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
I own a 2003 ford focus zx5 and i have had repeated key ignition problems. My key tends to not work in the ignition and has forced me into tough situations. The most recent was being stranded on the 4th of july in a city i am not from in a bad part of town after a fire works show. I also have had previous problems with the same matter and when i contacted ford about it they could offer no solution other than a steep…
ODI 10233252
Ignition
2003 ford focus car key ignition problems the key will not turn in the ignition and left me stranded. I took it to the dealership to be fixed were they informed me that the ignition has to be rebuilt. *tr
ODI 10231648
Ignition
My 2003 ford focus was previously owned by one person, my own sunday driver grandmother and is currently only driven by myself and my mother. It had only 47,800 miles on it when the key would not turn in the ignition leaving my mother stranded at one place and me stranded across town waiting for a ride. The faulty ignition cylinder locked up randomly potentially making the car a roadside and/or traffic hazard. *tr
ODI 10230275
Ignition · Steering
Key would not turn in the ignition. This has happened several times. After some repeated attempts to start, eventually the key would work. This time, it has refused to budge. Seems to be connected to the steering wheel being turned but that locks up too, so it can't resolve itself. Research on internet such as consumer's report shows this to be a frequent complaint with this model. Defective ignition! The other day…
ODI 10229479
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Ign key will not turning key gets stuck left me stranded in a bad high crime area i under stand that this is a problem on all the focus why is a recall mot been done. *tr
ODI 10332430
Ignition
2003 ford focus ignition locked so the key wouldn't turn. We had to have a locksmith come out to remove the ignition lock pins, which he reported commonly malfunction in this way. This is a commonly reported problem on 2000-2005 year ford focus vehicles, but ford will not issue a recall, even though it can result in drivers being stranded, unable to start their vehicles. *tr
ODI 10231503
Ignition
Ignition key/cylinder had to be replace. Key would not turn to start car. *tr
ODI 10227730
Glass, Side/Rear · Ignition · Latch · Trunk Lid
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While parked in the backyard, the contact started the vehicle and the rear window blew out. The dealer repaired the window. A few days later, the locks on the passenger side door would not unlock. The dealer repaired that failure as well. Afterwards, the ignition cylinder began to fail. The contact took the vehicle in for repair and had to pay $300. The current and failure…
ODI 10224763
Ignition
Premature failure of ignition module, could have failed while driving causing serious injury. After talking to dealership and other ford sources, dealers fix at least a focus a week with the same issue, this is an extensive issue that needs to be addressed. *tr
ODI 10224223
Ignition
The key ignition is locked and won't turn on the car. *tr
ODI 10221297
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. She called a mechanic and the ignition was replaced. The current mileage was 140,030 and failure mileage was 139,382. Updated 04/22/08. *lj
ODI 10222512
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful because the ignition would not turn. After 15 minutes of turning the key in the ignition various ways, the vehicle eventually started. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The purchase date, transmission type, fuel type, and fuel system were unknown. The current mileage was 49,000 and failure mileage…
ODI 10225699
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. In an attempt to drive the vehicle, the contact placed her key in the ignition and it would not turn. The vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic and they replaced the entire ignition. The vin was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 90,000.
ODI 10217907
Ignition
The ignition on my 2003 ford focus keeps seizing up. The only way to get the key to turn is to tap it with a hammer. I ran a google search for ford focus steering lock and found thousands of complaints for this same problem. Many of which said that ford does not recognize a problem and charged them for the repair. I have not taken the car in for service yet and am reluctant to waste my time with the dealer given the…
ODI 10215542
Ignition
Ignition switch won't turn. It's like the key is from the wrong car or something. I was stuck in 5 degree weather while waiting for a tow-truck driver to take my car to the dealership, which was closed anyway. The two-truck driver told me that he's personally seen about a hundred focuses (foci?) with the same problem, and that they are "notorious" among the tow-truck drivers for this problem. He was able to get the…
ODI 10215498
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact is unable to remove the key from the ignition only in rainy weather conditions. He notified three different dealers that acknowledged the failure, but were unable to provide a solution. Everyone refuses to repair the vehicle, including a locksmith. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The key remains in the ignition. The failure mileage was 107,000 and…
ODI 10223361
Anti-Theft Device · Ignition
I am writing because i believe that there should be a recall for my car due to many complaints with the same problem with my car. My wife was shopping and when she went to start the car the steering wheel was locked and the key would not turn. We ended up having to have the car towed to our home. We went online and researched and saw that many people with the same car and year that we have has the same problem. Our…
ODI 10214944
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. While attempting to start the vehicle, it would not unlock or allow her to start the vehicle. A professional stated that the ignition cylinder does not unlock, which prevented the vehicle from starting. The vehicle is currently being repaired. He called the manufacturer and is waiting for a response. The current and failure mileages were 60,600.
ODI 10214943
Ignition
I am having problem with my ignition. The key does not turn at all. The car has less than 50,000 miles but its already causing problem. *tr
ODI 10213017
Ignition
Over the past two years, we have had recurring challenges associated with removing the ignition key from the ignition cylinder/tumbler on our 2003 ford focus zx3. On december 23, 2007, i was no longer able to remove the key after hours of trying to jiggle or cajole the key and/or cylinder. I was forced to call for a tow truck. And i was without a primary car over christmas. The ford dealer has informed me that this…
ODI 10212714
Ignition
KEY FAILS TO TURN IN IGNITION IN 2003 FORD FOCUS. *TR
ODI 10212590
Ignition
I have a 2003 ford focus. I have the common complaint that my ignition needed to be replaced. The wheel became locked and i was unable to turn the key. I have found countless stories similar to mine on the internet and it's so common that the ford dealer and all the locksmiths that i have talked to in the last two days have known exactly what i was talking about. This problem needs to be addressed. Thank you. *tr
ODI 10212451
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The ignition switch locked up constantly and the contact can no longer drive the vehicle because the steering cannot be unlocked. The dealer stated that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced at the cost of $375. The part is not under warranty and there is no recall. The current mileage was 57,000 and failure mileage was 55,000.
ODI 10212333
Ignition
The ignition lock has locked itself and as a result we have not been able to turn the vehicle on. From what i've gathered on the internet it was not an isolated incident. I talked to one of the local repair shops and was told it was cost around $500 to have the part replaced. *tr
ODI 10212155
Anti-Theft Device · Ignition
My 2003 ford focus, left me sitting on a friday evening because the ignition key cylinder would not allow me to turn the key. Not only was the ignition key cylinder locked, but so was the gear shift and the steering wheel. I couldn't move the vehicle at all. It was dark and i was left sitting with one of my two children. I had to call for a ride, get the car towed and then pay to get it fixed. All along, ford knew…
ODI 10211445
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.