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
Defect in the key ignition; key would get stuck and car would not turn on at all. Your would not be able to turn on the car at all. The keys would be 100.00 each and they had to be program. Several repairs finally had to replace the hold ignition for a total of 411.62. This was a defect on the ford companies part; did a small survey and everyone with ford vehicles or ford focuses had the same problem; but had to pay…
ODI 10216171
Ignition
I've had my 2003 ford focus wagon in twice for repair of the ignition lock. The first time i had the problem the steering wheel wouldn't release as the key wouldn't fit into the ignition. Took it to the dealer and they removed the lock cylinder. It was cleaned and lubed and operating normally on 26 january 2007. About a month later i was having the same problem. This time i had to have it towed to the dealer. This…
ODI 10184017
Ignition
My key stopped working, or would only work intermittently for the past month. I started carrying my spare key at all times so i wouldn't get stranded. I finally had a 2nd key made ($125 at dealership). The new key failed to work later the same day. More intermittent ignition problems for next 2 weeks. This past saturday both keys failed. When i could finally get the car to start i came home and started researching…
ODI 10179524
Ignition
I have a 2003 ford focus. The fault is that when i put the key in the ignition, the key will not turn at all. It is locked in place. It happened once this summer on this car and on a 2002 focus i sold to a friend whom works with me. I called the ford dealership to see if they have seen this problem, which they had. They told me i could tap it with a rubber hammer to get it to unlock. Sure thing, it did. I checked…
ODI 10181257
Ignition
The ignition lock freezes and will not turn, which does not allow the car to start. This problem has happened on numerous occasions. The consequences have included loss of vehicle use, towing expenses, and unwanted stress. *nm
ODI 10177451
Ignition
The ignition started locking several months ago, but eventually would work after playing with the key to start. Today, while out at a shopping center, it locked up completely, causing me to have to tow the car to the dealer. This car is a 2003 with only 13000 miles on it.
ODI 10177331
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Dt*: the contact stated while parked, the steering wheel would not unlock. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. Also, the trunk would not close. The dealer was not contacted.
ODI 10176362
Ignition
I have owned 2 ford focuses, a 2000 and now a 2003 model. Both vehicles have had the ignition lock up and i was charged $400 to fix it. Obviously, ford motor company is comfortable enough with this design flaw that there have been no recalls, and the consumer is left holding the bill. There are over 400 complaints about this logged on the following website:…
ODI 10175831
Ignition
Second occurrence of key being put in ignition, steering wheel locking up and inability to start car. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership and repaired. First time (11/2004) under warranty, second time(12/5/06) charged $300, reduced to $80 under protest for a known problem. No wonder ford is going under! *jb
ODI 10175238
Ignition
I tried to leave my best friends house but my 2003 ford focus would not start. Apparently i need a whole new ignition. So i began surfing the net for prices and quotes but instead i've stumbled upon hundreds of complaint from across the country. I was told the part i will need cost $70. Plus $50 to tow the car since i cannot get the car started. So far i've only missed one day of work but i might miss many more…
ODI 10175223
Ignition
LOCKING OF IGNITION IN FORD FOCUS. *JB
ODI 10174954
Ignition
I have had this issue come up a few times lately. When i put my key in my ignition, the key will not turn. From researching this on the internet, it is obvious that ford motor company has ignored the problem and refuses to recall a seriously faulty part. I have been told that it is not recalled because it is not a "safety" issue. When someone with a small child can not start their car in the dead of winter (stuck on…
ODI 10174934
Ignition
Ignition cylinder locks when turning the key on a 2003 ford focus zx3. The car cannot be started most of the time. This is dangerous if the car stalls. *nm
ODI 10176503
Ignition
Had no previous problem with ignition in my 2003 ford focus se. Left my hometown for the day to shop 2 counties away. After shopping, went to start my car and the ignition would not turn. The key would go in, but would not turn at all. Had to have the car towed and am waiting now for the problem to be fixed. I have read online about all of the complaints regarding this problem in the ford focus. This should…
ODI 10171568
Ignition
I have had ignition problems with my 2003 ford focus. First incident in july, 2006 and am now experiencing another. I have a small child and do not want to be stranded somewhere just because i can't get the key to turn in the ignition. I am now also dealing with (today) a solenoid malfunction in my transmission (3rd gear). This is the 2nd time this has happened to me as well. The car jerks like crazy and wouldn't go…
ODI 10171551
Ignition
2003 ford focus that i bought used with only 14,000 miles on and have used as my commuter car for 3 months. At roughly 20,000 miles the key would not turn the ignition switch once but after a little shaking it worked. Around a month later it happened again but this time when it did engage it would not start the engine, i rolled started the car and got home but the next day the key would not turn the ignition switch…
ODI 10171676
Ignition
Can't turn the key in the ignition, steering wheel locked, can't start the car. *nm
ODI 10171496
Equipment · Ignition
Dt*: the contact stated the ignition locked resulting in the ignition cylinder key being replaced by the service dealer. While searching the nhtsa website, complaints were found where this occurred to vehicles and the ignition cylinder key was replaced multiple times. The contact expressed concern that this repair does not seem to be a permanent fix for the problem. Also, there was an odorous smell when the heating…
ODI 10170440
Ignition
Parked car when arriving to work at 8 am. Was leaving for lunch at 12 pm and ignition wouldn't turn at all. Wheel locked. Had to call tow truck. First truck arrived and they couldn't tow car since steering wheel locked and only a flat bed truck. Then had to wait several hours for a wheel lift truck. Was told by towing company that he had (8) ford focus' (same model), that week with same problem. He also told me that…
ODI 10196369
Ignition
Dt*: the contact stated upon placing the key in the ignition, the key would not turn and the engine would not start. The contact applied pressure with a pair of pliers, which allowed the key to turn and start the engine. The dealer and manufacturer were notified. Updated 10/25/2006 - *nm
ODI 10169344
Ignition
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle's ignition would not turn. The dealer determined the ignition needed to be replaced and the contact expressed this was a defect in the vehicle.
ODI 10168791
Column · Ignition
The vehicle is a 2003 ford focus with less than 45,000 miles, the ignition cylinder locked up without warning and the car refused to start. Additionally, the car would not shift out of neutral, making a tow difficult. This is a well known problem, ford refuses to acknowledge the risk of drivers being stranded in unsafe places where they could be raped, robbed or murdered. Fortunately, this happened to my wife and i…
ODI 10168573
Ignition
I own a 2003 ford focus, and like many other ford customers i have read about, i had my ignition lock jam up to the point where it cannot be started with the key. It will probably require a new cylinder, which, according to other complaints, will break just as easily. Clearly ford should step up and take some credit for such an inconvenience. It's just fortunate that no one can become injured from this particular…
ODI 10167534
Ignition
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle's ignition locked and the key could not be turned to start the vehicle. The problem began as being rough in turning the key but gradually worsened to not being able to turn the key in the ignition at all. The vehicle has not been to a service dealer.
ODI 10167718
Ignition
I own a 2003 ford focus and today i went out to my car to get some lunch when my ignition locked. I cannot start my car. I have had people look at it and there is nothing that can be done except bring it to the dealership. *jb
ODI 10166248
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.