2004 Ford Focus Ignition Problems
- 74
- 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
- turn ignition · 20 records
- ignition lock · 12 records
- steering wheel · 11 records
- ignition turn · 11 records
- ignition switch · 8 records
- ignition cylinder · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 24 |
| 60–100k mi | 21 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
| 100–150k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Ignition
The key will not turn in the ignition. This it turns out is a known issue for the ford focus yet so far ford has not recalled the faulty ignition. *tr
ODI 10247698
Ignition
My ignition has locked multiple times leaving my 3 year old daughter and myself stranded where i had to call someone to come and help start my car as the key wouldn't turn in the ignition. Tonight the car would not start at all and i had to abandon it. *tr
ODI 10247315
Ignition
I have a 2004 ford focus whose ignition switch went out and had to be replaced. This cost me a couple hundred dollars. *tr
ODI 10252593
Ignition
My 2004 ford focus's ignition has failed. It just stopped working one day leaving me stranded at work for 2 hours. *tr
ODI 10247406
Ignition
I bought a 2004 ford focus zx3 a year ago in august 2007. The car had never given me any problems until yesterday, september 22, 2008. I got out of school and went to lunch with a friend, i had to go to work so i decided to leave. When i went outside to turn my car on i couldn't turn the key in the ignition, i tried moving the stirring wheel while i turned the key in the ignition but it wouldn't budge. I called my…
ODI 10243191
Ignition
Ford focus 2004 key ignition problems. The key wont turn in the ignition. I understand that this is in focus 2000-2003, but mine is a 2004 and i just spent $400.00 in repairs. I went to the dealer to get it repaired hoping ford would finally issue a recall, and i can get my money back. The one i have will probably break again in a few years, for another $400. This is terrible. I had the card towed. *tr
ODI 10242397
Ignition
My ignition switch on my ford focus 2004 would not turn over. I was only in a fast food restaurant for 5 minutes and when i came back out, the ignition lock and steering wheel would not turn. Had to have car towed to local repair shop. Went on internet and have researched thousands of ford focus locked cylinder complaints. When will this become a recall? I do not know how much money i will be out of but this is…
ODI 10240548
Ignition
Ignition on my 2004 ford focus would not turn. This has happen before and i was able to get the car running. The latest i had to drill out the ignition to get the car home. *tr
ODI 10239977
Ignition
There were no difficulties leading up to the failure of my ignition. I put the key in the ignition of my 2004 ford focus and it would not turn. I had a mechanic look at it and he said it was the cylinder ignition switch. He checked online after seeing my car and found that this has been happening in focus' since 2000. I then did some research on my own and found the same thing. I called the ford company and they…
ODI 10239707
Ignition
Purchased 2004 ford focus on 8-5-08. On 8-19-08 the ignition locked in my drive way. Ignition will not turn over at all. Ford needs to fix this! *tr
ODI 10239001
Ignition
1. Nothing led up to the failure. 2. Failure occurs each time key is inserted into the ignition 3. Parts need to be replaced. I drive a 2004 ford focus. My ignition cylinder has gone out. I spent 1/2 hour late at night trying to get home from work. The key wont turn. I fear for my safety. There are thousands of people that have this problem. This is scary! *tr
ODI 10239252
Ignition
Key stuck in ignition switch. Cannot turn. Cannot be removed. *tr
ODI 10230105
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. When the contact inserted the key into the ignition, he was unable to start the vehicle. He was also unable to remove the key from the ignition. The dealer stated that they have had many similar complaints related to ignition failure for the ford focus. Depending on the severity of the failure, the repair could cost between $300-$600. Through online research, the contact…
ODI 10230110
Ignition
Ford focus key will not turn in ignition. I was stranded at night with 2 children for over an hour due to this problem! This has occurred more than a handful of times in the last 2 weeks which is unacceptable. This defective part should be recalled and replaced immediately!! *tr
ODI 10230785
Ignition
I was getting into my 2004 ford focus and put the key in and tried to turn it. The key would not turn. The ignition switch is broken. I researched it online and found numerous consumers with the same problem. Ford is not issuing a recall for this problem and they should. I called ford and they said there is nothing they can do. I was left stranded at work and late for my second job because of the car trouble. I am…
ODI 10219215
Ignition
Event: ignition key would not turn and start the car. Consequence: handicap equipped car: event left my wife helpless in her car in a hazardous situation for more than an hour (winter cold) (3) towing service required, cylinder had to be drilled out, replacement costs at ford car dealership about 500 usd. *tr
ODI 10212910
Ignition · Latches/Locks/Linkages
I have a 2004 ford focus. The ignition locks whenever the car is turned off. It is impossible to start the car again without hitting on the key itself. This has resulted in the key breaking off in the lock. The ignition lock appears to be a common problem with this make and model, and poses a significant safety risk.. I have had this problem for the past 2 years, but it has become much worse recently. There was no…
ODI 10295440
Ignition · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Visibility
The ignition lock and the key would not come out. Had to be towed at midnight from the hospital in 18 degree weather. Dealership said manufacture part at a cost of $455.00. Brake noise no one can find. Replaced the windshield wiper arm twice. Will never buy ford again!!! *tr
ODI 10256490
Ignition
My 2004 ford focus ignition lock cylinder failed (it wouldn't turn) leaving me stranded and requiring a tow and nearly $300 in repairs. I've since discovered that this problem is wide-spread and was identified by ford over 7 years ago and yet no steps have been taken to correct it. The fact that this defect can leave you stranded pretty much at random (anywhere at anytime) makes this a safety issue. Among other…
ODI 10210922
Ignition
2004 focus has a defective ignition tumbler. Over a course of a few days the key began to get stuck in the ignition and would only turn after several attempts. After a few days, it stopped working all together. I was stranded in a dark parking lot after work for nearly an hour until someone could get me. I then had to get a ride to work the following day ([redacted]). Before having the car towed to a garage, i…
ODI 10208939
Ignition
I'm a manager of a fleet of vehicles for the american red cross. I have had three (3) 2004 ford focus ignition lock up to were i could not turn the steering wheel. I had to get them towed and new ignitions put in. This has cost me close to 700.00 per vehicle. *tr
ODI 10246355
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. While stopped, the vehicle stalled and shut off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the key would not turn in the ignition. The failure occurred several times before, but the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic. The mechanic stated that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of…
ODI 10204775
Ignition
FORD FOCUS IGNITION KEY WON'T TURN. *TR
ODI 10200728
Ignition
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford focus. The key failed to turn in the ignition to start the vehicle. The dealer stated that the ignition cylinder had failed. The vehicle is currently being repaired. The current and failure mileages were 36,000. Updated 09/05/07. *jb
ODI 10196605
Ignition
2004 FORD FOCUS. IGNITION GOT STUCK KEY WON'T TURN. *TR
ODI 10189753
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2004 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.