2004 Ford Focus Switch Problems
- 33
- 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 33 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- ignition switch · 18 records
- turn ignition · 8 records
- ignition cylinder · 5 records
- switch failed · 4 records
- ignition turn · 4 records
- start turn · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 13 |
| 60–100k mi | 10 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Switch
The ignition switch failed to turn in my 2004 ford focus leaving me stranded. This was the first time this had happened and to temporarily remedy the situation i had to take a hammer and tap the key into the ignition and turn at the same time to start the car. The key must remain in the ignition at all times now to prevent a recurrence. *tr
ODI 10348040
Switch
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. The contact stated while trying to start the vehicle, the key would not turn in the ignition. After repeated attempts, the contact banged on the key and the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the ignition switch was replaced. The failure did not recur. The failure mileage was 77,139 and the current mileage was 77,673. Updated 11/9/10 *cn
ODI 10334431
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Switch
The issue i would like to report is in regard to ford focus automobiles from 2000 to current date 2010. There is a know defect with the ignition switch which is made with inferior metal parts in the ignition lock. What happens is that metal shavings are produced inside the lock and after time these metal shavings cause the lock to jam. Thousands of people have been affected by this problem and have been stranded…
ODI 10312706
Switch
Ignition switch in lock position freezes and refuses to unlock when ignition key is inserted, causing an inability to start engine or unlock steering wheel to move vehicle. This problem strands motorists wherever they are when the ignition key was switched off and removed from the ignition. *tr
ODI 10310590
Switch · Trunk Lid
I have two issues with my ford focus (2004) first, i ran into a problem with the ignition switch and it will not turn. I left the key in for a couple of months when this initially happened but, it wore out my alternator and i had to have it replaced. I removed the key once the new alternator was installed. I had some minor success with inserting the key and had to bang on it with my hand to get it to turn. This…
ODI 10286716
Switch
Key will not turn in ignition leaving me stranded at night. Seems to be a common problem with this car(ford focus) according to internet queries. *tr
ODI 10224368
Switch
I have owned my 2004 ford focus se for about 4 years now and out of no where the ignition in the car froze. When i put my key in the ignition the key doesn't go in the key hole smoothly once all the way in it wont turn. I was stranded at work for 3 and a half hours trying to get my car started finally a tow truck driver came and used a mallet hit my key while it was in the ignition to get the car started. I brought…
ODI 10222026
Switch
My daughter went to start her 2004 ford focus and the key would not turn when inserted in the ignition. Steering wheel and ignition cylinder were locked up and could not be moved. This was the first occurrence of this problem. Vehicle was towed to a nearby ford dealership where the problem was diagnosed as "ignition cylinder binding." dealership drilled out cylinder and replaced at a cost of $425. Failure mileage…
ODI 10215849
Switch
The key will not turn in the ignition of my 2004 ford focus.*cn
ODI 10213399
Switch
2004 ford focus ignition key lockout failure. Had to replace tumbler. *tr
ODI 10212230
Switch
There were no events leading to this problem. It just happened out of no were. My key would not turn in the ignition. *tr
ODI 10211929
Switch
2004 ford focus with ignition problems. Consumer states that the key got stuck in the ignition. Consumer also stated that the vehicle would not start. Consumer was informed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. *kb
ODI 10218298
Switch
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. The vehicle failed to start because the steering wheel locked up. The vehicle was towed to the ford dealer and is currently being repaired. The cause of the failure was the ignition switch. The contact discovered several complaints on this same defect, but no recalls were available. He considered this to be a manufacturer defect. The current and failure mileages were 48,000.
ODI 10208129
Switch
Tl*the contact's son owns a 2004 ford focus. The contact stated that the ignition would not turn when the key was inserted. The dealer stated that the ignition switch failed and was a common occurrence. As of november 8, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The vin was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 46,000.
ODI 10208239
Switch
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. The contact was unable to turn the ignition when the key was inserted. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred two days later. The dealer stated that the key cartridge caused the failure and they made the replacement. The contact stated that two of the three original keys have not worked properly since the replacement. The failure mileage was 14,155…
ODI 10206490
Switch
Without any warning the ignition switch of the 2004 ford focus began to stop functioning properly. I am currently able to turn the key if i spend a few minutes manipulating the steering wheel while simultaneously turning the key.*ak
ODI 10195438
Switch
We purchased a brand new 2004 ford focus, 3 years ago. Of course the warranty just ran out (we're at about 38,000 miles). Over the past 2 weeks, we've had problems getting the key into the ignition, and once in the ignition, the key wont turn. The first time it happened, it took just a couple of attempts and then it turned. It has progressively gotten worse, and has taken up to 5 minutes to get the key into the…
ODI 10192338
Switch
Yesterday i got into my car (a 2004 ford focus), put the key in the ignition, and the key would not turn. Today i took the car to the dealer and the problem was repaired. The key cylinder had malfunctioned. In doing some research i have discovered that this is a very common problem with the focus, but ford motor company has refused to recall the affected models even though this is a potential safety issue. The…
ODI 10183686
Switch
The key for my 2004 ford focus station wagon isn't working right. I turn it back and forth in the ignition and it take 5 minutes to start the car. It isn't on recall but should be. There are lots of the same issues on the internet. *jb
ODI 10181300
Switch
Ignition cylinder failed to turn during start up. Key would bottom out in cylinder as required, but upon attempting to rotate in any direction the key would not move. Could not get key to rotate after repeated attempts to do so over a 12 hour period. After researching the problem on the internet and talking with the dealership service rep where i purchased the vehicle, it seems this problem is very prevalent with…
ODI 10172985
Switch
I noticed when i first purchased my 2004 ford focus that it had intermittent problems with the key not turning the ignition over. I recently was stranded because my key didn't turn over and i took it the shop who confirmed it was my ignition lock that froze. The cost $265...*nm
ODI 10172297
Switch
Ignition switch failure.. Fortunate that the event happened while at home. I travel frequently as an employee of the department of homeland security. This could have been very detrimental if this had occurred while on duty. Ford's extended warranty that we purchased in good faith, refused to cover the component. While the plan clearly states that the ignition switch is covered. Ford's cost for repair is over…
ODI 10168595
Switch
I have a 2004 ford focus lx and the ignition locked froze. The key wouldn't turn, therefore not allowing my vehicle to start no matter what. The car only has 50000 miles on it and is fairly new. After doing some research on the web, this is a common problem in ford focus vehicles. There is even a class action suit going on in california. Ford doesn't recognize this as a recall because it's not a "safety" issue. If…
ODI 10167360
Switch
About two weeks ago i tried to start my 2004 ford focus, but the key would not turn in the ignition. After about 10 tries it finally worked. This afternoon i went to my car to pick up my wife from work and the key would not turn at all. I have tried for over two hours and no results. After some research on the internet i find that this is not an isolated case but rather the norm. Even further research revealed that…
ODI 10161250
Switch
The ignition cylinder locked on my 2004 ford focus making it impossible to start; it froze the steering column as well. It occurred late in the evening and left me stranded 50 miles from home. I have since read many reports of the same occurrence to owners of the ford focus of various years and trims. This problem seems to occur spontaneously without any forewarning and is of great potential danger to the driver.…
ODI 10157428