoming stuck in the ignition; however, she was always able to start the vehicle. The tow truck driver stated that the failure was identical to two other vehicles he…
ODI 10274115
Ignition · Mechanical
2003 ford focus .we have had ignition problems since we bought the car 4 years ago ( was a used car) the ignition was replaced once. Now we have trouble again. My wife got stuck at a shopping center. My son, a mechanic tried to help, but couldn't get the key to turn. She called aaa. When he arrived he "hit" the ignition very hard and the key turned. She was able to get home, but we expect to have more trouble. It…
ODI 10273929
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the key became stuck in the ignition. This was the second time that he has experienced an issue with the ignition. The ignition was previously replaced due to a separate issue. He called the manufacturer, but was unsatisfied with the outcome. The contact feels that the vehicle will be stolen if the keys are left in the ignition. The current and failure…
ODI 10273240
Ignition
My car key would always go in but no turn. Once in a while if i jiggled it, it would turn over and be okay. But i was shopping and the car would not start at all, so i called aaa. They had me try a couple of things and it didn't work so it was towed to my car dealer. Heir they said that the ignition went and they would have to replace it at the cost of $350. Shocked because it was nothing that i could have broken.…
ODI 10272650
Ignition
My 2003 svt focus takes 2 to five minutes of jiggling the key to get the ignition to work. I have read several complaints on this issue and contacted my nearest dealership and have been told they can fix it at my cost and that there is not a recall on it. The car is very well taken care of and has left me stranded a couple of times because of the ignition not working properly. *tr
ODI 10272520
Ignition
The key will not turn in ignition to start the car. *tr
ODI 10268795
Ignition
Hopped in my car like normal to drive myself to work. Placed key in ignition. Won't turn. Had to call of work after an hour of toying with it and calling my manager every 15 minutes letting them know... It won't budge.*tr
ODI 10268298
Ignition
The ignition key will not turn on my 2003 ford focus. I understand that this has been a common problem on this model of vehicle. My daughter was stranded in the vehicle because of this problem. There have been no warnings or signs that this problem was impending. *tr
ODI 10267723
Ignition
My 2003 ford focus ignition lock will not turn. Fortunately for ford, my warranty is up. I have read reviews that this is a common complaint with the ford focus model in the years 2000-2003. I cannot drive without fearing that the ignition will lock up on me and i will be stranded. This is very hazardous to me. I was lucky to not have had an emergency to attend to when i was stranded unable to start my car. *tr
ODI 10264293
Ignition
The ignition switch randomly broke on my 2003 ford focus. My key will not turn the switch. I was stranded with my 2 children. I contacted aaa and the locksmith that i spoke with was out of stock on the ignition cylinder because "this is common problem with the ford focus. I usually keep 4 or 5 on hand." i consider this a personal safety issue as there was no warning of it occurring. It was all very random. I drove…
ODI 10264162
Ignition
The ignition will not turn on in my car. The key will go in, but it will not turn. It was hard to turn for a while, several weeks i just would keep trying and jiggling it, and it would eventually work, and now it just won't turn on at all. I was stranded in a dangerous area until my husband could come to pick me up. I called a locksmith to repair it and he said he gets this issue al the time with ford focus. *tr
ODI 10262261
Ignition
MY KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. *TR
ODI 10262079
Ignition
2003 FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN. *TR
ODI 10261143
Ignition
WHEEL AND IGNITION LOCK UP. *TR
ODI 10260176
Ignition
I went shopping got in my car and put the key in the ignition and i couldn't turn the key because the ignition was locked. *tr
ODI 10259102
Ignition
2003 ford focus zx3 ignition randomly fails. Insert the key into the ignition and it will not turn. You cannot start your car for an indeterminable amount of time. Major flaw in ford ignitions with no remedy from ford. *tr
ODI 10258647
Ignition
No events to indicate a potential problem. The failure, occurring now sporadically and w/o warning, results in an inability to turn the ignition leaving us stranded for the unsafe and silly reason of being unable to turn the key. No old parts were available and close to 400 dollars later, the mechanic replaced the ignition. However, only one month after having it replaced, the ignition failed to start again (it is…
ODI 10301669
Ignition
I am having ignition issues. My key will not turn. It is on a regular basis that this happens. I have not taken it in for repair yet. I called for an estimate. *tr
ODI 10253152
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.